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


At Netherfield - Clouds Gathering-

Mr. Darcy was uneasy, thinking Charles was hiding something, so he went to talk to the Hurst. On the way, he saw Miss Nancy waiting for him, "Mr. Darcy, sorry for bothering you, but I saw something this morning that worried me. I saw Miss Bingley walking with Miss Bennet, and I hid to listen to them; though I could not hear much, I heard Miss Bennet tell Miss Bingley how to find her room at Longbourn. She told Miss Bingley to throw a few pebbles at her window, and she would come down. Miss Jane said to be careful, and it would be best if nobody saw her. I couldn't hear anymore since they walked away."

"Thank you. I was going to send my valet to get you. Please be ready to go with me to talk to Mr. Bennet. Also, get your things ready because I hope you can stay there with Miss Elizabeth. Please repeat what you told me last night and now, and what I told Miss Bennet. Others will also go with me." Now, he was more than worried, thinking the two ladies were up to no good.

His valet was looking for him, "Sir, I have an express for you. The person who brought it said it was urgent. He is waiting for your answer."

Mr. Darcy exhaled; he thought, what now? What he read made him uneasy. What did Reggie's uncle want to talk to him about that was so urgent? He was the Earl, Lord Stephen's father. Lord Stephen was the young gentleman aspiring to Georgiana. The Earl was coming to visit someone nearby the next day. "Please wait, I will write quickly." He sat and wrote a short letter saying it would be fine. What was Georgiana up to? Could she have been imprudent and said something about George; yes, she could have. She was unhappy and crying for George, saying she only wanted to marry him. He started to get a headache and thought, Goodness, I hope Miss Elizabeth marries me; I need a wife to help me with Georgiana; it is always something or other with her.

When he looked for Reggie, he found the Hurst packing. Charles had begged them to stay, but they wanted to leave. Finally, they agreed to wait a week, but not longer.

Afterward, he asked Reggie Hurst to accompany him to Longbourn, and he obliged. Mr. Darcy also asked the Hurst if there was any reason to suspect Miss Bingley was unstable. After he asked, Louisa said she wanted to go with them, "I have a few things to add. I believe I can help. Moreover, I know Caroline, and she will not stop slandering Miss Elizabeth."

Louisa was not sure why, but she remembered long ago. One of the young housemaids ran to tell Louisa, "Miss, I saw Mrs. Bingley pushing your pa when he was coming down the steps." But nobody listened to her because 'someone found' one of her stepmother's rings under the maid's pillow minutes later. The young maid recanted, and the stepmother fired her without calling the constables. Luisa was 17 years old at the time. Her father died a few days later, never recuperating consciousness. Louisa also remembered the maid was from her hometown. It would be worth finding her; she would ask her husband.

Louisa was initially quiet, deep in thought, but after remembering, she decided to talk to Mr. Darcy. Besides, she had been uneasy around her sister since the night before. "I did not like my brother and sister's mother. My father married late; he was 46 when my mother died. I was a little girl, so I do not remember much. He had a large fortune and three warehouses in London and other cities. Many ladies aspired to his suit since he was a handsome, rich man. Unfortunately, he met a London lady in Edinburgh and married her. Though my stepmother was mean to me, she doted on her two children. Caroline is her spit image; I saw a couple of portraits when she was younger. I believe she was older when she married my father."

Louisa hesitated, not sure how much to reveal, yet knowing she needed to say what she knew. What if something bad happened because she didn't?

The chance-

Meanwhile, while they were talking, George Wickham had stopped at an inn on his way to London. He was melancholic, thinking about the many bridges he had burnt behind him. He wanted William to forgive him and to let him be the vicar. Too bad that his intent to compromise Georgina had made him undesirable to William; what an arse he had been. It was a good thing he did not touch her. Why? Because it felt wrong, though she had said he could kiss her and tried to kiss him. He promised to walk the straight and narrow if he could have one last chance. He missed William and his friendship; they always laughed, and he missed his life.

