*NOTE*

I am sorry. I was uploading on the app and I uploaded the wrong chapter 25. I went to replace and delete it, but I guess it didn't delete it properly.

For clarification - Stephanie DOES NOT leave the house and go to Jane.

That was a plot line I was exploring in the past and opted against. I did not mean to upload it. I am sorry.

Thank you

Darcy sat in his study, staring into the fire as if its flickering light could burn away the heavy shame in his chest. The brandy in his hand had grown warm, untouched, as the events of the evening replayed mercilessly in his mind. He had failed—utterly—and the look in Stephanie's eyes during the carriage ride home haunted him. Disappointment. Hurt. Betrayal.

The door creaked open behind him, and he turned slightly, already knowing who it was. Richard stepped inside, his brow furrowed in confusion, though his expression was softened with concern. He didn't wait for an invitation, closing the door behind him and crossing the study.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," Richard began lightly, though his tone held a pointed edge. "But I thought we should talk."

Darcy sighed, setting his own untouched glass on the table. "I suspected you'd come."

Richard didn't sit immediately, instead leaning against the desk and studying Darcy. "I spoke to Stephanie," he said carefully. "She's… not well."

Darcy flinched. "I know."

Richard looked at Darcy, his gaze sharpening. "What I don't know, Darcy, is why. Why did you let Caroline say those things? About Stephanie, about Jane Bennet, about Elizabeth?" He paused, his voice softening. "I know you dislike Caroline's behavior as much as I do. So why didn't you stop her?"

Darcy's shoulders tensed, his jaw tightening as he looked away. "I had my reasons."

Richard let out a quiet laugh, though it lacked any humor. "I'm sure you did. But I can't for the life of me figure out what they were. You're loyal to Stephanie,—and you admire Elizabeth Bennet. Yet you let them suffer Caroline's insults without a word."

Darcy exhaled slowly, his hands gripping the arms of his chair. "It wasn't that simple."

"Then explain it to me," Richard pressed, his tone gentler now. "Help me understand, Darcy, because right now, I can't."

Darcy sat in silence for a moment, gathering his thoughts. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and deliberate. "First, I was thinking of Bingley."

"Caroline is his sister," Darcy explained, his gaze fixed on the fire. "And Bingley values her more than you or I would ever understand. Had I stepped in, had I openly confronted her, it would have created tension between Bingley and myself. He would feel compelled to defend her, even if he didn't agree with her actions."

Richard frowned but didn't interrupt.

"Second," Darcy continued, his voice growing tighter, "Caroline thrives on feeling threatened. If I had challenged her, it would not have silenced her—it would have emboldened her. She would have seen my defense of Stephanie as a weakness to exploit, and her attacks would have grown even sharper."

Richard raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "You think ignoring her was better?"

"I thought it might diffuse the situation," Darcy admitted. "I thought if I remained silent, she would lose interest, and the evening would pass without further incident."

Richard's frown deepened, but he waited for Darcy to continue.

"And," Darcy said quietly, "I loathe causing a scene. You know this. I pride myself on composure, on self-control. I thought that by staying calm, I was maintaining dignity for everyone involved."

"Anything else?" Richard asked, his tone neutral but his gaze piercing.

Darcy's voice dropped to a near whisper. "I underestimated how much it would matter. I didn't fully grasp how deeply Stephanie admires Jane Bennet—or how much my silence would hurt her."

Richard sighed, shaking his head. "So, let me summarize. You stayed silent to protect Bingley, to avoid escalating Caroline's behavior, and to keep the peace. But in doing so, you allowed Stephanie to feel abandoned, let Jane Bennet be insulted, and—God help me—let Caroline disparage Elizabeth Bennet in your presence." He paused, his tone softening. "Do you understand how that looks, Darcy?"

Darcy's hands tightened on the arms of the chair. "Yes," he said quietly. "I understand. And I hate myself for it."

