Before we begin this chapter, I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to – as of now, the oldest among my dearest friends – Violet. Have a great day!

To Lelalini, I hope I'm not too late from preventing Suspense in harming you :)

RECAP

Chapter 19 – Mr. Price is not real, there is a Claire Bennet look-alike, the Lucases wanted Lizzy to know the truth, there's a list of people Lizzy should not interact with, and Darcy asked Alexa to do something before the cousins left… let's see what it is, shall we?

The first thing that Elizabeth saw once she opened her eyes was a vase filled with a beautiful arrangement of pink, yellow, purple, and white flowers, on the top of the nightstand beside her bed. She smiled and breathed in the fragrant aroma that was dominating the room.

After stretching her limbs, Lizzy laid back comfortably on her pillow. Turning her to glance at the window, she was surprised that the sun was already up. That meant that she woke up later than her usual wont. Now that she thought about it, she was able to sleep peacefully last night, without nightmares for the first time in a couple of days.

But how could that be? Seeing as yesternight was the exact day of her brother's death, she expected her dreams to be the worse. Instead, she happened to be well rested. Not that she was complaining…

Looking back, perhaps it was Alexa's doing.

Once the Lucases had left, Alexa had persuaded her to eat some berries and drink a cup of chamomile tea. While she was doing that, her Abigail had drawn a bath for her with warm water mixed with some sweet-scented oils. After Alexa had assisted her to her nightgown, Cook had brought her soup and a warm glass of milk to enjoy. She fell asleep not long after that.

It had been an exhausting day, after all.

She couldn't believe she had opened up like that. She had never felt more vulnerable than sharing her thoughts and feelings to the three cousins yesterday but at the same time, she felt lighter now that it was out in the open.

A part of her felt mortified that her new-found friends had seen her in such a state and another part felt grateful for their understanding and support. She had never thought that she'd experience such kindness on people she had recently just met.

Before Elizabeth could continue on her musings, Alexa entered her room. At the sight of her Abigail, Elizabeth put herself in a sitting position to greet her friend properly. "Good morning, Alexa."

"Good morning, Miss Lizzy." Alexa smiled at her before placing a tray on the side of her bed.

Lizzy furrowed her brows. "What's this?"

"Hot chocolate, Miss Lizzy and these," Alexa said, holding out the plate to her, "are your favourite cakes."

Despite her surprise and confusion – for why else would Mrs. Hurley cook different flavoured cakes at so early in the morning without any occasions? – Lizzy couldn't contain her smile. "Thank you, Alexa. I appreciate the thoughtful meals and the bath and the flowers. I know these were all you're doing."

Alexa only shook her head. "The credit belongs to the Marquess, Miss Lizzy. He noticed that you were not sleeping well so he suggested doing all these to help you rest better."

At the mention of the Marquess, Lizzy couldn't help but blush. The information that he was responsible for the 'special treatment' she had been receiving since yesterday afternoon made her face hotter. Even though her face was probably red by now, she still managed to reply. "That was very thoughtful of him."

Alexa only nodded, though Lizzy still caught a smug grin in her Abigail's face. "I will prepare your bath now, Miss Lizzy."

With that, Elizabeth was left alone with her thoughts and her favourite food – which were not a bad combination, if she was being honest.

Closing her eyes, Lizzy tried to remember yesterday in many details as possible as she savoured the first bite of the soft cake in her mouth. The moment she had started sobbing, Lord Ashbourne had immediately rushed to her side and took hold of her hand. He had also given her his handkerchief and helped her drink.

He, alongside with Anne and Colonel Fitzwilliam, had tried their best to comfort her and make her feel better but if she was completely honest, the feel of the Marquess hands enclosed with her had done the best job in soothing her.

While Elizabeth was no stranger to touches – for she was affectionate with her closest sisters and friends – yesterday was the first time she had felt a man's bare skin on her skin. It then occurred to her that neither she nor Lord Ashbourne was wearing gloves. The realisation made her open her eyes and she was thankful that she had already swallowed the last bits of her cake. Otherwise, she feared that she would've choked.

As she took a sip of her sweet beverage, a memory also came to front of her mind. Lord Ashbourne had called her by her Christian name alone… or perhaps she had only imagined it. Nevertheless, that still didn't change the truth that she had only let go of his hand when she announced that she was going to the kitchen. Did that mean that she was holding his hand all throughout her long narrative?

