Chapter Eleven

After two hoax chapter, I present to you the REAL eleventh chapter ;) If you didn't read the chapters, they were missing Scenes of chapters 2,3,4,5,6,8,9. They have now been added to the chapters. Also response to all your reviews have also been added to the succeeding chapters.

Thank you Captain Americanna, Making marauder mischief, Pollita-crr/Cynthia :), susanvegas, Englitlover, coffeebookchiller, team. , Megzy, LovePP, cuinwen, Guest, purple sky always for reviewing! Your reviews mean a lot.

And a big thank you to everyone following/reading this story as well. Thank you :D

Pemberley

Derbyshire

23rd September 1806 (A week after the funeral)

Alina woke up in a cold sweat, her heart beating rapidly out of fear, beads of perspiration covering her forehead. Trembling with fright, she gazed around the guestroom seeking the slightest bit of illumination to give her comfort but her eyes could see nothing: the fire had long been extinguished and it was a new moon night so the room was cloaked in deep impertnable darkness that seemed to solidify the longer she looked at it. The room seemed to be closing in on her.

Scared out of her wits, she rose from the bed on shaky legs and stumbled her way to the door. It took her some time but she finally managed to locate the door. Pulling at the doorknob, she threw the door open with a loud bang and ran out of the room like the devil himself was on her heels. The hallways were dark and offered her no comfort: the shadows seemed to leaping out at her. Desperate to get out of the old house, she ran down the grand staircase and out of the front door which she, in her fright, failed to notice was already unlocked.

Falling to her knees near the lake, sorely out of breath, she gazed up at the grand, majestic mansion that was Pemberley. It no longer seemed Ithaca to her. It was no longer beautiful. It looked like an old, abandoned moorland mansion, filled with the misery and despair of the ghosts that haunted it. It was not only the house, everything about the night seemed sinister to her: the moonless cloudy sky, the silent whispers of the wind, the absence of the sounds of any living being around her sent shiver of terror down her spine. It was a result of the poor sleep she'd had this past sennight, a sleep filled with nightmares so horrific that caused her to bury her head in her pillow to keep from screaming and she was afraid of going to bed, terrified of the horrors that awaited her if she succumbed to fatigue. She was recalled to her surroundings by a heavy hand on her shoulders and irrationally concluding that her nightmare of the dead rising from the graves had come true, she was about to scream at the top of her voice when Cousin Darcy's confused voice stopped her: he had moved to stand before her, his tall form rather imposing in the darkness. Seeing him, she exhaled in relief and clutched the cross at her neck tightly.

He gazed at her worriedly, she was shaking like a leaf in the wind, her face pale and drained of color, her hand clutching the cross at her neck desperately. 'What is it, Allie? What has you so frightened?'

'The nightmares won't stop', she cried, tired of the dreams. 'They come again every night.' It was too much for her, the fear, the agony, the ominous certainity that the dreams would be there every time she closed her eyes. She burst into tears, how she wanted the dreams to stop.

Darcy wordlessly picked her up gently in his arms, his expression grim and carried her towards the house as she sobbed into his chest.

'Where are we going?' She was frightened: her cousin had passed the house and they were heading towards the wild grounds. 'Where are we going Darce?', she repeated, her voice rising hysterically.

He looked down at her, his eyes kind and his tone reassuring as he answered quietly, 'We're going to the family chapel. It is a quarter hour away.'

She felt her heart swell with affection for him at his consideration for her well-being, he had barely slept the past week for he had been ensconced in his study with her father from morning to midnight, looking after estate matters and Uncle George's will and he had to be up early the next morn yet here he was, taking her to the family chapel when he could have just escorted her to her chamber and left after offering a few empty words of comfort. Darcy was truly the kindest, most generous and selfless man she knew. 'Put me down then, I refuse you to be carried like a damsel in distress', she replied, crossing her arms and making a brave attempt at a cocky smile.

Darcy set her down on the dry ground gently and extended his hand towards her. 'Would you be averse to my assistance as well?'

