Thanks to everyone that commented on the fic. To answer a few questions, this is going to be a bit more Jane centric than Lizzy, but we will still get a lot of Lizzy, this chapter is particular is going to be focus in Lizzy and Jane is still in shock after everything that has happened. That is why both of them have POV. I just wanted to explore Jane a bit more, and I never understood why she forgave Bingley so fast in the books. He was week and let others decide for him and then still had no problems getting her.

Chapter 4

Lizzy

A week had past since the day that Jane had broken down. Aunt and Uncle Gardner had left for London two days after the funeral. Lizzy was doing what her aunt had advised her to do and gave Jane some space to grieve her mother and Bingley's betrayal, she had also taken upon herself to do all of Jane's chores. Mary had seen what Lizzy was doing and had started helping her. Little by little they started to get to know each other better. It was a sad realization for Lizzy that she had never really gotten to know Mary better, they were sisters, but she had always just overlooked Mary. Lizzy was starting to get the feeling that she had previously lived in a bubble, were she had not seen many things that she was discovering now. She had also misjudged Mr. Bingley, and Lydia was proving more difficult by the day. Mary's warning had proven correct, she had always thought of Lydia as silly and lively but nothing truly harmful, but Mary may had had a better understanding of her.

Her father had gone into isolation in his study, coming out even less than he used too, even some meals he took there. Jane spent most of her time in her room, Lizzy had her meals sent there so she could eat in peace. But the most changed member of the family by far was Kitty. The Kitty that used to follow Lydia everywhere and try to imitate her to a fault was very changed, she had matured. Kitty no longer followed Lydia and her schemes, she even helped Mary and Lizzy on occasions. She had become silent and sad but had started sowing more and painting she had even started reading. Sowing and painting had been two talents that she had always had, but had been abandoned when Lydia realized that it made Kitty more accomplished than her.

Lizzy had hoped that today would be a good day, the weather outside was clear, so no rain or snow was expected, Lizzy hoped she could take a long walk after her morning chores were done. Lizzy finished her chores as soon as she could, Mary gave her a fond smile as she could see that Lizzy was dying to go out for a walk. Lizzy had offered to go together but Mary had turned her down stating that she was not a great walker and she would get no pleasure in it as Lizzy did. As Lizzy was leaving the gate she saw Charlotte walking towards Longbourn, they had not seen her since the funeral as it was still to early to accept visitors. But Lizzy did not care, she had missed being able to talk to her. Charlotte had a different view of life than Lizzy had, but she had great sense and Lizzy was certain she could give her good advice on how to cope with all the changes and discoveries she had had in her life.

"Charlotte how good of you to come, I have missed you."

"I have missed you too Lizzy. How have you been" Charlotte looked at her with concern. Lizzy relaxed and led Charlotte to the garden, this is what she needed, a friend to talk to.

"The truth is it has been hard. Mama's death has affected us all so much. Jane will not go out of her room, Lydia is less behaved than ever, Kitty is silent and sad, papa is even a bigger recluse than before, Mary has been my only solace, and even that has been painful as I have realized that I barely know my sister at all. I completely overlooked her!"

"Well, maybe something good will come out of all of this misery. I do not know about Jane but you have gotten to know Mary better and you might make a better relationship with her. Kitty will eventually get better and she will be more mature, she needed to grow up Lizzy you know that. And Lydia has always been wild, you just have ignored it except when she embarrassed you, maybe you needed to see just how wild so that you put a stop to it. It is time Lizzy, if you don't stop her now her personality will be fixed and she will never improve herself."

"But how?"

"Remove her from society."

"What do you mean–"

"She should not be out Lizzy, she is too young and too immature. If she acts like a child she should be treated as such, and only when she has matured and can prove that she is ready then let her come out to society."

"But she is already out, how can we remove her now without damaging her reputation?"

"Your mother has just died, say that it has affected her gravely and that she is too young to be out of society without her mothers guidance and that she needs a few years for her to grow up and to accept her mothers loss and then she will be reintroduced to society."

"That might work, but I am not sure that father will want to wage that battle. Lydia will not take that well."

"Well Lizzy, you, Jane and Mary must lead that battle then."

"God, when did things get so complicated."

"Lizzy, I know you must be going through an unbearable time. But you can either choose to wallow in misery or take this as an opportunity to clean house. No home or family is perfect, in these dark times it is when things can become clear and you can choose to do nothing or to make the most of it."

"Thank you Charlotte, I really needed to talk to you."

"It is fine Lizzy, I like being of use. You are my closest friend and I dislike seeing you in such pain. I am glad I can give you useful advice."

"You are a great friend." Charlottes face suddenly became grave.

"I did have another reason for coming here Lizzy. A reason you might not like. I wish it did not have to be today but I did to wish for you to hear it from someone else."

"What is it?"

"I am getting married."

"Truly? But that is good news why would I not like this news. To whom?"

"Mr. Collins."

Lizzy froze looking at Charlotte in absolute horror.

"Please do not give me that look Lizzy. I know you do not approve of Mr. Collins but he is a good match for me."

"Is this a jest?"

"No Lizzy, I will be marrying Mr. Collins in a month and while you will still be in mourning a month will have passed, and I wish you would be there for the wedding."

"How did this happen?"

