Vivian and Albert arrived late the next day, escorted by Vivian's aunt. Until that moment the entire day had been a bore. Darcy agreed to take care of Georgie for the day because Charlotte and Collins had been invited by Charlotte's mother to have morning tea. Mrs. Bennet and all of the Bennet girls were invited too, of course. Unfortunately, that party included me. Not that I didn't enjoy spending time with Charlotte, but we were constantly surrounded by others and could not have a serious conversation without fear of being overheard. Nonetheless, I remained close to her and Jane for most of the tea. Mrs. Bennet may have complained constantly about her nerves, but I severely doubted that she had ever come close to feeling what I was.

Before the tea had even happened, I had gone to Netherfield under the pretense of visiting Charlotte. In reality, Darcy and I were trying to convince Collins of why he should not mention Georgie. Collins argued that if Lady Catherine had said it was proper for them to bring Georgie with them, then it must surely be proper to reveal her to all. It took us the better part of an hour to convince him otherwise. We tried persuasion and arguing, neither of which worked. Finally, I just sat back and looked at Charlotte helplessly while Darcy glowered at the simpering Collins. Then, suddenly, Charlotte sat up.

"My dear," she began, "think of young Georgie's parentage. Why, if we reveal that she is here without properly preparing people, it might cause all sorts of ruckus. We wouldn't want that now, would we? It would not be what Lady Catherine would want, either."

It was the Lady Catherine reference that finally won him over and he agreed that no, Lady Catherine would not want a big to-do about all of this and that he would keep silent until we told him otherwise.

The man was utterly impossible.

At long last, the tea was over and Mrs. Bennet declared that she was ready to leave. With much flutterings and promises to have tea again sometime soon, we were finally in our carriage and on our way back to Longbourne.

We had not even crossed over the threshold into the house when another carriage pulled into the drive. As soon as Vivian alighted, I raced forward to embrace her.

"Oh it is so good to see you!" she cried. I just hugged her tighter. "Are you alright?" she whispered when she realized I wasn't letting go.

I pulled back and sniffled a little, "I am fine. I'm just so relieved you're here."

She smiled reassuringly at me and then nodded subtly behind me. I realized that Mrs. Bennet was closing in, no doubt waiting to lavish her guest with attentions. I stepped aside and allowed her to greet and usher Vivian and her aunt into the house and into the drawing room. Jane tried to remain by my side, but Mrs. Bennet called quite shrilly for her. Jane cast me an apologetic smile and then hurried inside to tend to her mother.

While all of this had been going on, Albert was calmly and quietly unloading the baggage from the carriage. I turned to help him carry some of the luggage inside. He only let me take a small carpet bag that must have been Vivian's. Vivian and her aunt would be staying here, but Albert would be staying at Netherfield. Since Vivian and Albert did not live far from us, Vivian had been able to receive my letter and reply to it by express, informing me of the travel arrangements.

"Vivian told me of what was happening," Albert said. "How are you managing it all?"

"I am fine. It will all be over soon and then it won't matter," I said with a weary smile.

He nodded, "I'm sure it will all work out, just wait and see."

"How are you and Vivian?" I asked.

"We are doing well," Albert said with a massive smile, "We are now engaged."

I felt a smile nearly split my face, "That is wonderful news!" I exclaimed, "Congratulations!"

"Albert!" Vivian's voice came from the door, "I said that I wanted to tell her!"

Albert just kept smiling, "Sorry, darling! I just couldn't resist. I never get to tell anyone because you usually beat me to it."

Vivian couldn't keep her face in a false scowl for long and soon she, too, was smiling.

I quickly showed Albert the guest room, where we left all of the luggage before joining Vivian back downstairs. We found her speaking to Jane in the hall outside of the drawing room. They looked up as we approached them, and Jane handed me an envelope.

"This just arrived for you. It's from Netherfield," Jane said.

I quickly tore it open.

Dear Lizzy,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and that the tea with your family and Charlotte did not bore you too much. I find that I miss you very much, and the thought of you being three miles from me and yet we cannot see each other is agonizing. So therefore, I formally invite yourself and Jane to have dinner with myself and the Collins tonight at Netherfield. If Vivian and Albert are there, then they are invited as well. The Bingley's will be dining out with some of their other acquaintances. I hope to see you tonight.

