----------- END OF FLASHBACK ---------

Cleaning her face from the fallen tears, she silently laughed at her own silliness. She took the earlier mentioned shower, and went out following the sweet aroma of freshly made tea. Her sister greeted her with a gigantic smile, and in her hands, several sheets of Queen lyrics and expectant eyes.

"You do realize you are going to have eggs thrown at your car next time you take it out of the garage…" Elizabeth said, half wishing to skip the sisterly ritual.

"Come on, Liz, my neighbors won't say anything. Besides, we have sound-proof windows." Nothing could persuade Jane to drop the singing. Though she had a terrible voice, she was quite fond of singing, especially with her favorite sister. Elizabeth had to give in, yet not before a request:

"Jane… it's been years now since no one has called me Liz or Lizzy… Sort of, brings back bad memories you know? Please don't ask me to explain, I…" this would be hard to explain. Elizabeth never told anyone about her affair, and though clear evidence did exist of it, Elizabeth isn't a lawyer for nothing; she has managed to convince the people closest to her that what was true was actually false. "I would appreciate it quite a bit if you could please try to call me Elizabeth? Just until I get used to this… homey… environment" Elizabeth could see the disappointment in her sister's eyes, and she felt a stab at what was still left of her heart. Though many think she has grown cold and heartless, Elizabeth still felt, though perhaps did not give it so much importance as before.

"oh… all right Lizzy… I mean, Elizabeth… If hat is what you really want" Jane tried to smile, but the moment was gone, no one really felt like singing. "Perhaps, we could re-schedule the singing? I do have a very old neighbor who I am sure would not appreciate too much noise this late at night…" Dear Jane, ever the diplomat! Looking at the clock, Jane blushed a bit as it was still only 6:28 in the afternoon. However, each wished a good night to the other, and once again, Elizabeth was left alone. However, this time she knew better than to get sentimental, and literally worked herself to sleep.

Next morning she woke up to the delicious smell of a true English breakfast. She went out to the kitchen, and was greeted by a tall, blond haired and blue eyed angel. He was sitting at the table drinking coffee and reading the newspaper… 'He', as Elizabeth presumed, being Charles Bingley… and from his looks, he might just be almost good enough for Jane.

"Good morning Lizzy! Sorry, Elizabeth. Don't we have a lovely morning? It looks as if you could almost see the sun today!" greeted her Jane, always the optimist.

"Yeah, the loveliest weather indeed. I never knew why I could leave Lima, the grey sky there 24/7 is just so charming!" Elizabeth commented sarcastically. However nice her sister tried to be, not being a morning person means you're not very nice during mornings. Besides, Jane's eternal 'half full'-ism irritated her now more than ever, the day she knew she would either ruin her career or her personal life for ever. "Sorry Jane, though I might not appreciate the weather, the table really looks delicious." She tried to smile, and Jane went back to her normal happy self. Elizabeth poured herself some coffee and left the kitchen "I'm going to change, be right back."

When she re-entered the kitchen, she saw her sister and he mysterious angel man in a speedy whispering conversation, which suspiciously ended the moment she got in.

"Well! I should go… Lot of work at the office!" Bingley winked at Elizabeth. Without any response fro her, he added "Elizabeth, won't you mind joining me on a coffee-break today? There is a charming café a few blocks from where I work… quite close to Buckingham palace. What do you say, about 2pm sounds good?" he asked. Got to give hi some credit, he really seems interested in getting my approval. Hm… wonder if it is the same café as… No, it can't be, forget about that, and Him!

"Sure, I would love to. What is the name?"

" SmilingCoffee-Cup. See you later then!" and with that he left, shortly followed by Elizabeth and Jane, each on their way to work.

Elizabeth was excited to start her new job. She arrived at a marvelous building very richly decorated. It was most probably built in the 1900s, at least the exterior bit. Inside it was so…chic. It had a wonderfully subtle mixture of classical and modern, keeping the old door and ceiling designs and tall roofs, mixing it with the newest technology elevators, security system and anything else possibly needed in a law firm.

"Elizabeth Bennet! How nice to see you again! You might not remember me; we met in Australia a couple of months ago." A perfectly dressed middle-aged woman greeted her as she reached their floor.

