Chapter 1

Two days had passed since Mr. Darcy appeared at the parsonage to make his insulting marriage proposal. Elizabeth had spent much of the day and night wondering what she had done to earn that gentleman's admiration, proclaim his ardent love, and then treat her like someone inferior who should be grateful for his sacrifice and accepting her despite her condition in life.

'What an insufferable man; he deserved everything I said to him!' Elizabeth thought as she walked along the path that bordered Rosings Park. She had walked for over an hour to clear her mind and was returning to the parsonage.

But the truth was that Elizabeth felt some remorse for the manner she had spoken to Mr. Darcy. Even more so when she discovered he had not been able to return to London because he had a rebellious fever and a severe cold. She particularly remembered the gentleman's astonished face when she told him that even if he had behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner, she would still have rejected him. She could never marry a haughty and proud man like him.

But even though she admitted that she should not have lost control like that, he had no arguments to defend himself against her accusations. Furthermore, he openly admitted that he was glad that he had succeeded in separating Jane from his friend Charles Bingley and ridiculed the precarious situation in which Mr. Wickham lived because of him, saying that his misfortunes were undoubtedly very great as if that was something laughable.

'No, that man deserved every single word I said to him. I am pretty sure that maybe for the first time in his life, someone dared to speak frankly and tell him to his face what kind of person truly he is,' Elizabeth thought to ease her mind.

The last two nights, she had dreamed of Mr. Darcy declaring his love for her. Also, she spent most of the day analyzing their interactions since they met. Elizabeth remembered as if it were yesterday the first time she saw him enter the Meryton assembly. Mr. Darcy immediately caught her attention because he was tall and handsome. Still, there was something about him that she found very attractive beyond his physical appearance, perhaps his intelligent gaze or his mien that reflected his noble origin.

But the moment she saw him interact with her neighbors, she knew that he was nothing more than a haughty, conceited society gentleman, and immediately any attraction she might have felt for him vanished. And as if that were not enough, all her suspicions about his character were confirmed when she heard his comment about her lack of beauty, no matter who might listen.

Later, on all the occasions that she had the displeasure of meeting him, she always sought to provoke and make him see how much she disliked him. In addition, Elizabeth remembered with great concern all the times she saw how he observed her intensely, apparently with admiration, although at that time, she was sure that he did it to look for defects and criticize her.

'I am not going to find peace until I am away from him, and I am sure I shall never see him again,' Elizabeth mused before entering her cousin's house. Knowing that Mr. Darcy was in love with her and wanted to get married, leaving all his prejudices aside, made her uneasy.

After taking off her bonnet and gloves, Elizabeth went to the small room where her friend used to spend the morning. Charlotte was accompanied by one of her husband's parishioners, and they had an interesting conversation that caught her attention.

"I am very sorry, Mrs. Collins, that you cannot provide me with one of your servants for a few days. Many people have been ill with these sudden rains, and the girl who intended to accompany me to London is in bed with a fever. My daughter is at the end of her confinement, and I want to get to town as soon as possible. So I fervently ask that if you know of anyone interested in earning a few shillings, I have two tickets for tomorrow's mailcoach," Mrs. Taylor explained.

"I promise I shall do everything I can to find someone," Charlotte replied, sincerely concerned.

Elizabeth thought that this was the opportunity she had been praying for. She still had ten more days in Kent and could not bear to stay another minute there, exposed to Mr. Darcy's contempt. Besides, Elizabeth noted Jane was sad in her last letter and wished she could accompany her for a few days in London before returning to Longbourn. Also, she always enjoyed her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner's company very much.

"Mrs. Taylor, I need to travel to London as soon as possible," and looking at Charlotte, Elizabeth exaggerated the truth to justify her sudden decision. "Jane has been ill for the last few days, and I need to be with her. Maria can stay another month, as she wished, and return to Meryton with your father."

"That would be excellent, Miss Bennet," Mrs. Taylor said excitedly.

"I need to travel to my uncle's house in Gracechurch Street, near Cheapside," Elizabeth explained.

