A large letter arrived addressed to Jane before there had been much time for joviality between her sister and herself. Once opened two other letters were revealed, one sealed and the other not, both for Elizabeth. Taking the letters she read the unsealed letter from her husband first as Jane continued the one Mr Darcy had written to her.

            Dear Elizabeth Darcy,

                                           Although you were not so kind as to inform me of your journey from Pemberly and left such tedious instructions as to your contact I felt it necessary to remind you that your humour is no better than mine. I am fully aware of your location, as you were not half as clever as you thought. There are only three places you could go on such short notice and as you told me to exclude Longbourn from my calculations and Mrs Reynolds assured me you had only taken a small trunk I knew you could not have gone very far at all. The children will arrive as planned tomorrow and although I am sorely tempted to accompany them I have arranged for a servant to be their guardian on the journey as there are many things I have yet to accomplish here before I join you at the Bingleys on Friday. Do be assured that I am not in the temper I was when you departed and I have neither rummaged through your room for the previous letters of Mr Wickham's nor opened what I am sure is another, which I have enclosed for you. Until Friday,

            Patiently yours,

                                                Fitzwilliam Darcy.

P.S. I am also known as your husband so please do not slander my name with my dear relations Charles and Jane, I would be much obliged.

"Insufferable conceit." She was amused before reading the postscript but she was infuriated by his disregard for her sentiments. Jane had received another letter before Elizabeth could tell her of her vexation and indeed the contents seemed much more disturbing than those of Mr Darcy had sent.

"Where is Charles?" Jane had the letter folded tightly in her hands and her face had gone quiet pale.

"I do not know. Jane what is it, what is wrong?" She took a deep breath.

"Mrs Philips has written to inform me of the urgent need for both of us at Longbourn. Father has taken to his room and will not quit it, even to choose a book from his library. Hill has been bringing him the ones he desires." The younger of the two knelt before her sister and tried to comfort both the distresses of her sister and herself.

"Surely it cannot be as Aunt Philips says it is?" Jane shook her head.

"It must be Lizzy, she would not call us to Longbourn unless it was urgent. Oh Lizzy, I fear the worst. If father has taken to his room something dreadful must have happened." There was no comforting her sister who went to find her husband and beg they leave as soon as was possible. Left to herself, Elizabeth read the letter her husband had enclosed. It was indeed from Wickham but instead of being on the same matter as his previous correspondence, he confirmed what Jane had read. In a desperate state, the mistress of Pemberly hurried to find her sister and arrange that she and her children should journey with the Bingleys as soon as they went.

            The letter arrived late in the afternoon and the scrawled writing which greeted his dark eyes concerned him. He had been engaged with his steward but the delivery of an urgent post had interrupted him.

"Shall we continue later sir?"

"Yes, I shall meet you at the residence in question within the hour." The men bowed to each other before Darcy tore open the document and sank into his chair.

            Fitzwilliam,

                            I must travel into another part of the country tomorrow. Be so kind as to send some garments from my closet to the Bingley's in the morning. Jane, Mr Bingley and myself are to go to Longbourn on a matter of urgent attention, we have reason to believe my father is unwell and in need of our support. The children may accompany myself and the Bingley's or stay at Pemberly as you see fit. I beg that you be so kind as to apologise for me to anyone whose engagements I will have broken thus and that you not blame me for the breaking of my word, I will send a post with details from Longbourn or a post en route.  Just know that I will be well and should you decide the children are not to be in attendance at Longbourn I still require clothes from my closet, as I hardly have enough with me to support an extended stay.

Elizabeth

P.S. Please forgive me for this urgent change of plans. I wish that I had the opportunity to speak to but, as it is evident, I do not and you are much occupied with the business of Pemberly. Do not feel restricted to writing to Jane any longer, I am quite willing receive any correspondence at Longbourn, no matter your humour.

The writing danced unevenly and his heart was beating much too quickly. Automatically he began to pen a reply but then remembered that he had not enough time to demand details and Elizabeth had promised to write to him from Longbourn. Calling for Mrs Reynolds he directed that extra clothing was to be included for the children and a trunk added for Mrs Darcy. To this he added a short response to the letter and was immediately to conduct business with his steward. He was not to be called unless absolutely necessary. The housekeeper was only too happy to oblige and after completing a very short reply to his spouse Mr Darcy did as he intended, filling the time with much work and planning.

            Meanwhile Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley were busily attempting to convince their brother that he was not needed at the Bennet estate. Jane was silent and Elizabeth raging inside but keeping her temper admirably.

"Surely there is no great need for all the family to attended upon one old man." Miss Bingley exclaimed. "I cannot see your reasoning Jane, Eliza. And I certainly do not understand why you cannot leave the children here or at Pemberly while you are away. There are nurses and maids enough to keep the under watch." Jane confessed she had considered it but her mother always enjoyed seeing her grandchildren. It was one of the few things that gave her pleasure since Lydia had married and moved so far away. There was a change of track then and it became Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy who were the unmoving parties.

"Have you written to your husband since the news Eliza?" Miss Bingley inquired.

"I have and should business not detain him, he shall leave for Longbourn on Friday."

"Would not the company of six almost fill Longbourn? Unless your father has extended the place of course."

"He has not. However there will be room enough for as many as are needed as there are room which my mother has used as sewing or storage rooms that could be made quite comfortable with little effort." The topic changed here and the conversion of rooms filled the evening with idle talk. After they all retired for the evening Mrs Darcy could again not sleep and the writing seemed her only escape. By morning another candle was almost burnt to the end and another letter sat atop the fine wooden structure.