We come to the last scene of this first act. Once again I am overwhelmed by the support for my story. Thank you to Jim, my wonderful beta. A few word of thanks to the many who reviewed.

Tinymiko , Keylosha, – I too think Lizzy would always look out for a young lady in possible danger. Spygrrl, My1alias – I've always liked to explore Darcy's POV.

Pri-Chan – Darcy is a little way off yet.

CatherineWendell – I see your point. Personally I always thought Darcy would have known Mrs Annesley, possibly through personal connections, to trust the woman enough with his sister's care, especially after cannon Ramsgate.

Likazin – while Darcy might have a great impression, he is still Resentful Darcy.

To everyone else, who I have not mentioned by name, thank you for your comments. I hope you like this next part.

Scene IV

English mid-summer daylight lasted many hours, from three in the morning until almost nine o'clock at night. Although the carriages could have continued on to Ramsgate this particular July day, Darcy felt he'd pushed his horses and servants far enough. Travelling slowly, they'd traversed fifty miles at a pace suitable to sustain the stamina of his animals so they might be used again on the morrow. Darcy did not trust the endurance and temper of hired horses, given the tragic accident that had taken his father, and he'd ensured he'd purchased the best available for his private stable. To that end, Fitzwilliam Darcy treated all in his power with respect, finding himself rewarded for his patience.

The party arrived at Rosings Park in the hour before the evening meal. Lady Catherine scarce gave Darcy time to change out of travelling clothes before demanding his presence in the Drawing room. She'd greeted her nephew with all the effusions Darcy came to expect from the increasingly ridiculous woman. It seemed the longer Sir Lewis lay in his grave, the more insensitive and dictatorial his widow became.

"You will bring Georgiana to Rosings on your return journey and here you are to stay for a month complete. Kent is such a pretty setting in which to spend the summer months. Anne and Georgiana must become better acquainted so that when you take your wife to Pemberley," Lady Catherine droned on, only to be interrupted by Darcy.

"Madam," he shot up from his position on a most uncomfortable and gaudy lounge. Delicate coffee cup in hand, Fitzwilliam's mind had been engaged by the situation in Ramsgate. He'd given his aunt's monologue little attention until mention of his sister. "I beg you do not say any more. When I marry, I will choose my bride and then inform you of it."

"Uniting our houses," Lady Catherine narrowed her eyes and glared at the fractious impediment before her, "was the greatest wish of your mother. It is time you fulfilled your duty and married Anne. Is that not why you have returned to Rosings so quickly."

Turning his back on the room, Darcy stalked to the window, placing the cup on a side table with a noisy clatter. Hands behind his back, he knew no such wish from his mother. Lady Anne Darcy passed away eleven years ago without mentioning any engagement or her preferment for one. On closer consideration, Darcy recalled travelling in the same carriage which took the lives of his Uncle, Sir Lewis, and his father three years past. Indeed, he'd narrowly escaped permanent injury in the most unfortunate accident. Should the gentlemen have wished such a union, it would have been the perfect opportunity to speak of it, and only the fathers could make such an agreement. Having reached his majority, Darcy knew his mind must turn to marriage, if only to continue the family name. That they did not discuss such an arrangement, and that Lady Catherine had only started this harassment after the death of her husband and George Darcy, led Fitzwilliam to believe it a figment of her overactive imagination.

Turning back to the room, Darcy now had his most severe mask in place. Stating in the coldest tone possible, "I do not accept that any such arrangement ever existed, and my father would never have agreed to such a scheme, given Anne's health. Understand this, Madam, I will never make an offer to your daughter. As you well know, I have business in Ramsgate which cannot be delayed. I stated this in my express yesterday. Should you wish to continue such a discourse, I will take my meal in my chamber. When I depart in the morning, I will inform your brother Lord Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock, to assume oversight of the finances of Rosings Park in the future, for I wash my hands of any association between us."

Spluttering, Lady Catherine continued to glare while her mind worked on a plan to achieve her goal. Several times she began to speak, only to have Darcy's stare challenge her unformed words. Finally, recognising the danger to her ultimate objective, Lady Catherine gave up, for now. Nevertheless, Darcy climbed into his carriage the next morning much later than his intended hour of daybreak. Somehow his aunt delayed them well past breaking their fast. Anne joined them unexpectedly in the breakfast room, looking pale and sickly. While feeling sorry for his cousin's situation, Darcy could not show her any preferment lest it encourage her mother to persist in her ridiculous demands. At the earliest possible moment, he departed, determined to begin looking for a suitable wife and put Anne out of her mother's imposed misery.

