A/N: Yes I know this chapter is short and that it's been a while since I've posted and you deserve more, but work is slowing down my creative juices and I'm working on a project as an illustrator for a book. (Putting that college money to good use *thumbs up*) Decided it was time to step back and take a look at some of our old friends and new ones...

As time passed with her sister not around to keep her company, Jane was appreciative of Charles's presence. The gentleman would call on her at home or escort her through town while she was out running errands. He kept her updated on his friend and her sister's exploits.

"Have you ever thought about traveling?" she asked him one day, "Like your friend I mean."

Charles's brows furrowed in thought, "When I was still at the university, but since then I've done my fair share of traveling. Darcy has described me as a man who would get up and do anything in an instant." He chuckled at this past memory, "I confess I do come off as very impulsive at times."

"Do you? I hadn't noticed." Jane answered honestly.

Charles gave her a warm smile, admiring the way she blushed in response and looked down at the basket in her hands.

"Has your sister written to you?" Charles changed the topic, wanting to get Jane speaking again.

"Yes, she seems to be having fun. Though some of the things she recounts have me worried for her safety and her reputation if she ever did wish to marry later on."

"I'm sure with Darcy with her, Lizzie is as safe as she would be at home. He takes prodigious care of those who are under his protection. No harm will come to Lizzie."

His reassurance made Jane look up to meet his eyes with a grateful smile. It made his heart skip a beat.

Stopping, which in turn made Jane stop beside him, he turned and held one of her delicate hands.

"Miss Bennet. Jane. I know we have not known each other for a very long period of time, but I wish, I would very like, you to consider me serious in my pursuit of you. If I may be so bold," He lowered himself onto one knee, making Jane gasp in surprise and drop her basket of flowers, "I would like to offer my hand in hopes that you could see yourself marrying such an impulsive stranger who can no longer find meaning in life without you. Please, will marry me and make me the happiest of men."

Jane's free hand covered her mouth, hiding half her face. Her chest heaved from the excitement. She wanted to laugh, to cry, to squeal yes.

Charles stayed on one knee, grinning like a fool himself, chuckling until Jane was able to bob her head in the affirmative.

Standing to his feet, he brought the hand he was still holding up to his lips and kissed it affectionately. He then kissed her cheek and then the other before he felt bold enough to steal one kiss on the lips quickly. They held hands then, Charles picking up the fallen basket and retrieving the flowers that had fallen out. The happy couple continued their way to the top of the hill which had been their destination.

Jane's joy was unmatched, and she couldn't imagine herself happier...except.

Her joy dampened a little. Charles, giving her every attention, noticed the worry that was barely detectable in her brow.

"Is everything alright? Have I done something to offend you?"

"No, no everything is well. It's just...I had always wished, had dreamed, that Lizzie would be there with me when I got married. I can't imagine her not being there, and I know she would want to be present."

Charles saw her point and then came up with an idea.

"I shall send a telegram to Darcy. I cannot imagine not having him stand up with me as my best man. He will surely be able to get your sister and himself back well in time before the wedding."

The mention of the wedding made the couple smile at each other once more, and Charles gave her hand a little squeeze.

"Everything will turn out well, you'll see."

Caroline Bingley was incensed. She had never been more displeased in her life! Well at the present part of her life.

The whole point of her coming out west to this "Godforsaken part of the country", was to gain favor in Darcy's eyes. He would see how well she suited to the role of mistress of large households and then he would be bound to propose to her, as the only suitable choice for miles.

To have Mr. Darcy taken away from her no sooner after she had arrived by a country bumpkin! It was insupportable! What was worse now, her own brother was practically engaged to her country bumpkin's sister.

Yes, she had to admit the older sister was quite pretty and held better manners than the rest of the townspeople she had to endure, but that was beside the point.

Caroline looked to her sister for help on the matter.

"I don't see what you can do, Caroline. Darcy isn't even here anymore." Mrs. Louisa Hurst said tiredly, fanning herself while reclining back on one of the sofas in the room. She wasn't appreciating the heat of the west.

"I know! There must be some way to get him to come back!" Caroline paced the room in great agitation.

"I don't see how that can be conspired to happen."

"His sister perhaps!" Caroline turned to her sister in satisfaction.

Mrs. Hurst shook her head, "The girl has a chaperone as well as her cousin who would give Mr. Darcy notice if something were to happen to her."

"Perhaps an urgent message from Charles then."

"Saying what?"

"Oh, anything! That he gave up this foolish idea of living here and that he is going back east with us. Surely with Charles no longer here Darcy is bound to return to collect what he left behind."

"Did he leave anything behind?" Louisa furrowed her brow questioningly.

That made Caroline pause for a second, "It doesn't matter. With Charles no longer here to support the Bennet family, Mr. Darcy would feel no obligation to continue to put himself in the company of that Bennet girl."

"And when he should return to find Charles still here..."

Caroline shrugged, "Charles can just say whatever he does, maybe we can convince him to go back east and there will be no lie in our scheme. Mr. Darcy knows how impulsive Charles can be if our brother says he is staying."

Louisa shook her head, "I just hope you are considering everything."

"I have considered everything." Caroline lifted her chin, "Even if Mr. Darcy fell for the schemes of that Elizabeth Bennet, she can hardly be anything than a passing fancy. He will have his way with her and discard her if he hadn't done so already. She has nothing really to recommend herself."

Louisa was about to something in response to this but the sound of the front door opening, and quick footsteps ceased their discussion.

Charles entered the room, face bright and smile wild as he could hardly stop moving from his clear excitement.

"Sisters, I ask that you wish me joy for I am to be the happiest of men."

Caroline and Louisa looked at one another before looking back at their brother.

He had been patiently waiting, biding his time for a moment to act. So far, he found little openings to put his plan into action, but he was a patient man when it came to revenge. Out of all the ways he had thought to hurt his old friend, this was by far the cruelest yet!

Oh, he could see everything lining up so perfectly. It was almost time for him to make his appearance.

But had to be careful, he couldn't have him spoil things, the traitorous bastard!

He watched from a distance as the small figure walked between the two tall men, his hungry eyes following them in particular as they were ushered by strong arms towards the boarding house. The taller man dressed in black, giving one last glance around before following the smaller figure inside.

Soon, he thought. A grin played at his lips as he played with the knife in his hand.