Richard's gaze softened, though his confusion lingered. "I can see how you justified it in the moment. But Darcy, surely you must see now that those justifications don't hold up. Stephanie feels betrayed. She relied on you, trusted you—and you let her down."

"I know," Darcy said, his voice breaking slightly. "I thought I was doing what was best, but… I see now that I was wrong."

Richard straightened, his expression thoughtful. "Then fix it. Apologize to her, Darcy. Show her that tonight was a mistake and that it won't happen again."

Darcy nodded slowly, though the weight of his guilt didn't lift. "I will. Tomorrow. I'll make it clear to her that I understand the harm I've caused."

"And Caroline?" Richard asked pointedly.

Darcy's jaw tightened. "Caroline will not have the opportunity to speak that way again. I'll ensure it."

Richard nodded, satisfied for now. "Good. Because Stephanie deserves better. And so do you."

As the door closed behind him, Darcy leaned back in his chair, staring into the fire. His reasons had seemed sound in the moment, but now they felt hollow. Stephanie and Elizabeth—they deserved better. And he would find a way to ensure that next time, he would be the man they needed him to be.

The next morning, Darcy sat at his desk in the study, his hands folded tightly on the polished surface as he waited. He had sent for Stephanie nearly an hour ago after she failed to come down for breakfast. The weight of the previous evening's events still pressed heavily on his chest. He had spent most of the night agonizing over his actions—or lack thereof—and now he needed to face her.

The soft sound of the door opening broke his thoughts. Stephanie entered, her posture stiff, her expression carefully composed. She closed the door behind her but didn't step further into the room. She looked at him, her eyes cold and distant in a way he had never seen before.

"You sent for me?" she said flatly.

Darcy rose, his hands gripping the edge of the desk. "Stephanie, thank you for coming. I… I wanted to speak with you about last night."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "I assumed you would."

He gestured toward the chair in front of his desk. "Please, sit."

She hesitated before taking the seat, her back straight, her gaze unwavering. "I didn't come down for breakfast because I didn't think I could face you. Not after what happened."

Darcy flinched, her words like a dagger to his chest. "Stephanie—"

She held up a hand, cutting him off. "No, let me say this. I've spent the entire night trying to understand why you acted the way you did. Or, more accurately, why you didn't act at all. Because the Darcy I know—the man I admire like a big brother—would never have sat there and let Caroline speak that way. Not about me, not about Jane Bennet, and certainly not about Elizabeth."

Her voice cracked slightly, but she pressed on. "You've always been my protector, my anchor in this strange world. I thought you'd always stand up for me. But last night, you didn't. You let Caroline humiliate me, insult Jane, and mock Elizabeth—and you did nothing. Do you have any idea how that felt? To sit there, thinking you'd step in at any moment, only to realize you wouldn't?"

Darcy's hands clenched into fists on the desk, but he didn't interrupt.

"In 2024," she continued, her tone gaining strength, "loyalty isn't something you hide. It's loud. It's visible. The people who love you stand up for you. They don't sit by and let someone tear you apart. And you—you're the last person I ever thought would stay silent in the face of that kind of cruelty."

Her voice softened, a note of pain slipping through. "And it wasn't just your silence, Darcy. It was the fact that you've participated in this before. Is that who you are? Because if it is, then I don't know you at all."

Darcy's throat tightened, his gaze fixed on the desk. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and raw. "You're right. I failed you, Stephanie. I failed Jane. And Elizabeth. And for that, I am deeply, truly sorry."

She blinked, surprised by his immediate admission, but remained silent as he continued.

"There are reasons—none of which excuse my actions, but they are reasons nonetheless," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "My pride… it blinds me, Stephanie. It's a flaw I've always struggled with. I thought that stepping into such a petty argument was beneath me, that maintaining my composure was the better course. But in doing so, I became cold, detached, unfeeling. And I hurt you."

He drew in a shaky breath, his eyes meeting hers. "I also misjudged. I thought I was sparing us all a scene, but I see now that I was only sparing myself."

