A/N: Thanks for those who continue to review. Here's Chapter 5, I hope you all enjoy it. The long awaited secret is revealed!! Yes, it's the chapter you have all been waiting for.

Last time in An Impossible Treasure

A small grin appeared on her face and she turned to see Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy smiling at her. "Would you do me the honor of dancing the first two with me, Miss Bennet?"

"How can I refuse the guest of honor?" Elizabeth asked with a smile. He led her to the dance floor with a smile, and after the first set, young Mr. Darcy danced with his sister, and Elizabeth danced with his cousin. After the second set, Elizabeth mainly stayed with Georgiana who introduced her friend to many other relatives and acquaintances. When they were all seated for dinner, Elizabeth was relieved to find that she was seated in between Georgiana and Lady Matlock. Georgiana mainly stayed in conversation with her brother and father, and Elizabeth conversed with Lady and Lord Matlock

Chapter 5

"So Miss Bennet, you say you are from Hertfordshire," Lord Matlock began. "That is where your family's estate is, yes?"

"Yes," Elizabeth replied. "I live at Longbourn estate, though it is not very big, nor so grand as this, but it is home, and I love it all the same."

"That is the attitude that more people need," Lady Matlock said. "Everything is about possession these days, who owns what and where and how much it cost. It's all so very tiring."

"I agree," Lord Matlock said. "Please forgive the personal question, but Miss Bennet, are you happy with your life?"

"Indeed I am," Elizabeth said.

"You see? And that is all that matters."

Elizabeth smiled and said, "Forgive me, but I must say that I have never met people of high rank with such wonderful manners before. It is as if the entirety of the Darcy family and those connected to it are nothing but pleasing."

"That is because you have not met my sister-in-law," Lady Matlock said.

"Sophia," Lord Matlock said disapprovingly.

"It's true."

"Are you speaking of Master Darcy's Aunt Catherine?" Elizabeth asked.

Lady Matlock nodded. "He has mentioned her," Elizabeth added. Lady Matlock smiled and said, "Knowing Darcy, what he said was not a compliment."

"Indeed it was not," Elizabeth said blushing and smiling. "He said that she does not know when to hold her tongue."

"That would be an understatement," Lady Matlock muttered.

"Sophia, please," Lord Matlock said. Lady Matlock apologized, and dinner went on. Elizabeth was very pleased with the company of Lord and Lady Matlock, and she was glad to know them. During the final course, Elizabeth received a discreet note on her plate that no one noticed. It simply said:

Meet me in the gardens after supper. F.D.

There was no mistaking who it was. Elizabeth stole a small glance at young Mr. Darcy who looked at her as well and gave a single nod. Elizabeth looked down at the ground in a small bow, showing that she would be there as soon as she could. Then she turned back to her companions and once again got back into the amusing conversation they were sharing.

A few minutes after dinner was finished, Elizabeth was able to sneak away from the party and go into the gardens. She found Darcy there hidden in the shadows of the hedges. He put a finger to his lips and motioned for her to follow him. He took her hand and silently led her to a back door where they slipped inside the house once again. They ascended the stairs noiselessly, and it was not until they were in the safety of the music room on the top floor that he spoke.

"Please," he said as he neared her. He tucked a stray hair behind her ear and said, "please tell me that I was not imagining things last week when you…when we kissed. Please tell me that it was real, and that you returned them."

"It was," she said with a reassuring smile. "I did."

He smiled and cupped her face in his hands. He lowered his lips and connected them to hers. Their embrace was warm and passionate, and Elizabeth felt an odd coldness when they parted. It was not for long however, and soon her lips were on his.

It was never a question of can or can't for him. It was always a question of will or won't. And he did. He would. He shouldn't, but he would. As he lay in bed that night thinking about her kiss, he couldn't help but smile. He had never felt as strongly about anyone before. Then Elizabeth came along. His Elizabeth. He smiled as the words came into his head. His Elizabeth.

Elizabeth had never felt such emotion before. She had never been kissed before, but she knew that no man would ever match in intensity with which her beloved Fitzwilliam kissed her. She understood why he had wanted to meet in private. His family might like her as a friend, a mutual acquaintance, but would they truly accept it if they were to marry? Probably not.

Where did that come from? He had said nothing of marriage, and Elizabeth was not ready for it anyway. You are jumping too far ahead, Elizabeth scolded herself. She sighed and stared up at the black ceiling. He was so perfect. Almost too perfect, but not quite there yet. She still didn't know who he really was, but she would find out in the time that she was in London.

At least…she hoped she did.

The two did not see each other again for the next few days, and it was driving Fitzwilliam Darcy crazy. He had to see her again. He was beginning to get agitated, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could stand it. Finally after another week had passed, he sent her a note that was supposed to be as discreet as possible. It said to meet him at a park near Gracechurch Street at midnight that night.

As Elizabeth snuck out of her house, she couldn't believe what a thrill the thought of seeing him again brought her. She walked the short distance to the park and immediately started searching for him. She couldn't see his carriage, but surely he had brought one. It was a great distance to the park from Grovesnor Square. Then she saw him. When she did she smiled gleefully, and he smiled as well. They embraced when they were close enough to touch, and before they parted he placed a small kiss on her lips.

"I am sorry that we had to do this," Darcy said. "But I had to see you again. I've been going mad without you Elizabeth."

"Do not be sorry for wanting to see me," Elizabeth said as she blushed. "I too have longed to see you again Fitzwilliam." She placed a hand on his cheek, and he took it in his own hands to place a kiss on her palm. For the rest of the night they sat on the park bench and talked with a few stolen kisses in between.

