Author's Note: Thank you for your reviews. I do not moderate my reviews and do not mind when someone feels the need to vent when frustrated with my writing. I understand that I have upset a great many of you with this story, but now that I have started, I will finish it. I have read many stories that were never completed, and I have always hated it when that happened. I may very well not have any readers by the time I post the last chapter, but again, I hope that most of you will hang in there.

Just to give you fair warning, this is the chapter in which the betrothal is broken.

The story is unbeta'd so all the errors are my own. Review, but please be kind.

Chapter 5

Gracechurch Street, October 10, 1812

Mr. Bennet was pleased to see his second eldest daughter at the breakfast table when he entered. Still, he noted that her face was pale, and her eyes were red-rimmed, with dark circles underneath. The Gardiners and Elizabeth were somberly discussing the article that had appeared in the morning paper while Jane and Charles were quietly making their plans to move up their wedding.

Elizabeth had not come down from her room at all the day before. Therefore, Bennet took it as a good sign that she had made the effort to dress and come down for breakfast.

After breaking their fast, they gathered in the study with Elizabeth to apprise her more fully of their plans. At first, she resisted the idea of forcing Fitzwilliam to pay her a settlement fearing that she would appear mercenary, but after much discussion, they were able to make her see reason.

Aunt Gardiner sat on the settee with her while her uncle and father sat in the chairs facing them. "Elizabeth, these funds will give you a modicum of independence. For instance, you will be able to have your own establishment so that you are not forced to remain at Longbourn where you would be subject to your mother's complaints, nor would you feel that you must marry."

Her uncle spoke up, "On the other hand, for the near term we think it would be best if you were to remain here with us. Or if the memories here are too painful, your aunt's cousin, John, and his wife would be delighted to have you come and stay with them in Bath. You appeared to enjoy their company a great deal when you saw them last summer. By staying either with us or John, you will be protected. Living in a respectable home with a master of the house in residence will keep you safe. Although I am certain that your reputation will emerge from this unscathed, unscrupulous men may see you as vulnerable especially considering your settlement. After a period of time, when this scandal has dropped from the public eye, you will be in a better position to establish your own home should you choose to never marry. But for the immediate future, I would like to keep you near. Longbourn is out of the question. Your mother would make your life untenable." Elizabeth reluctantly agreed with that plan.

However, on another issue, she would not be moved and that was that she was determined to attend Jane's and Charles's wedding next week. Her Father was doubtful and had strongly advised her to avoid it for her own sensibilities as well as to avoid her mother. He argued, "She will be relentless in her grief for your broken engagement, and oblivious to your own grief and suffering. I fear that she will make you miserable." Elizabeth's mother was of a nervous disposition and saw it as her life's goal to see all of her daughters married to rich men. Doubtless, she would take the broken engagement very poorly and blame Elizabeth for it.

Elizabeth shook her head emphatically and with a stubborn tilt to her chin stated, "I will be there for Jane. And you can rest assured that I will have my best smile firmly planted on my face. It will be Jane's day, and I will not be sad or downcast. For I will not dream of ruining it for her. I have cried enough during the last day for one lifetime. But I will be there. Perhaps if you were to have a word with Mother, she could be persuaded to hold her tongue, especially in the presence of our neighbors." She said the last with a pointed look at her father. Embarrassment colored his cheeks, but he agreed to seek to control her mother.

Anticipating Darcy's call, Elizabeth returned upstairs to await their summons.

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Darcy stepped down from his carriage with dread gnawing in his stomach. In the foyer of the Gardiner's townhouse, Darcy could hear the happy sound of children's voices drifting down the stairwell. These were not unfamiliar voices. For he knew each one, having spent much time with them, and he could picture each of the children's faces as they spoke. Looking up at the landing, he recalled how lovely Elizabeth had looked Thursday night as she descended the stairs and offered him her hand. And suddenly the enormity of the step he was about to take settled on his shoulders with a near audible thud. How had it come to this? He had never thought of himself as a coward, but now he knew that he was the weakest coward that had ever deserved the name. The urge to walk out the door and not stop until he reached Pemberley was strong.

