Hello everyone!

So here comes chapter 4, as per usual to excuse me for any mistakes (I am still learning!)

I hope you will enjoy it, As we are in lockdown here (YAY!) well I will have nothing else but write so you might get lucky and have chapter 5 coming up more quickly than plan!

ENJOY!


In the afternoon, not one but two surprises came galloping along.

For Mr Darcy was coming, but Mr Bingley joined him.

They caused quite an entry into the Bennet's home. The uproar lasted until Mr Bennet put a term to it and invited Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley into his office but also his two eldest daughters.

As everyone was settling into Mr Bennet's office, he started.

"Gentleman a lot is about to be express if I am not wrong" he looked fervently to both men. Mr Darcy did not move an inch, but Mr Bingley squirmed into his seat.

"Papa, please do not make this more painful than it is!" Everyone glanced at Jane, quite surprised at her intervention, which gave Mr Bingley some audacity.

"I am extremely sorry for my behaviour in the recent month, it is unforgivable and I would understand if you would wish to cut any relation with me." He then peeked at Jane, who gave him a reassuring smile.

"This is probably were I require making amends towards you, Miss Bennet. I did not aim to hurt any of you, I was looking out for my companion. And I now recognised it was wrongly performed. I am unhappy to cause you such pain." Mr Darcy intervened.

"I thank you, Mr Darcy, and I absolve you." Said Jane. As he was about to talk again, she cut him. "Please Mr Darcy, it might be sudden for you, but since you left Hertfordshire, I had many chances to reflect on it, and I may be bold to declare that you are not the only at fault here."

"Yes, I agree, Miss Bennet. I have myself forgave him for if I had not followed his advice blindly, if I had asked you, my dear Jane, it would not have happened. It is my fault too." He continued as he shifted toward the master of the house. "Mr Bennet I consider how my behaviour last November may not shed a favourable light on me, but I am here now to fix my mistake and tell you I admire your daughter with all my heart and it would honour me to be her husband. I learned my mistake, and I do not plan to repeat it."

"Which daughter do you mean, Mr Bingley? I have five of them you see, so it is sometimes hard to follow!"

He smirked at Mr Bingley, who was in complete shock.

"Papa" Growled both Elizabeth and Jane in unison.

"I am sorry, my dear daughters, if your papa is a bother, but here in front of me, are two gentlemen to sweep away two of my most sensible daughters. So it is only natural that I have my petty revenge."

Elizabeth and Jane rolled their eyes in despair. While Mr Darcy had a smirk, only Mr Bingley seemed lost on the humour, completely contrite in his chair.

"I am here for Miss Jane, of course, I… Hum… I am here today, even against my family's wishes. I do not consider any other woman would make me more happy than your daughter, sir. I wish to marry her, I love her you see… and I will assure you to take care of her for the rest of my life. I…"

"There, there, young man, calm yourself. It is not me you require convincing now; it is my daughter."

Everyone watched Jane. She was on the brick of crying, but a wide grin spread across her face.

"What do you say, Jane? Would this young man make you happy?"

"Yes, I believe he will papa." She blushed at the prospect. Mr Bingley beamed with pride. He stood suddenly and kneeled in front of Jane, took her hands in his before declaring passionately.

"I will promise dear sweet Jane from today. I will be devoted to you and your happiness. I am not a perfect man, but I will thrive on being one for you."

"I believe you, Mr Bingley!" She was crying this time, not afraid to reveal her emotions to everyone. Everyone was watching with a smile on their faces. Only Mr Bennet seemed to be unmoved by it. It was far from it, of course, for Mr Bennet was happy for his eldest. He had consistently been slightly worried for her and her gentle spirit and her beauty. She was an easy target for any malevolent gentlemen. As she grew more beautiful every day, he would put an end to unwelcome attentions, scaring away those who only seek her allure. Thankfully, he had the aid of his little Lizzie, who realised, too, how her sister might be trapped into an unhappy marriage. But sadness had crept in his heart, as he would lose one of his daughters.

