Whoop. over 500 reviews. yay. and ive even managed to see some of the more recent ones. I've finally seen the fifty odd reviews over the last few days. Wow. Amazing guys. dizzyLizzie, yay welcome to the story. thanks for the serial reviews! :)

To the guest who wrote a whole story for a review.i like your idea. Maybe you should write it?

I hope you all liked the advance of the h/d friendship. And the h/g meeting. I'm sorry for those missing E. Be patient. :)

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Chapter 23 - fear can change everything.

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Darcy turned to his sister, who skipped down the steps. "Does this mean things are well with Miss Elizabeth? Could I meet her? Is she like her brother? He seems very gentlemanly. Richard likes him, I know."

Darcy sighed again and pulled his sister in to an embrace, putting an end to her questions. She squealed in surprise but then enthusiastically hugged him back.

"The Bennets are to leave for Longborn in a matter of days."

He said as he led her to the parlour. "Would you like to meet them tomorrow?"

She jumped up and down, clapping her hands and he was relieved to see the girlish enthusiasm. Maybe he wouldn't lose her too soon.

"I was going to speak to Mr Bingley about returning to Hertfordshire. I do not think there is a reason why you cannot accompany me. If you should choose to?" He asked it as a question. He had received confirmation of Wickham's removal from the area. He would not have risked Georgiana within 50 miles of that blackguard. He also did not want her to come through obligation but rather through her own desire.

"I must warn you, I am by no means certain that Miss Elizabeth receives my attentions with anything other than a friendly concern. But I suppose I cannot hide that my intentions are far grander than that."

"You wish to marry her." She said it as a statement rather than a question.

He nodded, his face serious.

She frowned, reaching up and touching the line between his eyes, smoothing the wrinkled skin.

"Why so unhappy?"

"Let me tell you of our history..."

He told her everything, eliciting gasps of both horror and humour, sighs of pleasure and pain and the odd exclamation of surprise and censure.

After all was told she merely held him close, like he was the younger sibling.

"You are fixing this?" Her eyes looking at him imploringly. "She affects you so deeply, I may not know what it is to love, but I can recognise it in another."

He had not told her of his brief, unsuccessful, foray to the bawdy house, but he told her of his resolution to change for Elizabeth.

"You are a good man, brother. The very best. But you do not show yourself often, especially to those outside our circle." She smiled softly at him "it is time you do."

Darcy looked at her fondly "when did you become so wise?"

Her smile immediately fell. "When one is deceived in love, one becomes better placed to see truth in the feeling."

Darcy smiled sadly "I am sorry you had to learn the hard way."

"I am not." Georgiana said resolutely "I may wish it never happened, but I will not wish away the knowledge and experience I have gained."

Brother and sister sat silently for a time, each lending their strength and love to the other, safe in the security of their sibling affection.

...

Henry was not wrong about the likely reactions from his siblings as he returned home. They both fluttered about with horrified expressions and instructions for water, rags, wine and anything they could think of to ease his suffering. He was glad he had not returned home with blood smearing his face.

"I am well, merely a poorly placed fist."

"Oh Henry!" Jane lamented

"Forgive me my ignorance brother" Elizabeth commented wryly "but I had believed fisticuffs to be against the rules of fencing!"

Henry chuckled then stifled the groan.

"Yes well I am afraid my opponent was a sore loser and decided he wanted a rematch. Which involved two people holding me whilst he took his frustration out on my face."

Elizabeth suppressed the smile that threatened at Henry's jovial tone, given that the subject was not at all amusing.

"I would likely look worse were it not for Darcy."

"Mr Darcy!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

Henry looked at her for a long moment. "Indeed. He, quite heroically, waded in to the fray and took down two men before anyone saw him coming. Allowing myself and Mr Bingley to break free!"

"Charles was hurt!" Jane gasped "Is he well? Where is he?" She jumped up and peered out of the window, as if Bingley would be stood outside.

"Oh Lizzie!" Henry crowd in mock horror. "What is this? Have I lost my Jane? Does she no longer care for me!"

Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Be careful Henry, or Jane will give you a matching bruise."

"Of course I care Henry!" Jane exclaimed, claiming the seat next to him once more.

"I meant no harm Jane. Your Bingley was not injured, merely held back from aiding me."

Elizabeth had her eyes downcast and asked in a soft voice "and Mr Darcy?"

Henry looked at her, a small smile upon his face. It seemed his Lizzie was not so angry with Darcy after all.