He closed his eyes and prayed for some minutes; when he opened them again, he saw someone he recognized getting out of a carriage. He heard the discussion and saw how the woman paid the coachman a few quid to do her bidding. He heard the coachman worked for her brother, and at first, he did not want to, afraid he would lose his job. The woman was ruthless, saying she would tell her brother the coachman had tried to touch her. The man agreed, looking defeated. First, the driver was to go to the London address, and he would tell them as she had done before.


** cut by error*

George decided to greet her; at once, she recognized him and started to talk. He pretended he had not heard her talking. She asked him if he knew the Bennet, and when she asked about William, he detected something was off. Right away he thought about the tragedy of William's uncle Gus, though he had been a young boy but remembered, and being superstitious, he was afraid she was planning something bad. The Bingley woman was angry, he could hear it in her voice.

Miss Bingley shared a country mouse had trapped poor Mr. Darcy. While she talked to him looking angry. He listened, pretending to sympathize with her, but she had to go since her carriage was ready.

George felt someone by his side and saw a young lady, wearing odd clothes. She looked like Miss Elizabeth, with someone who looked a lot like William and the Scot twins. They held hands; the couple was in love; it was easy to see. It made him wish for a love like theirs.

"George, dear, I am Edna. I remember you. Listen well, the ginger hair lady wants to hurt my cousin Lizzie and if needed she will kill her. When you see Tommy, tell him he will be fine, not to be sad." The lady said.

The man added, "George, hello. Do you remember me? I am Gustav Darcy. The woman wants to hurt Lizzie because of William, my nephew, just like what occurred to us. It so happens she looks a lot like the lady who was after me, Miss Mueller."

Edna told George, "Yes, she has an uncanny resemblance to the one who ended my mortal life. But I cannot tell if they are related. You asked for a chance. This is one, but not without danger; you could get injured or even killed, we cannot know."

Gustav added, "You are family, and you owe this to us; my brother, who is with the one he loves, sends his regards and love to his children. He wants you to ask Mrs. Reynolds about her sister and inform my nephew. William will be fair; my brother says so. Also, tell Thomas he was right by not listening to us and not to regret it; he has his daughters and is a good man. Gardiner, his friend, is a good friend who told him not to marry, even if he didn't listen. Tell Thomas to be careful because the woman you just talked to is looking for allies; Thomas will understand. Tell my children I am happy; their mother is with the man she loved, her tutor. I used to call you Georgie until you were older." Here, I have a gift for you, for the one you lost," he put something on George's hand.

George blinked, and they were gone, but he knew he hadn't imagined. He opened his hand and saw a beautiful small wood carving shaped like a pony with a tiny leather saddle. He remembered Gustav made one for each of the boys, and when he lost him, he cried the entire day, mopping for weeks. William had told him to leave it at home when they went to Eaton, but he took it and lost it. For days, the boys sat with Gustav, and while he carved them and made the tiny saddles of leather, he softened himself. George was grateful beyond words. Carefully, he touched the small pony and kissed it before wrapping it in a handkerchief. Then he put it in his satchel to show the carved pony to William. They all learned to carve, but William was the best.

George was very anxious and worried about Miss Elizabeth and maybe William. He would make Mr. George Darcy proud of him. He had been like a father to him, and he had been rotten; this was his time to redeem himself. If he lost his life, so be it. He waited until the carriage was ahead and followed. Then he went across a few fields and rushed to Longbourn, but he couldn't go too fast because his horse was tired; it took him a while.

He was sad to hear that Elizabeth would marry William, but he didn't deserve her. Maybe if he were a good man, he could find somebody like her or marry the one that was but a dream. George decided to tell Mr. Bennet what he had seen and heard about his younger daughters. He prayed to God he could do something to stop Miss Bingley.

George feared the worst, remembering what Miss Bingley had answered after he had expressed his concern about her traveling alone. He told her it was dangerous since she had sent her lady's maid with her trunks. Smiling, she answered that she could take care of herself and showed him a small pistol and a knife.

He couldn't catch up with the carriage. He had a terrible feeling of foreboding; he could feel harbingers of calamity; he always had. George guessed William was at Netherfield, so Netherfield it was since it was a little closer. He hoped William would believe him. Who was Tommy or Thomas? He guessed Mr. Bennet since the lady could have been Miss Elizabeth. Perhaps William knew.

