"Richard, do what ever you must to keep her out." William held onto her tightly.

"Cousin, I don't think that possible." Lizzie buried her head further into William's chest.

"Richard-"

"Fitzwilliam, this was a most horrendous welcome. And here I find your wife lounging in bed. Why did you not listen to me." Lizzie looked up to se Lady Catherine standing at the door.

"You are not welcome in this house, I thought I had made that clear when you disgraced my wife at the wedding breakfast." William stood, leaving Lizzie feeling vulnerable.

"William, please." Lizzie grasped at his hand, not wanting to face the world at the moment.

"Richard, remover her." William sat down on the bed and Lizzie pulled his hand to her face.

Lady Catherine stood her ground. "Nephew, does your mistress have such a hold on you? Have you allowed a common harlot to run Pemberley for her own gain? Have you allowed your heart to overwhelm your judgement? If you would not marry Anne, they why not Miss Bingley, for she had all the assets that would have benefited you and your station. Miss Bennet-"

"My name is Mrs. Darcy. It has been Mrs. Darcy for the past year. You have insulted me before my wedding, at my wedding, and now you not only insult me, but my husband as well. As you once told me, this is not to be born. You may be William's aunt but I am still the lady of the house. If my husband has asked you to leave, then leave you must." Lizzie didn't move from the bed. She just sat there, staring at Lady Catherine. Her jaw locked so hard it was hurting and she was certain if she eld William's hand any tighter he would start wincing. Instead he pulled his hand out from hers and walked to the door.

"Goodbye, Lady Catherine." He practically threw it shut. The second she heard the door lock, she felt the tears streaming dow her cheeks.

"Oh, William. Are we not to have any peace? And with Lydia coming at the end of the week..."

"Lydia is coming here?" William sat back on the edge of the bed and grasped both her hands.

"Yes, and William, her news is so confusing." He merely looked at her. "She is with child." His grip loosened as his look cleared of all confusion. "I am happy that she will be having a child, but to him? How could she remain so foolish! She wanted you to find him after he disappeared from their home."

"Lizzie, I do not want her here wit you like this. After what her husband did to you." He brushed the tears from her face.

"We have no choice. She is already on her way." Lizzie felt embarrassed, breaking down like this. She heard a knock on the door.

"Cousin, I have news." She heard Colonel threw the door.

"And what is said news." William made no point in moving.

"He is locked in the broom closet downstairs." Lizzie could almost imagine the smirk on Richard's face, and then suddenly became terrified that he was still in her house.

"Then hand him over and let us be done with him!" William pulled her into a hug.

"The magistrate refuses to take him until Lizzie tells him what happened."

"Lizzie, do you feel up to it?" William pushed her gently away from him. She nodded slightly. He helped her out of bed and took her hand in his, placing it on his arm. They walked out of his room to greet the party in the hall.

Lizzie felt her hand tighten his arm as she noticed their sitting room. "I was in my room," her voice was shaking, "when I heard the door lock. He was going on and on about etiquette and teaching me a lesson so my husband would thank me." She released William's arm and started to move about the room. "I moved over to my desk to grab the knife to protect myself. When he tried to kiss me, I plunged it into his chest." She bit her lip. "It didn't help. I ran to the door but found it to be locked so I ran into this room. He kept ranting about how no one would hear me and how my husband would thank him. I ran from the room but somehow, when I made it to the hall, he had caught me again. I heard Miss Darcy's voice and the Colonel Fitzwilliams' and he," she bit her lip harder and moved farther from the group, "he moved the knife to my throat. My husband came in next and he started to drag me from the house. I bit his had and he threw me against one the pillars. That is all I remember." She felt herself start to sway slightly and her head throbbed. She fell backwards slightly and caught herself on one of the remaining upright chairs.

"Did you know the man?" She wasn't sure if the voice was the doctor or the magistrate.

She gripped the chair back tightly before she forced his name out of her mouth. "George Wickham."

"You are a liar Lizzie!"Lizzie spun around to see none other than Lydia marching her way into the room, hatred in her eyes.