Chapter Fourteen:

Elizabeth felt sick, how could he of all people be here, she wasn't ready to face him, her mouth had dropped, her heart raced when she heard his name spoken her heart had stopped. It was confirmed it really was him, she prayed he would leave her be, but she knew better than that, he would need answers she knew him well enough that he would want answers. She could feel herself retreating further within herself, desperately trying to hide Jane worried about her sister she was rather pale, Jane had been watching Elizabeth conversation with Lady Catherine when Darcy's was named her eyes had widened like a frightened child, now them pleading eyes turned towards Jane looking for answers Jane couldn't answer, how she wanted to hold her sister and keep her safe from the world, but actions had been taken and now these actions needed answers.

"Jane we must return to London right away" whispered Elizabeth, in her mind she had already planned her escape she would head to the Gardiners they would help her.

"No Lizzie, we can't. What would mary and papa think how would I explain it if you left tonight?" Jane voiced " Its not safe to travel after dark you know that"

"I don't know I don't care I can't stay here I can't face him, Jane, I just can't I must leave," Elizabeth spoke

"He didn't want me Jane" she cried " Ow what must he think of me, turning upon his aunt's doorstep"

The carriage rolled to a stop both sisters became silent as the postillion opened the door to escorted them to the parsonage front door. They entered the home to be greeted by a maid who wasn't expecting them back so soon, the maid rushed round to light the candles in the parlor for the ladies use, Jane asked for tea and biscuits as she didn't think herself or her sister were up for eating a whole meal.

"We mustn't act rash, dearest Lizzie, I am sure Jasper will know what to do, we just need to be patient."

Elizabeth bit her lip and nodded, she was fighting the urge to flee Hunsford.

"Lizzie this could be our opportunity to find Clara if Mr. Darcy is willing to speak to us we may find her, but we mustn't act rash."

Jane could see the fear in her sister's eyes and the panic, she discreetly asked the maid if the Collins kept Laudumn on hand and if they did could she get it, she managed to persuade her sister to take a small dose of Laudumn to help her gain a restful nights sleep persuading her that everything would look better on the morrow. She decided that she would wait up and speak to her husband. By the time the rest of the party arrived home Jane was exhausted.

Jasper rushed to his wife's side for he was worried for her as well as Lizzie, his Jane was carrying their child she shouldn't be caught up in all this distress, but he knew better than to try and stop his wife from being there for her favorite sister. They were very loyal to each other they couldn't have had a closer friendship. They understood. The couple retired to the private room away from the family. Jane spoke of Lizzie's panic and Jasper told Jane that Mr. Darcy, knew she was at the parsonage and wanted to call tomorrow. That he had been encouraged by Mr. Collins, finally he shared with Jane that Mr. Darcy was keen to acquaint his own daughter with Lizzie.

Jasper went on to explain, what Mr. Collins had told them on their journey home. That Darcy had been married to Anne De Bourgh Lady Catherines daughter who had died in childbed. Darcys child was the child that was the natural child of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy there was no mention of a second daughter. Jane was concerned and intrigued by the fact Mr. Darcy wanted to bring the child to call and meet Lizzie especially when they couldn't confirm what had happened to Clara Anne.

Lizzie awoke the following morning later than was her custom, with a sense of dread, remembering the evening before sent a shudder down her spine. She knew she should of fleed in the night but where was she go, as an unmarried woman, she was not eligible to manage her own finances and was accustomed to having her brother act for her she wouldn't be able to flee without jasper knowing. Jasper would never allow his sister to be out in the world on her own. She was a stubborn woman, that could not bear the idea of been frightened at the will of others, So she decided she wouldn't be frightened away BY Mr. Darcy, her courage always rose when she was intimidated, she hoped it would when she faced him.

Elizabeth was shocked when she arrived for a late breakfast to find it was just her self, Jane and Jasper. Jasper advised that the rest of the family has taken the opportunity of the fine day and a spare carriage to visit Canterbury Cathedrale they would be gone most of the day. Lizzie still looked pale as she sipped her cup of tea, she pushed the food around on her plate, the trio set in silence until Jasper cleared his throat, Lizzie looked up as Jane gently smiled at her. Jasper went on to explain, that darcy was determined to call on her particularly wanting to introduce Lizzie to his daughter, he continued to explain his and janes fears before stating that they wouldn't leave her alone with Mr. Darcy. Lizzie already felt her courage rising she felt hope if she could get through this call and she may find Clara but she would need to speak to him alone, this was between her and Darcy, she hoped Jane and Jasper would respect that,

As Darcy lay in bed that night, he was overcome with thousands of emotions, invading his mind from bewilderment to anger to concern to fear. The fear that she would disappear again he went round in circles as the sun began to rise he realized he felt hope and love. A love that still burnt for Elizabeth Bennet. When Fletcher his valet arrived to wake him, he was wide awake and excited to see her again he drank his mourning coffee, dressed, and requested Fletcher to make sure his daughter would be ready to make a morning call with him.

It was with some emotion that he joined Richard in the breakfast room. They hadn't spoken last night, Darcy had needed to escape his relatives, to think things over not it was not her nature to act rashly or overreact he would take one step at a time and figure this out. He sat down to his morning meal his stomach was churching he could hardly eat, he pushed the food around his plate with her fork, trying to focus on the paper trying to ignore Richard's looks. Finally, Richard addressed him

"Darcy"

"Yes Richard"

"Are we going to talk about the elephant in the room?" asked Riched

Darcy nodded to the footman, to signal them to leave and asked not to be disturbed after all he was the true master of the estate and the servants knew that. Lady Catherine wasn't an early rise, and she usually breakfasted in her own chamber so they didn't worry about her disturbing them.

"And what would that be," Darcy Asked he didn't have time, or the patience for Richard today as he was too nervous.

"your Elizabeth Bennet is she the same Elizabeth Bennet I met last night?"

"I believe so" He confessed, his eyes widening with excitement.

"Well, she is a pretty lady Darcy, with the most fascinating eyes very like little Cathy's I must say. What do you plan to do about her? Do you plan to confront her about her daughter? Where has she been all these years!"

"Clearly she has been in Boston with Jasper and his wife" he huffed regretting his decision not to go there all them years ago not to chase her.

"I'm not sure, I just need to see her, I'll know what to do when I see her, I'm taking Catherine Anne with me to the parsonage to make a call, you can join us if you wish"

"Are you sure that's wise, she abandoned the girl, she may not want to see her? What will you tell little Cathy you know how curious she can be.."

"I don't know, I know Elizabeth thou, she will need to know her daughter is safe it's the least I can do. Where do you think Catherine Anne gets that from it's certainly not from me" scoffed Darcy

Richard laughed "So what will you do know? Will you marry this girl? our aunt won't like it you know!"

"No, I won't she left England to escape me, remember. I will not force her hand" Darcy Uttered, he wished he could but he would never take her choice away from her.

"And how will you explain that you changed to name she gave her daughter?" was Richards Final question

"With the truth" he stated

Catherine Anne was not happy, she wanted to play and her papa was insisting that they call at the parsonage. The home of her grandmama's sour clergyman, she had other ideas for her day. She wanted them both to walk in the park so she could see her new friend Lizzie her Papa would like Lizzie, her nurse was feeling better and had dressed her in one of the pretty gowns that her aunt Gee Gee had given her, she hoped they would see Lizzie as they walked to the parsonage.