She considered refusing his offer for she was very well capable of walking without a gentleman to support her but then remembering the shaky legs that had impeded her escape from the house, quietly clasped his outstretched hand and followed him over the overgrown path to the chapel.

The walked in silence, her thin, cold hand enclosed in Fitz's warm one. He walked confidently, undeterred by the darkness around them, moving the branches out of their way and helping her bone-tired self over the rocky parts: she would've twisted her ankle thrice if not for his quick reflexes. After three quarters of an hour, they stopped to catch their breath at the foot of the hill the chapel was located on.

'Almost there', Darcy panted, his hands on his knees. 'Won't take long now.'

She was sitting on the ground, resting her aching feet and couldn't muster the energy to contribute any words of wisdom to their one sided conversation. They rested for a quarter hour and then resumed the arduous trek to the Pemberley chapel. It was silhouetted against the night sky: a tall, proud building that entombed only vestiges of its former glory. It had fallen into disrepair after the construction of a church in Lambton and the village people started attending church there. But to her, it was beautiful.

'Father and Mother were married here', he said quietly as they approached the door. 'He never came here after her death.'

She pressed his hand gently to indicate her solidarity, too out of breath to speak. They entered the chapel then, it was quite small with five benches on either side of the aisle, its stained glass windows dark and skylight showing the inky sky, the stone floor surprisingly clean for a building that had been abandoned for ten years. At her questioning look, Darcy explained, his cheeks flushed, 'Whenever I...suffer from some inner turmoil..or seek peace of mind, I come here and clean it..'

'Thank you for sharing your sanctuary with me', she said softly.

Darcy smiled wryly in response. 'Tis not mine Alina, it is always open for those who seek it but no one ever does. You can sit on any of the benches, I will light the candles.'

He went off then, removing her hand from his, walking sedately towards the altar and soon the chapel was illuminated, the candles flickering merrily, throwing shadows on the stone walls.

She moved towards him and they both sat on one of the benches, Darcy's arm around her, her head resting on his shoulder as he sang hymns of gratitude, forgiveness, deliverance and salvation softly and Alina was asleep within a half hour. Smiling, he lay his head against the pleasantly cold stone wall and drifted off to sleep.

24th September 1806

Alina awoke to a vision of beauty: the sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, illuminating the chapel in various hues and the building radiated such love and warmth that it warmed her to the core. It was the first time in days that she'd had a peaceful, dreamless sleep. She looked to her right to see Cousin Darcy slumped against the wall, snoring gently, his face illuminated beautifully by the muted sunlight. He looked like an angel, her angel and she felt a strong rush of affection for him. She shook him awake gently and he looked blearily at her and then promptly tumbled to the floor. She couldn't contain her amusement and giggled meekly.

He got up from the floor slowly and dusted off his clothes. 'You can titter prettily Allie but your father is going to run me through with a sword as soon I put a foot over the threshold.'

She looked at him scornfully. 'We visited the chapel, that is not a sin.'

'Yes, but I shouldn't have brought you alone here. It is improper and people will talk.'

'People can be lied to, can't they? We'll tell everyone that we came here at dawn.'

Darcy looked like he was going to protest so she interrupted him. 'It's this or Father's sword, Darce.' He nodded his reluctant assent. 'You need not look so tortured, I will tell him once we're alone.'

Later that day

Pemberley Conservatory

Derbyshire

24th September 1806

Alina, Darcy and Georgiana were sprawled rather inelegantly on the rug covered floor of the Conservatory. Darcy was lying on his side, snoring quietly and Georgiana was nestled close to Alina, her head on Alina's shoulder. Alina stroked her hair absent mindedly, staring at the moonless night sky.

'Allie', said Georgiana quietly. 'You're not going to leave tomorrow, are you?'

