Author's Note: Thanks for all the insightful reviews; I really do appreciate them, Bepl thanks for your review it did help. I am sorry I thought it was confusing to when I read it too. I was trying to find conflict for Elizabeth and Darcy, but I hope this chapter clears up a few things, this gives a little more insight on Darcy's thoughts. From now on the story won't really go how the book went; I was trying to follow it as close as possible up until this point. Enjoy!

Chapter 6

Elizabeth woke up to a slight head ache and a plan. She no longer wanted to be in Hertfordshire where she might meet Mr. Darcy, or Wickham. She decided last night that she would go to London to visit her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. She missed them so, since her mother died, she would see them occasionally, but not too often since they were relatives from her real mother's side. She needed a place of solitude to forget a certain handsome gentleman, and the crimes he had committed. She also needed refuge to repair her broken heart. What better place to do it than in London. She would bring up the subject to her father immediately.

Once ready she found her father in his study, where he usually was. Seeing his daughter enter the room he immediately put down his book, he was very worried about her and what had transpired last night.

"Papa, I have a favor to ask." Said Elizabeth cautiously, anxious to see what his response would be, "I would like to go to London to visit, my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner"

Her father was beyond surprised; he sat back in his chair and studied his favorite child before making his reply.

"Why?" was all he could think to say.

"I know it is rather sudden, but I feel I need a change of scenery. I just need some time away so I can think."

Rubbing the stubble on his chin, he took off his glasses and rubbed his face. "When would you like to leave my dear?"

"Oh as soon as possible," getting up she kissed her father on the forehead, "thank you father this means so much to me." With that she left to go and pack her trunk.

Jane walked in right when she was packing, "Lizzy, Papa has just told us that you will be leaving, what happened last night that caused you to be so distressed?"

"Oh Jane, I wished I could say but the wound is far too fresh. In a couple of years and shall look back on this and laugh, but please be patient with me." Elizabeth grabbed her sister's hands; at least she still had Bingley.

Looking at her sister, ready to pursues the matter and make her confess, but studying her more closely she realized that would not be the best action. "Would you like me to come with you my love?"

"No Jane, I need to face this alone, besides if you leave, who will entertain Mr. Bingley."

Jane blushed happily.

"I shall miss you Lizzy"

"And I you." The two sisters embraced, before they finished packing.

Little did they know that two gentleman not so far away had the same idea.

"Darcy I will not be gone for long, only a couple of days, I do not see why you must come with me."

"I need to return to London Bingley, and since you are going too I decided to come with you, but I shall not be returning." Mr. Darcy was slightly annoyed that Bingley didn't want him to come with him.

"Why are you not staying Mr. Darcy?" Miss Bingley's shill voice entered the room; she knew her brother was leaving but Mr. Darcy too.

"I have some urgent business I need to attend to and it can not be delayed." In reality he wanted to avoid a certain lady, she had bewitched him and he was afraid that she absolutely hated him by now after the manner he had treated her last night.

"Well why don't we all go to London, there are so many of my friends who I do long to see." Mr. Bingley flinched, this is what he was afraid of if he left Darcy come with him.

"I will not be gone long, so Louisa and you should stay here, I will be back shortly."

"I see no cause for that brother; I refuse to remain here by myself."

"You will not be alone; you will have Louisa and Mr. Hurst."

"Charles you can not make me stay, I will be accompanying Mr. Darcy and yourself."

Seeing that he could not win this argument the just gave up and decided that it would be easier to let his sisters come than have them stay.

Lizzy had been at her Aunt and Uncle Gardeners for almost a week and she was enjoying herself immensely. The children were keeping her so busy she hardly had time to think of Mr. Darcy and his prideful and arrogant disposition or her love for him. She had visited her Grandfather too; her mother would not have allowed her to go to London without paying him a visit. She was walking around a small park that was about a couple miles away from the Gardiner's house. She had seen the park on her way back from her Grandfather's and decided that was the place that she wanted to walk the next morning. So here she was, it was a nice crisp morning, and not too many people were out.

Seeing a little pond not too far off the path, Elizabeth skipped on down to see if she could find any ducks. That is when she heard two gentlemen speaking, she recognized the voices and so she crept closer to see who it was. They did not see her for she was slightly behind a pine tree and they had their backs to her.

She recognized the gentleman almost immediately; it was Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.

What on earth were they doing here in London? Slowly backing up so as not to attract their attention she halted when she realized what they were taking about.

"Bingley are you sure this is what you want to do, marriage is a life long commitment. It is not something to rush into."

"But Darcy I love her, and I can take care of her. And I do believe that Jane cares for me too," Bingley argued back.

"Bingley, she is indifferent to you. She is just after your money nothing else. As your friend I don't want to see you get hurt."

"No I don't believe you, you are just jealous that I have found happiness and you have not." Bingley's resolve was slipping, these were the same things his sisters had been telling him for the past couple of days, what if they were true.

"You will not be truly happy if you go through with this Bingley, I know you, and you jump from one thing to the next. Your love for Miss Bennet will soon diminish and you will move on to another young lady."

Bingley's shoulders slumped, "I do not know Darcy, and I love her with all my heart and I do not wish to hurt her."

