My property is the storyline, all new characters, new character development, and new developments. Glorioux
Updated cast- Will be updated if/when information changes-
Fanny Bennet — (Nee Gardiner) Mr. Bennet's wife-Lizzie's adoptive mother - NC
Elizabeth or El'bhj Bennet — Lizzie- mother: Eugenia Bennet, Thomas' sister
Eugenia Bennet — Lizzie's Mother-Thomas Bennet's sister NC
Jane Bennet — Lizzie's sister_ Birth father unknown - NC
Kitty Bennet — Lizzie's sister
Lydia Bennet — Lizzie's sister-father unknown - NC
Mary Bennet —Lizzie's sister
Caroline Bingley — Charles Bingley's Sister -Loves Mr. Darcy
Charles Bingley — Mr. Darcy's best friend
Beatrice Darcy — (Darcy's dead twin) - NC
Fitzwilliam Darcy — William. Father: George Darcy Mother: Lady Anne
George Darcy — Mr. Darcy's Father
Georgiana Darcy — Fitzwilliam Darcy's sister
Lady Anne Darcy — Née Fitzwilliam- Darcy's mother—Darcy
Lady Catherine De Bourgh — Relation: née Fitzwilliam (in this story Thomas Bennet's first Love. Darcy's Aunt)
Anne De Bourgh — Lady Catherine's daughter -In this story Thomas Bennet's Love child
Wind Dog — NC
Merlin Dog — NC
Bartlett Fitzwilliam — Darcy's cousin
Earl of M Fitzwilliam — Darcy's uncle Fitzwilliam
Richard Fitzwilliam — Darcy's cousin, Col Richard
Mrs. Reynolds Housekeeper — Pemberley's housekeeper
Hurst Hurst — Mr. Hurst cousins - NC
Louisa Hurst — Charles Bingley's Sister, Mr. Hurst's Wife
Reggie Hurst — Charles Bingley brother in law, Mr. Hurst
Echtwulf Non Human — Non Human- From the Mythical Underworld- NC
Gavin Non Human — - NC
L'Roy Non Human — Takes an owl form- Non Human- Eula Darcy's lover) Not- Human - NC
Lady Grey Non Human — (Lady Grey) Not- Human. Likes George Wickham- NC
Lady Smoke Non Human — Zeli - NC
Lady Stone Non Human — NC
Leon Non Human Not-Human - NC
Fergus Reynolds — Mrs. Reynolds relative— NC - Works for Darcy
Miss Francine Reynolds — Mrs. Reynolds' Daughter- - NC
George Wickham — Darcy's half brother - NC
The Longest Day- Part 1
Unwelcome Guests
Charles Bingley was back from fishing and sat with Miss Bingley, and the Darcy and their family and guests in the drawing room. They all sat in small groups, mostly because William didn't want to be too close to the Bingley. Nevertheless, the Bingley sat as close to them as they could. This evening, William Darcy wore elegant country gentry clothes. He wanted to be comfortable, knowing Lizzie would welcome easier-to-wear clothes. Caroline was overdressed, wearing clothes suited for London, hoping to show she was the only one suited to be Mrs. Darcy.
Lizzie sat by the fire with William next to her; if he moved too far, she felt sick. He loved holding her hand because he felt closer to her. The man who disliked closeness, was liking it quite a bit.
Miss Bingley stared and could not stand to see Mr. Darcy holding his wife's hand and caressing it. Miss Bingley did not like the way Mr. Darcy looked at the country cow, now made into somebody. Caroline Bingley's looks were poison arrows, full of hatred and contempt, wishing she could destroy Elizabeth, the pretentious nobody, taking her place as Mrs. Darcy.
William Darcy was oblivious to Miss Bingley's poison arrows; moreover, he could care less about her hateful looks. His attention was on his wife, knowing that Lizzie needed to feel him near, was fine by him; it was soothing, bringing back memories of his beloved sister, making him wish he could see Bea again.
