Chapter 19

Netherfield

November 26th, 1811

The third set was about to start, when Mr. Darcy came to collect Elizabeth. They walked in silence to line up with the other couples. Everyone's eyes were upon them, Elizabeth Bennet had been the only woman outside his party that he danced with and here he was dancing with her again. Darcy felt the eyes upon him and put on his mask of indifference. Elizabeth felt him stiffen and squeezed his hand for reassurance.

The doors to ballroom opened, and Mr. Collins came bursting through with great urgency. Mrs. Bennett and Lydia slowly followed went over to Lady Lucas and Maria, to find out what they had missed. He had heard the start of the music and thought they were beginning the second set and he was eagerly awaiting to dance with his cousin. He searched around the perimeter of the ballroom and did not see Elizabeth.

The music began, and the couple was moving with the music fluidly. When Elizabeth asked "Mr. Darcy, why do you do that?" hoping to get Darcy talking freely

"Do what ma'am?" Darcy asked

"Become stoic and, when people look at you." Elizabeth asked for her own curiosity

"I do not like being the centre of attention to Matchmaking Mothers." Darcy replied honestly,

"So, you try to frighten them because they frighten you?" Elizabeth asked for clarification

"Yes, Miss Elizabeth." Darcy responded realizing how stupid that sounded,

"That works well for you, then?" Elizabeth asked sarcastically

"It did until lately, there is this one stubborn woman, who is not afraid of me or to challenge me." Darcy said with a hint of humour

"Maybe you should practice talking to people you do not know, so you do not enter a ballroom and insult a gentlewoman." Elizabeth teased

Darcy winced at the reminder of his terrible blunder the night of their first meeting. "I shall try madam."

They danced in silence, while Elizabeth looked at him and then back down. She took a deep breath before speaking, then hesitated. She needed to ask him about Wickham but did not want to upset him.

"Whatever you want to ask, just ask." Darcy said with annoyance knowing who she would ask about. Darcy turned to his left because of a commotion and then the music stopped.

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Collins searched through the couples dancing and he saw her dancing with Mr. Darcy. How dare she ignore the fact that he requested, her first two sets and dance with another man, who in fact was above her notice. She was trying to marry above her station and he would not let her ruin, the relationship between Mr. Darcy and Miss De Bourgh, no matter what. Collins thought to himself.

Mr. Collins made his way through the dancing couples managing to bump and step on everyone he encountered until he reached Elizabeth and Darcy. He approached Mr. Darcy because surely, he would see reason.

Darcy noticed the bumbling parson's approach and hoped to God that he would walk past them, but no such luck. The music masters had stopped playing and all eyes were on Mr. Collins as he began saying

"Sir, I beg your pardon, but I requested the second set with my fair cousin, but was greatly delayed in my arrival, and she must have thought I would miss the dance and convinced you to dance with her, because I know that there is no way you would have condescended to ask, such a low bor-"

"Mr. Collins!" Darcy spoke in a sharp tone cutting off the insult to his dance partner. "I requested the third set with Miss Elizabeth and we are dancing, because it is the third set." Darcy said in a harsh tone.

"It could not possibly be the third yet-"

"You are over an hour and a half late, sir!" Elizabeth accused

Mr. Collins looked at the clock in horror and he was indeed as late as his cousin said.

Mr. Bingley came over to diffuse the situation, as host. "Mr. Collins, you may remove yourself from the dance floor or I will have you removed, you are holding up the dance."

Mr. Collins scurried off the dance floor, to find Mr. Bennet and give him a lecture on how rude it is to desert one's guest.

Darcy looked at Elizabeth for the first time since her cousin entered, and her cheeks were beet red, instead of making her unattractive, he found himself more attracted to her.

He needed to distance himself, from her, but could not find the strength to do so.

Mr. Bingley returned to his place and the music masters began playing again and the focus, was finally off them.

Elizabeth looked at Darcy. "Thank you, for your assistance."

"It was nothing. What were you going to ask before, we were interrupted?" asked Darcy, it would be best if we could just get this over with. He thought to himself.