Stephanie's gaze softened slightly, but she didn't speak.

"And then," he said, his voice quieter now, "there's Elizabeth. Her name alone… it unsettles me. Caroline's words about her struck a nerve I wasn't prepared to face. I admire Elizabeth, more than I can admit, even to myself. And last night, I felt paralyzed. Defending her would have revealed too much, both to Caroline and to myself. I allowed my fear—my guilt—to control me."

He leaned forward, his voice raw. "And yes, there is my class bias. It's ugly, and I hate it, but it's there. Deep down, I thought Jane and Elizabeth were safer targets. That Caroline's words about them, while cruel, were less damaging because of their standing. I was wrong, Stephanie. So wrong."

Tears pricked Stephanie's eyes, though she blinked them back. "You're saying all the right things, Darcy. But what I needed last night wasn't an explanation. I needed you to act. To stand up for me, for Jane, for Elizabeth."

His eyes met hers, filled with earnestness. "I swear to you, Stephanie, I will never make that mistake again. You mean too much to me."

For a moment, the room was silent. Then Stephanie rose, stepping around the desk to stand in front of him. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she reached out, pulling him into a tight hug.

Darcy stiffened in surprise before relaxing, his arms coming up to gently return the embrace. She leaned back just enough to look up at him, her hands still resting on his arms.

"Don't ever do that again," she said softly, her voice trembling with a mix of emotion and resolve.

"I won't," he promised, his voice barely above a whisper.

Stephanie smiled faintly and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Thank you. For apologizing. For being honest."

Darcy swallowed hard, nodding. "Thank you… for giving me the chance to."

She nodded, and then she was gone, leaving Darcy alone in the quiet study. But this time, the weight on his chest was lighter, the air less oppressive. He had hurt her, yes, but he would earn back her trust. That, he vowed, was a mistake he would never repeat.

Later that day, their carriage came to a slow stop in front of Bingley's townhouse, its polished exterior gleaming in the morning sun. Stephanie sat across from Darcy, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her expression a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. She hadn't asked many questions when Darcy had informed her they would be calling on Caroline and Louisa Bingley, but her silence spoke volumes.

As the footman opened the door, Darcy stepped out first, offering his hand to assist Stephanie. She hesitated for a moment before accepting, her eyes searching his face for any hint of his intentions. His expression was calm, composed, though she noticed a certain resolve in his gaze.

"Darcy," she said quietly as they approached the front door, "what exactly are we doing here?"

"You'll see," he replied, his tone even but with a hint of something steely beneath it.

The butler opened the door as they reached it, bowing low. "Mr. Darcy. Miss Williams. The ladies are in the drawing room."

"Thank you," Darcy said curtly, gesturing for Stephanie to follow him.

The drawing room was as ostentatious as Stephanie had imagined, all gilded frames and plush fabrics. Caroline and Louisa were seated near the window, their expressions brightening when they saw Darcy. But when their eyes shifted to Stephanie, their smiles became noticeably tighter.

"Mr. Darcy," Caroline said, rising gracefully to her feet. "What a surprise. We hadn't expected you this morning."

"Miss Bingley. Mrs. Hurst." Darcy's tone was polite but clipped as he offered a small bow. "I trust you are both well."

"Quite well, thank you," Caroline said, her gaze flicking to Stephanie. "And Miss Williams. How delightful to see you again. I hope you've recovered from our dinner the other evening."

Stephanie forced a polite smile, though her spine stiffened at the thinly veiled remark. "I'm quite well, thank you."

Darcy's jaw tightened slightly, but he remained composed as he took a seat, gesturing for Stephanie to do the same. Once they were settled, he leaned forward slightly, his piercing gaze fixed on Caroline.

"I am here this morning," Darcy began, his voice measured, "to address an issue that arose during our last meeting."

Caroline's smile faltered, a flicker of unease crossing her face. "Oh? Whatever could you mean, Mr. Darcy?"