He had not slept at all the night before, save for a few hours right after dawn. He had spent the night ruminating over his situation. The confusion that had clouded his mind for two days had finally given way to understanding. His vacillations were at an end. His feelings for the two ladies that he had wronged were now apparent to him. He now knew that he was utterly in love with Elizabeth and always would be. But because of his actions, he was irrevocably tied to Cassandra. Elizabeth was lost to him.

His new clarity of mind had allowed him to see that his tryst with Cassandra had been a mistake of gargantuan proportions. It had not been a coming together of two long-separated lovers as he had allowed himself to imagine at the time. The more he thought about it, the more wretched it became. His love for her seven years ago was no excuse for what he had done two nights ago. How could he have perceived it in any other way? When he had managed to fall asleep last night, it was Elizabeth's face that had haunted him in his dreams.

When he was finally shown into Gardiner's study, he tried to appear calm and in control. The men awaiting him in the chairs by the fire did not rise to greet him. They simply eyed him impassively. Without saying a word Gardiner motioned for him to be seated.

After several moments punctuated with the ticking of the clock on the mantle, Darcy nervously gestured toward the newspapers lying conspicuously on the desk and said with as little emotion as he could manage, "I am sure that you have seen the scandalous reports that have been printed about me in the papers."

Gardiner nodded in answer. Bennet did not respond at all.

Darcy shifted in his seat. "I am appalled to have my personal affairs bandied about in such a public way. However, I realize that other considerations are of more importance in this situation."

Finally, Gardiner began to speak. "Young man, we expected you yesterday. Where have you been? Your absence spoke volumes about your sentiments for my niece. Furthermore, I want to warn you that I have it on good authority that the rumors are true. I have spoken to eyewitnesses. So do not prevaricate with me. However, let us review the events of the last year, shall we?

As I understand it, you fell in love with Elizabeth and pursued her, proposing twice before winning her hand. And now you are two weeks from your wedding. Am I correct in the general progression of your relationship with my niece?"

Darcy answered with a mixture of guilt, shame, and impatience. "Yes, you are correct. Your niece is a very special lady."

Bennet found his voice at that point. Speaking softly but succinctly, he nearly snarled. "Ah, but therein lies the rub. You have room for more than one special lady in your life. Do you not, young man?"

Gardiner silenced his brother-in-law with a wave of his hand and continued in his hard but calm voice. "Thursday night we were invited to partake in what we were led to believe would be an engagement celebration at your esteemed relatives' home. However, in reality, what happened was that you were reunited with your long-lost love while Elizabeth was subjected to the most uncivil treatment imaginable by your people while you sat by and did nothing. You were so caught up in the allure of your childhood friend that you did not even notice the poor behavior of your family. In fact, you did not even see fit to accompany your betrothed home. However, the gossip rags are full of your gallantry towards your new…what? I know not what to call her. If Elizabeth is your fiancé, what does that make this woman that you spent the night with?"

Darcy jumped to his feet and began to pace. "I must ask you to not cast aspersions at Lady Huntingdon. I am the one who should bear your censure."

Gardiner drew his brows together in anger. "Oh, do not fear. I most definitely hold you at fault. Your behavior has been outrageous. However, I reserve the right to cast aspersions where I see fit. What lady would think it appropriate to seduce a gentleman who is a mere two weeks from a wedding? I think that the papers had it right by calling her the merry widow."

Darcy stopped pacing to glower at Gardiner who continued, unabashed. "Ah well, I suppose that you and Lady Huntingdon discovered, during your tryst, that you are both deeply in love." He peered at him and then with great emphasis given to each word, stated, "However, you sir, are promised to my niece. What are you going to do about that?"