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Jane and Mr. Bingley, were having a wonderful dance and Jane was doing all she could to let Mr. Bingley know that she cared about him. The fluttering of her eyelashes, a few lingering touches, and a gentle squeeze of the hand.

Bingley noticed the change in Jane immediately, gone was the distance she put between them earlier, now in its place was sheer affection.

The cause of the great change, was a mystery to Bingley. He was still miffed about her previous dance with Mr. Lucas and the affection between them. Now, she was showing him every affection and he was exceedingly happy that he knew where he stood with her. Caroline was wrong, and he was happy, nothing could ruin his mood.

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"Is your resolve on my question from last week the same?" Elizabeth asked

"Yes, but I can see now, that you shall not drop the subject, I cannot give you all the details to all he has done, but I can tell you that he is not to be trusted, he is a liar and gambler with great debts."

Darcy said hoping that would be enough to end her curiosity.

Elizabeth sighed, Wickham told her he had debts, but said he was expecting his inheritance and he never got it, and he was working to pay them off.

"What of his inheritance?" asked Elizabeth

Darcy sighed and then began, "He decided that he did not like taking orders and asked to be paid the value of the living instead, I was relieved, because I knew his character and paid him a considerable sum, he spent all of them at money and then came back for the living, which I denied him, because I had already given to someone else and paid him for." This was new information, but it was still Wickham's word against Mr. Darcy's word.

"Is that all you are able to tell me?" Elizabeth asked more confused about the two men, than ever.

"Yes, the remainder is not fit for a lady's ears. Be careful around him, I am quite sure he has already lied to you." Darcy said in disbelief that Wickham was able to make Elizabeth listen and trust his lies.

The dance soon ended and Darcy return Elizabeth to Kitty and Mary. Elizabeth was beginning to develop a headache after thinking about the two different gentlemen's stories. Darcy took the brief interlude to go out on the balcony to get some air alone.

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Jane and Mr. Bingley had just reached the party, when Elizabeth was feeling light headed and swooned. Jane caught her younger sister before she could fall. Mr. Bingley got a chair, so Elizabeth could sit down.

"Are you alright Miss Elizabeth?" Mr. Bingley asked

"I am fine, I just have a slight headache." Elizabeth replied

"Did you want some wine?" Kitty asked

Lizzy shook her head no.

"Perhaps, you should lie down, I shall have a room prepared." Mr. Bingley said and called over a footman to direct his sister to have a room prepared.

"Do not trouble yourself, I am well." Elizabeth replied

"I would feel a lot better if you rested, Lizzy." Jane said with concern for her sister's wellbeing.

"Fine" Elizabeth said conceding

"I shall fetch Papa." Mary volunteered

Kitty's partner for the next set came to collect her. Kitty looked at Lizzy reluctantly. Lizzy turned to her and said, "Go and enjoy the ball." Kitty hugged her cousin and went off with her dance partner.

Jane, Elizabeth and Mr. Bingley walked to the guest room Jane had been staying in when she was unwell. Elizabeth was shortly joined by Miss Bingley, who escorted Charlotte, her father and Mary were followed by Mr. Collins, who was trying to gain admittance to the guest room.

"Mr. Collins, you shall not enter my daughter's chambers while she is ill, this is highly inappropriate, and I expect you as a man of the cloth, to remember that." Mr. Bennet's voice boomed

"But sir-" Mr Collins tried to reply.

Mr. Bennet put his hand up to silence his cousin's pleas. "That is final."

Miss Bingley, Charlotte, Mary and Mr. Bennet walked into the room. Lizzy assured them that she was fine. Jane volunteered to stay with Lizzy.

Lizzy replied "Jane, you are dancing the next set, please go enjoy the ball."

Charlotte then said, "I shall stay with Eliza, I have no pending dances."

Mr. Bennet agreed.

Miss Bingley excused herself from the room, she was giddy with glee and could not believe her luck. She had more plans to put in place, now that Miss Eliza was indisposed.

Lizzy protested. "I am quite well and do not need to lie down, I just need to sit in a quiet area. May we use your library?"

Mr. Bingley replied "Yes, you may, if you are certain, you do not need to lie down."

"I am." Lizzy turned to her father for approval of her plan.