Darcy's gaze didn't waver. "I am referring to your conduct at dinner, Miss Bingley. Specifically, your remarks toward Miss Williams, Miss Bennet, and her family."

Caroline stiffened, her fingers clutching the armrest of her chair. Louisa glanced between them, her expression turning wary.

"Mr. Darcy," Caroline began, her tone airy, "I assure you, anything I said was meant in good humor. Surely there is no need to—"

"There is every need," Darcy interrupted, his tone firm but calm. "Your comments were neither humorous nor appropriate. They were cruel, unkind, and unbecoming of a lady."

Caroline's eyes widened, and she glanced at Louisa, who quickly looked away. "I… I did not realize you felt so strongly," Caroline said, her voice faltering slightly.

"You did not realize because I did not speak up at the time," Darcy said, his tone softening slightly but still resolute. "That was my failing, and I have since apologized to Miss Williams for it. But I will not allow such behavior to continue unaddressed."

Stephanie, seated beside him, watched in stunned silence as Darcy spoke. She had never seen him take such a direct stance, especially with Caroline, and the quiet strength in his voice left her both impressed and deeply moved.

"I expect better," Darcy continued, his gaze still locked on Caroline. "Not only as a matter of propriety but as a matter of decency. If you wish to maintain any standing in my regard, Miss Bingley, you will treat those I care about with respect."

Caroline's cheeks flushed, and for a moment, she seemed at a loss for words. Finally, she managed a tight smile. "Of course, Mr. Darcy. I… I apologize if I gave offense."

Darcy inclined his head slightly. "It is not me to whom you owe an apology."

Caroline's gaze flicked to Stephanie, and though her expression was strained, she forced another smile. "Miss Williams, I apologize if my words were in any way hurtful. It was never my intention."

Stephanie hesitated, glancing at Darcy before nodding politely. "Thank you, Miss Bingley. I appreciate your apology."

Darcy stood, his movements deliberate. "Thank you for receiving us this morning. I trust we have an understanding."

Caroline and Louisa both rose, their expressions tense. "Of course, Mr. Darcy," Caroline said, her tone tight but deferential. "It was a pleasure to see you."

Darcy offered a small bow and turned to Stephanie, extending his arm. "Shall we?"

She took his arm, and they left the drawing room in silence, the tension lingering in the air behind them. Once they were back in the carriage, Stephanie exhaled slowly, turning to him with a mix of admiration and disbelief.

As the carriage rolled away from Bingley's townhouse, Stephanie sat quietly, glancing at Darcy every so often. His face was as composed as ever, but she could still sense the resolve in his posture. The way he had handled Caroline and Louisa was unlike anything she'd seen before—controlled, calm, and yet utterly commanding. She couldn't hold it in any longer.

"That was… bad ass," she murmured, breaking the silence.

Darcy turned to her, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Bad ass?"

She grinned, leaning forward slightly. "It means what you did was impressive. Intimidating, but in a good way. Very… mobster."

"Mobster?" he echoed, tilting his head slightly. "What on earth is a mobster?"

Stephanie laughed softly. "Right, sorry. Modern term. A mobster is, uh, kind of like a leader of organized crime. Someone who commands respect and maybe a little fear, but they're powerful. They don't need to yell or threaten outright to get people to fall in line. They just… exude authority."

Darcy raised an eyebrow, his expression both skeptical and curious. "And you think this comparison is a compliment?"

"Well…" Stephanie bit her lip, stifling a laugh. "In my time, it kind of is. They're complicated fellows. On one hand, they're… well, criminals. But they're also often family men, loyal to the people they care about. They take care of their own, you know?"

Darcy's lips twitched, though his tone was dry. "I'm not entirely sure I appreciate being likened to a criminal."

Stephanie laughed, leaning back in her seat. "Okay, when you put it like that, it sounds terrible. But trust me, it's a compliment. You were terrifyingly polite in there. I didn't know you could be so… commanding."

