"How do you feel, Hurst?" Darcy asked as they made their way back to Netherfield Park.

"It hardly seems possible it is the same day. I feel I have lived, or rather relived, years since this morning. I am exhausted but in the best possible way."

"I have not said so, but I am very happy for you. What will you do next?"

"First, I must send an express to my family. Then I will tell Louisa. But after that, I hardly know."

"How do you think Mrs. Hurst will take the news?

"I wish I knew. Louisa is aware of what happened, of course, but I have rarely spoken of it outside of my family circle. I should mention, Caroline knows nothing of our suffering. Nor does Bingley."

"You may be assured of my discretion," promised Darcy.

"I thank you but of that I have no doubt. You also have my most profound thanks for your support today. I know I presumed upon our acquaintance. You are more Bingley's friend than mine. But you are the most dependable man I know. Your steadiness was appreciated. And if I am not mistaken my sister appreciated it too." Hurst's face was awash with delight at being able to refer to Elizabeth as sister. "That steadiness will serve you well when you have to go through three men when you ask for a courtship with her."

"Three men?"

"Me, my father, and Mr. Bennet. If you think any of us would relinquish the role of protector, you are mad. But I do I find it interesting that your concern is the number of men from which you must seek consent, as opposed the fact I believe a courtship is forthcoming," Hurst smirked.

"There will be no courtship." Darcy relented at the skeptical expression Hurst directed towards him. "At this time. I do admire Miss Elizabeth, but her world is in disarray. And, though promising, I do not take her actions today as an indication she would welcome any attentions from me. She was under a great deal of strain. I will not make more of it than what it is. She needs time.

"How did the topic turn to my alleged future courtship with Miss Elizabeth?" Darcy wondered. "Were we not speaking of your wife? That is a more pressing conversation."

Hurst sighed. "It may be difficult to believe but Louisa can be very pleasing. She is very much like Bingley. But as good as they both may be, they rely too heavily on others and are quite persuadable. As the eldest, her role was to take care of her family after her mother passed. That responsibility caused her to put the happiness and desires of Caroline before her own. When we married, my family welcomed her with open arms. And Louisa flourished. She got on well with my parents. She and Tessa were even becoming friends. She finally had a sister who did not want anything from her.

"Then that vituperative shrew of a sister came to live with us in town. Caroline was jealous and had to be the center of Louisa's attention. A more spiteful, selfish creature never lived. Louisa can be very loyal but Caroline played on that and persuaded her that loyalty to her new family was misdirected.

"Caroline was upset that she did not gain high connections or entry into the first circles through Louisa's marriage to me. Caroline is fond of saying I am a man of more fashion than fortune, and not much fashion at that. Raber Hill is no Pemberley, but its income is not much less than Bingley's. Caroline does not know that. She shared her opinion of my family's inferiority at every opportunity she could. Though they seldom venture to London anymore, it got to such a point that my parents would not visit the townhouse when Caroline was in residence. She is no longer welcome at Raber Hill or Clessondale.

"That is a long way of saying I am uncertain of Louisa's reaction. Based on what Tessa has said, Louisa has always wished for sisterly affection that goes beyond a shared glee in picking apart everyone they meet. If she can shake loose of Caroline's manipulation all will be well." Darcy thought that overly optimistic, but he would yield to the man's greater knowledge of his wife.

Neither of them said anything more as the Netherfield stables loomed before them. Hurst was thinking of the conversation he had before him. He decided he would wait until they retired for the night to tell Louisa. There was less of a chance that they would be interrupted by Caroline. Separating from Darcy, Hurst immediately made for Bingley's study to write an express to his family:

November 3

Netherfield Park

Hertfordshire

Father,

It has been so long since I have felt such happiness. That you, too, will revel in my news only adds to my pleasure. She is found! Our darling Zibby is found. Be assured she is safe and well. She has been much loved throughout the years that separated us. You may sleep well tonight, knowing she will return to our family's embrace soon.

Please attend me at the house in town as soon as may be. I will be in residence three day hence.

I will write Tessa. I leave you to share this most wonderous news with the grands.

With a light heart,

D

After writing a similar letter to Tessa, he brought his missives to Bingley's butler to see they were sent immediately.