This happened every night for a fortnight. They would meet in the park and talk until the early hours in the morning, just getting to know one another. They were falling in deeper and deeper each time. After their fourteenth secret rendezvous, George addressed his son in private after breakfast.

"I know what you've been up to," he said.

Darcy just looked at his father curiously. "What do you speak of? I have been up to nothing."

"Ah yes, that is why one of my drivers is on the verge of leaving due to the fact that he believes he is being overworked because my son makes him work twenty-four hours," George said. "That is why you have been tired as well because you are up to nothing."

Darcy looked at his father. "I have had much on my mind lately, and I have been preferring midnight strolls to clear it. That is all."

"I know you like her, Fitzwilliam," George said, and Darcy just stared at his father. He hadn't used his full name since he was a child. "I know that you are on your way to falling in love with her if you have already not. You must sever your acquaintance with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Tell her the truth."

Darcy looked at the floor and then murmured, "Every time I see her, I try to tell her. I greet her with the intention of telling her, and I never do. I can't."

"Then I will."

"No!" Darcy said adamantly. "No, I will do it somehow."

That night Darcy once again took a carriage out to the park, but he used a different driver that night. When he arrived, Elizabeth was already there on their regular park bench. But she was crying. He rushed over to her, and placed a hand on hers.

"Dearest Elizabeth, what is the matter?" he asked.

"My father…" she said. She tried to continue but could not.

"Is he alright? Is he ill?"

She shook her head. "A few months ago, Lord Johnathon Ashby leased a nearby estate. My father…has consented for me to marry Lord Ashby."

Darcy paled. She continued. "We are to wed in a fortnight, and the day after our marriage…we are to sail to America to live on his tobacco plantation in Virginia."

"No," Darcy said as he stood up. "America? Good God." He couldn't believe this. She was leaving him. She was going overseas. After her wedding…he would never see her again.

A single tear fell down her cheek. He wiped it away and just held her for the rest of the night. When they parted in the early hours of the morning, Darcy had made a resolve. Since they would never see each other again after her marriage, he would not tell her. She didn't need to know, and she never would.

As Darcy rode back to his London home in his carriage, he cried. He just let the tears fall, but he did not dare to let a sound escape his lips. He knew that after she had left London he would not be able to see her again ever. If their paths had ever crossed he would not be able to acknowledge her. But that would have been better than never seeing her again.

As he entered the house, his father was waiting for him in the entrance hall. When he saw him, Darcy tried to wipe his face dry which only caused it to become redder than it already was. He tried to choke out a "Good evening father" but he couldn't speak. He was still upset and shocked by what Elizabeth had to say. His father spoke instead.

"Good evening son," he said. Darcy just stared up at him. "I trust that the reason you are so upset is because you have told Elizabeth and she no longer favors you?" Darcy gave a curious look at his father and shook his head.

"Did she find out on her own?" George asked. Again Darcy shook his head negatively. "Well then why are you so upset?"

Darcy swallowed thickly and said, "Elizabeth is to marry in a fortnight."

George scoffed. "That is nothing for you to be upset about Fitzwilliam. You will still pursue her."

"Perhaps I would if she was not journeying to America the day after her wedding."

George's eyes widened a bit. He didn't know how to respond to that. He wanted to say he was sorry, but he knew that her leaving was for the best. He would greatly miss her, however. He stayed silent instead.

"Goodnight father," Darcy said before walking up the stairs past his father and to his room. George sighed and returned to his room as well. Before he returned to bed though, he composed a letter, and he had it sent early the next morning.

Dear Miss Elizabeth Bennet,

My son has informed me of your upcoming marriage to Lord Ashby. I have met the man myself, and I can safely say that he is truly a gentleman. I congratulate you.

I must confess that your engagement is not the reason for this letter. I know of your little interludes with my son. I know that you and he have been meeting secretly in a park near your current residence in Cheapside. I thought it only fair to let you know.

In May earlier this year, my son married his cousin Anne de Bourgh. My son intended to tell you, but unfortunately he never found the proper way.

With your impending nuptials I did not think it mattered whether or not you knew. I believed however that you would prefer to know that nothing could have come of your relationship with my son. I thank you for your time in reading my letter and becoming acquainted with myself and my daughter whom considers you her dearest friend. Lord Matlock and his wife both said that they were more than pleased with you. They will be sad to know that you are going overseas.

You have even had a positive affect on my son. Before you met him, he had never known what it was to love another person who was not a relation. When he married Anne, I thought that all hopes of him loving a woman as I loved his dear mother were lost. So I thank you Miss Bennet, and I hope that you and Lord Ashby are very happy together. Signed,

George Darcy

When Elizabeth read the part of the letter where it stated that her beloved Fitzwilliam was married, she stood up from the breakfast table with tears in her eyes. She left the room and went to her bedroom where she continued to read the letter in silence. When she was finished she let herself fall to the floor with her back against the door. Sobs wracked her body, and she didn't try to control them. She felt a soft knock on her door followed by Jane saying, "Lizzy? Are you alright?"

Elizabeth collected herself a bit before quietly replying, "Please Jane, just leave me be."

From outside the room Jane frowned, but Elizabeth soon heard the sound of her footsteps walking away. After composing herself a bit, she sat at her desk to write a letter.

A/N: Gasp Darcy?? Married? Say it ain't so!! Well give me lots of reviews and I'll get the next chapter up. Tell me what you think!