"Mr. Bingley looked very healthy yesterday. Our fresh country air must be good for him," Elizabeth said feigning innocence, but she had been taunting Jane like this at every opportunity. "Wouldn't you agree, Jane?" Her sister only scowled good naturedly back at her. "Or, maybe it was just the company, that brought such fine color to his cheeks." To this, Jane threw a heap of ribbons at Elizabeth.

"Lizzie, how many times must I tell you, I am no longer fixed upon Mr. Bingley. We are casual acquaintances, and we conversed as such last night." Jane had not convinced anyone, "You are making a fuss out of nothing!" The more she protested, the more obvious it became.

"Promise me you won't elope while I'm in Derbyshire," Elizabeth grinned at Jane's blush. "When I get back, we could have a double wedding!" she suggested jovially.

"Believe me, Lizzie, he feels nothing for me!" Before Elizabeth could contradict her, Mr. Hill entered the room to announce that Mr. Bingley was here. Jane's shock and Bingley's nervousness made the encounter painfully awkward. Elizabeth soon tired of carrying a conversation with two people incapable of lucid thoughts and suggested a walk. A change of scenery couldn't hurt. Bingley had reflexively agreed with everything said up to that point, so convincing him was effortless. Elizabeth grabbed a book and the three of them set out.

The sunshine and fresh air seemed to dissolve the haze that had been clouding them, for after a few minutes of silence Jane and Bingley both started talking at once. They eventually moved into an easy conversation, and the awkwardness that had plagued them, now disappeared. Elizabeth discreetly fell behind, and stopped to read under a tree, entirely unnoticed.

Elizabeth stared at the words on the page in front of her. After a moment, she realized she wasn't reading the words, just staring at them. She was thinking about Jane and Bingley, how uncomplicated their feelings are. It must be terribly nice to love someone and see that love looking right back at you. She thought of Mr. Darcy, too.

How could one man change so drastically in such a short time? Simple, thought Elizabeth, he did not change, I was wrong about him from the beginning. Now, if only she could admit that to him. She wondered if his appearance had changed or if she was simply seeing him in a different light. When he smiled, he looked like an entirely different person, she mused wishing he would smile more.

In picturing his smile, she thought of his frown and that awful look on his face after she had refused him. That look of anger and crushed hopes haunted her. It had been so easy for her to hate him, it took her a split second to decide how she felt. Why was it so difficult to love him?The thought shook Elizabeth deeply. Did she love him?

"Miss Elizabeth, we thought we'd lost you!" exclaimed Mr. Bingley comically. He seemed to be in much better spirits than earlier that day. Elizabeth guessed it was the company and not the fresh country air.

"Oh, I just decide to take a rest," she said, raising an eyebrow at her sister, who blushed profusely. The trio returned to the house, and Mr. Bingley was soon on his way, but not before inviting the family to dine with him the next day. Jane was in a dreamy fog for the rest of the day.

"How long have you known Mr. Bingley?" Mrs. Gardiner asked Jane. She was staring out the window, at the gentleman's retreating form and did not register her aunt's question.

"We met him the same evening we met Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth supplied in Jane's silence. The two shared a smile at Jane's distraction. Their pleasant dialogue was interrupted by Kitty wailing from the dining room. They were not confused for very long, Lydia danced into the room a moment later.

"Oh to see my Wickham again! My heart would have broken to be apart another month!" Lydia gushed. Kitty was on her tail, but in a much different mood. Mrs. Gardiner was less familiar with the young ladies' theatrics, and questioned Kitty's tears.

"Lydia got a letter from Mrs. Forster, she wants her to visit them in Brighton!" Mrs. Gardiner now joined Jane and Elizabeth in their indifference toward Kitty's hysterics. "Why did she not invite both of us. It should be me, if anybody, I'm two years older!" Kitty cried angrily.

"I'm much better company," replied Lydia, feigning sympathy. Kitty stomped off, with Lydia gloating close behind.

"There is no possible way that this will end happily… for any of us," stated Elizabeth in the quiet wake of her sisters. She went immediately to her mother, trying to reason with an unreasonable women. "You can't allow this! She will make a fool of herself and our family!"

"Oh, Lizzie, you've already got yourself a fine husband," Mrs. Bennet said nonchalantly, not noticing her daughter's tone.

"Mama, that is not the point! Lydia has no common sense, if someone does not reign her in…. it could be dangerous!" Elizabeth pleaded.

