A/N: Here it is, sorry for the wait! This chapter has now been edited brilliantly by my Beta and I have finally gotten around to uploading it. Am currently trying to finish my next chapter and sorry it is taking so long. Enjoy!

Chapter 10- The Encouragement of Sisterly Affection

After a long day of travelling and basic inn meals, Elizabeth smiled as she tasted the delicious roast beef and creamy potato gratin. Darcy ate quietly beside her and the rest of the party ate and drank merrily, talking animatedly all the while.

"This is delicious," Elizabeth said to Mr. Darcy, watching him take a sip of wine.

"Yes very good," he agreed, the most words he'd spoken together since he'd escorted her to the table.

Lizzy took a sip of her own wine and looked at Lydia who was sitting on the other side of the table, laughing heartily at something Wickham had said to her. She could sense Mr. Darcy's tension as easily as she could feel her own at seeing her sister's flirtation.

Elizabeth's gaze swept over the other side of the table, from Lydia and Mr. Wickham to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner on the other side of Mr. Wickham. They were telling Colonel and Mrs. Forster about their journey through the Derbyshire.

"The scenery was just spectacular," Mrs. Gardiner was telling the Colonel. "Such beauty I have never seen in all my travels, and I grew up in Derbyshire. Perhaps when I was younger I didn't appreciate it as I should have."

"Sounds like a very worthwhile trip, Mrs. Gardiner," Colonel Forster replied as took a large sip of red wine.

"Our trip was made worthwhile just by seeing our niece's enjoyment of the countryside," Mr. Gardiner commented, smiling at Lizzy.

"Did you enjoy the scenic countryside, Miss Bennett?" Colonel Forster asked Lizzy, who smiled broadly at her Uncle.

"Indeed I did Colonel Forster," Lizzy said happily. "The beauty of Derbyshire couldn't possibly compare to anywhere else in England."

"I believe you also saw Mr. Darcy's residence?" Colonel Forster asked, before eating a large piece of roast beef.

"Pemberly? Yes I did," Lizzy answered, glancing at Mr. Darcy ,who had looked up at Colonel Forster at the mention of his name.

"How did you like Pemberly, Miss Bennett?" Mr. Wickham's voice surprised her and Lizzy turned over at him, were was looking intently at her.

"It's the most beautiful house I've ever seen Mr. Wickham," Lizzy answered with a sincere smile.

"That's very kind Miss Bennett," Mr. Darcy said from beside her.

"I do not believe anyone could find fault with it," Elizabeth said looking back at him.

"But your good opinion is rarely bestowed so it's more worth the earning." Mr. Darcy smiled at her and Elizabeth felt the strangest sensation, it felt like butterflies were fluttering inside her stomach and she found it difficult to breathe.

"Are you a harsh critic, Miss Bennett?" Colonel Forster asked with a laugh.

Elizabeth pulled her eyes away from Mr. Darcy's eyes to look at the Colonel. "I speak as I find, Colonel Forster."

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Lizzy had been hoping for a chance to speak to Lydia privately since they'd arrived, but the opportunity hadn't presented itself. After dinner, the party adjourned to one of the larger sitting rooms of the grand house, Lizzy had sat beside her Aunt on a sofa and watched Lydia across the room play cards with Mr. Wickham and the Forsters. She spent the rest of the evening talking to her Aunt and Uncle; occasionally Mr. Darcy would contribute to the conversation, but he generally just stood by the window or sat beside Mr. Gardiner in silence.

The interaction she observed between Lydia and Mr. Wickham was causing her concern. What on earth was he even doing dinner with their party? Why wasn't he with all the other officers of his regiment? Lydia was as immature and jovial as ever, leaning close to Mr. Wickham when she spoke to him and occasionally placing her hand on his arm. The behaviour was obvious flirtation, which Mr. Wickham seemed to accept, but he was not being over encouraging. Lizzy wondered as she discreetly observed them whether this was a new development in his attitude towards her sister due to their presence. But Lizzy admitted to herself that it was also possible that Mr. Wickham was not returning Lydia's affection to the same degree that he was receiving them, which gave her hope.

