Author's note: I apologize for the delay! I've had some things going on in real life that has made it difficult to find time to write. This one is a little shorter, but it's setting the tone for some fun chapters. I hope you enjoy! As always, I appreciate the kind words and helpful feedback that y'all provide.

Chapter 19

The next morning, Kitty awoke early to prepare to go to Netherfield. While breakfasting, Lizzy returned from her morning rambles.

"You're awake early this morning, Kitty," Lizzy said in surprise. "Are you feeling well?'

"Oh yes," Kitty reassured her. "I simply am somewhat nervous about my visit to Netherfield."

"Do you think Georgiana will eat you?" Lizzy teased, helping herself to a slice of toast with strawberry preserves.

Kitty laughed, "No, but Miss Bingley might!"

The two shared a smile, then Kitty continued explaining. "Within our circle of four and twenty families, we are known and respected. However, outside of our circle of acquaintances, we are naught but poor country misses, with little but our charms to recommend us. I would not wish to appear at disadvantage to our new acquaintances."

Lizzy gave Kitty a comforting smile and said, "Kitty, wherever you are known, you will be respected for your behavior and manners. You have nothing for which to be embarrassed or ashamed."

"I simply do not want to make a fool of myself. What if I spill the tea or am asked what accomplishments I have?"

"Then you simply laugh at yourself," Lizzy told her firmly. "No one is perfect, and I guarantee Miss Bingley has spilled tea herself on occasion."

"I have not your confidence, nor your wit, to turn my failings into strengths," Kitty said ruefully.

"Confidence takes practice, Kitty," Lizzy responded. "The more you worry, the less confidence you will feel. Do not borrow trouble – if you worry about spilling your tea, your nerves will cause it to happen. Or worse yet, you will turn into Mama."

Kitty burst into laughter. "Lizzy, that is unkind!" she chastised.

Lizzy had the grace to look embarrassed but pressed on. "Kitty, you are a wonderful young woman with much to offer by way of friendship. Do not allow anyone to make you feel otherwise."

Lizzy gave her sister a hug, then said, "I believe the carriage is waiting for you outside. You'd best hurry."

Kitty gave a squeak and darted from the room. Lizzy giggled, then headed to the parlor to wait for Charlotte. She had just settled onto a chaise lounge when the door opened, and a maid announced Charlotte's presence.

Charlotte crossed the room and sat down next to Lizzy. "Oh Lizzy," she cried in excitement, "I have the most wonderful news!"

"What is it?" Lizzy asked, but she already suspected the answer.

"Mr. Jones has asked me to marry him! I am engaged!"

"Congratulations, Charlotte!" Lizzy exclaimed with genuine joy. "I am so happy for you!"

"Thank you, Lizzy," said Charlotte. Her eyes filled with happy tears. "He asked me last night! He had come to dine at Lucas Lodge, along with his daughter. After we finished eating, I took her to the nursery to spend some time with my younger siblings. Before I could rejoin the group, he sought me out. He said he had wanted to wait for a more opportune moment, but when he saw how good I was to his daughter, he could not delay another minute."

Lizzy's smile widened as Charlotte continued to recount the scene. It sounds as if he really is a good man, Lizzy thought privately. I am so happy for her; she is marrying for more than just a comfortable home, as she once wished for.

"When will you be married?" Lizzy asked, ringing for tea. When the maid came with the tea things, Lizzy asked her to please bring some cake as well in celebration.

"They will begin calling the banns this Sunday. The wedding will be in a month," Charlotte answered, taking a small slice of cake.

The two friends continued discussing wedding details until Mrs. Bennet joined them. Upon hearing the news, Mrs. Bennet graciously gave her congratulations.

"I will speak with your mother and set a date for a special dinner to be held in your honor within the next fortnight," Mrs. Bennet kindly told Charlotte.

Charlotte, who at her age had seen many such dinners given for her friends, was overcome with gratitude. "Thank you, Mrs. Bennet," she said with heartfelt appreciation.

Wedding plans were continued until a knock at the door came. Hill entered, carrying a note. "This just came from Netherfield, ma'am," she said, handing it to Mrs. Bennet.

"I wonder what it could be about," Lizzy said with worry, "as Kitty should be at Netherfield visiting Georgiana."

DEAR MAMA, -

I find myself somewhat unwell this afternoon. Upon arriving at Netherfield, I slipped on the wet staircase where a maid had spilled a bucket of soapy water. My kind friends will not hear of my coming home until Mr. Jones has seen my ankle, which is quite swollen. Excepting a shooting pain whenever it is moved, there is not much the matter with me. Yours, etc.

"What great fortune!" exclaimed Mrs. Bennet in glee.

Lizzy stared at her mother in astonishment. "How can a swollen ankle be called great fortune, Mama?"

"Why, if her ankle is indeed injured, there can be no possibility of her returning to Longbourn for at least a fortnight, or else risk damaging it any further. She will have to remain at Netherfield, where she will have the company of two single men!"

