The next few days were as slow as ever for Elizabeth. All the promise of an exciting summer had left her. The Netherfield clan was gone, Collins had left, her aunt and uncle had traveled back to London taking Jane with them, even Wickham was working too much to spend any time with the Bennets.

This meant Elizabeth was left to read and watch too many movies by herself. Things had cleared somewhat between Elizabeth and Charlotte, but there was still a hovering spot between them like a sour aftertaste.

To make things worse, Elizabeth's mother seemed even more upset than Elizabeth that all the company had disappeared. Elizabeth contemplated heading out of town for a few days herself just to get rid of them.

Relief came eventually, however, in the form of Charlotte. Two weeks after Collins had left, Charlotte walked into the bookstore and put her purse on the counter. Elizabeth smiled warmly at her, but was surprised at the excitement on her face.

"I have a favor to ask…"

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in a question.

"Would you be willing to go to Kent with me?"

"What?" she laughed, "Why?"

"I'm going to visit David. Would you come with me? It might look bad if I went by myself, but you're related and everything."

Elizabeth smiled, it was the least she could do for her best friend. Even if it meant putting up with her ridiculous cousin.

"Of course! I was just thinking about how much fun it would be to get away for a while."

Charlotte laughed and moved to hug Elizabeth. Resting her head against Charlotte's she squeezed her back. Charlotte ran over the details quickly before leaving.

A few days later, Charlotte picked up Elizabeth and the two of them headed off. As they were driving out of Meryton, Elizabeth's phone buzzed. She looked at the text, thinking it was probably her mother. It was from Jane.

I almost called last night. Ran into Caroline & Louisa in town. They acted so weird! Now I know something is up. Maybe u were right. She might not be so nice after all…?

Elizabeth sighed.

"What's wrong?" Charlotte asked as made a left turn.

"Jane's in London, you know with our aunt and uncle."

"Hmhm."

"Well, apparently, she ran into Caroline and Louisa last night."

"Oh?"

"I guess they were pretty rude."

Charlotte tsked, "How could anyone be rude to Jane?"

Elizabeth laughed lightly. "You've met Caroline, right?"

Charlotte laughed also. "Still, Jane never did anything to her. Maybe she's just taking it out because of you."

"Me?"

Charlotte looked like she said something she shouldn't have, "Just because she doesn't like you?"

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, "I dunno."

"You know," Charlotte started, "If you wanted, we could stop by to see Jane in London. It's really not out of the way."

"Really?"

"Sure." Charlotte smiled.

"Let me ask."

Elizabeth snatched her phone from her lap and began texting furiously. Elizabeth also sent a quick text to Aunt G asking if it was alright for them to stop by. Aunt G replied in all caps that they just HAD TO.

Smiling, Elizabeth relayed the information to Charlotte who seemed excited to take a break in London. A million things ran through Elizabeth's head, but the first one being an image of her walking down the street and pouncing like a lion on the top of Caroline's perfectly dyed auburn hair and pulling her down slowly with her claws. Oh yes, Elizabeth realized, the next time they met, it would more than likely end in a cat fight.