Many thanks to my wonderful Beta-Reader Nan. P. (nanciellen)
PPP
The luxurious carriage was slowly moving away from Rosings Park. As it was on the trip from London to Kent the month before, Darcy was looking at the scenery deep in thought; he never imagined that he would see Miss Elizabeth Bennet again, least of all at Rosings Park.
After he had recovered from his shock, he tried to stay as far away from her as possible. But his efforts were in vain. His cousin - who was bored at Rosings – used to visit the parsonage, and almost every day, he made some comment about the lovely Miss Elizabeth.
Darcy was jealous that his cousin was enjoying Elizabeth's exquisite company while he denied himself that privilege. Within a few days, Darcy succumbed to temptation and began joining his cousin on the visits.
Elizabeth, Miss Bennet, he corrected himself in his thoughts, was still the most fascinating woman he had ever met and in his opinion, despite the lack of perfect symmetry in her face, she was one of the handsomest women of his acquaintance. He could spend hours looking at the different expressions in her beautiful eyes and debating with her about music, literature, history, and any other topic. She had no problem contradicting his opinion, and arguing for hours with him when she believed she was right.
Elizabeth knew that he was already engaged; his aunt, Lady Catherine, had taken it upon herself to shout her discontent from the rooftops because he had broken his "engagement" with his cousin Anne. In Darcy's opinion, the people who mattered would know better and the people who wouldn't know better, didn't matter.
Darcy was aware that any kind of emotional relationship with Elizabeth was impossible. Although, as the days passed by, he wished more and more that things were different. He began to find excuses to seek her on her walks along the different paths of Rosings Park, simply to spend more time in her company. At night, his dreams were plagued with images of her at Pemberley, in his London home, and especially in his bed.
He knew it was a bad idea, but he decided to extend his visit for another week. He had never been so bewitched by a woman before, and the only reason he did not propose to her was he was engaged to another. He was also painfully aware that in the month he had been in Rosings, he had not once thought of Lady Victoria.
The day before, he expected to see her for the last time at Rosings, but unfortunately, she never came. Mrs. Collins commented that she was unwell. He was very disappointed and for several minutes he debated with himself whether he should go to see her at the parsonage. Finally, he decided that it would be very difficult to say goodbye if she was sad about his departure.
Richard was watching the expressions on Darcy's face out of the corner of his eye. The month at Rosings had been a revelation for him. As a good soldier, he had developed a great instinct which had allowed him to survive in battles. It was obvious that his cousin, despite being engaged to another, was deeply in love with Miss Bennet. He could not blame him; if his financial situation were different, he would not hesitate for a second to court her. He knew that his cousin was an honorable man, and he would not end his engagement to Lady Victoria. He also knew that due to Darcy's impeccable morals, he would never make a dishonorable proposal to a young lady. Likewise, in his opinion, and from his last conversation with Miss Bennet, it was obvious she knew very well how to defend herself, and she did not care much for his cousin.
Sighing, Richard commented, "This is the first time I have enjoyed our visit to Rosings. Miss Bennet is one of the most interesting and agreeable young ladies I have ever known. She is also very pretty."
Darcy frowned at Richard. "She is a handsome and intelligent woman, and she certainly made our stay at Rosings more bearable. However, I must remind you that she has no money and connections."
Richard looked him in the eye and replied, "I already know that. You do not need to remind me. I know that I am not allowed to marry whomever I want."
"If you had enough money to support a family, would you consider marrying a woman with relations whose conditions in life are so decidedly beneath your own?" Darcy asked in amazement.
"Miss Bennet is not a servant or an actress; she is a gentleman's daughter." He paused and shook his head, "Yes, if I had enough money and could choose a wife without regard to her dowry, I would gladly marry a woman like her."
Darcy didn't answer. He averted his gaze and looked out the window, deep in thought. He was sadly aware that he would gladly marry her if he were not already engaged to another woman.