More and more, Darcy waned to have had a chance to do it right and have a lengthy courtship, to know Elizabeth better, to woe her, and make her fall in love with him, instead of tricking her into marrying him. His motives were simple; he wanted she would never leave him. Frankly, he was also wondering what to do with Georgiana; he didn't know anymore. Why couldn't his life be simpler? There had been too many tragedies and problems already, and he wanted better times. Whereas money was good to have, he would rather have less money and to live a happier life with his ill-gotten wife. He wanted her affection so she would stay forever by his side.
Lizzie's companions were taking turns outside, combing the area, trying to find those who had tried to abduct her. The Highlanders Mrs. Reynolds called, came to introduce themselves; they were tall and fierce looking gentlemen, dressed in traditional garb, though elegant. Notwithstanding they weren't common folk, Miss Bingley smirked when she saw them, looking down on them with contempt. Elizabeth stared at Miss Bingley with knitted eyebrows, pursing her lips, looking angry, thinking the nasty woman was rude.
Charles sat closer, to stare at Lizzie. Lizzie, who was no longer a bit shy, was not intimidated by his solicitous, imprudent, and improper looks. Instead, she tried to start a conversation, "Mr. Bingley have you seen my sister?" Knowing he had not, disappointing Jane, the idiot he was. Although Jane was the kind of lady he wanted before, a beautiful blond noble with a big dowry, he had changed. His current goal was to steal his best friend's wife.
"No, I have been too busy; besides they left with your father." Charles explained shrugging while smiling and staring at her. He was annoying William, who wanted to punch Charles and erase his smile.
Caroline's snickers irritated Lizzie. "Why the laughter?" Elisabeth asked. Merlin snarled, and Wind growled, both in tune with their mistress.
"You know," she covered her face with the fan and snickered rather loud.
"No, I don't, perhaps you should explain." Lizzie didn't sound meek.
"Your scholarly father had an ahem." Miss Bingley cleared her throat a couple of times, looking at Lizzie, maliciously.
"A what, explain?" Elizabeth asked firmly, demanding an answer.
"He had a tryst with a Lady." Miss Bingley ascertained; everyone knows it.
Darcy surprised her. "Miss Bingley, I would be careful with my words. Her father had nothing with my aunt; they were each other's first love, met again, and they married. It wasn't, and it isn't any of your business. Let me remind you that you are my guest, something you seem to forget often. Moreover, my dear Lady Darcy, who is titled, is your hostess. Her father is now an Earl in case you missed that one, considering you are so well informed." His voice lacked warmth, and he looked at her as if she were nothing more than a speck of dust.
Caroline blushed. Elizabeth grinned, and Charles chuckled.
"Caroline, you forget your place. Perhaps you want to go back to London, I don't, so you'll go back alone." Charles told his sister and smiled. However, his words were made out of steel, no friendliness behind them, Caroline understood. Charles could be as cold as Mr. Darcy, his role model.
They all could hear loud voices, seconds later Mr. Hurst came in the drawing room with five men. "I hope it is not a problem; these are my cousins and a couple of their friends; I met them when I went to visit a friend who is staying nearby. They had too many cups, and it is getting dark." He didn't look happy to be there.
Lizzie's hand turned cold as ice. At once, L'Roy appeared right behind Elizabeth, but nobody took notice. Darcy noticed her change, and he didn't like it. She was cold and listless. Leo entered the room, ready to act. The men stared at Lizzie.
"My lady, you must go to rest," Mrs. Smoke came by Elizabeth.
The five men were looking at Elizabeth, only at her.
Darcy felt a voice inside his head. "She must leave the room; they are trying to see inside her womb. Walk in front of her. Mrs. Stone will walk behind. She will block everyone."
He stood, and before he could get in front of her, Miss Bingley screamed, "Fire."
The room filled with dark smoke. Where was 'his wife? "Lizzie, Lizzie," Darcy called anguished.
Heavy smoke darkened the room, strangely, nobody was coughing.
Darcy heard Lizzie, "I'm here." Right away he reached and held her arm.
"I am in front of you, sharpen your eyes. This is not smoke but invoked darkness." Leo told him.