Alina stiffened. She and Darcy had had a rather passionate argument in which he'd tried to convince her to leave for Milton Hall with her mother because apparently Lady Milton-famed for her impeccably organized balls in the ton-needed her assistance in setting up a chamber for Richard. What a bag of moonshine! She knew he was worried that she wasn't well at Pemberley after last night but she was perfectly fine now. She'd refused to leave and then he'd brought Richard into it, accusing her of not caring for her injured brother. He was fortunate that they had not been in the library or she would have lobbed a heavy tome about proper behavior on his head. Richard was a fortnight away from Portsmouth and if she went to Milton with her mother, she would truly lose her mind worrying about Richard all the time for there was nothing to do at Milton. At least at Pemberley she could make herself useful. And Georgiana's company was certainly an added inducement to remain at Pemberley: playing with her young cousin made her forget about all her worries. She had half a mind to take Georgiana to Milton with her when she left with her father.

'No', she answered sourly, glaring at Darcy's snoring form. 'Despite your brother's best efforts, I will not be persuaded to abandon my fort.'

Georgiana smiled contentedly and snuggled up to Alina. Within a few minutes, she was asleep.

'You can stop pretending to be asleep now', she said, sticking her nose in the air haughtily. 'What a poor actor you'd make, if you think your horrendous impression of an elephant will fool me into believing that you were in the domain of Hypnos.'

Darcy rolled over to face her, smiling sheepishly. 'I apologize Allie', he said contritely. 'I was terribly rude and unkind to you. I beg your pardon.'

'Hmmph', she huffed, not placated in the least. 'If you persist in talking to women like they have no measure of self respect, Fitzwilliam Darcy, and you will find yourself an old, frustrated and unwilling bachelor!'

'Please Allie', he begged, making calf eyes at her.

'Dear Lord in heaven,' she exclaimed, shuddering. 'Do not make that face at me. You looked like you belonged in bedlam.'

Darcy's face fell. He did not like his most charming expression as one young shop girl in Cambridge had blushingly described it, be compared to a madman's countenance.

Alina shook with silent laughter at his petulant expression. 'You're no better than a miffed boy of seven.'

'What will it take for you to forgive me?'

Alina's lips turned up in a devious smile.

'Hmm,' she said, a long finger tapping her chin. 'Ten dolls and ten toy horses.'

To say Darcy was flabbergasted was an understatement. 'Ten Dolls and ten toy horses?', he repeated, incredulously. 'You are two years away from being presented at court and you want to play with toys?!'

'You are extremely foolish', she said, disdainfully. 'They are not for me, they are for my friends.'

'Friends?'

'Yes, my army of mischief makers comprising of myself, Jason and twenty tenant children.'

'You've involved that poor boy in your eccentric activities?'

Alina narrowed her eyes. 'You will keep quiet, Fitzwilliam Darcy, otherwise I shall tell Father who stole his precious claret all those years ago.'

Darcy slumped his shoulders in defeat. 'I'll send the ransom after you.'

'I beg your pardon, cousin', she said, her eyes glinting dangerously.

'Uh..I said gifts. I'll send the gifts after you. Ten Dolls and ten toy horses from the finest toy maker in London,' he said, smiling appeasingly.

'You are too kind, Fitz.'

'Too stupid is more apt', he said sourly under his breath.

'I agree', she said happily, her eyes dancing with mirth.

'I am forgiven then?'

'You are forgiven',she agreed.

They both couldn't stop their lips from turning up in identical, silly grins. They enjoyed this immensely.

Georgiana hid her satisfied smile in the folds of Alina's dress. A minute later, no one could say that she had been awake the whole time, so peaceful and convincing was her countenance. There was a Darcy who would be acceptable on stage, it just wasn't Fitzwilliam.

25th September 1806

Alina was walking quickly to the music room. Georgie was waiting for her with some simple pieces of music and she would not be pleased if Alina was late to her music lesson. Georgiana was a terribly strict teacher and was determined that Alina be able to play something passably well before she left for Milton. Alina was not suffering from the same delusion. It was just as likely as Aunt Cathy liking her mother and her, in other words, not likely at all.