He thought it best to meet with his family without Elizabeth. They would most likely want to come to Netherfield upon learning of her proximity. Tomorrow he would apprise Bingley of the recent turn of events. Bingley would welcome his family, he was sure. Perhaps, Elizabeth would want to come to London with him. She had family in town she could stay with should that be more comfortable for her. In Cheapside, if he remembered correctly. No, he had promised to give her time. She might feel pressured if her put the question to her.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully and when he finally went upstairs to his chamber, he was tempted to just crawl into bed and sleep. It had been such a long day and tomorrow morning would be soon enough to talk to Louisa. After allowing his valet to ready him for bed, he poured a brandy. He set it down when he realized he did not really want a drink. It was just a long-standing habit. Pouring it back into the decanter, he decided not to delay his visit to Louisa.

Crossing their shared sitting room to Louisa's chambers, he knocked softly on the door, peeking inside his wife's chamber. "Louisa, may I come in?"

"Of course," she said, lifting the covers beside her, inviting him to join her in the bed. He settled in beside her. "Are you feeling more yourself?"

"What do you mean?"

"You were gone much of the day, with Mr. Darcy no less. That is not like you. You were also quiet tonight but there was something different about it. It was a thoughtful kind of quiet. Does that make sense?"

"It does makes sense. And you are quite perceptive. But I have question for you, and I ask that you bear with me. What think you of Elizabeth Bennet?"

Louisa knew her husband was not posing an idle question. So, she thought back on what she knew of Elizabeth as well as their interactions. She had not conducted herself well. Yes, Caroline instigated most of the unpleasantness, but she had readily joined in, she was ashamed to admit. They were snide and supercilious. They had sniggered and mocked Elizabeth, and almost everyone else in Meryton. Jane Bennet was the only one who escaped their scorn, well mostly, but that was only because she was beautiful. The most superficial of attributes. Oh, they acknowledged she was sweet, but that was never a trait to impress a Bingley woman.

After some moments of deep contemplation, she offered regrets for her treatment of the Bennets. "I am sorry if my behavior has embarrassed you. I have been most unkind. I imagine Charles is displeased that Caroline and I have treated Miss Bennet's sister so poorly. And Mr. Darcy, too, I believe he finds Miss Elizabeth much improved on further acquaintance. They seemed to enjoy their sparring while Miss Elizabeth was here caring for her sister."

"I am not above reproach. I have behaved poorly as well. But this has nothing to Bingley or Darcy. Again, I would like your thoughts on Elizabeth before I continue." Hurst wanted Louisa's honest assessment of Elizabeth before she learned of the change in their family composition.

"She can be a little impertinent. But I have no right to be upset by that considering Caroline is so openly rude to everyone. And unlike Caroline, there is nothing vindictive in Miss Elizabeth. She tolerated Caroline's vitriol and attacks even when one could tell she was angered. I confess that Miss Elizabeth intimidates me. She seems to think deeply about things. She has…substance. I do not understand her. She is so unlike me." Mrs. Hurst blushed at this self-professed superficiality. "Yet she seems to enjoy life so much. I think I would be fortunate to call her friend."

"You mean if Caroline was not around to protest." Mr. Hurst prompted.

"No, I think I would like to be her friend regardless of Caroline's opinion. Though, I imagine it is too late."

"I think you will find Miss Elizabeth has a tremendous capacity for forgiveness. Do you really think you could stand up to Caroline and stand firm? Or are you just saying what you think I want to hear?"

Her sister was her closest friend, much like Jane and Elizabeth Bennet. However, Elizabeth had other friends. She seemed quite close to Miss Lucas and appeared to be friendly with others in the neighborhood. Louisa had a feeling if Caroline had the ability to make and keep friends she would have no use for her, older sister or not. But since Caroline did not have any friends, she did not want Louisa to have any either. She had allowed Caroline to damage her friendship with Tessa. Her sister-in-law had been so welcoming, and she had been enticed by her warmth and sincerity. Caroline persuaded her that she was desolate at being ignored by her beloved elder sister. Caroline said that in her rush to impress her husband, Louisa was assuming the country manners of his family and it could only damage her own prospects. She gave in to Caroline as she always did. How foolish she had been! She vowed to make it up to Tessa.

"Do you think Tessa would be willing to correspond again. I have been dreadful to her." Mrs. Hurst asked absently, not answering her husband's question.

"I am sure she would be if you wish for it. Returning to Elizabeth, do you truly wish to be her friend?"

