As we keep going, I get further and further from book events. I figure the girls have a lot more freedom and responsibilities, so don't need to (nor can they) just go on a vacation with their family. Still I liked the Gardiners, so they're in here. Anyway, here is an all Lizzy chapter.

Lizzy never did tell Jane what she found out about Charlie. He chose to break up with her, and it would just be too painful to her to say that he was encouraged to do so. Not to mention Jane would find any number of reasons to rationalize it, and Lizzy knew she would not be able to sit there and listen to that.

So instead, she and Charlotte tried to help Jane move on best they could. They offered to go out with her, but Jane wasn't interested. So they stayed in and watched movies instead. As long as they were there to support her, they figured they were doing a good job.

Lizzy also had to make sure she kept her mother away. As soon as Fanny learned about the break up, she was livid. She talked about it for days; about her poor Jane who had everything taken from her. Lizzy hated hearing that. Charlie was just a guy. Jane may have really liked him, but he wasn't everything to her. Their father seemed to take pity too, and did his fair share to distract Fanny.

Shortly after her fight with Darcy, Lizzy saw an email from him. He must have gotten it from her business card. Part of her was curious. Maybe he would grovel and apologize in it. Or maybe he would be irate and rant at her. Lizzy found both options to be satisfactory, but decided not to read it yet. No need to rush herself for that snob.

As Thanksgiving approached, the Bennets made plans for family to come over. Fanny's brother and sister-in-law, the Gardiners, would come over with their children. They also invited Colleen back to join them, which she agreed to only after her employer said it was a good idea. Lizzy suspected that this guest may have been the reason Char suggested they have Thanksgiving with the Lucas family.

It was a large dinner, taking up the Lucas' entire dining room. Everyone talked and laughed, and for once Lizzy and Jane didn't mind. Fanny rattled on and on to her sister in law, Grace, about the past few months, and Grace listened patiently. Her uncle, John, was getting along just fine with Mr. Lucas. Lizzy wished she had had her aunt and uncle with them at the last two parties. Let's see Caroline say anything about them.

Lizzy spent a lot of the time listening to others talk. Kitty and Lydia were avoiding their younger cousins, and talking with Char's younger sister.

"I think Denny likes me," Kitty said.

"Get over yourself," Lydia groaned. "Besides he's not even cute. Have you seen George. Oh. My. God." The girls all squealed. Lizzy rolled her eyes. Why did teenage girls like older guys? At least Denny wasn't so bad. She turned her attention to Char and Colleen.

"You mean you've never been drunk?" Char asked.

"No. I was never a drinker, and Mrs. De Bourgh says drinking isn't good for your health," Colleen explained.

"Well of course it isn't, that's not why you drink." Charlotte shook her head. "This won't do. You and me. We're going out next weekend." Colleen started to stutter a reply, making Lizzy laugh. Char was good for Colleen. Lizzy's aunt Grace came and sat down next to her.

"Well long time no see," she said.

"Much too long," Lizzy agreed.

"I just got done the most interesting conversation with your mother."

"Do tell."

"No no. I wouldn't want to take that satisfaction from her." They laughed. "But she did tell me an interesting story. Some gentleman called my Lizzy ugly? What's this about?"

"Don't worry about it," Lizzy sighed. Her mother made the story sound so dramatic. "He didn't think I could hear it. Besides, I don't want to waste my breath on that jerk." She didn't bother explaining how he asked her out or how they got into a fight.

"Sounds like you had some other disagreements." Lizzy liked talking to her aunt, because she always looked genuinely interested, unlike her mother.

"Yeah, definitely. But he was one of those rich types, so what do you expect. They're such snobs, and he was no different. Good riddance."

"Well I hope you don't keep that attitude," Grace chuckled. "Having money is always nice."

"Not at the expense of your manners." Grace laughed again.

"Well that's a good attitude to have. What was this guy's name?"

"Darcy."

"Oh, I've heard of that family. I've heard good things about them. The Darcy corporation, Pemberley Inc, does a lot of good charity work. Very green. Oh well, I guess people are different when the cameras are on them." Lizzy nodded. "Oh but some good came from those parties you went too. New business, right? I heard you got some orders."

"Yes I did, and I very glad to report that I am working my way toward a storefront," Lizzy said proudly. She and her aunt chatted about their work for a while, which was much more to Lizzy's taste. The night ended too quickly in Lizzy's opinion, but her aunt and uncle promised to visit soon.

Lizzy was going through her emails. It was now Christmas season, and pretty soon she'd be getting all sorts of Christmas cake requests. She already had 2 wedding cakes to make. That's when she remembered Darcy's email, the one she had been putting off to read. Maybe it was time to see what Mr. Know-it-all had to say. She clicked on the message, and rolled her eyes at the length of it. Oh this is going to be good.

Elizabeth,

I want make it clear, first and foremost, that I am not writing to apologize for what happened between Charlie and Jane. I thought I was acting in my friend's best interests, and I stand by my actions.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes again. She was going to get dizzy if this guy kept making her roll her eyes. That was a really crappy start, and she honestly didn't even want to continue reading. However, she figured she should try reading more than just two sentences.

