My dear Elizabeth (for that is what I hope you to always call you),

I am indeed grieved by the circumstances which will cause your hasty departure from Derbyshire and consequently, Pemberly. Please do not misunderstand in thinking that I am glad to be parted from your company. In fact, it is quite the opposite and I am sorry that we shall have to part ways so suddenly. I do not dare to hope that my attentions the last few days have proven to you that I did listen to your reproofs last spring and that I am trying to change my behavior to be a man worthy of your love. I can only hope that I might still have some chance of winning your heart. Dearest, most wonderful Elizabeth, please write back and tell me I have some hope.

I know it would not be proper for you to write directly to me, so I propose this- write to Georgiana- as I have no secrets from my sister, she knows of my abhorrent behavior and my attempts to change. Slip a letter to me in with your letter to her and she will see that it is delivered with all due haste to myself.

I remain your servant,

F. Darcy

Darcy folded and sealed the sheets as quickly as he could before departing for the Inn at Lambton at a breakneck pace. He had left Elizabeth's side and had made it halfway home before he had realized how stupid he'd been to leave in the way he had. He raced the rest of the way to Pemberley, where he ran through the front door, shouting orders to his staff as he hurried in the direction of his study. Georgiana came in as he was rounding his desk with the completed letter in hand.

"Ah, Georgie- I shall be back in the hour. Would you plan to meet me in your sitting room? Speak to Charles before hand and make sure he occupies his sisters in another part of the house - preferably outside. He, himself can be present for our conversation if you wish, but it has to do with Mr. Wickham." with that and a quick kiss on her cheek he ran back out of the house, mounted his horse and took off at full speed for Lambton.

When he arrived at the inn, the Gardiners and Elizabeth were just preparing to enter their carriage, he was able to catch their attention and they waited for him to approach.

"I am so glad I was able to catch you before you departed. Miss Bennet, Mr and Mrs. Gardiner, i wanted to wish you safe travels. I know you are anxious to get to London, but as we speak my housekeeper and chef are preparing a lunch basket for you. They will meet you at the intersection of the main roads with it." He said, slightly winded from the energy he had exerted to beat their departure.

"Mr. Darcy- you are too kind. We appreciate your thoughtfulness. Please extend our thanks to Miss Darcy as well." Mrs. Gardiner said as she dropped a curtsy and turned to allow her husband to assist her into the carriage.

"Mr. Darcy, we are grateful to you, but please know that you are under no obligation. I know that given my family's current situation, I would not blame you if you wished to have no further contact with any of us." Elizabeth hated that she couldn't quite meet his eyes as she spoke, but she knew if she did she wouldn't be able to keep from crying.

"Miss Bennet, you have only to ask and I would move heaven and earth to make your smallest wish come true." Darcy said in a low voice as he took her hand to help her into the carriage. It was only after she sat in the carriage that she realized he had pressed a letter into her palm.

"Mr. Gardiner, may I have a word?" Darcy indicated that they should step away- "I have many resources in London that I would be pleased for you to avail yourself and Mr. Bennet of. Please call on my solicitor first thing in the morning and he will assist you." Mr. Darcy presented a business card and shook Mr. Gardiner's hand before wishing him safe travels,

After seeing the carriage off, Darcy returned to Pemberley and slowly walked to Georgiana's sitting room, after hearing her quiet "come in" he entered, closing and locking the door behind him. He wasn't surprised to see both Georgiana and Charles sitting together and sipping tea.

He sat next to his sister and took a deep breath. "Charles, I am assuming you now know our full history with Wickham." at his nod, Darcy continued "What you may not know is that while I was in Kent this spring, I proposed marriage to Miss Elizabeth and she refused me. After some reflection, I can't say I blame her. I'd insulted her and her family and behave abominably. Since then, I've done everything in my power to become the type of man who she would accept. I didn't plan for her to visit Pemberley, but I won't lie and say I wasn't going to make the most of her time here. I had ridden over to the inn this morning to invite her and the Gardiners to stay with us for a few days. My hope was that I could at least convince her to enter a courtship with me. I had barely arrived when I noticed she was very upset and on the verge of fainting.

"When I got her calmed down, and had sent a servant to locate the Gardiners, she told me what had happened." He paused and gripped Georgiana's hand, knowing this would hurt her more than anything else. "It appears that some news arrived today from Longbourne. Miss Lydia Bennet - Elizabeth's youngest sister had been staying with friends in Brighton. But apparently, she has left them and eloped with Mr. Wickham."

Georgiana gasped and put a trembling hand to her mouth, while Charles uttered a curse word that he normally would never say in the presence of a lady.

Darcy continued his tale after a moment, "Because she lacks fortune and connections, I can only guess at his motives. Hers- well, I hesitate to speak ill of the lady, but Charles and I both met her and "silly" doesn't begin to describe her. They have been traced to London and Mr. Bennet has gone to try to seek them out. The Gardiners and Miss Elizabeth left this morning so that Mr. Gardiner could join him in the search. I've offered them the use of my solicitor, but I feel I can be more helpful in London. Therefore, I plan to leave as soon as I can. Georgie- I ask that you stay here with the Bingley's. First, because I don't want that man any where near you. And second, as unseemly as it is, I have written Miss Elizabeth a letter and delivered it by hand. I've asked her to write back to me under the guise of writing to you and slipping a letter to me in with her letter to you. I'll ask you to then write me and add her letter with yours. Can you do that, Georgie?" At her smile and nod, he grinned. "And Georgie- send them express! Now, Charles, your job may be more difficult. I need you to keep this information from your sisters- Caroline especially. We both know that she would use it what she feels is her advantage, but in reality would only succeed in ruining the reputations of the entire Bennet family." He glanced meaningfully at Charles hoping he understood that Jane would not escape the scrutiny of the gossip that would follow.

"You can count on me." Charles said emphatically.

"Right. I'll send word as I can." Darcy said as he rose and drew Georgiana into a hug.

"Go brother. Be her hero!" she whispered.