A/N: Sorry everybody that this took so long but… errr (shuffles feet and looks at the ground in shame) I couldn't bring myself top write this chapter. I still feel horrible for it but please make it better by perhaps reviewing?

Disclaimer: Sadly, and owing to a problem with time and the universe in general, I do not own Pride and Prejudice or any of the other works of Jane Austen. I do however own a lot of the misery placed upon the characters in this particular chapter and a very well thumbed copy of the text [Pride and Prejudice that is prone to fall apart at odd moments. There, happy now?

Love Letters to Mr Darcy

Chapter 6: The Mystery of Jane

The carriage rattled through the countryside, drawing ever closer to Longbourn. Lizzy sat, occasionally fidgeting with the mountain of cushions and blankets surrounding her. Many of them had been cast aside, as useless as she thought of the rain that hounded the moving countryside about her. Yet she kept one or two as the cold seeped through the thick walls of the carriage. Normally it wouldn't have bothered her: she had walked through worse when he beloved sister had merely a cold. But now was different; there was more than just her to protect. She smiled to herself as she was jostled about as the carriage flew over a particularly rough patch of ground, eventually sending her flying out of her seat into the padded wall opposite with a dull thud. The driver – a rather deaf fellow who went by the name of Walter – took no notice of Lizzy's fall, instead continuing to drive into the night as his mistress collapsed behind him.

Lizzy awoke several hours later in the still moving carriage with a throbbing head and churning stomach. Fingering her skull, she discovered a large spreading bruise that was luckily hidden by her long hair. Looking about, she found herself unceremoniously sprawled on the floor amid a tangle of blankets. The early morning son was peeking through the curtains as her worry for Jane returned. Scrambling gracelessly onto her former seat, she noted that they were almost as Netherfield, having been travelling throughout the night. Thank goodness for when they move closer, Lizzy thought as they finally pulled into the fine grounds.

Even this early – in the event of the apparent emergency – all the lights of Netherfield seemed to be lit, sitting eerily above the rest of Longbourn. She was greeted by merely a harassed maid, who directed her to the far most wing of the house which, she new recalled, had been re-decorated for Jane as a wedding present from Bingley.

Lizzy swept through the long halls, her travelling cloak – still attached – billowing out behind her. Reaching the entrance to Jane's rooms, she discovered Bingley lying exhausted by the door with a covered tray beside him. Bending down, Lizzy gently shook him awake.

"Jane?"

"I'm just going in now," she soothed.

"Oh, Lizzy." He visibly relaxed but she could see the anxiety still clear on his face. "Go! Go!"

Lizzy pushed open the door to find the room well lit and silent but for the gasping breaths of Jane, tears rolling down her face even as she slept. It pulled at Lizzy's heart to see her beloved sister in such pain. Kneeling by the bed on which Jane lay, she tried to rouse her.

"Jane… Jane, please wake up. Bingley's so worried – oh, Jane!"

Jane had awoken to reveal terrible bloodshot eyes that immediately filled with tears at the sight of Lizzy.

"Jane, what is it!?!"

Lizzy's voice filled with desperation as her sister stayed silent. Jane pulled herself up, leaning wearily against the ornate bed frame and not seeming to care that her disorderly hair fell in a tangled mess down her back and her nightgown was horribly dishevelled.

"What happened?"

Tears now flowing unchecked down the two sisters' cheeks, Jane told of the nightmarish day and night.

She had been feeling less than herself the past week and when Bingley was finally informed of it he immediately sent for a doctor.

Lizzy gave a weak chuckle at this and Jane managed a small smile at the expense of her husband.

The doctor had soon visited with discretion so as not to alert her mother who would most likely take it as a sign to come to Netherfield.

"Which is part of the reason for taking another estate," Jane said tiredly and Lizzy was amazed by the change in her sister who usually refused to given even an indication of wanting to criticise her family.

The doctor then told her that she was unable to have children.

At this, Jane broke down completely, throwing herself into Lizzy's embrace, wracked with soba. Lizzy attempted to comfort her grieving sister although she herself was shocked and heart broken that this could ever happen. For this to be forced upon dear Jane who would make the best of mothers was so heart wrenching that she too began to sob, trying to do so quietly. She held Jane as she cried herself out until she eventually pulled back and gave a weak chuckle as she wiped her face.

"I am being… silly. What will Charles think….?" Jane's face once again sunk and she covered her face with her hands in her misery. Lizzy rushed forward to reassure her.

"He will love you no matter of you bear him an heir or not. You know that so be assured – he will be more worried about you. He is desperately worried; why, I found him lying right outside your door!"

The sisters giggled at Bingley's expense as Jane began to calm down which Lizzy saw as remarkable given her recent news.

"We will always have nieces and nephews," Jane said hopefully, more to lift her spirits and reassure herself than anything else.

"That's better."

But Lizzy could say no more as she pressed her hand to her mouth to prevent herself from wrenching right there and then.

"Lizzy, are you alright?"

She looked up to see the worried face of Jane.

"You should not be worried about me, dear sister. Worry about all but me. I have never been in better health."

Lizzy leapt up and strode to the door, pulling it open and picking up the covered tray by Bingley who had fallen back asleep[, propped against the ornate leg of a side table - as much to revive Jane as to distract her sister from pressing more of her health.

"Here, eat something."

She laid it before Jane and took her place once again by her sister.

Jane looked at her suspiciously but dug into the now cold food, obviously having not eaten. Once she had had a hearty amount, Lizzy asked tentatively,

"Shall I let Bingley come in now? You gave him a dreadful fright."

Jane's eyes saddened and Lizzy felt immense guilt at causing her sister such pain.

"Yes, do ask him to come in." Jane sighed deeply and tried to smooth out her hair and nightgown at once. "I'm as will as I'll ever be."

"Eat some more and he'll be in in a moment.' Lizzy said firmly as she once again went to the door, striding out into the corridor to find Bingley now awake.

He scrambled to his feet and darted in to see his wife. Lizzy closed the door to give them some privacy. Proceeding down the corridor, she saw that some of the curtains had been drawn back to allow the morning sun to shine merrily through, oblivious to the horrific night Jane had endured, waiting feverishly for her to arrive. By the time Lizzy arrived in the main part of the house, she had been spotted by the Bingley's house keeper who insisted on handing her cloak to one of the maids for which Lizzy was most grateful as it was becoming stifling. She was led into the dining room to find none other than Lydia – of all people – sitting arguing with one of the maids.

A/N: I had to cut this chapter to allow for a longer story so the ending is going to be in the next chapter which is therefore already written so expect it soon! Again, apologises about the delay but could anyone tell me what Mr Wickham's first name is? The next chapter will be dedicated to anyone who pressed that inviting little blue button in the corner…

Elizabeth