Hi everyone! I almost forgot today was my scheduled day to post! Too much happening, too little time. I hope you are having a pleasant September and are preparing for a beautiful autumn Thank you to everyone who reads and reviews. Your time is a precious gift and I try not to waste it. I hope this chapter does not disappoint. . As you will see, the angst in our story is about to go up!

Chapter Twenty

"Do sit down and relax, Lizzy," Jane urged one morning, ten days after Bingley and Darcy had left. There had been no word from either of the gentlemen. "Do you think Mr. Darcy's affection is so changeable? He has been so steady in his attention; surely you would not think him inconstant now."

Elizabeth nearly laughed. If Jane knew about the kiss she had shared with Darcy she would never ask such a question. But then she sighed. "I do not know what it is, Jane, but I have the strangest feeling. I keep wondering if Mr. Darcy is safe."

"That is not strange at all. In this time and setting it is only to be expected. I wonder about Mr. Bingley constantly."

"But it is such an odd, unsettling feeling! I cannot settle down to anything, nor set my mind to any task."

Jane smiled serenely. "It sounds as though you are very much in love with Mr. Darcy."

"As I said once before, if we reach an understanding, you will be the first to know." She tried not to blush.

"Yet you must have come to some sort of agreement, if he sent you a note to apologize for leaving," Jane noted, gently.

"If I did not know better, I would think you were teasing me!"

"And if I did not know better, I would think you were concealing something from me."

Her sister knew her far too well. "I am just concerned for the gentlemen's safety," Elizabeth evaded. She hoped Jane would not press the subject. "Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley said they would only be gone a few days, yet it has been over a week now."

The evasion worked. Jane looked up from the needlework in her hands, watching Elizabeth as she paced restlessly around the room. "Many things might happen to slow their journey."

"But these sudden comings and goings are so odd! Just when we grow used to the gentleman's presence, they disappear once more."

"We know so little of what business Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy conduct together," Jane mused. "Perhaps these sudden journeys are not unusual for them."

Jane was right, of course, and Elizabeth wished, not for the first time, that she had her sister's patient nature. Maybe then she too could sit calmly working steadily at whatever work was at hand instead of fretting. She would have to ask Darcy about his business dealings whenever she saw him again. If she understood more of his work she might not worry as much. "We also have not heard anything about the Fleur de Lys in some time."

"The Fleur de Lys!" This time Jane peered at her over her embroidery, observing Elizabeth more closely. "I thought you had given up on him. You haven't mentioned his name in weeks."

"Only because nobody has mentioned his name to me. He seems to have disappeared completely."

Jane glanced around cautiously before speaking again, confirming that she and Elizabeth were alone in the room. It would not do for servants to overhear their conversation. "We must trust that the Fleur is well and safe somewhere, and that nothing . . . unfortunate has happened to him. Perhaps he has gone back to England."

"Or wherever he is from," Elizabeth added with a shrug. "I could never quite believe he was an Englishman when he spoke French so well."

Her sister held her embroidery up to the light, examining the stitches she had just completed. "Have you decided what to wear to the recital, Lizzy?"

Jane was referring to the public recital scheduled by a famous soprano, a singer their aunt had heard perform previously and assured her nieces they would enjoy hearing. Elizabeth was of two minds about attending. Getting out of the house and seeing so many of their friends would help distract her from worrying about Darcy and Charlotte. But it also seemed somewhat callous to be focused on entertaining themselves when the suffering around them was so acute. It seemed nobody in Paris was above suspicion or accusation. The king of France himself was on trial for his life, and Sir William and his family stayed home, out of sight, as much as possible. "I have not decided if I will attend."

"You must come with us, Lizzy. We hardly have a chance to leave the house these days, and I could not enjoy myself if I knew you were home alone."

Seeing the pleading look on her sister's face, Elizabeth could not refuse. "You do not have to convince me, Jane. Any diversion that makes the time pass more quickly will be very welcome indeed."

