I know this chapter is long overdue, but I have been away. Away as in out of the country, no Internet access, no time to write at all. I hope this chapter will satisfy you for now. The next is planned and in the process of being written, so it will be a sooner update, I promise.


Darcy dejectedly started up the stairs to the library, where he knew Bingley would be. He should have told Bingley the truth a long time ago, but he was too proud to admit he was wrong. That was about to change. He was going to swallow whatever pride Elizabeth had not already torn from him.

He pushed the door open slowly and reluctantly, to find Bingley slumped in a chair, near tears. Darcy glanced at the title of the book Bingley was reading and felt cold seep through him. It was one of the books Jane had read while she was at Netherfield. It hurt him to see his friend so unhappy.

"Charles?" Darcy tentatively said. Bingley straightened and quickly wiped his eyes to make sure no tears had escaped them. "I have to talk to you." Bingley turned to him and skeptically observed Darcy's heightened color and the sadness lingering in his eyes.

"I suppose Miss Elizabeth left and you wish to go to Netherfield to continue pursuing her?"

"You are right. Elizabeth has left, and I would like to go to Netherfield so I may be with her, but I was also thinking that you would accompany me." Bingley's eyes bulged slightly. Darcy had convinced him that it was right to leave Netherfield in the winter, why would he wish for him to return?

"I am sorry, Darce, I can't. It holds too many painful memories. I may even have to miss your wedding. I just can't handle seeing her again." Tears welled up in Bingley's eyes. He quickly swallowed them back, but as Darcy looked at his friend's misery he could feel his heart tearing.

"I have a confession to make." Darcy turned to the window, as he always did when he grew nervous. "I wanted you to come with me to Netherfield, because I was wrong in what I said when we quitted the place. Jane Bennet," Bingley flinched at the name, "does love you." Bingley's gasp of surprise made it impossible for Darcy to go on. Bingley said nothing, but moved to stare out of another window, lost in thought. Darcy felt some relief in knowing he was working to right his wrongs; working to deserve Elizabeth.

"Why are you just telling me about this now? Is my happiness so inferior to yours that you only deem it right to tell me of your deception after Miss Elizabeth leaves? Is this some sort of plot to allow you access to Netherfield so that you may gain Miss Elizabeth's hand, while I, once again, foolishly allow myself to be convinced that Jane loves me and then suffer the pain of a broken heart and unrequited love? I thought you were my friend!" Darcy stumbled back as the shear force of Bingley's anger was released upon him. Bingley had turned back to him, but he was nowhere near the same man who had been near tears only moments before. He had gone pale, his hands clenched at his sides and his mouth was set in a cruel line. What really disturbed Darcy was the crazed rage that blazed in his eyes.

"I am your friend!"

"You claim to be, yet you seem to think nothing of ruining my happiness; my life! Is this what friendship is to you? Is that how you help your friends? If this is how you truly value our friendship then I see no reason for it to continue!" Bingley slammed the book he was holding down to the table in front of him. He quickly stormed out and set out to find his sisters and brother in-law. They were not going to spend another night in this house.


Elizabeth watched the scenery go by with regret. Every building, every tree, every rock reminded her that she was moving farther and farther away from him. Every familiar sight caused her heart to sink. Finally the carriage reached Longbourn. She shut her eyes, took a deep breath and composed herself. She would not show weakness. She would be cheerful. Darcy had asked to call on her. He would come. All was not lost.

The carriage door opened and she was greeted by the beaming face of her soon to be brother and, hopefully, cousin.

"Elizabeth." He offered her a bow complete with a flourish. Elizabeth smiled at his antics. She was proud that he was joining her family.

"Colonel Fitzwilliam." She accepted his help out of the carriage. "It is a pleasure to see you again, sir."

"No, we will soon be brother and sister, I will not stand for formality. You must call me Richard." Elizabeth smiled.

"Well then, Richard, I offer you my congratulations." Lydia suddenly appeared and attached herself to Richard's arm.

"Isn't it great Lizzy? I always thought your talk of only marrying for love was silly, but now I can't imagine doing anything else." Richard and Lydia stared into each other's eyes and quickly forgot her presence. Elizabeth gave an amused smile. She had a hard time believing what she was seeing. Jane's letter had said they were in love, but dear Jane was always the optimist. Elizabeth had learned that most times Jane would exaggerate the good qualities of a situation. This appeared to be one of the few times that she had understated how good the situation was. Elizabeth felt guilty for crying at the news. It had been selfish, even if she had thought she would be losing her happy ending.

"Lizzy, you must be a bridesmaid. I promised Kitty she could be the maid of honor already, or else I would have asked you." Elizabeth felt a prickling in her eyes at the very sincere complement her sister gave her.

"Thank you Lydia. The complement you give me is honor enough. Congratulations, I know you both will be very happy." Elizabeth gave her sister a quick peck on the cheek. She turned and took a step to the house.

"Hey! Where's my kiss? I am going to be you brother after all." Both Lydia and Elizabeth laughed and each gave him a kiss on the cheek. They each took one of his arms and together the three of the merrily walked into the house.