A/N: First chapter with Darcy! YAY! Hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter 12

It was a full week before Elizabeth's path crossed that of Mr. Darcy, or rather a full week minus one day. The party at the Parsonage had seen neither hair nor tail of Lady Catherine or her guests, a fact which Mr. Collins was beginning to fret over. Mr. Bennet and Jane felt no particular slight, and neither of them having any pressing need to reestablish any sort of acquaintance with Mr. Darcy, did not feel as if they were being over looked.

Saturday morning, after Elizabeth's and Jane's walk, they all broke their fast together and just as they were seating themselves in the drawing room to discuss what their plans were for that day, Jenny entered and announced Mr. Darcy and a Colonol Fitzwilliam, the former looking austere the latter jovial.

Once Mr. Darcy made the introductions of his cousin to those in the room, he stationed himself at the mantle and practically glowered. Elizabeth instantly felt the insult and refused to look at him during their discourse. She was pleasantly surprised by his cousin's manners which resembled Mr. Bingley's in that he was open, friendly, and prone to conversation, the complete opposite of Mr. Darcy.

"Do you see much action with the French?" Elizabeth asked.

The Colonel turned to her and frowned, "Unfortunately, no. Tensions are heating up in the America's and I'm suspecting I'll be shipped there to train troops. Rather tedious, if you ask me. Much rather trounce the Frenchies."

"I never understood man's need to solve their differences using violence," Jane said, tsking.

"Miss Bennet, if settling conflict could be had by a mere meeting of words I'm afraid I'd be out of the job."

Jane blushed, "I only meant..."

"I am teasing you," the Colonel assured, "I too wish we could solve these conflicts without the extreme loss of life."

"Elizabeth," Mr. Bennet interrupted, "did you not intend to take Jane to a shop today and by lace, or ribbon, or whatever it is young ladies adorn themselves with?"

"Yes, indeed, we had better hurry," Elizabeth rose and was about to make her farewells to their guests when Colonel Fitzwilliam offered to take them into town with his Aunt's barrouche.

"I hardly think that is necessary," Elizabeth started to say, but the Colonel wouldn't hear more of it. He went outside and grabbed young Tom and told him if he could make it to Rosings and ask for the barrouche to be sent around and back again he'd give him a shiny new coin.

Feeling anxious, Elizabeth waited. She cast a wary glance at Mr. Darcy while the others were busy talking about the fine weather they were having, when she saw that he had been staring at her, not even having the decency to turn away when she caught him! How she wished she could call him out on his rude behavior. Soon enough their conveyance arrived and just as they were exiting the house Mr. Collins called for Elizabeth to stay behind for a moment.

"Elizabeth, I do not think it wise for Jane to entertain any hopes of catching Colonel Fitzwilliam," Mr. Collins started, "though he has a low income and is in the regulars, he is the youngest son of an Earl and is expected to marry well."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, "Marrying my sister is not well?"

Mr. Collins fumbled with his words attempting to correct a supposed misunderstanding, much to Elizabeth's amusement. She knew perfectly well what he meant and had already determined to warn her sister to shield her heart from the man, but she couldn't resist poking a little fun at her ridiculous husband.

"Do not worry," Elizabeth finally had to interrupt him, "I will keep Jane on her guard."

Mr. Collins smiled, gave his wife a quick kiss on the cheek, then watched her head towards the waiting barrouche. Jane was already seated and as she neared both men offered their hand to her. She firmly grabbed the Colonel's, thanked him for his help, and sat beside her sister. The Colonel sat across from Jane while Mr. Darcy sat in front of her.

During their entire time on the road Mr. Darcy said fewer than a dozen words, and all clipped responses to questions that had to be directly asked of him. Finally the party excluded him from their conversation entirely, and they had a merry time until they pulled up in front of the haberdasher's where some fine ribbon was on display in the window. The women were helped down, the men following them into the shop.

A small bell tinkled as they entered the front room of the shop, which had displays of lace, ribbon, gloves, sewing materials, etc... A middle-aged shopkeeper welcomed them to her store and offered to show them her latest shipment of fabric straight from Portsmouth. "I get my shipment directly from the supplier, thus passing on any savings to you."

"No, thank you," Elizabeth said, then introduced herself and her sister. "We are looking for ribbon to set off a pale pink dress, and another light green one."

The shopkeeper directed them towards where her finest ribbons were, making suggestions and asking more about the gowns and where they would be worn. After some minutes of discussion both Jane and Elizabeth walked out with their purchase of ribbon, thanking the shopkeeper.

"Where to now, ladies?" The Colonel asked, holding his arm out for Jane.

Without asking Mr. Darcy held his arm out for Elizabeth, who hesitantly took it. She was all too aware of the heat emanating from his body, which was very near to her own, and the muscles beneath his coat. She tried to focus on what Jane was saying.

"Lizzy, did you hear me?" Jane asked, looking back. "Do you think I should get something for Mary, Kitty and Lydia?"

"Oh," Elizabeth laughed, "yes, of course. There is a milliners just down the street. I've never been inside, but I have heard they have some fine bonnets."

As their party walked down the street Elizabeth tried to think of something to say to the man who held her arm in his own. She fought back the images of her dream with the memory of his stay at Netherfield and how disagreeable he was.

"How are you...doing?" Mr. Darcy asked, startling her.

She looked up at his face but he was focused on his cousin and Jane, who were rapidly outdistancing themselves.

"Fine," Elizabeth tried to swallow.

"I was surprised upon hearing you had married. I did not know that you and Mr. Collins had formed an...attachment."

"Yes," Elizabeth replied, "it was rather sudden." Then, extraordinarily, Elizabeth felt her ire raise slightly. "Much the same way you and the Hursts and Miss Bingley left Netherfield...suddenly."

At least he had the decency to look somewhat ashamed. "Yes, Miss Bingley was convinced that once in London, Bingley would opt to remain there."

"I suppose he did warn us of his hasty decision making. Do you know if he intends to return to Netherfield?"

"I do not," Darcy replied, "though I doubt it."

"Then," Elizabeth sighed, "he had better give up his lease so that someone else can settle there more permanently."

"I would not be surprised if he did just that."

Oh insufferable man! Elizabeth thought. He must have known she wished to hear news of Bingley and therefore denied her her pleasure. Or perhaps we was just that obtuse? Before Elizabeth could ask him further questions they had arrived a the milliners where Jane and the Colonel were already inside, the Colonel placing various hats and bonnets on Jane's head, declaring which she should buy.

"I just cannot decide!" Jane laughed, looking at the mess they had made of the inventory.

"Then you should buy them all." The Colonel answered.

"All of them?" Jane was shocked, "the coins in my purse say otherwise, sir."

There was a twinkle in the Colonels eye as he helped her reduce her options to the three that she would purchase, though she looked longingly at a delicate looking bonnet in the corner. With their purchases in their laps, the barrouche carried them home. They were helped inside by the gentlemen, and just as they were about to leave Colonel Fitzwilliam pulled Jane's gloved hand up to his mouth were he feigned placing a kiss upon it, all the while staring up at her beautifully flushed face.

Both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth looked disapprovingly on, each determined to have a very serious conversation to their relation.