"That is no problem, miss. My son-in-law will pick me up at the station in his wagon. My daughter lives in the same area, so we can drop you off at your uncle's house on the way," Mrs. Taylor said with high spirits.

Although Charlotte was unhappy with her friend's sudden decision, she could do nothing to retain Elizabeth. She knew very well how stubborn her friend could be when she wanted to do something, and there was no way to change her mind.

Once Elizabeth agreed with Mrs. Taylor on the time they would meet, she went to her room to pack everything for the next day. Mrs. Taylor's husband would pick her up very early, so she needed to be ready to go and leave behind all memories of Mr. Darcy and his ridiculous proposal.

P&P

When Mr. Darcy left the parsonage after being rejected by Elizabeth, he walked for several minutes, not knowing where to go. He was hurt and disappointed in Elizabeth but also himself. He had allowed himself to be carried away by his sentiments and achieved making a complete and utter fool of himself in front of a woman who had never deserved his love, let alone the honor of being the new Mrs. Darcy.

He felt disappointed as he realized Elizabeth had played with his feelings. From the moment he met her, she had done everything possible to get his attention, to provoke him into losing his reason and sound judgment to such a degree that he had proposed. Fitzwilliam Darcy, one of the wealthiest men in England with direct connections to the nobility, had been willing to have Mrs. Bennet as his mother-in-law to be with the woman he thought he loved and who he was convinced loved him too. But all his calculations were wrong because she not only did not love him but despised him so much that she was willing to believe the lies of a scoundrel like George Wickham and doubt his honor.

But despite the fact his head told him that he should forget about Elizabeth, that she was not worth it, his heart still loved her and admired what she had done. He knew that a colder and more calculating woman would have ignored any scruples she had against him and would have gladly accepted him. She would even have feigned love that she did not feel to ensure an advantageous marriage and financial stability.

Yet Elizabeth Bennet had stood up for her sister and a scoundrel that did not deserve it. She rejected him because she thought it was the right thing to do. Also, she told him everything she thought of him without reservation and harshly reprimanded him for the manner he proposed. She was an honorable lady that demanded to be respected.

While he walked, absorbed in destructive thoughts, a heavy rain fell without ceasing. He was absolutely drenched but did not realize what was happening around him. The pain in his soul was so deep that nothing mattered to him.

When he finally reached Rosings after walking for almost half an hour in the torrential rain, he immediately went to his room. He was determined to clear his honor and defend himself against the harsh accusations Elizabeth had leveled at him. When he entered his room, he took off his coat and sat to write. Despite his valet insisting that he change his wet clothes, he did not listen to anyone and asked to be left alone. After nearly three hours of non-stop writing, Mr. Darcy finished the letter. He finally managed to feel a little at peace with himself, and then he took off his clothes and went to sleep.

As expected, he woke with a headache the next day and a high fever. Colonel Fitzwilliam and his valet cared for him as best they could, but Lady Catherine called the apothecary to examine him as the fever would not subside. Mr. Peterson prescribed some medicinal herbs, lowering his fever the next day and making him feel a little better.

"Darcy, I am sorry to leave you here when you are ill, but you know I must return to my regiment immediately. We have extended our visit by almost two weeks, and I have no more time off. I must report to my superior officer first thing tomorrow morning. Do not worry about the carriage; I shall ride to London."

"Thank you for accompanying me all this time, Fitzwilliam. I understand you perfectly; I shall leave early tomorrow and send your luggage to your parents' house when I arrive in London."

"Do not be irresponsible, Darcy. You still have a slight fever. Please, stay in bed for a few more days until you fully recover."

"I am well, Fitzwilliam. Please do not worry unnecessarily."

Richard looked at his cousin and knew that something was wrong with him. While he had a high fever, he had been delirious, and although nothing of what he said made sense, it was evident that he was restless for some reason. He had always been very reserved, but now he looked sad and haggard and seemed absent as if his mind was far away. "Before I go, I would like to know if you are alright. I do not know; you seem concerned. Is something wrong?"