"The day of the funeral when you rejected Mr Collins my parents invited him to come over the house to have dinner. Instead of leaving for Hunsford, as he said he would do, he stayed with us, my father extended an invitation. He asked me to marry him and I said yes. He left yesterday, he had to get back to his parish, he had been away too long but he will be back in a month for the wedding."

Lizzy remained silent for a while to process everything that Charlotte had told her. Charlotte waited patiently for an answer.

"Two weeks ago, this news would have horrified me. If I am being honest it still horrifies me, but with everything that has happened, I have learned that life can just take a turn so fast and in such an unexpected way. Mama was full of life and she should have had years of life still ahead of her, yet she is gone. It has taught me that I know little, much less than I thought I knew. If you are pleased with the match then I am happy for you, and I will be there at your wedding to cheer you on."

"Thank you so much Lizzy, this means a great deal to me."

Then suddenly the main door to the house burst open and Kitty and Mary come out, worry etched in their faces.

"Lizzy!" Lizzy stood up instantly.

"What is wrong?"

Mary, anger mixed in with the worry on her face answered.

"Lydia is gone, we searched the whole house and she is nowhere to be seen. She is also not wearing her mourning dress as it was left in her room."

"That silly silly girl what is she up to! She will ruin us all. I have to go talk to papa."

She leaves a worried Charlotte in the garden as Kitty and Mary follow close to her as she races to her father's study. Lizzy knew that her father was not going to pleased by the news that she had to give.

Jane

Jane had been in deep mourning for a week, for her mothers death and her feelings for Mr. Bingley. She felt anguish for her mothers death and humiliation at Mr. Bingley's abandonment. She had been so sure that day at the ball that her prayers had been heard, and that she had found a good kind man that she loved and loved her in return. And then everything fell apart, her mother died and Bingley had abandoned her without an excuse or goodbye. She had not believed it possible but it had happened. She had always believed the best of people, her sister Lizzy told her she was too kind and that not all people were good. Jane had not wanted to believe her, she could not imagine why people would hurt others intentionally. Maybe Jane had been naive, as much as it hurt, Lizzy had been proven right and Jane wrong. She did not believe Mr. Bingley to be bad, she had been with him enough to know that there was no evil in him, but he had clearly been proven to be week. On the other hand, Jane remembered Miss Bingley's and Mrs. Hurts faces the day of the funeral, and she had reread the letter Miss Bingley had sent her. She had also gone through all the conversations she remembered having with both of them, and she concluded that they had been disingenuous, dishonest, fake. Lizzy had been right about them all along.

Now Jane did not know what to do. She was the eldest and now in charge, but how was she supposed to help guide her sisters when her judgment had been so erroneous? If she could not see danger when it was approaching how was she to help her sisters?

Jane approached the window to looked out the garden. She saw Lizzy and Charlotte talking, she was glad that Lizzy had someone to talk to. I have been a terrible sister lately, closed up here. No matter how erroneous my judgment was, I'm certainly going to be no help to anyone closed up here. It's been a week it's time to come out of this room.

Jane started walking away when she heard Mary and Kitty screaming for Lizzy. She went back to the window to look and saw Lizzy talking with Mary and Kitty, but her posture was stiff, muscles strained, something was worrying her. Then she took off running leaving Charlotte behind but Mary and Kitty running after her.

Jane turned and ran out her room and down the stairs, she followed the noise of her sisters running and followed the noise to her fathers study were she could here what they were talking about.

"What do you mean Lydia is missing?!"

She heard her father screaming at Lizzy. She reached the door to the study where the door was still open.

"Lydia is missing?" Everyone turned to look at her. Her father had stood up from his chair to talk to Lizzy, who was just in front of him, Mary and Kitty were at the side.

"Jane you left your room. Are you well?"

"Yes Lizzy, I am fine, I saw that something was wrong and decided I had hidden away too long. What has happened with Lydia?"

Lizzy looked at Mary and Kitty, none of them wanting to answer.

"Jane…"

"Lizzy, I know I have not been myself this past week, but I am better now and the oldest, I wish to know what is going on."

May was the one who stepped forward and answered.

"Lydia is gone, Kitty went looking for her and saw her mourning dress abandoned on the bed of her room. She came to me and searched all over the house, Lydia is not here, we believe that she sneaked out to meet the officers."

"Lydia would not do that, she knows the scandal that would befall us, breaking mourning traditions, going on her own to meet the officers…"

Kitty was the one who responded this time.

"She would Jane, you have not heard her talk in private. She does not care about rules or manners if it interferes with her diversions. I would know, as I used to follow her everywhere. This week I have been silent to reflect on how I have been living this past years. I have also been reading at night and realized how badly I have been behaving, how silly and ill mannered. But Lydia does not care for self reflection, she only care about her diversions and being the center of attention. Being dressed in black and closed off at home is not something she would accept."

"She must be found." Lizzy spoke with anger in her voice.

"Yes, I will go to Meryton and search for Lydia with your uncle Phillips. You girls will stay here and wait."

"But papa–"

"No Lizzy, it is bad enough that Lydia has run off, lets try to keep this quiet. Stay here, all of you."

Papa gave them all a pointed look before leaving. One thing was clear to Jane, when Lydia came back it was time to take charge. Things were out of control, the entire family had been sailing without a compass. Mama had been to afraid of the future and to giddy, papa had never wanted to take charge, he only wanted his books and peace. Well, mama was gone and it was time for Jane to step up, she would be the compass and the captain of this ship.