The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux

A/ By the way, I don't feel sorry for Darcy.

The cousins

Planning

Caroline looked like she had swallowed vinegar; on her way out, she glared at Mary, but Charles, stopped and did a double take, wondering who was Mary? Quick thinking, he asked, "My Lady, I am leaving but I will be back shortly, may I have a dance when I am back?" His eyes were fixed on Mary.

Mary nodded, shyly, and answered, "Yes, my Lord." Charles bowed, smiling, his eyes shining.

Lizzie and Jane looked at each other, grinning. There were not the only ones who noticed Charles' eyes were stuck to Mary as he walked away.

The Marchioness said, "Sir, your tastes are vastly improving; now take your sister away. A piece of advice, your sister is a stone around your neck and will make your life miserable. Find her a husband, and she won't be your problem anymore. Come and see me; early tomorrow. I might have the husband perfect for her, my cousin's son, Bert. But don't bring her; she is not welcome here or at any of my homes."

The moment the Bingley siblings left, they all started talking. Jane went to Lizzie and held her hand. Everyone congratulated Richard and Lizzie. Peter called a footman to bring champagne. During the entire time, the Marquis kept snoring, but nobody paid attention.

Richard whispered, "Lizzie, my name is Richard."

She answered, "I know."

Peter said, "I hope this is the last we see Miss Bingley; I hope Bingley doesn't end up as a relation anyway." He grimaced; he never told Jane he was jealous and had seen regret in Jane's eyes. He saw his aunt shaking her head; she was right, Jane loved him, but maybe she had loved Charles. His aunt had told him to not ruin a good marriage like her husband almost ruined theirs.

At Peter's comment, the Bennet sisters laughed, but Mary didn't say anything, she had liked Charles for a while. The footman brought the champagne to celebrate. Richard's earlier gloom had vanished; Lizzie's hand worked like magic, making him feel a door had opened in front of him. He didn't remember being this happy since he was a child playing with William and George. They played with George before his stepmother had come and filled him with jealousy and envy.

The Marchioness knew all of her nephews and nieces well, jealousy ran in their blood, and she knew why. Petra and Bert needed spouses. She had no idea who would take Petra. Not a great beauty, mostly because she dressed like an old matron, had a bad disposition, and looked angry at all times, oh well; but she had a good dowry.

As for the orange Miss, a very pretty but nasty woman who was a perfect match for the recluse. Though Bert was handsome enough, many would say very, and also very rich, he was jealous and almost never left his estate, staying away from most people. Bert was nearby for a day, perfect. The Miss would get a title, riches, luxuries, but nobody would know it. She went to write to-hard-to-catch Bert and lure him. She had tried before with no success; all the young ladies wanted him, but he was a slippery eel. She loved Bert best, so, she wanted his happiness and knew the Miss was the one.

The Marchioness drew an exact likeness of Caroline and colored the hair to almost the right shade; after all, she could do many others couldn't. When finished, she sent for a footman to deliver the letter at the crack of dawn. Bert decided on the spot, so, by midday the next day, she had the answer, she read, Dear Aunt April, you have found her for me. Please make the necessary arrangements and send her to me as soon as you can. I know her brother, a nice enough man. I will talk to Hugh, he is my solicitor…So, she wrote to Charles who wasn't so sure because he knew of Bert; many knew of him, rude, arrogant, and with zero regard for society.

Richard looked at the three sisters, realizing they all had common features, but, to him, Lizzie was the prettiest; he thought she was perfection. The other sister, joined them, she was with a cousin of Reggie Hurst, who was courting her.

"So, old man, when are you planning to wed?" Peter asked Richard.

"I need to see her father first, but I hope in a few days if Lizzie agrees." Richard looked at her.

Lizzie nodded; why not, why wait? Her wedding dress was ready. After the kiss, she wanted more of the same. Besides, she had often thought about the Colonel. Err, about Richard, though she wondered if he were still close to the proud man; she hoped not. They looked too much alike as it was, and that was bad enough. She almost said no, just because her cousin had hurt her with his words. The proud man would be gone for a year or so, she was glad, hoping not to see him anytime soon.