Such brazen behaviour, foolish girl!

Lizzy closed her eyes in mortification. What if she had made him uncomfortable? Upset, her fingers grab one slice of cake after another as her mouth munched it easily in frustration. She had already come to the conclusion that she liked him, but Lizzy wanted him first and foremost as a friend. She was afraid to lose that because of her budding feelings.

Taking another drink of the hot chocolate, Lizzy calmed her thoughts. He didn't hate her for it, did he? If she recalled correctly, at some points in their conversations he had tightened his grip on her hand in show of his support, had he not? He had also kissed her hand before leaving.

No, Lord Ashbourne was not offended at her impulsive actions. Lizzy finished breaking her fast with that thought in mind.

Starting today, she was determined to think more positive. Yesterday, if she was more like her normal self and was not feeling a little disoriented, then she was sure that she would never have spilled her story to the cousins. She was too afraid of people's judgement for that and more so at the fear that other people would agree to Mrs. Bennet's words.

But, alas, she had been too overwhelmed by everything that's happening that the moment Anne had asked her a question, words started tumbling out of her mouth. And now that it was over, she was glad that she had done it.

-p&p-

As soon as he finished breaking his fast, Darcy rode to the Dower House to bring Claire Bennet's miniature to Digby before Elizabeth noticed that it was missing. For the first time, he wasn't accompanied by Anne or Richard. Since Mrs. Jenkinson was back, Anne was under a watchful eye once again.

Darcy didn't want to return the miniature yet because he was still unable to solve the mystery behind it and his Aunt Catherine's almost identical miniature, but he knew that he needed to give it back. To his surprise and relief, he was told that Elizabeth was still asleep and that his suggestions had worked, because Elizabeth had always been an early riser.

He was glad that Elizabeth had finally gotten to rest and so he directed Boreas to head to Oakham Mount, where he sat down under Elizabeth's favourite tree as he watched his horse chew on the grass. With nothing to do but that, Darcy removed his hat, placed it on the space beside him, and let his mind wander.

Usually, his thoughts would go to his mother, the current Duchess of Derbyshire. Sometimes he would think about what would happen if his mother didn't left them for quite some time and other times he would think about how lucky he was to have a mother such as her – so kind and understanding. Darcy knew that his mother suspected that something was off with him (if her letters were any indication, she probably suspected him to be interested in a lady) since last month. In spite of this, his mother was yet to question him directly about it.

Thoughts of his mother would lead him to his little sister, Georgiana. Then, he would often worry if his father was being strict on her as he was with him. Now, however, that his mother was back with them permanently for more than five years now, he knew that he needn't worry about that. Following thoughts of his sister would be his father and his father's expectations.

To avoid himself from thinking of the latter, he would try to remember memories from his childhood. He had playmates before – not George Wickham – but the very first friends he made. He still remembered their nicknames and their games. He often wondered why the suddenly stopped playing but couldn't remember the reason.

While those where Fitzwilliam Darcy's habitual thoughts for years, Elizabeth Bennet had changed it all in a matter of two months. Now, as Darcy allowed his thoughts to consume him, it was not his family or his old friends that appeared first in his mind. Rather, it was a young lady with a pair of fine green eyes that dominated his thoughts.

How he admired her strength. If he had not seen her family's behaviour with his own two eyes, then he would find it hard to believe that Elizabeth had lived such a difficult life. Yet, she chose to be kind to the Bennets. How could one who suffered such circumstances still be able to laugh and smile in an unadulterated manner?

His mind drifted back to the day he handed her his letter. She had walked from the Dower House to Netherfield just to check on her elder sister, the same elder sister who had been mad at Elizabeth for ruining her chance at her first suitor. If the eldest Miss Bennet did not treat Elizabeth kindly, did that mean that her preference for Bingley was not genuine? Could it be that Mrs. Bennet was encouraging her eldest daughter to secure the affections of Bingley?

He could see the case plausible. Mrs. Bennet was, after all, throwing Elizabeth to Mr. Collin's path too – not that Darcy was going to let that happen. He also wasn't oblivious to the disappointment on Mrs. Bennet's face when she learned that Richard was already engaged to Anne and that Darcy didn't pay any attentions to her daughters, except Elizabeth. For his friend's sake, Darcy certainly hoped that it was not the case, for Bingley seemed more infatuated to Miss Bennet than to any other lady Darcy had seen him with before.

