Darcy's Rosings Redemption

Chapter One

Fitzwilliam Darcy stalked through the grounds of Rosings Park as he attempted to bring his temper under good regulation. This year, his Aunt Catherine was even more insistent for him to do his duty and offer for her daughter Anne than she had been on his previous visits.

Darcy fumed as he quickened his pace, How many times must I inform her this will never happen. Anne is just as opposed to the union as himself, however she would never be so direct with her mother as to her wishes as Darcy had been this morning.

Darcy breathed a sigh of relief as he left the formal gardens behind for the natural beauty of Kent. He found himself moving toward a little known meadow in the heart of the forest. No one would disturb him there.

Darcy was shocked to discover upon his arrival at the meadow, the presence of Elizabeth Bennet. She was leaned against a tree with a book on her chest, however as he drew closer he noticed her eyes were closed and her breathing a steady rhythm.

As he gazed upon her sleeping form, his eyes softened and his countenance relaxed. His choices as a gentleman were few, he could leave her in peace and vacate the meadow. He shook his head in negation, now that he was here, he could not compel himself to leave. He wished he could just join her in this meadow, relax against another tree and enjoy the rarity of such a moment. As the gentleman he prided himself on being, he would be obligated to wake the beautiful young woman and announce his presence.

"Miss Bennet," he whispered gently; however she did not rouse from her slumber. "Miss Bennet," he vocalized softly, she moved slightly, fluttered her eyes and she made cute little noises in her throat but relaxed back into her prior attitude, "Miss Bennet, you must wake up." The timber of his voice raised to ease her from sleep.

Elizabeth Bennet stirred, opened her eyes and glanced upward to view Mr Darcy bending down to rouse her. She stretched her arms and rolled her neck as she came fully awake. She stiffened as she comprehended someone shared the meadow with her. "Mr Darcy."

"I apologize for disturbing your peace, however I could not in good conscience leave you asleep in my presence when I discovered you napping in my favorite meadow." His voice was gentle and full of humor.

"Mr Darcy, as a gentleman," Elizabeth chided mildly, "you should have retreated once you possessed the knowledge the meadow was occupied."

Darcy bowed slightly, "Miss Bennet, I had considered the course of action you suggest; however this was discounted as I have a great need of the serenity which can only be achieved here in this meadow."

Elizabeth lifted her eyebrow critically, as she closed her book forcibly and rose gracefully to her feet, "As one of us will need to be the gentleman," she retrieved and donned her bonnet in a practiced movement, "I will be required to fulfill that role." She lifted her chin defiantly, with a purse of her lips and moved toward the edge of the clearing until his words stopped her.

"You do not look like a gentleman." He chuckled softly. "Please stay, you will be perfectly safe here."

She eyed him warily, "Mr Darcy, there is nothing in this world that would tempt me to flagrantly disregard propriety with you as my prize."

"Miss Bennet, you wound my pride."

She did not think she had ever seen the man smile before and his whole face was brightened by the exercise, including his eyes which made the maddening man even more devastatingly handsome. She bowed mockingly, "When one has pride so enormous, it can be naught but a flesh wound, my leige."

He could not help but stare at the beautiful way her lips lifted in humor as she mocked his person. "While in Kent, this secret place has always been my source of tranquility." He laughed softly, "I should have known, if anyone were ever to discover my sanctuary, it would be you, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Are there any mysteries left at Rosings that you have not found?" He bowed deeply, "It would be my dearest wish, you would be willing to share the meadow with me during this time of need."

"What if we were to be discovered?" Elizabeth voiced her concern.

Darcy's smile was brilliant, "In all my years of visiting my aunt at Rosings, I have never encountered another being in my secret meadow, until today." He waved his hands to indicate the privacy of the location. "I am at a loss to imagine any other person intruding on our sanctuary."

The nod of Elizabeth's head was almost imperceptible as she made a step toward her tree. "You are correct, I also have never seen another person in this vicinity." She returned to her seated position with her back against the tree.