At Netherfield, Louisa's revelation

"Caroline's mother might have married my father but complained all the time, saying she married down, calling my father demeaning names. Growing up, I saw my sweet father crying more than once; his sister, Aunt Doris, neither liked nor trusted my stepmother. My stepmother had rage episodes and was mean to the servants. Indeed, I still think she killed my father, but we can talk about that later on. Suffice it to say he died after falling down the steps. Luckily, my stepmother didn't survive him long, less than a year. So, my aunt came to stay with us until Charles was 18; she knew more than I did. I will write to her." Louisa stopped to think.

"Moreover, you may have her address. My aunt always says Caroline is like her mother. She worries because she thought the woman was mad; she said when angry, she wasn't afraid and would take care of those who crossed her as she had done before. But Charles is a Bingley and looks like my handsome father; besides his cowering to Caroline, he is my father." Louisa stopped talking, not wanting to say more. .


Reggie sighed, "Darling, I don't think Caroline is mad but just spoiled rotten if you want my opinion." They talked some more, and Mr. Darcy went to get ready because Dee wouldn't quit whimpering, worrying him. This was most unusual. After listening to Louisa and Charles's words about not trusting Caroline, he was worried and uneasy listening to Dee's whimpering.

When they finally climbed onto the carriage, Dee looked out the window, looking happier than minutes before, licking Mr. Darcy gratefully and banging her tail. When she saw Longbourn, she yipped happily, hanging from his shoulder, surprising Mr. Darcy since this was Dee's first time there. When his footman opened the carriage door, Dee didn't wait for help. She took a prodigious leap, scaring Mr. Darcy because she was still a puppy. But she landed without problems and ran to the door, barking excitedly. He had also asked Mrs. Reynolds's godchild, the footman, to come in with him.

Hurst laughed, "I think the little missy approves your choice."

Darcy joined the laughter, "She does, maybe a little too much. Perhaps she prefers Miss Elizabeth, so it is a good thing we are getting married because I cannot give her my dog. If my cousin is right, Dee might want to make sure my bride is safe.

When Mr. Bennet opened the door, he was surprised to see Mr. Darcy's entourage. Mr. Darcy smiled, not noticing that Dee ran inside. When he smiled, Mr. Bennet thought he looked a lot like his uncle Gustav, too much so. This worried him because he had heard many who believed that tragic stories repeated themselves.

"Sir, they came with me because you must hear them. Perhaps we could talk with them first." Mr. Darcy asked, noticing how pale Mr. Bennet looked. He didn't seem to be well, like someone who received bad news. He wished he could ask if he could help.

Mr. Hill, who had also come to open the door, saw Nancy, making him wonder what was going on. He saw Nancy and hoped she hadn't lost her job; maybe she had since she was carrying the small traveling bag. It was a present they gave her when she started to work. He worried, knowing good jobs were hard to come by.

Jane had looked out the window and seen Nancy. She was irate and went to knock at Lizzie's door. Lizzie opened the door, and when she saw Jane looking angry, she wished she hadn't opened it. Mary saw Jane and went to Lizzie. "Lizzie, may I have a few minutes of your time?" She stood before Lizzie, staring at Jane, when a small terrier, a puppy, suddenly appeared and barked at Jane nastily.

Dee growled, coming closer to Jane and showing her teeth. They all fluffed up, scaring her. Lizzie covered her mouth to hide her smile; not Mary, she wasn't hiding her smile. But why was Jane behaving so ugly with her dearest friend? Mary wondered.

Jane huffed and went back to her room, looking angry. Dee turned and ran to Lizzie, yapping happily. Lizzie greeted her, "Dee, you are here." She hoped Mr. Darcy would let Dee stay for a day or two. She knew her mother wouldn't like it.

Mary asked, smiling, "And who are you missy, so fierce and pretty? Come here, darling." Mary crouched, and Dee obliged, turning to Mary to greet and lick her, making the sisters laugh.

