If any modern terminology sneaks in (like sharp shots), please excuse it. I really don't know what these people would have been called at that time period and, honestly, I don't have the time right now to research it. Sorry! So please excuse my boo-boos and just enjoy this in the manner it is presented – for fun (and fans).

After Miss Elizabeth had closed the door to her sister's bedchamber behind her, Mr. Darcy turned to his friend. 'Bingley, we must not delay in speaking with Mr. Caughey who is currently awaiting news in your study.'

Mr. Bingley thought for a moment and replied, 'Would you be kind enough to explain the situation at hand to him? After all, you are rather superior in matters of judgment and business and we do not have much time in which to resolve the crises that seem to be piling one upon another.'

Mr. Darcy agreed and directly stepped off to visit with the solicitor, making only one short detour en route, while Mr. Bingley remained in the corridor, contemplating his recent vicissitudes. Presently, out came Miss Bennet, well wrapped against the cold, and her sister, who was busying herself in ensuring the continuous warmth of Miss Bennet. Mr. Bingley noted Miss Elizabeth's curious glance around, clearly expecting Mr. Darcy to have remained in the vicinity.

'Miss Elizabeth, Darcy was needed to communicate a few matters of import elsewhere and he will rejoin our group straightaway in the sitting room. Miss Bennet?' Here he offered his arm to both sisters and they accepted his good natured overture, continuing thus until achieving the desired sitting room.

Mr. Caughey was pacing to and fro in Mr. Bingley's study, anticipating the momentary return of either Netherfield's master or his friend. The door then opened to admit a somber Mr. Darcy, who proceeded to explain thoroughly both the occasion of Mr. Wickham's demise and the initial cause of said person's residing within the walls of Netherfield. Mr. Darcy made a few pointed suggestions for the attorney to reflect - and likely act – upon before ringing for Mrs. Whitford to show the man to a guest room. There was a considerable amount to be done within a mere brief time to prevent the suffering begun by one person to spread to each individual presently inhabiting Netherfield. Mr. Darcy was anxious to join Binley and the Bennet sisters and he fervently wished to be apprised by Miss Elizabeth of her analysis of the situation. She had unmistakably hinted that there might be but one person responsible for the shot fired. Darcy was fascinated by far more than her insinuation of a purposeful killing of Wickham; he was positively captivated by the woman herself, despite his most strenuous efforts to avoid an infatuation with one who possessed less than ideal connections and such deplorable relations.

Colonel Forster had received a shocking message after regaining his office – George Wickham was dead by a gunshot wound from an unknown hand. The messenger, a Mr. Browns, emphasized the absolute need for secrecy and speed. Colonel Forster had not minded terribly being given command of a group of raw militiamen, with orders to drill and discipline them, as his pay grade had improved and permitted greater freedom for the new colonel. The militia was, after all, not of the significance to found amongst the regular military corps and thus some level of laxity was to be expected. Mr. Browns had carried a sealed message personally from Netherfield, requesting the presence of Colonel Forster again as expeditiously as was possible. It seemed that at least one of the gentlemen at Netherfield was quite concerned about the particulars regarding Wickham's death and the colonel's attendance was very much desired. Colonel Forster threw the note into the fire, ensuring its complete destruction, before mounting his horse and retracing his path from earlier that day in precisely the same unfortunate direction.

If Mr. Charles Bingley were of a less amiable and pleasant disposition, he would have taken Netherfield to be an accursed place for his family and would have planned to quit the locale promptly and permanently. As it was, his happy personality was only slightly dimmed by the agonizing events of the past twelve hours. Mr. Bingley was fully aware that Caroline must be dealt with post-haste but the original recipient of her hand had very recently perished in a manner which only served to increase worry. Darcy was being remarkably supportive, especially as Charles Bingley was certain that his friend's sister, Miss Darcy, would never have acted in a manner to embarrass or anger her brother. However, Darcy had also put forth several schemes to remedy Caroline's damage and prevent any harm to Mr. Bingley's reputation in Hertfordshire, which was of great relief to the fellow who truly wished to become further acquainted with Miss Bennet. He was quite convinced that Mr. Bennet would wish nothing to do with the Bingley family if matters were not rapidly brought to a successful close.

