Summary: Forced into an engagement with Mr. Collins, Elizabeth feels that her life is over. However, help comes unexpectedly in none other than Mr. Darcy of Pemberley. Will Mr. Darcy be able to prevent the ill-fated marriage? Or will Elizabeth be lost to Mr. Collins forever? Characters may be OOC.

Disclaimer: Pride and Prejudice and all its characters are the sole property of Jane Austen. This story, however, is the property of the author © 2017, any unauthorized reproduction or publishing of any content of this story is strictly prohibited.

AN: I sincerely hope you do not mind the title change, dear readers. I feel that although the other title was a good one, it was not really reflective of where I wanted (and still want) this story to go. A special thanks to the guest reviewer who gave me this title originally. For those of you who do not know, the title is a quote from Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing."

Thank you all for your thoughts and encouragement.

-DS

Mr. Darcy was having a day as any other. Indeed, his days have been much the same since his return to town on the twenty-seventh of November, though not much time has passed. He was currently residing in Darcy House, his London home, where he had just finished correspondence with his steward regarding a dispute amongst two of his tenants. It was curious that most of the strife occurred while he was away, for there were hardly any problems such as these whilst he was present at Pemberley. Such was the life for the master of Pemberley, he supposed.

Inheriting Pemberley at an early age, compared to most of his friends and acquaintances, Darcy worked hard to keep his lands thriving, and to keep the people who worked under him happy. Very much his father's son, Darcy believed one had to work diligently to reap a great reward. "Whatever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," was his father's favourite proverb. One in which Darcy held close to heart.

He only hoped his recent actions would not hurt anyone in the long run. He felt guilty. Given some time to think on it, he wondered if he was not too hasty on his misgivings regarding Bingley and Miss Jane Bennet. He wondered if he watched her closely enough, as his eyes were more favorably engaged with her sister, Miss Elizabeth. Eilzabeth. Just thinking her name brought a deepening ache in his breast. Although it has been a little over a sennight, it felt like he has been separated from her for ages. 'I will conquer this,' he said to himself vehemently.

Mr. Darcy has been uncharacteristically busy with social engagements as of late. Ranging from fencing, balls, dinners, the theater, visits to the museum, and etc. Mostly, if he admitted as much to himself, he kept busy to keep thoughts of one Miss Elizabeth Bennet at bay.

Once finished with his correspondence, he sought sustenance by the procurement of afternoon tea. He just entered the drawing room and sat down for his customary tea when in burst Mr. Bingley.

"Darcy! I must speak with you." Mr. Bingley exclaimed.

"Whatever is the matter Bingley?" Mr. Darcy stood up at once. "Is it your sisters? Are they well?" At Mr. Bingley's continued pacing he said, "Or is it your great aunt in Scarborough? She fares well, I hope?"

"Nay, nay. 'Tis nothing of the sort, rest easy. What I came to tell you is that I must return to Hertfordshire." Bingley said.

"Hertfordshire?" Mr. Darcy questioned.

"Yes," he then thrust the letter to Mr. Darcy who received it bemusedly. However, once the content was quickly scanned, Darcy turned immediately pale and collapsed on his chair without further comment.

"Do you not see? I must see if it 'tis her. You said so yourself, her mother would force her, and I know she cares about me, Darcy. I know it." He then gave Mr. Darcy a glare that seemed to say, 'contradict me if you dare.' He did not.

"How could I let her subject herself to another man?" He continued, "I cannot! I will elope with her to Gretna Green if necessary."

At this proclamation, there were two quick intakes of breath from behind Mr. Bingley.

"Bingley!" Darcy hissed, and then gave a quick glance behind Mr. Bingley, where Miss Darcy and Mrs. Annesley were on their seetee with their tea quite forgotten in mid air. Seeing the gentleman look to them, Mrs. Annesley was snapped out of her stupor and quickly corrected Georgiana wordlessly, encouraging her to put her teacup down as well.