With only thirty miles to transverse to Ramsgate, Darcy demanded all speed to his rented townhouse. Mr. Mills, the butler for that establishment, had been informed of his current master's arrival by express yesterday but directed to ensure as few servants knew about it as possible. They were also to be informed to admit Mr. Wickham if he called today and detain the gentleman in the least used drawing room to await the master's pleasure. However Miss Darcy was not to be allowed in that gentleman's company under any circumstances, even with companions.

"Mr. Darcy," Mills greeted the party and ushered them quickly through to the book room. "I have followed your instructions, Sir. However, Mrs. Mills wishes a word with you, for Miss Darcy has given contradictory instructions as to Mr. Wickham."

Infuriated, Darcy requested the butler get his wife. Ten minutes later, however, he was somewhat reassured concerning these directions and his opinion of Miss Bennet further increased as he learnt of her influence on Georgiana's decisions. It seemed this new friend held his sister's innocence and reputation in the same stead as he. He should very much like to meet her and take her likeness, for she seemed too good to be true.

"Thank you, Mrs. Mills," Darcy hesitated as he considered the implications of Georgiana's instructions. George Wickham would not be pleased, nor would he understand why his admittance to this house had altered five days previously. Wondering if the rascal, realising his scheme was unravelling, had decamped the area and Darcy had missed his chance, Fitzwilliam enquired, "has Mr. Wickham called?" The housekeeper nodded, adding he seemed slighted not to be admitted into the presence of Miss Darcy but continued to call every day, only to be informed Miss Darcy was much engaged. "And you allowed him entry through the servant's door, but only to see Mrs. Younge?"

"Yes, Sir," she confirmed. "I believe he will call again today and request to speak with Miss Darcy. Please sir," Mrs. Mills looked to her husband for courage to give her opinion. Mr. Mills nodded in reassurance. "I am uncomfortable with the gentleman and confess to overhearing some of the conversation between Mrs. Younge and Mr. Wickham. I fear neither are to be trusted."

"Should Mr. Wickham present himself today, allow Mrs. Younge to receive him," the words, accompanied with a strange expression made the servants wonder what Mr. Darcy had in store. It seemed his mind held a plan which he would not willingly impart. "I wish you to inform me of his arrival at once. Mrs. Mills, I implore you, please do not leave any of the maids in the company of Mr. Wickham. He is most certainly not to be trusted with their wellbeing."

"Good Lord," the woman burst into a sudden fit of tears. It took Mr. Mills' reassurance and Darcy several attempts to extract the facts Mrs. Mills tried to convey. It seemed Mrs. Younge had left Georgiana in the company of Mr. Wickham, unchaperoned, on several occasions. Mr. and Mrs. Mills, understanding the repercussions of such an act, had ensured none of the servants knew of the impropriety.

"Where is my sister now," Darcy demanded, furious this had occurred.

"Miss Darcy," Mr. Mills looked up from comforting his distraught wife, "is at Bainbridge House. Lady Marianne sent her carriage the night Miss Bennet dined and requested Miss Darcy stay for a house party. Begging your pardon, Mr. Darcy, but Mrs. Mills and I have done all we could to encouraged the association and make certain Miss Darcy spends the better part of every day at Bainbridge House. We felt she was well-protected there."

"Very good," Darcy nodded, a headache starting behind his eyes. It seemed his housekeeper and butler did not trust Mrs. Younge with his sister's care anymore than did Sir Reginald's widow or this unknown Miss Bennet. After obtaining the directions to Bainbridge House, Fitzwilliam decided to walk the short distance in the hope of reining in his temper. "I shall make a call upon Lady Marianne Bainbridge, directly. Please send a servant immediately, should Mr. Wickham present himself. I will ensure the message is brought to me, and return to deal with the gentleman."

I think the scene is well and truly set. We have a resentful and somewhat angered Darcy, a protective Elizabeth, Aunt Marianne, who is an unknown quantity and scheming Wickham. Act II commences on Thursday, AWST (Australian Western Standard Time).