As she lost sight of Mr Darcy behind one of the large marble pillars, Lizzy turned to Jane. She was surprised to find her sister also standing alone, and moved to join her.

Jane reached out with both hands and Lizzy could not help but smile at the joy that radiated from her normally reserved sister.

"Oh Lizzy, you were right! Mr Bingley did not know I was in London all that time." She leaned in closer to Lizzy, so as to not be overheard. "Mr Darcy confessed it to him, and it was just as you said. Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley's very own sisters acted against him." She squeezed Lizzy's hands tightly. "He was most displeased, Lizzy. I have never heard such venomous tone from him before. He said he wanted to send Miss Bingley to stay with their sister and Mr Hurst, even though they have only a townhouse and very little room. It is only that he made a promise to his father to watch over her that he has not had her sent away."

Lizzy embraced her sister. "I am so pleased for you, Jane."

"That is not all he said, Lizzy." Jane pulled out of the embrace just enough to be able to look at her sister. "He said that once he has concluded his business in Brighton he intends to return to Longbourn to speak to Papa. Oh Lizzy, Mr Bingley intends to make me his wife!"

Lizzy pulled her sister close again. Words would never do to describe the joy and merriment that coursed through her upon hearing Jane's news. "Oh Jane, no one deserves happiness more than you."

She squeezed Jane tight, but frowned as she saw a familiar blonde-haired girl headed towards one of the doors out of the room. Where would Miss Darcy be headed on her own? And why was she not with Mr Darcy. He had left Lizzy to attend to her.

The answer of Mr Darcy's whereabouts was soon apparent as couples began to line up for the next set. Although he had made clear he did not view Miss Bingley as a suitable mistress of Pemberley, that knowledge did not ease the ache in Lizzy's heart as she watched the pair join the couples in line.

Mr Bingley soon returned to escort Jane to the dance floor. Lizzy again smiled as she saw her sister's joy reflected in Mr Bingley. They truly were a well-matched pair.

As the happy couple rejoined the dancers, Lizzy decided to follow Miss Darcy. Mr Darcy had indicated it was her first time at a ball. Though it was a private event, there were still a great many in attendance. Not to mention a considerable showing from the ranks of the militia. It would not be difficult for a naive girl such as Miss Darcy to find herself in a predicament.

Lizzy made her way to where she had seen Miss Darcy leave the room. She looked down a long hall. Though it was lit by many sconces, the shadows between each were vast, making it difficult to see the girl.

She looked back to the couples dancing. It would be sensible to bring his sister's behaviour to Mr Darcy's attention, but Lizzy feared in the time it took her to do so, Miss Darcy would be lost.

Resolute in her decision, Lizzy took off down the long hall after the young girl. As she took long strides, attempting to shorten the distance between them without having to break into an undignified run, Lizzy cursed herself for not maintaining her exercise when she returned from Kent.

She barely made it to the end of the hall in time to see Miss Darcy take another turn part way along the next hall. Lizzy frowned. Miss Darcy's behaviour was not that of someone exploring an unknown house out of boredom of curiosity. Miss Darcy appeared to know exactly where she was headed.

She slowed as she reached the point where Miss Darcy had disappeared from sight. Murmured voices stopped her in her tracks. Indecision over whether to return and advise Mr Darcy of his sister's whereabouts, or to peek around the corner, was swiftly resolved when she heard the delicate giggles of the young girl.

Curiosity won and Lizzy tiptoed forward as quietly as she could. A shadow cast across the hall allowed her to look around the corner with confidence she would not be seen.

She startled back with a gasp. Her hand flew to her mouth to hold the sound in, as she pressed her back into the wall. She could only hope the shadows would keep her presence hidden.

Lizzy held her breath. Her heart beat heavily against her chest. While it was not entirely a surprise—given their previous conversation—that Miss Darcy had slipped away to meet with Mr Wickham, it had startled Lizzy entirely to see the couple in a passionate embrace. Further, it did not appear to be the first time they had kissed.

Lizzy had to retrieve Mr Darcy, for his sister clearly did not recognise the risk she placed upon her propriety. She dropped her hand from where it still rested against her mouth. Although she did not relish the thought of telling Mr Darcy about his sister's liaison with Mr Wickham, it had to be done.

As she turned to head back to the ballroom, the deep tones of Mr Wickham's voice held her in place. "Come, darling. I wish to introduce you to my friends."

Miss Darcy's reply was too soft for Lizzy to discern, though from the soft giggles she could only assume the girl chose to comply with Mr Wickham's request. Lizzy squeezed her eyes closed, again filled with indecision. She could return to Mr Darcy, and hope Mr Wickham did not do anything to place doubt over Miss Darcy's reputation. Or, she could follow them to the garden ready to intervene should the girl's propriety be at risk of compromise.

Lizzy swallowed her doubt. There really was no choice in this situation. She was truly just surprised that it was Miss Darcy and not Lydia who had placed herself at risk.