When his eyes noticed the sight of his gloved hands – which were clasped together with his elbows resting on his knees – from his peripheral view, he couldn't help but smile. He had held her bare hands yesterday… for about an hour and he also got to carry her and hole her close for a moment! Granted, she might not have been fully aware of both things happening, and the second one did not happen in the best circumstances, Elizabeth fainting and all, but still… Darcy knew he was going to treasure those memories.

As if his thoughts had summoned her, Darcy could almost see her riding on her horse towards him. However, instead of sitting side-saddle, like she was when she showed Oakham Mount to him and his cousins, she was sitting astride.

Once she was only a few feet from him, she patted Apollo and Boreas on the head before walking in his direction and letting the horse eat grass. "Good morning, Lord Ashbourne."

It was only when he heard her voice that Darcy realised that she was real and not a product of his imagination.

Immediately, Darcy stood up from the large root he was sitting on and bowed. "Good morning, Miss Elizabeth." Straightening himself, he followed his greeting with a question. "I hope you are well."

"Yes, I am well." Elizabeth smiled, and then almost shyly she added, "I believe a big part of the reason why I rested so well was because of your suggestions to Alexa, my Lord."

Darcy nodded. "I am glad it helped. I was worried about you when you fainted so I thought a good sleep would help improve your health along with tempting you with your favourite food to eat."

Elizabeth laughed at this. "Yes, I was quite surprise why I had different cakes and hot chocolate for breakfast and now, when I said that I was planning to ride outside, Cook gave me a basket of cookies to eat." She held up the basket that Darcy didn't notice she was holding. "Would you like some?"

"I'd be happy to share it with you, Miss Elizabeth."

With a smile at his reply, Elizabeth walked passed him and sat on the thick root where his hat was placed and where he had been sitting earlier. "I think it'd be more comfortable to eat sitting rather than standing."

Taking that as an invitation, Darcy moved to sit next to her, his hat and her basket leaving a proper amount of space between them. "I am glad that you are able to leave the Dower House this morning." He said as she removed the small piece of cloth covering the basket.

"I am too," she said bringing up a glass jar full of cookies in her lap and began to twist the lid to open it. "Mrs. Winters is still in London with my Aunt and Uncle to assist them and I will take all the freedom I can get. While it was nice riding with you, Anne and the Colonel, I confessed that I miss roaming around Hertfordshire by myself. Alexa and Archie promised to give me at least thirty minutes to myself before they join me."

"I am sorry to intrude on your solitude, then." He said as he accepted a cookie from her.

Elizabeth only laughed as she shook her head. "If I remember correctly, my Lord, I am the one who intruded on you."

"Then I suppose this cookie will suffice to earn my forgiveness." He told her before taking a bite of the delicious treat.

She crossed her arms at him and narrowed her eyes playfully. "I'll have you know, my Lord, that you were sitting under my favourite tree and I didn't mean to impose myself upon you. Therefore, if there is anyone who should be asking for forgiveness, then it is you."

"Me?!" Darcy asked in mock offense before turning his head and raising his nose up in a haughty manner. "I'll have you know that I am the Marquess of Ashbourne, Madam."

Elizabeth only raised a brow at her in challenge, though her eyes shone with amusement. "And is that supposed to mean anything?"

"Yes," he answered arrogantly, "it means that cookies cannot sway me to ask for your forgiveness. I can buy as many of them as I want, after all." He paused then, forgoing his pompous role and looking at her directly in the eye. "But since I have offended a beautiful lady with fine green eyes for stealing her favourite tree, then I humbly ask for your forgiveness, Madam."

When Elizabeth blushed, Darcy couldn't help but smile.

"Do you apologies like that to every lady with fine green eyes that you have offended, my Lord?"

"No," Darcy replied with a shake of his head. "As far as I know Miss Elizabeth, there is only one lady of my acquaintance who possessed fine green eyes."

"What about other colours, then?"

"No other pair of eyes could compare to this particular lady, Madam, no matter what the colour."

"Very well, Lord Ashbourne, since you asked for my forgiveness and fed my vanity quite excessively, then I shall forgive you." With that, she handed him another cookie, which he eagerly took.

"As long as you continue to feed me cookies then I shall continue to feed your vanity, Miss Elizabeth."

