The dinner ended with the relief of most present. Mrs. Bennet was in her own little world, thinking that the dinner turned out splendid. Indeed, it was a success in having her daughter Jane become friends with Mr. Bingley's sisters and spend a lot of time with the gentleman himself.

She also was pleased to have set up everything just so, that Elizabeth was in Collins's company a great deal. Once her daughter got used to the man, then she'd stop fighting her mother and marry the man without complaint.

Mr. Darcy, she wasn't really sure of. The man was very antisocial and only spoke to her husband, Mr. Bingley or her daughter Elizabeth. He was handsome to be sure, but she was determined that Lizzie was for Collins. If the man wanted to marry one of her daughters he had three others he could choose from.

Jane was also not disappointed with that night's events. She made new friends and got to talk a lot with them, and Charles was always very agreeable to talk with. She was a little distressed at leaving Elizabeth to deal with Collins alone, but once she saw Darcy talking to her sister, she was allowed to relax.

Collins felt it was a good night except he didn't get to spend all that much time with Ms. Elizabeth. He couldn't be entirely upset; conversation was always a skill to have and who could be slighted at her talking to Mr. Darcy. He should have to send a telegram to Mrs. de Bourgh, about seeing her nephew.

"Lord I shall have lost ten years of my life tonight alone," Lizzie exclaimed as she finally was behind the privacy of her and Jane's door.

Jane only smiled with humor at her sister's comment.

"I'm telling you, Jane, there is no mother as devious as ours. Sending for Collins to come when it's obvious that no one prefers his company. Did you see the way he took my hand without permission? I would've smacked him across the face if we were not around other people. Indeed, I probably should have. Now he thinks he's allowed to do whatever he pleases." Elizabeth shivered and wiped her hand on the covers to get rid of the feeling of his touch.

"But Mr. Darcy was able to take up most of the rest of the evening in talking to you so Collins couldn't." Jane pointed out as she got dressed to go to bed.

"Yes, I'm extremely grateful to him for that." Lizzie shifted in her spot, trying to get comfortable, "Did you know he's a bounty hunter? Well sort of. I should like to ask him more about it if possible."

"Are you still planning on running away to be a bounty hunter?"

"Yes, and now I must move quicker than ever."

"Lizzie. I still think it's too dangerous."

"I know, but think about this; no one ever suspects a woman to go after them." Lizzie grinned in excitement.

"You got a point there." Lizzie only nodded and continued with the task she was working on. Jane frowned, "What are you about?"

"I'm leaving."

"Now?! Lizzie, you can barely walk on your ankle." Jane placed her hands on her hips and gave a disapproving look. Though, since it was Jane, it was hardly effective.

"Relax, I can't yet. I shall have to wait a couple more days, but it will happen soon."

Her eldest sister sighed and climbed into bed next to Elizabeth, wrapping her arms around her sister to pull her in for a hug.

"I really wish you would reconsider, but I know I can't change your mind."

Elizabeth hugged her sister back and when they separated, she gave Jane a cheeky smile, "Shame I shall miss the expression on his face when he discovers I am gone. To think I may be a runaway fiancee that becomes a bounty hunter, rather than marry."

The two laughed, though Jane was trying to remain serious, but failed and broke out into giggles.

"You promise you will write to me, won't you?"

"Of course." Lizzie grinned, I shall regale you with my many adventures. Who knows, I may meet a man along the way who might actually interest me."

Again they laughed before finally laying down to sleep.

The next morning Elizabeth was determined to get out of the house, using her own strength. Though her ankle was protesting, she made for her favorite tree. The ground had thankfully hardened enough so she wouldn't reinjure herself.

With a relieved sigh, she reached her tree and collapsed under it, too tired at present to try and climb the trunk to get into her normal reclining position.

Closing her eyes, she thought of her final days at Longborne. She would miss Charlotte, Mary, Jane and of course her father. She figured she could leave a message for Charlotte with Jane to be given after she was gone. Her father, she might write in the letter to Jane, that only he should know why she is leaving. He probably already had a clue why, but it still would bring her comfort.

Looking up at the sky, she watched the clouds move quickly along as if they had an important place to be.

The sound of a horse approaching had her finally sit up and look to see who it was. A slight panic had her fear Collins was riding to find her, but then the man rode in carriages and didn't appear to be the type who knew how to ride.