At the thought of Lydia, the tension in Lizzy's shoulders eased a little. Earlier, Lydia had joined Mr Denny, Mrs Forster, the Colonel and a number of others in the garden for some fresh air. It was likely Mr Wickham was taking Miss Darcy to that same group. If Lizzy could catch up with the pair before they met the group, there would be nothing at all untoward about their presence together.

Bolstered by her decision, Lizzy stepped confidently out of the shadow and around into the hall where she had seen Miss Darcy and Mr Wickham moments earlier. She followed to the end of the hall where she found a door that led out into the garden.

Voices and laughter drew her attention to the right. That way she could see the area softly lit and filled with guests. She took a step, but again was halted by Mr Wickham's voice. This time it was not the charming tone to which she was accustomed.

"Come on, girl. They will not wait around all evening."

"But George, I thought—"

Mr Wickham's voice grew harsh, even at the distance from which Lizzy listened. "You do not need to think. You just need to be a good girl and do as you are told."

With a final glance at the groups of people and lit area of the garden to her right, Lizzy turned left and followed the couple into the darker area of the garden. Worry grew deep inside her as she neared where the couple now stood.

Two men emerged from behind the hedges. They were rough-looking men. Unlike Mr Wickham who was dressed in his red coat and finery, these men wore long dark jackets.

Lizzy wished she had gone for Mr Darcy when she first saw his sister leave the ballroom. She desperately wished she could run for him now. But what if these men took Miss Darcy? What then would Mr Darcy think of her, that she stood by and allowed his sweet, young sister to be taken? And by Mr Wickham, no less!

She had to do something, but what?

Her attention was drawn back to the moment as she noticed Miss Darcy attempt to turn away from the men. Things happened quite quickly then. Mr Wickham grabbed hold of Miss Darcy roughly, his hand firmly over her mouth. The other two men approached and began to rub their hands over the now struggling girl.

Lizzy startled as she heard Lydia call her name. She turned and saw her sister approaching with Mr Denny, Mr Chamberlayne and Mrs Forster.

A grunt from one of the men attacking Miss Darcy drew her attention back to what was happening. Miss Darcy had managed to free her leg and kicked wildly at the men who had dropped all pretence of being gentle as they grabbed at her body. She fought hard, but the tiny girl was no match to three grown men.

Lizzy turned and grabbed Mr Denny by the arm. Lydia made to protest but Lizzy had no time for it. She ran towards Mr Wickham, pulling Mr Denny with her. He soon understood the situation and ran ahead. Mr Chamberlayne was not far behind.

"Lydia, quickly, get Mr Darcy now! And try to be discreet if you can, we do not need the entire party to bear witness."

To Lydia's credit she did not argue or dally. She hurried off with a look of determination across her face that would have, in other circumstances, made Lizzy proud.

As she got closer to where the men now fought, she saw Mr Denny and Mr Chamberlayne were having little difficulty restraining the two men who had been grabbing at Miss Darcy. The men appeared to be considerably drunk and clumsy in their attempts to evade capture, but that did not stop them from cursing Mr Wickham.

Mr Wickham maintained his hold on the extremely distraught Miss Darcy. From this distance, Lizzy could see the girl's gown had been torn across her chest, leaving her partially exposed. Dirt marred the fine fabric of her skirts, and tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving tracks in the grime that had been rubbed onto her face during the attack.

Lizzy ran at Mr Wickham. She had no idea what she could do, but she had to free the young girl from his hold. To her surprise, Mr Wickham released his hold on Miss Darcy, flinging her roughly to the side.

Too late, Lizzy realised her error. His strong hands grabbed her, holding her tight against him. "Ah Miss Elizabeth. So good of you to join us." As close as she now was to Mr Wickham, she could smell the strong aroma of liquor on his breath.

Lizzy struggled as she had seen Miss Darcy do, but it was no use; he was simply too strong. "What are you doing, Mr Wickham? Unhand me!"

Mr Wickham's laughter sent a shiver of fear down Lizzy's spine. He was no longer trying to be quiet. She could only hope the guests in the garden were far enough away not to be alerted. She did not want anyone to see Miss Darcy in such a compromised state of dress.

She shook her head, trying to break free of Mr Wickham's hold. In response, he moved one hand up and clamped it across her mouth.

"Be still, wench. Darcy thought he could buy his escape from me? Thought he could send me away to the continent or beyond?" He laughed again. The sound rang maniacal in Lizzy's ears. "I found a better way to pay my debts. Right lads?"

As he spoke, one of his filthy fingers pushed into Lizzy's mouth. Though repulsed, she saw the opportunity presented and bit down as hard as she could.

Mr Wickham cursed and his grip against her body eased slightly. Lizzy spun, swinging her now freed arm as she did. She did not know who was more shocked as her hand connected with his cheek. The slap rang out loud.

"You stupid bitch!"

Lizzy's nails gouged across Mr Wickham's eyes and cheek as he pushed her away. He shoved her with force, causing her to lose balance.

As the world around her faded from sight, Lizzy could only hope Lydia had fetched Mr Darcy in time to save his sister.