With that, the two of them spent the next hour laughing together and conversing of different subjects like they did back in London. Darcy feared not for their reputation because he knew that they were not alone. Jacobs and Carson were somewhere near the vicinity. Digby, with one of Elizabeth's footman, had also arrived a quarter of an hour after Elizabeth did and were taking care of the horses, which were a few yards away from them.

Once they finished the jar of cookies, Elizabeth asked him if he would like to accompany her in visiting Longbourn's tenants. Apparently, Mrs. Hurley had made more than enough cakes and cookies for all of them in the house, so Elizabeth wanted to visit the children and share the treats with them.

"I'd be happy to." When he noticed that her smile was accompanied with a light blush, Darcy felt somewhat triumphant. Perhaps she was starting to feel for him too?

Darcy continued to watch her silently as she handed the basket of cookies to Digby and talk to the footman. When she turned around to face him, she ran a hand to Boreas' mane before smirking at him. "Shall we see who gets there first, Lord Ashbourne?"

Before Darcy could realise what she meant, Elizabeth was already mounted on Apollo cantering away from him. Shaking his head fondly, Darcy grabbed Boreas' reins and they galloped after her. In the end, Darcy was surprised that he and Elizabeth both arrived at their destination at the same time.

He knew himself to be a very fine horseman and if Elizabeth could almost beat him in a race – for Darcy still believed that they were only tied up because she got a head start – then that only meant that she was skilled in her horsemanship as well.

"That was a good race, Miss Elizabeth," he smiled at her. "May I ask who taught you to ride?"

"Why, it was my Grandma Claire, my Lord." Elizabeth answered fondly. "I didn't really like it at first, preferring to walk than sit atop of a horse, but she told me that it was a necessity. I believe she made me sit on her gelding before I turned five and walked me around Longbourn. Apollo," she patted her cream-coloured horse fondly, "was a gift from her on my seventh birthday. When she died, I was taught by my Uncle Gardiner, Mr. Hill and John Lucas."

"Ah, so many teachers."

"Yes, I believe it was one of my grandmother's wish for me to become a really good horsewoman for all my teachers told me that Grandma Claire asked them to teach me." With a laugh, she added, "Of course, they probably regret it by now that I can outrun them all."

"Did they teach you to ride astride?" Darcy asked, as Boreas continued to move them in a slow pace.

"Yes, and it was a particular request of my grandmother." Elizabeth answered. "To be honest, I prefer riding this way. I am very thankful that my Aunt had my riding habits modified to help me ride this way."

Darcy, getting uncomfortable at the subject of clothing, quickly glanced around to change the subject. Luckily for him, Miss Mary and Miss Kitty seemed to be heading their way. 'Good.' Darcy thought. As much as he enjoyed his moments alone with Elizabeth, he was still a young man and the conversation they just had with her clothing was proving to be a bad idea. How was her riding habit modified? Is she wearing breeches underneath, hugging her strong legs?

He silently groaned at the thought. Perhaps leaving Netherfield without Richard or Anne in tow was a bad idea after all.

-p&p-

"Lizzy!" At the sight of her younger sisters, Elizabeth couldn't help but got off Apollo's back and ran towards them, opening her arms in a welcoming embrace. It had only been a couple of days but it felt like an eternity since she had last seen them.

"Kitty, Mary!" she exclaimed, smiling at them. "What are you doing here?"

"We came to check on Mrs. Drury with Mr. Jones." Mary said, once she pulled out of their hug.

"Her husband told us that she was feeling sick but it turns out she was with child." Kitty added excitedly.

Lizzy grinned at the news. "That's great!" She knew that Mr. and Mrs. Drury had been married for almost five years now and both wished dearly for a child. Now, their wish had come true and Elizabeth was truly happy for them.

"Miss Mary, Miss Kitty." The sisters' reunion was interrupted by a deep voice and Lizzy couldn't believe that she almost forgot about Lord Ashbourne. It seemed that since she had been lost in her own world after seeing her sisters because when she glanced behind, both Apollo and Boreas were already tied to a nearby tree with Alexa and Archie feeding them apples.

Lizzy watched and frowned as her sisters curtsied and greeted the Marquess stiffly. It seemed that they have not quite forgiven the Marquess yet for his rude behaviour at the Assembly.

