opposites in many ways

Mr. Darcy has, once again, swept me off my feet and throw my heart down the privy. His silent wish to impress and his lack of impressing the intelligent and ever-teasing Elizabeth Bennet... why I find it rather fascinating.

But that is not the only reason I am inconcievably happy... My Lizzie is coming along extraordinarily well. Backed up by thousand - nay millions - of romantic songs I must listen to the most sad and depressing ones to write. I am so happy that depression has fled away!

But, alas, I know that school shall depress me... hard as I try not to think of it. So, without further ado, I shall present some of My Lizzie to tantalize you with my paintbrush of words and ink [not so much] and letters...


My Lizzie

Dearest Tomas,
After our previous discussion, I have decided to follow my father's dying wish. For the good of the family. I am pleased to announce that you are asked to come to the ball in velebration of the engagement of Sir Edmund of Hartford and myself. I would be delighted to have you, my beloved friend, present. It would be wonderful to share your confidences again. I am sure you and Sir Edmund will be best of friends.
Sincerest Wishes,
Elizabeth Alena Harte
Second Mistress of Worthingshire Estate

Tomas slid the letter unto the side of his desk, debating the thousads of ways to answer Elizabeth's good news. He finally sat down and complied the letter.

My Lizzie,
I am glad for you and Sir Edmund. I hope you are well suited for each other. On the matter of attending this ball, I will be delighted at recieving such an honor. It will be a pleasure to attend. If you would be so kind as to tell me the date of said ball, I will schedule around it. Dearest friend, kindest regards to you and your gentleman. I will see you then.
Best Wishes,
Tomas Duben
Second Master of Duben's Estate

Lizzie sat down and put Tomas's letter on the table. Lizzie's butler came into the room.
"Sir Edmund of Hartford, Miss," he announced. The door opened and in came Edmund. He was extremely hansdome with sleek black hair, impecable manners, and blue eyes that girls claimed could steal your heart. They had yet to steal Lizzie's heart, though.
"Lady Elizabeth," he bowed.
"Lizzie, please," she replied. "Good morning, Edmund."
"Good morning, Lizzie," Edmund said, struggling to say Lizzie. He smiled his clever smile. Lizzie secretly compared it to a smug grin and was not fond of it.
"Now, my good friend Tomas, the Master of Duben's Estate's son, is coming to the ball as soon as I reply to his letter," Lizzie said, picking up a quill and writing out a letter.

Dearest Tomas,
Once again, you delight me with your company. The ball is set to take place on the Nineteenth of July. Feel free to come earlier (for my pleaure, I need assistance with gowns!) if you wish to do so. I await your reply.
Sincerest Wishes,
Elizabeth Alena Harte
Second Mistress of Worthingshire Estate

"Once again, you have decided to invite one of your foolish friends?" Edmund commented.
"No," Lizzie rebuked. "Tomas is hardly foolish. He is well-bred and has a fine character. I hope you shall both be good friends."
"Men are men, Lizzie," Edmund replied smartly. "We tend not to be bosom friends, but show our wives and estates to one another."
"Tomas is a fine man," Lizzie spoke softly. "He has been a good friend to both myself and my family."
"Why are you not engaged to him?" Edmund asked angrily. "Is he to high and mighty to marry you?"
"He never asked, and I would not expect him to do so," Lizzie blushed. "I am shocked you would say as such, Edmund. Tomas would never marry for money or prospects, but for love."
"He is a fool then, this Tomas," Edmund said, cooling his temper. "Love is not what marriage is for; love is for elopment. Marriage is for the good of the family."
"Be he a fool or a wise man, he is my guest and friend, you will treat him well, Edmund," Lizzie said seriously.
"Only as he deserves, Lizzie, dear," Edmund said, pecking her on the cheek. "I've business to attend to; men business. I'll be off."

My Lizzie,
Thank you for the date. I will come to your house on the Tenth and we will see these astounding gouns that are causing you such trouble.
Best Wishes to you and yours,
Tomas Duben
Second Master of Duben's'Estate

