Author's Notes: Hello Readers! I hope everyone has been safe and healthy since the last chapter. Thank you so much for the amazing response to the previous chapter! I am truly sorry for leaving you guys on a cliff hanger. I know I'm kind of the worst with the frequency of my updates, but this summer has been a rough one for my mental health. Between taking 3 5-week online college classes, the global pandemic, dealing with my two best friends and their weddings (both decided to postpone thankfully), living in a major US city during the largest civil rights movement in world history, next thing I knew it was the end of July.

So finally, an updated for you all, with another heavy helping of ODC to make up for the 18 chapters you all read with no interaction. We will return to Netherfield in the next chapter to see what's been going on there while Darcy is in London.

I wanted to respond to some commenters who have mentioned how much they appreciate Jane's characterization. I tried really hard to use the canon behaviors as a base for everyone and really put a lot of thought into how those types of characters might adapt and alter to to the situations I put them in. I wanted everyone to be recognizable as Austen's character, just having had a different life. I was especially nervous about Jane, since she is so serene, innocent, and proper in so many iterations that I thought people might view her as OOC, especially when I had her reclaim her sexuality. I love hearing your thoughts and really do take your questions and comments into consideration!

With all that said, happy reading! Thanks for continuing on the journey with me!

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Constable Reid was a tall, thin man, of some forty years or more, who glanced up from the letter before him with a quizzical expression. Across from him sat one of the most illustrious personages in the land, who had been reduced to the role of messenger boy in his involvement in the Hertfordshire case. While the Bow Street Magistrate's office frequently worked on behalf of the members of the upper ten thousand, having these wealthy men involve themselves so completely in the case…well, in Constable Reid's knowledge…such a thing had not occurred in Bow Street before. It was Darcy who had written to Bow Street, requesting the presence of a runner to investigate the assault of a parson near the village of Meryton, and Darcy who now sat before him, awaiting further instruction. The runner who had been sent to Hertfordshire was Constable Gantry, a keen young man and something of Reid's protégé. Gantry had requested Reid's help in tracking down information regarding the history of one William Collins, the primary suspect in the case…but this letter had been written before Mr. Darcy had come to Town and been reintroduced to one Miss Adelaide Bernard. Miss Bernard had information regarding for him on this very topic, and Reid was grateful for it.

That beguiling creature sat to Darcy's left, a haunting vision of loveliness, wrapped in black as she was. She was pale and a touch too thin to be fashionable, or even healthy, but was otherwise just as enchanting as the day Reid and his wife had attended a showing of Hamlet. Miss Bernard had a brought a life to Hamlet's Ophelia that was absent in the words of the bard, her energy was heady and intoxicating. She had been nervous to come to Bow Street and present her evidence against Mr. Collins, but now that Reid had all the evidence before him, she grew impatient for him to cast his verdict and see what means were within his disposal to further assist them in achieving justice. She was itching to know what this constable could do to aid them in their endeavors – or if confiding in anyone, let alone officers of the law, had been a grave mistake.

Her mind returned to the scene of the previous day, her cheeks reddening as she remembered the dramatis of her outburst. Elizabeth's declaration as a murderess had carried all the power of a gunshot. Her handsome paramour had stared at her in wide eyed wonder, oblivious to her efforts to remove soft, feminine hands from the power of his mighty grip. Darcy's lips had parted with a slack-jawed astonishment. Looking at him sitting so stoically now, it was difficult to not feel the significance of his own emotional response to her confession. Before the Constable, Darcy showed only his Master of Pemberley mien – but before her he was able to express himself simply as Darcy, the man.

Darcy's mind was similarly engaged as Reid looked over the missives he had handed over. Though he looked calm, aloof, even proud on the surface, in truth, he was so greatly perturbed by his interview with Elizabeth on the previous day that he could think of little else, even in her presence once again. While they waited for Constable Reid to provide them with his professional assessment of the present situation, his mind drifted, recalling the events of the previous day.

0o0o0o0o0o

Just moments before Elizabeth's stunning declaration that Darcy could not marry a murderess, Darcy had held Elizabeth's hands with tender affection – and in his shock he now gripped her with no small degree of strength, hardly realizing that he did so, for his surprise was so great that he had little notion of anything else in that moment.

"Darcy!" the actress cried, her famous eyes welling with tears once again as she struggled. "Release me!"

