Okay, so this is a tad bit late, I meant to update it earlier but I'm still having some internet issues from the blizzard last weekend. Its about 2000 words, so a decent length. I actually ended up putting two chapters together since I did not realize how short they really were.

Thank you for reviewing! I am amazed by the responses to this.

I hope you enjoy this next chapter, I should be able to update again by Monday, perhaps even a short chapter tomorrow!

Let me know what you think!

Longbourne

Mr. Bennet told the family that Lizzy was to wed Mr. Darcy at the very end of dinner. Mrs. Bennet was mid swallow with a mouthful of soup. With spectacular aim, she splattered the soup all over herself. Mr. Bennet had hoped that the small moment would have caused his Lizzy to laugh, and yet all it achieved was a faint, barely perceptible smile. That was all that was said on the matter. Lydia asked about the bruise, and the scratches, but Lizzy denied to comment. She hastily fled from the table, Jane hot on her heels.

Hours later the Bennet household was silent, save for the occasional moan of Mrs. Bennet, or the light piano strokes from Mary.

Mrs. Bennet had taken to bed with a case of nerves after dinner. after Lizzy's departure, and her husbands silence. On one hand, she was overjoyed that her daughter was marrying THE Mr. Darcy of Pemberely, man of 10,000 pounds per annum. On the other hand, she was furious that Lizzy had acted so wanton in running off with Mr. Darcy, instead of courting like a normal couple. These conflicting emotions were causing her head to ache.

"Oh that headstrong, impertinent girl" She moaned. Siting next to her, Lydia and Kitty simply nodded, and patted her hand before kissing her goodnight.

They made their way back to their room, both slipping under the blankets in silence. Their sister was so lucky! If only they could meet a man of Mr. Darcy's wealth, who wore a red coat, and was as handsome as Wickham! They were both lost in the thoughts of what pin money Lizzy would have, and all the things she could buy her favorite, younger sister.

Down the hall, Mary was studiously plucking away at her piano. She was angry that her cousin had proved to be such a disappointing man. He was a man of the cloth after all. She had no doubt that her sister's mysterious bruise and scrapes were from the parson, but Lizzy refused to speak. Mary decided to pray for her instead.

Jane sat with Lizzy in their bedchamber, gently smoothing her hair. Lizzy had told the truth. Her sister had wept for her, before pulling her into the tightest hug she could handle. Lizzy cried herself to sleep, before being awoken by a terrible nightmare. Jane held her tight as she began to sob anew.

Netherfield

Darcy returned to Netherfield hours after he had departed from the Bennet household. He had stopped at the local Inn to send an express to his cousin, his aunt, and his steward. After that was complete, he road to Oakham Mount, and watched the sunset, before heading back.

Charles met him at the stables, looking quite upset.

"Darcy! Bloody hell man, where have you been? I sent stable boys out to find you, they returned hours ago! Caroline told me that you would be back by midday," He ranted.

"I apologize Charles" He replied.

"You look awful" Charles stated dryly, taking in his appearance. "Are you injured?"

"I am fine, merely filthy," Darcy told him.

"Come now, wash and dress, I will inform the staff to send a tray to your room. I expect you to come find when you are finished, and tell me the truth," Charles told him. "Caroline's waiting in the foyer to greet you, best take the kitchen door"

"Thank you Charles" Darcy stated. Minutes later he arrived at his chambers. His valet was already filling a tub with steaming water. If Adams was surprised by his appearance, he did not show it. The man helped him undress, and then left him to soak.

An hour later, Adams reappeared. He helped Darcy redress, before informing him that a tray was awaiting him in his chambers.

"Thank you Adams."

"You are welcome Master William," The older man said.

"You are free for the night, I can undress myself. Go, rest Adams"

After quickly downing his supper, Mr. Darcy went to find Mr. Bingley, who was sitting in his library, feet propped up on his desk, with a glass of brandy in his hands.

"Ah, there you are" He smiled. "Take a seat, have a drink"

"You must congratulate me Charles, I am to be married" Darcy told him. He had chosen that moment to take a sip of his drink, which Darcy had observed. In a split second he had spat the liquid all over his desk and pants. He started coughing. Darcy resisted the urge to smile.

"You did that on purpose," Charles grumbled. "Are you serious?"

"I am" Darcy replied. "I travel to London on the morrow to procure the license"

"To whom?" Charles asked. He had taken his feet off of the desk, and was now leaning very close.

"Miss Bennet" He replied. Charles turned a very purple color, gripping his glass tightly.

"Miss Bennet?" He questioned tightly. Darcy full out smirked now.

"Yes, Miss Elizabeth Bennet" He clarified. Charles's face returned to its normal hue as he heaved a sigh of relief. "I would like to recant my previous comments about Miss Jane however, it seems that she is just as wary as to admit love, as to protect herself from hurt"

"You mean she loves me?" Charles asked, looking eager. Darcy nodded.

"I believe so, yes. You really should ask permission to court her"

"Did you court Miss Bennet in secret?" Bingley asked. Darcy nodded; Charles did not need to know the truth yet.