It was just gone midnight when Mrs. Forster had insisted that she retire for the night, giving Mrs. Gardiner the opportunity to insist that Lydia do the same. The party dispersed, Mr. Darcy being the first to bid the group good night to disappear to his room. The house was soon dark and quiet; Lizzy went to her bedroom and decided to use this opportunity to speak to her younger sister at a time when she knew they could be alone. She left her bedroom and walked to the next room in the hall, which she knew to be Lydia's. She knocked and entered the room.

"Lizzy," Lydia said with surprise, a smile gracing her face. She was sitting at a vanity brushing her hair, already changed into a nightgown.

"I hope you aren't too tired Lydia," Lizzy began. "I wanted to speak with you."

"Aren't you glad that you convinced Aunt and Uncle to bring you to Brighton Lizzy?"Lydia exclaimed happily as Lizzy walked over and sat down on Lydia's bed. "It's so diverting, the company, the entertainment; believe me, most of your nights here won't be boring dinners like tonight."

"It is lovely here, Lydia," Lizzy agreed to please her sister, looking at her young and naive features, still unsure as to how to approach this subject. "But Lydia, that isn't the sole reason for our journey, we came because we were concerned about you."

Lydia's stance immediately become bored and defensive, she stared at her sister in her vanity mirror and replied, "Concerned about me? Really Lizzy, can't Papa trust his younger daughters? I see he's had no one checking up on his favourite while she travelled the Lake District."

"First of all, I was travelling with chaperones," Lizzy snapped back and she was quickly interrupted.

"The Forsters agreed to be mine..."

"And second, the company that I was engaging was never questionable, nor was my behaviour," Lizzy finished, the sympathy she'd felt over Lydia's naivety had quicken evaporated.

Lydia turned around in her seat to face Lizzy. "Questionable? Who is questionable? These are the same officers that were at Meryton, the same regiment! And if it's because they are officers, that's ridiculous because Father would never have allowed me to go if that was his concern."

Lizzy took a direct tact. "Why is Mr. Wickham dining with the Forsters? Why is a simple Lieutenant being given such a privilege?"

"Mr. Wickham is a charming young officer, he's handsome, attentive, kind and amusing." Lydia's voice became dreamy as she spoke, her eyes gazing lovingly into space before looking back at Lizzy and added, "Mrs. Forster has taken a liking to him and requests his company often, as do I." Her dark eyes narrowed at her elder sister, "He was quite a favourite of yours at Meryton Lizzy. You shouldn't be surprised by his popularity."

"It is Mr. Wickham that we are concerned about?" Lizzy concluded, unable to dance around the issue anymore. "Or rather Mr. Wickham and you?"

The room was filled with a heavy silence for a moment, as the sisters gazed at each other, Lizzy calm and collected while Lydia's eyes were being fiery in defence.

"Mr. Wickham and me?" Lydia cried indignantly. "I don't know what you are talking about." Her face became calm but for a small smirk gracing her mouth.

Lizzy maintained her manners with great difficulty. "The letters you've sent to Kitty," Lizzy explained. Her sister sighed dramatically.

"Well I see she isn't as loyal a sister as I'd hoped," the young woman huffed grumpily. "Really. I knew she was jealous but there's no need to get petty enough to share private letters with the rest of the world."

"She has more loyalty than you know Lydia," Lizzy scolded. "And your sole reason for sending Kitty those letters was to congratulate yourself on your happy disposition. You were crowing over Kitty. What did you expect her to do?"

Lydia ignored Lizzy and continued to brush her hair. "You can profess innocence if you will Lydia," Lizzy replied. "But I came here because you need to know that Wickham is by no means the respectable young man you believe him to be."

"What on earth can you mean?" Lydia said obviously perplexed.

Lizzy couldn't bring herself to betray Darcy's secret to her sister, who she knew would not treat the knowledge with the delicacy it demands. "I have it from a reliable source that he is not the man we believed him to be. I won't say the particulars but I will say that any attachment between Mr. Wickham and any woman of our acquaintance should be discouraged."

