Dear readers,

You may notice my username changed-I was hoping no one would catch the grammatical error in the previous one, but someone (shoutout to "guest") did, so I am now RobinDesBois.

Short and sweet again, but know that I haven't abandoned you.

Love,

RobinDesBois

Darcy was not typically one for self-congratulatory thoughts. Though he was proud of his home and his family name, he was also aware that his actions simply maintained his standing, and it what he had been actually earned by his predecessors.

However, he truly felt he deserved an award of some sort for not pushing Lydia Wickham off of his horse. While rambling on about how lucky she was to have such a wealthy brother, how lovely his grounds were, and, particularly, how very delighted "Dear Wicky" would be to discover that they weren't in Scotland, after all, but at Pemberley, Lydia couldn't have known how close she came to remaining in the woods, mystery or no.

Arriving back at the main house, Darcy summoned a footman and asked him to inform Mrs. Darcy and Mrs. Bingley that their sister had arrived, and request Mrs. Darcy to meet him in the library. He sent a maid with Lydia to settle her into her guest rooms, then quickly made his way to the library to try to explain what he knew to his wife.

Jane, Lizzy, Georgiana, and Charlotte could not have been more surprised when a footman entered the parlor and announced the arrival of Mrs. Wickham. Georgiana paled momentarily, but recovered herself beautifully as Lizzy squeezed her hand.

"Mr. Darcy requests that you join him in the library, Madam."

"Of course, I shall be there in a moment," she replied. Pulling her hand out of her sister's, she walked quickly from the room.

The moment Lizzy entered the library, her husband crushed her to his chest.

"Thank God you're safe, Elizabeth," he whispered in her ear.

"Why is my sister here?" Lizzy said, largely muffled, into his chest.

"Yes…I don't know. I found her cleaning a cottage in the woods. She seemed to sincerely believe, until the moment I told her where she was, that she was in Scotland. I think we can assume that Wickham was the one who told her that, and, therefore, that he is here…but where he is now, I can't say. I brought her here to try and get some more information out of her. I'm also hoping that taking his wife into my house will draw Wickham out of hiding, but I'm afraid that puts you and Georgiana in danger of having to be in his presence…or worse. Please, Elizabeth, I know how you love to go on walks, but—just for now, my love—please, please, stay indoors. Especially in your condition. If he were to touch you, or you were to faint again in the garden, I…I don't know what I would do. Please, please, let me protect you."

"Of course I will stay indoors, William. I wouldn't risk our child outdoors with Wickham nearby. But please, promise me that you will resolve this matter as quickly as possible. My need for fresh air and exercise is nothing compared with your sister's need for peace, which she can't possibly have with either Lydia or Wickham here."

Darcy couldn't help a slight laugh. With child, in danger, being denied her favorite pastime, and still his wife thought of his sister. God, he loved her so much.

"Also, William, the moment this matter is taken care of, I expect you to take me on a walk for as long as I please."

"Agreed." He sealed his promise with a kiss on the top of his wife's head.