The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux
A/n the Angst is nearly over. I promise you will like most of it. Somethings might not be fixable, not perfectly.
Miss Bingley and Unseen Help
Mrs. Bennet walked towards the door, "I will go home to pick up some of my things. I can go in by the back door; I am sure Mrs. Hill will not stop me. Then, I will talk to Jane and tell her what we need to do."
Miss Bingley liked the idea but feared her brother might find her. On the back of her mind, she believed it would be better if Miss Elizabeth were gone for good. Her mother used to say, a dead enemy was one less enemy. She had her pistol, and a knife, her mother had told her to always carry one, and she had an idea.
Though, it was best to act fast, she wasn't able to stop, feeling as if she were hunting. Her mind was in a fog, and she wasn't sure what she was doing. Like on the terrible day her father died; nothing had ever been the same. "I will come with you. I am afraid to stay here."
Mrs. Bennet hesitated, now she was certain something was wrong with Miss Bingley. She should have made an excuse before; "No, that is not a good idea. You stay here and don't move." She could feel someone looking at her disapprovingly for conspiring against Lizzie. Suddenly she remembered her mother telling her there was a life after this one, and she was going to be dammed if she didn't change. She excused herself and went to her parent's room, feeling afraid. "Mother, are you here? Tell me what to do; I will do it, I want to do what is right, please tell me." Even though no one answered, she could feel eyes staring at her, scaring her.
Although she saw no one, she was aware she was not alone in the room. She knew what she needed to do and returned to the drawing-room, "Miss Bingley, you may stay here for a while, but I've changed my mind. I can't and won't help you. Lizzie is my daughter. So, I'm going to my sister's." Mrs. Bennet knew it was the right thing to do.
Miss Bingley worried she was going to turn her in. Her head felt fuzzier, like she was someone else; it was confusing. "No, I am going with you. You should know your daughter is ruined since I already wrote about her to some friends." Miss Bingley said pulling her pistol."
Mrs. Bennet knew she should had listened to her sister and her parents. Now this mad woman was going to kill her and Lizzie, her daughter; Lizzie who had always tried to be a good daughter. She never meant this, never. She walked towards the house entrance, resigned, though willing to give her life to save her child. She prayed, offering to anyone who heard her to take her and save her good daughter.
She was thinking about what she could do to stop Miss Bingley, when the woman screamed. Miss Bingley sounded terrified, "Father, no, leave, leave me alone. It wasn't my fault you died; I only repeated to Mama what you told Charles. Leave, you are scaring me." She whimpered, "Father, leave, you are scaring me." And she screamed more, repeating the same words, so Fanny Bennet looked around and didn't see anyone.
The woman was mad, so it seemed. Then she heard, "Caro, my girl, stop this. Be a good girl, stop it." It was a man's voice, she thought. Finally, Miss Bingley pushed Mrs. Bennet to clear the way, whimpered, and left running, still holding the gun, on one hand and on the other hand a knife, one that Mrs. Bennet hadn't seen before.
When Mrs. Bennet turned around, she still didn't see anyone; she was alone. She went back to her parents's room and asked again, "Mother, tell me what to do; I will do it. I want to do what is right, please tell me; I want my child safe." She was sure she heard, "Fanny, change, this is your chance, change before is too late, repent and change!" She thought it might have been her mother's voice. Fanny Bennet picked up a fireplace poker and looked around the cottage, in every room. She could feel her heart going fast, but there was nobody else there.
When she saw the cottage door open, she knew of a short cut and ran to warn her family, praying her daughter was safe, and it wasn't too late to change. She didn't care what happened to her, her life for her daughter's. She offered to spare her child. Poor her Lizzie, she was her child, and the crazy Miss Bingley meant her harm. The woman was mad and angry because of Mr. Darcy, who wisely has chosen her Lizzie instead of her. Fanny Bennet ran as fast as she could, hoping the woman wasn't in Longbourn, not yet. Unknown to her her selfless decision had been heard.
On the way, she met Mr. Bingley, Mr. Wickham, and Mr. Darcy. She told them the truth as fast as she could; she was done lying. Mrs. Bennet explained that Miss Bingley sounded terrified and repeated every word she heard. She told them Miss Bingley screamed, telling her father to leave her alone, saying that it wasn't her fault, and she had only repeated what her father told Charles. Though there was nobody else in the cottage, Mrs. Bennet said, a voice called Miss Bingley, Caro, my girl, and asked her to be a good girl and to stop it. She believed a man had said it. She told them Miss Bingley had a small pistol and a short knife.