She was about to start running when a door opened to her left and Cousin Darcy stumbled out and collided with her, sending both of them tumbling to the floor. She banged her head rather hard against a table and sat against the wall dazed. She finally understood what Richard had been talking about when he said that a facer could sometimes make you see stars. She was definitely seeing some stars.

'Allie...Are you alright?'

Someone was shaking her shoulders and she blinked her eyes furiously and slowly Cousin Darcy's worried face came into focus.

'Are you hurt?', he asked, worriedly.

'I don't...it does not hurt..much.'

'I am terribly sorry Allie but I need your help,' the look of Darcy's face bespoke the strain he was under. 'I need you to destroy this. Fling it into the fire and make sure not a piece survives.'

He handed her a thin bundle of letters.

'Please do it as fast as possible and...do not tell anyone. Please.'

She nodded her head in assent, wincing inwardly as her head throbbed painfully. He helped her up and then after reassuring himself about her well being, he went down the corridor and Alina entered his study to do the needful.

Her fingers ghosted over the keys of Georgiana's pianoforte. Georgie had been furious with her after she was an hour late to her lesson and had retired to her room in a huff.

Sighing to herself, she started playing the song her Aunt Anne had taught her. It had been a simple nursery rhyme yet it never failed to calm her whenever she found her mind or heart in turmoil. She played it repeatedly, remembering her Aunt who had been a loving, kind and gentle lady. She had been the best music teacher she'd ever had. Learning music had never come easily after Auntie Anne's passing. Smiling sadly to herself, she finished the song and got up from the piano bench to see Mrs. Reynolds standing in the doorway, her eyes overflowing with tears.

'She used to play it', said the older lady in a thick voice,'The mistress. Whenever the young master couldn't sleep, she would bring him here and then play it until he fell asleep...How I wish she was here. He needs her, the young master.

The old lady started sobbing then and Alina couldn't of anything to comfort her so she threw her arms around her and embraced her. The old lady's sobs stopped almost immediately and she drew back, shocked into speechlessness.

'He is not alone', said Alina quietly, her cheeks flushed a little from embarrassment. She should really refrain from embracing random people. 'He has you, Mrs. Reynolds. He...respects you and looks to you for guidance. You must not be weak for you are his pillar of strength.'

The old lady nodded resolutely and after curtseying to Alina left the room.

She was in the garden, picking flowers for weaving a crown to appease Georgie when she saw her father stride towards her, his mouth disfigured by a nasty scowl.

Oh dear! Had Mrs. Reynolds complained about her to her father? She really should have refrained from embracing the old woman.

'What are you doing here, out of the house at this hour?', he asked mulishly, kicking a pebble in his path.

'I am making a crown of flowers for Georgiana,' she answered, clutching the flowers tightly.

'Hmmftt', he said distractedly. She wasn't even sure if he had heard her. 'I suppose I shall have to settle for your company since your mother is halfway back to Milton by now.'

'I'll be glad to help, Father', she replied, confused by his words.

He flopped down on to the grass and looked up at her, shading his eyes against the setting sun.

'You are happy?', he asked softly. 'Happy at Milton?'

'Yes, Father', she replied, lost.

'Good.'

He did not speak for several minutes after that. She was about to leave for the house when he broke the silence.

'Your cousin is a very good man.'

'I am aware, father.'

'Though he has no appreciation for my skills. He insisted on dealing with that rake, Wickham, on his own-'

'Who is Wickham, father?

'George's godson. A nasty fellow. You are never to talk to him or even acknowledge him if he approaches you. He is one of the bad lot.' She nodded though she did not know how she was supposed to recognize Wickham having never seen him in her life. 'I do wish Darcy had consented to my presence in the meeting with Wickham. I am afraid that crook may take unfair advantage of Darcy's honorable nature. But, I must let you lot make your own mistakes. I cannot shield you forever...how much ever I may want to..'

She kept quiet.

