AN: Double Chapter update. This is the second chapter! Make sure you read Chap 29!

Berkeley Sq, London

January 15th, 1812

Edward and Sophia Gardiner had finally returned London after just over a year of traveling. They arrived at Berkley square at lunch time, exhausted. They were greeted by their confused butler upon their arrival.

"Mr. Gardiner, Mrs. Gardiner, what are you doing here?"

"Very funny, Mr. Stone. We live here, as you already know," Mr. Gardiner replied, unamused.

"But, sir, the house is let for the season," Mr. Stone said, confused. "The two nieces of Lord-"

"It has been let?!" Mr. Gardiner exclaimed.

Mr. Stone nodded. "They are still out making morning calls. They moved in shortly after the new year."

"Mr. Courtly had directions to only let Barham Court and Netherfield." Mr. Gardiner complained.

"Darling, we have to go see Mr. Courtly to sort this mess," Mrs. Gardiner said.

"Sir, this letter came here for you yesterday. I was just about to forward it to Barham Ct.," Mr. Carrington said.

Mr. Garinder looked at the letter. Seeing that it was from his cousin John, he thanked Carrington and tucked the letter in his pocket.

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The Gardiners arrived at Mr. Courtly's office on Brook St. and were seen by the gentleman right away.

"Mr. Gardiner, Mrs. Gardiner, what are you doing in London?" Mr. Courtly greeted.

"We are staying in town for our niece's presentation," Mrs. Gardiner said.

Mr. Gardiner glared at the gentleman and spoke. "We have just come from Berkeley square. Where our house is being let."

"Yes, just as you requested," Mr. Courtly said, looking confused.

"I did no such thing," Mr. Gardiner replied.

"I have the letter." Mr. Courtly rummaged through his files, finally pulling out the letter.

"May I see it?" asked Mrs. Gardiner. Mr. Courtly handed her the letter. Mrs. Gardiner skimmed the letter until she found the lines she was looking for.

My wife and I will not be returning to England for quite some time. We wanted to make sure our affairs were in order. Please let Netherfield and B- -, while we are away. Contact my Cousin John Harrington or Brother Robert Bennet in my stead, if any decisions need to be made.Yours,Edward Gardiner

She sighed and looked up at her husband with a glare and said, "The location is blotted, the only letter that can be read is the 'B', which could be Berkley Sq or Barham Ct."

Mr. Courtly apologized profusely. "I just saw it and immediately thought of Berkley Sq."

Mr. Gardiner shook his head and sighed. "This is not your fault, it is mine. Where shall we go? Surely everything decent is booked for the season."

"There is one place I know that is vacant," Mrs. Gardiner said, smiling at her husband, who looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Our very first house in town."

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The couple arrived at their Cheapside home, looking at it fondly. They had so many memories of living here while they renovated the Berkeley Square townhouse. It became sentimental and impossible for them to sell. They agreed to let it, to pay for the upkeep. It had regrettably become vacant a week before their trip to India; the family who was staying there had moved North to be closer to relatives. Their swift departure had not left the Gardiners with enough time to find new tenants, and they had already asked their families to do so much that adding this to the list seemed unreasonable, so they left it vacant and in the care of their housekeeper and butler until their return.

Mr. Gardiner got down out of the carriage before helping his wife out. The went to the door and were greeted by their housekeeper. She welcomed them home. The Gardiners began settling in - Mrs. Gardiner sat down to pen a letter to her family, while Mr. Gardiner remembered the letter delivered by his butler and opened it. Based on the contents of the letter, he would have to pen two letters: one to his cousin and one to a business associate.

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Dear Oliver,We have safely arrived back to London, but we are currently residing in Cheapside due to an error. Our house in Berkley Sq, has been let for the season, as our solicitor thought we would be returning to Barham Ct. instead of Town. If you could keep the girls a few more days until we are able to have this issue sorted, we would greatly appreciate it. Yours,Sophia Gardiner

Oliver had received this correspondence only an hour ago and here he was in the foyer of Gracechurch residence. The butler announced the arrival of Mr. Dover to the Gardiners.