"Yes. Tomorrow when you venture into town, you shall hear some rumors regarding our engagement. I beg that you pay no heed to them"

"Of course Darce" Charles replied, although he looked confused.

"I shall return from London with Richard. Miss Elizabeth and I are to wed in a fortnight. I must procure the license, and settle everything. I should be back within a week"

"Then in a week we shall have a small dinner party with the Bennet's!" Charles exclaimed. "To introduce them to Richard. And how about Georgiana, will she not join us?"

"She is still too fragile from her illness. I do not believe it would be wise to have her travel such a distance" Darcy replied. In reality, Wickham was still here, and he could not risk the chance of them running into each other.

With parting words, and wishes of safe travel, since Bingley would still be asleep by the time her left, the two friends parted for their chambers.

The night passed slowly, sleep evading Mr. Darcy. Every time he closed his eyes, he pictured her, pale and broken, Mr. Collins standing over her. He awoke every time, panting and gasping for breath, tears threatening to fall. Eventually he gave up, and left for London before daybreak. He could sleep later.

He reached London in good time. He was half falling off his horse by the time he reached his townhouse. He ended up falling asleep on his desk, a pile of papers beneath him.

Several hours later, Richard Fitzwilliam found his cousin drooling upon estate records. He laughed at the sight, before shaking his cousin awake.

"Ah, Richard" He blinked sleepily. He looked much younger then the Colonel remembered. "You are here early"

"Au contraire" The Colonel said in a thick French accent, causing his cousin to smile faintly. "It is past midday cousin. Now, how about you tell me why I received an express last night, informing me on your impending marriage, to a woman no one has ever heard of, and why you were asleep upon your desk"

"I traveled from Hertfordshire late last night, arriving before daybreak. I had set out to do some paperwork, I must have fallen asleep," He told him. He wiped the drool off of his face, causing his cousin to snicker.

"So, Miss Bennet, hmm? Come on, I smell a story, best let it out now" The Colonel plopped himself down in a plush chair by the fireplace, pouring himself a drink.

"She is the daughter of a landed gentleman in Hertfordshire" He began, but his cousin cut him off.

"Landed, gentleman, pish posh Darcy. You know I would not care if you married a peasant."

"Alright, alright. Longbourne is a small estate that has fallen into disrepair. Her father prefers his books to his tenants. Her mothers family is fully in trade, and her favorite relations live on Gracechurch" He told him. "She has no dowry to speak of, and there is going to be talk that I compromised her" He told his cousin quickly. The Colonel looked at him, surprised written all over his face.

"Compromised? You?" He sputtered. Darcy hung his head, but nodded. "Is it true?" He questioned.

"No." He replied. "It all comes back to Aunt Catherine's odious parson, Mr. Collins"

"Ah, Aunt Catherine is always to blame" Richard stated. "And what did her parson do?"

"He is Miss Bennet's cousin, and the heir to their estate, as they have no male sons. He and Miss Elizabeth were walking in the gardens, when he proposed. They got further into the paths around the estate as he continued to propose in what I have been told was a long, ignorant speech. When she politely refused, he believed her to be false. He pursued, adamantly persisting that she wanted to marry him. Eventually he grabbed her, and tried to compromise her. She spat in his face. He was so angered, that he let her go as he slapped her cheek. She was knocked down, but got up and ran from him. I heard her screams as I was resting Cavallo at the base of a local mount. I of course had to investigate. She ended up running right into me, screaming in fear. Meanwhile, Mr. Collins took to the local town, spreading false rumors of her compromise, and her kidnapping. By the time I escorted her home, after several hours due to a storm, the magistrate and several neighbors were awaiting us. Mr. Collins had told them she had consented to be his wife. With little choice, her father was forced to give him her hand, else she and her family be ruined."

"And thus, gentleman Darcy, stepped up and claimed her hand instead" The Colonel guessed.

"It was more like, "Mr. Bennet, I compromised your daughter. I take full responsibility" After which I realized what I had said, and then applied for her hand" Darcy finished. "I could not allow her to marry the very man that had stuck her."

"And what of Mr. Collins?"

"He has been dealt with" He replied shortly. "I am going to meet with Mr. Jones later about a special license, I hope to be wed within a fortnight. I ask that you travel back to Hertfordshire with me. Wickham is stationed in the militia there, I believe you have missed our dear friend" This made the Colonel grin.

"Indeed I have, Indeed I have"

MEANWHILE IN HERTFORDSHIRE

The next morning Lizzy woke up feeling awful. She had scarcely gotten a minute of sleep without waking up in fear for her life. Jane comforted her the best she could, but after waking for the fifth time, Lizzy removed herself to the library to read. Eventually she drifted off, only to wake as her father gently shook her shoulder.

"Breakfast is ready my dear" He whispered. Lizzy nodded and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"Can I have it sent to my room papa? I am not feeling well," She pleaded. Mr. Bennet nodded, and sighed sadly. He hated to see his little girl like this. She was a shell of her former self.