Lizzy, feeling rather anxious, determined to go to Kitty as soon as possible to ascertain her true condition. Lizzy could not help but feel sorry for poor Kitty, who had been quite nervous about spilling tea on herself. Instead, it was she who was spilled, she thought wryly.

Entering her father's bookroom, Lizzy found him reading from the latest edition to his library. "Ah, Lizzy," he said as she entered, "I just read the most amusing anecdotes! Here, allow me to read it to you."

Knowing her father's penchant for surliness if he were not allowed to share a witticism with her, Lizzy sat impatiently and listened to him read aloud. After laughing at the appropriate moments, she was finally able to ask her question. "Papa, may I have the carriage? Kitty has injured her ankle at Netherfield, and I would like to go to discover her situation."

Mr. Bennet's eyebrows raised at the news of his youngest-but-one's clumsiness. "I daresay she should have eaten the cake at the tea before she made a cake of the visit herself!" Lizzy did not join in his laughter.

Once his guffaws subsided, he shook his head and said, "I'm afraid, Lizzy, that I have already put the horses to work in the fields. They will not be available until tomorrow. You will have to delay to your visit to your clumsy sister. I daresay she will be cared for well enough."

Lizzy struggled to hide her frustration. "I understand, Papa. I am concerned more for her embarrassment than her ankle. I shall walk to Netherfield; it is but three miles."

Mr. Bennet shook his head, unusually stern. "I'm sorry, Lizzy, but it is too late in the day for you to make the walk. I know you to be an excellent walker, but there would not be enough time to reach Netherfield, even for you."

Lizzy sighed but acquiesced.

Dinner was unusually quiet that night. Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennet carried the majority of the conversation, which revolved around the visits they had paid and the calls they still needed to make. It was occasionally tempered with comments by Mary that brought some sense into conversation.

Mr. Bennet made the occasional sardonic comment, but since Lizzy was too preoccupied with thoughts of Kitty and her assumed distress, his comments did not receive their usual reactions. Consequently, he finished his dinner with alacrity and retired to his bookroom before the end of the meal.

Lizzy passed a restless night, spending more time wishing for sleep than being in the act of sleep itself. She arose with the dawn and took a vigorous walk around her favorite paths, hoping to pass the time until it was late enough in the morning to be considered acceptable to make a call.

Upon returning to the house, she was met with a note from Netherfield. Fear filled her as she spied feminine handwriting that was not Kitty's. She tore open the letter immediately and read the missive from Georgiana.

LIZZY –

Do not be alarmed upon receiving this letter. I write to invite you to call upon Netherfield to see how Kitty is faring. She is currently asleep; Mr. Jones came last night to look at her ankle, which was quite swollen. He has determined that it is a bad sprain, and she is not to be moved for two weeks. He gave her some laudanum for the pain, which is why I took the initiative to write. You are welcome to reside at Longbourn to care for her, as she is somewhat distressed by the situation. Please bring clothing and other necessities for her and for yourself, should you choose to stay. I anticipate your call as early as you desire, as I am sure you are quite anxious to see your sister.

Yours,

Georgiana

Lizzy sighed with relief to know that the news was no worse than she had feared. Grateful for Georgiana's kindness and friendship, she immediately went upstairs to pack two valises, one for herself and the other for Kitty. She informed her father of the situation and was unsurprised to hear him grumble that with her gone, he would not hear two words of sense spoke together. She kissed his cheek, then boarded the carriage to go to her sister.

As the carriage turned to enter the drive to Netherfield, the carriage lurched to a sudden halt. Lizzy could hear the coachman urging the horses forward with no success. The carriage shuddered a few times, and Lizzy braced herself to keep from falling off the bench. Finally, all movement ceased, and a knock sounded at the carriage door.

"Sorry, Miss Lizzy, but the rain puddles were hiding a rather deep rut, and I am afraid the carriage is stuck," the coachman informed her.

"No matter!" she replied cheerfully, "I can easily walk up the drive."

"Allow me to carry the valises, Miss Bennet,"

"Oh, no need!" she said, waving him off. "You have more important things to attend to, and I imagine Kitty would like her own belongings as soon as possible."

"Yes, miss."

Lizzy descended from the carriage, holding a valise in each hand. She rounded the corners of the winding drive, enjoying seeing Netherfield come into view. As she approached the lawn, she spied a gentleman come from the other side of the building.

"Miss Bennet!" he exclaimed. As she drew nearer, she was slightly dismayed to see it was Mr. Darcy.

"Hello, Mr. Darcy," she said, attempting a shallow curtsy while holding the valises. Struggling not to fall over, she continued, "I am come to inquire after my sister."

"On foot?" he asked incredulously. And disdainfully, she thought.

She turned around to see that her carriage was not able to be seen from this part of the house. With a sly smile, she turned around and said archly, "As you see."

Mr. Darcy continued to stare, dumbfounded, and Lizzy began to grow uncomfortable from his gaze. "Would you be so good as to take me to her?"

The gentleman blinked twice. "Of course," he said hastily, "if you would follow me."

He walked briskly to the front of the house, and she struggled to keep up with his long stride while bringing along the valises. At least he could have offered to carry one! What a condescending, proud man! How can he be related to Georgiana? Lizzy thought in frustration.

