Elizabeth stepped down from the carriage on the cold February day, the sun shining above her. Longbourn was presented before her and the calm was ever so deceiving, as she was about to ruin it all. Linens hung out on lines and the geese frolicked about, causing a loud ruckus. All that Elizabeth could think was how very small it now appeared, after living at Pemberly for nearly two years. And yet, Longbourn would always hold a dear place in her heart.

She paused on the doorstep and peered into Papa's study, watching him reading and when he glanced up, she smiled sadly and waved, wishing that she could be there on happier terms.

The door seemed to be thrown open and by the squeals of delight from both Kitty and Mama, it seemed that her presence was quite well-welcomed. She was nearly tackled to the ground with hugs while Mary lingered behind them and from the study, Papa's voice could be heard, calling out, "Who is it, my dear?"

"It's your daughter!" Mama shouted back, gleefully. "Oh, Lizzy, it is so good to see you! Tell me, how is my grandson, how is William? Is he here?"

Elizabeth shook her head, taking her Mama's hands. "No, Mama, he is not with me. He's with Darcy at the Bingley estate."

"Oh?" Mama inquired, rather fretfully.

"Have you come to invite us to Pemberly?" Kitty asked excitedly. "Will there be a ball?"

"I rather hope not," Mary murmured her displeasure. "It would be a disappointing event if the first time we were to all visit Pemberly was for such an event."

Kitty stuck her tongue out at her younger sister and skipped about Elizabeth, almost in a mirror image of what Lydia might do. "Oh, do say it's a ball!" she hoped, giggling happily. "Perhaps at the Bingleys? Has Jane given consent?"

At the very mention of Jane's name, Elizabeth's stomach seemed to turn and her voice disappeared all of a sudden and she could not bear to smile when she knew how dire the situation was. Instead, she focused on taking a deep breath and leading her family inside the drawing room, grateful that Papa was curious enough to inspect the commotion (and to press a kiss to her hair, something that calmed Elizabeth exponentially).

She looked around, fearful of what her news would do, and it seemed that Papa instantly knew something was amiss.

"I've come with terrible news," Elizabeth confessed. The look on her face must have told the news before she could even derive the words to say and Mama's mood immediately faltered and Elizabeth did hate to cause her such pain.

It seemed almost as if time itself froze all about her and her exhalation sounded so loud that it might cut through glass. She knew that she was walking forward and sitting down in the midst of the fainting sofa with Kitty on her left and Mama on her right and she could faintly recall speaking the words, the dreadful and horrid words that Jane was missing and they hadn't an idea where.

She knew she'd done these things, but for the life of her, Elizabeth could hardly remember actually doing it.

She sat there, shock-still as Mama nearly did faint and Kitty cried in shock and Mary sat much the same as Elizabeth in quiet contemplation while Papa busied himself about, muttering to himself about letters that must be written.

"Oh! My Jane!" Mama fretted. "My dearest Jane!"

Papa did not appear quite consternated, but one look in his direction from Elizabeth showed her that he truly was in the midst of many thoughts and that he would not rest lightly. "Papa," Elizabeth pleaded. "Papa, we must find her. We must rouse Uncle's help and we must find Jane."

For once, it seemed as though he was not to take a grave situation lightly.

"Of course, Lizzy," he concurred, mulling it over. "We shall depart immediately. My dear," he said, this to Mrs. Bennet, "watch the girls. It would hardly do to lose more than one in one week."

"Mr. Bennet, do not be so cruel!" Mrs. Bennet wailed, a hand to her chest. "Oh, my nerves! You do know what you do to my nerves."

But Papa was hardly listening, as he was already grasping his things. "Come, Elizabeth. I have a daughter to find."

Darcy did not feel as though he had been surrounded in so many books since his days at university. They appeared to be everywhere around him, as though inescapable. William had been taken by one of the maids for his nap and to leave Darcy in incomparable quiet to do his research through pages and pages of Bingley the Senior's journals.

There were mundane details, facts of the children. In fact, Darcy did think he could have gone the whole of his life without knowing that Caroline, as a child, preferred silk to linens and that she took a liking to sucking upon her thumb. The more interesting facts were about young Charles, however, who had a tendency to make up games in which he rescued the princess from dragons and sudden danger; her knight in shining armour.

It was almost a sad irony, then, that Bingley was off trying to do the very same for his actual Princess and wife.

"Here we are," Darcy mumbled to himself, as he came upon the records of the time of Mrs. Townsend's employment, finding references to the events the servants of the house had first spoken of. It was quite true to all the stories, but in these private journals that seemed to be for only the eyes of him, there was a startling new discovery.

One that truly, might affect both Bingley's journey and Jane's fate.

He penned the letter for i immediate /i post, two to be sent to Elizabeth and Bingley as swiftly as possible:

Dear Charles,

New findings have resulted in what I think is a grave situation for you to be in. It appears as though your father may have had a dalliance with Mrs. Townsend and I have found several references within his private journals as to the possibility that he may have rendered her with child.

It does not continue to say whether the child was birthed or lost, but I believe that it is a potential hazard, as this woman may be quite dangerous to you and Jane, both, especially if the Townsends are seeking compensation for the damage down to their marriage, their jobs, and to their own well-being.

Write back swiftly, if you can. I have sent a duplicate of this letter to Elizabeth in the hopes that she may aid you if you are in need of it. She is at Longbourn, encouraging her family to help in the search.

I shall continue to search for Jane in more local areas.

Yours sincerely,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

With the letters sent out, Darcy could only watch the carriages go, standing by the window and surrounded by his books. He felt quite useless and more than anything, he wished to be in London, to aid Charles in whatever troubles he was investigating.

tbc

Thank you so much to those who have been reviewing, particularly Bubbly Spirit and cancat90. I've been slowing down to try and see if I should focus on some areas more than others and have got the next part almost done (I hope!). Please do review if you read because it helps me to know what parts people are enjoying!