"Don't, let her be," Darcy exclaimed when someone tried to push him away from Elizabeth. He held her firmly. The struggle stopped after he heard a groan and a body falling.
"Here, I will help," he heard Gavin who took her away. A strong wind seemed to have entered from an open window, and several candles were lit at once. By then, Lizzie has been ushered out the room, Gavin had her on his arms.
The entire incident took less than a couple of minutes. When the 'smoke' dissipated in seconds, it revealed the Highlanders and three footmen with candles. There was a smoldering rag by the fireplace, probably placed to explain the fire.
Darcy gritted his teeth, trying to control a murderous rage, he nearly growled at Hurst and his five guests, who were standing not far from him. He noticed Hurst; he was angry, but not sure with whom, he stood away from the 'guests.' The tension between the group was evident; the Hurst cousins appeared to be ready to fight.
One of the Highlanders brought by Mrs. Reynold to help, bend by the fireplace, looking, "No, I cannot find a reason for the smoke. Someone should close the windows." He shook his head at Darcy, who wanted to kick out the entire bunch.
In less than one day, outsiders and guests managed to disrupt his household. Although he couldn't blame the attack outside on 'the guests,' he was nearly sure that they were behind it. Someone or more than one person were trying to abduct his wife. And how did they find out she was back so soon? He wanted to know. He would say one or more of his guests were behind it; it was time to do something.
Darcy noticed the dogs by his feet. Wind stood in an aggressive posture his lip raised, showing his teeth; Merlin sat on his foot, growling softly, both dogs' ruffs stood up.
"My wife is not well, this is not a good time for company," he wanted all of them gone. "I can arrange a carriage if you had too much to drink."
He didn't say more and went after Gavin. He met with George at the door, who was just coming in.
"Make sure they are gone. Mrs. Grey can take you to the filly," Darcy saw Mrs. Grey right behind. George nodded, wanting to go back to Georgiana.
He left the room without nothing else to say, without a second glance, he nearly ran; the dogs were right by him. Apparently, they had chosen him; they had sensed they were all there to protect Lizzie, and he was their leader. Both had been raised as warriors and always chose whoever they saw best fit to command them. Elizabeth would later joke that all the table morsels had played a significant role in their allegiances, then, Darcy would grin, and the dogs would woof.
Darcy caught up with Gavin and noticed how he looked at his wife. The familiar anger rose; but, quickly, was dismissed as jealousy; they were guards left by her father, he surmised.
He turned and saw Stone; her eyes were fixed on Echtwulf, who stood at the top of the staircase. This wasn't the first time he had seen her staring at the warrior; but he wasn't sure why it annoyed him. He was confident that Echtwulf was their leader since all deferred to him.
As soon as they were away from the room and going up the steps, Elizabeth improved; she felt better.
She told Gavin, "Put me down, let me walk." Gavin let her down, and Darcy held her arm immediately, pulling her away from Gavin.
Echtwulf's eyes were fixed on Elizabeth; his handsome face was marred with concern; Darcy had already noticed that his interest in Lizzie was different, but he might be imagining it.
"What happened there?" Darcy asked, hoping they knew. "That wasn't smoke; it didn't smell like anything was burning. Besides, the flues are cleaned regularly."
Leo answered, "That smoke was made by using dark energies, forces. It is disadvantageous that we have difficulties controlling such forces. While we are here our abilities are somewhat diminished. However, Wind is a good dog to have, as well as Merlin. While one opened the window, the other blew the 'smoke' out the window, good beasts."
"Ah, I will make sure they get a filet for dinner," Darcy said.
"L'Roy kept them away during the short darkness; he fell one down," Mrs. Stone added.
Darcy chuckled, "A filet it is for our noble L'Roy."
"With mushrooms, he finds them delightful," Elizabeth added.
L'Roy who was perched at the top banister hooted; he agreed and winked an eye.
"So, again, who are Hurst's guests? I recognize the two, they are neighbors, cousins; I need to tell you about them later. But why was Hurst so annoyed? He was keeping his distance from some of them."