Lydia's expression turned to outrage. "How dare you throw weak allegations at poor Wickham, if that is indeed what you are doing. And if attachment is the motive of this conversation that I'm afraid you are too late Lizzy."

"So you admit there is something between the two of you."

"A love as strong as ours, 'tis pointless to try and fool anyone otherwise," Lydia answered wistfully, before glaring triumphantly at her sister. "Don't play innocent with me. I know what you are doing and it won't work."

"Lydia, you are not listening to me," Lizzy said with frustration. "This is not my own personal attack. I'm telling you that our parents will not allow this to take place. My Aunt and Uncle share my view and are here to bring you home."

"I knew you were clever Lizzy but this is too far," Lydia raised her voice. "For you to stoop to such levels in order to keep us apart; I cannot believe you could be jealous."

"Jealous? " Lizzy repeated with a surprised gasp.

"Yes!" Lydia cried. "You wanted Wickham all to yourself so you kept him away from other women in Meryton, but now you had to come here once you learnt that Wickham had fallen in love with me. Any attachment he had for you was just a passing folly."

Lizzy immediately understand her sister and was silent. As ridiculous as the allegation was, she could understand how Lydia could come to such a conclusion. After their brief friendship in Meryton, Lizzy might have been jealous had she not been made aware of the man's true character. Or if her heart was not currently taken by another. The reminder of her feelings made her chest hurt, and she brushed the thought from her mind as she focused back on her sister.

"Indeed you are mistaken," she replied in a gentler tone. "I have no such injuries to resent. I am here to protect you, as your sister. Please believe that."

"How can I?" Lydia cried angrily. "You have given me no reason to believe that anything you've stated to be true. There is no evidence of Wickham being anything but a man adored by many. He's a man with the utmost honour and integrity. Besides, you come here and excuse me alone. If our Aunt and Uncle were here for such a purpose why haven't I heard it from their lips?"

"I thought there would be no need for such a spectacle," Lizzy snapped angrily. "I foolishly believed that even you had enough sense to believe me Lydia. I have nothing to gain from presenting you with such falsehood."

"You have Wickham to gain," Lydia retorted. "You are headstrong enough to believe it were possible, even if I know better."

"I'm headstrong?" Lizzy repeated. "You are here as a guest in the Forster's home, behaving in an imprudent and impertinent manner that has drawn enough attention of Colonel Forster to write to our father! Do you have any idea the embarrassment you have caused this family? I believe you do not even care at all."

"Lizzy, you do exaggerate." Lydia's words indicated she cared not, but the lowering of her voice and submissive demeanour told Elizabeth that something seemed to have reached her sister.

"Has Mr. Wickham proposed?" Lizzy asked quietly. "Has he told you he loved you?"

"No he has not proposed," Lydia replied with a smirk. "Yet. And no declaration has been made but every moment we are together it is implied."

Lizzy was relieved that it appeared Mr. Wickham was not as eager as Lydia, so perhaps there was hope for her. "Well I indicated to caution you and so I have, but don't think my Aunt isn't going to discuss this with you, or our father when we return to Longbourne."

She stood to leave, thoroughly agitated with her sister, but paused, remembering Lydia's allegations and turned back to her. "But please let me assure you with all honesty that I am not in love with Mr. Wickham; my motives for caution have nothing to do with jealously or any desire to take him away from you."

"I wish I could believe that Lizzy," Lydia answered coldly.

Elizabeth left Lydia's room hastily, not bothering to be quiet as she harshly shut the door, her anger betraying her. She couldn't believe her sister could be so naive, so thoughtless and so selfish in her actions. But then again Lizzy could hardly say her sister hadn't always shown such traits. Perhaps Lizzy had given her more credit in essentials than the young girl deserved.

A maid had earlier organised a bath for Lizzy, so she changed into her nightgown and went to the communal bathing room which had become available to the guests at short notice. She washed her hair and allowed herself time to relax in the warm water, trying desperately to think of anything else but Lydia and Mr. Wickham. Of course she failed spectacularly and after nearly half an hour of soaking she admitted defeat and told herself it was time to sleep.

