A/N third chapter uploaded tonight. start with 36

Elizabeth PoV

Elizabeth travelled away from Derbyshire with mixed feelings. The prevailing one of relief was welcome. She couldn't help but feel sadness at travelling away from such a man as Mr Darcy. The last few days had allowed her to see in to her heart and she knew she loved him. She realised that knowing she was in love with a man she could never be with should make her feel sad but she held on to the warm feeling inside her.

About an hour in to the journey Georgiana spoke up.

"Elizabeth. My brother said that you had to escape Mr Wickham and that we were not to tell anyone where you had gone. If anyone asks you are my companion."

Elizabeth smiled at the young girl "I am ever so grateful for your help Miss Darcy. I hope this journey was not too much of an inconvenience"

"Georgie please Elizabeth. What shall we call you?"

She thought "Beth? Yes Beth Gardiner? Or do you think using my aunt's name would be a problem?"

"Do you expect Mr Wickham to come after you?"

"I don't know, but I would rather he not find me if he does"

"He knows the Gardiners does he not?" Elizabeth nodded "then best to use a different one, use Annesley for now. She is my actual companion; you can change it when you get to your family. They would be able to advise you I am certain"

They lapsed in to silence for a time

"Beth?" Elizabeth smiled at her "would you like to talk about what has happened? I am aware Mr Wickham is not a man to be trusted but I cannot understand what would make you so unhappy that you risk your reputation running away, forgive me if that is impertinent"

Elizabeth laid a comforting arm on her young friend "you are right, running away should never be the first action. I cannot tell you what he has done to me, they are not actions to share with a you lady such as yourself. But believe me when I say that I have tried to endure but find that I could not face more time under his roof. Someday I will explain but this was more than unkindness" she could not say anymore and fought back the tears. Georgiana leaned in to her and they wrapped their arms around each other.

"I am sorry you have suffered so"

Elizabeth smiled, "I will be better now" and she knew she would.

They continued to talk on and off for the journey to London. Elizabeth promised to write to Georgiana to let her know when she was settled but did not want to divulge her location. The two ladies knew they would miss each other but there was little choice at this juncture.

.

Mrs Gardiner was surprised to see her niece turn up on the doorstep but true to her word she took her in without question. She spent a pleasant few days relaxing under the kind care of her aunt. She had shared some of the things she had suffered at the hands of her husband and her uncle supported their plans.

When Mr Darcy's man came by asking after Mrs Wickham all three of them were worried she was too easily located. The man had not said who he was working for just that he had a message for Mrs Wickham and needed to see her. The Gardiner's denied her presence but knew that would not stand up to further scrutiny and they set about to leave immediately.

Mr Gardiner had a business colleague who worked in Portsmouth and was happy to take Elizabeth in. Mr Gardiner had said she was a widower by the name of Beth Smith, she had her own income but needed a place to stay for a short period of time to get her finances sorted. This friend of Mr Gardiner owed him a favour and was happy to pay it back this way. He had three daughters between ten and fifteen and knew they would love to have a young lady in the house with them.

The Gardiner's travelled to Portsmouth and dropped Elizabeth off and they planned to spend some time in Bath on their way back. They felt it best to be absent from London for a short time and Mr Gardiner had some business interests in Bath that he could spend some time expanding. They said they would travel to Longbourn on their way home and explain to her family but she was not to contact them yet.

Elizabeth settled in to life with the Winslows well. The girls were sweet and had a governess but Elizabeth was happy to spend some time with them every day. She practiced the piano and wrote letters that she could never send. After a fortnight she heard from her aunt that a gentleman caller had been asking after her. The description matched Mr Wickham, tall and dark and dressed as a gentleman, but he had not given his name. They reassured their niece that he had not gotten any information out of their butler.

Two weeks in to her stay, almost a month after leaving Derbyshire she penned a note to Georgiana, she did not include any information as to her whereabouts but needed to reassure her friend that she was well and safe.

The very normal activities of a household of girls helped soothe Elizabeth's troubles and she found herself more content than she would have thought possible after what she had endured. She found solace in church and prayed for her family and friends, knowing they would be praying for her too.