They rode on for a couple more hours, taking breaks for Elizabeth who was still tied up across her saddle. Darcy didn't untie her, but he did allow her to walk around and let her ribs relax from the uncomfortable position.

The group was seated now, Lizzie sending a glare towards Darcy, who ignored it.

"Do you want water?" he asked, holding up his canteen.

"As if I'd accept something from someone who tied me up like a criminal."

"You're right, I should just leave you on your horse. Maybe when we get into town, I'll have the sheriff lock you up for a couple of hours to cool down with the drunks."

"In Meryton? Good luck with that. People know me there. I have family in that town." Lizzie smirked.

"I know you do."

Lizzie did her best to keep a low profile as she used her knife to saw away the rope. She was almost through it. As long as Darcy didn't notice, then she could be free of it before they got back on the horses. Unfortunately, she still had to cut her legs free.

Shifting around, she tried to casually tuck her legs under herself and get into a kneeling position.

Darcy's head turned and he frowned. Getting to his feet, he walked the short distance between them and turned her over and exposed the hidden knife. He snatched it from her and sat her back down.

"You might want to change your tells when trying to pull a fast one on the same person," he snorted.

"Tells? I didn't do anything," Lizzie replied, confused what gave her away.

"The last time you were doing something you shouldn't, you shifted into a kneeling position and pretended to fall, distraction me while you took my things."

Lizzie shrugged, "If that's a tell, then I was unaware of it until now."

"Most are unconsciously done," he answered, kneeling at her feet with the knife, "Are you going to do something foolish again if I untie you?"

"Do I have a choice?" she asked archly.

Darcy cut the ropes and then finished her progress on the ones around her wrist.

Rubbing at her limbs, she expected the man to move away again, but he only squatted in front of her.

"What now?"

"You are many things, Ms. Elizabeth," Darcy whispered so only she heard him, "however, a man and an idiot you aren't."

"I'll try to take that as a compliment," Lizzie frowned.

Darcy pulled out the little trinket from his jacket pocket and held it out to Elizabeth.

Her eyes widened as she saw her watch. She took it, running her thumbs over it with obvious affection.

"I figured you didn't mean to leave this at your little camp and would want it returned. Made it too easy for me to track you, but in this case, it was in your favor I did."

Elizabeth looked up, her anger gone and was replaced by gratitude.

"Thank you. For finding my family's heirloom and rescuing us."

Darcy nodded and then looked behind him where he saw George resting on his bedroll. He then looked back to Lizzie.

"So, Elijah?"

Lizzie shrugged her shoulders, "You seemed to think I looked like an Elijah, so I went with it."

"And the whole reason you are hiding the fact that you are a female is?"

"Well, everyone seems to think it's dangerous for a woman to travel by themselves."

"It's dangerous for anyone looking your age to travel by themselves." Darcy corrected, "You are unarmed and an easy target for outlaws to just come and rob you. That is if they don't discover you're a woman. They'd hurt you, Elizabeth, and I can't have that on my conscience."

Elizabeth looked away, not knowing why she felt guilty for worrying him.

"I didn't ask for you to care." she murmured.

"Too late for that now. And Charles cares too, only he can't just up and leave his family behind."

"Yet, you aren't taking me home? What happened to you insisting I go back? I'd thought you'd drag me there regardless of what I wanted."

Darcy sighed, looking out at the open lands around them.

"I know what it's like to just want to up and leave because life can be hard and tiring, doing the same thing over again. Wishing that things were different." He looked back to meet her eyes, "But there are things in those moments worth fighting for."

Elizabeth bit her lip, eyebrows bunched together in thought.

"You really are trying to make this difficult for me aren't you, Mr. Darcy."

Darcy stood to his feet, offering her a hand up, "Like I said, I know you aren't an idiot."

She took his hand, it being much bigger than hers. They kept eye contact until she was standing up and a few inches from him. Lizzie thought again how much taller he was to her. She didn't even think she reached his shoulder. No, she definitely didn't.

"Shall we then?" he asked, giving her a half smile that made her intake a sharp breath. Lizzie hoped he didn't hear her.

When his back was to her, walking to wake up the dozing George, she placed her cool palm on her forehead.

Was she just too hot from being outdoors? Maybe it was her headache returning. Whatever it was, it couldn't have been from seeing a dimple on his right cheek.

Water, yes. She needed water to cool down.

Looking up at the sky, she estimated their arrival time with the speed they were traveling.

"We won't make it to Meryton before dark."

"That's the point," Darcy sighed as he climbed up on his horse.

Lizzie rose an eyebrow, "Is it? Why may I ask?"

"You have family in Meryton, no doubt other people who might recognize you as well. Once it's dark, they will most likely all have turned in for the night. Keeping a low profile is what you want, right?"

"Yeah, of course." Lizzie climbed on her horse's saddle, feeling better that she wasn't lying across it this time.

George pulled his horse up next to her's.

"Darcy finally let you free?"

Lizzie gave a snort, rolling her eyes, "I was pretty close to cutting myself free with my knife."

"Your knife?"

"Yeah, it's-" Lizzie then looked ahead to where Darcy was riding in front of them. He hadn't given her knife back!

