Hi guys

Welcome back to

Becoming Catherine

Yes I know its been a really long time between updates, thank you to the dedicated few that have poked, pestered and pleaded about another update, never fear I have not abandoned my stories.

As promised this chapter is dedicated to LunaRock who granted this story it's 125th review

No beta as of yet for this story so please consider this your warning, any and all typo's you might find have been lovingly crafted by me.

Now with the formalities concluded I bring you

Chapter 25 Rack and Ruin

Skydancinghobbit

"In that moment I hardly knew myself"

Catherine was stunned, frozen like a bird before the hunters gun as the news settled in her heart. Words flowed around her like water through a stream but she heard nothing more as her mind went over ideas one after another searching for something anything to say in return. Swallowing only produced the sensation of a dry throat and almost before she knew it a glass was pressed gently into her hand as Bingley helped her to chair.

"Do not attempt to speak Miss Bennet, you have had quite a shock and I fear for your health"

"Sip at this, Darcy had summoned an apothecary he will be here in a moment"

What horrors or scandals this proof of family weakness could bring she was unable to contemplate. The wine sipped at tasted bitter and harsh on her tongue but she did as he bid. What else could she do in such a state? Gone for the moment was all sense and joy in everything. How could Mary have done such a thing, Mr. Collins was to be married to Miss Deburge!, it was a in every way horrible to contemplate. Bingley hovered nearby the poor man, his distress was written clearly upon his features.

"Catherine, would to heaven that I could do anything in my power to aid you, rest assured you have only to ask it "

Charles dear sweet Charles, but no with this calamity upon them she had surly lost any power over him, they had made no promises or even a sure sign of affection to hold him to her side, he would forever be Mr. Bingley to her now as cold and distant as if they had never met at all. It was that fact that she thought prompted both her words and tears.

"Sir I think it is too late, I fear she is lost forever and. I ask your forgiveness I am not my sisters to be always in control of my feelings."

It was all she could manage but with a few deep breaths her color began to return and the panic and distress of the moment began at last to abate, he had remained silently at her side sinking into a neighboring chair. Only when she set the glass down firmly on a side table did he respond.

"That is truly all you ask of me Miss Bennet? my forgiveness of emotions that are truer than any I have witnessed, you and I have always been honest with one another. I cannot forgive since in my eyes there is nothing to forgive."

Only he could have accomplished it, Catherine was sure as even now a smile tugged at her lips lending her strength for the question she knew she must ask.

"Then please tell me what else you know, was this so sudden. had they given no indication of, anything?"

"An apt question Miss Bennet, but one I am afraid you are in no condition to have answered."

The apothecary possessed a voice a stern as the rector at her home parish and Catherine fought with a childlike impulse to protest this option. He as if sensing her mulish spirit smiled the warmth softening his grey eyes to something of a visiting uncle.

"Ah now there is a look I am most familiar with from my own children, rest assured Miss Bennet I mean only to delay your quest for information for the remainder of the evening at least, if you are to aid those that go to search for them you must be at full strength."

It was difficult to combat such solid good sense and when combined by the nods and quiet agreement of the rest of the part Catherine sighed and retired from the field of battle with as much good grace as she could muster.

"Then I shall agree to your terms but only for tonight, on the morrow we shall see what is best to be done"

"Here Here!"

"Bingley, for heaven sakes man we are merely forming a rescue party not launching an entire regiment off to war, contain your enthusiasm!"

However droll his comment Mr. Darcy never yet failed to bring a smile to Elizabeth, something that might be sorely needed in the days to come. A quiet dinner and assurances of help was all that remained of their evening. As she went off to bed Catherine had a feeling for good or ill the morning would be momentous.

C&B

"Gone? what you mean their Gone!"

Catherine was jolted from a restless slumber in the predawn hours by Elizabeth bellowing across the hall like an angry bull. Pulling on her things she hurried through her morning ablutions before locating her elder sister in the library pacing for all the world like an angry cat before an empty dish of cream an empty teacup and an open letter on the table beside her.

"Lizzy whatever is the matter?"

It seems Catherine that the gentlemen of our party have outfoxed us! I sent a note not long ago requesting an early morning war counsel and the two "here she floundered attempting to find a word worthy to express her sentiments before retreating to a socially accepted substitute, "gentlemen" received fresh information late last night and left in a cloud of dust and manly feelings of accomplishment to save the day!"

So ends Chapter 25-dodges the thrown bits of paper-

So gentle readers was it worth the wait? have I lost the thread of the story or shall we see where the journey ends?

Whomever grants this story its 130th review shall earn Chapter 26's dedication

Stay tuned therefore for Chapter 26. The Tangled Web

Skydancinghobbit

P.S. Please take a moment to check over my other stories they need love too you know