As Lizzy got out of the large bathtub, she wrapped a large towel around herself and hastily dried herself. Brushing her hands down her sides, she accidently hit the bruises on her hip hard, causing her to gasp in pain and had to lean on the bath to support her body. As she had hit the bruise, the pain caused her to see in vivid detail the events that caused the injury. The memory frightened her and she had to take a moment to take a deep breath and remind herself of her surroundings. Lizzy dried her hair, breathing slowly to relax her mind and body.

Elizabeth closed the bathing room door behind her and turned abruptly, colliding with another. Mr. Darcy told hold of her arms to steady her as she recovered herself, upon seeing who it was she felt her face flush and regretted her lack of dressing gown.

"Forgive me Miss Bennett," he said formally. "I did not see you."

Lizzy took a deep breath, observing his eyes glance quickly over her attire then back at her face. "My mind was elsewhere," he added calmly.

Lizzy nodded and smiled in an attempt to ease the discomfort. "So was mine, Mr Darcy."

His eye went down to where their bodies touched and Lizzy followed his gaze, seeing his hand grasping her elbows. Realising the indelicate situation he immediately pulled his hands back but stopped when he reached her wrists, his hands gently grazing the skin. Lizzy felt her throat tighten, his eyes harden as he looked at the bruises that were still apparent on her wrist.

They softened once more when they looked at her and Mr. Darcy's expression was unclear, as though he wanted to say something he shouldn't. Lizzy was reminded in that brief moment of his proposal, how angry he had been at her but before he left he had leaned in close, almost as though to whisper an endearment. But as quickly as the air had grown thick and Lizzy's heart began to race, Mr. Darcy pulled away and let go of her hands.

Broken from the spell, Lizzy curtsied swiftly. "Goodnight Mr. Darcy," she said breathlessly and walked around him and hastily disappeared into her room. Lizzy fell back against the door, closing her eyes and she rested her head back against the hard wood. Her heart was racing in her chest and she was forcing herself to take deep calmly breaths. Tears started rolling down her cheeks and she let out a shaky sob, immediately covering her mouth with her head to reduce the sound.

Memoires that had already been brought to the surface not five minutes earlier were filling her thoughts, and she wept silently. After a moment she relaxed, concentrating on the time she'd spent with Mr. Darcy after the horrible event. She couldn't help but be warmed by any memory where Mr. Darcy was present.

Lizzy couldn't sleep that night, her thoughts no longer on Lydia; she'd managed to successfully distract herself. However, her thoughts were now selfishly focused on another gentleman, who was offering his services and kindness continuously. The guilt and embarrassment she felt in his presence was unbearable, but there would be fleeting moments in his company that she would forget about everything else, just get lost in his presence, wanting to be nearer to him, wishing he would renew his attentions and wishes.

"What on earth have you done to poor Mr. Darcy?" Charlotte's voice echoed in her head as she pondered the thought, was it now Lizzy herself that was showing such strange behaviour whenever she was around him. Lizzy had always thought of herself as strong willed and very sensible but right now she felt like a heroine in a poorly written romance novel.

Lizzy scolded herself, reminding her heart that any chance she might have had with Mr. Darcy she had destroyed when she'd wrongly accused him of mistreatment to Wickham. Even if he might have been willing to overlook that matter, her own misfortunate to which he had intimate knowledge could give her potential disgrace that would discourage any man, let alone someone who already was aware of her family's want of propriety. He'd been willing to look over such things at one time, but with everything that had passed between them since then, she had no chance at all.

A/N: Well here is another chapter. I am working my way towards an exciting confrontation which will involve these four characters all together. I hope you all enjoy this reading this chapter, I found the scene between Lizzy and Lydia very hard to write so it has taken longer than I thought. I started working on Chapter 11 before this one was even finished so hopefully it won't take long. I'd love to hear your thoughts ;).