He glanced at her, his gaze softening. "I acted as I should have acted long before now. It was overdue."

Her smile turned warm, her voice quieter now. "Maybe. But it still meant a lot. And for the record, mobster or not, you're the most honorable person I know."

Darcy shook his head slightly, a faint smile finally breaking through. "You are a peculiar woman, Stephanie."

She grinned. "And you're a very refined mob boss, Mr. Darcy. But I wouldn't want it any other way."

The tension that had lingered between them since the dinner began to ease as a renewed understanding settled between them.

To Stephanie's surprise, their carriage did not take them back to Darcy House, and instead continued to a familiar part of the city.

The door to the Gardiners' townhouse opened, and a servant ushered Darcy and Stephanie inside. Moments later, Jane Bennet appeared at the threshold of the drawing room, her expression bright with surprise.

"Mr. Darcy, Miss Williams," Jane greeted, her voice warm and welcoming. "What a pleasure to see you both."

Darcy inclined his head respectfully. "Miss Bennet. I trust you are well?"

"I am, thank you," Jane replied, glancing curiously between them. "To what do I owe this visit?"

Stephanie was practically vibrating with excitement, but she held herself together, her lips twitching as she waited for Darcy to speak.

"I wished to extend an invitation," Darcy began, his tone calm and deliberate. "If it would please you, Miss Bennet, we would be honored to have you join us for tea at Darcy House tomorrow afternoon."

Jane blinked, clearly taken aback by the unexpected offer. "Tea… at Darcy House?" she repeated, her voice tinged with surprise.

"Yes," Darcy confirmed, his gaze steady but softened. "I understand this is short notice, but I hope you will accept."

Jane's surprise quickly gave way to a smile, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "I would be delighted, Mr. Darcy. Thank you for the invitation."

Stephanie couldn't contain herself any longer. "I can't wait. We'll have the best time."

Jane's smile grew warmer as she looked at Stephanie. "I am looking forward to it as well, Miss Williams. Thank you."

Darcy nodded slightly. "Then we shall see you tomorrow afternoon. Thank you for receiving us, Miss Bennet."

Jane curtsied politely. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy. And you as well, Miss Williams. Until tomorrow."

As they stepped out of the house and returned to the waiting carriage, Stephanie practically skipped to her seat, her excitement infectious. Once inside, she turned to Darcy, beaming.

"You just organized my first official 1812 play date!" she teased, her eyes sparkling.

Darcy raised a brow, though the faintest smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "I am not sure that is the term I would use."

Stephanie laughed, nudging his arm lightly. "Well, that's what it feels like. And I love it. Seriously, thank you, Darcy. You have no idea how much this means."

Darcy regarded her for a moment, his expression softening. "It was the least I could do, Stephanie. Your happiness is… important to me."

She grinned, leaning back against the seat. "Well, mission accomplished. I'm over the moon."

Darcy allowed himself a small, satisfied smile, the tension of the previous day finally beginning to ease. "I trust you will make it a memorable afternoon."

"Oh, don't worry," Stephanie said with a mischievous glint in her eye. "I intend to."

Later that day, Stephanie was curled up on the settee, her head resting on her hand as she absently traced a pattern on the fabric. The others were equally at ease—Georgiana with her embroidery, Darcy quietly sipping his tea as he scanned a letter while Richard sat with a book, occasionally flipping pages but mostly watching Stephanie with quiet amusement.

She broke the silence with a thoughtful question. "What are the plans for Christmas?"

Darcy glanced up, setting his tea aside. "We will leave for Pemberley in a few days. It is tradition to celebrate the holiday there."

Richard leaned back in his chair. "You'll enjoy it. Snow, roaring fires, the best food you've ever had—it's idyllic."

Georgiana nodded, a small smile on her face. "It truly is magical. Pemberley feels… alive at Christmas."

