First, I would like to start saying I am sorry for taking such a long time to update this story. I could say many things, but the main issue is that I have had a terrible writer's block. I suddenly got an idea for another story, and when I started to write it, the block suddenly started fading and allowed me to update. Hopefully, this will continue. I hope you enjoy it.

Jane

Two days later, they saw Mr. Harrington again when he came with an invitation to the Matlock ball, which he handed to Aunt Gardiner.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Harrington, when you mentioned Matlock ball I have to confess, but I found it hard to believe you would manage to request additional invites so close to the ball. I have heard much of Lady Matlock's parties, enough to know, invitations to them are very sought after. May I ask how did you manage to secure four?"

Mr. Harrington gave her aunt a broad smile as he answered. "I was not confident either that I would manage it. But, luck was on my side as I chose the right moment to play lady Matlock a call, as it was at the exact moment when her niece and nephew, Miss Darcy, and Mr. Darcy arrived. They both spoke on your behalf and persuaded her to allow me to take you as my guests."

"How fortuitous that it coincided that way and how kind of Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy to speak on our behalf."

"I am not so surprised at Miss Darcy, but I must admit I am astonished at Mr. Darcy." Lizzy chimed in, clearly her doubts about Mr. Darcy still ongoing.

"Why, Lizzy? He paid us a call the other day, and he has encouraged our friendship with Miss Darcy."

"True, but I did not think it would extend as far as acknowledging us in front of his noble relatives. Friendship can occur in the shadows without it being recognized in public." It was sometimes hard to dislodge an idea from Lizzy's mind; even when she was starting to see she was wrong, she would sometime fall into old patterns of thinking.

"I think you continue to misjudge him, Lizzy. I do not believe Mr. Darcy would do something of the sort."

"I must agree with your sister Miss Elizabeth. Darcy and I are not close friends, but I have known him for many years. When he became friends with Mr. Bingley, many believed he was below Mr. Darcy as his father made his fortune in trade and said Darcy should not help him. One thing was to be friends with him and have some drinks and see him occasionally and another to help him navigate society and open doors for him. But Darcy is an honest friend; he did not care what others said and aided Mr. Bingley anyways."

Jane felt a surge of anger when she heard Mr. Bingley's name. A dark part of her that she had not known she possessed until her abandonment by Mr. Bingley, whispered that he had not been deserving of Mr. Darcy's aid. But Jane contained those whispers. They would do her no good, and she had grown stronger from her experiences. Her aunt seeing something on her face, decided to change the direction of the conversation.

"Well, I am very excited about being able to attend one of Lady Matlock's famous balls. How will we meet?"

"It will be in three days, and I can arrive here an hour before the ball, and we can all arrive together in my carriage how does that sound?"

"Wonderful, I am certain we will all have a fabulous time." The conversation flowed smoothly after that, but he soon had to leave for other appointments. Jane had to confess she was sad to see him go.

"My dear Jane, I am more certain now than ever that Mr. Harrington is interested in you."

"Aunt Gardiner?"

"Lady Matlock's parties are very well known. Many would do anything to be invited. To secure our invitations with lady Matlock is a statement of intent all in its own."

"I agree with our aunt Jane. He is stating his interest quite clearly."

She started to feel many conflicting emotions all at once. Aunt Gardiner seeing her rush of emotions, calmed her down.

"Relax, my dear. I know that everything seems to be moving very fast even more so than it did with Mr. Bingley."

"And look at how that ended."

"Yes, but you are better prepared this time. And your uncle and I will protect you better as well. I do not wish to speak ill of the dead or your mother, but she did not protect you mainly because she did not know how. So how about we go out for a bit? You must have your best dresses for the ball, so we must go by the dressmaker and make sure your gowns arrive in time. We can also go look at some other shops and find some gifts for your sisters to send."

"Oh yes, Kitty and Mary would like that." Lizzy agreed, clearly trying to shift the mood. They stood up and got ready to leave. Aunt Gardiner and Lizzy were right; going out would do her good.

Mrs. Smith, the dressmaker, greeted them warmly and gave them the excellent news that their best gowns had already been finished and would be sent that evening to their aunt's home. With that out of their minds, they decided to wander about the shops.

Lizzy got excited when she saw a book shop. They entered, but Jane soon became bored, she was not a great reader like Lizzy was.

"Aunt, if you do not mind I will wait outside, the shop at the left has a beautiful display I wish to see I will wait for you there if you do not mind."

"Of course, Jane, I will let Lizzy a few minutes here and then drag her outside if need be."

She gave her aunt a grateful smile and left the shop; it wasn't until she was outside that Jane realized she should have stayed inside. Staring straight at her was Mr. Bingley. He stood frozen, looking at her, not knowing what to say, and neither did she. When Mr. Bingley had left Hertfordshire, she had hoped and prayed he would return. Then in her anger, she had wished never to see him again. Now here he was, and she did not know what to do.

"Miss Bennet..." His voice barely a whisper.

"Mr. Bingley, how do you do?" As she was uncertain about what to do, she decided to follow conventions. She also did not want a spectacle in public."

"Well... and you?"

"I am better." Guilt passed through his face.

"Yes, I am very sorry about the loss of your mother."

"Are you?" It came out before she could stop herself; anger must have shown in her face.

"Yes. I am also very sorry I never gave my condolences when it happened. I will not give excuses. I let myself be led wrongly, Darcy has helped me see that, and I did not know how to make it right later."

"Did not know, or didn't have the courage?" He looked at her, stunned by her comment. It was understandable, she would not have said something of that sort before, but she was not the same woman he had left all those months ago, she was a different Jane. She had wondered whether her strength would remain if she ever faced him again. It had been a doubt nagging at her, and now here she was, standing up to him. It felt good, and she felt strong.

"Jane?" She heard Lizzy behind her and then felt her and Aunt Gardiner both stand by her sides to support her.

"Goodbye, Mr. Bingley. Aunt Lizzy, are you done? I am quite ready to go home." Her aunt looked at her with worry on her face.

"Certainly, Jane." They turned away from Mr. Bingley and left him there standing.