A/N- Lots of thanks to the reviewers. ggghhhaaarrr67, Mr Bingley isn't being a bad brother. He did do all he could to ensure that Caroline really did wish to marry Wickham while she was unconscious, and even now if he had any idea what the true situation was, he would do anything to ensure that Caroline was not forced into the marriage. But he doesn't know and she can't tell him because of Wickham's threats.

Jane and Elizabeth were talking about Mary's letter while Mrs Bennet was gone visiting all the neighbors.

'Mr Darcy is engaged.', said Lizzy disbelievingly.

'So it would seem.', said Jane sympathetically.

'It has been so little time since he proposed to me.'

'Only a fortnight.'

'Exactly! I don't believe he ever loved me at all.'

'I don't think so, Lizzy.'

'Jane, you think the best of everybody. What else could it be? He professed to have loved me a fortnight ago, but the moment I refused him he went off and proposed to his cousin! Is this love? Would he do so if he were in love with me? He wouldn't! I don't think he loves Lady Anne de Bourgh either, or he wouldn't had claimed to love me first.'

'Perhaps it is a misunderstanding?', suggested Jane.

'How could that be?', cried Elizabeth.

'I did think that Mr Bingley was going to propose to Georgiana, didn't I?'

'Mary wouldn't write a letter to hurt me, Jane. She is not Caroline Bingley and certainly not blinded by any affection for Wil... Mr Darcy or Lady Anne de Bourgh.'

'Perhaps it was just a rumor, Lizzy.'

'Rumors always have some truth underneath them! Why would Mary mention just a rumor in her first letter home?'

'She must have thought that you would be interested.'

'Why? Why would she think anything of the sort? You are the only one who knows of what happened between us, Jane.'

'Yes, Lizzy, but the entire village has seen how friendly you were with him. Everyone, including Mary, thinks that the two of you are very good friends, if not more. There have been rumors that you would be engaged soon.'

'Rumors! The rumors will say anything! There is no chance that we will ever be engaged.'

'Why not?'

'Because he is already engaged!'

'I am certain that it is just a rumor, Lizzy. Did you not just say that rumors will say anything?'

Elizabeth sighed. She felt close to tears and could not be comforted.

'I am going out for a walk.', she declared, and then exited the room, leaving Jane wondering how her sister really felt beneath the angry and indignant exterior.

Elizabeth strode out of the house, and walked steadily to the woods like used to as a child when something had upset her. Those woods were her refuge whenever she needed to calm down. With every step she concentrated on not thinking of William, till she had reached the woods. Then she could no longer control herself and burst into tears.

'I was beginning to love him... I thought we could be together... have a future together. He looked like he loved me... I believed that he did... Why would he do this? Why? WHY?'

Sobs wracked her body as she wept and mumbled to herself, unable to believe what had happened. She had thought much more highly of the William she had known. That William wouldn't do this. That William would never propose to a woman without meaning it. That William would not be engaged to his wealthy cousin so soon after he had professed love for another. The Anne and Georgiana she remembered wouldn't have let him.

Her tears showed no sign of stopping but Lizzy did her best to restrain them. For the first time since she had arrived, she looked around at the lovely woods, bathed with sunlight. The view had always soothed her, but today it only reminded her of her sadness. She saw the world going on like ever, birds chattering, new shoots growing, leaves rustling, as though it was any other day. But it wasn't any other day. Her life was shattered.

The sobs renewed and she cried her heart out, till her head began to clear and she could think straight again. Then, she wiped off all tears, took a few deep breaths and walked back to the house. Her heart still felt heavy, but she felt up to hiding her feelings till she was alone.

The crying had done her a world of good, and she saw many things with clarity now. She saw that she loved William, and that she wouldn't be at peace till she knew what had truly happened. Her love demanded that she gave him a chance.

Jane was waiting for her in their room.

'Oh Lizzy!', cried she.

Elizabeth wouldn't meet her sister's eyes afraid that Jane would read her feelings in them quite clearly.

'I'm writing to Mary. I'll visit her next week for a month.'

'I'll come with you.', said Jane.

'Didn't our Aunt Gardiner invite you to London?'

'Yes but...'

Lizzy cut her off.

'Then you must go. Won't it be nice to attend Caroline's wedding? And then you could meet Mr Bingley. You certainly must go.'

Jane sighed. She hated seeing the strong Lizzy so miserable, but after all these years she knew better than to offer sympathy. Lizzy had always hated being a pitied. She hugged her sister.

'Al right, I'll go. Why don't you write to Mary and I'll go tell Mama?'

Lizzy nodded, her sister's gentle words making her feel close to tears again. She saw Jane leave, and sat down to pen a quick note.

A/N- I'm rather pleased with how this chapter turned out.. Next chapter will be at Hunsford, and Elizabeth will be put out of her misery. Keep reviewing!