Elizabeth tried not to think of Mr. Darcy and his relations for the next several days. She helped the Vanstones in their shop, played with Annalise, and went rambling about the country. Darcy was respecting her wish for some time, so she did not happen upon him in her walks.

The Vanstones had been very curious about what had made her wish to leave Brawnstead so suddenly, but had not demanded she tell them. She was glad for that. Mrs. Vanstone was, at least in that way, quite different from Mrs. Bennet. She would not rail against Elizabeth until she broke down and told her. She simply watched Elizabeth, her face a mixture of worry and curiosity.

Other than a note of apology the day after her departure from Lady Melbridge, Elizabeth heard nothing from the residents from Brawnstead. For this, Elizabeth was grateful. Even at church services, she did not see them, making Elizabeth think that they had chosen to attend a different parish that Sunday.

It was not until more than a se'nnight had passed that she heard anything more from the Darcys or their relations. A note, carefully written in a feminine hand, was delivered by a Brawnstead footman. Elizabeth tore it open and read,

Dear Miss Bennet,

I do not know all that has occurred, only that members of my family have wronged you and I must sincerely apologise on their behalf. I do hope that, as my brother says, you wish to continue our friendship. He understands if you wish for him and any other of our relations to not be present when you call. Mr. and Mrs. Vanstone and Miss Collins are also very welcome to join you, if it would put you more at ease. If you do not wish to come to Eastburn, there is a pleasant tearoom in Larburn, a mere four mile journey from Eastburn, where you, your relatives, and I could gather and take tea, if you wish.

Pray, respond with your answer. If you do desire to continue our friendship, pray let me know your wishes.

Yours, etc.,

Georgiana Darcy

It was quite obvious to Elizabeth that it was Mr. Darcy who had prompted Miss Darcy to write, or at least what to include in the note. Yet, she found she respected him more for it, as he had said nothing of himself except that he would absent himself if she wished it. She took up pen and paper, thinking carefully as she composed a reply.

Dear Miss Darcy,

You have no need to apologise for what your relations have done. I hold no grudge against you. I shall be very happy to continue to consider both you and Mr. Darcy my friends. I do not yet consider myself equal to visiting Brawnstead, but you and your brother are welcome to visit me as friends or perhaps we can meet at the tearoom. It sounds very pleasant. Mrs. Vanstone has told me of the tearoom in Larburn, but we have not yet had a chance to visit it. I have no set plans this week except on Thursday evening to attend the local assembly.

Your friend,

Elizabeth Bennet

Elizabeth hoped that Mr. Darcy would understand her message. She was not yet ready for him to call on her in the capacity of a suitor. Not after what he had said of her family. Yet she was not angry with him any longer. She did wish to be his friend, and his sister's, as she had told him. Perhaps in time it would become clearer how close their connection ought to be. Elizabeth was attracted to Mr. Darcy. That much was very clear to her now. It was not enough, though. What was love if he did not respect her?

Georgiana giggled. "Are you going to ever give me my note back so I may reply?"

Darcy had been pacing back and forth in the sitting room, reading the note many times, trying to decipher any hidden clues within it. He could not find any, so he assumed he must take it at face value. She was willing to continue their friendship, as she had said on the day she departed.

Darcy had been so afraid that upon further reflection that Elizabeth would wish nothing to do with him or his family. She would be well within her rights if she did, as they had treated her terribly. Between his insults and the attempted compromise, he was honestly surprised that she had not run screaming back to Hertfordshire. Darcy did not know if he could bear not having Elizabeth in his life. Even if she only ever wished to be his friend, it was something. He could no longer deny it; he was violently in love with Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

He sighed, handed the note back to his sister, and sat heavily down in a chair.

"What shall I say?" asked Georgiana.

"Write that if it is agreeable, you can meet at the tearoom on Wednesday," said Mr. Darcy, carefully considering his words as Georgiana wrote. "Ask if she prefers it to be only you and Mrs. Annesley, or if gentlemen are welcome at the tea as well. She may name the hour, if she so wishes. We can collect her, and any of her relations who wish to attend, in the carriage if it would be convenient for her and her relations."