Tomas signaled to the carriage to stop. Lizzie's estate looked grand, as usual. It was too bad that her mother was the First Mistress of the estate and that Lizzie was only Second Mistress. Lizzie new the land and the people much better than her mother. Tomas was greeted by Lizzie's butler and followed him to Lizzie's parlor.
"Tomas!" she cried, standing. She was about to come to Tomas when a man gripped her shoulder.
"Lizzie, dear, who is this young man?" he asked, running a hand through his slick black hair. Tomas automatically felt a hatred for the man, whoever he was.
"Oh, Edmund, this is Sir Tomas," Lizzie introduced.
"A pleasure Sir," Tomas said, crossing the floor and putting out his hand towards Edmund.
"Indeed," Edmund replied condesendingly, ingoring Tomas's outstretched hand. "Listen, Lizzie, I've some business to attend to. Don't get in any trouble."
Edmund turned on his heel and left the room without another word. Lizzie gave Tomas a weak smile.
"He doesn't like me much, does he?" Tomas asked.
"He doesn't like anyone that I've had relations with first. He seems convinced that they are not as good as his business friends," Lizzie said. "Oh, but I should not be judging him so, he is my fiance."
"Well, I'll be darned. Lizzie I've never heard you speak so!" Tomas laughed. "Now, do I get any proper greeting, since your fiance isn't looking?"
"Of course!" Lizzie said, hugging him feircly. "I've missed you so, Tomas. It seems so long. I don't know what to say."
"How about those dresses you mentioned?" Tomas asked.
"Oh, Edmund has already given me a dress as a present," Lizzie said disappointed. "But I can show it to you."
"Lead the way, Lizzie," Tomas said with a wave of his hand. Lizzie giggled.
Lizzie tucked a strand of luxurious dark brown hair behind her ear and took one last glance in the mirror. Her hair was up except for the occasional loose curls. Her brown eyes were emphasized by thick lashes and dark red lips. Her thin waist was accentuated by a long red dress. A single black rose vine was embroidered on the bodice. The skirt was long and swished on the ground, covering her delicate little red slippers. Lizzie jumped as there was a knocking on her door.
"Lizzie, are you coming?" Edmund asked crossly. "They are ready to announce us."
"Yes, yes," Lizzie said fumbling with the door handle. "I'm coming."
"You look beautiful," Edmund whispered as they both stepped down the stairs to the awaiting crowd. The mass of people was utterly silent, watching Lizzie's satin dress slide on the stairs and Edmund escorting her.
"Thank you," she replied.
"Oh, Lizzie, you may speak to whomever you wish, but I am your only dance partner," Edmund said sharply. "You may dance with no one but me."
"Yes, Edmund," Lizzie said quietly. She was disappointed for she loved to dance.
Edmund released Lizzie to the congratulations of the quests while he retreated to the company of his business friends. Tomas waited for Lizzie in a small corner, his hand around a glass of brandy.
"You look astounding, Lizzie," he greeted. "I wonder where your finace has gone. Does he not see how all the men's eyes watch you?"
"He probably thinks me nothing but a prize," Lizzie said, standing next to him. "I suppose I am meant to be seen. To have those men stare at me. It does make one nervous, does it not?"
"I should assume so," Tomas chuckled, sipping his drink. "I would be nervous if I had a bunch of women watching me like a piece of meat."
Tomas's sister, Emma, and her husband, John, both came to greet Lizzie.
"My, my, Lizzie," Emma clucked. "That Edmund is certainly a catch. I wonder how much he owns."
"Excuse me, Miss Elizabeth," a young man interuppted. "May I have this dance?"
"I'm sorry, but no," Lizzie answered. "My dance partner is my fiance."
"Oh, well then, best wishes," the man replied. He looked hurt, but recovered well.
"Why are you refusing every man who asks you hand in a dance?" John asked.
"Edmund has forbidden me to dance with anyone but him," Lizzie replied.
"That's just outrageous!" Emma exclaimed. "You are about to be married, now is when men will notice you!"
"Hush, Emma," Tomas said quietly. "Don't get in an uproar. I'm sure Edmund and Lizzie have their reasons."
"Yes, I'm sure they do," Emma whispered, thinking.
Whit gossamer bows, strings of pearls and white flowers adorned almost every inch of Worthingshire Estate. Servants bustled about hurriedly for the grand wedding of Sir Edmund and Lady Elizabeth. Tomas looked happily about the rooms because there was still time before the wedding cerimony in the chapel.
"Please, sir," a maid said curtsying. "Lady Elizabeth requests you meet her in her chambers."
"Thank you," he replied. The maid curtsied and left.
Tomas approached Lizzie's chambers. He heard loud sobbing within.
"Lizzie?" Tomas said knocking on the door. He glanced over his shoulder, he saw Edmund stalking down the hallway. "Lady Elizabeth, it is Sir Tomas."
"Sir Tomas," Edmund greeted. "May I ask as to why you are disturbing my Lizzie?"
"She requested my prescence," Tomas replied.
"Well," Edmund pondered, placing himself in between Tomas and Lizzie's door. In Tomas's favor, another servant came requesting Edmund's prescence. Edmund glared at Tomas.
"You stay away from her, Tomas," Edmund sneered threateningly
"Sir Edmund, Lady Elizabeth is my dear friend. I will do as she wishes," Tomas rebuked. He decided that he was not going to loose one of his best friends to a monster of a gentleman.
"As the lady wishes," Edmund bowed, leaving Tomas, storming down the hallway.
"Lizzie," Tomas whispered knocking ever so softly. "Lizzie, please." Lizzie opened the door. She was in a beautiful wedding gown, but her eyes and face were red from crying. "Oh, Lizzie," Tomas cried. "Whatever is the matter?" Lizzie hugged him close. Her dearest closest friend.
"How can I tell you, Tomas?" she whispered. "I should not have called you, but to have you here is wonderful."
"What happened?" Tomas asked, holding her hand. "You know you could tell me anything."
"I might as well," Lizzie murmured. "I - I was discussing my dress and the bride's maids and saying how much Charlotte would love to be one. Edmund came to me and said that his wife would have to be submissive and that he had already decided who was to be in the bridal party. I asked whom might be in the bridal party and he just became so angry - he yelled that I was not to ask him such trivial questions. I said that I was sorry to have displeased him and he became even more angry and claimed that I was sassing him. He became so angry that he - he..."
"What did he do, Lizzie?" Tomas asked gently.
"He hit me," she answered simply.
"I think you should not enter into marriage with this man, Lizzie," Tomas spoke in a soft low voice. "He is not good for you."
"Please, Tomas, don't be silly," Lizzie said smiling. "I did sass him. I did deserve some sort of punishment."
"I'm speachless, Lizzie," Tomas said shocked. "The man abuses you and you take it like it was your fault!"
"I'm so sorry for calling you here and upsetting you, Tomas," Lizzie said kindly. "I'm sorry, but will you excuse me? I still must prepare for the wedding - what with my red face. Thank you for coming."


EEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!! as Olivia would say. More comes soon.

All my love,

Asiat