The snow melted quickly in the bright Christmas sunlight, and Darcy was sure they'd be able to travel the following day. Darcy did not wish to wait for the stage coach to have available seats, and instead arranged a horse and side saddle for Georgiana to accompany him and his horse.

They set off at first light.

They crossed the borders back into England, and it was three miles in that they saw it. Two boots sticking out of a steep bank of snow, that hadn't yet completely melted. Darcy immediately ordered Georgiana to avert her eyes as he approached what was likely a body. Brushing away the snow, he could see that it was most definitely a man lying there, face down, and the clothing the man wore filled him with dread. The body was frozen and it was impossible for Darcy to turn it, but he was certain that it was Wickham. Georgisna's reaction as she glanced over confirmed it.

A man was approaching them from the other direction.

"You there!" Called Darcy. "Where have you come from?"

"The village" gestured the man behind him. "Half a mile on."

"I need a magistrate, there's a body laying here in the road. Are you able to fetch him for me?"

Before long, the magistrate arrived and questioned Darcy. Darcy initially wanted to deny any knowledge of the man, but knew that lie would catch up with him. As the snow continued to melt, and with more man-power, the body was able to be turned and Darcy could formally identify him as George Wickham of Derbyshire. He had taken on a bluish tinge, and had a red trickle of blood still visible on his forehead. Both Darcy and the magistrate surmised that he had fallen from his horse and knocked himself unconscious. There he lay in the snow, buried and freezing to death.

Georgiana sobbed loudly in the background.

"Did the young lady know the gentleman too?"

"Yes." Said Darcy in a clipped tone. "She's his wife."

The magistrate was quickly able to put two and two together, given the direction the pair had travelled from. "Not married long, I take it? You related to the girl?"

"Yes sir. I am her guardian and brother. I travelled North for the wedding just prior to Christmas. My new brother in law had an urgent summons to London, and could not wait. The weather turned shortly after he left and we hoped that he'd been able to take shelter somewhere. We set off as soon as possible to discover his whereabouts."

The magistrate nodded in sympathy and addressed Georgiana. "My condolences to you, Mrs Wickham. A young girl like you should not be a widow. He would not have suffered at all, if it is any consolation to you."

"Thank you" said Georgiana in a small voice. "It is indeed."

"Since the lady is his wife and next of kin, it is up to her what is done with the body" said the magistrate quietly to Darcy.

Darcy nodded. "He shall be buried on his wife's family estate. What blood family he has is buried there also. Please arrange for the body to be brought to Pemberley estate in Derbyshire."

"Very good sir."

The journey back to Pemberley was a somber one. In scarcely a day, the pair was back amongst the familiar halls, but the mood was gloomy. Most of the staff had known Wickham to some degree, and were saddened to hear of his passing. Darcy and Georgiana did not inform anyone of Wickham and Georgiana's marriage, and he was buried beside his father in the Pemberley cemetery.

Darcy received express messages from both the Bingley's and Henry Bennet, expressing their joy that Georgiana had been found before the scandal could be made public, and then their sorrow at hearing of Wickham's demise. Both understood the Darcy's wish for privacy given everything that had transpired, and did not insist on being present for the mans burial.

Two weeks passed, in which time Darcy was occupied with catching up on business matters with his steward. As expected, Mrs Younge had deposited the carriage at Darcy House and then vanished without a trace. Darcy abandoned the search for her.

Georgiana spent her days wandering the empty halls, trying to forget the nightmare that she'd endured. She finally worked up the courage to ask her brother to invite Miss Bennet to Pemberley.

"You really feel like this is necessary to your recovery, Georgiana?" Darcy looked resigned.

"I do" said Georgiana timidly. "You've been so good to me, Fitzwilliam, but I need to talk to another lady. Miss Bennet has gone through a similar scenario and appears unscathed, and I must ask her how. For I keep reliving it every time I shut my eyes."

Darcy sympathised. He had once again retreated into his world of business and was not in touch with what his sister wanted or needed. He needed to start putting others needs first.

"Of course, dearest. I shall write to Henry Bennet today and invite he and his sister to stay at Pemberley. Would three weeks suffice?"

"Oh yes! Thank you ever so much!" Georgiana threw her arms around her brother and hugged him tightly. It was the first time Darcy had seen her truly overjoyed in a very long time.

