A/N: So I decided to be oober nice and upload another chapter because I felt bad about waiting ten days in between chapters. Plus, Chapter Seven has kind of an awkward ending, and I didn't want to leave you guys feeling like that. Thanks to reviewers and please read and heed the next authors note.

Last time in An Impossible Treasure...

Georgiana was a little surprised to receive a letter from Elizabeth asking her what her summer plans were. Elizabeth knew that she returned to London every summer, but this year was different. Georgiana was headed to Ramsgate to enjoy the seaside. What confused Georgiana the most was when a footman refused to leave without the letter saying that those were his orders and he was forced to obey them. Georgiana handed him the letter and began to pack her things to leave in the morning.

Chapter 8

A/N: Just want to mention that (with the mention of slavery in the next paragraph) I am not racist. I have nothing against African Americans or anyone of any other race. I'm thinking about the times and how it would feel to be around someone who didn't look like you especially since these people basically lived in a bubble where the dominant countries were America, the UK, France, Spain, and Germany, all countries which were predominantly white at the time.

Elizabeth was excited to go to Ramsgate. She had not spent more than a week in her townhouse before she left it again. She had gotten used to running a household after Johnathon's death in Virginia, but it would take some time to get used to not having as many servants to deal with, and lord knows Elizabeth was glad to be rid of the slaves. They always seemed to work so hard, and they made Elizabeth nervous. She wasn't used to seeing people with skin so dark.

The journey to Ramsgate had been pleasant, but Elizabeth was glad to be out of the carriage. She had taken a room in the same Inn as Georgiana, and she asked one of the workers there if Georgiana was in.

"Miss Darcy?" he asked. "No ma'am, she went to the seaside nearly a half hour ago. She should be just down the road."

Elizabeth thanked the man after retrieving directions for where she was going. Noting that it was not a long distance from the Inn, she decided to go and see Georgiana on foot. When she arrived at her destination, she did not see the young girl at first. After looking down by the rocks a bit, she spied the girl standing on the rocks alone. There was an older woman near the top of the rocks whom Elizabeth assumed to be her companion. In the distance she could see a man walking determinedly in the direction of her friend. Knowing how inappropriate it would be for Georgiana to be alone with a man she was not engaged to, and Elizabeth knew that Georgiana was not engaged for she would have mentioned it in one of her letters, Elizabeth quickened her pace and reached the girl first. As the two friends hugged, Elizabeth saw the man retreat. She smiled with satisfaction.

"Dear Lizzy, why did you not tell me that you would be returning?" Georgiana asked as the two parted.

"I wanted to surprise you," Elizabeth said.

"Well you have succeeded, and a most wonderful surprise it is!" Georgiana smiled and said, "Lizzy, as glad as I am to see you, I must say that I am meeting someone."

"Who?" Elizabeth asked.

"George," Georgiana said. Then she covered her mouth as she realized how informal it was and corrected herself. "Mr. Wickham."

"I see," Elizabeth said. "Do you and this Mr. Wickham have an understanding with each other? I never remember you mentioning him in your letters."

"This has been very recent, and we do have an understanding with each other…sort of."

Elizabeth's inquisitive gaze was all that Georgiana needed to continue. "Mr. Wickham has proposed, and I have accepted, but he seems to want everything to be kept a secret."

"How so?" Elizabeth asked.

Georgiana seemed hesitant but then said, "Elizabeth you are my dearest friend, and I trust you wholeheartedly. Please offer me some advice?" Elizabeth nodded. "I do not know what Geor…Mr. Wickham is truly feeling. He says he loves me, and there is truth in all of his looks. But he will not go to my brother for permission saying that my brother would not approve of the match because of the lack of fortune.

"Then he said that we must elope. It all sounded so romantic and true at the time that I did not question it and agreed. Now I am not so sure. What do you think?"

Elizabeth thought for a moment before saying, "I do not believe that this Mr. Wickham loves you." Georgiana looked a bit put out, but Elizabeth continued. "I do not mean to be so frank, but Georgiana think about his actions and words. He says that he will not go to your brother because he knows that your brother would refuse him because of his lack of fortune. I do not believe your brother capable of such things, and I also believe that there is another reason as to why your brother would refuse Mr. Wickham."

Georgiana nodded in understanding and Elizabeth went on. "Your brother is a great man, and from what you say, it seems as though you barely know this Mr. Wickham. If Mr. Wickham loved you as much as he says he does, he would know that you are not worthy of an elopement. You deserve something much better. But this all basically comes down to one question. Who do you trust more: Mr. Wickham or your brother?"

Georgiana smiled and said, "My brother. Thank you Lizzy, you have been a great help and a true friend. The next time I see Mr. Wickham, I am breaking off the engagement." Just then they heard Georgiana's name being called. Both girls looked over to the top of the rocks where Elizabeth had descended from and saw Fitzwilliam Darcy standing there. Elizabeth could not see his face, but she knew it was him by his posture.

