Chapter 3

Lizzy

I stared out the window of my fathers library and watched the rain slowly dribble down. The dreary weather matched my dreary mood perfectly. It had been raining for three days straight and I had not gotten a chance to walk even on my shortest trails. The longer I am trapped inside, the sourer my mood becomes. I love my family but my little sisters giggles and my mothers flutterings get to me after a while.

I urged myself to focus back on my book. My father recently acquired a book about ancient Egypt, which is usually something that would have been fascinating for me. However, today nothing was working to help distract me.

As I turned the page, suddenly I noticed something written on my arm. The shock of it surprised me so much that I dropped my book and jumped from my seat as if it had been set on fire.

Jane rushed to my side. Trying desperately to help me up. I stared down at the message still in shock.

"Lizzy! What happened? What's going on?" Jane asked while trying desperately to find out where my ailment was located.

I stopped her searching hands and pushed my messaged arm into view.

Jane gasped loudly as she looked down at it. She knew full well how my soulmate never initiated contacting me.

My surprise quickly changed to anger as I stared at the distinguished perfect script on my arm.

"Hello" Just those five letters. That's it.

"That's it! Hello! He has had twenty years to reach out to me and all he says is 'Hello!'" Fury burned hot within me.

Jane had the good sense to only put a comforting hand on my back. Knowing full well that comforting words would be useless for the moment.

I paced back and forth in the library, wanting so badly to knock over all the books. But refrained knowing it would take forever to put them back up in my father's particular order.

"If only I could go for a long walk." I murmured under my breath.

"I am sure that would help a lot. It looks as if the rain might be stopping soon. Hopefully by tomorrow the paths will be cleared enough." Jane suggested. But that still felt like forever from now, when I needed a release right away.

I clenched my fists as I stared out the window. "Seriously Jane, why would fate tie me to such a man?" A sigh escaped me.

"I thought things had changed over the last week. You said he seemed different in your dreams lately." Jane asked while picking up my fallen book.

We sat back down in our father's high-backed reading chairs.

"You're right. He has been different this past week. I have always known he has high concern for his sister through dreams of her over the years, but the desperation in his countenance. Jane, he almost looked... human." I stuttered out the last word. Fully aware how strange it sounded.

Jane let out a loud guffaw. "Was he not always human Lizzy? You never once mentioned to me that he was another creature. Is he normally a Goblin or maybe a Centaur from one of papa's mythology books." Jane spoke through a giggle. Barely able to get her sentence out without falling out of her seat from laughter. I could not help but join in with her ridiculous thoughts.

"I can see my proud, haughty soulmate tramping around in a ballroom like nothing of strange occurrence was happening. That it was not the oddest scene to see a half man, half horse in line for a dance." Tears filled my eyes as the image formed in my thoughts and laughter spilled out of me fiercely.

"Oh Lizzy! No! Now I will never be able to erase the thought. One day when I meet your soulmate it will be all I can do to not think of him so!" Jane exclaimed with another set of giggles.

I dried my face and we both tried to calm ourselves. Knowing that if we carried on like so Mama would find us and reprimand us loudly. She would remind us that acting so would never help us find our soulmates.

"Will you not tell me what you truly meant, Lizzy? How so did he not seem human?" Jane asked with full interest, now calmed down and ready to get back to the subject at hand.

"It's hard to put into words. But he always has an air about him that he is above everyone else. That nothing could touch him, but the last few evenings there has been this realness about him. Real fear and humility surrounding him, making him seem more down to earth." I shrugged my shoulders. Not sure if I was making sense.

Jane looked deep in thought for a moment as she contemplated my answer. "I believe I understand. But won't you answer him? I am sure if he has contacted you, that means he truly wants to get to know you now."

Jane, always the voice of reason. Her words ring true, but after twenty years of being ignored and belittled I am not ready to just turn over a new leaf with that man.

