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The estate stretched in all directions. Formal hedges weaving around manicured lawns; a maze with tendrils that consumed the countryside. Pathways twisted in and out of formal gardens making it challenging to find the main house. The maze had been the De Bourgh families crown jewel; it kept them safe from intruders and intruders safe from them.

Without a map the maze was nigh-on impossible to navigate, but thankfully for them Richard knew the way. Finally, they reached an imposing Elizabethan house which rested, in wait, at the centre of the maze.

The party was being held to the rear of the house – an immaculate croquet lawn lined with dozens of small round tables. Catherine de Bourgh was known for her extravagance – large canvas tents were erected around the edge of the lawn, each with a Champagne and Oyster bar for guests. Not a party ring in sight Elizabeth thought.

Elizabeth stopped at the edge of the lawn, resting William on her hip as she surveyed her surroundings. Years of absence had done nothing to rid her of a rising uneasiness at being in the company of London's elite.

"Richard. I…" Elizabeth started.

Richard halted and offered Elizabeth his arm, a gentle smile playing at his lips. "It's never as bad as you think." And it wasn't, for him at least, but he understood all too well that sense of dread that coiled in every fibre of your being telling you to run. "Besides, if we don't hurry up my cousins going to kill me."

"Lizzie…" the squeal reverberated around the maze wall, drawing all eyes in their direction.

"It looks like someone knows you." Richard offered, nudging Elizabeth forward to greet her sister.

A sweaty breathless Caitlyn barrelled up to them, enveloping Elizabeth and William in a smothering hug. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile, her younger sisters were always dramatic. "I knew you wouldn't let me down."

"Richard, this is Caitlyn – Katie – my sister. Caitlyn, this is my friend Richard …" Elizabeth bit her lip, squeezing her eyes together, desperately trying to remember his surname. "Richard…"

Richard took Caitlyn's hand and placed a gentle kiss on top. "Richard Fitzwilliam, delighted to make your acquaintance." Caitlyn blushed at the formal greeting, she briefly thought about curtseying but brushed the idea aside.

"Nice to meet you. Are you two here together?" The implication made Richard and Elizabeth blush. Elizabeth's mouth open and closed, her brain warring how to tactfully say …

"Friends is safer for me ego." Richard winked, a playful smile crinkling the fine lines around his eyes. Elizabeth's heart warmed, Richard was incredibly handsome in a Prince Harry sort of way – old fashioned manners, vibrant red hair, cheeky remarks and dimples that grew when he smiled. He would make someone a handsome partner one day - just not her. "Come on you two, I'll introduce you to my cousin."

Balance had been restored, by the time they joined the group no one was paying them any attention. They meandered through the throng of well-heeled guests, Caitlyn's smock ruffling about her figure - an obvious attempt to hide her news. Elizabeth had caught other guests furtively glancing at Caitlyn's belly, a look of is she / isn't she playing across their faces. Everybody was far too polite to ask Caitlyn to her face, it was the rumours behind her back she had to watch out for.

Peering over the heads of the other guests Richard seemed to spot someone he knew and politely left Elizabeth with Caitlyn. "Ben is so excited to see you and Willie too." Caitlyn seemed to know where she was going, pulling Elizabeth to a table situated furthest away from the group under a large oak tree … the smokers table judging by the smell of it.

"Will or William … not Willie." Elizabeth hated that version of her son's name. It made her chuckle though wondering if Mr Darcy had ever had to endure being called Willie, if he did she couldn't imagine he'd have stood it for very long. The giggles gave way to sadness, it had been weeks since she'd heard from him. Why hadn't she heard from him? Elizabeth closed that door on her thoughts and fixed a smile on her face, she was ready to examine that wound.

"Lizzie B."

A short ash blonde man with kind eyes smudged out a cigarette under his foot as they approached. "Ben. It has been a long time – I hear congratulations are in order."

"Ah yeh, thanks. We're thrilled to bits – ain't we Kitty?" Ben's thick Essex accent, gold chain and velvet suit jarred with his surroundings, but Caitlyn didn't seem to care. Her eyes danced with every word he spoke – love. Ben wrapped a protective arm around her waist, her hip curving into his hand like it had always been there. "This must be Willie. Ain't he grown? He looks just like his dad. Oh shit! We can't say that anymore can we? Y'know with George not being his dad and all that. Oh fuck it I swore didn't it?"

