A note to the guest reviewer who called me a 'stupid b*tch' because I accidentally left some thoughts for coming chapters on the end of my last chapter: I do not usually exclude any reviews when I moderate them, but I confess I didn't allow that one through. To everybody else, thanks for the heads up. I'm truly sorry for the confusion. It has been corrected.

(JLC, 08/14/21)

~~WP~~

Elizabeth had been in London for three weeks. It was a welcome relief to be with people who had merely heard of her poor behavior last autumn rather than actually witnessed it. Luckily for them, the distance separating them had saved the Gardiners from being a target for her irascibility. Her sisters and mother had been surprisingly discreet as to her conduct so only Mrs. Gardiner knew anything of it, for Jane had written to her aunt of her concerns. Yet Elizabeth felt the need to share the complete accounting during their carriage ride to London. She thought it only fair that they know the recent foolishness of their guest so they could nip such behavior in the bud should it recur. It had the added benefit of explaining why she searched for a face in the crowd whenever they were in public.

When she finally saw the face she sought, it was through the window of a tea shop near Hyde Park. She had peeked through the window to gauge if she and her aunt might find a seat in the establishment. Instead, she found herself staring into the eyes of Fitzwilliam Darcy. He was seated by the window with a pretty girl who looked much younger than him and an older woman with a matronly, though fashionable, air about her.

She raised her hand slightly in a tentative wave. It was but a small gesture of acknowledgement. He gave a curt nod in response and returned to the conversation he was having with the women in his party. As she looked away, she found herself once again meeting the gaze of someone within the shop. It was the girl, who cocked her head and examined her closely. Elizabeth gave her a weak smile and raised her hand as she had with Mr. Darcy. The girl mirrored her actions. Finally, with a brief curtsy, Elizabeth moved away from the window with her aunt, no longer interested in any refreshments.

"I take it that is the elusive Mr. Darcy," Aunt Gardiner said. "Now that you know he is still in London, perhaps you may relax a little. You may yet have the chance to apologize face to face."

"Right now, I am just pleased he did not cut me. He would have been well within his rights. Both for how I treated him as well as waving at him through a shop window. That was too forward and most improper." Elizabeth sighed. "Although, somehow it seems most appropriate to my situation. I have long felt I was outside looking in when it comes to Mr. Darcy."

"I am never one to discourage introspection, but you are becoming far too gloomy. It seems to me that you have given Mr. Darcy far too much power for far too long. You must not let your experience with him define you." When Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak, her aunt stilled her. "Have you learned from it? If so, and I believe you have, it is imperative you move beyond this."

"You are correct. Perhaps, I should just take up Uncle Phillips's offer to relay my apologies. For here, I finally come upon him, and it is not as if I could impose myself upon his party to express my regrets. They would think me wild."

Mrs. Gardiner laughed, "Lady Matlock would certainly have looked askance at such a spectacle."

"Was that Lady Matlock with him?

"It was. I believe the girl was his sister Georgiana Darcy. She is very like her mother in appearance. But enough of this, when we get home, you will write your uncle so he may send your apologies and be done with it. I want my old Lizzy back."

Elizabeth did as her aunt asked. It did seem odd to write to someone in Meryton so that person could write someone in London on her behalf, especially when the intended recipient was in the same city but a few miles away. But now it was done, and Elizabeth could enjoy her time in London with her aunt and uncle and cousins.

~~WP~~

"What is in your letter, brother? Usually, your brow only furrows so when you are trying to decipher one of Mr. Bingley's missives, but it looks too tidy to be from him." Georgiana had watched as her brother read one passage over and over, only to start at the beginning of the letter and read it yet again.

"It is not from Bingley, but it is as equally indecipherable," Darcy answered absentmindedly.

"May I help?"

"No, thank you. It is rather personal." He was still not giving his full attention to his sister, consumed as he was by the contents of his letter

"Georgiana grinned at that, "Oh, that was the wrong thing to say entirely."

The playful tone in her voice made him nervous. Looking at her, her expression was one that he usually saw on the face ofhis cousin, Richard. He could not help but groan. Whatever was coming he did to himself by his careless comment, and he had no doubt she would be relentless. "It is nothing, simply a friend passing along message from a mutual acquaintance."

"Of course. What message did she wish you to receive?"

Darcy started, "Why would you assume it is a she?"

"A he would write to you directly. Shes cannot. It is really very simple, brother." She stared at him with clear blue eyes, waiting patiently.

"The she is Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She is the niece of my friend Phillips," Darcy said, resigning himself to his fate.

"Oh, I did not know Miss Bennet was the niece of Mr. Phillips."

"How do you know of Miss Bennet?" Where on earth would Georgiana have met Elizabeth Bennet?