"Come Lizzy!" Georgiana said excitedly. "I know my brother will be as happy to see you as I!" The young girl rushed up as safely as she could to see her brother with Elizabeth trailing slowly behind. She took in deep breaths and slowly released them as she prepared to see the man she loved for the first time in five years.

"Brother," Georgiana said as she affectionately hugged her elder sibling. Once they parted she looked behind her. "Look brother! Look who has come!"

Darcy looked in the same direction as his sister and his eyes widened. He saw Elizabeth walking towards them. With the sun reflecting off of her delicate brown hair, she looked like heaven. She had definitely matured over the course of five years, but that is to be expected.

"Eliz…Lady Ashby," Darcy said as he released a hold on his sister to bow politely. Elizabeth, not noticing his near blunder, curtsied back. "It is just Mrs. Ashby now, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said. "Since my husband had no children to pass his title to, it passed from him to his younger brother."

Darcy nodded in understanding and said, "This is indeed a most delightful surprise. When did you return to England?"

"Barely a week ago," Elizabeth replied. "I would have stayed in my townhouse, but when I heard that Georgiana was in Ramsgate, I could not help but come and see her immediately."

"When do you return to London?" Georgiana then asked.

"In a week," was the answer. "I cannot stay away from my new duties for too long."

"What a coincidence," Georgiana said. "That is when I am to return as well."

The three spent the day together amicably. It was mainly Elizabeth and Georgiana carrying on a conversation. Darcy was still in too much shock to speak with her. He thought to the necklace in his breast pocket and criticized himself for not thinking to look and see if she had her chain on. When he took the chance to glance at it, he realized that there was no chain around her neck. He felt heartbroken, but it was to be expected that she would not continue her love for five years. Did he honestly expect her to love him forever?

They dined together at the Inn that night and Georgiana retired before Elizabeth and Darcy. Once they were alone, Elizabeth immediately began speaking with him in a hushed manner.

"Mr. Darcy please forgive me, but this conversation must be had. I do not wish to ask questions of such a personal nature, but they must be addressed."

Darcy looked confused, but he said, "Mrs. Ashby, you may ask anything of me."

"Are you at all acquainted with a George Wickham?"

This was not what he was expecting, but he tried his best to maintain his features. "I believe we have already had this conversation, but it was long ago. I do not expect you to remember."

Elizabeth looked slightly confused, but suddenly his words rushed back to her. "He has many…interests and therefore he is undecided as to what he would like to do."

"Yes, I remember," she said. "You two went to Cambridge together."

"Yes," Darcy replied. "Why do you ask about him?"

"He is here."

"Here? In Ramsgate?"

"Yes, and apparently…please do not be angry with her. She is still young."

"Georgiana? What does Wickham have to do with Georgiana?"

"She fancies herself in love with him," Elizabeth said. "She told me today that she and the gentleman had a secret elopement planned. Georgiana was confused as to why they had to elope and why he would not ask for your consent. I suspected that there was more to your objection than just lack of fortune. After speaking with her, she has decided that it would be best if she broke off the engagement."

Darcy was silent with a dark look across his features.

"I hope you do not think me presumptuous," Elizabeth said quietly.

"No," he replied. "Once again, you have been a perfect judge of character. I thank you for persuading her to end it. Mr. Wickham is nothing more than a gambler and a womanizer."

Upon hearing this, Elizabeth's eyes widened, but she continued. "Forgive me sir, but I do not think that Mr. Wickham is the only one to be blamed."

Darcy looked at her curiously. "Surely you cannot mean Georgiana…"

"No, of course not," Elizabeth reassured him. "No I simply mean…the woman who rode back with us is Georgiana's companion is she not?"

"Yes," Darcy answered. "Mrs. Younge."

"She and I…we were both standing on the top of the rocks looking down at Georgiana. She was not near me, but I saw a man approaching Georgiana. I assume that he was Mr. Wickham. If I could see Mr. Wickham nearing Georgiana, then it is most certain that Mrs. Younge could as well. She did nothing to stop it. She may have something to do with it. When I reached Georgiana, I saw Mr. Wickham retreat. It is my belief that he had hoped to be alone with her."

Darcy nodded and said, "I thank you for relating this information to me, and I will act upon it on the morrow. As for now, I believe that we both need some rest."

Elizabeth agreed and the two both retired to their rooms. The next morning Georgiana came to Elizabeth nearly as confused as she had been the previous day.

"Georgiana, what is it?" Elizabeth asked her friend.

"My brother has fired Mrs. Younge," Georgiana said. "I cannot imagine why. She was an amiable enough woman, and she knew her place."

Elizabeth sighed and said, "Perhaps it is your brother's belief that she did not." Georgiana did not understand her words, but she thought no more of it. She had initially come to invite Elizabeth on a shopping day. Glad that the young girl had overcome her puzzlement so quickly, Elizabeth agreed with a smile.

A/N: again, thanks to those who've already reviewed, for those who haven't or had already, please do. I greatly appreciate it. I'm gonna need a pick me up tonight. I have icky relatives coming over that I need to please bcuz my aunt could give me a job when I'm at college cringes i really don't like them. Anyway, please review!