Greetings I wanted to say thanks to everyone who have gone and checked out my new book, The Misbegotten Girl on Amazon. I really appreciate the messages sent to me and that you enjoyed the story. I know it was different sort of what if regency story with a little twist :) Thanks to those who decided to give it a chance :) It was fun to write. Kindest regards Janie(mj)

Chapter 46: Marry me Tomorrow

Elizabeth woke up early the next morning, from this day on her life would be different, she realized. She reached over and picked up her phone from the nightstand. She reread over Will's last text to her. "Marry me tomorrow or tonight. It can't be soon enough for me. I love you more as each minute goes by." She smiled before telling him that her mother had other plans for the two of them and they would have to discuss the date. Secretly she felt the same way that he did, but she knew if she eloped her mother would never forgive her. Besides she wanted her father to give her away. Elizabeth felt completely happy. Just knowing that Will wanted to marry her, that he wanted to begin spending his life with her made her heart beat faster. It was the sound of her sister Kitty bursting through her door that got her attention, "Kitty what on earth!" she called out as her younger sister ran into the room full of excitement and jumped on her bed.

"Lizzy, Mum, just told Mary and I that you are marrying Mr. Darcy," she told her. "Is it really true? Are you going to be getting married?"

"Yes Kitty, I'm going to marry Will," Elizabeth told her. "Since he will soon be your brother-in-law I think you can call him William or Darcy if you like. You really don't have to be so formal with him."

Kitty smiled, "Oh Lizzy, I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed. "When is the wedding?"

Elizabeth frowned just a little, "Well I don't know exactly when yet," she told her as she got up out of bed. "Will and I are going to talk about that today."

Kitty saw the ring on her sister's finger. "That ring is to die for," she told her as she reached out and grabbed her sister's hand. "Just think how jealous Lydia will be when she hears the news," she told her. "She thought she was so much better than the rest of us because she got married to Wickham and now here you and Jane are marrying two of the richest men in all of England."

Elizabeth turned to her younger sister, "Kitty please don't say things like that in front of Charles or Will, it makes it seem as if Jane and I are only marrying them for their money and nothing could be further from the truth."

"I'm sorry Lizzy I wasn't thinking how that sounded. I won't say things like that anymore. I promise to be more careful with comments like that," she assured her. "What about Mum, she was going on and on about how wealthy they both are and how you will find rich husbands for Mary and me. Are you going to buy her a muzzle?" she teased her.

Elizabeth laughed, "That's a wonderful idea, I should go and pick one up today."

Kitty laughed, "You will have to if you don't want her carrying on. All she has been talking about all morning is how Charles and Darcy must have other friends who they can introduce to Mary and me."

Elizabeth smiled, "Well Kitty since you're only eighteen and still going to school, I don't think there is a need for me to rush out and find you a husband just yet, do you?" she teased her.

Kitty frowned and said in her most serious voice, "Well you know Lizzy, if you compare me to Lydia's example, I'm already an old maid."

Elizabeth picked up her pillow and threw it at her. "I'm serious," she told her. "You're not looking for a serious relationship right now, are you Kitty?"

"No, I've never been in any hurry to marry. I mean I like dating, but like you said I'm only eighteen," Kitty told Elizabeth.

"I'm very glad you feel that way," Elizabeth told her.

Kitty grabbed one of the pillows and held it up to her chest. "Lizzy there is something you could let me do for you," she started to say, but then hesitated.

Elizabeth looked at her sister, "What is it Kitty?" she encouraged her to continue.

Kitty bit her bottom lip and then looked at her sister with pleading eyes, "Please just think about what I'm about to suggest."

Elizabeth almost laughed, "Well I can't think about it if I have no idea what it is?" she told her.

Kitty took in a deep breath before she spoke, "Please consider letting me design your wedding dress," she blurted out. "I know I don't have as much experience as some designers, and I know Mr. Darc..." she stopped herself and corrected, "Darcy, will be able to pay for any designer you could possibly want, but I would so love to do this for you," she told her. "I couldn't make the offer to Jane because Mum insisted that she wear her wedding dress, but if you let me, I would love to do this for you."