Stephanie smiled softly at their descriptions, but her expression quickly turned thoughtful. "Before we leave, could we visit an orphanage here in London?"

The question hung in the air, and all three of them exchanged glances. Georgiana tilted her head, intrigued, while Richard raised a curious eyebrow. Darcy's brow furrowed slightly, his expression unreadable.

"An orphanage?" Darcy asked, his tone measured.

"Yes," Stephanie said, sitting up straighter. "There are so many children in this city who don't have families. They're cold, hungry, and probably feeling forgotten. I'd like to do something for them. Help, in some small way."

Georgiana paused in her embroidery, her voice soft. "That is a kind idea. But… what inspired it?"

Stephanie leaned back, folding her hands in her lap. "There's a story in my time—a famous one—called A Christmas Carol. It was written by a man named Charles Dickens, and it's about this rich, miserly old man named Ebenezer Scrooge. He's greedy, selfish, and completely indifferent to the suffering around him."

She paused, her eyes thoughtful, before continuing. "On Christmas Eve, he's visited by three ghosts: the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. They show him his life—how he became the way he is, the people he's hurting in the present, and the terrible legacy he'll leave if he doesn't change. One of the people he sees is Tiny Tim, a little boy who's very sick but so full of hope and love. Tim's family is poor and struggling, but they cherish each other."

Stephanie smiled faintly, though her voice grew softer. "Scrooge sees how his greed has contributed to their suffering. And then he's shown what will happen if he doesn't act—Tiny Tim will die. It's that moment, seeing this innocent boy's future, that finally breaks through Scrooge's cold heart. He changes. He helps Tim's family, becomes kinder, and learns what Christmas is truly about: giving, caring, and love."

The room was silent as her words settled over them. Even Richard seemed unusually thoughtful, his usual smirk absent. Georgiana's hands had stilled over her embroidery, her expression soft and reflective.

"It's a beautiful story," Stephanie continued, her voice earnest. "And it's based on the real struggles of people in my time—and your time too. There are so many Tiny Tims out there, kids who don't have enough to eat, who don't feel the joy of Christmas. I just… I can't stop thinking about them."

Darcy studied her for a long moment, his face inscrutable. Then he nodded slowly. "If this is important to you, Stephanie, I will arrange it."

Her eyes widened, a smile breaking across her face. "You will?"

"Yes," he said firmly. "I will make inquiries tomorrow. We can bring food, clothing, perhaps even small gifts."

Georgiana's voice was soft but eager. "Oh, we could bring ribbons for the girls, or mittens for the boys. Something they would treasure."

Stephanie beamed. "That would be wonderful. Thank you, Darcy. Thank you, all of you."

Richard leaned back, his voice quieter than usual. "That's a powerful story, Stephanie. And I must say, your determination to act on it… it's admirable."

She laughed lightly, trying to brush off the emotion in the room.

Darcy's lips twitched faintly, his version of a smile. "Then we shall. Consider it arranged."

Reviews:

Jansfamily4 "Stephanie is woman from 2024. She isn't going to change into a prim and proper lady from 1800s. As much as they are trying.
But, she fell in love with Richard, and I don't blame her! Her natural reaction would be to share the physical attraction." – thank you! You are my people! Love your comments I really appreciate them!

Kate - "Funny and amusing as always, that's Stephanie alright. Enjoying reading about her many good qualities. Richard is taking notice too." - Thank you

"Very wrong of S that she couldn't wait to talk secrets until the guest left and very sure Darcy wouldn't have acted in that manner as well. The portrayal is very unlike him" - That's the point. It's not like him and he's not acting like himself and he acted improperly. That's what every character said to him in slightly different ways.

"So what is happening in the Darcy Lizzy line? Darcy is not depressed or hasn't gone to Kent yet?" - Darcy is in his denial lets try and forget Elizabeth stage. Its December. Darcy and Elizabeth story will really pick up maybe in few chapters from now after the climax you'll know because they head to Kent and then pretty dominant in second half of this story.