A/N: I'm aware this chapter has taken forever to get out, I now understand exactly what is meant by writers block. I took the opportunity to develop some of the characters, this I find is not as easy to do as it seems. I will try to get the next chapter out as soon as possible, there will be some interaction between Darcy and Elizabeth, but first I want to set the stage for a reunion with her family. I hope you enjoy this chapter and please review. Unless you're a troll, then please find something else to read.

Chapter 7 – A touch of whimsy

Following her tempestuous breakdown upon her arrival, Elizabeth settled happily into the Gardiner Household. Having never been in town for more than a few weeks, she was thoroughly enchanted with the weekly outings to the local bookshops and the near daily rambles in Hyde Park. The season being over, a large part of the city's inhabitants were off to their summer properties to enjoy quieter pursuits and hunt what local game there was to be found on the various estates.

The theatres took the opportunity afforded by the quiet between seasons, to plan the next plays to take place upon their stage of each. The Opera house considered which Sopranos, Tenors, countertenors and mezzo-sopranos suited best for the series of performances which were being considered as the best suited to attract London's upper crust. The wealthiest parts of town were completely devoid of their usual hustle and bustle as none of the ton would dare be caught in town during the less fashionable season. The staff, in all the fashionable households in Mayfair was non-existent apart for the housekeepers, the cooks and the scullery maids.

It must be noted that many households whom were in fact very well off but did not have the added luxury of having a country home remained in town and continued their social calls, or enjoyed a more sedate schedule, as it was not as necessary to maintain the frantic pace of social calls demanded by the season.

The Gardiners and their niece entertained their close acquaintances and were received as guests in their turn. Never before had Elizabeth made so many amiable acquaintances whilst in London and was very grateful to her Aunt and Uncle for their guidance and quiet support. Elizabeth knew she could not continue long in this quiet manner, and as though written in her stars, while the calm days of summer gave way to autumn; She began having strange dreams, which left her with an extreme sense of loss.

D&LD&LD&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D

The inhabitants of Longbourn were slowly learning to live with the consequences of Lizzy`s injuries. The

neighbouring families, some of whom, much like the Bennets, had resided in the area for generations and with whom close bonds of friendship had formed long ago, felt the family's grief as keenly as if it had been one of their own family members that had been struck down. However, they donned brave faces and offered what comfort and quiet support was needed freely as they stood by the Bennets, knowing that the same steadfast loyalty would be returned without thought by the afflicted familly.

Every person being quite different from the next, even as they were all a part of the same household, dealt with the strange loss differently. It was perhaps to be expected that Mr. Bennet would once more retreat into his book room. Never one to overexert himself or even pretend to be diligent with his correspondence, he was now quite active in seeking news of his second eldest and was even beginning to wonder if homing pigeons would not be less expensive in the long run. Thomas Bennet was however disappointed with each reply he received from his brother in law. The news was however positive as his Lizzy was doing well; she was happily raiding the bookshop every other week at the indulgence of Mr. Gardiner, enjoying walks in St-James park weather permitting and resting well at night. Mr. Bennet would sigh quietly when he would reach the end of the missives which indicated that Elizabeth had yet to mention any of her closest relations. He would then reach for his glass of port and return to his books.

Mrs. Bennet, for her part, was quite sure it would all turn out well and generally attempted not to think on the matter at all. She was aware that if she thought too much about the memory loss, her memory would conjure an image Elizabeth bleeding and unconscious in Mr. Darcy's arms. Her breathing would the quicken and she would begin to feel lightheaded as her heart rate also accelerate. Therefore, it seemed completely logical to Mrs. Bennet to simply consider Lizzy's absence as a prolonged visit in town with her dearest Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. She would be back quite soon of course, she was simply enjoying London a bit to excess at the moment.

The eldest Bennet daughter, it could be said was completely unaffected by the events which had taken place. She had been gifted with a quiet, calm and steady disposition, which suffused her entire being and often soothed those around her. Those who knew her best, were aware of her grief, it was clearly written in the slight downturn of her lips, the tiniest hint of a furrowed eyebrow, a very light shadow beneath her eyes that bespoke of restless nights, her driven need to be constantly occupied, her lapses in presence of mind during conversations. However or thankfully, those who knew Jane Bennet quite that well could be counted on one hand. One one was currently in London and the other was locked out n his study.

Mary Bennett suspected Jane's sorrow, but she had never been very close to any of her sisters in particular and she was quite distraught herself at the moment. After Jane had comforted her, the two siblings attempted to be more open with each other, but grief is felt so differently that Mary and Jane were at opposite ends of the experience and found it quite difficult to meet in the middle. They did however offer each other their quiet support. Mary's faith had been shaken and she began to look to other sources of knowledge to understand her grief and work through it.

The youngest, Lydia Bennet, remained unchanged, it can be noted she was loud, obsessed with fashion, self absorbed and unconcerned with the world around her unless she was directly affected. She was therefore very little inclined to give any of her attention away from her pursuits of pleasure. Her sister's absence was only noted inasmuch as the objects which had been left behind and which Lydia deemed were now rightfully hers, as she was the most lively and deserved to have them.

He sister Kitty, however was very much distracted ever since Elisabeth had gone away. Katherine Bennet was more quiet and contemplative. She could often be found in her fathers study sitting quietly staring out the window. As she was not distracting in a he least, Mr. Bennet allowed her to remain and quite helpfully did not enlighten Lydia to her sisters whereabouts when his youngest could be heard calling for her across the household. Kitty would sometimes bring her sketchbook and put to paper what she saw outside the window, at other times she would outline Elizabeth's smiling eyes, drawn from the corners of her memory or she would borrow some of the smaller volumes in her fathers study to skim through.

D&LD&LD&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&

Fitzwilliam Darcy had lingered in town for about a week after delivering Miss Darcy to her uncle's Town house, before returning to Netherfield. His conscience would not allow him any rest, even though the Bennet family had quite forgiven him. He was intellectually aware there was nothing he could have done to avoid the young lady that fateful day, and yet his thoughts were awash with alternate scenarios. Someway to have avoided what occurred. He had always been a quiet taciturn man and he feared he was indeed very poor company at the moment. Therefore he set himself the task of teaching Bingley all he could about estate management as effectively and quickly as possible, in the hopes of heading to Pemberly and concentrating on his own lands as well as seeing to his sister and planning their stay in town for the upcoming season.

D&LD&LD&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D&L&D

The Gardiners were delighted to have their lively niece to stay even if the circumstances which had brought about the extended visit were less than ideal. Mr. Gardiner had begun quiet inquiries among his acquaintance regarding others who has sustained similar injuries to his niece's. It seemed there was an array of approaches and he wondered if perhaps they should not look into them. He was a light sleeper and was aware his niece was no longer enjoying a restful nights rest. He did not wish to bring attention to it yet, but he did note his niece was eating slightly less and she was often found staring ahead of her as though through a looking glass into another world.