"She will be with Forster's, she can't get into any real trouble."

"She will do her best to!" Elizabeth countered, but her mother had moved on to other things.

"Lizzie, must we invite the Townsend's to you wedding? Mrs. Townsend is pleasant enough, but her husband is such a sour man, and Mr. Bennet was the only one who could tolerate him," she trailed off. Elizabeth marveled at her mother's ridiculous priorities, and stalked off, hoping to force her sister into maturity before it was too late.

Lydia was a brick wall, as expected, and Elizabeth only got in a few words between 'my Wickam' this and 'Brighton' that. The few words she did manage were ignored and Lydia was as irrational as ever.

After the day's excitement and frustrations, Elizabeth was exhausted. She looked forward to her trip now more than ever. She slept easily that night, and woke early the next day. They would be leaving before breakfast, so Elizabeth busied herself preparing for the journey.

"Try to talk so sense into Lydia before she leaves," Elizabeth pleaded to Jane while saying goodbye.

"I doubt she will hear a word I say," Jane replied defeated.

"I know, but we have to try." Elizabeth hugged her sister and climbed into the carriage. The journey was uneventful and took most of the day. It was nearly dark by the time they reached Pemberly. Mr. Darcy greeted them eagerly, yet still holding on to his formality. He quickly led them to their rooms to freshen up before dinner.

"Did Mr. Darcy seem nervous to you ?" asked Mrs. Gardiner as they went down to the parlor where the gentleman was waiting.

"He did seem rather tense," mused Mr. Gardiner. Before they could discuss the matter any further, they reached the party. The Gardiner's entered the room first and were introduced directly. Miss Darcy greeted them politely, but very shyly. Elizabeth saw that she was a light and fair as Mr. Darcy was dark, this contrast was magnified because she remained so close to her brother.

"Miss Darcy, it is good to finally meet you. The way your brother spoke of you, I expected a little girl, but you are quite grown up." The girl blushed at this, but smiled proudly.

"And, my brother has spoke so much of you--" she started to respond, but Mr. Darcy cut her off.

"We should be moving into the dining room, I think," He said quickly. Elizabeth could not help but giggle, which shocked Georgiana, who had never heard anyone laugh at her brother's expense. Mr. Darcy only blushed a little, and fought a smile, thus, shocking his sister even more. Seeing this interaction, she wholeheartedly approved the match.

The two young women bonded immediately, chatting easily throughout dinner. Mr. Darcy was happy to see his sister behaving so sociably, and was relieved to see that she accepted Elizabeth. Hers was one of the only opinions that could change his own.

"Miss Elizabeth," Georgiana began, uncertainly looking to her brother, who nodded reassuringly. "Would you and Mrs. Gardiner like to go on a picnic with me tomorrow?"

"I think that's an excellent idea," Elizabeth said, turning to her aunt.

"Yes, I can't wait to see Pemberly in the daylight," Mrs. Gardiner beamed.

"It appears the ladies have no need for us, Mr. Darcy. I, for one, am heartbroken," Mr. Gardiner observed pleasantly.

"I hope you are not too downhearted to go fishing in their absence tomorrow," said Darcy.

"If I must," the gentleman replied sarcastically.

With the plans set for the following day, the party retired early. The travelers were exhausted and the Darcy's were so relieved that the meeting had gone so well, they slept heavily too.

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The separate parties left in the late morning, the ladies taking a open carriage, the gentlemen on horseback. Georgiana was still plagued with apprehension, but was obviously trying to break the habit. Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth saw her efforts, and helped her along whenever they could.

The day was sunny and warm, showing off the grounds of Pemberly at their finest. After a short tour, they stopped in a small grove to eat.

"This place is so beautiful! Georgiana, you have grown up in a fairytale," Elizabeth said, admiring the landscape.

"This will be your home in a short time, Lizzie," Mrs. Gardiner noted.

"It is a foreign thought, to be sure. But, after seeing this place, I cannot dream of living anywhere else."

"I do hope you will be happy here, with my brother," said Georgiana, sounding much younger than her sixteen years. "He has spent so much time, worrying about me," she looked pointedly at Elizabeth, making sure she caught her meaning. "He deserves to have someone worry about him, for a change."

"I shall do my very best," Elizabeth promised.

"And, I am so excited to have a sister," the girl said, taking on a lighter tone.