George laughed loudly as he watched his companion push his horse to go faster to catch up to Darcy. The two began to argue and Elijah tried to snatch something away from the older man.

Yes, things were definitely more interesting.

They arrived in town just after the sun had set. Lizzie hadn't been in Meryton before after dark, and she felt it was a different town. She saw more jovial people, obviously drunk, walking around singing songs with slurred voices. The saloons were mostly occupied with lights streaming out onto the street.

Darcy stopped his horse in front of the livery and the others dismounted and grabbed their saddlebags and bedrolls.

"I'll see to the rooms. George, watch 'em, and don't let 'em out of your sight." Darcy ordered before looking to Elizabeth whose attention had been drawn to the scenes happening in front of the saloon where two people were fighting. "Elijah, stay out of trouble and don't drink."

"Really, Darcy, you're no fun." George huffed.

"George, it's not a difficult request. Just do it." Darcy said, waiting for the other man to nod his compliance.

The party split apart, Darcy carrying their things to the boarding house.

"So," Wickham grinned down at Lizzie, slinging an arm over her shoulder, "why don't we go see what the saloon has to offer."

"What about what Mr. Darcy said?"

"He's too uptight. Besides, you look like you can use some fun."

He marched them in the direction of the saloon and as they got closer the music got louder.

Heat poured out of the building from all the bodies inside.

Lizzie never saw the saloon in Hertfordshire so busy and it took her a while to adjust.

George seemed to fit in easily, though his nicer clothes suggested he had more money. He made his way over to a table where men were seated, dealing out cards. Wickham sat down and put an opening bid on the table.

As the game progressed, Lizzie watched over his shoulder as he won his second round.

"You're pretty good," she remarked.

"I better be after ten years of learning." He flashed her a proud smirk before concentrating back on the game.

After watching a little longer, Elizabeth grew bored of it all and moved further in the room. The bartender was cleaning glasses when she got closer.

"What be your poison?"

"Huh?" Lizzie frowned before realizing he was talking about drinks, "Oh," she looked around for an idea of what she wanted and spotted someone else's drink further down. "I'll have one of those mini drinks." Elizabeth pointed to the shot glass of whiskey.

"A shot of whiskey?"

"Yeah." She gave him a smile and dug into her pocket to produce the money to pay for it.

"How old are you son?" frowned the bartender, suspicious.

"Twenty," she answered honestly, making sure she kept up her masculine voice.

"Twenty?" repeated the man, apparently not convinced.

"I am! I just look young to everyone, but I'm all of twenty years."

That made the man laugh and he retrieved a bottle of whiskey and a shot glass. "Alright kid, here you go." When Lizzie pushed the coin across the counter, he waved it off, "I'm guessing this is your first time. On the house."

"Thanks," she smiled before picking up the small glass. Noticing she was being watched, not only by the bartender, but by some others nearby, she drank it down in one gulp.

It burned her throat and threatened to make her spit it out. Once it was down, she began coughing. A big hand slapped her hard on the back to help clear her lungs, though it stung almost as bad as the whiskey.

"The first one is always a shocker. Here, let me get you one and you can take it slow this time." volunteered the man.

Lizzie wasn't sure she wanted another one. It was only a test to see what it tasted like, and she was going to keep it a secret from Darcy. However, drinks were being pushed into her hands and she was being encouraged to try this one, 'it's not as bad tasting than the other' or the other one, 'this one has a smoother flavor'.

Darcy had washed up a little, using the water basin in the room he had put his bedroll and saddlebags in along with Elizabeth's. He wasn't about to let her out of his sight, despite her claiming to know some of the people in Meryton. The people who came out at night didn't always put their best foot forward and Darcy wasn't going to leave her unguarded when she slept. Wickham's things were placed in the other room next door and then locked up.

The first thing Darcy had to do before going to find the others, was to send a telegram to Charles. He didn't want Ms. Elizabeth to know that he was sending word of their location. Not yet anyway.

The telegram office was just getting ready to close when he entered inside, and he made quick work of his message.

Hertfordshire. Charles Bingley.

Found. In M now. With GW.

D.

Darcy was sure Charles was good enough at interpreting his messages that he wouldn't have to clarify things.

The less any prying eyes could decipher the better.

When he was satisfied with his message being sent, Darcy made his way to the saloon. He had caught a glimpse of Wickham taking Elizabeth there and he was hoping that the man was keeping an eye out for her. Knowing George's habits when it came to cards, they were inseparable.

Pushing the batwing doors out of his way, Darcy scanned the room and easily located the gambler. He was laughing and talking cheerfully with the others around his table. Darcy frowned when he couldn't find Elizabeth anywhere around that area. Looking at different tables and behind groups of men, he heard a cheer by the bar and found the small figure of Ms. Elizabeth in the middle.

A dark expression fell across his face as he moved with quick steps to the group. The fact that someone laid a hand on him when he grabbed Elizabeth's arm barely registered before he whirled around and punched them. The man who had laid his hands on Darcy was on the ground, his friends moving to help him up and go after the man who attacked them.