"Darcy took a hit. But none so easily visible. I believe his concern was mostly for me."

Elizabeth kept her head down, suppressing the sigh of relief.

Henry sighed dramatically "I shall have to return home to receive the proper amount of sisterly concern!"

Elizabeth looked up, laughing and shoved Henry lightly.

"You are clearly perfectly well and in no need of our concern, brother."

...

Despite Henry's assurances, Elizabeth found herself worrying over Mr Darcy. She barely slept and she woke unsettled on the following day, hoping but not expecting him to call.

Her unsettled night and poor dreams had told her, more than words could have, that her feelings for Mr Darcy were further advanced than she had believed. Up until she had heard of his injury she had been enjoying his attention, she was entertained by his conversation and she had believed herself to be his friend. She was not naive, she knew what path she was travelling down, but she had felt herself to be on friendly territory. She was fond of him, she liked him, but she could not have said she was anywhere near love.

But the moment Henry had declared Darcy to be involved in a fight she had found herself pierced with a breathless fear. The thought of him injured exciting more tender feelings than she had previously acknowledged.

Now she found herself fidgeting and hoping he would call, so that she could determine how well he was. When he was announced, with Miss Darcy, she relaxed and stood to receive them.

Mr Darcy introduced his sister and Elizabeth smiled.

"Miss Darcy, A pleasure to meet you."

The young girl smiled and murmured her greeting. Elizabeth reached for her and guided her to the sofa.

"Now, Miss Darcy." Elizabeth indicated that Mr Darcy should sit also. "My sister Jane and my brother will likely join us shortly, but whilst we wait I must ask you a question. As a fellow sister of a stubborn brother, could you give me the truth of your brother's injuries yesterday? I am aware" she threw Darcy an impertinent look before continuing "that if I asked your brother himself he would likely declare himself" she lowered her voice in a poor impression of Darcy's baritone "perfectly well, I thank you."

Georgiana stared in shock at the woman in front of her whilst Darcy coughed through his chuckle.

"I am perfectly well, as you can see." Darcy shot her a teasing smirk whilst Georgiana's eyes grew rounder.

Elizabeth sighed dramatically and fixed her eyes on Georgiana, a note of true concern in her voice. "Is he?"

Georgiana looked between the two then finally found her voice. "He was a little slow this morning. I think his side is still sore."

Darcy frowned at his sister, who raised a shoulder in a shrug.

Elizabeth turned her eyes to Darcy. His own stoicism relenting in the face of her soft, concerned, gaze.

"I merely have a little bruising. I was stiff after sleeping poorly. I assure you I feel very little pain now."

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him and he couldn't help but smile at her concern.

"Very well, I shall believe you for now." She turned back to Miss Darcy but before she had the opportunity to speak Jane and Henry entered. The introductions were made and refreshment was called for. Once everyone was settled, Georgiana was speaking to Jane and Henry, marvelling over their twin stories and Elizabeth was sat with Mr Darcy.

"It sounds like Angelo's was rather more violent than one would expect for a fencing club." She raised her eyebrow.

"I assure you, it is not often like that."

"Not often? That is rather worse than the 'not ever' I had expected."

His mouth quirked up in a half smile.

"I have always wished to learn to fence. Now I am no longer certain."

Darcy grinned "Angelo's accepts female students."

Elizabeth chuckled "does it?"

"Indeed. Although they are not often high ranking members of society," he shrugged "you could be the exception."

She raised her eyes incredulously. "I think, on balance, I will refrain."

"There is no reason that a woman's father or brother might teach her." He shifted closer, his voice dropping "Or husband, if chosen well."

Her eyes widened at his implication, a sudden flash of her and Darcy facing off with foils coming to mind. Heat rushed to her cheeks and Darcy sat back, a satisfied smirk on his face.

"Are you all ready to travel back to Hertfordshire tomorrow?" His face the picture of polite discourse.

Her head spun with the subject change, she shook it slightly and focussed. "Yes, are you to join us?" She hoped her voice didn't sound as desperate to him as it did to her.

"Indeed I am." His mouth lifted at one side in a smile "I was fortunate to complete my business in town and am free to travel with my friend."

His breath hitched as he beheld the brightness of her smile and hope, the hope that had been smouldering in his chest, now roared to a flame. This was not an indifferent woman, he sighed in satisfaction. It was too early to ask again, he knew that, but he was winning this battle.