"Of course I remember, Mrs. Brandon, how could I forget? How is your charming husband?" she asked politely.

"Charming, as usual!" they laughed. It was so fake, so unreal, and yet it was what society expected. Elizabeth hated it.

"So, shall we start on your responsibilities…?" and with that they left, stuffed inside a beautiful, large office with classical wooden furnishings and tapestry. It was a couple of hours before Elizabeth was free to go, and she was afraid she would miss her 'date' with Bingley. It turned out to be quite close to her work place, however, and she managed it just in time.

"There you are! I was wondering whether you would come." Bingley said, honestly.

"I wouldn't have missed it for a thing. I was actually planning on coming a bit earlier, but work held me up… First day." She explained. She was actually curious about how this coffee-break would turn out to be. They both ordered, and there was a few minutes of silence, as Elizabeth surveyed the café. So this is the place I have heard so much about… Who would have thought I would end up here one day, under these circumstances… without him? It really looks like a nice plays… good for deep thinking… Those armchairs definitely look comfy. I can imagine Him, sitting in these, sipping his coffee and reading some book, or a newspaper… Get a grip! He's gone, remember? Meanwhile, Charles was observing her, and saw the changes in her facial expression. He knew there was something hidden, and he was sure he would some day find out the secret. But before that, he had another mission, a more urgent one.

"Elizabeth, I am sure you have been wondering why I called for this particular 'date'. Thing is… I care a lot about your sister, Jane. To be perfectly honest, I intend to marry her, and quite soon as to that." There he made a well-planned pause there for the shock to sink in, and then continued. "But forthat, I need your approval. I know how much you mean to my Jane, and without your blessing she would never consider marrying me. I also need an ally, apart form Jane, facing your family… I have ad the pleasure of meeting your younger sisters one time for a very short while, and I realize now how hard it will be to meet the approval of everyone." Elizabeth understood all this, and it seemed quite reasonable. How Charles chose her she did not know, but perhaps he might not be that stupid after all. However, she sensed there was something else scheduled there, planned by Bingley for which only she could be a candidate. And soon enough, it came out.

"Elizabeth… There is something else. Thing is… how do I say this?... I know Jane. We have been going out for quite a while now, and I have had the pleasure of understanding things she doesn't say… her emotions, even occasionally her thoughts… She's such a wonderful, caring person… but though she shows herself brave and perhaps indifferent to certain things…" Elizabeth knew where this was going. So, playing the peacemaker, are we? "Jane told me about your fight. I don't know much about the particulars, but I know she is very keen on making everything perfect for your stay here, she is worried about you, about your relationship with her. So I ask you, please, talk to her, resolve any misunderstandings there may have been… Unless she is fully convinced you do not need her help, that she can 'selfishly' worry about herself, she will not want to marry." There it was, he said it. Now he could only wait and pray he was not mistaken in her character.

"Of course, I shall do everything in my power. Jane worries too much sometimes, I will try to convince her I am all right… However, I cannot promise my "blessings" yet… She's my sister, and I want the best for her. You need to convince me you are better than the best!" Lizzy answered half jokingly.

"Well, tell you what? Why don't we go out one night to the movies, Jane, you, a friend of mine and me. How does that sound? And, before you say anything" Bingley added, noticing Elizabeth's sour expression at the idea of a double date "I am not hooking you up with anyone. The guy is just not interested… married to his work or something. Goodness knows he has a lot to do! But anyways, its been so long since I've seen him, that perhaps you wouldn't mind if I include an addition to our party? And perhaps you might not feel so left out as one is bound to feel under the given circumstances.

With that settled, they both went their ways, Elizabeth home to dress properly for her afternoon meeting, and Bingley back to his office. In a couple of hours, Elizabeth was to have tea with the family she was to be the lawyer of… Well, it was more like she was going to be included in the army of their lawyers. Calm down you silly girl! It belongs to the past, even if he remembers you, he won't say anything, you must pretend you do not know him. Your personal life might be ruined, at least keep your career on track!

You see, in exactly 3hours and 24minutes, Elizabeth was be a tea guest of their majesties, the royal family of GB.

AN: I just want to say thank you all for the WONDERFUL reviews, they really made my day! I am going totry and update as fast as possible, I promise!!

Tnx again!