"Where are you trying to take the young lad there?" asked the bartender, also on the defense.

"I'm their guardian, and I'm taking them out of a building they have no business being in," Darcy growled.

Lizzie blinked several times, trying to focus her eyes on the man looming over her.

"Darcy?" She gave a little giggle, "What are you doing here? How did you find me? I thought I was so well hidden."

"Let's go," he ordered, getting a grip on her upper arm and steering her in the direction of Wickham's table.

Darcy gave his childhood friend a glare, making George wince at the realization that he had gotten distracted and hadn't been watching his charge.

"Sorry, Darce."

"You had one job, Wickham. To watch 'em," Darcy snarled.

"I know. He was right behind me for a while. He must've stepped away when I wasn't paying attention."

"Like that's a difficult task." Darcy dug into his pocket and produced the key for Wickham's room. "Figure you'd need this."

George accepted the key and then Darcy made his way to the exit with Lizzie.

"I don't feel too good." She murmured, wrapping her arms around her belly.

"Cause you drank without anything in your stomach," Darcy growled, but he wasn't angry at her. No, annoyed was more like it. Those feelings would have to be put aside however as she began emptying her stomach outside.

"Why do people drink this stuff, Darcy?" she asked, once she was finished and sitting on the edge of the boardwalk.

Sighing, he sat down next to her.

"Maybe, they do it to forget."

"Forget what?"

Darcy shrugged, "Their problems."

Lizzie stared out into the street, the shadows playing in the street fires, "Do you ever want to forget something?"

"Sometimes, but I know that running to hide in a bottle is not the way to handle them."

Lizzie finally looked up at him and he looked down to meet her gaze. She gave a weak smile, "Well, the stuff tastes awful anyway, so there's no loss."

Darcy snorted and shook his head, "Well, it was a monetary loss if anything."

"No," she shook her head, "those men all paid for my drinks."

Darcy's eyebrows went up, "Did they figure out you were a female?"

"No, they just heard it was my first time drinking, so they had me try everything, insisting it tasted better than the last."

"Did they?"

"Not if you like something that tasted like skunk piss." Lizzie laughed.

Darcy shook his head with a smile, "You're one unique woman, Ms. Elizabeth."

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I must say, if you keep saying words like that, you might become bearable." Lizzie chuckled as she got to her feet, swaying a little.

Darcy huffed and rose an eyebrow, "Bearable?"

"You know, not mad looking all the time and a downer."

"I'm not a downer," he muttered, getting to his feet.

Elizabeth tilted her head, a bit too far and gravity and the alcohol began making her fall that way. Darcy shot to his feet and steadied her.

"You're right. Not a downer... I just can't put my finger on it. I'll think of it eventually."

"I'd rather you not to try and sketch my character. Especially while drunk."

Lizzie tugged on his arm to begin walking.

Darcy didn't budge, "The room is the other way."

"Why go to bed early? Come, let's go enjoy the stars."

"We can admire them from our current position."

Lizzie pulled harder on his arm, "Come on. You say you aren't a downer."

Sighing, and not really knowing why he was letting her words get to him, he followed her. Actually, it was more like him holding her up as they walked, and she was resting her head on his arm, eyes hooded.

Darcy wasn't sure how long she was going to last before she was asleep, but figured he could humor her for a while.

She directed him to a rock just out of town and she sat down on it, patting the area next to her. Not even seeing if he did sit, she turns her eyes up towards the night sky and took a deep breath.

"It's so clear out."

Darcy sat down and looked up to see what she is referring to.

"Even with traveling around, I bet the sky will look the same no matter where you are, huh."

"You might see a different position in the stars, but I'd imagine so."

Lizzie smiled, "Today I got to do a lot of things for the first time. It was so freeing. Not including the part about being tied up though. I woke up this morning outside and got to watch the early morning sun. I got to ride and not think about having to ride back home in time for dinner. I met someone new and drank. Even though I think I'll refrain from doing that again."

Darcy watched the stars as they twinkled, thinking about his day. Though it was hectic and started out with worry and continued to have moments where he couldn't believe he wasn't just taking her home. However, maybe she had a point. Maybe he needed to try and let happiness back into his life. He gave a small smile, thinking how she, out of everyone was encouraging him to think of something besides revenge on Wickham.

"Doesn't it feel good to just be free? Just like a bird!" Lizzie continued on, throwing her arms out to the sides to imitate a bird. Darcy ducked just in time before he was smacked in the face.

He shook his head, smiling.

"If I were you, and I was a man, I'd do what I could to be happy." She murmured before closing her eyes finally and slumping over.

Darcy caught her and rested her head on his shoulder. He waited a few more minutes, looking up at the night sky praying over his sister before shifting Ms. Elizabeth into a better position before carrying her in his arms back into town.

Setting her down in bed, he pulled the covers back and removed her boots and jacket. Lizzie didn't wake up but rolled over, tucking her hands underneath her head. Darcy looked down at the image she made and gently stroked her cheek before he could stop himself.

Leaning over, he daringly placed a light kiss on the top of her head before stepping away.

Going over to his bedroll, Darcy turned down the lamp before getting under his covers.