"Pray, do forgive me Miss Darcy, Mrs. Annesley," he said sheepishly, "I did not know there were others here." He added unnecessarily, as it was clearly evident to all in the room.

"Although, perhaps 'tis most fortuitous that you are here. I have a favor to ask, you see." Here he looked pleadingly at Darcy, "I was hoping that you Darcy," he turned to his friend who was struggling to gain his equilibrium, "and you Miss Darcy and Mrs. Annesley of course, will join me at Netherfield."

"Netherfield?" Was all Darcy could say, for he was analysing the situation. The very thought of Elizabeth –Miss! Elizabeth –being betrothed was a very real possibility.

"Ah, yes. As you know, my sisters do not want to return to the country," here he gave a sidelong glance at Darcy, his intention was to not reveal his sisters vehement disapproval to Miss Darcy. However, Darcy said nary a word. His thoughts were otherwise unfavorably engaged.

Darcy remembered the particular attentions the odious parson paid to Elizabeth. They had opened the ball together and danced two dances –not one, but two! While Miss Elizabeth did not seem particularly pleased by his attentions, Mrs. Bennet was over the moon. When not speaking of Miss Bennet and Bingley's 'pending nuptials', she was declaring, quite vociferously, her hopes of "another match happening quite soon." He remembers almost as if he was in the very ballroom the day Netherfield held its ball when Mrs. Bennet directed pointed looks at her second eldest daughter who was dancing with Mr. Collins.

At the time, Darcy did not think much on it. Why should he? He knew he would not –could not –offer for her. His obligations to his family, her connections, the very inferiority of her birth were all that prevented him from ever allowing such an alliance.

He also very much doubted she would align herself with such a man as that parson. How could she? She who is beautiful, kind, witty and intelligent; align herself to such a buffoon? A man who is a sycophant; who won his very title as parson under his aunt's patronage due to his very obsequiousness. Nay, he is a fool.

'Elizabeth would never be with such a man, when she could have me,' his heart whispered. The traitorous heart that he tried to silence since his arrival in London would be silent no longer. And yet, how would she know? Indeed, Mr. Darcy was very discreet, and was certain no one knew of his preference for Miss Elizabeth, save Miss Bingley, but that was neither here nor there. He knew the she would not breathe a word, for she coveted the title of Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley, one of which would never be granted to her.

Fear gripped him like a vice in the pit of his stomach. Elizabeth knew not his preference for her. She knew not she had in him a savior from an unsavory marriage, if faced with marriage to the parson or himself.

His mind not ruling over his heart any longer, he said, "Yes Bingley, I shall join you in Hertfordshire."

Grinning, Bingley clasped his hand on Darcy's shoulder and said, "I knew you would not fail me Darcy."

Darcy only gave a curt nod in return, for he did not have altruistic motives for following Bingley. Nay, it was very much in his own interest to go to Hertfordshire. He must know if it was Miss Elizabeth. His heart would not let him do anything less. Besides, he already doubted his actions against Miss Bennet. Although his intentions were honorable, being in the service of a friend, he could not have been certain if she cared for Bingley or not. If he were being honest with himself, he would realize that he paid too much attention to Miss Elizabeth to spare a glance at her older sister. His observations were cursory at best, and only after he had that argument with Elizabeth over the scoundrel, Wickham. He was hardly in the best mindset to be observing another party and trying to comprehend her feelings.

Shaking his thoughts, Darcy added, "Georgiana and I will discuss this further before I make a decision on whether she and Mrs. Annesley will join us, as she has much to do in town. Perhaps my company alone will have to make due."

Georgiana gazed at her brother in askance, but said not a word.

"Right, I do hope you come Miss Darcy, for not only would your gracious company be most welcome, but I will be in need of a hostess. Who better than the sister of Darcy, hmm?" Mr. Bingley asked jovially.

She only nodded and gave a small smile in return.