Darcy rubbed his eyes tiredly. The negotiation with Wickham had been both physically and emotionally exhausting. Wickham had taunted him, made fun of him and he had been forced to bear it out of respect for his father.

Though he hated the idea of Wickham being responsible for the spiritual well being of an entire congregation, he had been forced to offer him the living at Krympton as decreed in his father's will. Thankfully, Wickham had declined and instead asked for monetary compensation of seven thousand pounds which he intended to use for studying law. Codswallop.

After much haggling which caused him to feel like a fish woman, he had gotten rid of Wickham, the Darcy coffers now three thousand pounds lighter. Wickham had wanted to stay at Pemberley but Darcy didn't want him anywhere near Alina and Georgiana so he arranged rooms for him at the inn at Lambton and lent him one of his horses to travel there. Wickham had promised to never bother him again but Darcy knew, from the sinking feeling in his heart, that he would see him again, sooner or later and he dreaded it.

Milton Hall

Cambridgeshire

18th October 1806

Damien Fitzwilliam looked like he was going to burst a vein. He crushed the paper in his hand and lobbed it out of the window.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Alina picked up the paper and gently smoothed out the creases. It was a letter from the Latin Americas penned in a neat, unfamiliar hand. She searched for the signature, it was a Colonel Brandon. The same man who had saved Richard's life. Apparently, Richard Fitzwilliam had refused to come home.

Thank you for reading :D Okay, don't expect 3k+ chapters every time okay? I don't know how this became so long and REVIEW! Please review, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Yes, Colonel Brandon of Sense and Sensibility fame. I thought someone would notice in the 9th chapter.

Timeline (thanks to team. )

1782:Richard is born

1784: Darcy is born

1785: Niklaus Wentworth is born.

1791: Alina is born at Milton Hall.

1792: Elizabeth Bennet, born at Longbourn. (Spoiler: Ahem, the meeting with Elizabeth approaches)

1795: Anne comes to Matlock.

1796: Georgiana is born. Anne dies. Richard is 14, Darcy 12, Alina 5.

1804:

September-Richard joins the army. Alina-13.

December-The midnight Escapade with Aunt Catherine. Darcy comforts his cousin. Richard tries not to kill Aunt Catherine.

1805: February, Miss Pembrooke tries to compromise Robert. Alina has a field day protecting his honour. Robert makes up with Alina. Alina-14. Darcy and Niklaus' last year at Cambridge.

1806-George Darcy dies. Alina is 15, Darcy is 22 and Georgiana is ten. Niklaus comes of age.

Response to Reviews

Chapter Ten

Captain Americanna: You are soooo sweet! Thank you so much for your lovely reviews. I hope you had loads of fun in Tennessee.

makingmaraudermischief: Thank you for both reviews :D They were awesome! Sorry for the The End comment ;) I loved hearing your thoughts about the story. It's so nice to see you're having fun reading it.

Susanvegas: Thank you so much :D I am so happy that you're enjoying it!

Englitlover: Thank you for reviewing. I'm wondering too. Alina's playing ping pong in my head when it comes to Darcy.

Coffeebookchiller: I think you're the first person to ship Darcy/Alina IF it happens. Thank you for your incredibly sweet review!

Team. - Thank you for making me realize that a timeline was needed. I was as confused as you guys before I made myself a timeline. Sharing the same with you.

And two years have passed since the beginning of the story..so Alina's bound to become more sensible. And she's always been wise for her age. Thanks for your review!

Megzy: Thank you for your wishes and your review. How was Easter for you? You know I wrote like three drafts of this chapter and it wasn't working so I was tempted to skip..but it was your review that stopped me :)

LovePP: Thank you! I'm so happy you're enjoying the story. You are very kind.

Cuinwen: Thank you for your feedback :) It is really appreciated! Looking forward to hearing from you.

Pollita-crr: Thank you Cynthia :D You are so nice :)

Guest: Thank you so much. I'm so happy you guys like Alina.

Purple sky always: Thank you :) Maybe Lizzie won't be alone ;)