Although it was only afternoon, the air in the theater was overwhelmed with the odor of too many candles in a closed room. Elizabeth looked around her as she and her family took their seats, but there was little time to recognize any familiar faces. It did not help that the lights were lowered almost as soon as they sat down, for their trip across town had taken longer than anticipated. The carriage had pushed through more than one crowd on its way to the plaza de la Revolucion to watch the daily executions.

Elizabeth tried to forget about the troubles outside the theater by concentrating on Darcy instead, which was not a difficult task. She felt his absence acutely, especially when the soprano burst into a particularly romantic aria. She could not help but remember the last time she had been sitting in a dark theater, with Darcy at her side. His note was hidden inside her glove, where she could keep it close without any danger of losing it.

At the intermission Elizabeth asked her aunt's leave to go downstairs, where the air would be fresher and where she might have a chance of meeting someone she knew. Jane preferred to stay where she was and Mrs. Gardiner was already deep in conversation with a friend, so Elizabeth made her way alone down the steps and into the spacious, airy lobby.

Elizabeth soon discovered that although the first floor was a popular place to see and be seen, it did not give her enough space to look for anyone she might recognize. She was too short and the crowd pressed too closely. She greeted the Duvalls but saw no one else who might claim an acquaintance. But just when she was about to turn back towards the stairs and her uncle's box she heard her name spoken in a familiar, though feminine, voice. Turning her head, she discovered Charlotte at her elbow.

"Charlotte!" she exclaimed. "I did not think you would be here! This is such a pleasant surprise!"

Charlotte glanced about as if she were watching for something. There was a suppressed excitement in her air. "We did not plan on attending or I would have let you know."

"How have you been? Have you been out of the house at all since-" She let the thought go unfinished. There were too many hearers nearby to openly speak of delicate matters.

"My father wanted us to stay inside, but our circumstances have changed. We decided to attend this afternoon after all."

"How mysterious! You obviously are privy to some secret you do not wish to share with me. "

Charlotte did not answer her at once. Instead she looked over her shoulder, then all about. Then without warning she drew Elizabeth into a little alcove she had not noticed before, out of the sight and hearing of the other people nearby. She glanced around one more time before addressing Elizabeth with solemn earnestness. "I wanted to take this opportunity, my dear friend, to tell you what your friendship has meant to me these past few years."

Elizabeth was puzzled by this seemingly random statement. "It can scarcely approach what yours has meant to me. You are my dearest friend in Paris, next to Jane of course."

"Lizzy, you must promise me that you will stay safe, whatever may come."

"Of course." It was an odd statement, even in a city on edge. And there was a strange fearfulness in Charlotte's manner, as shown by her wide eyes and flushed face. "Nothing can ever mar our friendship, Charlotte. I only wish there were more we could do to help you during this dreadful time."

"You have done so much already! If you could give my sincerest thanks and fondest wishes to Jane and Mrs. Gardiner, I would be grateful."

Elizabeth frowned. "If you come with me up to our box, you can give them yourself."

"There is no time. Oh, Lizzy!" Charlotte stepped forward and threw her arms around Elizabeth. "Au revoir, my friend. Until we meet again." She stepped back and added, plaintively, "Please do not ask me any questions!" Then she turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Elizabeth's astonishment knew no bounds; her mind raced to comprehend what had just taken place. Was Charlotte in danger of some kind? Her words and manner seemed to point to some imminent peril. But if that were the case, why would she and her family be attending a recital? For Charlotte could scarcely come to an event by herself; her family must be here as well. And what could possibly be behind her cryptic farewell?

Her questions would not be answered immediately. She was just about to walk after Charlotte and ask her what was happening, despite Charlotte's request, when quite a different person appeared before her..

"My dear Miss Elizabeth." Wickham surveyed her appreciatively from head to foot. "How ravishing you look." He stood in the opening to the little alcove, blocking her escape.