Mr. Bennet looked at Elizabeth then nodded his approval, and then turned to Charlotte and said, "If she worsens, please inform me."

And with that statement Jane, Mary, Mr. Bennet and Mr. Bingley exited the room and headed back to the ball.

A maid then escorted Charlotte and Lizzy to the library.

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Darcy returned from his interlude on the balcony and back into the ballroom where he saw, Mary, Elizabeth's sister. He was about to walk past her when Elizabeth's words rang in his head. Maybe you should practice talking to people you do not know.

Darcy then turned towards the youngest Bennet and said, "Miss Mary do you have the next set free?"

Mary nodded in surprise at the request.

He took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

Darcy led Mary to the dance floor, which had Miss Bingley, seething, why was he dancing with those Bennet chits? It was bad enough that he voluntarily danced with Miss Eliza, after she had to practically begged him for a set, but now he was dancing with the plain one. She then turned to find her brother, only to see him with the vulgar Bennett girl. Where is Louisa? She thought to herself. They had to do something, it is positively worse than she thought possible.

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Bingley led Lydia to the dance floor, where onlookers looked surprised by his choice for the supper set. Lydia giggled with glee. She would have him all to herself, at dinner to make him forget about Jane. As they danced Lydia, did everything in her power to flirt with him. Bingley tried to reject her advances politely, but Lydia was determined.

On the other side of the room Mrs. Bennett was gossiping with Lady Lucas about Miss Mary King's lack of prospects because of her freckled complexion, when Miss Bingley came over.

"I do hope you ladies are enjoying the ball." Miss Bingley said upon her approach

Lady Lucas replied, "It is one of the finest balls Netherfield has hosted in a while."

Mrs. Bennett agreed.

Miss Bingley sneered at the compliment but tried to turn it into a smile. She chatted with the Matrons for a few minutes and then called over a footman carrying wine and then said "We have some French wine, it is the best that Nantes, has to offer. I hope you will enjoy."

Lady Lucas and Mrs. Bennett were pleased at the offer and eagerly took the glasses.

Miss Bingley took her leave of them and then said to the footman "Make sure that, their glasses stay full."

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Once in the comfort of Netherfield's library Charlotte asked Lizzy "What is to become of you? In all my years of knowing you, I have never seen you swoon in a ballroom."

Lizzy turned to her long-time friend and said, "I cannot determine, if Mr. Darcy or Mr. Wickham, is telling the truth."

"About what?" Charlotte asked confused

Lizzy then went on to explain the meeting of the gentlemen in Meryton and then both gentlemen's, versions of the story.

Charlotte sighed and asked Lizzy "Do we need to involve ourselves in the affairs of people wholly unconnected to us?"

"Yes, we need to know, not for the sake of curiosity, but to protect our neighbours. Dare say Mr. Darcy is right about Mr. Wickham, and he leaves debts all over Meryton or Mr. Wickham, was cheated by Mr. Darcy and Mr. Darcy continues to cheat others." Lizzy said hoping that she could convince Charlotte to help.

Charlotte agreed. "Start from the beginning."

Lizzy smiled and started to go over every encounter she had since meeting each gentleman.

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Darcy was dancing with Mary and trying to think of a topic to discuss. He looked down and noticed her locket.

"Miss Mary, that is quite a beautiful locket." noticing the pattern looked like something from a Bond street jeweller.

"I thank you, sir" Mary replied still trying to figure out why Mr. Darcy asked her to dance.

"Is it the work of a London jeweller called Sevia?" Darcy asked trying to sate his curiosity about the similarity of the piece and one he had commissioned for Georgiana.

"I do not know, it is a gift from my mother." Mary replied

Darcy is taken aback that Mrs. Bennett would do something like that.

Mary continues "My sisters and I have matching lockets except they are different colours and they are all inscribed."

Darcy tried to think of another topic of discussion, when Mary asked, "Are you often in London, sir?"

"Not if I can help it ma'am, but my aunt and uncle often force me to participate in a small portion of the season." Darcy replied

"That is too bad, for my sisters and I enjoy the distractions town has to offer."

"Do you venture to London often?"