"I told you, Fitzwilliam, I am well. Were you not in such a hurry to leave?" Mr. Darcy asked but immediately apologized for how he spoke to the cousin. "I am sorry; I am a little tired."

"Do not worry, Darcy; please do not rush your departure and rest. I shall see you in town in a few more days." The Colonel said goodbye and left.

Once his cousin said goodbye and left his room, Mr. Darcy tried to get some sleep to regain his energy but could not.

'Tomorrow, I shall deliver this letter to you, Elizabeth Bennet. After that, I hope never to see you again and to erase you from my mind,' Mr. Darcy said, unable to help but shed tears of anger and disappointment.

P&P

"Thank you, Jane, for helping me decorate everything so beautifully. You must teach me how to make those flower arrangements that brighten the dining room. We have not seen Martha and Joseph in a long time, and I want everything to be beautiful so they feel how happy we are to have them in our house."

"I am glad, aunt, that you liked them so much, and of course, when you have time, I shall gladly show you how to make them because it is easy," answered Jane, happy to help with something. She had been at the Gardiners' for two months, and they treated her with much love and understanding, even though she was no good company for anyone. It had been over two months since she last saw Caroline, and she still had not heard from her friends or Mr. Bingley. Sometimes, Jane felt she would never be happy again.

Finally, the visitors arrived, and Jane had the opportunity to spend a pleasant evening with them. Mr., Mrs. Cooper, and their son were friendly, and like all the Gardiners' friends, they were very cultured and refined.

Martha Cooper was originally from Lambton and had been a childhood friend of Eunice Wood, Mrs. Gardiner's older sister. Even though there was a difference of several years between them, they were always good friends. Like the Wood family, Martha's family immigrated to London to expand the family business. In London, Martha met her husband, a young solicitor who worked with his brother in their law firm in Manchester. Once she married, she went to live with her husband in the north of the country, but she always corresponded with the Wood family, and they visited each other whenever they could.

Joseph and Martha Cooper, like the Gardiners, were a very well-matched couple and loved each other very much. But despite how happy they were, the first years of their marriage were marked by the sadness of being unable to be parents. Jonas came into their lives when Martha was thirty-four, and Joseph was thirty-eight. From that moment on, they never felt like they were missing anything. That son came to illuminate their lives and became the most important person in their lives.

Jonas grew up surrounded by his parents' love and understanding, making him a fair and self-confident man. But unlike his father, he was ambitious, and instead of staying to work at the law firm that his father and his uncle founded more than thirty years ago, he decided to try his fortune in the big city. He preferred to emigrate to London in search of new opportunities. Thanks to his talent and good disposition, he got a position in an important law firm whose client portfolio included the wealthiest and most prominent people in London society. He had just turned twenty-five and felt that the world was a great place full of possibilities.

Joseph and Ronald Cooper were the second and third sons of Leonard Cooper, Earl Somerville, and Jonas was his grandfather's favorite grandson because he had the ambition and intelligence that none of his cousins had.

His parents came to spend a few days with him, and Jonas was happy to go with them to visit the Gardiners, whom he genuinely esteemed.

"Jonas, look how you have grown. How many years have we not seen each other?"

"I think two or three, Mrs. Gardiner. But I have not grown much. Last time you saw me, I still looked like a schoolboy," Jonas said with a laugh.

"That must be it," Madeline said. Jonas had become quite the man in recent years compared to Mrs. Gardiner's childish image of him.

"My son is more handsome every day," said Martha with great pride.

"I am sorry, son, but your mother finding you handsome is not enough evidence that you are," Joseph added, making everyone laugh. The truth was that Jonas was quite a handsome young man. He had blue eyes and blonde hair like all the Coopers.

Jonas noticed a young lady accompanying the Gardiners and was very curious about who she was. She was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful ladies he had seen recently, but she caught his attention not because of her beauty. She seemed absent as if she were sad.

"I am so sorry; I was so excited to see you again that I forgot to introduce my dear niece, who is spending the season with us. Dear friends, this is Jane Bennet," Mr. Gardiner said.