"Oliver, What are you doing here?" Edward greeted.

"I am here to bring you back to Granville House, there is plenty of space for you and the children to stay the duration of the season. There is no need to try to make arrangements after your long journey," Oliver replied.

Sophia looked at Mr. Dover and embraced him in a hug. "Thank you, we graciously accept."

"Nonsense, my dear girl, we are family. You do not have to thank me," Oliver said, hugging Sophia tightly. "Gather your items. We will depart in a half hour," Oliver said to the couple.

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Granville House, Mayfair

January 15th, 1812

Mr. Dover and the Gardiners arrived back at Granville house. They could hear the voices of their nieces and daughters chatting in the foyer. The Gardiners walked into the drawing room following Mr. Dover. The everyone in the room turned to look when the butler announced them. Julia was the first one to run and greet her parents.

"You have returned!?" Julia said excitedly.

"Finally!" Lucinda chorused.

Lizzy, Jane, and Mary greeted the Gardiners with hugs.

The girls chatted with Mrs. Gardiner and made plans for her to join Jane, Lizzy, and Mary at their dress fitting.

Mrs. Gardiner gladly agreed, relieved to be back in the company of her daughters and nieces and excited for their upcoming season. She detected a bit of melancholy from Jane and Elizabeth and wondered, what happened while she was gone, Marianne gave her a knowing look and she knew, she would have her answers soon enough.

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Granville House, Mayfair

January 17th, 1812

The Bennet girls and arose at a fashionable hour in the morning to break their fast. They were to meet their Aunt Elizabeth and Cousins Emily and Cecilia at the Bond St. seamstress to get the last of their outfits measured and final fittings for second set of dresses in the next hour. There was a knock at the door surprising Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia and Marianne.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Sophia asked to Marianne.

"No, Elizabeth and her girls are usually fashionably late, I cannot fathom them being here this early" Marianne replied, she then turned to her granddaughters and asked "Are you girls expecting anyone?"

Jane, Elizabeth and Mary. Shook their heads no.

Mr. Robbins arrived in the dining room and followed by the guest. Kitty entered the room, shocking the occupants of the room.

"Hello, my dear family" Kitty greeted.

"How are you here?" Mary questioned in a state of shock, oulling her cousin in an embrace.

"I believe this note shall answer your inquiry." Kitty said handing her missive to Marianne. And then sitting in the empty seat next to Mary. Marianne opened the letter and read it out loud.

Dear Mother Dover,I write to you to ask you to take dear Kitty, to the seamstress with you. Her ballgown seems to be unmendable, due to an accident and that will just not do, for the upcoming assembly she is FINALLY allowed to attend. Please have it charged to my accounts along with the girls things, do NOT try to bankrupt me.I assume a week shall suffice for this visit? If I am wrong in my estimation please let me know how long Kitty will need to remain.

Yours,

Robert Bennet

"Perfect timing" Marianne said amused by her son-in-law's theatrics. "We are departing to the seamstresses for the girls final fitting, just after breakfast. You will probably need to remain at the seamstresses a longer so she can take your measurements after you pick a design. We will send the carriage back for you."

"We can stay with Kitty." Mary offered

"You girls have to be back here for your maids to try new styles on your hair to see which one suits you best ." Sophia argued.

Mary pouted but conceded her agreeance.

The girls were excited to catch up with Kitty and talked animatedly, until Aunt Elizabeth arrived with Cousins Emily and Cecilia.

The ladies departed in their carriages. Elizabeth was anxiously awaiting their visit. She hoped she would run into the younger girl from her last visit and they would be able to exchange introductions. It would be lovely to have friends that were nothing like Miss Bingley or the horrid Sanders sisters.