Elizabeth was truly touched by her sister's request. "Kitty I would be so proud to wear your design for my dress," she told her.

Kitty's eyes grew bright with excitement, "Really Lizzy?" she asked wanting to be sure she heard correctly.

Elizabeth walked over to her and gave her a small hug, "Really." she told her. "You are a perfect choice, you know me better than anyone else, and you live here with me so I can have all the input I like. Besides I love your designs."

Kitty was so happy. "I promise Lizzy, I will do my best work," she told her. "I will listen to every little detail you have about the wedding and how you want to look. It will be the most beautiful dress ever, I promise you."

Elizabeth smiled, "Kitty, I know it will be," she told her. "Now if you don't mind, I have to meet Will in an hour, so I need to get ready for the day," she said as she pushed back her covers and crawled out of bed.

"Of course," she said as she got up and walked over to the door. She stopped for a minute and turned back to her sister, "Lizzy, Mum might not think me capable of doing this for you, and she might say some things but..." she started to tell her.

Elizabeth knew what she was thinking. "Kitty, it's all settled, no matter what Mum might say. I know you are the best designer to do this for me and I'm thrilled that you offered," she told her. "I think after I speak with Will today, then you and I can tell Mum together. That way if she has any thoughts to share we can deal with them together."

Kitty smiled, "That's a great idea, then we will be a united front," she told her.

Elizabeth smiled, "Exactly what I was thinking," she agreed.

Kitty ran back over and gave her a hug, "Oh thank you, Lizzy, thank you so much for believing in me," she told her before she left the room.

Elizabeth sighed, as much as she wished it wasn't true they probably would have some pushback from their mother over Kitty designing the dress. Elizabeth hoped that once her mother saw Kitty's work, she would realize just how talented she was. Kitty behaved even more focused and mature without Lydia always around stirring up trouble. The sound of Elizabeth alarm going off again interrupted her thoughts. She would have to hurry if she wanted to be on time to meet with Will.

Darcy was up early. He wanted to have time to speak with Charles before Caroline was up. He went downstairs and found his friend in the study. "Charles, are you busy?" he asked as he came into the room.

Charles looked up from his desk and smiled, "No not really. I was just going over some reports from my account," he told him. "Apparently, Caroline has overspent her monthly allowance again."

Darcy's eyes narrowed just a bit, "I thought you were going to have a word with her about that?" he commented.

Charles nodded his head, "I did," he told him. "Darcy I'm going to take your advice. I have given Caroline every opportunity to get herself together, but she's no closer to learning to take care of herself now than she was a year ago."

Darcy walked over and sat down, "What are you thinking of doing about it?"

"I'm not really sure," he told him. "It's difficult because Caroline is older than I am, but she doesn't behave as if she is. Both Louisa and I have talked to her about her finances, but she insists that she can't make it on her trust funds. Louisa and I both give her a monthly allowance besides her trust fund, and she still overdraws her accounts."

"Well you can always suggest she find a job," Darcy told him.

Charles leaned back in his chair. "That's exactly what I'm going to do. I have spoken with Louisa about it, and we agree it's time she gets her own place and takes responsibility for her life."

"Perhaps tough love is the answer," he told him. "If you were to cut off her allowance it would force her to get by on her trust fund alone. If she can't manage that then she would have to find a way of supplementing her income," he told him. "Have you ever suggested she take on a position with you?"

"Yes, both Louisa and I have suggested it, but she refuses," he told him. "It's always the same excuse, she's either too busy, or she can't deal with the stress any position at my firm would cause her."

"Sounds like she doesn't want to deal with life," Darcy told him. "I wonder what her plans are then for the future, does she think you are going to take care of her for the rest of her life?"

Charles smiled, "Actually Darcy I think she hoped she might win your heart and become Mrs. Darcy," he told him. "I do believe that's one reason she spends so much of her time with me."

Darcy decided to take this opportunity to tell his friend his news. "Charles, I do have some news that I want to tell you," he told him.

Charles sat upright and looked intently at Darcy. "Of course what is it?"

