AN: Here at last we come to the scene I have been longing to write.:

Elizabeth had been disappointed to learn that Mr. Wickham had been called away on business and was not at the Netherfield ball. His business, she was sure, was avoiding Mr. Darcy. If only Elizabeth had been equally successful in avoiding him instead of being so surprised by his asking to dance that she had agreed before she thought what she was doing. They had started the dance in silence but then, she had thought to punish him by obliging him to talk and had been talking whatever nonsense might force him into it when at last he asked her if she and her sisters did not very often walk to Meryton. She answered in the affirmative; and, unable to resist the temptation, added, "When you met us there the other day, we had just been forming a new acquaintance."

The effect was immediate. A deeper shade of hauteur overspread his features, but he said not a word, and Elizabeth, though blaming herself for her own weakness, could not go on. At length, Darcy spoke, and in a constrained manner said, "Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends - whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain."

With the music playing Elizabeth could not be sure but she thought she heard a griffin cry out. She replied, "He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship and in a manner which he is likely to suffer from all his life."

Mr. Darcy flinched. "I must ask that we save this topic for another occasion. It is upsetting for Georgiana."

Elizabeth had hardly a moment to wonder at this when they were interrupted by Sir William Lucas who came to compliment them on their dancing and make thinly veiled implications about Bingley and Jane. The allusion to his friend seemed to strike Mr. Darcy forcibly, and his eyes were directed with a very serious expression towards Bingley and Jane, who were dancing together. Recovering himself, however, shortly, he turned to his partner, and said, "Sir William's interruption has made me forget what we were talking of."

"I believe you had just requested a fresh topic but what it is to be I cannot imagine. We have tried two or three subjects already without success."

"What think you of books?" said he, smiling.

"Books - Oh! no. I am sure we never read the same, or not with the same feelings."

"I am sorry you think so; but if that be the case, there can at least be no want of subject. We may compare our different opinions."

"No - I cannot talk of books in a ballroom; my head is always full of something else."

"I see." Mr. Darcy answered vaguely his expression blank.

"Mr. Darcy?"

He seemed to recall himself, "Please forgive me we were talking of books?"

"Yes, you mentioned the Mysteries of Udulfo."

"And what did you think of it?"

"I have not read it. You were going to tell me why you prefer it to Hamlet."

"I have never…Ah, you mean to make me admit I was not paying attention. It is sometimes a disadvantage of being bonded. Georgiana distracted me.

"I hope nothing is amis?" Had she truly upset Georgiana just by mentioning Wickham's name? She did not want to upset Georgiana.

"I, believe she is well. I will check on her after the set."

"If you are concerned about her I beg you do not let me detain you. You must not stand on politeness now, I assure you, I have endured worse in a ballroom, than a partner leaving partway through the dance."

"I thank you but there is nothing so dire as to cause me to abandon you before we are finished."

Why was the vexing man being gallant now, when she had given him leave to end this disagreeable obligation for both of them? "Are you always so scrupulous in honoring your commitments?"

"I hope so."

"Then it would take something dire indeed for you to break an agreement?."

"I believe it would. May I ask to what these questions pertain?"

"Merely to the illustration of your character," said she, endeavoring to shake off her gravity. "I am trying to make it out."

"And what is your success?"

She shook her head. "I do not get on at all. I hear such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly."

"I can readily believe," answered he gravely, "that report may vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennet, that you were not to sketch my character at the present moment, as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either."

"But if I do not take your likeness now, I may never have another opportunity."

"I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours." She could say no more without fear of upsetting Georgiana and they went down the dance in silence. At the end of the dance, he made her a quick bow, thanked her for the honor, and hurried away. Was Georgiana truly so upset by what she had said that he must hurry to her or was something else wrong? She had almost determined to seek out Georgiana herself to apologize or offer her any assistance when she was accosted by Miss Bingley who attempted to warn her away from Mr. Wickham by giving her information that Elizabeth already knew and attempting to explain what she did not know herself.

"Insolent girl!" said Elizabeth to herself. "You are much mistaken if you expect to influence me by such a paltry attack as this. I see nothing in it but your own willful ignorance and the malice of Mr. Darcy."

But the interruption had given her time to consider. She should not seek Georgiana out just now. Mr. Darcy was already going to her and he had not been pleased the last time by her interference. She would leave Darcy to tend to his own bonded and call on her tomorrow. For now, she would do better to seek out Jane and…

The music had paused and she heard the distant sound of an agitated squawk from Georgiana followed by another by…

"Daskalos?"

Another squawk it was definitely Daskalos. What could have upset him enough to draw him so far from his Library? Lizzy moved quickly toward the cloakroom. But no, there had been days of rain she could not run off in a ball gown. She made her way to the Ladies' retiring room and was relieved to find the maid in attendance alone. The girl gave her a curtsey. She was a little smaller than Elizabeth but it ought to do.

"Rachel isn't it?"

"Yes, Miss."

"I need your help, Rachel. Would you change gowns with me?"

Rachel looked shocked and Elizabeth quickly said, "No that will not do will it? Do you have another gown I could borrow? Anything will do but the older the better."

"Miss?"

"It is nothing untoward. I only need to get outside and check on my Father's bonded. I will gladly pay you for any dirt or damage to your gown or you may have this one in exchange."

Rachel's eyes widened and a longing look passed across her face. She answered softly, "I could not wear white. Miss Bingley…"

"Another then, you may come to Longbourn at your earliest convenience and pick out whichever gown you would like."

Rachel looked confused but did not ask questions. "Please come with me, Miss." She quickly led Elizabeth via the servant's stairway to a room in the attic. Quickly helped her change and showed her a backway to the clock room and then let her out through a side door which she promised to leave unlocked for Miss Bennet's return.