"You wrote of her often when you were at Meryton. And she is the woman from the tea shop last week." The latter was not a question but a statement.

"How do you know that?" Darcy asked, perplexed.

Georgiana rolled her eyes. "You described her in great detail in your letters. You were very accurate. I knew who she was immediately. I confess I did wonder at the manner of your greeting. I assumed your restraint was due to our aunt's presence."

It seemed his earlier words were not the only time Elizabeth Bennet caused him to be careless. "Miss Bennet and I are acquaintances, that is all. She and her uncle kindly helped me in a matter concerning Wickham. I told you of his brief residence in Meryton."

"So, she and her uncle both came to your aid but while the uncle quickly became a good friend for whom you take great care in selecting Christmas gifts and with whom you are a frequent correspondent, the niece is merely an acquaintance. What is wrong with her? Did she attempt the compromise you?"

"What? No! She would never do that. In fact, she could not stand to be in my presence, and I could do nothing right in her eyes." Despite everything that transpired between them, he would not have his sister think poorly of Elizabeth.

"But you very much liked to be in her presence, am I correct? And perhaps it would not be so bad if she were a little impressed with you."

"How do you come up with such ideas, Georgie?" He stood up and went to the fireplace, poking at it to encourage a roaring blaze.

Georgiana shrugged, "I have little to do but watch and learn. And if you do not tell me anything, I am left with only my imagination."

"And that is never a good thing." He sat heavily in his chair again, slouching low. "At one time, I might have allowed myself to feel something for Miss Bennet, but I did not wish to raise expectations. However, it is moot for I know for sure Miss Bennet would never allow herself to feel anything for me."

"Well, that is decidedly dull. There has to be more," Georgiana pouted.

"Of course there is Georgiana but you are at an age where you only see the romance of things and not the reality."

"You could have expressed that better, Fitzwilliam. Given the events of last summer, I would think you would be happy that I retain some romantic inclination. I have no wish to be bitter and jaded by my past folly. But I assure you I am quite aware of how painful reality can be. Now tell me."

"I am sorry, Georgie." Darcy pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. "Almost the whole of my acquaintance with Miss Bennet has been marked by conflict. And we were never able to recover. When I left Meryton we were quite at odds. But I should start at the beginning, needless to say, my introduction to the community did not go well-"

"Meaning you were your usual self."

"Do you want to hear this or not?" At his sister's nod, he continued. He explained, providing an accurate if somewhat general account. He saw no need to recount the specifics of the more difficult conversations he and Elizabeth shared. Again, something in him did not wish for Georgie to think ill of the lady.

"Do you remember Daniel Garrett?" Darcy was surprised as this non-sequitur.

"Yes, he is Lord Keswick's son. I thought he might have been a fair match for you, so did uncle, but you were adamant about your dislike for him. We could never understand why. He is a good man."

"When I was fourteen, I overheard him talking to his brother at a ball at our uncle's home. I had snuck down to watch the dancing. He said he hoped that I grew into my ears and teeth by the time of my come out or else no one would have me, least of all him. However, my thirty thousand pounds would certainly soften the blow of having an ugly wife. From that moment on I was determined to hate him."

"He does not matter. You are not ugly, and you have grown into your ears and teeth." Her ears turned red under his scrutiny.

"You are missing the point. His words hurt me. So, when George Wickham told me how beautiful I was I was eager to believe him. I wanted to believe that and everything else he said. Mr. Garret effectively primed me for an elopement with Wickham." Darcy had not known about Garret's comment. Georgiana had not confided in him. "You can give me the most rational, well thought out argument attesting to Daniel Garret's goodness, but I will never believe you. In fact, the more somebody tries to persuade me the more I will dig my heels in. My friend Julia Gilbert has her eye on him, and I can scarcely tolerate her commentary on the man. It is quite perverse.

As to Miss Bennet, you had insulted her and were rude her friends. You hid your feelings from her, so she had no way of knowing you changed your mind or what your intentions were. When you finally did start to be more amiable it was only after she and her uncle did you a great service, so perhaps it came across as less sincere and more self-serving gratitude. Then I imagine everybody told her how wrong she was about you so, like me, she dug her heels in."

"I cannot say if anybody informed her that she was mistaken about me." Darcy raised his hand to stop her from interrupting. "I know that is not the point. I just thought I would mention it as it is only conjecture on your part. In my defense, I was hurt as well. And Miss Bennet must see some error in her behavior, or she would not have sent her apologies." He held up the letter that had been resting on the table beside him.

Georgiana made to snatch the letter from his hand but stopped herself. "Will you forgive her?"

"I think I already have forgiven her. But it is always harder to forget, is it not?