Darcy smiled, "Well as of two days ago, I'm engaged to be married to Elizabeth," he told him then waited for his reaction.

Charles eyes filled with delight as he walked over and extended his hand to his best friend. "Oh that's wonderful news Darcy," he told him. "I have always thought the woman who captured your heart would have to be both beautiful and intelligent," he told him. "But tell me when did this all happen? I thought the two of you didn't like each other very much."

Darcy almost laughed, "Yes well, in the beginning, we didn't like each other very much, mostly due to that unkind remark I made when we first met. But over time our feelings for one another changed. I spoke with her father yesterday, and she told her mother of our plans just last night."

Charles frowned, "Oh," he commented as he walked over and sat back down.

Darcy was puzzled by his reaction. "What is it, Charles? Is something wrong?"

Charles shook his head, "No," he answered. "It's just that if Elizabeth told her mother last night, then I don't think it will be long before the world knows of your joyous news."

Darcy still didn't understand. "I still don't know if I understand, why the concerned look on your face."

Charles took in a deep breath, "I'm sorry, Darcy, I only thought I shall have to tell Caroline soon, or she will see it in the press."

Darcy looked at the expression on his friend's face. "Charles, I really hope you know I have never done or said anything to encourage Caroline's fantasy about marrying me."

Charles smiled, "I know that Darcy," he told him. "Don't worry; Caroline will be fine. It's just a lot of news she must deal with all at once, you are marrying Elizabeth, and my cutting off her allowance. She will be rather difficult for a while I'm afraid. You may want to avoid her for the time being."

Darcy better understood Charles meaning. "Maybe I will go and pick up Elizabeth instead of having her meet me here," Darcy commented. He looked over at Charles who was already deep in thought. He didn't envy his friend at that moment. "I wish you the best of luck with your sister," he told him. "I really do think that forcing her to be more responsible is the right thing to do," he said as he got to his feet. "Now if you will excuse me I think I shall go and pick up Elizabeth."

"Of course," he said then added, "I really am very happy for you Darcy, and I think Elizabeth will make you very happy."

Darcy smiled as he thought about his fiancée, "I know she will, she's the best thing that has ever happened to me," he said before returning to his room to get ready.

Elizabeth came downstairs and was just about to leave when she heard her phone going off; she glanced down to see a text from Charlotte. "Have you seen the morning paper?" followed by another text that read "Is it true?" She didn't know what Charlotte might be talking about, but she went into her father's study to find the morning paper. As she came in she saw her father sitting at his desk, "Has the paper come?"

He looked up and smiled, "Yes it has, and I must warn you, I don't know how she did it, but your mum has been busy," he told her as he passed the front page over to her.

Elizabeth looked at the local headline that read, "Millionaire Fitzwilliam Darcy to wed local girl." After reading over the short piece telling of her engagement to Will, she let out a small sigh and looked back at her father. "How did she manage this? It literally hasn't been more than twelve hours since I told her. How could she possibly have gotten it into the press that fast?"

Mr. Bennet smiled, "Perhaps your mum is not as clueless as we all think," he told her. "Darcy won't be upset with this going out so fast, will he? I believe the newswire has caught wind of it and it's now spreading across the internet and other newspapers."

Elizabeth was surprised, "Seriously?" she asked, "With all that goes on in the world you would think people would have other things to occupy their time with than whether two people are getting married or not."

Mr. Bennet almost laughed, "Lizzy, with how much money and power your young man holds I'm not at all surprised at his upcoming marriage making the news," he told her. "Now don't you worry it will all die down very soon."

Elizabeth smiled, "Of course it will," she said as she placed the paper down on the desk. Her phone went off again; she looked down to see another message from Charlotte, "Well?"

Elizabeth let out a heavy sigh, "And so it begins..." she mumbled to herself as she typed in her reply. "Yes, it is true. Will and I are engaged. Be in touch soon." She was just about to put her phone away when she got another message, it read, "Congratulation." Elizabeth looked at the clock and slipped her phone into her pocket, "I'm going to meet with Will and then we are driving into London to see Georgiana. Please tell Mum not to give any interviews or speak with the press until I speak with her later."

