Waking up the next morning with half-erased proclamations of love on her wrist (where Fitzwilliam did the unthinkable and shared his name and address, albeit half smudged in sleep) was difficult for Elizabeth.

She had no idea how to proceed. She didn't want to race blindly into matrimony, even if he WAS he Soulmate, but it also felt wrong to purposefully avoid him. Ultimately, Elizabeth had asked the one person he used to think she could rely on.

Who then essentially called himself an idiot, and was so oblivious Elizabeth was beginning to agree with the assessment. She would have laughed if she didn't feel like crying.

To make matters worse, Jane had ridden to Netherfield for tea, and taken ill along the way. Mrs. Bennet had sent her thus, hoping that if she fell ill she would be subject to more time with her Soulmate. Mrs. Bennet didn't seem to understand that Bingley would marry her whether or not he spent time with her beforehand.

But now Jane was ill, and Mrs. Bennet was giving her second youngest daughter an ulcer.

"Oh Lizzy, why can't you be more like Jane? SHE found her Soulmate, just like I always said she would! 5,000 a year, clever, clever girl!"

"Mama! Are you hearing me?" Elizabeth cried, exasperated beyond belief, "Jane is not on a honeymoon! She is bedridden, all alone in an unfamiliar house! PLEASE Mama, let me go to her."

"What? No! Absolutely not! You will just get in the way of the happy new couple!"

"Actually," Mr. Bennet interjected, "I do not believe it is prudent to have an unmarried daughter living under the roof of another man— Soulmates or no. Lizzy could go to act as chaperone."

Mrs. Bennet spluttered indignantly. "No no! Lizzy will only get IN THE WAY! Jane is practically married already, so— "

"So it will not be wise for her to live with her intended," Mr. Bennet interrupted. "My decision is final. I will not give any man even the CHANCE to take advantage of my children. Lizzy will go to Netherfield."

"Oh thank you Papa!" Elizabeth exclaimed gratefully.

"Well, you're not taking the carriage," Mrs. Bennet said, as if she had any say in the matter.

"I have no need for the carriage. I will walk."

"Walk?!"

"Yes, mama. Walk."

"WALK TO NETHERFIELD?!"

"Yes. That is what I said. I will return when Jane is well. Goodbye mama!"

Before Mrs. Bennet could positively explode with the force of her disapproval, Lizzy kissed her father on the forehead and all but ran to the door. She shut it behind her, the sound of her mother's wailing traveling through the thick wood. She smiled. At least SOME things would never change.

Elizabeth realized about a quarter mile down the road that she hadn't thought this entirely though. She had forgotten her coat and bonnet (which wasn't terrible) as well as her gloves (which was more difficult). Her inky black fingertips were now on display for any passers by to see! Worse, she was going to Netherfield.

Fitzwilliam was at Netherfield. The cold Fitzwilliam, the proud aloof Fitzwilliam. The Fitzwilliam of flesh and bone, the one that hated her without knowing her. Elizabeth shook herself out of those unpleasant thoughts.

Today was a new day. Perhaps things would be different. Perhaps the infuriating man would realize his improper behavior and apologize! Perhaps he would be in a better mood today, and smile at her as she walked in. Perhaps he would fall in love with her for HER —not just because she was his Soulmate— and sweep her off her feet, their laughter intermingling until he stared at her with those earthy dark eyes, his full lips moving forward to brush her own...

NO. Elizabeth would not be taken advantage of by foolish daydreams. She blushed at her own wantonness. She could not allow herself to be… distracted like this. She must trust the Fitzwilliam she knew; not Mr. Darcy, but her Soulmate. The one that cared, and smiled, and helped her along. She would take his advice.

So it was that Elizabeth arrived at Netherfield, her petticoat six inches deep in mud, her blackened fingers in full view, and was resolved to adhere to her plan: she would treat her Soulmate as if he was just another man, no more and no less.

Unfortunately, things don't always go.. according to plan.