The young man sought to suppress the misery and anger that the older man had provoked with his baiting. He spoke in a rush, "I can offer no excuse for my behavior and realize that what I have done is unforgivable. I comprehend that in light of this betrayal on my part, Elizabeth must be determined to release me from our betrothal. I would appreciate it if I could have a private word with her to determine her wishes."

Bennet rose quickly and stalked to the door. After sending a maid to summon Elizabeth, he sat back down, resolved to control his temper. "I will grant you an audience with my daughter, but it will only be private if she allows it."

A moment later, Elizabeth entered the room and his heart squeezed painfully. Because of his stupidity, she could never be his. Darcy was struck by the paleness of her face. His sharp sting of guilt was followed by a sense of loss. Her beautiful eyes were red and excessively sad. Her lovely face made him recall the feelings that he had been trying to suppress. However, there was no going back. His path was set. So, he steeled himself for the confrontation. Elizabeth walked over and took a seat next to her father.

Darcy, after a few false starts, proceeded to lay out the history of his relationship with the Countess of Huntingdon. He found himself stammering and stuttering a great deal, especially as he alluded to his horrible indiscretion. He was quick to admit that his behavior towards Elizabeth had been abhorrent and that he knew that what he had done was unforgivable. But the wrong that he had done to Cassandra could only be satisfied by marriage, which necessitated an ending of his betrothal to Elizabeth. "I feel certain that you will wish to never see me again, and I do not blame you. I have injured you greatly and am truly sorry. In light of these events, I am sure that you wish to call off our betrothal. I await your verdict."

Two bright spots of color had appeared on Elizabeth's cheeks. She stared at him with incredulity in her eyes. Then abruptly, she stood and faced him silently. Finally, she spoke, "Sir, I considered your first proposal to have been the worst speech that I had ever heard, but that was before I had the privilege to hear this one. Then, you told me during your second proposal that I had inspired you to become a better man. However, you were sorely mistaken. You are the worst sort of man and not a man who I could ever trust. I will never understand how you could have professed to love me one moment but then have flown into the arms of another woman in the next moment." He bowed his head in despair at her condemnation. Then she glared at him and continued enunciating each word very slowly. "Even though you should be the last man that I would ever wish to marry, I cannot release you, sir."

During her discourse, Darcy had felt her blows as if they were physical. However, at her last statement, he blanched. "But you must be desirous of ending our understanding. I am sure that you find my treatment of you detestable."

She narrowed her eyes as she held his gaze. "You are correct, sir. I do find you detestable. Even so, I do not release you. If you desire to end our engagement, you must be the one to do so."

Darcy returned to his pacing. He worried his signet ring as he contemplated the future that he had chosen. Could he bring himself to say the words? Ah, but they were well past the point of no return. That had been determined at his first sight of Cassandra in his uncle's foyer. His failure had been assured at the moment that he let Elizabeth be drawn away by his aunt. He shut his eyes, breathed deeply, and spoke, "Very well, Miss Elizabeth. I…I declare an end to our betrothal." As he said the words, a wave of dizziness struck him like his world was turned upside-down. An involuntary sob escaped Elizabeth. He managed to stammer, "I-I wish you well and will always hold you in the highest esteem."

Elizabeth's face looked stricken, as she gave him a jerky nod. She said rather shakily, "I wish that I could say the same about you, but I cannot. Maybe, someday, I will look upon you with some fondness, but not at this time. Though, I do pity you, sir. For you have chosen a poor path. I once told you that I would always save you. However, one cannot be saved who does not wish it. Furthermore, it is altogether too late. I bid you goodbye." As her eyes spilled over with tears, she hurriedly quit the room.