"Thank you, Rachel. You will remember to come to Longbourn for the gown."

"May I come tomorrow after two?"

"Of course."

Now that she was outside Elizabeth could hear the squawks more clearly and she felt… she did not know what she felt, a sense of agitation and… something else… she feared something must be horribly wrong and took off at a run as fast as she could across the fields, the wind whipping against her, hoping the time she had taken to change her gown would not make her too late.

(0)

Gasping for breath Elizabeth cleared a copes of trees. At last, she saw… for a moment she thought it must be a trick of the moonlight… Daskalos was in flight, winging quickly higher and higher toward Georgiana, who was flying on a trajectory path. They would.. they crashed into each other, and seemed to be in freefall their claws racking into each other. "Daskalos!"

A pair of strong hands grabbed her by the shoulders, pushing her backward. "Miss Bennet." It was Mr. Darcy.

"We must stop them! They are fighting!"

"They are not fighting."

"But they will crash."

"No."

Just before hitting the ground, the Griffins separated. And flew off in opposite directions.

Mr. Darcy continued, "They have done this several times, they go higher each time, soon they will have enough height to… that is… Miss Bennet, what you doing out here?"

"I thought something was wrong." Her cheeks burned as she came to the realization the griffins were not fighting. "I…" The moonlight caught Mr. Darcy's face. She had forgotten how handsome she had first found him before he had revealed his arrogance and… his expression was one she had never seen on his face before, almost a wild hunger, and yet a gentle…

"Miss Bennet."

He pressed his lips to hers and she returned his kiss. It was like nothing she had imagined a kiss would be. An energy and warmth moved through her entire body. He slid his hands from her shoulders to behind her back, pulling her closer. His kiss became more passionate. She pressed against him. He moaned softly. "Elizabeth.."

He pulled away so quickly that she almost fell. "Miss Bennet. Please forgive me, the bond between myself and Georgiana at such a moment… I was almost overcome."

"I am sorry. I should not have come."

"No. You should not have." His expression turned Sharpe. "You know a great deal about Griffins. Did you know how it would be? That I would be here?"

"Of course not. How could I? I thought something was wrong or I never would have intruded."

"Then please return to the house and we will speak tomorrow."

"Of course." She turned to go.

"Wait. The state you are in. What is to be done?"

"I got out without anyone knowing. I will get back in the same way and put myself together."

The Griffins had turned and were flying up and toward each other again.

"No one knows you are here?"

"No. No one."

He stepped forward, reached toward her, then stopped and quickly turned away. "For the love of God go quickly."

Elizabeth was only too happy to oblige. She ran off and only slowed down when she felt herself at a safe distance. She then changed to a fast walk trying to calm and gather her scattered thoughts. She had no idea that the Griffin bond could affect a gentleman in such a way. That Mr. Darcy could act so entirely unlike himself, so much against his inclinations, was incredible. And yet, not so incredible as her own actions. The surprise of his kissing her was not nearly so surprising as her returning his kiss. The empathy of a bond might explain Mr. Darcys' actions but what of her own? Never had she been at such a loss to understand herself.

(0)

It was over. The griffins were snuggled together on the ground[1] and Darcy leaned against a tree catching his breath. What was he even doing out here? Georgiana did not need him. And yet he had come to the spot as if drawn, no doubt due to his bond. No one had warned him what it would be like, that he would feel so animalistic, so unlike himself.

He ought to have taken Bingley up on his offer and gone to bed. But that would not have done. He had been extremely agitated earlier in the evening and could not keep still. Dancing had seemed his best option. Miss Elizabeth Bennet had looked particularly appealing and he had reasoned that one dance would not hurt. Especially as he would be leaving soon. At least now that things were settled his attraction to her would finally fade. What had the vexing woman been doing here appearing like some kind of nymph to tempt him? Could she possibly be sincere in thinking something was wrong? With Miss Bennet anything was possible but he must be on his guard. Knowing griffins as she did she might have known he would be vulnerable and yet, she had not thought to bring a witness. Perhaps she had been sincere and would get back inside without anyone being the wiser. Though how she could manage such a thing he could not imagine. What had she been wearing? She looked like a servant who had outgrown her clothes.

Nevermind. The cold was seeping into his bones and it was time he got back. If he returned to accusations he would pay what he needed to pay. If not it would make his indiscretion all the more regrettable and the payment he offered would be made with a sincere attempt at recompense and genuine good will.

It could have been worse, he told himself with a soft chuckle. It could just as easily have been Bingley.[2]

AN: Thank you again to all those who have read, favorited, and given me such encouraging reviews. And Thank you, thank you, thank you to those who continue to stick with this story despite the delays. I love this story and wish I could give it more of my time. There are other scenes in my head I am longing to put onto paper.

I know many of you guessed Georgiana would mate with Daskalos but I hope you enjoyed having your guess confirmed. More when I can.

1 In the morning they would separate and go back to their normal routine. Griffins can form deep bonds of affection but it is an entirely different thing for them than pro-creation. This may be due to the low birth rate among Griffins. The species would not survive if they only mated when in love.

2 Darcy means that if Georgiana had mated with Eleos Bingley would have been present instead of Elizabeth. Technically this could not have happened. Griffin mating territory is much larger than Griffin hunting territory. Griffins measure strength differently than humans. They revere age and consider a Griffin who has lived to form a second bonding to be especially strong. This would make Daskalos the stronger male and Eleos would not be able to mate in his territory without his permission. Since Eleos was not invited inside at Longbourn there was never the opportunity for him to ask permission. This etiquette is so deeply ingrained in Griffins that without permission from Daskalos Eleos felt no attraction to Georgiana even though he was with her in closer proximity when she went into heat.