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Chapter 12

Caroline Bingley was holding her cheek, and watching her younger brother pace back and forth, in his study, at Netherfield. She was, for the first time in her life, actually fearful of her little brother. Anytime she attempted to protest, her sister would shoot a look at her that would knock her down, and shut her up.

Charles was irate.

"CAROLINE BINGLEY, YOUR ACTIONS THIS LAST MONTH HAVE BEEN AWFUL, AND YET THIS, THESE NEW ACCUSATIONS TRUMPH ALL OF THEM. IT IS ENTIRELY UNFORGIVABLE. Louisa and I are in agreement that we should send you off to Scarborough, yet clearly that is not even enough distance between us, for we cannot stand the sight of you!"

"Charles, do be serious. You cannot possibly-"

"I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SERIOUS IN MY LIFE! HE WAS A DUKE! A MARRIED MAN! HE HAD CHILDREN CAROLINE, WHAT IN GOD'S NAME WERE YOU THINKING?!"

"She wasn't thinking. Only for herself," Louisa turned to Caroline. "You slander those beneath you. You slander the Bennet's, as it were, how are you any better? You consider yourself above reproach, and now you must pay for the consequences of your actions. Elizabeth is good friends with Lady Abigail, and I would not be surprised if she composes a letter to her directly, and we all know how protective Lady Abigail is of all her friends."

Most of the ton lived in fear of Lady Abigail. It was a wonder that her and Elizabeth became such good friends, they were so different. But they had. And in that Elizabeth had in her corner a most useful ally. One that could bring a grown man to his knees with just one look. Much like Elizabeth herself. The two of them together could be a force. And now that Elizabeth had vowed to ruin Caroline, they knew she would carry it through, and she would spare no mercy. "No we must get her out of here Charles. We cannot be near her. We cannot receive her. Give her, her funds and let her go. I do not want her in my sight. I will not let her ruin me, my family, or the future of my child."

"Surely you're joking Louisa," Carline laughed. "Do not be so dramatic. She has no proof."

"She does not need proof, though if it is in the journals so to speak, I'm sure she would gladly turn them over. No you must be gone." And with that Louisa walked out of the room, never looking at her sister once.

"LOUISA!," Caroline looked at Charles. "Charles you cannot be serious! You cannot send me away! Scarborough is horrid country!"

Charles sat behind his expansive desk, and stared at Caroline. "You shall be on the road at first light. I will not receive you in my company again. At this, I disown you. You shall receive your trust to use as you like, but will not receive another coin from me. At this. This is my revenge for the humiliation, that you have laid at this families door." He stood, and walked to the door. "See that your trunks are packed, you will take supper in your chambers, we are not to see or hear from you at all." And with that he left the room, leaving a devastated Caroline in his wake.

Darcy as much as he was enjoying the quiet of the room, and Elizabeth in his arms, knew he had to see if he could get her to stop crying. It made his heart ache, much like it did when Georgiana was hurt. Darcy loved his sister, but the love he felt for this woman in his arms was very different. He swayed with her back and forth, not knowing what to say. How do you comfort a woman, who has just lost the love of her life?

The sound of Elizabeth's sobs, seemed to have died down, and he briefly wondered if she had fallen asleep. That was until she wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tight. He had to smile. If this was bringing her some sort of comfort than he would not stop.

The butler walked in, clearly over his shock from earlier walked in and cleared his throat. Darcy looked up at him. "A Miss Bennet." Elizabeth pulled back and wiped her eyes. "Jane." Her most beloved sister. Darcy in all his selfishness, felt a pang of jealousy, but he knew that if there was one person who could comfort his Elizabeth, it would be her beloved Jane.

Jane walked in, a refreshing sight to Darcy's weary eyes, and curtsied, not before noticing the intamacy between Darcy and Elizabeth, but she chose to ignore it. Jane knew her sister, and trusted her more than nothing. She had been concerned when her sister flew out of the house, so much so, after she left, she had asked if she could take the Bennet carriage, to which her mother and father, were too shocked at what they had just witnessed, could only agree. As much as her father was inept at times, and her mother was flighty, they knew something had to have upset Elizabeth, so much so that she would not confide in her family first, which she always did. No this time Elizabeth took matters into her own hands.