Darcy was surprised to discover that several tears had escaped his own eyes, and his throat was painfully tight. He turned to stare unseeingly out the window to try to regain control of his emotions. He felt confident that this was the only route open to him. Nonetheless, his heart felt like it was being wrenched from his chest. His failure toward Elizabeth felt like a living thing. Then with a herculean effort, he willed himself to recall that he had physically bound himself to Cassandra and that subsequently, there was the possibility of a child. He had no choice but to move forward.

Gardiner cleared his throat drawing Darcy's attention back into the room. "Well, young man, we have some business to discuss in light of your breach of promise. Here is a copy of the marriage contract signed by you. In this document, you guaranteed my niece twenty thousand pounds. You should apply your signature to this note that says that you agree to provide that sum in the form of a bank certificate by close of business today. Are you in a position to comply with the terms of the contract?"

Darcy nodded his head in defeat and reached over to sign several copies of the note. He knew that it would take some time to replenish his store of ready funds, but he understood that he had no other choice.

No one spoke after that. These Men that Darcy had begun to look up to as surrogate fathers neither smiled at him nor offered him their hand as he prepared to leave the room. Deep loneliness engulfed him.

Bennet halted his exit with a last admonishment. It was delivered in near kindness. "Take care, Mr. Darcy. For your family does not have your best interest at heart." He glanced at Gardiner before going on, "And there is a matter concerning Lady Huntingdon that we wish to warn you of."

Darcy started in confusion wondering what he was referring to but decided that he would not question them. Therefore, he interrupted Bennet and stated, "I realize that my family has more faults than I have allowed and will take your words in the spirit that you have offered them. However, my future is irrevocably tied to the lady, so I ask that you not cast further disparagement on her character. My course is set." Darcy glanced one more time at the severed contract lying on the desk, nodded at the men, and made for the door.

Just before the door closed behind him, he heard Gardiner say with resignation in his tone, "Well, I guess that what Elizabeth said is true: some men do not wish to be saved."

He was startled to see Bingley propped against the wall in the foyer. He nodded to him with a mixture of hope and trepidation. However, he was met with a glare. "Darcy, you have been a good friend to me all these years, but now I feel as if I never really knew you. Miss Bennet and I will wed next week, and her family will become my family. Therefore, from this moment on I will no longer recognize you as my friend. I am sorry that it has come to this." Then Bingley turned and walked into the drawing room.

The losses were compounding. He found himself numbly climbing into his carriage with a great feeling of having made a serious mistake.

Pnpnp

As he entered his home, Darcy handed the note to release the funds for Elizabeth's settlement to a waiting footman with instructions to carry it to his banker directly.

Afterwards, he sat in his favorite chair before the fire nursing a drink and contemplating what he had done. Visions of Elizabeth passed through his mind. Knowing that he would soon be bound to another woman, he allowed his mind and heart one last chance to recall all the things that he loved about Elizabeth, and to meditate on her many fine features.

Having indulged his heart for a time, he resigned himself to do his duty. Before he knew it, he found himself at Lady Huntingdon's door. A half-hour later, he left her house an engaged man once again. He wanted to feel elated to have won the hand of the woman whom he had loved for all those many years ago, but uneasiness dampened his spirits.

Later, he stopped at Matlock House and was shown to the man's study. A rough-looking man with the appearance of the working class exited Lord Matlock's study just as he entered. Lisle and the Earl faced Darcy with pensive expressions.

Yet, Darcy was too caught up in his own ruminations to be attentive to the mood of the other two men. With less cheer than his words implied, he said, "Uncle, I have good news. I am now engaged to the lovely Lady Huntingdon."

Matlock gave him a relieved smile, "Ah, I assume that you have slipped the clutches of the fortune hunter. Well done, Darcy. Lady Huntingdon is a much more suitable bride for you. Splendid match."

Lisle chimed in, "Miss Bennet hardly had a good feature in her face. I do not know what you were thinking. Cassandra is a goddess."