The Coopers were pleased to meet such a sweet, lovely young woman. Jane looked and behaved like an angel from heaven with her beautiful face and serene smile.

P&P

"Darcy, Richard expressly asked me to reason with you and ask you to rest a few more days," Anne said to her cousin.

"Anne, I am well. I have a lot to do in London and need to leave as soon as possible," Mr. Darcy explained to his cousin.

"I know that despite what I say, you will still leave, but at least I tried. Although I admit that you look much better, I think resting for a few more days would help you to recover fully," Anne said resignedly.

"Anne, you do not have to worry. I promise that as soon as I get home, I shall try to get as much rest as I need, and if I am not feeling well, I shall call the doctor immediately," Mr. Darcy explained, a bit exasperated.

"Alright, I guess I better stop wasting my time insisting you stay. Please tell Georgiana to write me and inform me about your health. You know we should not correspond, or my mother would find a way to force you to marry me. Finally, I want to thank you for not putting my mother in her place every time she talked about our supposed engagement. I am afraid that if she knows we do not want to get married, she will try to find me another husband. I sincerely thank you very much for letting her continue dreaming of our future wedding, and with that, you allow me to have some peace."

"Dear Anne, you are like a sister to me. Such an idea is only in your mother's head, and whenever we can, Fitzwilliam and I shall protect you." Mr. Darcy was very sorry for his cousin because she led a monotonous and lonely life due to his mother's constant control over everything she did.

"I know, Darcy, and that is why I love you too, even if it has to be hidden from my mother. Well, I suppose the day will come when you get married, and I shall have to face her," she explained, resigned.

"Anne, I do not think I shall ever marry. I have a feeling the future heir to Pemberley will be Georgiana's son and not mine," Mr. Darcy said with a sad, wistful smile.

"What nonsense you say, Darcy. Although you do not like to hear it, you are a very handsome gentleman and also rich and powerful. When a woman can see what lies beyond your appearance and fortune, I am sure she will fall in love with you, and you will form a beautiful family with her."

Anne also felt sorry for her cousin because his situation was, in a way, very similar to hers. They both did not own their lives, although, in the case of her cousin Darcy, Anne thought it was by choice. He was too attached to strict social norms that did not allow him to value what was important.

"Thank you, Anne," said Mr. Darcy and embraced his cousin with sincere affection. As his cousin spoke, he could not help but wonder what Anne would say if she knew what had happened between him and Elizabeth. She was probably the only woman who saw beyond his appearance and fortune, and she saw an arrogant, proud man.

After taking and saying goodbye to Anne, Mr. Darcy said farewell to Lady Catherine. She did not stop complaining and repeated over and over again that he should stay and allow Anne to take care of him until he fully recovered.

"Here, before you go, give this to Anne," Lady Catherine said to Mr. Darcy, handing him a small box containing a ring.

"Aunt, I do not want you to argue with you," Mr. Darcy said in exasperation. Fortunately, just then, Mr. Collins and two other men arrived to speak to his aunt, and he took the opportunity to leave.

Finally, everything was ready, and Mr. Darcy set off for London. That morning, he had risen very early to deliver the letter to Miss Bennet. But he could only say goodbye to Mrs. Collins, who told him that Elizabeth had left that very morning.

He could not help but feel disappointed because this had been his last chance to clarify everything with her. For some strange reason that he could not understand, he did not want Elizabeth to continue thinking he was dishonest and heartless. Mr. Darcy wanted her to be fair to him and comprehend why he advised his friend Bingley to forget Jane Bennet and clarify all the lies Wickham had told her.

Mr. Darcy looked out the carriage window at the beautiful countryside and thought about Elizabeth. He carried the letter in his coat pocket even though he knew he should destroy it. He did not have the strength to do it, thinking he could give her to Elizabeth and she could understand how wrong she was.

When Mr. Darcy tried to get the letter from the right pocket of his coat, he realized that he had the ring his aunt had imprudently given him. He had to remember to send it back first thing in the morning to prevent Lady Catherine from starting to make wedding plans.