"My cousin, the bishop, can get me a special license. Because of my mourning, there cannot be a big wedding; later on, we can have a celebration ball when the mourning is over. I hope you don't mind, my dearest." He looked at Lizzie. "Besides, I must get my young nieces; they are at a cousin's because my mother isn't well."

Richard wanted a chance for a kiss or two this night. Hopefully, she would grant him a few liberties, maybe not too many, because he wasn't so sure about his self-restraint. Now, If Miss Bingley had been a man, he would have punched him, at the very least. he would be glad if he never saw her again. He hoped to procure the license quickly; he wasn't sure why, but he felt it in his bones; he understood that he better marry her as soon as possible.

Peter, later that night, told him, "I am glad it is you marrying Lizzie. You should know, Earl D., Tobias Hurst, had asked me to speak to Lizzie tonight. He had an emergency at his estate and had to leave. As you can see, Lizzie is a beauty and a rich heiress."

Richard listened, maybe that was his rush, perhaps; but he wasn't so sure. He could feel someone coming, someone who could take her away from him.

Many years earlier

William and Richard were inseparable. Often, strangers mistook them for twins. When William was young, he was blond, but his hair darkened when they went to Eaton. George also played with them until his new stepmother filled his head with envy, ruining George.

One day, the three of them were playing in the forest, but George decided he had enough and went back. William and Richard were chasing each other when William slipped down and cracked his head. Afterward, he lay on the ground, bleeding. Richard's memories were hazy, though he was certain he saw a funny tiny man, shorter than he was at the time, coming from the woods. The small man, who seemed to know them, had said, "Richard, your cousin is dying, but he can be saved. I can do it, but it has a price. I wish it didn't, but I don't make the rules."

"Save him, please," Richard begged.

"You will be linked to him for life, what he likes or loves, you will as well. In a way, you are giving him a little of your life. It might not always be good because there will be times when people cannot share what both want, not in this world. Ah, before you ask, both of you are my relatives in a way. My sister married your great grandfather, so you have what is needed and more. My relatives are fond of your people, I must say. Maybe, one day, you will find out. I guess you will become blood-brothers and then some." The little man looked at him; he crossed his fingers hoping for a promise. They were what he wanted the most. He had been waiting for a while for someone just like them, but he couldn't force them.

Richard was crying; understandable, considering he was seven years old, "Save him, I would do anything for him; I would give him whatever I wanted the most, even my life. I want him to be well, I don't want him to die." He knew he was making a binding promise, just like in the stories they read. But it was true, William was his best friend; he was his brother.

Richard didn't remember much about what followed. William opened his eyes after the little man was gone. Richard tried to tell him what happened, but he couldn't remember much.

Before the Wedding

William Darcy docked at Dover. He decided to go to London, it was the season, and Fergus was probably there. Georgiana asked him to send an express to Fergus. Maybe Richard was back; he would go to see him as soon as he was home and cleaned up. He had a sense of urgency; he felt it in his bones. That wasn't quite right, he felt it all over.

He had a lot of time to think. He could have tried to see Elizabeth before; he could have told his aunt he wouldn't marry Anne; Richard had told him it was a set up; but he no longer cared after losing the woman he loved. He could have done much, and he didn't. He settled for less, for the easiest. His pride got the best of him; he didn't want to beg Elizabeth. But no more of that, he had decided, if she were married to another, he would not look for anyone else. He knew the truth; he loved Elizabeth, and if not her, then nobody else.

From Dover he sent an express to Fergus. He also sent one to his aunt, asking her to have Richard meet him, in case he was back. Though, the more that he thought about it, the more he thought if Lizzie was with anyone, she was with Richard. He hoped not, otherwise, his life would be pure misery. He probably deserved it. Fergus waited for them in London.