Love,
W. Darcy

I almost wept from relief as I read the message from Darcy. I conveyed the invitation to Vivian, Albert, and Jane, whom all readily agreed. We then entered the drawing room to inform Mrs. Bennet of the change in plans. She seemed slightly upset at first, but then commented that perhaps going to Netherfield would throw Jane in the way of eligible young bachelors and heartily gave her consent.

An hour later, we set off in the Bennet's carriage. As soon as Longbourne was hidden behind the trees and shrubbery, I sat back with a sigh to relief. Vivian laughed at my very slouched and unladylike position before she mimicked it herself.

"Oh what a relief it is to be out from under the close supervision of my aunt for an evening!" Vivian exclaimed. "She watched us like a hawk. I think she was afraid that we wouldn't be able to wait and would run off and elope somewhere."

Jane and I laughed, and Albert slowly wrapped his arm around behind Vivian in what would have obviously been deemed a very improper gesture, according to the aunt.

It was a very merry ride, cut short only by the sight of Mr. Collin's in the driveway of Netherfield. As soon as the carriage came to a halt, he was practically trotting toward it to help us out of the carriage. Suddenly, Darcy was there and reaching for my hand to assist me down. I grasped it gratefully and smiled at him. He lifted my hand up to his lips and kissed it softly, smiling all the while.

I felt a slight nudge behind me and turned around to find both Jane and Vivian raising their eyebrows at me with knowing smiles. I shot them a disparaging look and took Darcy's arm as he escorted me into the house.

I must say that after that dinner, my esteem for Charlotte increased tenfold. Collins was being particularly insensitive that evening. I believe he had had slightly too much wine than he could hold for he was quite loud and obnoxious the entire evening, yet Charlotte handled him like a master. She finally managed to get him to sit down next to her by complaining of a light headache and that having him by her side was the only thing that helped. And it didn't hurt that she also used the same excuse to tell him to be quiet.

Since there was no one else in the house and Darcy had dismissed most of the staff except for his most trusted, Georgie was passed around from lap to lap. I doubt she ever touched the ground the entire evening. Vivian and Jane couldn't seem to hold and cuddle her enough. I found that I gravitated toward her the entire evening and that my arms felt quite empty without her in them. Charlotte, I could see, had also become quite attached to Georgie as well, and of course Darcy was nearly always by her side when he was not by mine.

It felt wonderful to just be open and free and not have to constantly sensor my words for fear of having said too much in front of the wrong person. Of course we had to be slightly delicate around Collins, but he appeared to be nearly asleep so it didn't matter anyway. Conversation finally drifted toward what we were going to do about keeping Georgie from Wickham and Caroline and how soon Darcy and I would be able to take her back to America with us.

Finally, Albert spoke, "I believe that the easiest thing to do at this point would be to either just leave right now and pretend this mess never happened or to tell everyone everything publicly and expose Wickham for the cur that he is."

We fell silent as we contemplated this.

"I am not sure how circumstances are going to play out," Darcy began, "So for right now, I believe that it would be best to simply keep Georgie under the roof for a day or two more and see what Caroline is going to do first."

"There is another ball in two nights," I spoke up, "Perhaps we could set that as a goal and try to make our decision by that time. And if we decide to tell our families, that would be the perfect opportunity I believe."

"That is true," Jane said, "But keep in mind that no matter what you decide, you will have us to support you."

I smiled gratefully at her as the others murmured their agreement.

Just then, Collins was awake. His eyes went right to Jane and he said quite suddenly, "It is such a shame, young Miss Bennet, that it didn't work out between you and Charles Bingley." He then promptly fell back asleep with his head resting against the back of the couch.

Silence reigned over the room, broken by Charlotte's soft, "I am so sorry, I didn't know he was going to say that."

"It is alright," Jane rushed to reassure her. "I am quite over him. I hope only that we meet as indifferent acquaintances." But even as she said this, you could see the discomfort radiating off of her as she looked at her hands. I could also see a slight hint of sadness. My eyes drifted to Darcy but he appeared to be deep in thought.

All too soon the night came to a close. This became quite obvious when Georgie yawned widely and snuggled further into Darcy's arms. Goodbyes were exchanged and then Jane, Vivian, and Albert went to wait in the carriage for me. Charlotte helped a stumbling Collins upstairs to their room and I followed Darcy as he carried Georgie to her room. Together, we put her into her nightgown and tucked her into her crib. I gently ran my hand over her soft curls as she slumbered.

Darcy wrapped his arm around me and I buried my face into his chest.

"I just want all of this to be over and us to be home," I said.