After thinking incessantly about his troubles, he managed to rest and sleep, but the coachman woke him to inform him that the bridge on the main road had suffered extensive damage from the river's flooding due to the rain and they should take an alternate route. That would delay the journey by more than two hours, but they could still make it to London before dark if they had no other inconvenience. Mr. Darcy preferred not to think about the matter anymore and to relax because his head ached and had begun to cough again. He just wanted to rest and forget about everything that worried him.

P&P

Elizabeth and Mrs. Taylor sat in the inn's dining room where the mailcoach stopped to rest the horses. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the journey was more complicated than usual, but they hoped to reach London before nightfall. They had taken advantage of resting at the inn and having a bowl of hot soup with a piece of bread. It was a simple meal but the best the inn offered. It was a rather modest place on a road where only local traffic carriages usually passed.

"Sir, I think this place is the best we can find for rest," said the coachman to Mr. Darcy.

"Very well, Smith," Mr. Darcy replied and descended from his luxurious carriage. The coachman and his assistant fed and watered the horses while they ate something in the stable.

After freshening up, Mr. Darcy headed for the inn's main dining room, which was certainly not like the places he used to frequent. He was not used to places like that, but he knew he could not complain because there were no better alternatives at the moment. He just wished he could have a cup of hot tea or some bowl of soup while he waited.

Upon entering, he immediately went to a corner where there was no one. He did not want to have to talk to anyone, let alone have to have small talk with a stranger.

From that corner, he looked around to see if anyone could bring him some tea, but all the employees were busy. Suddenly, he noticed that Elizabeth Bennet was sitting alone at a table in the other corner of the room while she was eating something that looked like soup. Instantly, he thought of going over to her and handing the letter. But they were in a public place, and doing something like that would put her in a compromising situation. Besides, he did not want her to notice his presence; he wanted to look at her freely and remember every single detail of her beautiful face. She was the only woman he had ever loved and was likely to love, and he was sure it would be the last time he would see her.

Mrs. Taylor had gone to freshen up more than ten minutes ago and still had not returned. Elizabeth was a bit worried, and when he was about to get up to look for her, a group of three armed men entered the dining room, insulting everyone present and making all kinds of threats.

These men were a group of local ruffians who saw an excellent opportunity to make easy money. That inn was full of passengers who usually did not go through a place like that.

The thieves were a bit nervous and wanted to steal as much as they could as quickly as possible. That is why they overlooked Mr. Darcy, who was almost hidden in the corner of the dining room, but they did see Elizabeth, and one of them felt very interested in her.

"Hello, my beautiful lady; what is your name?" asked one of the ruffians, smiling.

Elizabeth was so scared that she could not answer.

"Cole, we did not come to this place to play with ladies but to steal."

"You are saying that because you are jealous, Jack, but I saw her first; she is mine. Dear lady, men like us are not used to associating with beauties like you," Cole added, moving dangerously close to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was terrified because that man looked at her in a way that made her uncomfortable. "Sir, please…"

"Is everything alright, my dear?" Mr. Darcy asked Elizabeth. She was so surprised but pleased simultaneously that she could not help but smile in relief. She never thought that after begging never to see him again, she would be so happy to see Mr. Darcy again and forgot that he insulted her just a few days ago.

"Who is this man, my beautiful lady?" Cole asked, sneering at the tall, elegant gentleman glaring at him defiantly.

"I am Fitzwilliam Darcy, and this is Elizabeth Darcy, my wife," replied Mr. Darcy. Then he sat beside Elizabeth and took her hand in his.

P&P

I am back with this story that I started some time ago and did not have the opportunity to continue writing. I have been very busy but now have time to write more. I want to finish this story and will try to post frequently. This is a short story of only fifteen chapters. I hope you like it!

In the next chapter, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth will have to unite to solve the problem they are involved in.

See you soon!

Saludos,

Yo

P.S. I just want to remind you that English is not my first language, and I am sincerely sorry if my use of the language is not always correct.