Briefly Darcy considered that it was inappropriate for Lisle to address Lady Huntingdon so informally. But what caught and held his attention was their derogatory words towards Elizabeth. For she was a beautiful, estimable lady. Why did they speak so meanly of her? Georgiana and Mr. Gardiner had asserted that these two had been uncivil to her at dinner Thursday evening. Perhaps it was true. Had he been so caught up in Cassandra to have missed all of that? Those speculations further dampened his mood.

His uncle hesitantly said, "Lisle has gotten himself into something of a bind. That man who just left is a debt collector. He holds the markers for several of Lisle's gaming debts and is demanding payment before the close of business Monday."

Lisle interjected irritably, "Originally, we had worked out some very agreeable terms. Payment was not expected until the beginning of next year. Now he has changed his tune for no apparent reason. I do not understand what has occurred."

Darcy asked doubtfully, "How much are we talking about? Is there a difficulty meeting the demand?"

"Seven thousand pounds. A mere pittance," Cried Lisle. Darcy's eyes bulged at the amount.

The Earl gave Darcy a speculative glance, "I have just invested a good bit in a new enterprise and do not have the ready cash to dig my son out of this hole. Surely, you, Darcy, could advance Lisle that amount. It is nothing to a man of your deep pockets."

Darcy frowned in consternation. He abhorred Lisle's penchant for gambling, and he hated it even more when his relatives asked him for money. "I hate to disappoint you, but I too am suffering from a lack of ready cash."

Lisle wrinkled his brow in confusion. "You always have full coffers, Darce. What has served to empty them?"

"If you will but think, I have just disentangled myself from an engagement in which the contracts had been signed. To end the betrothal, I was forced to pay a settlement to the lady. It will take me two years to recoup the cost."

Matlock swore vehemently, "Darcy, I thought I made it clear that you were to induce her to release you so that you would not be in breach of promise. We discussed that yesterday. I thought you understood."

"Well, she refused to do so. And I could not bring myself to press her on it. There was nothing else to be done."

For some time, they continued to berate him about the foolishness of wasting the Darcy funds on Elizabeth Bennet.

Darcy finally took his leave of them. Lisle and the Earl also left to consult with their man of business concerning the funds to satisfy the debt collector.

Pnpnp

Matlock and Lisle walked down the hallway that led to the door of the bank's senior partner. As they approached, the door opened, and none other than Mr. Edward Gardiner stepped out. Without offering a smile, the man surveyed them briefly, tipped his hat, and strode down the hall.

Lisle smirked, "Sour grapes, I suppose. His darling niece must be very disappointed." The Earl chuckled and agreed, as they entered Mr. Trumball's office.

The venerable bank official listened with great patience to their request and assured them that there would be no problems issuing a loan to the Viscount. He stepped out of the room to have his clerk draft the documents required. To their irritation, it took much longer than they had expected resulting in Lisle's dropping off into a doze.

When Mr. Trumball reappeared, the Earl let him know that he was very offended at having been kept waiting, as he elbowed his son awake.

Mr. Trumball promptly apologized and passed them the paperwork. Matlock briskly scanned the figures and then blanched in outrage. "Trumball, what is the meaning of this? These terms are disgraceful. The amount of collateral required is unacceptable." He ranted and railed while the bank official gazed at him impassively. After exhausting himself, the Earl, along with his irritated son, finally signed the documents and left in high dudgeon.

Author's Note: And so ends the betrothal and begins the reprisals. The next chapter will detail the repercussions for the Fitzwilliams, the Bramwells, and Darcy, as well as Georgiana's escape.

Spoiler Alert: Spoiler Alert: Spoiler Alert: I hope that I made it apparent that Darcy is resolved. I want you to be prepared for the next chapter and not leave you hanging over the weekend thinking that he will escape without marrying Lady H. Sorry, but he most certainly will marry her. This will occur early in the next chapter. I have had it written this way too long to take it out now. Too many of your reviews were full of speculations as to how he would escape her. But it is just not to be. I felt that I needed to warn you.