And Mr. Bennet would willingly admit, that he had become quite scared of his favorite daughter at the moment.

Jane held out her arms and Elizabeth walked into them defeated, as Darcy stood back and watched. "Jane," sobbed Elizabeth, a cry that pierced Darcy's heart. "What am I to do, everything I have ever believed of him, is a lie. How could he do this to me, to our children?" Jane just soothed her hair, and remained quiet. As much as she was inexperienced in the matters of love, she knew when to speak up, and when to just let her little sister talk. This was a time when Elizabeth needed to be heard.

"He told me he loved me, and the fool I was, I believed him."

"Now shh Lizzy, surely he did love you," Jane always saw the good in everybody. "Surely he would not lead you on."

Elizabeth just cried, and Jane looked at Darcy, a sad smile on her face that matched his own. Jane had grew quite fond of Mr. Darcy over the last month. He had a propensity to defend Elizabeth, even when he knew her not. Surely he must love her. Elizabeth's feelings for Mr. Darcy were, however, unclear. Mr. Darcy, though, seemed a patient man, and seemed to love her through it.

Jane found herself comparing her late brother-in-law to the man before her. Not much difference, other than physical appearances. Both were specimens of beauty. William was fairer, with his blonde hair and blue eyes. Darcy with his dark hair to contrast his blue eyes, was a vision of mystery. William was an open book. Darcy's face held a world of secrets and scars. William lived on the edge. Darcy, inherited a world of responsibility at such an age, he was safe, and calm, and a steady force to those around him.

It was not a wonder at how he calmed her headstrong niece that one evening. He had been doing it for years. Putting out fires as the Master of Pemberley. While those at the ripe age of eight and twenty would just be settling down, though Mr. Darcy hadn't settled down yet, he had in fact become his own master some eight years ago.

Darcy had lived his life. He was a man.

William had still been a child.

A child marrying a child, Jane thought silently. They barely lived.

Comforting Lizzy was easy, seeing her in pain was tough. Not even the pain she saw Elizabeth endure during her pains, compared to the pain she saw now. The pain of a broken heart.

"Miss Bennet," Darcy cleared his throat. "If you will excuse me, I will tell Mr. Bingley, and Mrs. Hurst know you have arrived." He nodded towards Elizabeth and the unspoken words were clear across his face. I am trusting you with my heart. Do not break her.

And with that he left, and Jane led Elizabeth, to a chair in the corner. The food from their lunch still on the table, she picked a strawberry off of the table and handed it to Elizabeth, "Eat my dear Lizzy, for you shall faint if you do not."

Elizabeth, had not the appetite to eat, but did not question her sister. The strawberry tasting bitter on her tongue, as Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy came back to the room, Bingley giving orders to his servants to make Elizabeth and his angel a plate of food, and some tea.

Jane stood and curtsied to Bingley, and Bingley did likewise, hoping to bring some comic relief to the room. To which he did.

Elizabeth giggled at her sociable friend, Mr. Darcy laughed in relief of hearing Elizabeth's laugh.

"I am sorry, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Darcy. I fear I have ruined your dinner."

"What is a little ruined dinner, among friends?" Mr. Bingley inquired, "as it were, it was much required." He sat in front of his plate, as the servants placed to plates in front of Lizzy and Jane. "Now you must eat Elizabeth," Elizabeth did not mind him using her Christian name. He was more her brother, than ever before. "Or I shall scold you."

Elizabeth giggled as Darcy took his place beside her, and the others filed in the room, to finish their lunch. Mrs. Hurst giving Elizabeth a quick hug, before she sat, as did Georgiana. Richard only smiled at her, and Mr. Hurst as well. So all together they enjoyed their lunch, no one minding the absence of one Miss Caroline Bingley.