Chapter 1

Elizabeth Bennet stared out the window and watched the countryside pass her by. She tried to shift her position but did not want to wake her two youngest cousins who had chosen to use her as a pillow. Glancing up at her Aunt Gardiner she saw that the woman was studying her carefully.

"I'm sure, dear Lizzie, that when we arrive to town you will find that your father has already arranged things with Lydia and Mr. Wickham and chide you for making the trip unnecessarily," her aunt said quietly.

"One could only hope," Elizabeth replied. "But I feel that I must go to him regardless and I hope that will please him. I am certain that I could not just sit around Longbourn waiting for word. He must know that would drive me mad."

Elizabeth could hardly bear the one evening she had spent at her home with her mother constantly complaining of her nerves, Mary preaching and Kitty moping about. She did feel a bit bad about leaving poor Jane to care for Mother, but she had so much more of a gentle disposition about her than Elizabeth and could more easily handle her mother's theatrics. It hadn't been hard to convince her Aunt & Uncle to allow her to accompany them back to their home in London especially since they were well aware of how distressing this whole situation had been for her thus far.

As the carriage rocked back and forth Elizabeth could not help but replay what was sure to be her last ever meeting with Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. His desire to be out of her company as quickly as possible was more than evident, and perfectly understandable considering the circumstances that she had just conveyed to him, but still left Elizabeth with an empty feeling in her gut. She could almost hear his internal monologue praising his good fortune to have been able to escape association to the family that was brought to ruin by Miss Lydia Bennet. Oh, How Elizabeth longed to throttle her youngest sister.

Elizabeth wished that she could share her aunt's optimism about the situation but was certain that the situation was hopeless. Her youngest sister had succeeded in proving herself to be nothing more than a foolish selfish girl. And even if Mr. Wickham could be convinced to marry Lydia, she knew that would not guarantee the reputations of the family would not tarnished by the affair. And truly nothing could be done to project her in her a positive light in the eyes of Mr. Darcy which for some reason upset her more than anything else at this moment.

Mr. William Darcy could hardly control his anxiety and was glad to be able to maintain a quick pace as he walked the crowded streets of London. As he kept his eyes alertly aware of the persons he saw on the street he could not help but let his thoughts wander a bit to reflect on the events of the past few days.

His trip home to Pemberley had begun in the most surprising manner when he happened upon Elizabeth and her relations. He had at first believed that he must have been dreaming. He had resigned himself, after their last meeting in which he had presented her with his heartfelt written account of events in defense of his character, to never seeing her again. Her embarrassment at being discovered on the property was immediately evident which led him to set about at once to soothe her concerns and make her and Mr. & Mrs. Gardiner feel welcomed and at ease.

As he had led them on the tour of the grounds, he was struck by how much Elizabeth's mere presence enhanced the beauty and perfection of the place that he treasured about all others. The heaviness of his heart that had been weighing him down these past weeks had vanished in her company and he even had dared to allow himself to revel in the sheer happiness of the afternoon. He could hardly bear the disappointment when it came time for them to leave and was left feeling empty and lost.

It was due to these gloomy feelings that he had brought his sister and Mr. Bingley to call on Elizabeth immediately upon their arrival in Lambton. He watched in nervousness as Georgiana and Elizabeth made the acquaintance and was delighted was his dear sister suggested they extend an invitation to dinner. He was certain that he could have burst with happiness when she accepted the offer and can barely remember when time had ever moved so slowly in waiting for the event.

Of course, once the awaited event finally arrived it seemed to pass too very quick. He watched as she took careful consideration of his dear Georgiana even bringing her out of her reserved shyness to engage in some conversation with the group. Of course, Miss Bingley's ill-attempt to embarrass Elizabeth and her family's connection with Mr. Wickham and the regiment proved enough to shock his sister back into her shell, but Elizabeth had dealt with the situation with such discretion and grace that he could not help but feel his admiration for her grow stronger.

It was with those increased feelings of adoration that had brought him to call on Elizabeth the next day in Lambton. He had hoped to convince her to allow him accompany him on a walk about town before heading to Pemberley to meet with his sister, but all of these thoughts were immediately lost when he had seen her face.

She had been most distraught, and at first he feared that she had been ill or in some great pain. After hearing her account of what had transpired between her youngest sister and Mr. Wickham he was most upset himself. It had truly pained him to not been able to offer her immediate any comfort. Leaving her side was one of the hardest things he had ever done, but he had known even then that it would be up to him to make things right. After all it had been due to his own pride that Mr. Wickham's character had not been revealed.

Since he had already made plans with Georgiana and his friends for dinner that night, he hardly felt like he could have cancelled, but it was obvious to all that he took no delight in the affair. He did his best to be attentive to his sister throughout the meal, but in the end had to excuse himself from the idle chatter and gossip following dinner.

He had not been able to get a wink of sleep and left very early the next morning before the household had even awoken. He had penned a letter to his sister and his friend Charles Bingley apologizing for his abrupt departure and left them with Mrs. Reynolds.

Pulling himself from his memories he realized that he had finally arrived at the house that he had been looking for. Steeling himself he gritted his teeth and rang the bell. When Mrs. Younge answered the door, he knew immediately from her fear-stricken face that he had discovered the whereabouts of the delinquent couple.