Georgiana penned a few more lines before carefully sanding and sealing the letter. She wrote Miss Bennet's name on the front and handed it off to a footman, so it might be carried to its destination. Then she sat back, considering her brother.

"This is not just a disagreement between Elizabeth, you, and Aunt Melbridge, is it?" asked Georgiana.

"It is not. I cannot tell you everything, dearest. I fear Miss Bennet would be cross with me if I did," he answered.

Georgiana was silent a moment, then asked, "You love Miss Bennet, don't you? You have never been so careful or nervous as you are now."

Darcy raked his hands over his face. He was not glad to be so easily read by his sister. "I do. Very much. And now that this all has occurred, I am frightened that she shall not wish to see me any longer or that something else shall occur and break our friendship irreparably."

Georgiana said nothing, but went to her brother and embraced him. How strange it was to be the one giving comfort to him.

Elizabeth stirred her tea as she sat next to Mrs. Vanstone, waiting for the Darcys to arrive. The Darcys were not late. Elizabeth had asked Mrs. Vanstone if they might arrive to the tearooms early so she might calm her nerves before seeing Mr. Darcy. Such a request had led to questions, and now Mrs. Vanstone knew at least that Elizabeth was not indifferent to Mr. Darcy, Mr. Darcy admired Elizabeth, and that there had been a falling out between them. Elizabeth did not know Mrs. Vanstone well enough to trust her not to gossip about anything further.

"They have arrived," whispered Mrs. Vanstone, who could more easily see the door than Elizabeth could.

The Darcys approached, and all made polite greetings. When they settled into their seats, Elizabeth noticed Mr Darcy's tired eyes and felt a weight of sadness in her chest at the sight of him. She knew it had been their parting that had made him lose sleep. Mr. Darcy asked after the health of the rest of their family as Mrs. Vanstone poured the tea. Elizabeth reciprocated by asking after his relations.

A moment of awkward quietness ensued between them. Elizabeth looked at her hands while the Darcys took their first sips of tea. None knew what to say now that the pleasantries had been completed.

"Come now," said Mrs. Vanstone suddenly, startling Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. "Nothing will get better between you if you won't even look at each other. You don't have to talk about the quarrel, but surely you can speak of music or books."

"My brother recently purchased for me a book of Mr. Hook's compositions," offered Georgiana. Normally, she was incredibly quiet and would not speak in a situation such as this, but William obviously needed her assistance.

"He is an organist, is he not?" asked Mrs. Vanstone.

"He is, but all of his compositions have been adapted for the pianoforte," responded Georgiana.

"My Aunt and Uncle Gardiner took me to hear him perform when he was in London," said Elizabeth. "He plays with a great depth of feeling. I must confess, I do not know that his music would have the same ardency if it were on the pianoforte instead of the organ."

"It does not," said Georgiana. "Alas, I do not play the organ and Pemberley does not have one, even if I did play."

"We could purchase one if you wish," offered Darcy.

Georgiana shook her head. "You just bought me the new pianoforte!"

Elizabeth laughed at the siblings as they continued to bicker, for it reminded her very much of her own siblings, but without the biting edge that often was present. "I shall become homesick for my siblings if you two continue," she said.

With the tension broken, they continued on through their tea quite pleasantly, discussing music, books, and the assembly upcoming the next day.

"Brother says I can attend since it is only a country assembly, but I can only dance with relations. As only he, Richard, and Andy are to attend, I shall be quite limited in my dancing," said Georgiana.

"Well, as I shall be acquainted with but few people, I am certain you and I may find many things to speak of as we sit together," offered Elizabeth.

"Oh, but I am sure my brother and my cousins will dance with you as well!" exclaimed Georgiana.

Darcy did not know if Miss Bennet would wish to dance with him. After several tense moments, he said, "If Miss Bennet wishes to dance with me, I shall be certain to ask her."

"I would be glad to," said Elizabeth.

Darcy internally sighed with relief and requested the second set. Elizabeth accepted with a small smile. The group parted ways shortly after, glad to have at least made in-roads towards friendship.