As they reached the front door, it was opened by the butler. Upon seeing Lizzy's burden, he beckoned at two passing footmen to collect the bags from her. She grateful handed them over, missing Darcy's surprised face, as if he were seeing the bags for the first time.

Georgiana came down the hall. "The housekeeper sent a maid to inform me you had come, Lizzy," she said. "I wanted to greet you myself before you ensconced yourself in Kitty's rooms to tend to her. I plan to visit with you both this afternoon after she has had a rest."

Lizzy thanked Georgiana with sincere appreciation and followed the maid up the stairs. Before she was out of earshot, she heard Mr. Darcy say with surprise, "You use one another's Christian names?"

Insufferable man! she huffed, before fixing a smile on her face for the maid who was gesturing towards a closed door.

As Lizzy settled in next to a sleeping Kitty, Georgiana explained to her brother that she had indeed given the Miss Bennets permission to use her given name, and she had received the same permission from them.

"I had not realized you had become so close," he said with amazement, "nor that you had invited them for a house party," he added with a wry smile.

"A house party? Honestly, Brother, you can be quite vexing!" she said in mock chastisement.

"How does Miss Catherine fair?" he asked with concern.

Georgiana's face fell slightly. "Her poor ankle looks quite painful. I am relieved Mr. Jones could arrive so quickly and provide laudanum for her relief."

"Was laudanum necessary?" he asked.

She nodded. "I know how Fitzwilliam feels about and its addictive properties. Indeed, Kitty herself was loathe to take it, but she would not have been able to sleep otherwise. I've never seen an ankle so bruised nor so swollen."

Darcy opened his mouth to respond, but a cloying voice interrupted him. "Was that Miss Eliza I saw coming up the stairs? What on earth is she doing, calling so early in the day?"

Miss Bingley descended, wearing a dress that was more suited for dinner than morning. Her sister, Mrs. Hurst, followed closely behind. Without waiting for a response, she continued, "I daresay she must have tramped across the countryside! Did you see her hem, Louisa? Six inches deep in mud!"

"It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing," Georgiana said with a raised eyebrow. "I wish I had enjoyed the attentions of such sisters, but alas, I have only a brother on whom I can depend."

Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst immediately began to assure Georgiana of their affection. Mr. Darcy, attempting to rescue his sister, interrupted. "Georgiana, speaking of siblings, there is something that I must discuss with you. If you will please excuse us, ladies."

He bowed to the sisters and took Georgiana's arm to steer her out of the entry before any of the three ladies could protest.

"William!" Georgiana protested, although her indignation was ruined by her laughter.

"It is the truth," he said in response. "You know that I abhor disguise of any sort."

"Very well," she said. "What is it you wish to discuss?"

"How long will the Bennet sisters remain with us?" he asked.

"Mr. Jones said that she cannot be moved for two weeks. After a few days, she may be carried down and join us for visits, but the jostling of a carriage would prove to be too damaging otherwise," she answered.

"Mrs. Bennet will be in raptures," he said in an annoyed tone. At her sharp glance, he sighed. "My apologies. I simply did not expect Miss Elizabeth's arrival and acted quite the fool."

Georgiana looked at him curiously and asked, "What happened?"

I saw her eyes, Darcy thought. He cleared his throat, then answered, "I was returning from the stables after checking on my horse. When I came around the house, she was standing there, without a carriage. It took me so off guard that I simply stared at her. It wasn't until I led her to the house that I noticed she had valises. It was most ungentlemanly of me, which is the opposite impression I want to give."

Georgiana laughed softly. "How could you not have noticed the valises?"

He looked away, sheepishly. I was distracted by other parts of her. He shook his head. Where are these thoughts coming from? We have hardly spoken two words together! I know nothing about her; only the fire in her eyes when she saw me at the Assembly.

"She must think me the worst of men," he said miserably.

"Why does it matter?" she asked him.

"I do not know. I simply know that I cannot bear that she is alive in the world and thinking ill of me."

Georgiana had a sudden thought. Could he be attracted to her? She smiled to herself. The next two weeks will prove to be very interesting, indeed!

"William, you need not worry," she assured him. "Lizzy is a very forgiving sort of girl. I am certain if you apologize, she will not hold your behavior against you."

If anything, Darcy looked even more uncomfortable. "Apologies do not come naturally for me," he admitted. I would only make more of a fool of myself.

Georgiana rolled her eyes at him. "Apologies do not come very easily to anyone, Brother, unless they take the trouble to practice."

"I will do my best," Darcy said miserably. After all, she cannot hate me any more than she already does. And my sister is correct; there is much to apologize for.

Brother and sister remained lost in thought for several moments, only interrupted by the sounds of footsteps outside the door and the voice of Miss Bingley asking a nearby servant if he had noticed where her "dear sister Georgiana" had gone.

Georgiana sighed, then took one last look at her brother. "William, you have two weeks to correct things with the Bennets. I suggest you use them wisely."

With that final word, she left him to his thoughts.