"Ok, I think it will be sufficient for now, young man. I sense something else coming up, am I right?" He stared at Mr Darcy this time.

"Yes, sir, as you understand, I found myself in a difficult position." Said Mr Darcy, looking back and forth between Jane and Elizabeth, questioning silently if he should continue.

"She knows Wi… Mr Darcy." Elizabeth intervened. "We trusted Jane with our secret, and also we considered it would be best that she is informed of the circumstance." Mr Darcy nodded. He smirked a little as she slipped his name.

"Good and please let me reassure you about my actions to separate…"

"Please, Mr Darcy, I forgive you, you meant well. Perhaps it was ill-advised, but your intentions were honourable. So let us move forward to the situation at hand."

"Yes, thank you. I would then relate all the details. After I left Kent for London, I went straight to Charles to confess my sins. While doing this, we deemed to be in relative privacy, but Miss Bingley heard it, and she heard my intention to marry Miss Elizabeth too. I do not appreciate how or when, but she contacted my Aunt, and by some strange miracle, they agreed to a plan which is to establish Miss Bingley as my wife. They started to spread this rumour, and because I was in and out of Charles' house where Miss Bingley lives. It spread the rumour further. I assure you, no compromise happened. The rumours do not help, but they hold no means to compel me into this marriage."

"I must say, I am most disgusted by my sister's behaviour, and I sought to talk to her, but she was not in a normal state if I may claim. I know Caroline expected for Darcy to propose to her, even though I repeated many times that he would not. I should have been firmer with her, but I never presumed she would go and lie to get what she wants."

"You are not responsible for your sister's actions, Mr Bingley, I cannot keep any grudge against you." Elizabeth said.

"Thank you, Miss Elizabeth, but I am despondent to cause you and Darcy pain."

"That is why you are asking for a quick wedding with my daughter?" Mr Bennet refocused the conversation.

"Yes, three days ago, she turned up at my house with the apparent aim to compromise me. She or my Aunt had paid a silly girl who was in my service so they would get access to each of my moves or even letters, I assume no letters arrived apart from the one I addressed to you, sir?"

"Nothing came!" Elizabeth hurried a little too quickly. Darcy looked straight into his fiancée's eyes and sought to convey his feelings as plainly as he could.

"I am so sorry I sent you two letters to inform you of my delay. I had not realised yet; she was intercepting my courier for you."

"That is awful!" It was Jane who could not remain calm. Yet again surprising everyone with her outburst. She blushed as everyone peered at her.

"Indeed, it is." Smiled Mr Darcy. "Their motives were to estrange us in any way. I avoided her or even Charles' house for safe measure. That is why she became desperate. Miss Bingley might be many things, but a fool certainly not. Sorry, Charles." He shifted to his friend.

"Do not be apologetic, my friend, I do not recognise who my sister is anymore!" He glanced down on his hands, ashamed of his sister's actions.

"She could sense I was putting distance between us, and they had not any real pressure to urge me into their scheme, so when she comes up at my residence, one of my servants alerted me and I hide until she was out of sight. I decided it was time we put a term to this game. I perceive it is irregular to ask such a thing, sir, but my intentions are clear, I aspire to pass the rest of my life with your daughter Miss Elizabeth, she is my perfect match. I am in no mood to play anyone else games regarding my life." Darcy had intentionally said Elizabeth's name, not wanting to give Mr Bennet any reason to tease him. But Darcy knew that if the man wished to pick on him, he would find a reason to do so.

Everyone turned to look at Mr Bennet with hope. He sneered at the young peoples in front of him.

"And would that be all you ask for me, sirs?" He raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Darcy realised at this moment that is where Elizabeth gained one of his favourite feature in her. Perhaps Mr Bennet was not the father Darcy had imagined being. He had misinterpreted two of the Bennet already. Maybe it was time to reset all of his assumptions about them. An image crossed his mind at that moment, which made him nearly to laugh but tried to maintain his serious. Maybe Mrs Bennet is a much more likeable character when you get acquainted with her. But there would be time to test this theory later, so he refocused on the subject at hand.

