Hey guys! How are things going? Here is the next chapter! Btw, does anyone know who Cillian Murphy is? What a gorgeous Irish man. Haha, now onto the story!

Jane POV

The ground was so icy and wet and I could barely open my eyes. Blood dripped down onto the front of my frock and I didn't care. There was Tom, standing in front of me, and I ran to him. Each step I took only separated us further and I screamed out with frustration. "TOM!" It was no use, he couldn't hear me and then suddenly I was standing right in front of him. He smiled as blood dripped down his forehead, and I reached up to touch it.

But his skin was cold and smooth like glass. Suddenly he burst into millions of little shards and I covered my face. Was I dreaming? I couldn't make sense of anything. If this was a dream then I needed to get out but I was trapped. I held up my hand and it was slowly blowing away like dust.

"Wake up cousin!" Eliza's voice rang out above me and I opened one eye. "You're tossing and turning, bound to wake up everyone." She stood there in her nightdress holding a flickering candle. I looked around to realize I'd fallen asleep on the couch. "Its almost dawn, might as well rise," she said helping me sit up.

"Eliza, I had the most curious dream."

"Did it solve anything?"

"Solve anything?"

"This mess with John Warren," I looked at her and sighed.

"It's to early for that," and I hugged my knees closer to my body.

"Well come on then, you need to change your clothing. It seems that you fell asleep in last nights attire," and she had a faint smile. We left to go to our rooms and change, as the men of the house slept. Once we finished getting ready, I met Eliza downstairs at the dining table and the cook brought us a simple breakfast.

"Early for the house to be awake," the cook said. I smiled faintly at Robert and nodded. We sat eating in silence when a knock on the door made us uneasy. Robert came back with a letter on a tiny silver platter.

"I feel quite like a man of the house," Eliza laughed and took the white envelope off the plate. Eliza looked at it and opened it and I watched her eyes skim over the words. "It's from Cassie, addressed to us," she shrugged and looked up at me. "It's for their wedding day, and they are inviting us to join them for their… day of happiness," she handed me the letter and I read it quickly.

"It's to be next month, back home," I told Eliza and she nodded. The rest of the meal was mostly the sound of the silverware on the dishes and the clink of the glasses. "I'm going to check on Tom," and excused myself.

"Why good morning dear sister," Henry said as he entered the doorway. "Don't make a fuss, Tom is coming down to eat."

"But-"

"He can take his pills like the big boy he is," and chuckled. "Dear Robert, what is todays menu?"

"Eggs and toast with ham, jam if you like, and of course tea and bread sir. Freshly made for yourself and the master. The first batch was for the ladies."

"Excellent." He sat next to Eliza and kissed her hand gracefully. "Good morning lovely," and Eliza smiled. Tom walked in with a limp and I rushed to his side.

"Good morning champ," Henry said as I helped him sit. Robert came out with more food and Eliza and I sat back down as if there was urgent news to discuss.

"How are you my dear," Tom said with a smile. It seemed like I was the only one who was dwelling on yesterday's activities. I nodded and he turned to his breakfast.

"Here Henry, a letter from our sister. Her engagement," I said in a dreary tone.

Henry took the letter and chewed rather loudly as he read it. "Ah yes, Eliza mentioned our sister was engaged to that bore."

"Stop it Henry," Eliza warned.

"He proved that he loved her," I mumbled, bringing up a glass of water to my lips.

"How so?" Tom said and looked over at me with his brilliant blue eyes.

I paused and then said, "I paid him a visit on my way back to London," Henry chuckled and Eliza just seemed to roll her eyes.

"A personal Jane Austen visit?" Henry laughed and I tried my best to give him an upset stare. "Jane if they are engaged then Cassie has her head on her shoulders. It's a grand opportunity for her. There are so few men left in the country," he said holding his fork up to his mouth imitating a woman's voice.

"You sound drunk," Tom said and Henry ignored him.

"I'm not convinced Cassie loves him," I sighed knowing that Henry would not understand my idea of love.

Eliza looked up at me and offered a smile, "Look at its benefits. He is rich to be sure, good land and household, plus a title with worth. Can you not be happy for her?" I shook my head and she sighed, "She will learn to love him, Jane," she spoke in a motherly tone.