Henry Bennet was surprised to find a letter from Pemberley being given to him by his father. "He's a mysterious fellow, this Mr Darcy" he said with a smirk. "Breezes in and out of our lives as the seasons change!"
Henry smiled politely to his father and took his letter. He opened it and read it in astonishment.
"What does the rich and mighty Mr Darcy have to say?" Asked his father, who'd been watching Henry's face with a bemused expression.
"He has invited me to Pemberley. Elizabeth too. It seems that his sister is in need of companionship and Darcy thought that Elizabeth might be a suitable companion for several weeks. Might this be acceptable father?"
"My Lizzy is the best sort of companion, with her fine mind and sharp humour I am not surprised that Mr Darcy approves her to keep his sister company. The man has certainly risen in my opinion with such good taste!" He quipped. "As to whether to grant permission, I dare say I would never hear the end of it if I did not grant you and Elizabeth leave to visit Pemberley."
"Who is visiting Pemberley?!" Cried Mrs Bennet, bustling into the library where Henry and Mr Bennet spoke.
"My point illustrated perfectly" commented Mr Bennet dryly.
"Mr Darcy has invited myself and Elizabeth to visit his estate, mother. It seems he believes Elizabeth would make a fine companion for his sister."
"Oh! What an honour! Oh, when do you leave? You will both need new clothes to be staying in such a fine place! Lizzy! Lizzy, come here! We must visit the dressmaker!" Mrs Bennet hollered.
Elizabeth entered the room with a look of confusion. "Whatever for, mama? My gowns are fine?"
"I have not yet told her, Mrs Bennet." Said Mr Bennet with raised eyebrows to his wife. "Perhaps a little explaining might be done before you depart for Meryton."
Elizabeth looked from her parents to her brother.
"We have been invited to Pemberley, Lizzy." Said Henry gently, knowing that this would likely invoke complicated feelings in his sister.
Elizabeth paled as he said this, and defiantly said "no!"
"Whatever do you mean, no?!" Cried Mrs Bennet in disbelief. "Mr Darcy is a very rich, powerful man, and he desires you to be a companion to his sister."
Elizabeth's eyebrows shot up at this statement. Mrs Bennet continued "though why he wants his sister around a stubborn, obstinate girl I do not know. Think of what a fine opportunity this will be, Elizabeth! He did show you marked attention in the past, Lizzy, despite not attending you at the ball."
"I just cannot" Elizabeth said determinedly.
"Upon my word! I have never encountered such a child! Mr Bennet, Henry, make her see sense!" Mrs Bennet huffed out of the room.
"Lizzy," said her father "surely you see how powerful a man he is. You would not want to slight a man of such consequence, would you? Heaven knows how he might react."
Elizabeth winced. The last time she had seen him, at the ball, she had done that very thing. The very reason she did not want to go was because she did not want to see his reaction! She feared he would be formidable! Perhaps he wanted her at Pemberley to show her all the finery she could have had if she had been more respectable and had a more noble family.
"If only you knew, papa." Elizabeth began, before Henry interrupted.
"Might I have a word alone with Elizabeth, father?"
Thomas Bennet nodded in acquiescence and left the pair alone.
"Elizabeth, I do not pretend to know your full dealings with Mr Darcy, but I know there are some tender feelings there on both sides. Can I ask you to at least read the letter before finalising your decision?"
Elizabeth took the letter hesitantly and began to read.

"My dear Sir,
Thank you for your condolences on the sad situation my sister now finds herself in. In a matter of weeks, she has gone from maiden to mistress to wife to widow. It is tough for her to bear, more so because it is being done so in secret. There are but a few that know my sister is Mrs Wickham, and it is my hope that this continues.
It does however, mean that my sister suffers in silence, and this is more than a brother can bear. Having been in a similar situation yourself with your own dear sister, I venture to guess that you know of the torment I am feeling. And thus I am brought to the purpose of my letter. My sister is aware of Miss Bennet's history with Mr Wickham. I hope you will forgive me divulging the secret, and understand that I did so only to show that my sister is not the only lady he has affected. My sister knows that I admire Miss Bennet, and knowing that I do so despite being now FULLY aware of her dealings with Mr Wickham has given Georgiana great comfort.
Georgiana is eager for female companionship, and believes it would be beneficial to engage with another lady who knows all too well what she has endured. Thus I extend an invitation to you and Miss Bennet to be our guests at Pemberley from next week through to the middle of February.
I realise this may prove quite uncomfortable for Miss Bennet, as it involves a topic which I appreciate gives her much pain. I do so hope that she does accept the invitation, for I cannot think of a better and more worthy companion for my sister. We have not always seen eye to eye, Miss Bennet and I, but please assure her that she would always be welcome at Pemberley. May she consider this invitation as an olive branch, and a chance to start a new acquaintance with both myself and my sister.

Georgiana and I await your reply,

Fitzwilliam Darcy"

Elizabeth put the letter down. His handwriting was meticulously neat, yet masculine. She unknowingly traced her finger over his signature. The letter was so unlike the Mr Darcy she had encountered! This Mr Darcy sounded humble, polite, respectful and above all, approved of her!
Suddenly, Elizabeth was most curious to see this side to Mr Darcy, and though she had never met his sister, she was eager to lessen her pain.
"Very well," she said to Henry. "We shall go."