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Grosvenor St, Mayfair

January 17th 1812

Darcy was sitting in Bingley's study, wondering what Bingley wanted to discuss, but as always Bingley was late. Darcy had managed to avoid his friend since returning to town. He was in a poor mood for company from the Bingleys since it seemed Mr. Bingley could not go out without involving Miss Bingley. Thats is why he finally responded to his friend when he said it was urgent, but he had been waiting almost a quarter hour when his friend finally entered the room.

"Darcy! Sorry for the delay," Bingley said, rushing into the room.

"What news did you have?"

"You get straight to the point old fellow," Bingley said, pouring two glasses of brandy. Bingley offered one to Darcy, but Darcy shook his head.

"Yes, well, you said it was urgent," Darcy replied, irritated at his friend's laid-back attitude.

"I need your help. I want to break the lease on Netherfield," Bingley said.

"I believe the lease came with an 120-day clause. If you were not pleased with Netherfield, you could break the lease with in that time frame," Darcy said, recalling the paperwork he read before Bingley signed.

"I signed the papers to Netherfield on September 20th," Bingley stated, "So I have until tomorrow to break the lease."

"Did you contact the landlord?" Darcy asked, exasperated at Bingley's tardiness

"I wrote Mr. Harrington directly at Christmas time. He informed me that he would be in town on the 12th and we could resolve the matter then, but he sent me a note the day before saying he was delayed and not sure how long it would take. I thought I may be stuck with the property until the lease ended, but I got a note from Mr. Gardiner yesterday that he was back in town and he would resolve the matter. I would like you to accompany me; you know more about these types of things than I do," Bingley stated.

Darcy agreed to help, since he had been the one to suggest that stupid house, in Hertfordshire. and the two were heading out of the Grosvenor St. house when they heard someone calling them. "Mr. Darcy! Brother! Where are you both off to?"

"Caro, we have estate business to take care of," Bingley said, pausing to give his sister a chance to speak with Darcy, but Darcy tipped his hat to Miss Bingley and quickly exited the townhouse. Darcy was already in the carriage, by the time Bingley said goodbye to his sister. As soon as Bingley was in the carriage, they urgently departed, headed to Cheapside.

They arrived at #12 Gracechurch St. and knocked. The butler opened the door. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley both presented their cards. The butler looked at them.

"The master said you may be coming here today, but he is not staying here. He sent this note for you," Mr. Brown said, presenting the note from Mr. Gardiner.

Dear Mr. Bingley,I apologize for not writing you directly, but I misplaced the note my cousin gave me with your direction, so I could not write you. I am currently residing with a family member who live in Mayfair at - Park Lane. You may call on me there and we can settle breaking the lease.Yours,Edward Gardiner

"The address is blotted! How am I supposed to know where to go?" Bingley cried.

Mr. Brown turned to Bingley and said, "I believe I have the address on the calling card he left yesterday. I shall go retrieve it."

"Calm down, Bingley, we shall have the matter resolved."

Moments later, Mr. Brown returned and said, "The address is #40 Park Lane."

Bingley turned and walked out of the door with great speed.

"Thank you, sir," Darcy turned to the butler and said, then he followed Bingley out of the door.

Back in the carriage, Bingley said to Darcy in a huff, "Well, we did all that to only end up a mile from where we started."

"Yes, well, at least you are closer to being rid of the lease and never returning to Hertfordshire," Darcy said dryly.

"It was not a terrible place, aside from certain people," Bingley said referring to his friend's nemesis

"And you are fortunate that Miss Bennet did not try to compromise you, like Miss Elizabeth tried to compromise me." Darcy said bitterly.

"Wait, what?!" Mr. Bingley cried in confusion

"I am quite certain Miss Elizabeth was the woman in my bed," Darcy said matter-of-factly to Bingley.

"Darcy, that is impossible," Bingley said rubbing his temples recalling that night from his memory perfectly "Seconds before you approached me about that woman, I had just left the library where Miss Bennet was, along with Miss Lucas, fully clothed. There is no way she could have been the woman in your bed."

