Greetings I am back posting again. This chapter is really short so will be posting another one soon :) Also I just wanted to say thank you to those who have been sending me messages about my stories. I really appreciate it very much. Kindest regards Janie (mj)

Chapter 20: The Matchmaker

Georgiana opened her laptop and sat down on the sofa near Darcy. "This is very unlike you to be sitting home on the weekend? Don't you have any plans with Charles or Richard?"

Darcy put the book aside for a moment. "No, I don't have any plans this evening. I'm finally finishing this book I have been reading."

Georgiana noticed that he seemed unsettled and a bit distant since Charles's party at Netherfield. "William, did the party go all right the other night?" she asked letting her curiosity get the better of her.

He lowered his book again. "It was all right, why do you ask?" He wondered if Elizabeth had said anything to Georgiana about Wickham being there.

"No reason, you just seem unsettled since the party, and I wanted to make sure you are feeling all right," she said.

He almost laughed at her choice of words. "I seem unsettled?" he repeated her words. "What does that even mean?" he teased her.

She laughed, "I don't really know. It's the only word I could think of to describe how you have been, maybe agitated might have been a better description."

Darcy smiled at her. "I'm fine. I'm not unsettled, or agitated. I do however wish to finish this book," he told her as he began reading again.

"Then I shall leave you to it and won't bother you again," She smiled and returned her attention to her laptop. Moments later she cried out. "Oh! I have an email from Elizabeth," she said excitedly.

Darcy tried to concentrate on the book in front of him but found himself struggling with curiosity. He tried in the most casual way he could think of to ask. "What is Miss Bennett up to these days?"

Georgiana laughed, "Oh it is too funny..." she said. "It seems that Elizabeth's third cousin has come to visit them. She said his name is William Collins and he works for Aunt Catherine."

Darcy shuddered at the thought of the man. "Yes, I met the gentleman at Charles's party this past week," he remembered all too well the constant chatter and irritating intrusions by the man.

"Well, it seems that Elizabeth's mother was hoping that Elizabeth would consider marrying him. She wrote that her mother hoped that she would marry her cousin William since they are third cousins and nothing would be in the way to stop them." Georgiana explained, "It seems that besides making a decent living from working for Aunt Catherine, that he's the only living male heir and will inherit Elizabeth's father's family home after his death. So, her mother was trying to play matchmaker and set them up."

Darcy couldn't believe his ears. "That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Elizabeth married to that man is an absurd notion!" he blurted out without thinking.

Georgiana watched her brother's reactions carefully. "Really, is this William Collins really so awkward and inept?"

"He's beyond inept," Darcy told her sounding very annoyed.

Georgiana smiled, "Really William, he cannot be that bad."

Darcy raised his brow and said. "He's a complete fool!" Why the thought of Elizabeth marrying someone like Collins should cause him to react as he did was a mystery to him. He tried to go back to reading his book but found that he was now feeling both agitated and unsettled. The very idea of Elizabeth married to someone like Collins made him shudder. How could her mother ever think Elizabeth would find happiness in marriage to that man?

Georgiana didn't say anything more. Instead, she went back to read her letter.

"I can hardly describe the scene to you, Georgiana, except to say that I made it very clear to my mother that I would not ever consider the idea of marrying him. As you and I have discussed before I will only marry when I meet someone who I love, and respect, and whom I know will love and respect me in return. Of course, my mother went on and on for the rest of the day and into the next. I did my best to avoid her. I hoped the whole thing would blow over, but then I heard from my friend Charlotte, she called me to say she was engaged to my cousin. I can't tell you how shocked I was at hearing this news...

At this point, Georgiana let out a small cry, "I can't believe it!"

Darcy had been waiting for her to finish and tell him that Elizabeth had no intention of marrying the man, but was now very upset by the idea that she might have said yes. "Good grief Georgiana what is it?" he demanded. "She can't possibly be planning to marry that idiot of a man!"

Georgiana looked up at her brother who was behaving very strangely; one might even have thought him to be jealous. "Oh, I'm sorry William. I didn't mean to interrupt your reading again."

Darcy didn't care about the book. He tossed it into the chair; he had to know if Elizabeth was planning to marry Collins, "What did the email say that has shocked you so?" he asked her again trying not to sound impatient. "She's not marrying him, is she?!"