"No, usually for a month during September or October to visit our cousins, but we will be in town, for this upcoming season." Mary replied

Darcy nodded at this but did not know whether he should be excited or horrified at the prospect of seeing Elizabeth in London. They were in different circles, so the chances of seeing her were slim. Darcy thought to himself.

Their dance had come to an amicable end and Darcy escorted Mary to supper.

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Bingley was escorting Lydia to his supper table and was regretting his decision, to dance with her when all he could think of was his dear Jane. He spotted her across the room sitting with her sisters and Mr. Lucas. Bingley could feel his blood rising. She was smiling at him, like she had just smiled at him a short while ago. Did her flirtations mean anything at all or was it just an act? Bingley wondered.

Caroline saw her brother's anger and knew that she could get him to see reason, all she needed was Mrs. Bennet to be her usual self. And to push Jane and that Lucas boy together, as much as possible.

Lydia saw Mr. Bingley's attention on her cousin Jane, so she flirted with Bingley, to regain his attention. Mr. Bingley focus returned to Lydia soon enough.

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Mr. Collins glanced around the room looking to see if Elizabeth had returned to the ball, it was most inconvenient for her to become ill, when, he was trying to pay her every attention. She would be the next Mrs. Collins and she needed to learn her place and stay away from Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth was still missing. While searching the room, he noticed that Jane, Kitty and Mary were sitting together along with John and Maria Lucas. Miss Lydia was sitting with the Bingleys and the Hursts, and obscenely flirting with Mr. Bingley, who seemed to be ignoring it. He walked over to the table to join the Bennet's. Maybe he would renew his attentions to Miss Bennet, Mr. Bingley was obviously not courting her anymore.

Mr. Collins sat down on Jane's left she had not noticed his approach and ignored his speech. She and the remainder of the party were looking at the Bingley's table and Lydia's loud antics. She had taken the sword of a soldier and was swinging it wildly pretending to be fighting. The Bennet's and Mr. Lucas were shocked and appalled at Lydia's behaviour. Mr. Collins did not notice Lydia's antics and was affronted, when Jane stood up and walked away from him, while he was talking. Before Jane could reach Lydia to stop her, Mr. Bennet had approached her and took the sword away from her and made her apologize for her behaviour. Bingley found her thoroughly entertaining and requested her next set.

Darcy watched the scene with the youngest Bennett in horror. He searched the room for Elizabeth, but she was nowhere to be found. Miss Bennet had stood up to hinder Miss Lydia, but Mr. Bennet had stopped Lydia instead. The entire room was watching her. She thought her antics were a good joke; Bingley seemed entertained. The servants began to bring out courses and Lydia's lark was forgotten, in favour of the food.

Darcy discreetly moved across the room to ask one of the Bennet sisters, where Elizabeth was. Kitty had gotten up to get more punch and he approached the table also.

"Miss Katherine, are you enjoying the evening thus far? " Darcy asked the younger girl

"Mr. Darcy, it is a splendid ball." Kitty replied nervously,

"Allow me." Darcy said while pouring her punch

"Thank you, sir" Kitty responded looking up at the gentleman briefly

"Did you need another one to take to, Miss Elizabeth?" Darcy asked knowing Elizabeth was not in the room

"Oh no, she has a horrible headache and is upstairs resting." Kitty responded bewildered at Mr. Darcy's question. She saw Darcy look at their table often, and she was sure he knew Elizabeth was not at dinner.

"I hope she feels well soon." Darcy responded and bowed to Kitty, before hastily retreating

Kitty stood at the punch table baffled at what just happened.

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Darcy strode out of the dining room and upstairs to find Elizabeth and explain everything about Wickham, she would listen to him if he told her about what he did to Georgiana. She had sisters of her own that she cared for, so he could trust her confidence.

He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he did not notice, the woman who followed him out of the room, until she spoke.

"Mr. Darcy!" rang out a loud voice

Darcy turned around to the last person, he wanted to see. "Miss Bingley."

"Where are you off to?" Caroline asked, suspecting that she already knew the answer.

"I need to confer with my valet." Darcy said heading up the stairs quickly trying to rid himself of Caroline and go see Elizabeth.