Mr. Darcy was admitted to the front sitting room and politely but distractedly greeted the three occupants therein.

Bingley addressed him, 'Miss Elizabeth had been discussing her conjectures about our. . . . .ah. . . . happenings. She may be in possession of information which might assist our efforts and perhaps you, Darcy, would care to speak with her?'

Mr. Darcy gestured to the sofa to his right and asked Elizabeth, 'Would you mind, Miss Elizabeth? I would be quite interested to hear your thoughts, as you have resided in the locale of Meryton for far longer than ourselves.' The group split into Mr. Bingley and Jane seated upon one settee and Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth upon another. Quite unconsciously, neither pair chose the couch in closest proximity to the window.

'Mr. Darcy, how may I assist in your investigations?' Elizabeth was pleased for the opportunity to impart her thoughts to the gentleman opposite her. She noticed that his countenance, which frequently showed just disinterest and hauteur, appeared more open and attentive; Mr. Darcy was plainly curious as the content of Elizabeth's disclosure. This manner was different than any she had before encountered from him and Elizabeth wondered which attitude was more truly representative of the inner person. She determined to ponder the subject further at a later time but, for now, there was a topic of great consequence to be discussed.

'Miss Elizabeth, I believe that you had intimated a belief that this attack was instigated by one individual and that Mr. Wickham had been specifically targeted. May I ask upon what you base your suppositions?' Although Mr. Darcy was inclined to wholly agree with Elizabeth's conclusions, he wished to withhold a decisive judgment until enough facts had been gathered to support their ultimate decision and subsequent actions. Fitzwilliam Darcy did not approve of impulsive and potentially injudicious acts; he favored cautious and prudent deeds. Therefore, speaking with Miss Elizabeth was pragmatic and simply a function of his duty to Charles Bingley and was assuredly not for any subjective purpose of his own.

'Certainly, sir. Within Hertfordshire, it is known that there are three men with a very specific talent – they are called sharp shots. It is said that any and all of these men could shoot a gun from ½ mile away and safely strike their target in the precise middle. Of these three, one is now elderly and has been ill for the last month, so it is doubtful that he would have carried out this action. From the remaining two men, there may be reason to look particularly at one more than the other but I caution you that, if it is indeed he, there may be circumstances surrounding this killing which would give you pause before alerting any authorities.'

As Elizabeth paused for an instant, Mr. Darcy felt impelled to ask, 'Of what circumstances might you be speaking, Miss Elizabeth? We are discussing a man who took the life of another person deliberately and with no apparent remorse and who may be a danger to those in this county.'

Elizabeth smiled and replied, 'Sir, if you thought your sister to be in peril, would you not do everything within your power to ensure her safety? I believe that the man in question was protecting his sister and has heard the local gossip about her and Mr. Wickham. My younger sister is acquainted with this girl and I have overheard speech from my sister mentioning this girl's name and that she has been seen in the company of this Mr. Wickham at highly inappropriate hours and locations. In a small town such as Meryton, there is not a great amount that is missed, as persons with a penchant for rumors have far fewer families about whom to conjecture than in London. Thus, one is known familiarly within the town but there are always those who are watching, waiting to be first to have a new piece of information. So, sir, I ask – would there be leniency if it proved to be this fellow?'

Mr. Darcy hesitated, struck powerfully by Elizabeth's words, and he finally replied, 'Due to the nature of the situation, there may a possibility of compassion. My valet, Mr. Browns, is working in tandem with Mrs. Whitford, the housekeeper, to prevent any news of this occurrence from leaving Netherfield. Any service which necessitates leaving the immediate vicinity of the house is to be performed only by those servants who have been deemed trustworthy and would not speak of the shooting. May I have the name of this person so that I could dispatch a most trusted individual to inquire in an extremely discreet fashion of his whereabouts?'

Elizabeth was uncertain but, after considering Mr. Darcy's communication, she opted to disclose the man's identity.