"It appears we have arrived at an accord." Darcy nodded in delight as he settled himself against an adjacent tree. "May I inquire as to the title instrumental in enabling you to achieve sleep in such a position." He raised his eyebrows and shifted his head to indicate the volume in her hand.

Elizabeth laughed ruefully, "'Fordyce's Sermons', Mr Collins is not a great reader thus the selection of reading material at the parsonage is modest."

Darcy nodded his understanding, "Were you so inclined, I could offer you a better selection of material from my private collection."

"Your private collection," Elizabeth responded, "Am I given to the correct interpretation of facts that you travel with your own library."

"Nothing quite so elaborate." He noted modestly, "Rosing's library has not been updated in many years, therefore when I come for my yearly visit, I am attentive to the need to bring a broad selection of reading materials."

Elizabeth's eyes brightened with her amusement, "You have the advantage of prior knowledge to which I was not acquainted."

"I would be inclined to agree with your supposition." Darcy chuckled.

Elizabeth was intrigued by the change in the behavior of Mr Darcy, "Might I inquire as to the source of vexation which led you to seek sanctuary?"

Darcy sighed and closed his eyes, "My Aunt Catherine has claimed for years, it was the fondest wish of my mother and herself; I would marry my cousin Anne and unite the estates of Rosings and Pemberley." He took a deep breath, "Anne has no wish to marry me and my inclination does not lead me to Anne."

Elizabeth was surprised to feel compassion for this man she had vowed to dislike for all of her days, however she felt there was a parallel between their lives she had not understood in the past.

"My mother made no mention of this wish to me while she was alive. It was only after her death that Aunt Catherine mention this cradle wish of the two sisters. My father advised me to disregard all mention of this agreement, which I have done." Darcy clenched his hands into fists as he fought to keep the emotions under control. "Lady Catherine informed me this morning, as I had not done my duty by Anne, she would instruct Mr Collins to read the banns for the first time during the Sunday Service."

Darcy glanced to see Elizabeth's eyes grow wide with shock. "I explained to her if she were to follow up with her threat, I would declare an impediment to the marriage and refute the legality of the banns." His eyes softened as he held her gaze and vowed, "I will marry no lady but she who has captured my heart."

"Mr Darcy," Elizabeth's eyes glimmered with unshed tears, "I had no idea an unmarried man could be importuned in this way, I thought this only the plight of unmarried ladies in our society." She let the tears flow down her cheeks as she made the decision to unburden herself, "The day after the Netherfield Ball, Mr Collins proposed to me and would not accept my refusal. My mother ordered me to accept and attempted to force my hand by bringing the matter to my father." She wiped angrily at her tears, "I am a favorite of my father so he would not compel me to wed Mr Collins."

Darcy's jaw clenched at her revelation and a feeling of revulsion swept through him at the thought of having arrived at Rosings Park and found Elizabeth as Mrs Collins, bound for life to that idiot parson of his aunt's. He stood and moved the small distance to Elizabeth and handed her his handkerchief, "It seems we have both had narrow escapes, Miss Bennet."

"Do you think Lady Catherine will still have the banns read?" Elizabeth queried as she stood and arranged her bonnet.

"I do not believe she will act in such a manner." He stated unequivocally, "Were she to do so, she will have caused herself mortification in her own parish and that would be unsupportable."

"I hope you are correct."

Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm and she accepted as they walked companionably to the parsonage together, when they arrived, Darcy asked, "May I call on you tomorrow morning?" As Elizabeth glanced up at him, he offered, "It is my intention to bring a selection of books from which you can choose to read."

"It would be my pleasure to discover what the formidable Mr Darcy enjoys reading." Elizabeth quipped.

"My dear, Miss Bennet, all you had to do was ask." Darcy bowed as he took his leave.

Elizabeth watched with a smile as he strolled away from the parsonage. Eventually, she turned to enter with a sigh.