Mr. Bennet walked over and gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek. "I promise to take away her phone and lock her in her room if I have to," he teased her.

Elizabeth smiled, "Thank you, Dad," she said before turning to leave.

Caroline came downstairs and stormed into the dining room. Charles saw the look on her face as she came through the door and knew at once that she knew about Darcy engagement. "Good morning Caroline," he said as he reached for his coffee.

Caroline held up her iPad, "Is Darcy here this morning?" she asked, "Has he seen the lies and rumors that are all over the internet concerning him and Elizabeth Bennet?"

Charles cleared his throat and returned his coffee cup to the table. "Caroline, I think you should sit down."

She looked at him intently and narrowed her eyes, "Why?" she asked as she made her way over to the table and sat down.

Charles hesitated for a moment then said. "To answer your question, no Darcy is not here this morning, and yes he does know about the news circulating on the internet this morning."

She smiled rather devilishly, "I imagine he was infuriated and went over to speak with Miss Bennet about how such lies got started in the first place?" she said. "I bet it was that mother of hers."

Charles shook his head, "not exactly." he told her. "Darcy did go to meet with Elizabeth, but it was so they could choose a date for their wedding. The story is true; Darcy is engaged to Elizabeth."

Caroline's face went flush, "It can't be true!" she responded indignantly. "Fitzwilliam Darcy wouldn't lower himself to marry someone like Elizabeth Bennet!" she blurted out.

Charles was getting angry, "Be careful Caroline, you are speaking of my fiancée's favorite sister and a very dear friend of mine!" he snapped at her.

Caroline was surprised by her brother's tone of voice. "I merely meant that Darcy and Elizabeth hardly know each other and he's not the kind of man to go off on a whim and marry."

Charles pushed himself away from the table and stood up, "And yet he's engaged to be married, he told me so himself this morning," he walked over toward her. "I realize you held to some fantasy of marrying him yourself, and I'm sorry for any pain you are now dealing with, but I must warn you, Caroline, Darcy is in love with her. He does plan to marry her, and there is nothing you can do that will change that. I heard from Jane just a little while ago, and she said Darcy gave Elizabeth his mother's ring so you must see this is serious."

Caroline's mouth dropped open in astonishment; she was speechless. She sat there stunned with nothing to say as Charles walked over to the doorway. He stopped and gave her one last final warning. "I expect you to treat Elizabeth with respect as both Jane's sister and Darcy fiancée. I will not tolerate you being rude to my family or friends," he told her before leaving.

Caroline got up from the table and headed back upstairs, her mind racing with murderous thoughts for Elizabeth Bennet and the entire Bennet family. She went to her room and slammed her door so loud that Charles could hear it in his study. He was just sitting down to his desk to make a call to his account manager when he heard a rather loud crash. "Yes Harold...it's Charles." he began speaking as soon as the other man came on the line. "Yes, thank you. Jane is a wonderful girl, and I am very happy," he said then continued. "I'm actually calling you about Caroline. After thinking over some of the things you said before I think it's time to let my sister stand on her own two feet for a change," he told him. "I've spoken to Louisa, and we both agree it's time for Caroline to begin living within her means. I plan to talk with Caroline later today. No doubt she will have questions so I wanted to give you notice that she might come to you looking for sympathy, but we are determined that she must be more responsible," he said. After a few minutes, he smiled, "Thank you, Harold. I knew I could count on your help with this matter and yes, I do think putting Brandon in charge of her spending is an excellent idea. He always handles everything in a very professional manner. I think he will be the perfect choice to handle her accounts going forward," he said before hanging up the phone. He sat back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling. He could still hear Caroline throwing things about in her room; it sounded as if several items were probably broken from her fits of anger. It was a good thing that he has spoken to the maid and asked her to remove anything of any real value from Caroline's bedroom before he told her about Darcy engagement to Elizabeth.

Darcy pulled up in front of the Bennet home just as Elizabeth was coming out of the front door. He smiled, she looked so beautiful, and he felt as if he were the luckiest man alive. "Good morning," he called out to her as he got out and walked toward her.