Caroline not wanting to give up, followed him and said "Mr. Darcy, I'm not sure if you are aware, Miss Eliza is resting upstairs in the guest room because of a headache. I need to check on her."

"I shall accompany you." Darcy replied seething with disdain. Caroline was interrupting his plans and he would have to think of another way to speak with Elizabeth candidly.

"I do not believe that is wise Mr. Darcy." Caroline said seizing and opportunity

"Why ever not?" Mr. Darcy asked

"I do not wish to be the bearer of bad news, but I overheard Miss Eliza bragging to her friend, Miss Lucas, that she would soon be the be the next Mrs. Darcy." Caroline said considerately

Darcy rolled his eyes in disbelief. Elizabeth, was not trying to win his favour, by any means, but this gave him an out to see Elizabeth without Miss Bingley's presence.

"Thank you, for your warning, Miss Bingley." Darcy responded dryly

Miss Bingley walked down the hall to the guest wing. Darcy walked down the stairs to the family wing and waited in the hall out of site. A short time later he saw, Miss Bingley heading back down to the ball. Darcy then climbed the stairs to the guest wing and walked to the end of the hall, down to the main guest room. It was empty. Darcy walked back down the hall, checking each guest room. They all were empty. Darcy went back to the party hoping that Elizabeth had returned to the party.

On his way back to the ballroom Darcy overheard Mrs. Bennett exclaiming to Lady Lucas and the other Meryton Matrons, who were among the last to leave supper.

"Oh, did you see their dance together, mark my words, a wedding will be taking place at Netherfield in THREE months!" Mrs. Bennett said proudly

"They did look very fine together." Lady Lucas said in agreeance

The other matrons chorused in agreement.

"Mother! It is not appropriate to say such things." Kitty said reprimanding her mother and seeing Mr. Darcy's reaction to the Matrons gossiping.

Darcy heard this and walked away in disgust about the lady's lack of propriety and missed the remainder of the conversation. Kitty left the women to go meet Mr. Bingley in the ballroom for their set.

On the other side of the room, Caroline and Louisa only heard the remainder of the conversation between the Matrons.

"My John looked quite fine with Jane, I daresay." Lady Lucas announced loudly

"Yes, it is too bad that Mr. Bennet will never approve, or I would wholeheartedly apply for the match!" Mrs. Bennet said

Mr. Bingley had entered the dining room from the other side and heard Lady Lucas's next statement.

"Tis, too bad Mr. Bennet wants Jane to marry for status." Lady Lucas said stating her opinion loudly

"I have tried to tell him John has good prospects, but he will not hear me." Mrs. Bennett replied

Miss Bingley was positively giddy at what she and her sister had overheard but could not look too excited.

She was, so wrapped up in thinking of ways to break the news to her brother, that she did not notice his entrance or approach towards her and her sister. She turned to her brother with a look of surprise.

Bingley was irate, at the new knowledge and turned to Caroline and said, "You were right, do not speak a word of this to anyone." And walked away.

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Supper had ended without any more incidents. Mary and Kitty were waiting with Maria Lucas for Bingley to come collect her for the fifth, when she saw him taking the floor with Lydia again.

Mary turned to Kitty and asked "Did Mr. Bingley request your fifth, Kitty?"

"He did, but it looks as if he has abandoned me for someone, he prefers." Kitty replied feeling the slight of her sister and the gentleman.

Maria gave Kitty a look of pity, when she realized that Kitty had been disregarded by Bingley.

Darcy overheard the conversation, when he was on his way to inquire about Elizabeth.

"Miss Katherine, might I request this dance." Kitty readily agreed, to save face, even though the thought of dancing with Mr. Darcy frightened her.

Caroline quickly approached the group with an officer on her arm. Darcy grabbed Kitty's arm quickly before Miss Bingley tried to corner him for a dance, but she had other things on her mind.

"Oh dear, Jane and Mr. Lucas! We need more couples to dance this set, the dance floor is practically empty, with everyone playing cards now. Would you please join the dancers?"

