Mr Claxby and Elizabeth did bond as he fulfilled his promise to point sights out to her. She even had a memory return of her perhaps about the age of seven sat in a carriage upon his knee as he did the very same. She tested out the words she had used in that instance and received a shocked look before a chuckle broke free of his lips and he lent across the seat to kiss her forehead.

It wasn't the only memory to return either over the last of week of being at the country estate, both Elizabeth and Jane had been overwhelmed by the memoires that hit them without warning whilst living there. Elizabeth was pleased though: all the excitement seemed to have taken Jane's mind off Mr Bingley.

The estate was as grand as Lydia predicted it would be sitting atop of a hill with 6500 acres of land to its name, 400 of which was beautiful landscaped gardens. Situated within its grounds it was a long carriage ride up the roads to reach the front of the house and the stables, which was situated just to the right of the palladium mansion – the same side of which the drive way approached from. With a view that stretched across the hills, the front of the house was very impressive with its four imposing pillars holding the portico and winding staircases. It was a handsome house and Elizabeth and Jane were taken with it immediately. Elizabeth enjoyed the woodland on the estate that provided lovely walks and trees that Oliver had assured them he had climbed many a time and beautiful landscaped gardens – Elizabeth spent the largest proportion of her time wandering these paths around the garden or simply settling herself on a bench to read. Her favourite spot to do so had become a bench at the top of a treed summit where she could look down the tree lined avenue over the rose garden and the house. Jane would often join her there to do her embroidery. The lake on the estate that Jane had seen in a memory was indeed a great place to get muddy if one fell over and in the winter it apparently froze most severely – Mrs Claxby had informed them that every year the family had gone thrown skating parties for the tenants on it while it was so. The rooms were bright and airy with high ceilings and the best furnishings.

As of the week since their arrival it was the beginning of them receiving visitors once again and the first brought much surprise to Elizabeth.

"Mr Darcy for you, ma'am," the butler announced

"How very eager of him," Mrs Claxby laughed. "Send him in, thank you!"

She did not notice how Elizabeth had stopped breathing across the room.

It was only a few seconds before Mr Darcy came striding confidently into the room as usual dressed impeccably and looking handsomer and happier than the last time Elizabeth had seen him. Seeing him in her new home brought a whole array of emotions upon Elizabeth and she was glad to still be seated. He bowed to Mrs Claxby and pressed a kiss to her hand.

"Fitzwilliam, how lovely of you to come so soon!" Mrs Claxby exclaimed.

"I could do nothing less for you," he charmed her and Elizabeth sent Jane a look: this was a rather different Mr Darcy they had been acquainted.

"I called you here for a reason, Fitzwilliam. Something I was going to write to you about straight away but I did not think it something to put in a letter," she spoke whilst grasping onto both his hands.

"What is it? If there's anything I can do to-"

"Nothing is wrong - the exact opposite actually! Oh, Fitzwilliam, we found them. We found Jane and Elizabeth. You were right it was them."

Mr Darcy just blinked at her and Elizabeth almost laughed at how he had frozen. Eventually a hopeful expression crept up his face.

"However," the look drop a little, "they do not remember much as I am assuming you discovered when you became acquainted with them. They knew nothing when we first found them – the accident did some damage though only to their memories otherwise they are very well – but since being here they have slowly been returning.

"You did not notice them as you walked in but they are over there," Mrs Claxton gestured to where Jane and Elizabeth sat on the other side of the room and Mr Darcy spun around.

"Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

They stood up to curtsy and almost as though he was not thinking about it he bowed. His mind, Elizabeth was sure, was elsewhere.

"Claxby, Darcy," Mrs Claxby stood to stand beside him. "They are not Bennet's anymore, they never were! It is not wonderful, they have turned out so beautiful."

"Yes, quite," Mr Darcy had returned to his reserved self and Elizabeth frowned. "Excuse me."

"Mr Darcy?" Elizabeth called after him wondering if he was well. It had been so long since she had seen him that she had forgotten how his presence affected her. She went to go after him but Mrs Claxby halted her.

"Elizabeth wait, I need to speak with you."

Elizabeth quickly rerouted her feet to take her to the chair next to Mrs Claxby and Jane followed over as well.

"What is it, Mama?"

Mrs Claxby due a breath, taking Elizabeth's hand "You both know that we looked for you both desperately for these past six years, Mr Darcy too was most determined to find you. I know you feel, Elizabeth, that we have been keeping something from you regarding Mr Darcy and it is simply this: the reason he was so determined and just know rather stuck with what to do is - oh Elizabeth, the two of you were engaged and quite in love too I should say." (She sighed wistfully) "The secretive looks you used to give each other across the room when you thought we weren't looking. He was so protective of you, even when you were a little girl! You grew up together and though it was that you were promised at birth to a Mr Talor – we have long since taken care of that - you two always meant so much to each other. He was quite lost when you and dear Jane went missing! The poor man just turned in on himself and losing his father shortly after did not help! He never did use to be so disagreeable."

Elizabeth removed her hand feeling incredibly guilty. Had not she herself call him disagreeable on more than one occasion? How awful it to be over her that he had become so. And to be betrothed to Mr Darcy, to have been in love with him…it very well explained the feelings in which he elicited but not at all how he acted when they met in Hertfordshire. He was the trusted family friend and had informed the Claxby of Jane and Elizabeth but did not say anything to them. In fact he had told Elizabeth that they were not acquainted!

"Mama, do – can I have permission to go after Mr Darcy?"

"Of course, dear, but do call him Fitzwilliam though you always have done before!"

If anyone would like to know the estate I choose as belonging to the Claxby's it's Radley House in Warickshire. I visited it last year with my parents and loved it. Right now I think it would be my dream place to get married (that's a long way off though considering I'm 17 and don't have a boyfriend :P)! Just a quick them reminder in the change in the age of Darcy - he is only 4 year older than Elizabeth.