Hello! My exams went brilliantly so here I am again with a new chapter. This one the longest in this whole story so far. I hope you will enjoy it.

Thank you, Jen for your woderful beta skills.

Chapter 9

Darcy

Darcy sent a quick prayer of thanks when he woke up that morning and found it was not raining. For four days, unrepentant rain conspired against him, stalling his meeting with Beth. Although there were dark clouds on the horizon, at this moment, everything looked dry and he was hopeful. He hoped that it would last, as he could not wait another day to see her. Deciding to take his chances, Darcy rang for his valet, and would at least try to ride towards Longbourn before it started raining again.

He quickly tiptoed downstairs, hoping to avoid Mrs Robbins. Four days trapped inside the house with her and he was tempted to strangle her. She was becoming more and more bored with every hour spend in this uneventful country and decided to get her amusement from him. Unfortunately, as the others were quite busy, he had to face the dragon alone. General Robbins found a kindred spirit in Mr Hurst and both men spent their days by tasting Mr Bingley's brandy and discussing politics. Miss Bingley was enthusiastically preparing for the wedding, her head full of lace and jewels. Charles was finally taking some interest in the estate and was going through ledgers so Darcy was not about to interrupt him after working so hard to make him care.

"Darcy, are you going to ride this fine morning?" Bingley hollered a little too loud for Darcy's tastes.

"Shhh." He frantically looked around. I really hope that Mrs Robbins is still upstairs. "You do not have to wake the whole house." He scolded his friend. "What are you doing up so early in the morning?"

Charles waved his hand enthusiastically. "While I was reading the accounts yesterday, I found out that there is an old mill about ten miles away from Meryton. I want to look at it too see if it is salvageable. As of now, the closest mill is thirty miles away."

"Really?" It looks like Charles is finally trying. "Ten miles would be better than thirty for a fully loaded wagon. The landowners would certainly appreciate it."

"Umhm. I thought so too." Bingley was practically dancing with excitement. "It could be a very profitable investment."

Charles and his investments—he really has a head for business. Put an estate before him like a business venture and he is suddenly very interested. Darcy shook his head fondly. "Well, I hope that you will be satisfied with what you will find."

"I think I will." Bingley was always the optimist. "Do you want to join me? I could use your expertise in dealing with estate matters." He offered his friend with a smile.

No. Darcy panicked. I have to see Beth today. Think man, come up with something plausible. Darcy quickly rearranged his features into deep regret. "I am sorry Charles but I need to take Hermes to the blacksmith, I think that one of his shoes is loose and I would not like to be thrown from my own horse. I will certainly come with you later. You do not plan on buying it today—am I right?" This has to do. It is not as if I was lying, I did plan to take Hermes to blacksmith after the meeting with Beth.

"It is alright," Bingley smiled. "I will take a look and report to you and we can go together later this week—perhaps when you will need an excuse to hide from my sister." He winked mischievously.

Darcy rolled his eyes and jokingly slapped Bingley on his back. "You laugh now, but just you wait until your turn comes and some society matron starts chasing you."

"Well," Bingley chuckled, "there is the difference between us, I won't run too much and I would be happy to be caught." He laughed at Darcy's disapproving expression.

Their talk about women triggered something for Darcy. Jane. I almost forgot I wanted to talk to him about her. No time for it now, though. "This reminds me, I need to talk to you about something. Do you think you will have time for me tonight?"

"I have always time for you." Bingley suddenly smirked. "We should probably be on our way before my sister comes down. For all your talk about avoiding her, you are certainly lingering in the hall today."

"Bingley." Darcy's voice carried a warning but with a playful undertone. He pushed Bingley out of the front door nearly causing him to fall down the stairs. In contrast, Darcy excited more gracefully, feigning innocence over what nearly happened. "Charles, you really should look where you are going." They laughed and pushed each other all the way to the stables.

Everything unpleasant from the last four days was forgotten the moment Darcy laid his eyes on Elizabeth. Giving him a brilliant smile, Darcy felt his heart pounding rapidly in his chest.