Elizabeth took a deep breath, covering Will's ears. "Ben, George Wickham was never Will's father. He assumed he was. Babies are sponges, so unless you'd like your toddler swearing like a sailor I'd suggest learning to curb your language."

"Liz – look, I didn't come here for a fight. George has his own business. You're my Kitty's sister and she needs you. You're the only one who can understand what she's going through."

Ben had always been the type of person who spoke before he thought, he never meant to cause offence but frequently got into fights for his loose lips.

Elizabeth nodded her agreement. After that they settled into an easy conversation catching up on two years of life was easy. Elizabeth settled Will onto the floor, his eyes wide in amazement as Ben helped Pepe Bear fly through the air.

"I should have known you'd be in the smoker's corner.' A curt accusatory remark signalled the end of their catch-up. Like an approaching predator Elizabeth didn't need to turn around to know who had joined them. "Get off the floor Ben, you aren't a dog."

"Mum." Caitlyn jumped, instinctively resting a hand on her growing bump. A gesture which didn't escape Mrs Bennett's notice.

"Kitty Bennett, you aren't p … p … p…" Mrs Bennett squealed, clutching at her necklace for stability.

"Mum, we are pregnant." Ben rose to Caitlyn's side, resting his own hand on her bump. They were both surprised how easy the words had come out.

"We're super exci…"

"Oh shut up you, what would you know? She's 20! 20! Should be out getting drunk, going to university, meeting boys … this is your slutty sisters doing."

"Wow! Perhaps I should find myself flattered that you think I would leave a lasting impression on my sisters." Elizabeth reached down and picked up Will, kissing him on the forehead and squaring her shoulders to face her mother.

Elizabeth and Mrs Bennet studied each other. Mrs Bennett looked like she'd seen a ghost and her eyes roved over Elizabeth and Will checking they were real. It had been over two years since they'd last seen each other, Elizabeth's hair was longer, her figure fuller and Mrs Bennett now had a face so full of Botox it was locked into a permanent look of surprise – better than the permanent scowl it used to be, Elizabeth thought.

"You."

"Yes, Hello Mrs Bennett."

"It's mother to you."

"No, mothers have to act like parents."

"Is this your doing then?" Mrs Bennett gestured in the way of Caitlyn, her top lip rising in disdain.

"That would be incest Mrs Bennett."

"Always ready with your glib remarks just like your father. I see you haven't changed."

"That may be the greatest compliment you've ever given me."

"It wasn't intentional. So, you know then obviously? Pregnant before wedlock, just like you."

"Katie is engaged, so not quite like me. Don't worry you'll get your white wedding, but in the meantime, they're having a baby and they'd like you to act like a grandparent and be happy for them."

"Engaged?" Mrs Bennett crowed, attracting attention from the other party guests. No matter how good her sisters were at making a scene, Mrs Bennett deserved the crown.

"Act like a mother and grandmother Mrs Bennett before you lose another grandchild."

"Lose a grandchild? What a notion. I don't have any grandchildren. That thing is a mongrel, we don't even know who his father is."

There was an audible gasp in the crowd, as Elizabeth recoiled in horror. Rage bubbled inside her, goose bumps forming on her arms as she cradled Will closer, wanting to protect him. In that moment Elizabeth knew she'd made the right decision running away.

"He is as unwanted …"

Before Mrs Bennett could utter her next words, a loud clear voice cut through the crowd and silenced her. A voice that commanded respect.

"That's quite enough Mrs Bennett. I think you'll find I know who Will's father is."

Author's note:

Hello! Welcome back. It has been sometime - I hope you enjoy this chapter.

I had some criticism on my last chapter that I found it hard to move past. It came from a guest reviewer, wasn't constructive and felt very personal. I'd really like a beta for some upcoming chapters as I know they aren't perfect and I'd appreciate some grammar / spell checking support and creative feedback. If you're interested please drop me a note.

Enjoy!