Elizabeth and the Gardiners did not speak of the sudden business needs of Mr. Darcy, not until they were in their private rooms at the inn after having eaten a satisfying meal of shepherd's pie. Their conversation was quickly curtailed by a note delivered to Elizabeth. She recognized the penmanship and indeed it was a note from Mr. Darcy stating the reason he was traveling to London, to procure a special license for Wickham.

She was glad for the reason as the worry that Lydia's true matrimonial state would be uncovered, and ruin their family, had not abated. Elizabeth would not be at ease until Wickham and her sister were wed. But that did not signify that she did not wish Mr. Darcy had to travel and be gone for several days. However, she would be still be close to him as she expected invitations from Georgiana to dine at Pemberley. And with her spirits high again now that she was no longer worried regarding his affections towards her, Elizabeth had a good night's sleep. The first since the news of Lydia's perfidy had reached them.

The next day Elizabeth rose and dressed carefully for she was expecting an invitation from Georgiana. She was looking forward spending time with her soon to be sister in law and Mr. Bingley, but not so much the man's sisters. Without Mr. Darcy present she was sure their ill-natures would reassert themselves.

But her plans for the day took an unexpected turn when a maid entered their private sitting room to announce visitors. The Gardiners and Elizabeth exchanged surprised glances. Why would Georgiana call on them? But it was not the younger Darcy who entered the room. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet walked through the doorway, followed by the entire rest of the Bennet family.

Elizabeth closed her mouth as her mother regaled the room. "You could not imagine the traveling on the roads dear brother! I thought many times we would lose an axle to be thrown into the ditch and left for the highwaymen to find us!"

There was no time for a response, as servants entered bringing in another table and chairs into the already cozy room. With only the three of them at their table, they had room for one more which thankfully Jane was able to claim.

She leaned close to her sister, "How can this be? Papa was to arrive with only Lydia. It will not be possible to keep her quiet here. Nor Mama!"

Jane placed her serviette on her lap before answering. "Mama would not miss the first wedding of one of her daughters. She could not be persuaded and Lydia as well did not want her family to miss her wedding. Especially with all of her friends, the officer's wives still in Brighton."

Elizabeth leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Thoughtless Lydia. But the blame did not fall solely on her shoulders. She glanced at her parent's table, where Mrs. Bennet was leaning towards their table.

"— the best fashion houses in London! Can you imagine, not allowed to order a new trousseau? My dearest Lydia had to travel north to be wed in clothes she already had! Have you ever heard such a thing?"

Elizabeth sighed. Her plans for the day and foreseeable future were not going to include Pemberley. The reason why her family had arrived, and who Lydia was to marry, had to be kept quiet from Georgiana. And the townsfolk. Therefore Lydia and Mrs. Bennet, who could not understand the severity, had to be kept away from anyone outside the family. Or the entire family's reputation would be ruined.

And she was quite sure that if this news got out, Mr. Darcy would have to withdraw his suit. Though there was great disapproval and censure of a man that broke an engagement, there were reasons when it was acceptable. A sister of his future bride running away with a man, with no wedding have occurred, was one of those reasons. Elizabeth rubbed the sides of her forehead.

"Why can I not be with my beloved Wickham? We are in the same town and I have not seen him for a fortnight." The Gardiners shushed Lydia. Mr. Bennet even looked up from his plate and told his youngest daughter to behave or she would be sent up to their room.

Dread settled in Elizabeth's chest. Keeping this a secret from Pemberley and the entire town seemed an impossible feat. If only Mr. Darcy could procure that special license and return quickly, the sooner Lydia and Wickham were wed.

The days passed slowly with Lydia and Mrs. Bennet's endless complaining and whinging how unfair it was to be cooped inside. Mrs. Bennet would enter Elizabeth's room where she had been conversing with her aunt and Jane, followed invariably by Lydia and Kitty. During those occasions Elizabeth would have much embroidery work to unravel and fix.

"I do not see why we have not been invited to Pemberley, this vaulted home everyone spoke of in Hertfordshire? You are his fiancee and not once has he called on you or sent an invitation! Poor manners. I expected better from someone with —"

"Mama! Mr. Darcy is out of town on business and we must keep our family's reputation secure."

Mrs. Bennet pouted. "It is not fair your man gets to wander about society when Lydia and her poor man are kept apart and inside. It is not good for the nerves to be cooped up inside all the time!"

"Mrs. Bennet, please."

