A/N: If anyone has any ideas just post them in a review, anything would be welcome. And no, I will not tell you if Mr Darcy loves Miss Bingley yet, more fun for me ;) Zanna
The door opened from the inside the next morning and Elizabeth walked quietly down the hall. She stopped at the nursery and kissed each of her dear children lightly before leaving a letter written in bold, clear hand for them. Still as silent as a breeze she told Mrs Reynolds that she was ready to leave. The old housekeeper was worried by the mistress' sudden departure but said nothing. She did notice that the trunk to go with her was small and easily carried. Before alighting Mrs Darcy gave the woman a letter addressed to Mr Darcy and asked that she made sure that he received it. Promise secured the carriage was given directions. Mrs Darcy was very content on the journey and did not worry at all about the commotion she would have caused at Pemberly. Perusing the letter from her dearest sister she knew that although she came alone she would be much welcomed as a diversion from Miss Bingley and her sister. Smiling she watched the countryside as they drew near the home of the Bingley family.
"But where did she go?" Demanded an angry Fitzwilliam Darcy as he learned of his wife's adventure.
"I do not know sir," replied his housekeeper, "but she told me to give you this." Handing over the letter the woman left the master of Pemberly to rage alone.
Dear Fitzwilliam Darcy,
I am sure that by now you have discovered I am from Pemberly and intend to be so for a least a week. I will write to you I promise but I refuse to tell you where I am, however I shall tell you where I am not. I am not, and will not be for some time, at Longbourn. Though my father does wish me to visit soon. I realise that the children will miss me so I have arranged for them to visit Jane and Mr Bingley in two days. I know they enjoy the company of the Bingley children exceedingly. They need not pack anything except two changes of clothes and nightwear. I am sorely tempted to hint to where I am but alas I know you are intelligent as Mr Collins so shall not. There is nothing left for me to say then but, if you do desperately need to consult with me, write a letter and send it to Jane as she knows where I am and is sworn to secrecy which even you cannot find a way around.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Darcy.
For a moment he was shocked and so re-read the letter. Suddenly he smiled and called for Mrs Reynolds.
"Please summon my steward for me, I have some urgent business to attend to."
"Yes, sir." He was still smiling when the man walked in and the plans were explained to him. Much had to be done in little time.
Jane welcomed her favourite sister as she approached the door of the Bingley home.
"Oh dear Jane." The pair embraced and Elizabeth greeted the husband of her beloved sister warmly. "I must thank you for welcoming me at such short notice. I confess I shall trespass on your time for almost a week, as I want to see just how intelligent Mr Darcy is." The women laughed and Charles looked amused, albeit somewhat confused.
"Come, my sisters and Mr Hurst are in the drawing room and we insist you liven the afternoon with some stories from Pemberly."
"I do not know how amusing you will find my anecdotes, but I shall endeavour. Surely Miss Bingley must have some stories of London for us?" Her sarcastic tongue was noted only by her sister as the trio made their way to the drawing room.
"Oh, yes, dear Caroline is very much looking forward to the time we shall all spend in town together." He apologised immediately for his words as he realised that his friend had not discussed the likely hood of spending a good deal of time in town.
"No, I assure you, Fitzwilliam and I shall have plenty of time to discuss the coming months occupation." They had now reached the others of the party and the greetings were interrupted by the arrival of the housekeeper, bearing a letter addressed to Jane. Perplexed as the hand was very much similar to that of Mr Darcy she read it and then turned to her sister.
"He says he will come with the carriage to collect the children on Friday." At this Elizabeth could barely control laughter. When it was inquired as to what was making her smile so she replied thus.
"He is the cleverest man of my acquaintance." Which set her laughing and although Jane too laughed a little the Bingley sisters frowned even as their brother smiled at his wife's mirth.
"Who do you speak of Mrs Darcy? Surely Mr Darcy knows you are here?" Miss Bingley asked archly as if it would abominable if the perfect Mr Darcy did not know where his wife was, and it would be entirely the mistress of Pemberly's fault.
"Yes, Miss Bingley, he knows where I am. But, he does not know you are here. When did you come into this part of the country?" The subject skilfully changed and allowed Elizabeth moments to laugh at her husband. Her thoughts however took an unpleasant turn. Although he now had the knowledge of her whereabouts there was no guarantee that he had forgotten or dismissed the letter. This caused her to miss a question directed at her by Miss Bingley.
"Have you seen your youngest sister recently Mrs Darcy?" The words broke her reverent silence and she answered that she had not, nor had she had any communication from Mrs Wickham for some time.
"I had heard that someone had seen him in London when we were last there. I am surprised you did not hear from your sister then. It must be an age since you have seen her, after all she departed for the North Country directly after marring Wickham to meet the regiment." Elizabeth affirmed this and the unwed woman continued.
"It must be a blessing for your sister to be so happily situated. She has married a reputedly handsome man and is constantly surrounded by a regiment."
"My sister would happily have taken up any residence her husband thought appropriate." Mr Bingley was good enough to change the subject to the ball he was thinking of hosting.
"I know it shall be nothing to the Netherfield ball, but I would dearly love to have the, joy of filling our house with music and dancing." Jane agreed and so did the other members of the party. This created a safe topic for discussion all evening and as they retired to bed the details were almost decided. Mr Bingley would still like very much to have Mr Darcy's approval of his plans and the idea had been expressed that there be a second ball later in the year at Pemberly to which only the select few would be invited. This had been the suggestion of Miss Bingley and had been meant that some family members from the Bennet side be not invited. She had gone so far as to propose that there be a dress code so as to eliminate the riff-raff and although spoken in jest Elizabeth knew that there was a seriousness behind it which she found infuriating. She should dearly love Miss Bingley to fall violently in love with a man of lower rank or that the affection be not returned. This put her in mind of her husband and the smile which the thought had been greeted soon turned to sadness at they way in which they had parted company and the argument which had meant it imperative that she leave as soon as possible. She spent a restless night and could keep her mind on nothing. Sleep evaded her so she lit a candle and sat at the desk, which occupied one half of the adjacent wall. The candle burned out, but by that time Mrs Darcy had written and sealed a letter to her husband and fallen asleep upon the wooden desk.
The day was bright and cheery and was so heartening it was decided that Mr Bingley and Mr Hurst should go out shooting while Mrs Bingley and Mrs Darcy took a tour of the park. Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst would spend the day in the closest village in search of some new material for their gowns for the ball. Although still tired from her unrestful sleep Elizabeth fully enjoyed her day with her sister and her two sons. Mr Bingley was such a gentle and kind man that he had not been at all worried when Jane had not proved to be in child months after the birth of their youngest son, although Jane herself was quite distressed and had told her sister so. It had been in Elizabeth's power then to comfort her beloved sister as she had almost a year and a half between the birth of her daughter and the knowledge she was carrying her son. Speaking of children also allowed the pair to wonder as to Mr Hurst and his wife. They had been married for as long as either woman had known them and as yet there had been no children to speak of.
"Mayhap he is so full of wine that he cannot attend to his wife's needs?"
"Lizzy, be not so cruel. I am sure there is a perfectly decent reason they are not parents."
"Yes, they are not as happy as you and your Mr Bingley. Or even as content as our dear parents." Laughing at the description of her family Jane tried to scold her sister for her harsh words but could not as they were in there way true and just. The ladies decided they had walked enough for the day and headed back to the house for some relaxing reading and sharing of laughter at others expense.