"Bingley she doesn't have that many connections, she is not part of the ton. She is just a mere country lass." Interjected Darcy.

Elizabeth turned on her heal and ran. She couldn't see where she was going because of the tears that were streaming down her face. She couldn't believe what she had just heard, Darcy trying to convince Bingley that her sister was a gold digger. She felt so dizzy; he really was all what Wickham had said. Finding a secluded spot in the park, she sank down and sobbed. Is this what Darcy thought of her, as mere country lass, no one special, just something to be discarded? Resting her head against the trunk she fell into a fitful sleep. If she only waited to listen to the rest of the conversation, her reaction would have been much different.

"Darcy if this all the arguments you have against Miss Bennet I must say that I do not care. I would not care if she was the daughter of a farmer, I have enough money to make us quiet happy together." Bingley stood a little taller after saying this, daring for Darcy to argue.

"Then you have my blessing friend."

"What!!" Bingley couldn't believe what he had just heard, Darcy was stubborn and he wouldn't give up so easily. "I don't understand Darcy; I thought you didn't want me to marry Miss Bennet."

"Bingley, I am sorry for being so straightforward. But you see before we left Netherfield Mrs. Bennet said some things to me about her daughter. I saw that you were attached to Miss Bennet but I didn't see any particular regard on her part, but her mother told me quiet forcefully that Miss Bennet was shy, and praised her daughter. After observing her for awhile I did she that she did in fact did have feelings for you, but I know you my friend and I did not know for certain if you truly cared for Miss Bennet or just her pretty face. Mrs. Bennet made it quiet clear to me that if you were to hurt her daughter that I would be held responsible, and so you see my friend I needed to test you devotion to Miss Bennet, for if you truly cared for her you would not give her up. I commend you for your choice and wish you all the happiness in the world." Darcy finished his long speech with a sigh, wishing for that same happiness that his friend had found.

"Well Darcy, I am truly touched by your concern for mine and Miss Bennet's happiness; you are truly a great friend." Shaking his hand in appreciation, Darcy said goodbye and started for home. "Darcy wait," hearing his named he turned. "Darcy do you really want a wife from the ton?"

Darcy was surprised by this question, is that the wife he was looking for.

"Sometimes the best flowers are not found in a shop but in the wild country" Bingley said, and tipped his hat and practically skipped home from delight.

Darcy walked around the park thinking; he never really wanted a wife from the ton. They were all the same, but who was he looking for. Someone with a strong spirit, someone who could challenge his intelligence; bring sunshine to his home. One girl who fit that description was from the country. Perhaps she wasn't so beneath him as he thought, her family was respectable, his father knew Mrs. Bennet's father, and that was something. Darcy sighed, what had he done, he had been an arrogant fool, and his pride got the better of him. He thought that just because she lived in the country she was beneath him, but Elizabeth was by far greater than Darcy could ever amount to be. He had been stupid, pushed her away, for he was afraid, afraid of getting hurt, afraid that he would be rejected, afraid of falling in love.

Putting his hands to his head, he groaned. He blew it, Miss Bennet would never forgive him for the way he treated her at the ball. He completely shunned her, and grew jealous of the man she was entertaining when he asked her to dance. But when she came to him, he refused to entertain her all because of his pride. Bingley was right; Elizabeth was perfect for him in everyway why did it have to take him this long for him to realize it.

Elizabeth woke up to someone shaking her slightly. "Madame, are you alright?"

She opened her eyes; the man crouching beside her was a handsome young man in a uniform. Embarrassed that he should find her like this she quickly looked away.

"I am fine sir; I am sorry I must have gotten tired and fell asleep." He helped her stand up, still very concerned, her appearance looked slightly disheveled.

"Are you sure, is there anything I can do?" Regaining some of her composure, she smiled faintly.

"No, I thank you, I shall be alright now."

"Can I at least escort you home?" the young man was intrigued by this beautiful woman, he wanted to learn more about her. Elizabeth was about to refuse his request, but thought better of it, seeing she still had a headache from all she had learned less than an hour ago.

"I thank you, yes."

"I am Colonel Fitzwilliam Madame, at your service," said the Colonel gallantly, with a slight bow.

"Elizabeth Bennet" she smiled at this cordial happy young man.

Offering her his arm they continued to Cheapside. After a few minutes of awkward minutes, they fell into easy conversation. Elizabeth was much happier after speaking to the Colonel, his amiable countenance made her forget the other man who plagued her thoughts for so long. The Colonel was swept away by her smile and playful personality. By the time they reached the Gardiner's door, neither wanted to part company.

"I thank you Colonel, for escorting me home."

"Just remember to be careful where you fall asleep next time, Miss Bennet" he teased, causing her to blush as she nodded.

"I will try to make it home next time sir."

"Can I call on you again Miss Bennet, to see how you are fairing?"

"Oh course, my Aunt and Uncle would love to meet you." Elizabeth smiled; perhaps this Colonel Fitzwilliam would help repair her broken heart. Kissing her hand, he walked away with a happier step.

Please Review, I want to know how I did. I have been having trouble putting things together, but I am finally through the rough water and it is smooth sailing from now on. Review, Review. I will try and do better on my spelling.