"So there you have it sir. The whole story. Shall you cart us off to bedlam separately, or together to save on cost?"
Mr Bennett looked at the pair of them, shocked, yet thoughtful.
" I don't know what to say. It all seems so unearthly. However, despite myself, I am inclined to believe you" He sounded shocked at his own words as they fell from his mouth.
Lizzie let out a sigh of relief.
She had sat quietly, only offering the odd comment or correction here and there. And as Wills tellings reached the more recent years she was grateful that he skipped the more flirtatious parts of their interactions. Besides for the more pressing and obvious reasons. She was still rather confused by her own emotions. It was all well and good in an imagined world, but now she was forced to confront them it left her befuddled and exposed. And she had the distinct impression that Will was feeling similarly.
"The question becomes what is to be done now?"
"Sir?" "Papa?" They enquired in unison.
" Well, this…. friendship?… of yours. I don't believe I would be wrong in saying that it's important to you both." They both nodded dumbly. " Well surely you see it's hardly appropriate out here in the land of the awake"
" Yes sir, I do. But I feel conflicted. Lizzies friendship, it means a great deal. She has been my constant, my support, since I was a boy. I know it hardly seems proper. I know men and women cannot be friends, but…." He was oddly lost for words. He had never expected to have to justify his friendship with Lizzie
Mr Bennett raised his hand, bringing young man to a halt. "Perchance Mr Darcy, you and I have things in common? Things that could bring us together for lively discussion, or…."
"Oh yes, papa. Many things. You both love books and detest balls. You are both happier in your own company, or with a select few people. And neither of you suffer fools very well. Although your manner of dealing with them is quite different. Will does not make sport of them as you do"
"Well, there you are then" Mr Bennett concluded " Two acquaintances, with similar interests, seeking refuge in one another's company. Lizzie is often in here with me so that won't seem odd. The two of you can talk and have time." he gave Darcy a significant look. "under my watchful eye!" Maybe Will had given too much away after all. "But I must insist on no arranged meets outside this room. I won't pretend to understand this friendship, but I won't forbid it either. But I will NOT have my daughter compromised! Even if it's only in gossip. That's enough to ruin her and her sisters. I need you to promise me Mr Darcy"
"Absolutely so. I would never do anything to hurt her." Will answer passionately. Still not quite believing the event of the day.
"And Lizzie" Father now turned to daughter "remember it's Mr Darcy outside this room, be careful how you speak and who you trust. My advice would be tell no one else of this history of yours. After all, I can only protect my daughter from the asylum" He raised an eyebrow to Darcy.
Soon thereafter, with a promise to the ladies of the house that a ball would soon be arranged, Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley left. If anyone wondered at Mr Darcy disappearing into Mr Bennett study that day, no one commented on it.
Days passed yet Will had not yet taken her father up on his invitation to visit. But soon a new distraction arrived in the shape of the dreaded cousin. Mr Collins arrival was the final straw for Lizzie. His tactless 'compliments', constant droning, and endless simpering of his – not even present – patroness was very much her breaking point. And to make an awful situation absolutely untenable this man, this bowing, prattling, simpleton of a man had taken to Lizzie in the worst possible way. By only his second day, Lizzie was beyond ready to be rid of him.
Climbing into bed, she felt she so dearly needed to talk to her friend. As she tucked up for the night she kept his face in her mind. Additionally, drifted off, she had his name right on the tip of the tongue.
Lizzie's eyes shot open suddenly. A startled and ill at ease shadow immediately caught her attention.
"Will!" She cried out flying from her bed and into the man's arms. Instinctively, he wrapped them around her. "I'm so glad you've come"
"Where are we? This isn't Pemberley"
"No" She looked around her, taking it in for the first time "We appear to be in my bedroom"
Will blanched " What! No, I cannot be in here" He made for the door. She didn't stop him, but followed and a huff.
"Well that's rich. I have spend most of my life appearing in your bed chamber. You didn't mind then."
" That was different. You were a child"
"Not when I was 18, I wasn't"
He chose to ignore her as he escaped down the stairs. Disappearing into her father study. She entered behind him and watched as he lent against the desk, slightly breathless.
"You haven't been to visit" Her tone came out rather more accusatorial than she has meant.
" I hardly have control of it, Lizzie" exasperation tinged his words. "Besides, it was always you appearing in my home."
"Not here" she waved her arms around wildly" but here" she pointed at where they stood. " Papa gave you leave to visit, you haven't." He caught the slight hurt in her voice. She truly cared for him he realised. Maybe not as intensely as he did her. But definitely beyond simple friendship. This realisation warmed him no end.
"I'm sorry my dear. Caroline has been on top form. Bingley decided to ask why I had been called to your fathers study before even entering the house. And what held our conversation for so long. And damn him, he did it right in front of his sisters. If Caroline even suspected a partiality on my part to you, she'd make life rather unpleasant" A shy smile graced his features as he caught her eye.
" Well I think you then" Her tone once again back to playfully normal. "For I do not think I could take a rampaging Caroline Bingley, as well as the ridiculous man currently residing in our home"
This peaked Wills interest, as it was supposed to.
"What ridiculous man? I didn't realise you were to have guests"
" Neither did we! Papa dropped quite a surprise on us when he announced it" She rolled her eyes in fond exasperation. "He's THE cousin. The one who is to inherit. And heaven help me he is a trial. He is one of those 'bad things that happen to good people'"
Will couldn't restrain the chuckle. She rewarded him with a radiant smile "He has an interesting connection to you too"
"Me? I know your cousin? What is his name? When did we meet?"
" He is Mr Collins of Hunsford Parsonage"
" Hunsford?" Will felt a little dread, as so often happened when his aunt came up in conversation.
"Quite so. And I can tell you, Mr Collins is exceedingly and everlastingly grateful to his most esteemed and benevolent patroness"
"Oh heavens" Pinching the bridge of his nose " I would imagine he is. My aunt always loves to surround herself with those errr… conscious of rank"
"Well he is certainly that. And he's very keen to meet you too"
"Me? How on earth does he know I'm here?" The question was met with suspicious silence. Will rose his eyes to Lizzie, the question clear on his face. Her feigned innocent expression didn't fool him for a moment. " Lizzie!" he demanded, using his patented master of Pemberley voice and raising his eyes to the heavens.
" I was angry at you. You weren't there when I slept and you didn't visit when I was awake"
"Lizzie!" It was a near whine.
"He'll just bow a lot. Tell you, probably in great detail, how your aunt and wife-to-be are"
"Wife-to-be? No, tell me he doesn't believe I am to wed Anne" the desperation in his voice was almost comical.
" I'm afraid so. Although we could always aim him at Miss Bingley. Maybe she will concede if she believes you to be promised to your cousin"
"Why am I your friend again?" He wondered aloud. The tinkle of her laugh was all the response he got. " Your temper will get us into real trouble one day. But I do admit I should have visited. How about I come tomorrow?"
"We are planning on walking down to Meryton in the morning. Perchance, we shall see you there and you might do the gentlemanly thing and escort us home. There. Miss Bingley hardly have anything to say on that."
She was right, of course " An excellent plan, Lizzie. Now, shall we take a turn around your garden before we wake?"