Mrs. Smoke, who returned from checking the mounts of Hurst and his party, answered. "Two are something other than human, but not one of ours. I think we all agree, this group wants her, as to for what, I am not sure."
Leo added, "Some practice the dark arts. What I don't know is if they are the same who attacked you outside, although I would think so. But what you need to do to start with, is to send your friends away. Yes, I noticed Hurst was unhappy; it has something to do with the incident."
They finally arrived at her room, and everyone left.
In the room, she sat on the bed. "I need to."mk She signaled at the basin left for her. He brought it and held it; she had dry heaves. When she was done, he sat by her.
"Breathe in, shh." He rubbed her back, and she leaned unto him.
The dogs just showed in the room with the owl, who perched at a vantage point and stood looking at the doors.
Merlin floated for a second to her lap, and Wind put his head on Darcy's knee. Both whined worried for their mistress.
He stood for a few seconds to get a wet towel, Darcy noticed changes around the room, in the dressing room there was a fixed bowl with water, a basin with running water, a large porcelain tub with waterspouts, and other things he didn't recognize.
He had no time to look closer, took a towel, wet it on the basin with warm water, and brought it to clean her.
He would learn that only a few could see it the new things in the room. They were there for his wife's convenience.
He dried her face, gave her a sip of a hot peppermint tea that someone had brewed and brought up earlier. It was warm; he didn't question it; he had learned a lot in a day.
"It was like the day we married when I felt someone inside my head. Today, I felt a hand reaching here," she pointed at her lower stomach. "I was afraid that it was going to hurt the baby."
Darcy saw red, he tried to control his anger, knowing how she reacted to negative emotions. He held her hand and kissed her palm while taking deep breaths.
"No, that cannot be tolerated. I will ask the entire lot to leave; I can do it. Nobody is going to hurt you; it is not going to happen. If I lose a good friend so, be it; of course you come first, this is your home.
She looked at him, her feelings somewhat changed; he had been different, caring. Maybe it'd all be okay. He didn't know, but she needed him because of her nature. He also didn't know that much of that first night was forgotten.
Later, he would recall her father's words, he had said that he was giving her a gift of forgetfulness and sleep. It wasn't done for his benefit; it had been part of the healing process, but some of the memories remained.
Her mother had told her how she would need him physically, and she'd hated the idea. She remembered while he rubbed her back gently. Her mother also told her, "Darling if you could learn to care for him, it would benefit you and the children. The babies are already at a disadvantage as you know." She had nodded, she knew.
"He treated you as most men treat their brides in the place where you and I grew up. Perhaps he behaved worse than many, true. It was, and it is wrong, but you should give him a chance. At least as long as you are there." Her mother had advised.
He sat by her and noticed that she was shaking.
"How about if we do like in the morning," he asked pointing at his lap, "would you let me hold you, it made you feel better." He wondered if she would sit on his lap; he would like the closeness.
It sounded perfect to feel his arms, to feel protected, she could take care of herself but was afraid for the babes, they responded badly to whatever was around.
She nodded, and he pulled her up onto his lap. She sighed, feeling somewhat better.
He felt tenderness, so he lowered his face and just pressed his lips to hers, she accepted it. How strange, it wasn't sexual, he just wanted to comfort her. Something was healing a wound; he needed to talk to Mrs. Reynolds. He needed to know about that day, she knew something, he was certain.
The dogs watched him. L'Roy carefully looked away until he left the room by opening a window with his beak, to stand right outside.
They sat for a while. Elizabeth leaned her head on his chest while he rubbed her back rhythmically. He leaned his face on her head. It was a perfect moment; his body relaxed with his wife on his arms. He didn't desire her, just felt content. He moved to rest his back on the headboard and closed his eyes; the dogs went to sleep; they all did.
The doorknob from the door connecting her room to his turned once, and he woke up immediately.
Leo and Stone appeared by them and put a finger over their lips.
Darcy nodded, she was trembling again; so, he held her closer with one hand while the other hand went inside his pocket. In there, he had a small pistol and took it out; once he was done, he held her tighter. He would shoot whoever. Enough was enough.