Well, true to my word I am back! Hopefully this is an alright chapter after all this time and that you all like it.
The end of the week brought the return of Mr Darcy to Pemberley and Elizabeth's return to Hertfordshire.
Elizabeth was charged with the promise to write as often as possible by Charlotte, a promise which Elizabeth was more than happy to accept. With a kiss and a wave, she was on her way home, her thoughts all in a jumble as she travelled through the countryside.
She wondered how she would tell Jane about the events that had transpired in Kent and even if she would tell her, for she was reluctant to reveal the intelligence that Mr Darcy had transferred to her regarding his involvement in separating Mr Bingley from Jane.
Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, Mr Darcy's thoughts were in similar disarray, making him very glad that he would be returning to the confines of his estate. Having Richard along, Darcy thought, would provide him with a much needed distraction from his thoughts however that was not to be.
"Fitz?" Richard asked tentatively as the carriage neared town where the two would remain for a day before continuing their journey.
Mr Darcy started at the sound of his cousin's voice, for they had remained in silence for majority of the journey thus far. He glanced at his cousin, eyebrow raised, silently allowing him to continue.
"Do you think that we will see Miss Elizabeth again?" Richard asked hopefully, for the sake of his cousin who seemed quite unsettled by the question.
In truth, Fitzwilliam Darcy was unsettled by the question as he had not expected such a direct question from his cousin, at least not so soon after the events of Kent. He paused for a moment, considering the question before replying.
"I do not think there will be much occasion for it, Richard. I asked that we would be able to meet with civility which is all I can hope for now." Fitzwilliam declared, despondency overcoming him as he realised the truth of his statement.
Richard nodded before asking, "if that is the case, what was the purpose of sharing the history between dear Georgiana and Wickham with Miss Elizabeth? Surely if you believed that you would meet at the occasional ball, you would not have shared such private details."
Mr Darcy was prevented from answering his cousin by their arrival at the Darcy family townhouse. The gentlemen alighted and went inside, a footman struggling behind them with their cases.
"Shall we continue this conversation in my study?" Fitzwilliam asked in a tone that suggested a statement rather than a question. Richard nodded and followed his cousin to his study.
"Shall we continue this conversation in my study?" Fitzwilliam asked in a tone which suggested that he would not allow Richard to make any other decision.
Once safely in the sanctuary of his study, Fitzwilliam said, "I believe I only thought of her reproof of me which I sought to at least slightly remedy. By detailing my dealings with him I would be able to provide the other side of a tale that Wickham likely spun her about me. In short, I wished to clear my reputation and justify my dealings with Wickham. Believe me when I say that I would not have used Georgiana's take if I did not have need to. When we return to Pemberley, no mention of this will be made to Georgiana except by me though I hope I never have to." Fitzwilliam said in a rush, running his hands through his hair.
"I will abide your decision. It should be your tale to tell." Richard said, standing to retire to his bedroom for the evening.
Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy was thus left alone with his thoughts.
xxxxxx
Miss Elizabeth Bennett arrived at Longbourne after a long journey that had taken longer than she had wished.
Jane was the first to greet her, happy to have her sister and confidante returned safely to her. She studied Elizabeth, trying to gauge her expression however deemed it an impossible task and resigned herself to find out about Kent as she walked arm in arm with her sister.
"So Lizzy, is Charlotte well?" Jane asked, knowing that her sister would find great delight in describing the antics of their cousin William Collins.
Elizabeth smiled, "Charlotte seems to find delight in her new situation. Our cousin is the same as ever."
Jane laughed. She could well imagine the antics of their cousin.
"I am glad that you found amusement in your travels, however you seem troubled." Jane said, met her sister's eye and noticed a glimmer in her eye- perhaps guilt or remorse.
Elizabeth sighed, "Jane, I beg of you. I am well, just tired from travelling."
Jane nodded slowly, desperately wanting to know what troubled her dear sister but understanding that she would find out in due time when Elizabeth was ready to speak.
"What of you, Jane? Did all go well in town when you visited aunt and uncle?" Elizabeth asked, eager to avoid the topic of Kent for as long as possible.
At the mention of town, Jane's face fell for her journey had not been entirely successful however she quickly recovered and replied, "it was of no consequence. I was entertained well enough and aunt and uncle are such good hosts, it was hard not to be diverted."
"Have you heard from Caroline Bingley?" Elizabeth asked, hoping that Jane has heard from her.
Jane shook her head in response before saying, "I went to the Bingley townhouse but she would not see me or allow me to see Mr Bingley."
Elizabeth noticed tears glistening in the corner of Jane's eyes but decided not to comment.
"Lizzy, you would say if something happened in Kent would you not?" Jane asked, her voice sounding small as she prepared for bed.
For the second time during the course of that conversation, Elizabeth sighed, however she decided to confess everything to Jane for she was certain it would be revealed sooner or later.
"Jane, so much happened that I hardly know what to make of it. Mr Darcy was there and he was different...he, oh Jane, he proposed." Elizabeth declared in a rush before glancing at the floor.
Jane could not have been more shocked. Of all the things that her sister could have said, she would never have expected this.
"Truly Lizzy? Do be serious." Jane asked, certain that there was more to the story.
"He proposed in a most ungentlemanlike manner and thus I refused him." Elizabeth stated simply.
"Truly? I did not believe that he had any feelings for you. He never showed it." Jane said, very confused about the entire situation.
" I agree. I believed him indifferent and somewhat disapproving of me, only looking to find fault. The manner of his proposal suggested that I was correct in this at the very least, for he enumerated every reason that I would not make a good match and then still declared himself in love with me." Elizabeth replied, hoping that Jane would understand what she was feeling.
"Very well, Lizzy. Is that the whole of it?" Jane asked, for there was great tension in the air as if Elizabeth was still hiding something from her.
"Jane, if I repeated what he said you would never speak to me."
"Elizabeth, please. I am strong enough to bear it." Jane said, taking hold of her sister's hands.
"Jane, he claimed responsibility for influencing Mr Bingley to leave Netherfield." Elizabeth said, instantly regretting her decision to repeat what had been said.
Jane nodded slowly, before she said, "to remove him from me. I think I understand why you refused." Jane said, turning away from Elizabeth in an attempt to hide her tears.
Elizabeth's heart broke seeing her sister in such a state.
"Jane, I am truly sorry."
Jane nodded before climbing into bed, leaving Elizabeth to blow out the candle.