"Yes, I dare say you are correct. But before I accept his hand of polite friendship, I believe a little friendly reciprocation shall be had." I raised an eyebrow at Jane and gave her a smirk.

"Oh Lizzy, do not be too hard on the man. Remember one day you will have to live in the same home with him. He could easily challenge you in revenge like the Lucas boys used to with you. Remember how long it took us not to be terrified of spiders nesting in our bed? After they put several under our covers! I fear I still have nightmares about them." Jane's eyes widened.

A shudder ripped through me at the remembrance. Normally, I am not so jittery at the thought of creepy crawlers. But when I can't sleep for days thinking of one crawling on me at night, that is a different story.

"Nothing so drastic, I assure you Jane. Just a little taste of his own medicine." A smile curled up on my face and Jane gave me a shake of her head. She would never behave in such a way. Since in her mind her soulmate is perfect in every way. Even though it's obviously clear from her mark that he is definitely not.

"Then what do you plan to do? Do think over it wisely my dear sister. Again must I remind you, one day you will be faced with this man every day of your remaining life." She gave me a pointed look.

A slow cheeky smile creeped up my face. "Yes, but according to my soulmark we will have an extremely large estate to live in, so I might never even have to utter a word to him."

Jane shook her head, trying to be stern. But her eyes danced with mirth.

"Jane, shall we see what Kitty and Lydia are up to? I am sure they need a good scolding." I rubbed my palms together in delight.

Darcy

I looked at the date I had jotted out on my letter. Four days. It's been four whole days since I reached out to my soulmate. Since then I have seen not one small line from her.

Absolutely nothing.

The woman who drove me mad over the years with her constant dribble.

Ok, it wan't quite dribblle, for the most part it was quite intriguing. But it was non-stop.

I finally open myself up and what do I receive?

Le Rien. Lo Niente. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I let out a loud harumph, sounding like a petulant child.

Of course, it was at that moment Georgiana chose to walk into my study.

"And what is that horrid scowl for?" She looked at me with wide eyes.

"It tis nothing." I said while trying to discreetly pull my sleeve down. For I had yet to erase my message from my skin. Letting it linger till my soulmate finally relented. I knew the woman was stubborn from the amount of times in her dreams she had tried to get back up on a horse but ultimately got off again from fear before even getting out of the stables. But I honestly believed she would have written something back by now.

The woman was raised in polite society, she should have the proper decency to reply.

But as she does tend to dream of not so lady-like pursuits, maybe I shan't be surprised at this turn of events.

"I apologize brother, but that looked like more than nothing." Georgiana pointed at my now covered forearm.

She gave me a serious stare that she only challenged me with. Anyone else she would be much too shy to look at like so. Even Richard gets a quieter, not as brave Georgiana as the one I know and love.

"She has contacted you? If so, what seems to be the problem?" Georgiana asked while taking a seat in front of my large mahogany desk.

I let out a long sigh. "I wrote to her, but she hasn't written back."

"Oh." Georgiana said slowly, taking in the meaning of my frustration. "How long have you been waiting for a reply?"

"four long days." The curtness in my voice was hard to mask.

She looked up at me sharply and then let out a laugh.

Now I was the one staring her down.

"I am sorry William, but that seems no time at all to the decades you have snuffed her. Do you really believe she will fall at your feet all of a sudden? After so long of ignoring her? Might I inquire what you wrote? From the very small single word I saw on your arm, it did not seem to make a large impact. Is that all you have written so far? Please tell me that I missed the larger declaration." Georgiana crossed her arms and raised a single eyebrow with intrigue.

I let out a drawn out huff. When stated like that my single word greeting does seem insignificant. "I merely thought I would start with a greeting as if we were starting a conversation. I had planned to write more after the initial greeting. But I have yet to see a reply."

Georgiana looked at me incredulously. "Brother, you are one of the wisest men I know. Yet, you make rather foolish decisions sometimes."

I scoffed at her words. Though regretfully aware she was correct in her assessment.

