Chapter 22

The couple were unaware that they were being watched….

-"Meow"

The sound made them startled for a moment. They looked at the entrance and saw a cat sitting close to the door.

-"No need to worry. That's my mother's cat" said William trying to calm Elizabeth.

-"How cute" Elizabeth's eyes sparkled and she stood up to take the cat into her arms.

-"I recommend you not to touch her. She is very bad with strangers. The last time I tried to take her, she almost bit me" said William remembering the unpleasant memory.

Elizabeth took his advice, but after looking back at the adorable cat, she could not hold back. She slowly approached her and gently took her. She was a beautiful Cymric cat with soft fur. When Elizabeth could not take it any longer, she attacked the cat with kisses and hugs.

William sat there stunned at the scene before him. Damn that lucky cat, thought William; even he wasn't able to receive such affections from Elizabeth.

-"Mary? There you are my dear! You've already met Elizabeth?" Mrs. Darcy came from the kitchen and smiled when she found Mary snuggled comfortably in Elizabeth's arms. Although Mary was very choosy with people, Mrs. Darcy wasn't surprised that she was comfortable around Elizabeth. The young woman had something that attracted everyone to her like a magnet.

-"Her name is Mary?! She is gorgeous!" said Elizabeth as she held the cat close to her body.

William looked at Mary for a moment, and it seemed like she was trying to make him jealous. She had this smirk on her face…I must be imagining things, he thought and shook his head. He saw that he was forgotten in the room and Elizabeth appeared to have no intention of letting that cat go. So, he stood up to take away his wife from that little thing when an idea suddenly popped in his mind. Elizabeth was very fond of animals, and if he were to give some love to that cat, he might receive some love back from his wife. Brilliant! He smiled to himself and approached them.

-"Here kitty kitty, come here you little thing" he stretched his hands to take the cat. His advances were met with a loud hiss from Mary. He abruptly took away his hands, damn this cat!

Elizabeth began to pet Mary to calm her down.

-"You don't want to go to this uncle? He is very scary, isn't he? I feel you!" Elizabeth spoke to Mary gently and looked back at her husband who was sulking. She wanted to tease him a bit, but after seeing his sulking face she burst out laughing together with Mrs. Darcy.

-"For some reason she never liked you William and I never knew why!" Mrs. Darcy said after laughing.

-"Perhaps we could change that" said Elizabeth as she walked towards William, with Mary in her hands. She gently touched his arm with one hand while holding Mary with another.

-"See, he is not a bad person. He is very gentle" The cat looked from Elizabeth to William as if understanding the situation.

Elizabeth wanted to prove her point, so she kissed William on his cheek to both of their surprise. After understanding her own abrupt action, she tore away from him, leaving him there.

William stood there dazzled by her action. Perhaps the heavens have heard his prayers. He smiled gently.

-"Ahem ahem" Mrs. Darcy claimed both of their attentions. She was very happy at the scene before him. From his son's looks, she knew very well that William was foolishly in love with Elizabeth. It made her elated to think that he has finally found his own happiness and a partner in life.

-"Dessert is served" the butler announced.

The rest of the dinner was passed with William still dazzled by the kiss, Elizabeth embarrassed by her own actions and Mrs. Darcy delighted for her son's happiness.

…

After dinner, couple bid their goodnights to Mrs. Darcy and retired for the night.

As William and Elizabeth were climbing up the stairs together, William wanted to stay a little longer with her.

-"I have something to say" announced William quietly.

-"Well, then come in to my bedroom" said Elizabeth keeping the door open for her husband.

Once they were secure in her bedroom, William began;

-"I've been thinking that if we keep showing a picture perfect marriage, then my mother might grow suspicious. So, I thought that perhaps, we should…"

-"Fight?" Elizabeth finished his sentence.

-"Well, yes to put it boldly. Like have an argument and then make up to show my mother that we have a stable marriage" William explained to her. It was easy to say, but hard to be done. How on earth could he have an argument with her?!

-"I agree on that. I've seen a lot of married couple who fight over nothing and then make up afterwards" Elizabeth smiled.

-"Alright then, tomorrow. I'll leave you now, you must be tired after the trip" He ran his hand through his hair, not wanting to go back to that dark attic and sleep alone. Although he refused to acknowledge it, he had been spoiled at his grandfather's house. He has grown fond of having her next to him when he slept. His mother was like a dark knight for separating them and putting them in separate bedrooms.

-"Goodnight, Mr. Darcy" she said gently.

-"Yes, goodnight! Sweet dreams" said William and walked out of the room feeling empty.

Once on his own bed, he turned and turned trying to find sleep. But it was useless; indeed I have become used to have her beside me, he thought.

It was a long and a torturous night for William. It took all of his will not to go down to her bedroom and sleep next to her. He took comfort in knowing that he would see her first thing tomorrow morning and spend the whole day together with her.

…

-"That is the face of a man who fought with himself throughout the night" William could hear the butler speaking to a maid as he went downstairs the next morning. And he was right in his observations!

He looked around trying to find Elizabeth and his mother. And he asked the butler;

-"I can't find Elizabeth and mother, where are they?"

-"They're gone" replied Joseph calmly.

-"They're gone?" William stood there in disbelief.

Author's Notes: I'm sorry this chapter is very short and nothing really interesting happened here (a bit fluffy and corny). I'll finish this chapter tomorrow, and I promise there will be a bang tomorrow! Please review and feel free to criticize.