Author's Note: Hello reader! Sorry I have not been updating this in a while.... well, here's chapter 16!

Conceit and Contemptuousness

Chapter Sixteen

The next day I sat in my uncle's newly repaired Civic as we drove towards Pemberley. Apprehension passed through me like rising floodwater. Seeing Sam was something I definitely did not want to do today. I wasn't quite sure of how I would get along with her younger brother. But, the event was inevitable; I was going to see her today whether I liked it or not.

As we walked in through the front door, I could not help but gasp again at the splendor of Pemberley. Sam slid down the banister to greet us in a most unladylike fashion; I was only glad she was wearing walking shorts instead of a skirt. Following close behind her was the boy from yesterday.

"Freddie!" She exclaimed. "Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner! I'm so glad you came!" She pulled us all into an impromptu group hug. That was most unexpected.

The boy cleared his throat and Sam released us.

"This is my brother, Gibby," She said, motioning to the boy.

"Pleased to meet you," we replied in unison.

"Gibby, these are the Gardiners," she continued. "And this is their nephew, Freddie, my… friend." She chose her words carefully, yet still managed to look bashfully at the ground, blushing, at that last word. Gibby raised his eyebrows, and I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly.

"Well Freddie, I hope you enjoy dancing," Gibby said, and proceeded to rip off his shirt while a disco ball lowered down from the ceiling and Sandstorm played from hidden speakers. I gave Sam a questioning look.

"He likes to dance with his shirt off," she explained.

"Why am I not surprised that you would encourage such behavior?" I commented. Gibby whispered something to my aunt and uncle, and they moved to dance in the middle of the foyer.

"Between you and me," Sam whispered in my ear. "When he first exhibited random bursts of shirtless dancing, I thought he was a mermaid."

I laughed out loud. Nowhere before had I ever heard something so ridiculous.

"What?" she said. "I was an impressionable fifteen year old."

"Now it's time for a dance par-tay!" Gibby screamed as the lights turned off and the strobe lights came on. I decided to forget the others and just danced.

We extended our stay a few more days in order to visit more with the Darcys. With each passing day I found that I was feeling more and more at home with Gibby, and even with Sam. I even began to think that I could have been happy as Sam's husband. In fact, I developed the minisculest of crushes on her.

On our fourth day at Pemberley I received two letters from John, dated a day apart.

Since writing the above, dearest Freddie, something has occurred of a most unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of alarming you-be assured that we are all well. What I have to say relates to poor Lionel. An express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone to bed, from Colonel Forster, to inform us that he was gone off to Idaho with one of her models; to own the truth, with Miss Wickham! Imagine our surprise. To Kenny, however, it does not seem as wholly unexpected. I am very, very sorry. So imprudent a match on both sides! But I am willing to hope the best, that her character has been misunderstood. Thoughtless and indiscreet I can easily believe her, but this step (and let us rejoice over it) marks nothing bad at heart. Her choice is disinterested at least, for she must know my father can give him nothing. Our poor mother is sadly grieved. My father bears it better. How thankful I am that we never let them know has been said against her; we must forget it ourselves. They were gone off Saturday night about twelve it is conjectured, but were not missed till yesterday morning at eight. The express was sent off directly. My dear Freddie, they must have passed within ten miles of us. Colonel Forster gives us reason to expect her here soon. Lionel left a few lines for her husband, informing him of their intention. I must conclude, for I cannot be too long from my poor mother. I am afraid you will not be able to make it out, but I hardly know what I have written.

-John

A second letter addressed a day later still lay on the table, unread. Anxiously I opened the missive, praying there wouldn't be worse news.