Darcy blanched. He could not have been wrong, she was working with Wickham. There had to be a way, she did it! "She could have used the servant halls?" Darcy asked, unsure of his friend's statement.

"There are none in the east wing of the house; it is so servants cannot eavesdrop on the owners when business is conducted in the library and study," Bingley replied. "Why did you ever think it was Miss Elizabeth in your bed? I doubt she would try to compromise you. I am quite certain she loathes you and your 10,000 a year." Bingley chuckled thinking of the absurdity.

Darcy sat in the carriage, quietly dumbfounded for the remainder of the ride. He thought, if she wasn't in his room, who was? How did her locket get there? Why was she outside his room two weeks prior? What had he done?! Pull yourself together Darcy. Mr. Harding's report should be arriving shortly. Then you shall have your answers.

They arrived at #40 Park Lane. Darcy was so distracted with his thoughts that he almost did not notice that he had visited this house quite a few times before. He gathered himself by pushing the thoughts of Elizabeth out of his mind.

"Bingley," Darcy said, with a pause, "This is Mr. Dover's house. Do you remember him? He was very well acquainted with my father."

"Did the butler give us wrong directions?! I do not have time to go all the way back to Cheapside, then again to the right house," Bingley cried.

"No, I do not think so. Let us knock and see," Darcy said, knocking on the door.

The butler opened the door and Darcy and Bingley presented their cards. The were taken to they study where two men stood.

"Darcy! Bingley! Good of you to make it!" Mr. Dover called out.

"Mr. Dover, good to see you," Bingley replied.

Mr. Dover brushed past him to shake Darcy's hand.

"This is Mr. Gardiner," Mr. Dover said to Darcy. Darcy looked at Mr. Gardiner who looked familiar for some reason he could not place. Maybe it was the fact that this was Elizabeth's uncle or that he lived in his home for months was giving a sense of familiarity.

"How do you two know each other?" Darcy asked curiously, he could not shake the feeling of impending disaster.

"I'll explain everything later - you boys must stay for tea. Plus Marianne will kill me if she hears I saw you again and did not give her a chance to see you. She should be back, with our granddaughters, soon," Mr. Dover said proudly patting Darcy on the shoulder.

"Sure," Darcy agreed. His interest was piqued, and it was not because of a certain hazel eyed lady, who was Gardiner's niece.

Bingley agreed reluctantly. He could sense Mr. Dover's dislike; he always felt like the man had an aversion to him, but Darcy said he was merely reserved around company. Today, however, he surely sensed Mr. Dover's dislike. Now it was clear to Bingley that the man hated him. He could not understand why. They were both sons of merchants, who moved or were moving (in Bingley's case) to the landed gentry. He admired Mr. Dover. Bingley' thoughts were interrupted by Mr. Gardiner's voice.

"Now, let's get down to business, shall we?" Mr. Gardiner said.

After about twenty minutes of talking, the lease was broken and the men headed to the drawing room for refreshments.

Darcy and Bingley sat on the couch with their backs towards the door across from Mr. Dover and Mr. Gardiner. The women were nowhere to be found.

"They must be running late. Spending hundreds of pounds takes a long time," Mr. Dover jested.

Mr. Gardiner chuckled. "They have spent at least a thousand, then."

Darcy smiled at the comradery between the two and asked, "So, how do you know each other?"

"We are family, boy!" Mr. Dover said to Darcy.

"Explaining how is complicated, though I shall try." Mr. Gardiner paused, thinking of a good explanation, and finally settled on saying, "Mr. Dover is my Brother-in-law's Father-in-law." He shook his head after he said it.

Bingley looked confused. Along with Darcy.

Mr. Dover tried explained, "Gardiner here is married to my daughter's husband's sister."

Darcy and Bingley looked at the gentlemen in complete confusion.

Gardiner and Dover laughed at their confused expressions.

And then the drawing room doors opened up.