Elizabeth smiled and greeted him with a kiss. "This is a surprise," she told him. "I thought I was going to meet you at Netherfield and then we were going to drive into London together to see Georgiana?" she reminded him.

"That was the plan, but then my phone started going off, and it was clear that the news of our engagement was known," he told her. "I thought it best if we avoided Netherfield and Caroline for a while."

"That's probably not a bad idea," she agreed. "You're not too terribly upset that my mother told the world about us, are you?"

Darcy's smile reassured her that he wasn't. "I told you I wanted the world to know how I feel about you and now they do. I'm not upset in the least," he told her. "Although I must say I'm rather impressed that she managed to get the word out so quickly."

Elizabeth laughed, "My father and I were saying the same thing this morning," she told him as she reached up and gently brushed a stray curl away from his forehead. "Thank you for being so understanding about everything."

"You don't have to thank me," he told her. "But if you want to do so then I can think of a better way to do so than with words," he whispered softly as he pulled her into his arms and leaned in for a kiss. Just as their lips met Elizabeth heard some rustling sounds from the hedge just near the gardens. She pulled away and looked over towards where the sounds were coming from.

Darcy followed her gaze. "What is it?" he asked her, his voice filled with concern.

Elizabeth furrowed her brow. "I'm not sure; I thought I heard something near the gardens, by the hedge."

Darcy looked intently and then let out an annoyed sigh. "You did hear something," he told her as he turned back towards her. "I believe the paparazzi are already here attempting to get a photo of us together. I'm sorry Elizabeth for this intrusion to your family's privacy."

She laughed, "Why on earth would anyone care about seeing us together anyway. Seems so ridiculous when so many other important things are happening in the world," she told him as he guided her over towards the car.

"Sadly, that's not the way of the world. I will have Richard hire security at once," he told her as he opened her door and then got inside himself. "Of course, I will speak with your father about this too."

Elizabeth wasn't sure how to react to the situation, it seemed so absurd that anyone would be interested in who she was. "Do you really think security is necessary?"

"Yes, I do think so," he told her. "I don't want to sound like a snob, but the press has waited for a long time to get a hold of this story," he told her.

She almost laughed, "Oh Will that didn't sound snobbish at all, with you being so sought after and such a catch I can understand why the world would stop spinning until everyone knows we are to be married," she teased him.

He smiled and blushed just a little, "Fine perhaps it did sound a bit snobbish, but that doesn't make it any less true," he told her. "And since you and I are to marry they will be digging around to find out anything and everything they can about you."

"On that count, I think they will end up sadly disappointed. I'm a very boring person; I don't have any skeletons in my closets," she told him.

He took in a deep breath, "I'm sure you know all too well from dealing with the paparazzi with Jane's career that the press has no conscience if they can't find a story they will simply make one up."

Elizabeth thought about her younger sister Lydia, "Will, what if they bring up George and Lydia?" she asked him. "It's not a secret that she had a rushed marriage and is expecting a baby, but it wasn't really newsworthy just fuel for the local gossip," she told him. "What if the press reaches out to George and he brings up Georgiana? I couldn't stand the thought of him hurting and embarrassing her like that."

Darcy loved her even more for what she said, her concern for his sister meant so much to him. "Don't worry about George, let me deal with him," he told her as he reached over and took her hand in his, "Let's not talk about him today, we have more important topics to discuss."

She smiled at him mischievously, as she leaned a little closer toward him. "Yes, we do."

"So, when would you like to marry?" He asked assuming that was what she wanted to talk about.

Elizabeth smiled and squeezed his hand gently, "Oh I don't know, I was thinking about the honeymoon," she teased him.

Darcy saw the playful look in her eyes, and his heart beat faster, "If I weren't driving right now, I would so take you into my arms and kiss you."

She leaned over closer to him and whispered, "Perhaps later when you are not driving you will make good on that threat."

His mind was suddenly filled with visions of the two of them together on their wedding night, "I think we should marry soon."

Elizabeth pulled his hand up to her lips and kissed it softly, "I think so too."