Warnings

"I wish we had a puppy," Mary said loudly and sighed. Lizzie liked seeing Mary smile, thinking she looked so pretty and different. More than ever, her decision to marry Mr. Darcy felt right, considering she could take Mary with her. She was lucky to have a proposal from a nice, if proud, gentleman. Another would not have cared.

They heard Kitty and Lydia complaining, saying they wanted to see the puppy and asking to be let out.

"No, Father said you must stay in the room. You two know why, and I agree with him." Mary told them forcefully, and Lizzie nodded, agreeing.

"Is Mr. Darcy coming to ask for you? You will be gone; it is sad," Mary looked at Lizzie, who was kind to all her sisters.

"Yes, it is the best idea. Don't be sad because I will bring you, or Father will go away with you." Lizzie squeezed Mary's hand. They crouched by the door to Lizzie's room to pet Dee. Softly whispering, she told Mary what happened. Though Mary laughed by the end of Lizzie's story, she was mad at Jane and worried about Miss Bingley.

"Mr. Darcy is a nice gentleman; you are very lucky. Dee is the best girl ever, taking care of you." Then she lowered her voice, "Dearest, I think Jane will apologize for her words. She cares for you, so do not be sad. Besides, you have other sisters who care for you, the best sister." She held Lizzie's hand, who dried a couple of tears.

Mr. Darcy, who had heard all the friendly and nasty barking, rolled his eyes. The scamp had found her favorite person, though he had no idea how quickly Dee found Miss Elizabeth. He thought, Could Penny be right, and Dee is more than a dog? What if Dee is sensing my bride is in danger?

"Please, everyone should follow me to my office." Mr. Bennet asked Mr. Darcy, then added, "I guess your darling girl found Lizzie. I know Lizzie is glad; she was missing her."

"Dee was missing her as well. So, I hope they will soon be together." He grinned, but Mr. Bennet didn't smile back; he still hadn't decided, waiting to hear Mr. Darcy.

George

As he was approaching Netherfield, he saw another rider, Richard Fitzwilliam. He smiled at Richard holding the puppy sitting with him, and balancing on the saddle. Nonetheless, Richard was unfriendly, looking at George. "What are you doing here?" Richard might sound abrupt, but the puppy greeted George, yapping happily.

"Hi there, what a nice puppy; is she Daisy's pup?" George asked, grinning. His aunt said when Daisy had pups, one was for him; he hoped so because he longed for good companionship. His wish to change was honest, well, knowing he had much to atone for.

"She is," Richard answered curtly, wanting to run his sword through George. He had a debt to settle with his childhood friend. George had committed an egregious offense that needed punishment, preferably by ending his sorry life.

Though George knew Richard wanted to kill him, he couldn't waste time. So, he reached into his satchel and pulled the carved pony, looking brand new. "Richard, I know you are mad at me, and rightly so, but you must listen; this is urgent. Do you recognize this?" Richard and Bartlett also had the same beautiful pony carved with great detail and kept it in their rooms. Friends had offered to buy them.

Richard raised his eyebrows, "I do, but it looks new; how can that be?" This wasn't possible because the ponies were unique, made with a block of rare wood, so he listened.

George explained as fast as he could. He started by telling Richard from the moment he saw Miss Bingley and did not omit anything. When he told him about the young lady who looked like exactly like William's bride to be, her name, all they said, and about Mr. Gus, Richard was dumbfounded for a few seconds.

Richard finally said, "I reckon strange things happen; your mother was a Reynolds, and much is said about them. She told my father he would soon meet his wife and would not care who she was. She advised my father to marry her and not to listen to anyone because she was his happiness. I never liked Miss Bingley, but I had no idea William was getting married. Where was the bloody Bingley woman going? Let's get William and get fresh horses. My father's carriage is behind with my trunks and my valet, but Polly wanted to ride with me. William will know where his bride lives." Richard told George, who seemed very anxious. Richard believed him; he had heard about Uncle Gus and Lady Edna and was now worried.

When they arrived at Netherfield, they found out William was gone. Charles came to greet Richard. Richard asked him, "Is Miss Bingley here?"

Charles explained she had left for London. Richard looked at George, "Tell him about his sister."