Recalled to his wits by the sound of her frustrated cries, Fitzwilliam released his vice-like hold on his beloved, his hands pulling from hers as if her touch had scalded him. He took one step back, then another, his clever mind attempting to make sense of her horrifying words. She trembled before him, overcome with the violence of her emotions. Yet her chin lifted in defiance, and her tearful eyes shone with a rage that Darcy had never seen in a woman before. Could she be a murderess? His darling Adelaide, beloved Lizzy Bennet of Longborn, a killer? No, no, this could not be…surely, he must have misunderstood her meaning.

"Forgive me," he murmured, unable to find better words in his shock.

Her lovely eyes squeezed closed, and her chest rose and sank with a calming breath. Her lashes fluttered open once more, and she met his gaze with a look that he was in no condition to decipher.

"Please, sit, Mr. Darcy." She spoke with a forced calmness. "There is much more to the story my history with Mr. Collins that I must acquaint you with."

Could a man, finding himself in such an unexpected interview, do anything else but obey the lady's command? Darcy found himself sitting across the desk from her once more, his mind reeling. "Yes…there must be more." He said thoughtfully, addressing his own conscious rather than the woman before him. "The knowledge of Reverend Collins' assault could not have inspired such a ferocious reaction. But…Adelaide…Elizabeth, have you killed?"

"No sir," she whispered, meeting his hurt and incredulous gaze, "I have not. But you must understand that…should the day come…if I can seek justice through no other means than my own hands…I shall do so, and I shall not be swayed from my course. William Collins must pay for his crimes, and I must see that justice is delivered to him."

Elizabeth remained standing before him, the dark ringlets of her wild chestnut mane sparkling in the light of the golden afternoon. Small hands smoothed imaginary wrinkles in her dress, and her speaking eyes took on a vacant, faraway expression. Though she looked at Darcy, she did not see him – in her mind, she had returned to Hertfordshire, the Hertfordshire of her youth.

"No, it is not my cousin's assault which compels me to seek justice, though I am grieved to learn of this heinous crime. In truth, I hardly know my Cousin William. We met when his father came to Longborn to claim the inheritance, but I took very little interest in him, as caught as I was in my childish grief. Soon enough he was returned to school, and my Uncles informed us that he would be married to Jane in a few years' time, so that the Bennet girls might remain attached to Longborn."

This surprising knowledge roused Darcy from his stupor. "Mrs. Collins was affianced to the Reverend, yet married his father?" Came the astonished inquiry.

Lizzy's lips curled into half a smile at his shock. "Yes. My Uncle Gardiner and Phillips are not without some sensitivity. William is only a year or two older than my sister, and as his father's first-born son, will one day inherit Longborn. They considered it quite a prudent, sensible decision…and Jane was always so good, so obedient, that despite her own feelings, she did not offer any resistance to this plan. They had not imagined for a moment that they were tying the fate of a sixteen-year-old girl to a man more than three decades her senior." She hesitated a moment, her bemusement fading. "No one suspected him…except me."

Darcy straightened in his chair. "You would have only been a girl, yourself. You saw that which your elders did not?"

"Yes." She answered simply. "I was three and ten at the time of my father's death. I have already spoken to you of Collins' desire to make a reputation for himself in the community. He had a certain power over others that I can not express properly to you…It is difficult to describe. His presence was…commanding. When he chose to use his powers to please, he could express himself quite charmingly, and he used every charm in his arsenal to enrapture my relatives. However, he saw no need to exert himself to charm the wards of his estate. Perhaps because we were children…and worse still, penniless daughters, he thought there was nothing to be gained in winning our favor. We saw a side of Collins that others were blind to."

His mind was recalled to tea at Netherfield only the day prior to their interview, when Collins had turned all his attentions toward pleasing Miss Bingley. "I believe I have seen such a display from him before." He said with an encouraging nod.

"I was a precocious child – my nature inquisitive and my energy, restless. My mother and father had been wildly indulgent parents, especially my father who, something of a bibliophile himself, encouraged the development of my mind through extensive reading. Between the education provided for me by the written word, and the realities of being raised on working farmland, I had a better sense than most young girls do of the relations which exist between man and woman."

Despite himself, Darcy blushed to hear her speak so. A bit pink in the cheeks herself, Elizabeth continued, adding, "Dismissed by my new guardian, and coddled by my relations, I could see that which the adults would not recognize. He did not bother to conceal his desires from me or my sisters, powerless as we were to prevent him from any action he may take, if we should even understand him. I do not believe he thought I had been watching him with any comprehension, or he would have never agreed to my coming to live with them at Longborn. But I understood him perfectly, I had a strong suspicion of what his dark looks toward my sister meant. Mr. Collins watched my sister Jane constantly. His black eyes haunted her every step. He reminded me of our barn cats, laying in wait for their prey. His looks made me very uneasy. I did not trust him."