The person also approaching, was from the Netherfield property.

Jane had told her last night before they went to bed, that Charles had moved his sisters and brother-in-law the other day and Darcy was staying with them.

It was that gentleman now who was approaching on horseback.

He slowed down once he spotted her, but she made no attempt to stand. Her ankle was still throbbing slightly from the walk already.

Darcy dismounted Maxine and walked the final steps towards her.

"Ms. Elizabeth," He greeted, nodding his head in a form of a bow.

"Mr. Darcy. Are you here sir to try and remove me from my tree again?" she asked with slight humor.

"I wouldn't dare think of it."

Lizzie cocked her head to the side, squinting to see him with the bright light directly behind him. He must've seen her struggling and moved to stand in a different spot and awkwardly squatted down, hovering just above the ground.

"Might I ask what you are doing out here?"

"I thought it was made clear that I enjoy visiting my tree and going for walks and rides."

"No, that's not-I wasn't referring to that. I guess what I was trying to ask was what brought you out here? I don't see your horse anywhere."

"'That's because I walked."

"Do you think that wise in your current state?" Darcy saw her about to get angry and he tried again, "I'm only asking because you could've suffered a relapse or injury from a hole or dip in the ground and reinjure yourself. With no one around and it being so early, you'd be by yourself for a while."

Elizabeth saw the sense in that argument and backed down from trying to fight him on the topic.

"I just needed fresh air. Hanging from my tree always helps to clear my head, but unfortunately, I don't think my ankle will allow me to climb today."

"As well you shouldn't. Hanging upside down when you've just had a head injury is not a good idea." Darcy frowned.

Lizzie leaned her head against the trunk of her tree closing her eyes, feeling tired, "It seems I'm too fatigued to argue against you on that point."

Darcy looked her over worriedly. It was weird seeing her in a dress. Hell, last night he did a double take even though he had seen her when he was visiting her with Bingley. To see her hair down and in a dress, she looked like a completely different person. She was beautiful. No, there was something about her when she was wearing pants and a hat that had stirred him then. Though back then he thought she was a boy, and didn't want to think he held any interest in another man.

It didn't, for some reason, feel right seeing her in a dress. Though she was beautiful, it wasn't her.

"Let me take you home. You can ride on Maxine while I lead her from the ground."

"I'm not ready to go back." Lizzie murmured.

Darcy took the fact that she hadn't refused the offer point blank, that she would accept once she was ready.

He could wait. It wasn't like he was in a hurry to get back to the house where Caroline was waiting for him to come and pay her some attention she felt she was due.

"Alright," he sighed as he maneuvered his long limbs so that he was now sitting on the ground, cross-legged, "When you are ready, I will take you home."

Elizabeth opened her eyes, they were slightly hooded.

"Are you a good shot?" she asked out of the blue.

Darcy was surprised by the sudden question but figured she wanted to continue the topic from last night.

"There several elements that are required to be considered a 'good shot'."

"And what would that be?" Lizzie leaned forward.

Darcy cleared his throat and shifted on the ground, "Well, while there is an importance of being a quick draw, you also need to be thinking. Knowing how to aim and get your gun up fast enough to hit your target where you want to."

"Can you show me?"

He frowned, "I think we best not."

A little disappointed, she tried again, "How does a gun work, or rather yours?" Lizzie eyed the piece on his hip.

Arching an eyebrow, Darcy looked down at his gun and pulled it out.

He got to his feet and sat down again, this time closer to her side. The man made a show of emptying the all the bullets out and clicking the middle piece back into place. Darcy pointed to the parts as he explained.

"You insert the bullets here and when you are ready, you pull the hammer back, aim and shoot."

He pointed out to another tree nearby and pulled the trigger. A click was heard as the hammer fell on an empty chamber.

"Can I try?" she asked innocently.

"It's probably for the best-"

"Oh please Mr. Darcy, it is not as if the gun is loaded for you yourself have seen to that already," Lizzie said in exasperation.

His mouth twisted in doubt but handed the gun to her, offering the hilt first.

Lizzie shifted in her spot, trying to get into a kneeling position as she held the heavy object. The throbbing in her ankle reminded her it was still there and she started to fall onto Darcy.