Charles wasn't looking well. He would tell his friend his secret because William needed to know his sister wasn't well. He just realized Caroline, who must have been eavesdropping, told her mother his father was leaving and taking his children. His father feared his wife, with good reason, and probably knew Caroline would tell her. It saddened him to know Caroline and their mother must have been very close, who knew what Caroline had learned from their mother; the thought worried him. But had his father stopped Caroline? Maybe, because his father was a good man who loved his children, and he called Caroline, Caro.
When Mrs. Bennet finished talking and answered their questions, the men said they were going to Longbourn, and she showed them a short cut.
The men said goodbye, set off to Longbourn, and ran. Mrs. Bennet waited for a few seconds and followed them, walking briskly. When they arrived at Longbourn, Charles looked around and didn't see his carriage. Charles and William went into the house, while George went around the house, not afraid; he wanted Miss Elizabeth safe.
Charles asked for a horse, but Darcy said to take his carriage. On his way to Netherfield, Charles met his carriage, returning to Longbourn. The coachman explained he had left his sister some minutes before at Meryton.
Charles went in his carriage to Meryton but didn't find Caroline. Someone told him that a lady dressed in orange left on a hired coach, waiting for her, but not sure where. Walking back to his carriage, he saw someone sitting inside. He would always say it was his father, a much younger version, smiling, and a lady who looked like much like Louisa sat next to him. They waved their hands, and the next second, they were gone.
That was the last day he saw his sister, at least for a while. Some days later, Charles found out she had stopped by their London home to pick up a few things; and she was with her lady's maid. She had also gone to their solicitor and arranged to get half of her money. He hoped she was gone for good and wouldn't try to hurt Miss Elizabeth. He knew he needed to tell William about his mother, but he hoped to find his sister, wanting her safe.
No more lies-
Mrs. Bennet waited outside, behind a tree; it seemed Miss Bingley wasn't in Longbourn. When she saw Mr. Bingley leaving, she went to her sister's house.
She told her sister the truth, no more lies: "Edwina, my husband doesn't love me anymore and wants me gone. I know it's my fault." Then, she explained everything that had transpired since that day's early morning. She repeated the bad things she had said to Mr. Bennet, omitting nothing.
Mrs. Bennet confided in her sister, expressing that she had recently slpapped Mary, not for the first time, and felt she had always been unfair to Lizzie. She admitted to helping someone who intended harm to her daughter and hoped to make amends. Mrs. Bennet's fear stemmed from the fact that her own mother had passed at a similar age.
Her sister's response showed no surprise, suggesting that the voice Mrs. Bennet heard might have been their mother's, warning her of her destructive path. She criticized Fanny, labeling her as a neglectful mother, and confessed her longing for Lizzie and Mary as her own daughters, especially after witnessing Fanny's harsh treatment.
Edwina admonished her sister, mentioning the unfortunate loss of Fanny's good-looking, younger husband, whom the ladies admired, and speculated that Fanny might have also distanced herself from her precious daughters. She urged Mrs. Bennet to move to their parents' cottage in a few days, emphasizing her need for her own space. Edwina reminded Mrs. Bennet of her flirtatious behavior towards Mr. Wilson and other gentlemen, expressing her distrust and concern about her being near her husband. She couldn't comprehend what Miss Bingley had witnessed or who had spoken to her, suggesting that the lady might be delusional or possibly spoke in a masculine manner – it was all a mystery to her.
Longbourn
At Longbourn they guarded the house, but, strangely, Dee ran to greet Mr. Darcy and asked to be picked up, however, the little dog returned to Lizzie's side after a while, and jumped on her lap, thinking it was softer and more comfortable. Polly went to Richard, who concluded the danger was over, at least for the meantime. He sat to look at Miss Mary, planning to court her as soon as he was out. Mary had abandoned the sermon book after Lizzie told her the Colonel seemed to be interested.
Mr. Darcy had overheard his mother saying that Mrs. Reynolds' and her late husband's families were different, and strange things often happened around them, some said the dear departed talked to them, so who knew? He knew her cousin, the wise woman who gave him Dee, could do many things. He also knew that George was different, at Eaton he had saved a child who had fallen into a hole. George had said where the boy was, there was more. He believed George and what he had said.