"I believe she may learn to regret it," and Tom placed his hand on my own. I decided to stop chatting and stayed silent for the rest of the meal. Once everyone was finished we took seats in the living room, Eliza reading, Henry going over some investments with Tom, and I writing. There was a good amount of light coming into the room and I wrote down a scene I'd been thinking of.

The room was quiet with mama lying on the sofa humming a tune. Mary sat in her lonely chair knitting, while Jane sat with her book. "Look its him! He's come!" Kitty shouted looking out the window. "It's Mr. Bingley! With what's his name, the pompous one from before."

"Mr. Darcy? Oh my goodness!"

I stopped when Tom sat next to me. "How are you, love?" I looked at his leg and he sighed. "Please, don't worry over me."

"How can I not? That man is still out there. I will not rest until he is behind bars!" I grabbed Tom's hand.

"Or dead," Henry said and Eliza tried to ignore her husbands remark but shifted her eyes.

"No, I want him to live behind bars for the rest of his sorry life," Tom chuckled and held my hand.

"My dear we are not even sure it is him." But I looked at him and I knew that he was unsure. That he wanted to believe it was John Warren as much as I did. "Though the description seems to fit," and he rubbed his leg gently. "I can't even protect you as well with this damn injury."

"Don't," I said and grabbed his hand. "It shall be okay," and he smiled, giving me a kiss. Henry coughed on purpose and sat down next to us.

"How romantic," he said and batted his eye lashes. I yelled at him to stop acting childish. "I'm your brother, it is what I do. We shall go after the man and fight him if we must."

Eliza stood and folded her hands, "I need some fresh air, Jane?" I nodded and stood taking her arm. "We shall only go around the street, no farther." Tom held my other hand and kissed it. "It will be safe," Eliza said and we grabbed our coats.

The air was fresh and felt wonderful against my face. I had been overheated with the fury boiling under my skin at the idea of Mr. Warren being the one to blame. We held onto each other's arms and walked to the tiny dress shop down the street. Despite it's size it was a favorite of Eliza's and I stayed quiet as she browsed through the latest fashions.

"This one?" She said as a lady in the store held up a soft red gown with a lace bodice. There was no one else in the shop since it was still quite early. I nodded and she smiled with excitement. "I'm going to try it on," and the lady helped her back into the fitting room. I stood and put down my small purse on the chair, and browsed at hats of different shapes. Some with feathers, some the latest American fashion.

Maybe I should buy one for the wedding…

I peered down to look at the prices and felt a small gush of wind blow against me. I thought nothing of it and continued to look at the marvelous hats on display. There was a funny one with a huge feather out the top. Wrapped with a pink bow and even had a little fake bird resting on the brim. "Eliza, look at this!" I laughed and walked to the fitting room.

She stepped out and twirled in her dress. "It looks wonderful, does it not?"

I nodded my head and smiled. "You are beautiful cousin," and she laughed. "Here is just the hat to go with it," and she giggled louder.

"Is that really what we ladies are wearing today?" She went to change out of the dress. "Let's go home or the men might worry." I agreed and sat back on my chair, grabbing my bag.

As we walked back home we enjoyed the day feeling some peace after last night. We entered the home and heard Tom and Henry talking loudly with other men. Robert took our coats, "It's for some investments or work," he said and I nodded. Eliza left to the drawing room, and I decided to finish my scene for my book. "Oh Miss Austen? You've dropped a letter from your bag," and he handed it to me.

A letter?

I grabbed it and saw there was no address.

Dear Miss Austen,

I'm afraid that you know who I am. My plans seemed to have failed though know you are meant to be my wife. I will assure you I shall fix this. If I cannot have you, then Tom will not have you. You have destroyed my life. Tell your friends that I am waiting at the pub. They are sure to know which one. This will be settled once and for all.

JW

It was him! He's gone mad!

I felt faint and weak, and Robert rushed to get Tom. When did he put this in my bag? My blood chilled and I felt violated.

He was so close to me.

I could not hold on any longer. The room was spinning and I knew I should have eaten more at breakfast. Tom's voice was above me shouting and Henry was somewhere yelling as well.

"Jane!"

"I'm going to find him now. He must be around here!"

"No," I mumbled, but I couldn't say anything for my mouth felt too dry. Then it was extremely quiet.

"They left Jane!" Eliza said in a frantic voice. "They've gone after him!"