Mrs. Gardiner came in laughing with . "There is so much to carry, I do not know how many trips the footmen will have to make. It could not possibly fit in the carriage," Mrs. Dover said to Mrs. Gardiner.

"Did you bankrupt us, my love?" Mr. Dover asked his wife, smiling.

"No, but we did try," Mrs. Dover replied with a smirk.

She walked further in and saw Darcy sitting with Bingley.

"Darcy, Bingley, what a pleasant surprise!" Mrs. Dover said.

Darcy and Bingley stood and bowed to Mrs. Dover. Mrs. Dover walked over to Darcy, pulling him into a hug. When she let go she slapped the back of his head.

"Ow!" Darcy shouted. "What was that for?"

Mrs. Dover smiled to Darcy and said, "You know why, and if not, you shall figure it out shortly."

Mr. Dover smirked at his wife's actions, along with the Gardiners, while Bingley was as confused and uncomfortable as ever.

"May I present my wife, Mrs. Gardiner," Mr. Gardiner said to Darcy and Bingley, breaking the tension.

Both bowed to the matron. She smiled and said, "Welcome, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. I am sorry we were not here to greet you."

"This is a lovely home," Mr. Bingley said to Mrs. Dover.

"Thank you, my daughter did a lot of remodeling, and I have kept it the same," Mrs. Dover said.

"Oh, will we be meeting her also?" Bingley asked, confused. He had never heard the Dovers mention a daughter before.

"She passed away over a decade ago," Mrs. Dover replied.

Bingley stammered, "I-I I did not know, please forgive me, I'm sorry for your loss."

Mrs. Dover replied, "It is quite alright; our granddaughters remind me of her greatly in their own special ways."

Darcy sensing the awkwardness changed the subject. "So how are you related, you never finished explaining.

Mr. Dover finally explained, "And that is how we are related by our granddaughters! The Gardiners are my granddaughters' uncle and aunt."

"Yes, my brother married the Dover's late daughter Lucy." Mrs. Gardiner added

Bingley nodded at this statement. Darcy froze. No! It could not be!

Just then, the drawing room doors opened again with Jane, Lizzy, and Mary walking in, giggling.

"Tomorrow, we must call on our dear Cousin Emily, why she should know what to do. I'm sure she has ordered thrice the amount we have," Lizzy said to a giggling Jane and Mary.

Darcy froze at the sound of her laugh. He was not dreaming - this was real she was here. He stood up slowly, gripping the arm of the chair.

He turned around and saw her shock at seeing him, and watched her shock turn to anger, as a scowl appeared on her face.

She hated him and he did not blame her one bit. He made awful accusations against her and had leveled the greatest insult he could have to a woman of her station, and he had been wrong. He swallowed. It felt like he had been staring at her for hours but only seconds had passed.

Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary had greeted Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy simultaneously.

Darcy managed to bow.

Elizabeth held Jane tightly for support as they walked across the room to sit.

Elizabeth ended the silence. "So, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, what brings you to our home?" she asked, staring at both Gentlemen.

Mr. Bingley stared at the floor and mumbled.

Mr. Gardiner cleared his throat and said, "Mr. Bingley broke the lease on Netherfield today."

Jane's face fell at the news, but she regained her composure quickly.

Lizzy glared at Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley's sisters are determined to keep him away from Jane, because they thought she was beneath them.

Mary asked excitedly, "Does this mean we can move back to Netherfield?"

"As long as you do not find a husband during the season," Sophia stated, looking particularly at Jane.

Bingley looked confusedly between Mrs. Dover and Jane. How did he not know that Jane had connections? From the size of this house and the way her grandparents doted on her, she had to have a dowry too. Why did she hide it from him? He would have proposed to her if he knew. How was she related to Mrs. Bennett, if she wasn't their mother? Was she their stepmother?

Bingley decided to ask about her to see if he could figure out anything. "How is your family in Hertfordshire?"

"Our father, aunt, and cousins are doing well," Elizabeth said, clarifying their family dynamic, which she knew Mr. Darcy had muddled two months prior.