"Miss Elizabeth!" Darcy quickly dismounted and kissed her hand. She is not wearing gloves. Elizabeth blushed but managed to stammer a greeting. She looked flustered as she frantically tried to put on her gloves.

No, do not hide from me. "There is no need for that formality, Miss Elizabeth." Darcy smiled with encouragement. "We are friends—I promise I will not tell on you." He added mischievously.

Elizabeth seemed to finally find her wit. "If you say so, sir, then I should probably forgive your imperfect attire." She raised her eyebrow in challenge.

Darcy looked down and realized that his squabbling with Bingley left him with an opened coat and waist coat, his cravat askew. It was his turn to blush now. "Ah, Miss Elizabeth, I did not realize…"

Elizabeth interrupted him with merry laugh. "It is quite alright, I was just teasing you."

After straightening his clothing, Darcy offered her his arm and they continued down the path, Hermes trailing behind his master, whining merrily once in a while.

"How did you spend your days confined inside during the rain, Miss Elizabeth?" Darcy asked with curiosity. Did you miss me as much as I missed you?

"Oh, I would not have had time for my rambles even if the weather was nice. Our cousin came to visit and my mother was all aflutter making everything perfect for his arrival." Elizabeth quickly covered her mouth, realizing that her last bit of information should have remained private.

Darcy chuckled. He could very well imagine Mrs Bennet and her nerves in anticipation of a houseguest. A sudden unpleasant thought occurred to him. Cousin? Male cousin? Beth has never mentioned a cousin before. Obviously they are not very close...what other reason could a cousin have to visit? What if…

However, Elizabeth did not let him dwell on those thoughts as she rapidly continued on in their conversation. "What about you, Mr Darcy?"

Playing hide and seek with Mrs Robbins. I cannot tell her that." I have sent a letter to my sister and I expect a reply soon. I think there will be two letters." He added, feeling that his sister would love Elizabeth immediately.

"Well, in that case, I hope she writes back soon. Your description was wonderful—I hope to meet her one day." Elizabeth shyly looked at him through her lashes.

"Hmm, a little birdie told me that Miss Elizabeth is going to Town after Twelfth night." Darcy noticed an old bench under a wild apple tree and turned, walking them towards it.

"What little birdie?" Elizabeth asked curiously. "Is the birdie about as tall as I am, a bit louder and called Lydia?"

While Elizabeth was sitting down, Darcy could see- Do not do it. Look into her eyes—do not sink to the level of a rake. He still looked just a little bit, and then cleared his throat. "I could not possibly reveal my secret informant."

Elizabeth laughed loudly at that. "Not so secret, Lydia is full of complaints since our aunt asked me to come. It would be a surprise if you did not hear it at least twice when you were calling on us."

"Well, I still cannot tell you. Our family is staying in Town for the winter, before I have to go to Rosings and my mother and sister escape to the safety at Pemberley." His shook his head knowing that his mother used her injured leg as an excuse to escape all unpleasant situations, including a visit to her own sister. And she still wants me to marry Anne, what did I ever do to her, to earn such revenge?

"Escape?" Elizabeth immediately noticed his slip up.

However, Darcy was not perturbed by being caught. He was too far gone, admiring the sound of Beth's laughter. "My aunt... well, that is... she is quite...hmmm...unique. I often feel like a scolded schoolboy even though I have been my own master for the last five years." Not wanting to scare Elizabeth off by describing his family – I really hope she does not think I am as mad as they are when she meets them – he quickly re-directed the conversation. "As I was saying, we will both be in Town at the same time. May I call on you with my sister?" He reluctantly added the last, he wanted to call on her by himself, court her... but first, he would have to talk to his mother, he hoped to persuade her to change her view, he would not like to create a rift in his family.

"Of course, Mr Darcy, I would be delighted. I will write the address of my uncle Gardiner for you later." She seemed to be pleased and that was all that Darcy needed to know. She is happy I will call on her.