Mr Bingley looked contrite before taking the courage to speak.

"Well, not really, sir."

"I presumed so."

"I… I purchased myself a special license too and would be grateful if I could marry your daughter Jane on the same day as Darcy and Miss Elizabeth." He then turned to Jane. "I realised it is rather quick and I would understand if you do not want to marry on the morrow, but as I mentioned earlier, my family is against us marrying, and it is not because of you. My mother had raised my sisters to expect more in life. My family's fortune was established in the trade, and my mother constantly had it in horror, and so she pushed my sisters to forget about it and made them believed they were from a higher born family. My father was a different man, and because he worked his way up, he recognised the reality of life and instructed me differently. He advised me to better our living, but not at all costs. He saw what impact it has on his life to marry someone for status and not for affection. And so my sisters expect me to wed someone with a title to the least. I am afraid that as soon as they heard about Darcy's marriage, they would do whatever they can to divide us. Trust me; if the circumstances were different, I would offer the finest wedding possible."

"I do not desire the finest wedding, sir, I concede it is most uncommon, but I made my mind about my future. I am not averse to marry you tomorrow, and I will share it with my sister I love the most."

"Well, you will excuse me if I, on the contrary of my daughters here, am not so easy to agree, for you are taking away the excellent senses out of this household. I would hear no more wise words after tomorrow."

"Papa!" cried both sisters.

"If I may, did you read the settlement I attached in my letter, sir?" proposed Mr Darcy.

"Yes, I have, but I cannot accept your generosity, sir!" fainted Mr Bennet.

"What if it was a repayment to take away Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth from you!" suggested Mr Darcy.

"Hum, I suppose it makes it more acceptable now!" Mr Bennet winked at his second child with delight. She, in return, rolled her eyes at him.

"Shall we agree on the details then?" Mr Darcy pushed.

"I guess we can. Now it is time for you ladies to take these gentlemen for a walk around the garden, if by chance you discovered yourself lost, just make certain the night does not fall on you. For sick brides are not welcome at this moment."

"Yes, father." His two daughters hurried. The two couples made haste for the garden, avoiding the living room where the rest of the household remained.

The couples went in different directions as they both wanted some privacy. Elizabeth leads William toward the edge of the garden where a bench was resting. It was the further they could go without breaching the rules of property. As they sat, William spoke eagerly.

"Are you all right, my love?" William started. "I am extremely sorry for what happened. I should have been more careful." He watched her eyes, his hands in hers.

"Oh, no, please, I am fine, and it is not your fault. I believed Miss Bingley to be a fortune hunter, but I assumed that as soon as you were not available, she would move to someone else's interest. I am certain you are not the only bachelor available in the Ton."

"No, I am not, but I am the most agreeable of them all!" He teased.

"William!" She slapped him lightly on the arm, but she giggled with amusement.

He laughed too.

"I am jesting! But when it concerns Miss Bingley, it is more a matter of her pride. I am confident that in her circle she had told at whoever wanted to hear that she was going to be the next Mrs Darcy; so losing me over, and I quote, a country chick. That is not something she is ready to confront."

"What about your Aunt? How did she convince her? I found it strange."

"Me too, to be honest. I speculated about that. Perhaps my Aunt realised I would never ask Anne, and she might rather lose me over Miss Bingley than you. Maybe she supposes Miss Bingley might be more manageable than you."

"Well, it might surprise her how Miss Bingley is not so manageable."

"Yes, But Miss Bingley's weakness is money. You have more control on a person like that than someone who declares she would only marry for affection. I am convinced that if she had proposed money to you with the assurance that you would not pursue me, you would have declined?"

"Oh, yes, I would refuse vehemently."