When George did, Charles's face lost all color. "Let's go in my carriage. I will then go to Meryton to see if I can find her. I knew not to send her alone. Let's go right now; there is no time to waste." But he did not elaborate any further.

George prayed no harm would come to Miss Elizabeth and looked at Richard, who shook his head, frustrated and worried.

At Longbourn

Mr. Bennet was aghast after listening to the Hurst, Tim the footman, Nancy, and Mr. Darcy. He agreed Nancy and the young footman should stay. He asked them to wait for him and ran to Jane's room. He opened Jane's room door slowly, trying to hear what Jane was telling someone. He saw Jane standing by the opened window, signaling someone, and heard her telling whoever she was coming down. She put a finger to her lips, asking whoever to be quiet. When she saw her father, she looked ready to faint.

"So, who were you talking to? And who are you going to meet?" he clicked his teeth, "I don't believe you're going anywhere. I think you'll stay here until you tell me what is going on. I cannot believe you are agreeing with that horrible woman. What I just heard made me a little sick; I learned that Miss Bingley might be the daughter of a woman who killed Edna, my sweet cousin, only 18 years old. Someone who knew the mother well said Miss Bingley looks exactly like her mother, and I remember her rather well. I was there when the woman murdered my cousin. I stood by the woman minutes before. It so happens Miss Bingley's mother also favored orange and plumage. It is clear you must want your sister dead." He shook his head, looking displeased and sad.

Jane stuttered, "I don't know what you are talking about. I wasn't going anywhere." Jane didn't want her sister dead; her father was wrong.

Her father knew Jane was fibbing; she was pulling her gown, a sure sign that she was lying.

"Jane, my dear, I was not born yesterday. What has come over you? I thought Lizzy was your best friend, though it does not seem that way. If I find out that you are trying to harm your sister in any way, such as talking to that nasty woman about ruining your sister's marriage, you will need to go and live with your uncle. I will send money to support you, but you will not stay at my house when I take my place. Nor will you be presented. I guess you will miss many chances, won't you? I am Lord Bennett, though I guess it doesn't matter now. However, be advised you might miss opportunities before you once I find out what you have been doing." He sounded different, scaring Jane.

"Father, you're wrong. I think Elizabeth has filled up your head with lies about me." Jane wanted a way out.

"No, you are wrong; she hasn't said anything; it wasn't Lizzie. But I just saw and heard you, and my eyes and ears don't lie. If you have something to tell me, tell me now because it will be too late later, and I will not forgive you." Mr. Bennet stood firm.

Jane said nothing but, "I am old enough that you cannot keep in the house. If I want to go out, I will." She looked at her father defiantly.

"If you go out, stay out, but I will send somebody behind you. Heavens help you if you're meeting Miss Bingley. Which I suspect that to be the case." Her father's voice was calm, but she could detect a hard edge.

"You must be imagining because she left for London early today when we were there. I am sorry, I didn't mean what I said." She looked at her feet. What if her father were right and Miss Bingley wanted to hurt Lizzie? That scared her, making her wake up. For what, was it for envying the sister she loved best and for chasing after Mr. Bingley? She realized the truth and felt awful. What if Mr. Bingley agreed with her father?" "Father, ah, err," Jane tried.

They heard a carriage driving in, and seconds later, someone knocked urgently. Jane wasn't going to have time to apologize. What was happening? She wanted to cry, thinking her father would send her away. And what if Miss Bingley wanted to hurt Lizzie? It would be her fault, Jane realized, for what? Why had she listened to her mother's bad advice; what had she done?

Mr. Hill must have opened the door; Jane listened. "Good morning," a voice said, and another added, "Is Mr. Darcy here? It is of the utmost importance and."

The first voice was Mr. Wickham's, followed by was Charles's. Jane sat on her bed, "Father, stop, I," Jane started, but he didn't listen.

"You better stay here; don't move, or else." He was already running downstairs. Jane sat, looking desolate. What could she do?


A/n guess Jane is not all bad; she does love Elizabeth; but we shall see. Though she is selfish, that is clear. Thanks to all the readers and particular things to those that have written comments. I listen and take your thoughts into account.