However, his good mood did not last long when he realized the main reason for this meeting. "Miss Elizabeth, I think it is the time I fulfilled my promise."

Elizabeth laid her hand on his forearm in a comforting gesture. "You do not have to tell me, Mr Darcy, if it makes you uneasy."

"On the contrary, I must warn you off that man." Darcy jumped up and started pacing. "Mr Wickham is the only son of my father's late steward, Mr James Wickham. I do not know how much your father told you about his friendship to my father, so I will start at the beginning."

He chanced a quick look at Elizabeth and after he saw her nod encouragingly, he continued. "While our fathers attended university, my father found himself in a situation where his reputation and possibly even his life were threatened. He was saved by Thomas, a mere acquaintance until that day, and by young man working in his uncle's shop, Mr Wickham. He was very grateful to both men and these three formed a solid friendship. He sponsored Wickham's education and offered him a position as his steward. He kept in touch with your father over the years, too. "

Elizabeth did not ask what situation his father found himself in and for that he was very glad. Darcy had no intention of trying to explain young maiden his father's inclination, while even he still did not fully understand it.

"Well, that was a brief history and now to Mr Wickham. My father sponsored his education as a favour to his old friend. However, in this case the apple fell far away from the tree. Where old Mr Wickham was honest and a very modest man, his young son tried to find a way to live the life of luxury without any work." Darcy stopped his pacing and sat down next to Elizabeth.

"It all started in Eton where Wickham observed and envied all the sons of rich aristocrats. His envy slowly turned to hate and a desire that he deserved something, too. Though he was careful to never steel from me, he began to steal from his classmates. When we grew older, Wickham found a quick way to earn money by cheating at cards. Since he was very cunning, he was never caught, although we all knew that he cheated. As the years went by, he discovered women and left a trail of spoiled girls in his wake. He can be very charming and persuasive when he wants to be. I tried to believe there was goodness in him for a long time." Darcy smiled sadly.

Elizabeth squeezed his hand comfortingly. "It always pains us when a trusted friend turns out to be a betrayer."

"Yes, it does." Darcy immediately agreed. "When we were young boys, I loved him like an older brother. And how he repaid us for all the love and material things he received from my father I cannot understand."

Elizabeth stayed silent, leaving Darcy to gather his thoughts. "By the time we both started university, we were practically strangers. Since the rumours about his behaviour reached my father's ears, he made us both go to the Cambridge so I could keep an eye on him. I was to attend Oxford, you know. However, something good came of it because I met Fitzpatrick there. He joined me in my quest to keep Wickham in place, although we were not successful. Wickham drank, gambled and left a string of young servants in a family way. For my father's sake, I paid them all off. His father did not live to see his son's spoiled ways and I think it was better that way." Darcy was nearing the most painful part of his story so he got up again, running his hand through his hair.

How much should I tell her? Best to keep it vague. "My father promised Wickham a commission for the army after he finished university. It was a very generous gift, worthy of a gentleman's younger son, not a son of a steward. As you can see, after five years, Mr Wickham is still no more than a Lieutenant, a position which he started at."

Darcy looked thoughtfully at the horizon. "My father died in my last year at Cambridge. Fitzpatrick helped me to get through that time, but even the closest friend cannot always help one get through the thick fog of mourning." Darcy sighed. "While I was still mourning my father, finishing my education and trying to keep the estate together, Wickham showed up at my front door. It was not to offer comfort or share fond memories as I foolishly believed when I first saw him."

Bastard. I still want to run him through. Darcy angrily hit his hat. "Because of his closeness to our family, Wickham became privy to some delicate information which could have destroyed my whole family." Darcy sadly hung his head. Since he possessed written proof, I had to pay him to remain silent. My mother and sister depended on me." He sat dejectedly back on the bench next to Elizabeth and she immediately took his hand. Oh Beth, if only I knew you then, I was so lost.