Wanting to lighten the mood, Lizzy smiled up at Lord Ashbourne and told him the good news. "My sisters have just informed me that Mrs. Drury is with child, my Lord."

"That is good news, indeed." He said with a light upturned of his lips. The scrutinising looks her sisters were giving him must've made him uncomfortable. "I see that Master Abbots is playing with the other children. If you will excuse me, I would like to check on him."

With a bow, Lord Ashbourne walked away from them and headed towards the children who were playing a couple of yards away from them.

Kitty furrowed her brows. "Why did he know Michael Abbots, Lizzy?"

Mary squinted behind her spectacles. "How come he knew Mrs. Drury?"

"I have visited our tenants a few days ago with Miss de Bourgh, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lord Ashbourne."

Mary set her lips in a firm line. "Are you with him today?"

Lizzy nodded. "Yes, I encountered him at Oakham Mount and asked him to join me. He was very fond of little Michael." She gestured to where the children were running away from Lord Ashbourne as the latter tried to catch them. Lizzy could tell he was purposely slowing his speed at catching them. If he wanted, he could catch the little ones any time.

"He doesn't seem very bad right now," Kitty said skeptically. "Did he apologise for his words at the Assembly?"

"Yes, he did and I know he did not mean it." Elizabeth found herself smiling softly as she recalled his letter. "Now, would you try to be nice to him?" When it was obvious to Elizabeth that her sisters were still doubtful, she added, "You can decide after you get to know him better. Let me fetch my basket from Alexa first and then we'll play with the children, shall we?"

Though Mary and Kitty were a little reluctant with her suggestion, they did follow her lead and walked towards the children once she had her basket in hand. By the time they got there, the game was almost over and Lord Ashbourne was sweaty and panting a little.

Once they were done playing, Elizabeth declared that she had brought them treats. Before she could open her baskets, however, Lord Ashbourne asked the children to follow him to a nearby well so they could wash their hands first before eating. When they got back, the children lined up and eagerly received the cakes and cookies from Elizabeth, Kitty, and Mary.

Lord Ashbourne was at the end of the line and by the time he reached her, he said: "I believe you are supposed to give me a cookies and cakes, fair lady."

Elizabeth laughed. "You already had your share of cookies, my Lord."

"But I thought we had a deal." At her raised brow, he explained, "I'll feed your vanity and you'll feed me cookies."

"So your compliments are untruthful, is that it?" She crossed her arms. "You just want to eat more cookies."

In an instant, his face turned serious. "I assure you that my words are true. And perhaps we could change our deal. Instead of feeding me cookies every time I feed your vanity, all you have to do is accept my compliments and believe it."

Before Elizabeth could think of a reply, Jane emerged from the path to Longbourn and greeted them all before addressing Mary and Kitty. "Mama has been looking for the two of you. You have been gone for over an hour and I believe that is quite enough time outside this morning."

Elizabeth could see that Mary and Kitty didn't want to leave just yet, but they all knew that it would be better to obey their mother. Especially since today was only a day after Mrs. Bennet's beloved son had died.

"I will see you again soon." Lizzy assured her sisters with a small smile.

After a brief parting hug and curtsies, Kitty and Mary followed Jane towards Longbourn and Lizzy watched her sisters disappear from her view sadly. Once they had gone, she looked up only to find Lord Ashbourne staring at her with a stern expression.

"Is there something wrong, my Lord?"

Lord Ashbourne shifted his gaze back at the direction where her sisters went to before looking back at her again. "Forgive me for prying, Miss Elizabeth, but may I ask if your eldest sister is always like that?"

"Like what?"

"Treat you with… polite civility?"

She nodded. "Yes, Jane is the epitome of decorum."

For a split second, Elizabeth realised that the children were now gone and that they had been called back to the house by their mothers (it was almost time for luncheon, after all) while she was busy watching her sisters depart. She was secretly glad that it was the case for she could feel that she did not like where their conversation was going.

He frowned. "Even if she accused you of –"

She held out a palm to him before he could continue. "Please, do not remind me of it anymore, my Lord. May I ask where these questions lead to?"

"I've been thinking," he began, "Since your sister can feign politeness in her encounters to you, perhaps she was not really interested in Bingley as Bingley thought."

Hurt, Lizzy looked up at him with pleading eyes. "You think she's…" She swallowed before saying the dreadful word, "…feigning politeness to me?"