"I do, David. I would like to be a better friend to Miss Bennet as well. Why all the attention to Miss Elizabeth? I could understand if it were Miss Bennet, considering Charles seems to favor her."

Mr. Hurst, who had been reclining on pillows against the headboard, gathered his wife close to him. "Louisa, do you remember when Miss Elizabeth first came to tend to her sister? Caroline made a comment about how Elizabeth's conceited independence reminded her of Tessa?" Mrs. Hurst nodded.

"That comment struck me and prompted me to pay more attention to Miss Elizabeth. I had enough questions about her background, that I went to meet with her father today." Mrs. Hurst pulled away from her husband and sat up in bed turning to face him, her eyes riveted to his face.

"Elizabeth. Zibby." Mrs. Hurst said in awe.

"Very astute, Louisa." Hurst said, surprised at his wife's perspicacity. "It is true. She had the book and the blanket and the other things. Mr. Bennet explained how they found her. It is all true. And if it is a dream, I do not want to wake up. Ow!"

"Not a dream." Mrs. Hurst leaned over and kissed his arm where she had pinched him.

Mr. Hurst responded with a quick kiss to her lips. Settling back on his pillows, he sighed contentedly. "I am so pleased that you want to be Elizabeth's friend."

"I now know why you asked about Miss Elizabeth before you told me. I understand how you might doubt my genuineness and the genuineness of my reaction. I am pleased to know she is your sister. You referred to her as Elizabeth a few times and I was not sure what to think."

"Are you pleased to know she is your sister?"

Louisa thought of the county miss who walked three miles to tend to a beloved sister. She thought of the young woman who had a smile and friendly word for everyone. She thought of the gentleman's daughter who never sought to put her and her insulting, social climbing sister in their place. She thought of the found sister who would bring her husband peace.

"Yes, I am overjoyed. It is a happy thought, indeed. I will not make the same mistakes I have made in the past."

"Thank you, Louisa. I plan to tell Bingley tomorrow morning. If you will join me, you can hear the Bennet half of the story. I had planned to tell you all tonight, but I do not know if I have it in me to go through it again right now. Though Elizabeth is found, the memories are still painful."

"You need not worry. I can wait. And I will be with you tomorrow. You have sent notice to your family, yes?"

"I have. I will meet them in London. I do not want to overwhelm Elizabeth. She will be dictating the course of our reunion. At least as much as I can hold Tessa back. Mother and Father will understand her need for space, but Tessa has always been more impetuous."

"I will wait here for you, then. Shall we tell Caroline? She will react badly."

"Her reaction will matter not. Caroline, or how Caroline will react, will have no influence on how we proceed. I am proud to call Elizabeth sister and will not hide it. How can she possibly object when, in truth, she has no justifiable reason for concern as unconnected as she is to the affair?

"Caroline thinks as little of the Bennets as she does the Hursts, in that we are equal. She might spread some gossip among her cackling friends, of which you shall have no part, correct?" Louisa nodded her agreement. "Both of Elizabeth's fathers are gentleman, their estates held for generations. Elizabeth's circumstances will change very little. Raber Hill is more prosperous and does not have to provide for five daughters. If anything, I imagine she will have a larger dowry."

"Caroline will just be upset because I never told her of Elizabeth's disappearance. She thinks I tell her everything. Of course, she will also be unhappy that this will put Elizabeth in Mr. Darcy's company more often." Even given the enormity of the event, Louisa knew that Caroline's reaction would focus on these things of little importance, for they were the only things that would affect her. Selfish and cold, she would completely ignore the tumult those more closely involved would experience. Similarly, she would ignore the elation it would bring to the Hursts.

"The newfound connection will matter little as Darcy and Elizabeth would always be in each other's company. I think a match between Bingley and Miss Bennet inevitable, would you not agree? And Caroline would have to be blind to miss whatever it is that is simmering between Elizabeth and Darcy."

"Oh, she has seen it, that is why she will be unhappy. And that is why she ridicules Elizabeth so. She is already very jealous that Mr. Darcy seems to prefer Elizabeth. So, she belabors what she considers to be the Bennet's failings and their connections to trade to Mr. Darcy. She hopes that he will think it insupportable."

"Caroline is insupportable. But I cannot think on her anymore. We must sleep, my dear, for tomorrow things begin anew."