"It will be fine. Don't worry," Darcy reassured as he rubbed my back.

I tilted my face up and his lips met mine half way. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he kissed me and pulled me against him as tightly as he could. Behind us, Georgie made a gurgling noise, and we broke apart to look at her. She curled her tiny fist and wiggled around in her sleep before settling down. I quickly turned back to Darcy and stood up on my tip-toes so that I could kiss his lips again. I slid my hand against his neck and cheek as I kissed his nose, eyelids, and cheeks before coming back to his lips. He leaned down slightly so I could do so.

Sighing, I reluctantly pulled away. "They are waiting for me in the carriage," I murmured.

Darcy pulled me in for one last heated kiss, before pulling back and walking me back down the stairs and outside to the carriage. He helped me in and then stood watching as we pulled away and drove down the drive.

With Vivian and Albert there, breakfast was a much happier affair than it would have been normally. Vivian was perfectly polite to her aunt and Mrs. Bennet, all the while sneaking looks and raised eyebrows to me and Jane. I had to work quite hard to keep a straight face.

When breakfast was over, Vivian, her aunt, and Albert went into town for a visit to meet some acquaintances. The rest of us adjourned to the drawing room. From then on, things got quite a bit lazier, but it was hot and so everything was squirming around trying to find a cool spot and no one felt like conversation. Books, needlework, and mending were passed around to all to pass the time. Eventually, Kitty and Lydia got fed up with it and stomped outside. I watched them go, wondering if and when it would be prudent to pull Lydia aside and ask here where exactly she stood.

I was becoming quite engrossed with my book when suddenly the door to the drawing room flew open and Kitty came bounding in.

"Oh look!" she cried as she raced to the window, "It's Mr. Bingley!"

Mrs. Bennet leapt off of the chair with speed and agility I did not know she possessed. Suddenly, the entire room was in an uproar. Ribbons were either tied around waists or thrown into drawers. Skirts were straightened, chairs were put back into their original places and everyone grabbed a book or needlework and sat up straight, attempting to be proper ladies.

The housekeeper opened the door and announced, "A Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, ma'am."

Charles and Darcy entered the room, Charles stepping forward and looking quite uncomfortable and nervous, Darcy hanging back and looking at me with a small smile that I returned.

"Why Mr. Bingley, it is so good to see you," Mrs. Bennet gushed.

"It is," Charles said, gulping. I looked quickly to Jane, who was looking at the floor with intermittent glances upward at Charles.

I then realized that Mrs. Bennet was still talking, something about the weather and duck hunting. Charles seemed to agree to something before saying.

"Well, I think we must be going. Darcy? Ladies, it's been a pleasure." He gulped again.

"Oh Mr. Bingley, you must not forget that we agreed to have a family supper. I have not forgotten, you see. At least three courses."

"Of course," Bingley replied, bowing and looking desperate to get out of there.

Mrs. Bennet was also getting just as desperate to keep him there. "My Jane is looking well, is she not?" she asked, pulling a blushing Jane forward.

"She is indeed," Charles agreed, before hastily saying, "Good day ladies. Enjoy your afternoon," before bolting like a scared rabbit.

Darcy stood for there for a moment later before he bowed and said, "Excuse me." I could sense his annoyance at Charles as he turned and walked swiftly after his friend.

Everyone collapsed back into the chairs and couch. I went to sit next to Jane, and she grasped my hand tightly.

"I am just glad that we have finally seen each other again," she hastened to reassure me as I attempted to speak. "Believe me Lizzy, I am quite over him."

I looked at her and knew then that she was not fooling anyone. "I believe you are merely trying to convince yourself of that, for you are not convincing anyone else." I said with a smile and light laugh.

She looked at me, startled, but before she could say anything Kitty once again yelped, "He's back! He's come again!"

We all jumped back to our feet and looked out the window to see Charles coming up the steps again, alone this time. We all turned to the door as it opened and he came through.

"I know this is all a bit untoward," he said evenly, "But I would like to request an audience with Jane Bennet."

Dear wonderful readers, I am SO sorry for my horrible updating habits. I will not come up with any excuses because I honestly don't have a good one. Please accept this chapter as my apology. Also, I am NOT abandoning this story. Just because it might take me awhile to get my rear in gear and write a chapter doesn't mean I'm abandoning it. School will be ending pretty soon so I'll be able to get back into a better updating groove. I love you all and thank you for your continued support!