Chapter 4

Lily's thoughts were full of the images she had experienced and all she wanted to do was to go to Lady Anne Darcy's rose garden.

She strolled the grounds as she let her imagination wander through time. She could feel the vibrations of those who walked these paths before her. Lily had always been sensitive to those around her, living or dead. It was one of the reasons she was so good at her job. Her instincts could lead her to the truth.

Liam was in his studio where he stood at the window contemplating everything, he had found out this morning. He saw Lily in the garden and without conscious thought he found himself on an intercept course to find a "Lily" in Pemberley's garden. He had a smile on his lips even with the bad pun. A barrage of Images began to fill his mind of him of he and 'his Lily' together through the different seasons and through the coming years. He sighed in contentment but was also confused. Something isn't right, these aren't coming from me. He shook his head to dispel the images and understanding sparked in his sluggish brain. "Nice try, ghosts." He smirked at the empty hallway, "However, you overplayed your hand."

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I told you that was too obvious. Elizabeth told her husband playfully.

With a warm engaging smile, Fitzwilliam Darcy saved for his wife, he shrugged his shoulders. He is going to the garden therefor I would consider my endeavor as successful.

Shall we watch the interaction ourselves and come to a consensus.

It did not take long for Liam to find Lily in the garden. He approached with a sheepish smile, "Good morning, Lily." His lips twitched, "I'm not sure whether I expressed the sentiment when I saw you earlier."

"We had other things on our minds." Lily quipped.

Liam struggled to find a topic of conversation, "You indicated you were going to work. What has drawn you to the garden."

Lily snorted derisively, "The rich and their almighty dollar or pound in your case. Don't worry, you'll get your money's worth. I just came out here to verify some information."

"Information," Liam raised his eyebrow quizzically, "What information do you need to verify."

Lily sighed, "I need to see Lady Anne Darcy's Rose Garden and hopefully it will verify whether what I experienced this morning was real."

"I'll show you the way." Liam offered her his arm.

Lily ignored the proffered arm, as her lips lifted up in a quirky smile, "'Lead on MacDuff' or should I say the correct, 'Lay on MacDuff' as our battle is just beginning.

Liam stopped to regard her and burst out laughing, "You are what the American's would call a 'smart ass.'"

Lily rolled her eyes and dropped into a mocking curtsy. "I resemble that remark."

With a shake of his head, Liam motioned her down a path, "This way, my lady."

When the two combatants arrived, Liam explained, "Lady Anne Darcy chose every rose and every color so there would be harmony."

Yes, I know." Lily responded as she saw the bench from her vision, "And she chose the exact placement of this bench so she would be able to come every day and enjoy this location."

Liam cocked his head in amazement, "I had never heard that before, is this what they showed you this morning?"

"Yes, it was Georgiana Darcy, it was her memory of her brother in this rose garden." She glanced at Liam, "It was quite sweet how much they cared for each other." She hesitated a moment before she asked, "Did the ghosts show you something?"

"I was shown my parents first meeting." Liam expelled his breath noisily, "My father was horrible to my mother, it would seem to be a miracle my parents ever married as it was an inauspicious start to their relationship."

"It must run in the family." Lily arched her eyebrows mockingly.

"It's quite possible." Liam chuckled, "Now can we call a cease fire in our hostilities?"

"I guess I would be willing to call a temporary truce."

"I appreciate your willingness to cooperate, however I must inform you that I shall most likely say unintentionally hurtful things from time to time which you will willfully misunderstand."

Lily's eyes narrowed as she shot daggers through Liam.

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No! He was so close. All he had to do was to stop talking before he insulted her again. Elizabeth moaned.

She does willfully misunderstand; you were exactly the same way as I told you all those years ago.

Fitzwilliam Darcy… His beautiful petite wife's voice was a menacing growl as she glared at him with fire in her eyes.

His love for this woman came from the depths of his soul, How I adore you, my lovely Elizabeth. His eyebrows raised suggestively. What should I do with you now.

Fitzwilliam, her voice was softened. This is not the time for games. We are here to help these two overcome their differences and find each other.

Wait, my darling, this will help as he is trying to fan the flame of her wrath. His eyes danced mischievously; I remember doing the same with you.

"Liam Darcy," Lily stepped toward her opponent threateningly with eyes blazing in anger. "How dare you blame me for your unacceptable behavior."

He smirked at her, "I was just thinking how much I love to see all that passion in your eyes."

"What you are seeing is not passion it's contempt." Her hands were balled in tight fists which she struggled to keep down by her sides.

Liam laughed out loud, "All shall be revealed in time." He reached down, lifted her fists and brought them to his lips as he kissed each knuckle. "I have a feeling our skirmishes are going to be fun."

"You have a very strange idea of fun."

"You have no idea."

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It's time we show them our first meeting.

You are right, Fitzwilliam, let's show them what we overcame to be here.

Darcy took his wife's hand and led her to the other two where he joined his and Elizabeth's hands with those of Lily and Liam.

Lily had been glaring at Liam when she felt an odd sensation of connection where their hands were linked.

The garden faded away and was replaced with a ballroom with dancing couples. Lily, are you seeing this? She heard Liam's voice, but she didn't see him. Yes, it appears to be a ballroom in Regency England.

They watched in fascination as the story unfolded in front of their eyes. It was like a movie except they were privy to the thoughts and feelings of the main characters, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy.

It was as clear as day to them what everyone else missed at the time. The only reason he is there is out of a sense of duty. He is so sad and unhappy about something that happened to his sister, Georgiana. He doesn't like crowds especially those primarily made up of people he doesn't know. Lily was fascinated by the tenor and depth of Fitzwilliam Darcy's thoughts and feelings.

Elizabeth Bennet is so full of life, vivacity and spirit. She lights up the room, she's amazing. Wow, she was attracted to him from the moment she saw him across the room. Liam reflected.

He was so irritated when Bingley tried to coerce him into dancing, Lily related. What he said about Elizabeth was awful, however it wasn't really meant to be directed at her. He just wanted Bingley to go away and leave him alone. When he glanced at her, he barely saw her and didn't recognize the love of his life.

Elizabeth masked the hurt of Darcy's statement with laughter and a show of joviality as she openly mocked him; however, she was wounded deeply by what she heard him say. Liam explained.

Liam felt Lily's tears of empathy as she clarified. It is all so ironic, as that was the moment when he really saw her for the first time. After he had struck the first blow and irrevocably changed the course of their associations, to his detriment.

I know exactly how he felt in this moment. Liam sighed.

There is nothing worse than feeling like you are not good enough for the man who caught your eye. Lily acknowledged.

The garden re-emerged as the images of the ballroom faded away.

Lily pulled her hands from his as she tried to control her emotion, "I should be getting to work as there are sure to be lots of books, ledgers and paperwork to go through.

"Lily…" Liam's voice broke with emotion, but he couldn't find the words to express the depth of his sentiments. He shook off the wave of emotion that threatened to swamp him as he focused on the business at hand, "I've set things up in the library for you, I'll show you the way."

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Elizabeth glanced at her husband with her emotions exposed. This may have helped them and I am hopeful for that outcome, however this was very illuminating for me to more fully understand my husband.

For me as well. It is a privilege after all these years of loving you to understand your feelings more fully. Shall we, my love, he offered her his arm and she accepted. We shall.

The two lovers faded away as they walked the gardens they had treasured for many lifetimes.