When Fergus arrived, he had news, "Wickham was killed by a jealous husband; he left a young widow and two small children. Mrs. Reynolds says she has a letter he left for you. Apparently, he lingered some days after he was wounded." That was all Fergus said before he went to talk to Georgiana. Minutes later Fergus told him they would be marrying in a few weeks. William was happy for his sister.

Fergus hadn't heard if Richard was back. So, William decided to go to the Fitzwilliam's townhouse in London; he was sure Richard had arrived.

Richard hears about Kent

Richard had met Lizzie's family. They were staying in London at the home her father had inherited. Richard recoiled when the young widow was introduced as Mrs. Wickham. "Was your husband George Wickham? He was in the Army." He had to know.

Lydia grimaced, "Yes, he talked about you and your cousin, all lies. I prefer not to talk about him." She ran away crying. He noticed she was increasing, poor dear lady.

Lizzie already knew since her father had investigated Wickham. Lizzie felt bad for believing Wickham's lies. She had misjudged Mr. Darcy. She needed to talk to Richard before getting married; he should know.

Lizzie's father had received the news of his changed fortune the day Lydia ran away with the scoundrel. After nearly two months, with the help of her uncle and his new son Peter, they located Lydia and Wickham. The couple was living as husband and wife; Mr. Bennet, now Lord Bennet, blamed his wife and had never forgiven her.

Lizzie asked Richard to go for a stroll in the park. He eagerly accepted, hoping to steal a few kisses. There was no chance in the carriage since Jane and her toddler came with them. He knew it would be possible this time of the day, and, honestly, he couldn't wait for the wedding.

They went alone since they were officially engaged. She held his arm, and he nearly fell down a couple of times for staring at her. "Richard, there is something you must know before we marry."Lizzie said, looking concerned.

His happiness changed to anxiety. He was afraid she had changed her mind; he was wrong. Her words surprised him, "At Kent, nearly three years ago, your cousin, Mr. Darcy proposed to me." When she told him what had transpired, her voice shook while his eyes opened like saucers. Then she started laughing, as she often did when talking about it with Jane, Peter overheard them and laughed so hard his stomach hurt. That day, Lizzie saw how foolish Mr. Darcy had been and laughed as well. This time Richard joined her and laughed with her.

"I hope this is a joke. Though it must be true, only William would do such a thing. His pride is his only fault; he is the best person I know. Though, I must say, lucky for me you turned him down. " Richard didn't feel a tiny man sitting on top of his hat, laughing along; he had also laughed that day. He had been there, and wanted to tell William to apologize, but he wasn't allowed to intervene, only to keep them safe. To others, he looked like a small butterfly, but size was relative, he could look as he pleased, as many of his kind.

The tiny man had developed a fondness for Richard and often joined him, he had to, considering Richard was often battling for his life. He liked silly William as well. Granted, he had been sly that time in the forest; he remembered. He had taken a couple of Richard and William's hairs, enlarged them, and made bracelets; it was the only way to follow them. He 'forgot' to tell Richard the other 'price.' He had sons and daughters that died during a long war, along with his brother and their wife. He never wanted to marry again. It was his right, because the boys were his blood, so when he saved William, as Richard had asked, he now had two sons. He touched the two bracelets, made with his new sons' hairs. No need to claim them yet, one day the right time would come along, and they would follow him willingly. Life was improving all the time.

Richard pulled Lizzie behind a tree, wanting to kiss her; unfortunately, it started to rain; oh well, he only had to wait one day and a half. For now, he wanted to know why her young sister married Wickham.

Elizabeth didn't want to lie. When she told him, he knitted his eyebrows, angrily. "The scoundrel and his fondness for young ladies, your sister didn't have a chance." In all confidence, he told her about Georgiana, which made her feel sad, but not too much.

She looked at her handsome fiancé and sighed. Jane had explained much to her, and she was ready; his kisses made her hunger for more. She whispered, "I am happy, very happy."

Richard agreed, he wanted to say he wished William was there, but something told him to be quiet.

Later when he went home, the butler said he had a visitor. Richard came into the room and saw William and wondered how William would react; he didn't want to hurt him.

A/n I have changed a few things in this version to make it flow better.