Jane was not engaged for the set, she prefers to sit out the dance after dinner and had always partnered with Mr. Lucas, because he was of like mind. She looked to him and he nodded at the hostess' request. She and John followed, Caroline and the officer to the dance floor. Darcy and Kitty followed behind the others.

Jane looked over to Bingley and made eye contact with him, when he promptly turned away from her with a cold look. Jane was bewildered at his behaviour but tried to focus on the dance. She could not get answers until after the dance.

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The ball ended, and Darcy was waiting for the carriages to be brought around for the Bennet's, so he may have an opportunity to tell Elizabeth, to meet him at Oakham Mount, so he could fully warn her about Wickham. He was waiting around and only three families remained, when he had gotten a note from a maid.

Frustrated Darcy heads off to his room, to handle the situation and get back before Elizabeth leaves. Darcy gets to his room and opens the door to a woman lying on his bed.

"Mr. Darcy." The voice purred.

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Everyone had left the ball except for the Bennet's and Lucas's. Jane was unable to speak with Bingley, for the remainder of the night. If she did not know any better, she would have said he was avoiding her, but thanks to her Aunt's procrastinating and Lizzy's sickness she should be able to speak with Bingley for a moment before they had to leave. She was waiting for an opportunity and one had finally presented itself, everyone was distracted in their own conversations.

Jane saw the opportunity and turned to Mr. Bingley and inquired "Is something wrong?"

Bingley ignored her question and said, "I must go retrieve your sister and Miss Lucas from the library," and walked away.

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Darcy stood in the doorway shocked, her back was turned to the door and there was only enough candle light to make out the naked back of a woman, when Darcy turned on his heels to get Bingley. Even though he could not see the face of the woman, he was certain Caroline was in his room trying to compromise him into marrying her. Darcy was so lost in thought when he was rushing down the steps, he ran into a woman and knocked her down.

"Excuse me, Miss, are you alright?" Darcy said helping the woman up.

"I am quite fine, Mr. Darcy," Caroline replied

Darcy froze at the sight of Caroline, fully dressed at the bottom of the stairs. If Caroline was not in his room, then who was upstairs?

Darcy passed Caroline, to see that the Lucases and Bennets are still here, Miss Lucas and Elizabeth were still missing. He turned to Miss Mary and spoke in a low voice, "Please relay my fondness to Miss Elizabeth, of the view from the top of Oakham Mount in the morning while others are breaking their fast. In fact, I will probably venture to see the sunrise tomorrow."

Mary nodded her head in understanding. He wanted Elizabeth to meet him tomorrow morning on Oakham Mount.

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Bingley had reached the library slowly, trying to clear his head, he was angry at Jane and the Bennet's for trying to use him and his fortune. How dare they try to exploit him? They were nobodies, with no money or connections. He would go to London at first light and forget about Jane Bennet.

He approached the library, where Miss Lucas and Miss Elizabeth were giggling like school girls. He cleared his throat. They froze.

"Pardon the interruption, but the ball is over, ladies, and your families are waiting for you."

Elizabeth smiled at him. "Thank you, for letting us stay here. I feel much better."

Charlotte also gave her thanks.

Bingley bowed to the ladies and was heading back to the foyer when Darcy stopped him and pulled him into his study.

"There is a naked woman in my room." Darcy whispered to his friend

"Caroline?!" Bingley questioned in anger

"No, it was not her, I was unable to see her face. Could you send footmen to discreetly remove her from my room?" Darcy asked

"Of course, old man." Bingley replied

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Lizzy and Charlotte had reached their families and were about to depart, when Elizabeth realizes she left her shawl in the library. She told her family, who urge her to hurry and get it. Lizzy made haste back to the library and found her shawl on the sofa, where she and Charlotte had been sitting.

Walking back to her family, she overheard the voices of Bingley and Darcy.

As she moved closer, she could hear the distinct voice of Darcy say "No, you need to quit Netherfield and leave the Bennet Family, alone. Go to London and find someone to settle down with."

Lizzy was shocked at what she heard and hurried out of the hall to her family.

The carriage took off as soon as Lizzy got in. It is a tight fit with everyone there, but she cannot stand to stay at Netherfield another moment.