Dedication: Ahhh, to my lovely reviewer A. Y. F. for guessing correctly first.

Thanks also to Erinn for providing reviews and guesses.

A/N: Okay, here's the next chapter. I liked writing in the new format so much that I decided to keep going and perhaps have a few letters later on (as there are a large number in the book itself). Enjoy and please review!

Love Letters to Mr Darcy

Chapter 5: Flight

Lizzy jumped up, scattering blanket and cushions everywhere and snatching up a dressing gown from a nearby chair.

"Mr Wickham!"

He opened his mouth to protest. It concerned her; on the rare occasion on which she, Fitzwilliam or Georgiana were forced to grace Mr Wickham's presence(usually in the presence of Jane and Bingley), he requested that they become on first name terms. Georgiana – too polite to decline – had reluctantly agreed although Lizzy and Darcy continued to hold firm. Yet it seemed on even as desperate an occasion as his riding to see her, he insisted upon this hypocrisy!

"Mr Wickham. What is the-"

Mrs Reynolds rushed in,

"Excuse me, ma'am – sir please wait downstairs this is not – so sorry ma'am, please sir!"

Seeing Lizzy and Mr Wickham already engaged in – albeit tense – conversation, she curtsied and walked gracefully out of the door, so composed that Lizzy was sure it was an act.

"It's Jane," he said hurriedly, walking quickly towards her. She backed instinctively away from him. "She… and the doctor… She asked to see you first."

"Where is she?"

"At Netherfield. They -"

"Intended to move closer to us, yes I know. Mrs Reynolds!"

Lizzy wrenched open the door and saw the plum housekeeper nearly flying towards her. Panting, she asked,

"What is it, my lady?"

"Please organise a carriage quickly. I must go to Jane."

"But, my lady -"

Lizzy fixed her with a stern look.

"If you know but your suspicions have not yet been confirmed then you have no reason to prevent me."

"It is raining too heavily."

"I will not let such a little thing as the weather stand between myself and my sister when she is in need of my help!"

Lizzy's voice grew as did her desperation to reach her beloved sibling.

"Then, of course my lady."

She strode away as Lizzy stared after her before stepping back to the company of Mr Wickham.

"I thank you for this… news but I must dress and reach Jane with all haste. You are welcome to stay but one night in the guest quarters. I can offer you no more. You are not to speak to Georgiana or Fitzwilliam if he returns in my absence and you will not speak of this visit again. Now, I bid you farewell." She stood aside from the open door. As he passed her, he extended a hand.

"Lizzy -"

"It's Mrs Darcy to you," she said coldly.

Disappointed, he dropped the offered hand and stalked from the room. Slamming the door, she sank into a chair momentarily to collect her hurried thoughts before running through a side door to her chamber. There awaited the recently awoken maid, just setting out a dress.

Lizzy snatched it up, just making ti behind the recently resurrected screen before ripping off her nightgown and donning the dress with a rustle of expensive silks and petticoats. She fumbled with the ribbons at her back for a minute before – exasperated – she called for the maid to assist her. Lizzy pulled her hair out of its messy braid as the maid deftly tightened the dress eventually pulling a comb through it and wincing as the teeth caught.

Hurriedly pushing it back over her shoulders, she heard the slam of cupboard doors as the maid – Sophia; she thought her name was – searched for shoes, caught up in her mistress' haste to dress. Finally finding them, Lizzy pulled them on and sped from the room, leaving Sophia to marvel at her desperation to get to her sister.

The halls echoed with the slap of slippered feet as Lizzy ran through Pemberley, her hair falling once again about her shoulders as she went. She found Mrs Reynolds by the stables, calling orders to the tired stableboys. Seeing Lizzy, she strode over, bearing such authority that it was almost frightening.

"Nearly ready, ma'am. Well just, aha!"

The carriage was wheeled out, dark and impressive, so reminiscent of Fitzwilliam that Lizzy felt a lump rising in her already tight throat at the thought of her long gone husband.

The horses were saddled up and she climbed in, sitting on the dark seats as Mrs Reynolds tried to force her to take a blanket. Eventually – after several minutes lost in argument – the house keeper won, loading her with cushions and blankets before sending her off with a,

"Go safely, Lizzy."

She slammed the door and called to the driver to go.

As her generous figure retreated into the distance, Lizzy was astounded at her familiarity with Mrs Reynolds; she had been at Pemberley for so short a time the it still seemed alien to her, something out of reach that she had only heard of in fairytales.

And so she sat, pondering the fates of those most dear to her: Fitzwilliam, Mrs Reynolds, Bingley and – most importantly of all - Jane

A/N: Now that was one of my favourite chapters so far! I could just see Lizzy rushing about as I wrote it and – don't worry – I have already started writing the next one so hopefully it will be up within the next week. By the way, did anybody like how Lizzy used the knowledge that Mrs Reynolds only suspected to allow her to go to Jane?

Happy Holidays everybody!

Elizabeth