By this time, my dearest brother, you have received my hurried letter; I wish this may be more intelligible, but though not confined for time, my head is so bewildered that I cannnot answer for being coherent. Dearest Freddie, I hardly know what I would write, but I have bad news, and it cannot be delayed. Imprudent as a marriage between Miss Wickham and our poor Lionel would be, we are now anxious to be assured it has taken place for there is but too much reason to fear they have not gone to Idaho. Colonel Forster came yesterday, having left Tacoma the day before, not many hours after the express. Though Lionel's short letter to Mr. F gave them to understand that they were going to Boise, something was dropped by Denise expressing that W. never intended to go there, or marry Lionel at all, which was repeated to Colonel F., who, instantly taking the alarm, set off from B., intending to trace their route. She did trace them to Clapham, but no further; for on entering that place they removed into a bus and dismissed the taxi that had brought them from Epsom. All that is known after that is, that they were seen to continue on the Olympia Road. I know not what to think. After making every possible inquiry on that side of Olympia, Colonel F. came on into Seattle, anxiously renewing them at all turnpikes, and at the inns in Barnet and Hatfield, but without any success- no such people were seen to pass through. With the kindest concern she came on to Bushwell Plaza, and broke her apprehension to us in a manner most creditable to her heart. I am sincerely grieved for her and Mr. F., but no one can throw any blame on them Our distress, my dear Freddie, is very great. My father and mother believe the worse, but I cannot think so ill of her. Many circumstances might make it more eligible for them to be married privately in town than to pursue their first plan; even if she could form such a design against a young man of Lionel's connections, which is not likely, can I suppose him lost to anything? Impossible! I grieve to find, however, that Colonel F. is not disposed to depend on their marriage; she shook her head when I expressed my hopes, said she feared W. was not a woman to be trusted. My poor mother is really ill, and keeps her room. Could she exert herself it would be better, but this is not to be expected. And as to my father, I never in my life saw more affected. Poor Kenny has anger for having concealed their attachment; but as it was a matter of confidence one cannot wonder. I am truly, dearest Freddie, that you have been spared something of these distressing scenes; but now, as the first shock is over, shall I own that I long for your return? I am not as selfish, however, as to press for it, if inconvenient. Adieu! I take up my pen again to do what I have just told you I will not, but circumstances are such that I cannot help begging you all to come here as soon as possible. I know my uncle and aunt so well that
I am not afraid of requesting it, though I still have something more to ask of the former. My father is going to Olympia with Colonel Forster instantly to try and discover him. What he means to do I am sure I know not; but his excessive distress will not allow him to pursue any measure in the best and safest way, and Colonel Forster is obliged to be at Tacoma again tomorrow evening. In such an exciglince my uncle's advice and assistance would be everything in the world; he will immediately comprehend what I must feel, and I rely upon his goodness.

-John

I was totally astounded by the news I had received. Lionel… ran away… with Miss Wickham? Surely this was a joke. I read through the letters and every inkling of doubt I had flew out the window. John was not capable of making a joke like this.

"Oh dear!" I cried, and lept from my chair to find my uncle. In my haste to find said uncle, I nearly ran over Sam as she walked in through an open door, sporting a shirt that read "Pump Up Da Fruit" . Typical Sam. Her demeanor instantly changed when she saw my pallid skin tone and anxious demeanor.

"Freddie, you look like you've been out ice fishing in Alaska for five hours. What's wrong?" She answered, concerned.

"Nothing," I answered quickly. "Tell me, where is my uncle? I must speak with him immediately about an urgent matter."

"He's with your aunt and Gibby, walking around the estate," she answered.

"Thank you," I said and ran off to get him. Or at least I tried to. I collapsed near the door.

"No, I'll send one of the servants for him. You've been traumatized by whatever's in that letter, and I won't see you hurt more." She ordered me. I sat back down in my chair, dazed.

"What is it?" Uncle interrogated when he and my aunt burst through the room.

Wasting no time, I immediately declared, "Lionel has run off with Valerie Wickham. We have no idea where they are. My father has gone to Olympia."

All three pairs of eyes widened. Wait, three? I suddenly realized that Sam was still in the room. Drat! I had just ruined any chance I had with her.

"Oh… oh," My uncle said as he struggled to find his seat. "This is most definitely not good. We'll have to leave immediately. I hope you will not take offense, Miss Darcy."

"No… none at all." She responded, distant. "If there is anything you need help with, don't hesitate to ask."

We left as soon as possible.