Darcy, being careful where his hands fell, braced her and stuck his other hand out to prevent them from completely falling on top of one another. He was acutely aware of their close proximity and his face felt like it was on fire. Her hand was near his waist and her chest...

Lizzie pulled away, and to Darcy's disbelief, didn't look at all embarrassed by what had happened.

"My apologies. It seems it is not best for me to move too quickly." Lizzie said jokingly.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Darcy muttered something or rather about it not being a big deal. Though if Charles was here he was sure his friend would strangle him for being in such a position. He really should move a little further away, or rather, get her home and get himself back to Netherfield.

While Mr. Darcy was left to his thoughts, Lizzie was inspecting the gun curiously. She popped out the part where bullets were to be loaded, and her fingers moved over the area without the man's notice. Clicking that part back into place she turned to him with a mischievous smile.

"So if I were listening correctly, all you have to do is aim, pull back the hammer and pull the trigger."

"Yes." Darcy murmured, focusing his attention back to her and his gun.

Lizzie did as she had said, aiming at a small boulder that she used to climb on top of as a child. That was, until she fell off of it and scraped her knee and hands. Focusing on her target, and listening to Darcy explain which parts were used on the gun to help guide your aim, Lizzie pulled the hammer back and squeezed the trigger.

A satisfying heavy pop sounded and a light dust coming from the rock showed her she hit her target. Though the backfire to the gun surprised her a little and she had to regain herself. Not however before Darcy furiously yanked the gun out of her hands.

Inspecting the chamber, Darcy found one more bullet inside besides the casing of the one just fired.

Confused, he suddenly looked down at his gunbelt where his bullets were there for easy access. Apparently, too easy an access because he now saw two were missing.

Darcy now realized that the accidental fall wasn't so accidental after all. He gave Elizabeth a disapproving glare.

It was returned by a smile of angelic innocence, but it also was one showing she was guilty.

"This gun, Ms. Elizabeth, is not a toy. You could've gotten hurt or worse." he reprimanded firmly.

"I know how to load a gun, sir. My father lets me tag along when he goes to shooting parties with his friends. I'm only allowed to load the guns and stay back." Lizzie looked at her hands, "Sorry for tricking you. I just wanted to try it once to see what it was like."

Darcy sighed, running his hands through his hair and putting his gun out of her reach.

"And was it what you imagined?"

"The gun is a lot heavier than I'd thought it would. I've only held rifles in the past. The backfire too was surprising."

He looked at her target, and had to admit she wasn't bad. At least, if that was her intended target.

"You were aiming for the boulder, correct?"

Lizzie nodded, looking at the said object, "I fell off of it once and never liked it since. This makes us even now."

Darcy did his best not to smile, but he felt the corner of his mouth turning up slightly. Getting to his feet, he offered her his hand to help her stand. She accepted and soon she was on her feet again.

Bringing Maxine closer, Darcy patted the side of his horse before turning to assist Ms. Elizabeth.

She arched an eyebrow at him, "Do you think I am so helpless that I cannot mount a horse, Mr. Darcy?"

Darcy looked at her gown, but refrained from pointing out the difficulties in mounting side saddle without assistance. He stepped back and watched her hobble closer to the stirrup. As she held onto the saddle and tried to lift a leg, she found obstruction below and looked down.

Lizzie let out a groan, wanting to chastise herself for forgetting she was in a dress and also for now looking like a complete fool for now having to ask for help.

"Mr. Darcy-"

"Ms. Elizabeth," Darcy interrupted her, "though I don't appear it, I am a gentleman and as such, have been brought up to help young ladies and I should be in trouble if you would not let me assist you into the saddle."

Lizzie blinked in surprised confusion that he was offering again, this time to save her the embarrassment of having to ask.

"Thank you." she dipped her head.

Darcy moved to stand in front of her and placed his hands just above her waist. Her hands were on his shoulders. The whole thing was awkward really. Darcy wasn't sure where to look, but it wasn't safe from this close position to look down. Elizabeth was taking a keen interest in anything but his face. The thin fabric separating him from her skin was apparent to him, and he could feel her fisting his jacket anxious to get this over with.

Lifting her up was easy. She weighed little more than his sister and soon Elizabeth was in the saddle.

Lizzie hooked a still trapped leg over the horn of the saddle so as not to fall off.

Darcy held onto the reins and began walking his horse at a slow and steady pace back to Longborne.