With furrowed brows he asked, "Doesn't she?"

"No," she breathed.

Her answer sounded weak so she tried again, this time with a firm voice and a defiant look in her eye. "No."

"Miss Elizabeth," He sighed, looking at her tenderly and speaking softly. "As much as it pains me to say this to you, perhaps you it's time you open your eyes to the truth…"

"Truth?" She echoed, clenching her fists on her sides. "What truth? That no one cares about me?"

Lord Ashbourne shook his head, his gloved hands reaching out to her cladded ones. "You know that is not what I meant, Miss Elizabeth I don't want to see you hurting." He lowered himself a little to be in eye level with her. "But you have to let go of your false thoughts –"

She ripped her hands away from him. "False?!" With tears brimming in her eyes, she pointed at him, "You think that a sister who saved me from scalding water is feigning her politeness towards me and that I have conjured untrue thoughts about my family?"

He flinched at her outburst but his voice was soft as he asked, "S-scalding water?"

"Why, yes, Lord Ashbourne," she raised her chin at him. "Jane saved a seven-year-old little Lizzy from boiling water. It was just a month after my seventh birthday, you see, when Grandma Claire went to the North to help Alexa Digby. How unfortunate it was that little Lizzy had a fever while her dear grandmother was away. So naturally, she did what any child would do – seek her parents for comfort. It was late at night that she sneaked out of the Dower House, passing all the sleeping servants, who were all exhausted from trying to break her fever. Her grandmother was informed of her condition but bad weather prevented her from returning home sooner."

His expression was torn between wanting her to stop talking and to continue. Offended at him for implying that her judgement was clouded by false hopes and, if she was being completely honest, hurt at the half-truth of his statement, she kept on talking. "Unluckily for little Lizzy, her Mama didn't care if she was sick. Mrs. Hill, who had seen her pitiable condition, was preparing a soup for little Lizzy that time, and when her Mama found out about it, she dragged little Lizzy back to the kitchen and was about to pour the pot of hot water on her if her elder sister hadn't pulled her back in time!"

Glaring at him she said, "Now, Lord Ashbourne, tell me that there is no hope for me. Tell me!" She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again. "I know that I'm grasping on the thinnest strands of hope, but can't I have something to look forward to? Don't you feel the same way about your father? That he might say of how proud he is at you, one day? If you are allowed to hope for the better, then can't I do the same? Is it wrong to still see some light in my situation?"

"No, of course not." he answered softly. "I'm sorry for assuming the worse but please know that I am only looking out for you…"

She nodded. "I understand. Please forgive me for my sudden outburst as well, my Lord. No one knew of that incident saved for Jane, myself and Mama. Jane helped me sneaked back at the estate after that happened."

"There is nothing to forgive, Miss Elizabeth." He assured her and lifter her gloved hand for a kiss.

She smiled lightly, "Thank you for understanding, my Lord."

Taking a deep breath, she looked up at him again. "May I please ask you a favour?"

"What is it?"

"Will you promise me not to interfere with Jane and Mr. Bingley? However she might've treated me, it doesn't affect whatever feelings she might have for your friend. I believe Mr. Bingley to be a good man and if he and Jane liked each other, then I'd be happy for them."

He sighed, "I promise to be fair in my judgement but that's as far as I can say, Miss Elizabeth."

She squeezed his hand. "Thank you."

"May I escort you back to your house?"

"Of course, my Lord."

-p&p-

Unbeknownst to the two retreating figures, Jane Bennet was hiding behind the bushes with tears in her eyes…

Hi guys, sorry for the late update but I hope the fluff (it wasn't too sappy, was it?) and the length of this chapter made up for it…

There it is – more background about Jane. Next chapters we'll see what the Gardiners and the Lucases have to say about Claire. I know most of you are confused but please bear with me… *insert puppy face*

So, one: I'm sure we get Lizzy's point but she's prone to holding unto good memories of the past. My Lizzy is taking the whole "Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure" thing into the highest level. Don't worry, she'll learn…

Two: The other characters weren't the way they were without reason. Even meanies have reasons too… and it would also be explained in the following chapters.

Three: If you are sick of Lizzy and Darcy getting all sweet then my advice to enjoy those kinds of moments before you lose them. A storm is coming. *evil laugh*

Anyway, I hope you like how this story is going. Thank you for all the support and patience!

Until next time!