Shortly thereafter Mr. Bingley bid his adieus, as he had much to do, given he planned on arriving at Netherfield the day after the morrow. After Bingley quit the room, Darcy asked if he could have a word alone with Miss Darcy, Mrs. Annesley readily acquiesced.

Once Mr. Darcy ensured their privacy, he turned to Georgiana, a sorrowful expression on his face. "Dearest, I cannot say how sorry I am for what I am about to say. Pray, do forgive me."

"Whatever can it be, brother? You have nothing to apologise for."

"'Tis not so, poppet. What I have to reveal to you will distress you, and for that I am sorry. I would feel remiss, however, if I did not mention it, and let you go to Hertfordshire without knowing all." Darcy replied solemnly.

Turning pale, Georgiana said, "What is it, Fitzwilliam? What is it that has you so distressed?"

Leading his sister to sit down, and taking a seat next to her, he finally said, "George Wickham is in Hertfordshire."

The only telling sign that she heard was the quick gasp of air, as her face betrayed not a thing, so Darcy pressed on. "He is in the militia that is stationed there, Georgiana. He… he has ingratiated himself with the people there." Here he gave a rueful laugh, "As you know, he is quite adept at making friends." The bitter words left unsaid were hanging in the air between them, like a thick fog.

"Mr. Bingley mentioned a Miss Bennet. Pray, is it the same Miss Bennet you wrote me of?" Miss Darcy asked, adeptly changing the subject.

"No, 'tis the eldest Miss Bennet that Bingley has fallen in love with, Miss Jane Bennet. I wrote you of…"

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet." Georgiana replied for Darcy.

"Yes," said he.

"And, do you have feelings for her?" Georgiana asked delicately.

"I… I," he hesitated.

Georgiana gave Darcy a knowing smile. "I shall go with you to Hertfordshire."

"What of Wickham? I could not bear to see you harmed." Darcy replied earnestly.

"What of him? I shall ensure to always be accompanied by yourself or Mrs. Annesley. He cannot say a word against me. I daresay you and Richard have ensured that. What was it, oh yes, lest he risk life or limb?" Georgiana replied.

"How do you know about that?" Darcy questioned sharply, too stunned to regulate his tone.

"Richard told me," said she.

"Richard went too far. He should not have told you," was Darcy's vehement reply.

"I am no longer a child, Fitzwilliam. You cannot protect me all my life. I must know of the world around me. If I did, perhaps," she paused and took a fortifying breath, "perhaps I would not have consented to elope had I been more informed."

Seeing Darcy's pained expression, she placed a hand on his arm and gave a gentle squeeze, "It gives me peace of mind to know how much you and Richard care for me. What you both are willing to do to protect me from the likes of that man. Do not fret, dear brother, all will be well."

At seeing Darcy's downcast expression, she pressed on, "I do not blame you for what occurred, I cannot. They were my choices that got me in that predicament, you see."

At seeing the protest Darcy would undoubtedly say, she held up a hand to forestall him. They have had this argument many times before. Darcy felt he was to blame for Georgiana's near elopement; she just wanted him to understand that she was to blame, that her actions have consequences. Well, her and Wickham, but the fact is that she was not faultless. Had she acted within the bounds of propriety, nothing unsavory would have occurred at Ramsgate. For Wickham could not have taken an unwilling woman. Could he? That was a question to be left for a later time. She needed to reassure her brother that he was not at fault for her mistakes, she was. She had argued these points with him too many times to count. She just hoped he would listen and take to heart what she had to say.

"Do not argue with me, Fitzwilliam, 'tis the truth. Besides, I am very much grateful that I was blessed with the very best of men as my dearest brother. One who will never renounce me, even if my shame had become known."

Darcy returned this declaration with a shy smile of his own, placed an arm over her shoulder and held her to him. "Never poppet, I would never." He then kissed the crown of her head; much like their father would do to comfort them.

"Good," Georgiana pulled away and looked at him mischievously, "Now let us discuss this trip into Hertfordshire."

AN: Thoughts? Comments? Go ahead and leave a review. :)