I am, however, concerned about your relationship with George Wickham. I am not sure how well you know him, but I feel I should straighten some things out.

Another two crappy sentences. Oh hell no. There was no way she was going to listen to some ass lecture her about her relationships. Who the hell does he think he is? He's probably just jealous because I rejected him. But curiosity got the better of her, and she read on.

I am not sure exactly what he told you, something about his inheritance and my sister, but I assure you it's not true. I received permission from my sister to tell you this, but I ask that you do not repeat it. When my father passed, Wickham took his inheritance and left. I didn't see him for 5 years after that, when he returned requesting more money. I gave him some, and offered him a job which he refused. A year later, he returned riddled with gambling debt, and demanding the remainder of his inheritance. I paid the debt, refused him the money, and offered him a job again. He refused, and disappeared again. I thought that was the end of it.

During that time, I admit that my relationship with my sister was a bit strained. She says Wickham contacted her in secret, and she talked to him when I wouldn't listen. Their relationship continued to grow in what she considered to be a sibling, familial nature, which was what she wanted. He had other plans, however.

He began buying her alcohol. They would go out. She was 14, so she didn't know any better. One night I returned home, and found that Wickham had gotten her drunk. He attempted to force her to take revealing pictures, which she clearly objected to. I imagine he could sell them, and profit off another heiress gone bad. That is not even to mention how it would hurt the family personally, or the possibility of blackmail. Luckily, he was not successful, and I threw him out. My sister was too hurt and embarrassed to press charges, so I did not sforce her to say anything. I stress that this is her story and her decision who she tells, so I request again that you do not repeat this.

When she heard Wickham was getting close to you and your sisters, she insisted that I say something, and frankly, I think she is right. I know you do not have the best opinion of me, but I would not lie about my sister like this. Wickham is dangerous. I suggest you keep your younger sisters away from him. You need not reply to this.

Regards,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Lizzy sat staring at the screen for a while. Then she read the message 2 more times. She checked the date it was sent: two days after their fight. The message seemed sincere, but it contradicted what she had heard before, as well as what she thought of Darcy. Still, no matter what she thought of Darcy or how he had acted toward her, she didn't think he was capable of making up such an awful story about his own sister. No one could do that. Lizzy ran her hands through her hair, and tried to focus on one thing at a time rather than all the thoughts that were currently swarming in her mind.

She wanted to write back to make sure that it was true, but that last sentence made her think she better not. He wasn't look for a conversation. Of course this didn't make up for him being a snob, or for helping to break up Jane and Charlie, but maybe he wasn't as big an asshole as she thought. I must have looked like an idiot. Why had she ever thought to bring up Wickham to him. And that night at the bar. Oh, and how could she ever flirt with such a horrible person?

Then it hit her. Lizzy jumped out of her seat, and paced the floor. Lydia and Kitty were still talking to him. If this story was true, then Lizzy didn't want them anywhere near him. Not to mention it was odd that a guy in his 20's was talking her teenage sisters anyway. Why hadn't she noticed this before? He seemed so nice. She had to do something, so she grabbed her keys, and immediately left for her parents' house. She wasn't sure what she wanted to say, but she sped there anyway. Luckily her mother was out at the moment, so she just went to talk to her father. He was in his office, trying to get some quiet away from his three youngest daughters.

"Why if it isn't my second favorite daughter," he said with a wink as Lizzy stepped in his office, and closed the door behind her. "What brings about this visit? Usually you stay below." Lizzy bit her lip, and sat on the edge of an open chair.

"Have you been keeping an eye on Kitty and Lydia?" she asked cautiously. "I mean do you know what they do when they go out?" Her father looked at her funny.

"No, do you? Is there something I should know about?"

"No. I'm just asking. I mean maybe. They always get into trouble at school. Or at least Lydia does, and Kitty is always following her." She wasn't sure how to bring this up without revealing her secret. Her father shrugged.

"They're young girls. I don't like to interfere. I never had to with you other 3, and you all turned out fine. Well, Mary is a bit odd, but very bright."

"Yes, but we are a bit different from those two, you have to admit." She watched her father's expression expectantly. He nodded in agreement, but didn't seem truly concerned.

"There's nothing much I can do to hold them back, Lizzy. Especially with you mother…. It's out of my hands."

"You can do plenty. Tell them not to go to the mall anymore. Or they can't talk to older boys. Or give them a better curfew. Or-"

"What brought all this about?" her father asked with concern. Lizzy didn't have an answer. "They will break all those rules without a second thought," he continueds patiently. "Look, I know you're worried, but sooner or later those two will straighten out." Lizzy was worried they were going to wait until that later part. "Right now, it's best to just let this phase run its course. They'll find out how silly they are eventually."

"All right," Lizzy sighed as she stood up. "I uh. I have to go pick up Char," she lied. She wanted an excuse to leave. "I'll see you for Christmas." Her father smiled at her, but he looked slightly concerned.

"Bye, Lizzy. Try not to worry so much."