Darcy looked out the window, observing the sun setting in the distance. It was finally time for them to depart. Letting out a sigh, he turned to look at the sleeping woman in the bed. He had draped his coat over her about a half an hour ago after dinner. The game of checkers with the substitute cards had been a hard battle of humility for both of them. Mostly, it was for Darcy who was unused to losing. Apparently, it was the same for Elizabeth because, with every victory she had over him, it was followed by a triumphant cheer and a demand for another game. Whenever he won, he only allowed a small smile to appear which incited the woman's anger. Evidently, it looked smug to her and she declared that it was pure luck that he had won and that she was going too easy on him, and of course they had to play again.

Darcy was pretty sure he'd be happy never to play checkers for at least a year after today.

Now she slept peacefully, and he found that he preferred her asleep then causing mischief. Though when they weren't arguing and were only talking, he found that he enjoyed her company a lot. No, it wasn't only at that time. She made everyday things seem amusing, and with every new experience for her, Darcy found himself enjoying it himself. Albeit, he'd never let her anywhere near a saloon again.

Getting up from the chair he had placed by the window, he crossed the room to the bed and shook her shoulder to wake her up.

A frown appeared on her face, though she didn't wake up. When she did open them, Elizabeth sat up and yawned.

"We'll be heading out soon. Get ready," he ordered as he moved to pack up his own belongings he brought with him.

"Can I at least wash up before we go?"

Darcy, facing away from her now, slightly turned his head in her direction in thought.

"You can wash in the basin before we go."

He heard the bed creak as she got up. She wasn't wearing her boots, so her footsteps were softer than his. There was the sound of her digging into her bag before she again moved to where the water basin was located in the room.

Elizabeth frowned at the man's back, noticing that he was making no effort to leave the room.

"Can I have some privacy?" she asked in exasperation.

"I ain't going to look."

Her eyes widened in shock, "You're planning on staying in here while I wash? What kind of sick pervert are you?"

Darcy let out another sigh, something he found himself doing a lot recently.

"My back is towards you. The mirror is right behind the water basin. You can see if I'm looking at you. I'm however not leaving the room. Not after your little escape this morning."

Elizabeth, he could hear, was muttering under her breath but didn't argue further.

Lizzie pulled off her shirt, keeping a close eye on the man's back through the mirror as she did so. She untied the wrap around her chest and then quickly began to use the soap she had to start cleaning herself.

Darcy lifted his head slightly at the scent in the air. It was lavender. He dug into his bag and removed the bar of soap he had bought earlier that day.

The man had only shifted slightly before a towel was tossed at him.

"The hell you won't look. You're trying to look now!" she accused.

Darcy decided to stop moving and just hold up the bar of soap.

"Use this. It's pine scented. So, you won't smell so much like a woman."

There was a long pause before he heard her move towards him and then quickly snatch the wrapped soap out of his hand. There was a mumbled thanks as she went back to the basin.

Elizabeth smelled the soap and was pleased it didn't stink like whatever Collins uses. It was woodsy and fresh. Something in the back of her mind informed her that Darcy used this kind and she did her best to shake the image of her using the same bar of soap he did. It made her want to clean herself all over again. Toweling herself off, Elizabeth picked up her wrap and began winding it around her chest until she was at the end. Unfortunately, Jane had tied it for her because every time she tried it came loose. The last thing she needed was for it to fall while she was riding. Looking at the reflection in the mirror, she saw Darcy was still on the ground where he had been since she began. Taking a deep breath, Lizzie pulled her shirt on, still holding the ends to the wrap, and covered herself.

"Could you um...tie this for me?" she asked though she was screaming and kicking herself internally. How she'd never be able to live this one down.

She watched cautiously as the man got up from off the floor and walked over to her. His touch made her almost shiver as he took the ends she indicated from her hands. While she watched him through the mirror, he kept his eyes on his task and quickly finished.

"Can you still breathe?" he asked.

"Yeah. I just need to make sure it's tied tight enough so it doesn't come loose."

Darcy only nodded before moving away again.

Elizabeth looked down at the pine soap and quickly wrapped it back up in its cloth.

"Oh, here's your soap back." She offered it to him.

Darcy looked at the little block in her hand, "I got that one for you. Keep it."

Elizabeth had to thank him again before placing her old soap with her new one and run her hands quickly through her hair before she was satisfied that it would lay down and then she put her hat on.

Darcy saw her move towards the door and had to intercept her. He grabbed her upper arm and pulled her to a stop before she reached for the doorknob. Stepping in front of her with his hand on his pistol, he slowly opened the door and was satisfied that it was empty in the hall.

Elizabeth rose a confused eyebrow, "O-kay, that wasn't strange behavior at all."

"It's better to be cautious than dead," he remarked as he stepped out into the hall, allowing her to join him.

"There's someone who wants to kill us... or rather you. Cause obviously I haven't done anything to upset anybody."

It was Darcy's turn to raise an eyebrow, "Really? So not the half a dozen men you got free drinks from. You don't think they'd come after you?"

She shrugged, "Why would they?"

Darcy moved her along towards Wickham's room and he knocked on it once to let the other man know they were leaving now.

"Because though they say free, they might want something in return that is not money."

Lizzie wasn't sure she wanted to know to what he was referring to, so she decided not to press him.

The three of them made their way to the livery and Lizzie handed George back his cards, boasting how many games she won against Darcy. George was highly amused at hearing this and then began sharing stories of games he used to play with Darcy and his brother when they were children.

"Wait, you have a brother?" Elizabeth asked in surprise.

"Yeah, Anthony. He's my younger twin. He can be a pain at times," George said with obvious hesitation at the notice of Darcy's composure darken. Elizabeth noticed it too, though not sure why there seemed to be a great dislike of the younger Wickham.

"Are you close to your brother like they say all twins are?"

"We had a disagreement which led to us going our own way. Or rather me going my own way," George pushed his hat a little up before he went into saddle his horse.

Elizabeth frowned, not sure why they were keeping something from her.

While Elizabeth was saddling her horse, she heard someone step into the entrance.

"Don't ever talk about his brother again. Do you understand?" ordered Darcy in a low voice.

Elizabeth stopped her preparations and glared at Darcy.

"No, no I don't understand. Because you never tell me anything," she snapped.

Darcy walked closer, forcing her to tilt her head up to look at him.

"There are things you need to know, and there are things you don't and you're just being nosy just to feed your curiosity. I suggest you abandon your search."

Annoyed at the man telling her what to do, she glared defiantly back up at him until he moved back to finish preparations with his own horse.

Every single time she thought he wasn't such a jerk and can possibly be someone she wouldn't mind traveling with, he'd shove his stick back up his ass and adjust it to being a prick.