"He came every so often for smaller amounts of money. Over the years, I bought out two of the letters which came into his possession. He had one more left and I finally obtained it last spring. He made a mistake of seducing..." Darcy chanced a quick look at Elizabeth to see if she was perturbed but she did not seem to be in the least. Of course, Beth is not missish, how could I think otherwise? Should I tell her more? No, probably not, there is still a chance that she would not want to be connected to such family. "…of seducing a respected vicar's daughter with a hot headed older brother. He took just one look at the smiling, blue-eyed blonde baby to determine who the father was, and challenged Wickham to a duel. Wickham was smart and since the young man was known to be excellent with sword, he knew he would never stand a chance. Instead, Wickham came to me, to get rid of his problem." Darcy looked disgusted, remembering Wickham visiting him drunk, slurring, get rid of the bastard and the letter is yours.

"I had to take Fitzpatrick in my confidence because it was very difficult to find a solution. In the end, Fitzpatrick found one of his gentleman friends in Scotland who was quite old and unable to father a child. He was excited at the prospect at marrying a pretty young girl to show off, not even her little baby discouraged him. She was presented to his friends as a young widow who was married to an army officer and sought out protection from her husband's family. I supplied the girl's dowry and in exchange, I finally extracted the last letter from Wickham for this favour." Darcy felt completely drained. Re-telling this story brought so many bad feelings back, his anger, helplessness, embarrassment.

Elizabeth stayed quiet, waiting until he got his emotions under control. When he finally turned to her, she smiled and said quietly. "That was quite a tale, Mr Darcy. Thank you for trusting me enough to share this story with me."

Oh Beth, I wish I could tell you more. One day, my love, one day. "Thank you for listening to me. You can imagine, it was a very unpleasant surprise, I thought I got rid of that bas- pardon me – man forever and here he is, flirting with young girls as though nothing happened."

They both stayed under the tree for another hour, rarely speaking, just being together. Darcy wanted to give Elizabeth time to digest the news and he was content watching her from the corner of his eye. Finally, they could not stay any longer, Elizabeth would be missed soon. Darcy offered to walk her home so they started at leisure pace towards Longbourn.

They had just reached the garden gate when a young man exited the back door of the house. "Cousin Elizabeth, I thought something happened to you, your sisters left for Meryton without you." When he spotted Darcy, he straightened up and looked at him suspiciously.

"You needed not to worry." Elizabeth instantly replied with easy smile. "I am sure that my father already told you about my love for walking."

Darcy was eyeing his rival for Elizabeth's attention with distaste. The man was about his age, but smaller in statue, with light brown hair and a friendly face. Humph. I hope this cousin does not stay long. He is interrupting my last few moments alone with Beth.

"Yes, he did but he also mentioned that you went on them alone." He was taking Darcy's measure, clearly not trusting him.

"Oh. Forgive me, I forgot to introduce you. Mr Darcy, this is my cousin, Mr Collins. Mr Collins, Mr Darcy is visiting the neighbourhood with his friend, Mr Bingley." Elizabeth did not seem to notice the tension between the two men.

"Oh, Mr Bingley." Collins smiled. "We had received an invitation to his ball. I have not yet met him, but he sounds very generous. Which reminds me," he turned towards Elizabeth, "would you give me the honour of your first set?"

"I-" Elizabeth's eyes darted towards Darcy. "Yes, I would."

Damn. I completely forgot to ask her. Damn him. At least it looks like Elizabeth is equally disappointed as me.

"Miss Elizabeth, I would like to ask you for your supper set, if you are not engaged." Ha. Beat that. You may have the first dance but I got the supper set and whole meal at her side. He shot a victorious look in Collins's direction who frowned.

"I would be delighted, Mr Darcy." Elizabeth smiled at him happily.

Yes, she would be delighted to dance with me. She did not say that to you.

"Mr Darcy," Mr Collins started again, "Hmm, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy?"

"Yes, that is me." Darcy confirmed confusedly.