"G, it is not easy for me to put my thoughts out there. As I know this woman in many ways, at the same time I do not know her well at all. I am unsure how to properly converse in this way."

Georgiana leaned forward in her seat, leaning her elbows on her knees in a most unladylike posture.

"I suggest you forget 'proper' and share with her your heart. This is the woman you are destined to be with." She then reached out her hand across the desk to mine that was currently tracing the edges of my ledger as a nervous habit. I took her offered hand and gave it a squeeze in acceptance. "You are the most caring, honorable man I know. But for some reason you don't let anyone else see that but your closest friends and family. This woman will one day be closer to you than any of us. Let her in. Let her see the real you." I felt Georgiana's love and warmth wash over me. Her genuine want to see me happy and settled.

I nodded in acceptance, hearing her words fully.

"You are correct dearest. I need to be more open. Thank you G." I smiled at her warmly. Giving her hand another squeeze before letting go.

She smiled back at me and left my study soon after.

I pulled my sleeve up once again and stared at my first attempt. 'Let her in, let her see the real you.' Georgiana's words echoed in my thoughts.

A knock sounded at my study door, waking me from my far away thoughts.

"Come in," I said in a firm voice.

"Sir, two letters have come for you." My faithful butler placed the letters on my desk. I nodded in acceptance and he left the room in a quick stride.

I glanced at the letters and noticed one from Bingley and the other was from Matlock. I set aside Bingley's letter knowing it could wait. I hastily tore into Matlocks letter, desperately wanting to hear good news from my Uncle and fearing the worst at the same time.

Darcy,

I know you wish to hear good news, but I regret to inform you that Richard is still in great pain. He is holding on, but each day that passes he fades from us a little more. We have yet to hear even a snarky comment or a rye joke from him in many days. We have reached out in every way we know possible. At this point we fear the worst.

As we face this horrid path once again in the Fitzwilliam family, I pray you find your match as soon as possible. We can not lose any more family to this dreaded disease. Do all that you may to find your mate while you have the strength to do it. Do not waste your days away on frivolous things. For now is the time that you must do all you can to find her.

We do not have the strength to burden another loss in our family. Please for all our sakes, save us from more heartbreak.

We will keep you posted.

Your loving uncle,

Matlock

I read over the words over and over again. I had never heard my uncle write with so little hope. He truly feared the worst now.

My thoughts turned to his plea and then down to my arm with my first attempt still glaring at me, exactly as it has been for the past four days. At least I can say honestly that I am at least trying with my soulmate.

Then the second letter came into my view. I let out a breath and opened it carefully. Knowing that I would need to not tear or bend Bingley's letter in the least. For I will need all the help I can get to be able to translate the mess of letters. As I took in the letter full of rushed script, blots and marked out words, I finally made out what he was trying to say.

He had heard from a connection in London that there was a family in Hertfordshire with the name Bennet. As his Soul Connection was his soulmates name on his wrist. The name Jane Bennet was clear and precise written in a feminine script. Bingley had pursued every Bennet he could find all over the country.

Bingley went on to say that he was leasing an estate in the area. He had been in search of a home of his own for a few years now. It was surprising though that he had such great hopes in these Bennet's that he was already looking to put down roots. I was not surprised by his invitation for my family and I to stay with him. For I had offered many times over the years to help him when he had a place of his own.

My first reaction to the news was annoyance, but then after a little thought this might open up an area of the country we haven't searched for Richards Soulmate.

Normally when needing to be gone on business, I would send Georgiana to Matlock house to be with our Aunt and Uncle while I was away. But with Richard's condition it's not the best place for her. My other option would be to send her to Aunt Catherine's, but no one knows what kind of state she is in at the moment with her grief.

Georgiana's best option would be to come with me.

I quickly wrote out a reply to Bingley and went in search of Georgiana. I could only hope this adventure would lead to the miracle we needed.