"I'm not sure you know what you're in for," Mrs. Gardiner commented. "You're not getting one sister, but you will have five." Georgiana's eyes widened in delight. Elizabeth spent the rest of the afternoon fielding questions about her large family.

"This trip is the first moments peace I have had in years!" Elizabeth said, complaining of her noisy home.

"The only noise at Pemberly, is my playing or singing. That is why I spend so much time practicing, otherwise the silence would be unbearable." Georgiana was now speaking freely, fully embracing Elizabeth as family, and enjoying Mrs. Gardiner's wit as well. The party returned in exceptional spirits, and hardly notice Mr. Darcy waiting for them in the hall.

Mr. Gardiner had gone to his room to rest, and Mrs. Gardiner joined him immediately, pretending not to notice Mr. Darcy's grim features. Georgiana recognized that look and quickly slipped away, leaving Elizabeth to fend for herself. The last person left, though less familiar with Darcy's mannerisms, tried to read his features. If she was forced to guess, she would say he was stuck between indecision and regretting a decision he already made. Under both of these was his standard unease, which Elizabeth had grown attached to during their time together.

He desperately needed to talk to her, and he wasn't happy about the topic, but still felt obligated to discuss it. They moved into the library, Darcy closing the door securely behind him.

"Miss Elizabeth, I have something for you," he said finally, motioning toward the desk by the window. She was so troubled by his behavior she didn't notice the enormous bookcases that surrounded her. Moving slowly toward the desk she saw there was a very official looking document placed there.

"I don't think I understand," Elizabeth said carefully reading the official fine print. "Is this…"

"The deed to your home," he stated simply.

"Is it…"

"In your name? Yes." He wasn't giving her any clues.

"But why?" she asked. Darcy was having a hard time starting, but Elizabeth didn't rush him.

"The house is yours, forever, and no one can take it from you."

"But, women cannot hold property, how is this possible?" she asked holding up the papers.

"You needn't concern yourself with the legal formalities. The house is yours." Elizabeth was astonished, to say the least. "I have kept my word, but I could not force you into unhappiness, just for my pride." He was pacing furiously now, and did not hear Elizabeth speak.

"I know this may sound odd, but I do not care about that house or this one, I want to marry you." It was difficult for her to say, and when he didn't respond, she grew frustrated. Elizabeth walked deliberately into his path. In his distress he practically knocked her down. "Are you listening to me? I want to marry you!" She was close to shouting and it finally reached him. "I love you," she added quietly.

"Well then," he was just as tense as ever. "This discussion was rather unnecessary…You must be tired from you picnic, I'll let you rest before dinner." With this, he turned on his heel and stalked to the door.

"Mr. Darcy!" Elizabeth exclaimed before he had the chance to escape. "Is that all you have to say?" He turned back toward her just as she reached him. While she was intending to continue her rant, before she could speak, his lips covered hers.

All the tension and emotions that had been building up was transferred into the kiss, and they did not pull away until they were breathless. Darcy held Elizabeth tightly, her head resting contently on his shoulder, her breath tickling his neck. Neither knew how long they stood like this, but they would have remained had Georgiana's pianoforte not broken the spell.

"I should probably rest before dinner," Elizabeth repeated Darcy's words matching his anxious tone, and he walked her into to hallway. She quickly broke away from him, worried that if she was too close, she would not be able to control herself.

"Lizzie," Darcy's voice stopped her once again. She turned back to him expectantly, and when he nodded in the other direction down the hall, she realized her mistake. She was heading in the opposite direction of her room. She quickly corrected herself and breezed past Mr. Darcy, forcing herself not to swoon over how nice 'Lizzie' sounded coming from his lips. She thanked god that she was able to find her room at all, and melted onto the bed as soon as the door closed.

As soon as she recovered her senses, she set out to tell Jane of the recent revelation. Upon moving to her writing desk, she found a letter waiting for her. The writing was Jane's but it was sloppy with haste, causing Elizabeth's heart to fill with dread. She sat down heavily, and regretfully opened the letter she knew would bear dark news.

Elizabeth longed to hold onto the happiness that filled her a moment ago, but she soon saw the same hurried handwriting on the inside that had greeter her on the outside of the letter and her blood ran cold. This news was

grave, indeed.

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so, was it worth the wait? the next chapter might be a little upsetting, i hope you don't mind.