Not even Mrs. Gardiner's request quelled Mrs. Bennet's thoughts on the matter. Elizabeth set aside the pillowcase she had been embroidering, for she would have to cut and fix where she had pulled the red thread through the yellow flowers. Standing, she walked to the small writing desk and pulled out a sheet of stationary to return Georgiana's latest letter.

Elizabeth had written the girl that she had come down with an ailment and their letter exchanges had begun. She wished heartily that she could quit the inn and even suffer the presence of the Bingley sisters, but any invitation would include the Gardiners and that would leave only Mr. Bennet to curtail Lydia and Mrs. Bennet.

Her letter writing to Georgiana was stopped with the sudden knocking at the door. Elizabeth jumped, scattering ink across the letter. She sighed, the letter would have to be thrown out and a new sheet used.

"Who could that be? One of your sisters would have just entered the room." Mrs. Gardiner looked between the two elder Bennet sisters.

"Perhaps it is Papa?" Jane made to set aside her embroidery and stand.

Elizabeth held out a hand forestalling her movement. "Let me answer the door, I am closest and not as invested in my work as you are."

A maid, with her face flushed and eyes wide curtsied. "Ma'am, you have a visitor, a Lady Catherine de Bourgh."

Elizabeth stood speechless, then brushed the front of her day dress to remove any remaining shavings from when she had repaired her quill.

Mrs. Gardiner joined her. "Is this the woman whose estate you visited last year?"

"Yes, Rosings Park, my friend Charlotte married Mr. Collins, who is the parson."

"I hope she has not come bearing bad news."

Elizabeth doubted the great Lady Catherine would have traveled such a distance to inform her of bad news regarding Charlotte. Then she frowned and wondered how the woman knew of her residing in Lambton at that inn. Foreboding settled in her stomach as she followed the maid down the stairs to the private sitting room where the lady stood waiting for her. The woman was still in her traveling cloak and had not removed her hat.

"Madam, to what do I owe the honor of such a visit?"

Lady Catherine's lips pursed. "You can be at no loss to understand the reason for my journey, Miss Bennet."

"Indeed, you are mistaken. I am quite unable to account for the honor of seeing you here."

"Miss Bennet, you ought to know I am not to be trifled with. But however insincere you choose to be, you shall not find me so. A report of an alarming nature reached me. I was told not only had your sister made an advantageous match, but that you, Miss Bennet, would soon be united with my nephew, Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth stared, clasping her hands in front.

"Though I know it must be a scandalous falsehood, I instantly resolved on setting off to make my sentiments known to find that you were in Derbyshire and the Banns have been read!"

Lady Catherine circled Elizabeth who looked away. "Your arts and allurements may have made him forget what he owes to himself and his family. You may have drawn him in, but you will end this now."

"If the Banns have been read I am at a loss as to what you expect me to do?"

Lady Catherine closed her eyes. "Miss Bennet, do you know who I am?"

Elizabeth stiffly stared at the woman.

"My nephew has been intended for my daughter, a union wished for by both their mothers. I will not be prevented by the upstart pretensions of a young woman without family connections or fortune! This match can never take place. Now, what do you say?"

"If it is his wish to marry me, then what you say or do will not stop him. You are wasting your time, as well as mine. I am sure you must be fatigued from your travels."

Lady Catherine pounded her cane on the floor. "I am not accustomed to behavior such as this! Is this to be endured? It shall not be. Your alliance will be a disgrace. Your name would never be mentioned by any of us."

"These would be heavy misfortunes, indeed."

"Obstinate, headstrong girl! I am ashamed of you. You will call off this farce immediately. I am not in the habit of brooking disappointment."

"That will make your ladyship's situation at present more pitiable, but that will have no effect on me."

The older woman's eyes narrowed, "If you were sensible of your own good, you would not wish to quit the sphere in which you have been brought up."

Elizabeth turned away, walking to the door. "I beg you to not importune me any further on the subject."

"Not so hasty, I have another objection. Your youngest sister's infamous elopement. I know it all. Is such a girl to be my nephew's sister-in-law? Are the shades of —"

Elizabeth opened the door and walked out of the sitting room, down the hall to the steps leading to the upstairs floor and her room. Lady Catherine's voice followed her.

"—Pemberley to be thus polluted? Unfeeling, selfish girl! You refuse to oblige me, to pay duty, honor and gratitude! Very well, I shall know how to act."

I'm visiting my sister today through Tuesday, 4.5 hour drive, so there won't, probably, another chapter posted until I get back.