"Mr. Wickham." She was instantly on alert, alarmed by his sudden appearance. Wickham had been excessively curious about Monsieur Corbin in the past and may have had a hand in his arrest. And now he had appeared immediately after Charlotte left. "What a surprise to meet you here."

"I have not had the pleasure of speaking with you in several weeks," Wickham said, with a flirtatious smile. "You seem to be avoiding me."

She would have to be wary, yet not anger Wickham. Better to charm a snake than be bitten by one. "La, Mr. Wickham!" She fluttered her fan in front of her face. " I had no idea you were so anxious to see me. I have been at home every day."

"Have you seen much of your friend, Miss Lucas? I thought I saw her come this way a few minutes ago."

"I have scarcely seen Charlotte at all recently. It seems nearly every family of our acquaintance has made a point of staying home. But if you will forgive me, Mr. Wickham, I must go through. My family is expecting me."

She made as if to step past him, but Wickham moved to block her. "I have missed you, Lizzy."

"Such impertinence!" She gave an affected little laugh. "I have not given you permission to use my christian name."

Wickham paid no attention. "I want to see more of you," he added, moving closer. "A great deal more."

"That may be difficult. I have been very occupied of late, Mr. Wickham."

She again made to step around him, but he blocked her path once more. "You must tell me when I can meet with you."

"My aunt keeps me very busy."

Wickham's voice suddenly became accusatory. "No doubt your time has been completely taken up with Darcy."

Elizabeth frowned. "Mr. Darcy comes with his friend, Mr. Bingley, who is engaged to my sister Jane."

"Never mind about your sister. There is talk that another engagement is in the works. Is there any truth to the rumors?"

How much did he know? "Surely you do not believe everything you hear," she hedged.

"You have not been averse to Darcy's company. He has been at your house every day, and my friends tell me you might even welcome his attention."

So he did not know about Darcy's recent absence. Even so, this was too much. She closed her fan with a snap. "You have been spying on me!"

"I have been watching over the woman who fascinates me as no other woman ever has." Wickham's mouth curled in disdain. "I am disappointed in you, Lizzy. I thought we were agreed that Darcy is a proud, unpleasant sort of man."

"That is not true!" Elizabeth could not help exclaiming. "Mr. Darcy is obliging in every way!"

"Is he?" Wickham made a scoffing sound. "I suppose his ten thousand pounds has something to do with your change of heart. Perhaps your bourgeoise instincts are getting the better of you."

"His wealth has nothing to do with it! Mr. Darcy is brave and noble, and there is nothing proud or unpleasant about him. He is the most remarkable man of my acquaintance, and I am honored that he would-" Elizabeth stopped, suddenly realizing she had said too much. But it was too late. Wickham's face was red with indignation.

"It is just as I thought. He spit the words out. "The rich always get what they want, while the rest of us are left with nothing. Darcy has once again taken what should belong to me! Mark my words, he may have the edge now, with the support of his wealth and his family name. But you will see- his connections will not always be to his advantage."

A thrill of fear went through Elizabeth. "What do you mean to do? Are you threatening him?"

"I? Not I." He gave her a cynical smile, one edged with ice. "But beware, Miss Bennet, if you choose to ally yourself with him, you will share his fate. Not even the title of Mrs. Darcy will be enough to save you from what is to come."

"Elizabeth! There you are!" It was her uncle coming to the rescue, to Elizabeth's immense relief. She was beginning to feel truly afraid. Gardiner bowed politely but his eyes narrowed as he looked at Wickham. "If you will forgive us, my wife has been most anxious on Lizzy's account. The performance is about to resume. We really must take our seats. Come, Lizzy." He extended his arm.

"I think Miss Bennet and I are through," Wickham replied smoothly, stepping aside. "Farewell, Miss Bennet. We shall see each other again." She felt his eyes on her as she walked away.

I warned you about the angst! But there are sweet moments coming too; you just have to keep reading. I hope you will let me know what you think of this chapter. I will see you again in three weeks! Until then, have a terrific weekend! -Elaine