A/N: Okay! I'm sorry this took so long to get out! I got to the end point some weeks ago, and just kept thinking it should be longer, but couldn't think of anything to put, so I just.....ended it there, really.

In other news, no, I'm not dead (obviously) despite my lack of posts in the past few weeks. I have been unfortunately absent from my computer in multiple ways, and thus have not been able to update. To make up for it, though, I'm not only posting this, but two chapters of "A Life Without," as well! So, I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own Pride and Prejudice. That honor still belongs to Jane Austen.


Chapter 3

For the next three days, an air of anxiousness hung over Pemberley, not at all helped by Miss Bingley's attempts to pry into what was happening. During this period, Elizabeth and Georgiana spent much of their time in each other's company, getting to know each other and becoming friends.

On the third day, a letter arrived for Elizabeth in the close hand she recognized as Mr. Darcy's script. It wasn't very long, but it held all the necessary information.

Miss Bennet,

I would like to inform you that we arrived in Brighton in time. Your younger sister has been successfully retrieved, and she is currently heading to Longbourn with your father.

It appears to your uncle and myself, at least, that Mr. Wickham never intended to marry your sister. I am sorry to grieve you, but feel that you would wish to stay informed. Mr. Wickham was planning to flee Brighton, where he has racked up an unbelievable amount of debt for such a short period. Your sister would simply be brought along for the ride, so it is fortunate indeed that your sister's letter was shared.

Mr. Gardiner and I will be returning to Pemberley shortly. I hope all is well there.

Yours, etc.,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Elizabeth could barely contain her joy. Lydia was safe and they were coming back. Somehow, she couldn't tell which one gave her more pleasure. She was universally thankful that her sister was well and returning home, but she so looked forward to seeing Mr. Darcy again as to rival her gratefulness. After a few minutes' search, Elizabeth found her aunt and related the good news.

"Thank goodness your sister is safe," Mrs. Gardiner said with a sigh of relief.

The gentlemen arrived early the next morning, before anyone was awake. When Elizabeth came downstairs, it was to find her uncle and Mr. Darcy deep in a discussion about a book they had both read. Mr. Darcy noticed her first.

"Miss Bennet," he said, standing. "Good morning. How are you today?"

Elizabeth smiled. "I am fine, thank you," she replied. "How are you?"

"Very well," Mr. Darcy said.

"Hello, Elizabeth," Mr. Gardiner greeted his niece.

"Hello, Uncle. And how are you?"

"I'm very well, thank you."

They stood in a slightly awkward silence for a moment until Mr. Darcy offered Elizabeth a chair. She sat down gratefully, and a servant came out seconds later bearing more food. The three continued eating what was now a companionable silence, until Miss Bingley arrived. She filled the room up with chatter, idle gossip that none of them wanted to hear.

It was a little while before Georgiana, escorted by Mr. Bingley, came into the room. She sat down next to Elizabeth, with Bingley on her other side, across from Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Darcy, and Miss Bingley, respectively. The conversation got a bit more engaging, and soon the rest of the party joined them.

After breakfast, Miss Bingley invited Elizabeth to walk around the grounds a bit with her. Though apparently astonished, Elizabeth agreed. Darcy watched the two leave, wondering absently why she went. Georgiana stepped up to him, slipped her arm through his, and smiled at him.

"Would you fancy a walk, brother?" she asked.

"Yes, as a matter of fact," he answered, "I would very much fancy one."

The two siblings bid adieu to the remainder of the party, who were all busy discussing plans for the day, and left.

"Have you asked Miss Bennet to invite her sister yet?" Georgiana asked once they had left the house.

"No," Darcy replied. "I haven't gotten a chance."

Georgiana smiled softly. "So you make a chance, brother. Do what Miss Bingley did; invite her on a walk. That will definitely give you an opportunity."

Darcy was thoughtful for a short time, and the two walked on in silence. "Do you think it will work?" he asked eventually.

Georgiana smile. "Of course it will, but, dear brother, I'm afraid that you are going to need to work on adding self-confidence to your list of virtues."

Darcy grinned at his sister, and kissed her forehead. "I'll try," he promised.

Wandering arm in arm with Caroline Bingley around the grounds of Pemberley was almost pleasant. Elizabeth would have said that it was nice, had it been anyone other than Caroline, but the other woman's ceaseless chatter prevented it from being so. The natural sounds of the world, the water flowing, the birds chirping, the wind blowing through the trees, were drowned out by gossip too outrageous to be true, inquires after her family that were followed by absolutely no time to answer, and admiration for the grounds that seemed stilted and borrowed from someone else.

Elizabeth half-listened, giving no answers because none were needed, and looked around the grounds. She wondered what Miss Bingley would say if she knew what had passed between Elizabeth and Darcy back in April, what Miss Bingley would say if she knew what was in Elizabeth's heart now.

It wasn't very long before Miss Bingley steered them back in the direction of the house, her voice still not stopping. When they reached their destination, they parted, Elizabeth thanking Caroline, and almost making it sound sincere, for the wonderful walk and the lovely conversation. Miss Bingley, however, did not seem to realize that she was being laughed at, and said, in a condescending tone, "Anytime, Miss Bennet. I would be glad to offer my services."

Elizabeth could do nothing but nod, not trusting herself to speak for fear of laughing out loud. The two women parted ways.