"I expect my Aunt to understand that. She might be blind to many facts, but she knows when she has not the upper hand."

"You are right; I guess she does."

They both stared at each other with tenderness, after some moment where neither of them spoke. Elizabeth voiced her worries.

"What would happen after we marry?" She glanced away, waiting for his answer.

"Well, we can stay a few days in Netherfield if you wish to…"

"No, I meant regarding your family? Would they accept me as their own?"

Understanding her fear, he reached her chin and angled her face to look straight in her eyes.

"My family does not count…"

"William.." She pleaded.

"Please, let me finish!" He silently asked her to listen without interruption, which she nodded. "My Family does not count apart from Georgiana, and she is already half in love with you." Elizabeth chuckled at that. "She even orders me to marry you instantly and threatened me of not speaking to me for the rest of my life if I do not do so." Both laughed. "For the rest, Lord and Lady Matlock might have some reservation at the beginning, but I am more than confident that you will win them over in no time. And as we speak, it is already in motion."

"What do you mean?"

"Before leaving for Longbourn, I left my sister to the care of my Aunt and uncle. I did not want Lady Catherine to turn onto Georgiana when she learns of our wedding. My Aunt has threatened many occasions to take Georgiana under her care, which luckily she had never managed. I did not wish Georgiana to be alone and deal with her on her own. As you assume, my Aunt is not the sort of person who accepts no for an answer, and Georgiana does not have your strength of character."

"I understand! So Georgiana is now fighting for my case?" She peeked at him with delight.

"Yes, I suppose so. And it is a case I am confident she will prevail!"

"You are very assured, sir!" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"My sister might not be strong enough for Lady Catherine, but she will be for my Aunt and uncle as they are sensible people. Also, they know me, and my celibacy has regularly been a tease between us so they will be more intrigued by how did this young lady managed to earn my affection over your position in life. And after all, you are a daughter's gentleman, which makes you my equals. Your many, many qualities would settle the matter."

"I do not wish them to…" He lifted his hands to stop her.

"Do not worry my love. Whatever Georgiana says might be a little exaggerated, but she would never lie. They, also are conscious of the rumours, and my family would much prefer any lady than Miss Bingley. They are the first to notice what loveless marriages sounds like, as in the Ton many married under that term. They had repeatedly supported us in that regard. One more reason would be that they dislike Miss Bingley's personality. She would not be a suitable wife for Darcy's family and the people who depend on us." He saw in Elizabeth's looks the wonder and slight fear. "But you will be my love, for you care for peoples. Your gentle but strong hand will make you the best of mistress for Pemberley."

"Are you certain of it? Pemberley is much bigger than Longbourn, and I am scared that I would ruin everything."

"Which makes me cherish you further! I appreciate the task is a lot even for you, my strong, beautiful Elizabeth, but know this, my love, I will consistently be here for you no matter what happens we can brave it together. You see, you have never seen Pemberley, but you already show interest and care for it and what you can bring to it. You understand the importance it has in my life. If you need a comparison, Miss Bingley has seen Pemberley and the only elements that are important for her are what it will give her, not what she can bring in to it or in that case what she can destroy. And that my love makes me fall in love for you even more."

Elizabeth blushed at his declaration. She had ever wondered how you could fall more in love with someone you are already in love with, but William had just answered this question as she was irrevocably falling in love for him even more too.

As she was contemplating this idea, she felt William's lips on hers. She gasped at first as she woke from her thoughts, but she responded instantly, fully embracing his lips. Three weeks with no contact had driven her hungry for him. He growled at her claims but fervently answered to it.


So A double Wedding...

now I have two options for next chapter, both includes Lady Catherine and Caroline making a big entrance (we would not expect less coming from then would we?) but at two different stage and I am not sure which one I prefer...

As usual let me know what you think :)

(Any inappropriate reviews will be deleted, you have been warned!)

stay safe everyone and I wish you a jolly Christmas

Madilizzie