Mr. Bingley nodded. He looked over at Darcy whose countenance was hollow as ever.

Thoughts ran wild through Darcy's head. What had he done? She was not, who he thought she was. She had connections and definitely a dowry, the same amount as his sister probably, more even. She would have never been working with Wickham. How stupid had he even been!

"Miss Bennet, I am sure my sister Caroline misses your company and would love for you to visit," Mr. Bingley said, trying to work his way back into Jane's good graces.

Jane had an impassive look on her face and replied, "Yes, I thought so too, but I called on your sister two weeks ago and left my card. I have not heard from her."

Bingley stammered. "Um, well, yes, I know she has had a full schedule of engagements. I was not aware of your visit."

Jane nodded curtly. She did not know whether to be happy he never knew about her visit or sad that he was planned to leave her and never return.

The company descended into an awkward silence. The older occupants of the room were watching with great interest the interactions between the younger occupants.

Lizzy largely ignored Mr. Darcy, while Mr. Darcy could not remove his eyes from Lizzy. Mr. Bingley could not decide where to fix his gaze and glanced around the room, but his eyes lingered on the furnishings and on Jane. Jane made eye contact with all occupants of the room, but a certain gentleman was more painful for Jane to look at, so she only glanced in his direction. Mary looked at her sisters and then towards the gentlemen. She had no idea what to do; she needed to help her sisters with their various suitor situations.

"Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, have you been in town long?" Mary said, breaking the awkward silence.

They both replied in the negative, saying the had only arrived within the week. Mrs. Dover picked up the conversation and the girls were ever grateful for her interference.

Emily's words about Darcy's staring rang back in Elizabeth's head. A man never stares to find fault. She stopped ignoring Darcy and looked over at him without meeting his gaze. She studied his hands. He was twiddling his thumbs slightly in a small circle. She glanced at his face; he had his usual stoic expression, but she had studied him enough that she could see he was uncomfortable. She met his eyes and saw regret and longing in them. She looked away immediately. Did he regret their exchange on Oakham Mount, now that he knew who she was, or coming here with Mr. Bingley because he had to see her? She guessed the latter.

Elizabeth could not bear it any longer. She stood up and said, "I am feeling quite unwell, please excuse me." She exited the room and suspected Jane would follow her, so when she felt a presence behind her abrupt departure, she was not alarmed, that is, until she reached the hallway and felt her arm being grabbed. It was not Jane's small soft hand; it was a strong, firm grasp. She spun around to be face-to-face with the last man she wanted to see.

Mr. Darcy had followed her, not Jane, into the hallway. She stood there in shock and discomfort. He started speaking. "Miss Elizabeth, please forgive-"

"Sir, there is nothing you could say to make me accept an apology from you!" Elizabeth shouted, yanking her arm from his grasp and running above stairs. How dare he! He ruined her sister's happiness! Of course the overbearing oaf had advised Mr. Bingley to break the lease on Netherfield.

He stood in the hallway as he watched her run away from him in despair. Darcy turned around to return to the drawing room and depart, but he came face to face with Mrs. Dover.

"Forgive me, ma'am, I should have asked for an audience with Miss Elizabeth-"

"Oh Darcy, it is no problem. I was just coming to check and see what date you are available for the dinner Oliver invited you to," Mrs. Dover inquired curiously.

"I do not think I should-"

"Nonsense, you already promised and I am dying to see Georgiana. You simply must bring her. Shall I send a note to confirm the date?"

Darcy was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He wanted to see her again, but she hated him, rightfully so. If only he could explain. He would gladly tell her EVERYTHING. It was too much of a burden to carry alone.

He replied, "Most certainly." He could work his way back into her good graces, right?

Bingley exited the drawing room quickly, looking white as a sheet. "Mrs. Dover, Darcy and I must be off."

Darcy bowed to the matron and then hastily followed out behind Bingley, nearly running into Kitty.