Mr. Bennet thought he heard Edna, his cousin, say, "Tommy, everything will be fine, there is no more danger. Tell Mama I'm here with Gus and we're very happy." But when Lizzie asked again, he didn't want to tell Lizzie what had happened. If Mr. Darcy wanted to, he could tell her and was welcome to do so. However, he told Lizzie the story of his cousin and Mr. Darcy's uncle, saying it had worried him since both looked like the ill-fated couple. Lizzie thought her father was not telling her everything, but she respected his decision, although she wished he would tell her because she feared it was related to Miss Bingley.
Fathers and Almost a Kiss-
Later that day, Mr. Bennet spoke with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. After Mr. Darcy asked for Lizzie's hand again, the father asked Lizzie if she wanted to marry Mr. Darcy.
Mr. Darcy held his breath, petting Dee, sitting on his lap, to calm his nerves. Lizzie nodded; she was sure. After thinking about how much she had written about Mr. Darcy, Lizzie reasoned she must have always liked him, even if it bothered her that he was so proud and condescending. "Father, I wish to marry Mr. Darcy, as I told you before." Dee barked, making Lizzie smile, confirming her belief that Dee was not an ordinary dog.
Mr. Darcy exhaled relieved and also grinned.
Afterward, Mr. Bennet left them alone for a few minutes. Dee followed him after he offered her a piece of jerky, taking the opportunity to play wit Dee. Politely, Dee asked to be picked up.
Mr. Darcy stood by Lizzie, "My name is Fitzwilliam, but I prefer William. I am very happy we will be marrying; I hope you are too." He grinned, taking her breath away, while looking at her strangely, making Lizzie blush.
"My family and friends call me Lizzie," she said, looking at him, wondering if he was going to kiss her. Lizzie was ready for her first kiss; as for George, he was all but forgotten. She bit her lip while his eyes fixed on her face.
William decided to dare a little and took her hand to air kiss it, then took off her glove and held her smaller hand against his cheek. They looked at each other for a minute; Lizzie felt warm all over and a bit odd, wanting something. She liked his bigger hand over hers and touching his shaved skin.
William wanted to kiss her at least a few times and hold her tight, to feel her body against his. Maybe not too tight, not wanting to scare her with his aroused body. He bit his lip, trying to control himself. He knew there were some liberties allowed, so he moved closer, still holding her hand, and pressed it against his chest. Lizzie could feel his rapid heartbeat, making her feel weak and not sure what else.
So, she looked at him expectantly, and he looked again at her plump lips as a current of desire ran along his body. He knew he had never wanted someone this much, never. He moved a finger under her chin when her father came to the door and called them to join the others. He was still carrying Dee and gave her another little piece of jerky.
Mr. Bennet desired to announce the news and the coming wedding. Besides, he knew men were weak and wanted his new son to wait until they were married. He knew William was honorable, but he had seen how he looked at Lizzie, like when Gus looked at Edna, and now understood that William might be honorable but was marrying Lizzie because he wanted to. He knew love and desire and recognized the look.
Lizzie was disappointed and noticed William twisting his lips, equally disappointed. Mr. Bennet chuckled softly, remembering Lizzie and William's disappointed faces, but they could wait for a few days. Mr. Bennet had figured him out; Darcy's offer to marry Lizzie had not been purely selfless, but he had deep feelings for her and quickly seized the opportunity to be an honorable gentleman and get Lizzie in turn. Mr. Bennet liked his new son, a Darcy, shrewd in business, maybe proud, like his uncle had been, but he loved Lizzie. Mr. Bennet chuckled again, gave Dee another piece of jerky, and kissed her head; he felt all would be well.
Following the announcement, everyone shared a glass of champagne after congratulating the happy couple. Mary was the only one of her sisters there, though Jane was at the top of the stairs listening and wanting to join them. She felt awful and wished she hadn't hurt her dearest sister.
After they had a hearty tea, they called it a day. Lizzie and Mary, who carried Dee, walked together and talked softly about Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, laughing happily. Dee had decided she didn't need to walk when so many wanted to pick her up, besides the view was better when you were higher. She had avoided her daddy because she had a lot of new friends and wanted to visit.
As for Mr. Darcy, he couldn't stop smiling, making George a little sad but happy for his childhood friend. In his heart, he knew William deserved Lizzie more than he did.
William left, wondering where Lizzie kept her daybook. Maybe she had written nice things about him and wanted to read them. He was floundering between wanting to read it and staying away from it. He had nearly decided he wanted to read it, but only the new pages, or maybe not. He was reasoning that he could learn what she disliked about him and try to change it.
A/N Angst is almost gone, but Mr. Darcy is back to wanting to read the daybook.