"I have heard quite a lot about you. I feel like I know you already." Mr Collins moved closer to Elizabeth, as if trying to shield her from Darcy.

"Really? Because I cannot say the same about you. Do we share an acquaintance?" Darcy was aware that he was being rude but that horrible man was standing too close to Elizabeth and it clouded his judgement.

"My parish is in Kent, under the patronage of the de Bourgh family." Collins shot him another suspicious look.

Darcy immediately relaxed. He could see where the Collins's protective behaviour came from. "Then you are certainly acquainted with my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She has some strong opinions and certain tendency to organise other's people lives even though they do not wish it."

Collins understood and for the first time, he smiled in Darcy's direction. "Yes, Lady Catherine is a very determined woman." He took a step back, no longer shielding Elizabeth.

They talked for a few more minutes before Darcy took a leave of them. He kissed Elizabeth's hand, disappointed that she had to put on her gloves. I wanted to feel her warm skin.

Darcy spent the rest of the day hiding out in his room. Charles was due to return for the supper and he was in no mood to encounter anybody else in the house. Instead, he used the time for quiet reflection on the day's events. He concluded that his talk with Beth was quite successful. She understood and showed her support. She let him kiss her hand. She teased him. Yes, he could not complain about his morning. Encountering Mr Collins put a damper on his great mood but it did not last long when he recognized his behaviour as his own when some man was trying to get too close to Georgiana. He was interrupted from his reverie by slamming door and Charles's joyous voice. His trip had to be met with success. I better go see what he is up to now.

Both men met in front of the study door. "Darcy, how was your day, my friend? How did it go with the blacksmith?"

The blacksmith? I knew I was forgetting something. "He was not there, I have to try tomorrow." I despise disguise of any sort and I still have lied in the last few weeks more than in my whole life. What is happening to me?

Fortunately, Bingley seemed to accept that answer, busying himself by pouring brandy for the two of them. He sat down in his chair comfortably. "Well then, what did you want to discuss with me?"

"When are you going to offer for Miss Bennet?" Darcy blurted out, still uneasy about his latest revelation.

"Miss Bennet?" Bingley frowned. "Why would I offer for her?"

"Bingley." Darcy admonished him. "You have been unofficially courting her for some time now!"

"What? This is how it looked to the others?" Bingley sounded shocked and a little bit worried. "She is a nice girl and very pretty but I am still young, I do not plan on marrying for quite some time. I want to enjoy a little more freedom." He waggled his eyebrows on Darcy suggestively.

"Charles." Darcy leaned across the table towards him. "How many times have I told you to be more careful with your flirtations? The ladies do not see it as you do. You are raising expectations and then you do not fulfil them, the whole neighbourhood is thinking that you will offer for her. If her father decides to press the matter, it could end badly."

Bingley paled. "Oh no, Darcy, what should I do? I am not ready to be married. I swear, I did not compromise her—it was just a little flirtation. She is a gentleman's daughter—I do not mess with them."

Darcy clasped his hands thoughtfully. "I think it would be the best for you to remove yourself to London after the ball. Since I am already going, you can close the house and come with me. The sooner you stop this, the better, Miss Bennet does not need to suffer by prolonging this. If you had not already promised the ball, I would say go immediately."

"Yes." Bingley eagerly nodded. "Whatever you think is the best. Oh Darcy, I am so sorry, I really did not mean it." He looked sincerely contrite and Darcy could not stay angry with him.

"I know, Charles." He sighed. "You really should try to consider other's people feelings more. I know you do not do it on purpose. Just be more careful, alright?" He finished his brandy quickly and stood up. "I have to leave you now. There is something I need to take care of." He patted Charles shoulder and left the room.

I need to think of a strategy where I can carefully introduce Elizabeth to my family. Given time, I think that my mother would love her. She just needs time to realize that Beth would be a much better choice for me than Anne.

That's it for today. A lot of things happened in this one. I hope you liked it. Please review, it makes me happy and when I am happy, I write ;)

See you in two weeks.