Georgiana laughed, "Don't be alarmed, William. Elizabeth has no plans to marry Mr. Collins. She writes at how shocked she is that her good friend Charlotte Lucas has agreed to marry him. Apparently, her cousin asked her to marry after only spending a few times together and she said yes." Georgiana explained taking notice of how quickly her brother's mood changed for the better. She thought he looked relieved to hear that Elizabeth was not engaged.

"Oh," he said feeling relief wash over him. "I agree with Elizabeth; it is surprising that Charlotte Lucas would marry him, especially after knowing him for such a brief time. She seemed like a very intelligent woman, and I didn't notice them really spending any time together. It's a surprise that she would agree to marry someone so suddenly." he told her as he picked up his book and began reading again.

"William, you seemed very upset with the idea of Elizabeth marrying Mr. Collins?" she told him. "Is it possible that she's growing on you just a little?"

Darcy looked back over at her and smiled, "Maybe she's growing on me just a little," he told her then he returned to his book and said nothing more about it.

Georgiana smiled and went back to reading her email.

I can't tell you how shocked I was at her news. I did a terrible job of hiding my surprise because she went on to justify her reasons for saying yes. She told me that she was not a romantic person at all and that she only wanted to be married to someone who could provide a decent living and who she might have one or two children with. I couldn't believe what she was telling me, that she felt that William Collins would be just as good an option for a husband as any other man. She didn't expect romance, and the truth was she didn't even really want it. She was happy knowing he worked many long hours so she would be able to have lots of time on her own. I really don't even know what to say about the whole situation. She and my cousin are getting married early next week, and I'm to be her maid of honor. I don't even know what to think, but she's my friend, so I will do my best to support her. She has asked me to come and visit her once they are settled. I must think about it, spending more time with Collins will be a test of my patience, to say the least.

Georgiana finished reading her email. She thought about her brother's reaction to the possibility of Elizabeth marrying someone else. He was jealous, that was clear to see, and he did admit to liking her, even if it was just a little. She thought about Elizabeth and how wonderful it would be to have her as a sister-in-law. She decided that it wouldn't hurt too much just to encourage them a little in each other's direction. She thought about how to respond to Elizabeth's email and then began.

Dear Elizabeth,

I was so happy to get your email tonight. I was just sitting with William and asking him about the party that you both attended last week when it arrived. He mentioned that he met your cousin Collins then. How funny that our Aunt Catherine's new lawyer should be your cousin. It really is such a small world. I hope you don't mind that I shared your email with William. He was surprised to hear of your friend Charlotte's upcoming engagement as well. You mentioned her wedding was next week? That's not very much time to plan a wedding, but then I suppose his working for Aunt Catherine she would not want him away for too long. Perhaps once your friend is settled at Rosings, you will decide to visit her there. If you do, you will love the gardens and surrounding areas especially if you go

Georgiana stopped typing and looked over at her brother who was still reading his book, "William when did you say you and Richard will be going to see Aunt Catherine again?"

He looked up and smiled, "The last week of June, why have you changed your mind about coming with us?"

"No," she said, "I was just updating my calendar and couldn't remember when it would be, although I knew it was coming up again soon." She smiled and began typing where she had left off,

in late June. The weather is lovely. I'm sure you will get so many beautiful pictures if you should decide to take your camera along. My aunt's gardens will be in full bloom at that time. Her roses are amazing. I would also suggest early morning walks as I know you mentioned you liked walking for exercise. The grounds around Rosings is especially beautiful in the early morning hours. Of course, if you do go, you must let me know what you think of my Aunt Catherine. I'm sure she will want to meet you. Don't let her frighten you, though; she can be a bit opinionated at times.

Oh, William and I have decided to go ahead with the photos that you have taken of me. I was so excited and happy. He agreed I should be the one to tell you. We both felt you really captured who I am perfectly. He was very impressed, just as I knew he would be.

All I can say is thank you for all that you have done for me, it means so much.

Your friend,

Georgiana

Georgiana closed her laptop and thought about how wonderful it would be to see her brother have someone in his life. She would have to speak with Richard and enlist his help with her plan. If Elizabeth did come to Rosings while William was there perhaps they might have opportunities to see how much they have in common and learn to like each other just a little more. She smiled to herself, Elizabeth would be a better choice for her brother than someone like Caroline Bingley would be.