So I'm a little insane with all these chapter postings, but I can't help it. Ideas are just flowing right now.

Chapter 18

Darcy waited in nervous anticipation for Elizabeth to come that night. He was sure she had heard, as had the whole town, and he wanted to make sure she knew, he had nothing to do with it, so after he furiously penned a letter to Charles, he made his way to Devonshire House, for the second time that day.

Caroline laid simpering on the couch. She was a genius. Now Darcy could not refuse her. She adjusted the ruby necklace one last time as she heard the butler tell Darcy he had a visitor, and she could barely contain her glee!

Finally. She would become Mrs. Darcy, and she would be the talk of the city. The one whose drawing room every one coveted. She would have the latest fashions and the most decorative homes. She was glad she had taken the liberty of pocketing the ruby necklace from Georgiana's room at Netherfield before she left. By the time anyone could say anything about it she would be Mrs. Darcy, and it would be such a good joke between them!

She laid still as Mr. Darcy entered the parlor room and looked around before finally finding her. She was shocked then to find his eyes widen in rage, his face red, with not desire, but anger.

"CAROLINE!"

She decided to make the best of it. Surely by his yell the servants would be here soon. "Mr. Darcy, you're home at last, I have waited so long."

What she did not count on was Darcy's servants were loyal to their master. Most of them had served in his home since he was but a boy, the butler being one of them. As soon as he had yelled, he had entered the drawing room quickly, and assessed the situation quickly and ushered his master out the door, his master yelling the whole way profanities the whole way to his study, where he was told to stay. "MY MOTHER'S NECKLACE!" The door shut on the butler's way out.

While Darcy would have been a gentleman maintained the young woman's privacy, and allowed her to dress before she left, to the servants it mattered not. Mr. Darcy, though their master, was as much as a son to most of them, and they did not like him upset.

The ladies clothes, though most would not call her a lady no longer, were gathered and tossed out the front door. The necklace took back, then the woman herself tossed out, and the door shut behind her and locked.

Caroline protesting the whole time, gathering the attention of passersby's, she lifted her dress as if to shield herself, though most had already seen, and the gossips had started.

Lady Abigail, who was currently sat in the grand dining room in Devonshire House was amused at the stories, and could not wait to hear more. Elizabeth had gone silent when told of the scene of Darcy House that day, and Lord Edward thought that it should be talked of no more that day.

They were enjoying their dinner, the steady conversation flowed between them, they were all good friends. Lord Woodward thought Elizabeth like a daughter. Her wit was above par, and he enjoyed sparring with her very much, especially since she never backed down from a challenge.

This was the scene when the servant entered to tell the Duchess she had a guest, who wished to speak to her.

Elizabeth, surprised, excused herself to see whom it possibly could be.

She found Darcy pacing in the shadows agitatedly.

"Mr. Darcy," she was surprised. "What are you doing here." There was no tone of accusation in her voice, to this Darcy allowed himself to host.

"Surely you know, you must know, I did nothing. Caroline, " he took a deep breath, "she accosted me. Believe me Elizabeth. I would never do that. You must believe me."

Elizabeth tried not to giggle at the Fitzwilliam Darcy begging her to believe him. "Calm down Fitzwilliam, there is much to be said, but I believe you." She stood on her toes, and kissed his cheek.

The weight of the world seemed to disappear off of Darcy's shoulders, and he let out a sigh of relief, "Truly?"

"I do. Where is Miss Bingley now? I thought she was to Scarborough. Why is she presently in London?"

"She is at Bingley House, so I'm told, I do not know. I was in my study, the servants kicked her out. I know no details."

He gathered her in his arms, and held onto her as if he was afraid if he let go, he would lose her. "My heart," he leaned down and kissed her passionately. "how I love you. "

"Fitzwilliam, I do have company, you caught us in the middle of dinner." She kissed him once more gently, then pulled away. "Come, they shall like to meet you." She led him into the dining room, at the proper distance, and a servant was there with an extra plate for the newly arrived guest.

"Mr. Darcy," her voice a tone of amusement as Lady Abigail's eyes widened, and he knew they had been talking about the scandal. "This is the Lord and Lady Woodward, Edward and Abigail. I believe, they reside quite close to Bingley House. "

The couple stood, and eyed Darcy, one with amusement, and one with amazement for he did not understand, how a Darcy actually stood in Devonshire house. After the formalities took place they all sat to their supper.

The Woodward's were the first to leave after supper, they needed to get home to their children.

Darcy remained, and pulled Elizabeth into his lap. "Elizabeth, I do not want to wait. I do not want to sleep without you. " He leaned up and kissed her. "Please tell me you will marry me, as soon as possible."

"Fitzwilliam, that is quite complicated. "

"Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, Elizabeth. I want you, in my home. Your children in the nursery them as my own. Please tell me you'll consider."

"Fitzwilliam, I will consider everything you say. But I shall not make any decision tonight."

Lord and Lady Woodward were on their way home in their carriage, on their way back home.

"Did you see the way he looked at her, oh Edward tis so romantic, for Elizabeth the find happiness again. Surely he loves her. And they shall marry. Oh! And think of the children! They shall have a father, and there should be more children, and they shall be so beautiful as their parents!" Lady Abigail was breathless from her soliloquy.

"My dear, you do speak to hasty. Even should he love Elizabeth, a marriage between the could hardly take place. The Darcy's hate the Devonshire family. There is too much bad blood for the wrong doing that the Devonshire's caused against them. The feud is an ancient one. Even if Elizabeth could accept him, I doubt his family would accept her."

Do not worry, dear readers. Caroline Bingley will get her just desserts. You just wait and see! Review!