"Considering how future events have unfolded, I must commend you for your instincts."

"With all my heart, I wish that I had been mistaken. With the estate settled, and the family in mourning, my sisters were divided to new households. The youngest two away to school, where they remain to this day, my sisters Jane and Mary to Meryton, in the care of my Aunt and Uncle Phillips, in order to await Jane's future wedding to William, and I removed to Town in the care of my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. It was during this time in London that I made the acquaintance my dear Padre, Signore Forelli. The details of which you have read in that gentleman's hand. It was a chance encounter, that my Aunt should have stopped to visit my Uncle at his warehouse with me in tow, just as Signore Forelli reviewed the wares…I have begun to believe it must have been fate which connected us."

Darcy frowned slightly. "His love for you was apparent to all of London, and his letter to your Uncle certainly demonstrates the great depth of his regard. Yet I can not like him, knowing that he chose to keep you in his household, rather than returning you to the bosom of your family. He knew that such an action was incredibly selfish but made his decision all the same."

Elizabeth's love for her provider and protector urged her to defend Forelli's character, but her good sense prevailed over her emotions. "It was wrong of him yes…he was a good man, albeit an imperfect one. But his selfishness was a blessing for me, Mr. Darcy. To return to my family…an impossibility which could have risked my life, or the lives of my sisters. I have stayed away for their protection, as well as my own."

The Derbyshire man sputtered; his confusion evident across his handsome face. "Your protection? The protection of your sisters?" He had asked, urging her to continue.

"I fear I have my telling has outpaced the progress of the story. Allow me to return to my time in London, residing on Gracechurch St. It was during my tenure in the Gardiner's household during which news reached us of Jane's betrothal to Collins' Sr. Though they attempted to conceal this information from me, it is much harder to keep nosy children out of the way in a London townhouse than a country manor. I quickly pieced together the pertinent information myself. My Uncle Gardiner and Phillips, pressed for time to settle the details of my father's poorly managed estate, had not given the marriage contract the level of scrutiny it deserved…but of course, at the time of signing it, they had no reason to distrust the new master of Longborn. My Uncles believed that they had affianced Jane to our cousin, Master William…however, the son is the namesake of his father, and the marriage contract did not distinguish between the generations. I do not know whether the elder used this language intentionally, or if he merely saw an opportunity he could twist to his advantage. Outside of my own suspicions, my family had never considered that my father's heir would have any designs upon his daughters. Almost as soon we entered half-mourning, the banns were called for my sister's marriage…and the reading of the banns is how we learned of the understanding between them at all."

Darcy's countenance had grown pale as Elizabeth gave her speech. "It was not long after making Mr. Collins' acquaintance that I realized the man was not a gentleman in any true sense of the word…he is an arrogant, miserly sort, at best. But to prey upon a young woman in mourning, a girl who had only just stepped out of the school room? To claim the fiancé of his son for himself? These are damning accusations against the man's character."

"I do damn his character!" Elizabeth replied hotly. "I have seen nothing of goodness, of kindness, of even regret within him. He does not deserve any benefit of consideration from yourself. Consider not just the fact the Collins preyed upon a young girl who had lost both of her parents within the span of two short years, but the way he cornered her family in order to get what he wanted. Collins knew full well how precarious the respectability of the Bennet orphans was, how poorly prepared my father had been to meet his maker, how much stress and heartache had been the burden of my Uncles. His decision in having the banns read was a deliberate choice to place the respectability of the Bennets on the line, in order to compel my uncles to agree to the match. He knew that neither of them had the financial resources, nor the time, to bring this contract before the courts…and even if they did, it would have been a very small chance that a court would rule in their favor. The contract called for Jane to take William Collins for a husband…and so she would. To do otherwise after the banns had been called could have ruined the reputation of all five sisters."

A vision of Georgina's tear-stained face swam before his vision. How would he, as head of the Darcy family, have handled his sister's near elopement last summer if he did not have Pemberley's coffers, and the power they provided him? Society had precious little forgiveness for the transgressions of women of any age. Darcy had stilled any potentiality of wagging tongues with both brides and threats…but a cash-strapped tradesman and a country attorney would have been unable to exert that same level of influence within their communities. Collins truly had backed the Bennet, Gardiner, and Phillips family into a corner in which Jane's marriage was the only respectable option for them. It was a despicable action…but it was also an exceedingly canny one for the villain to make. It would not be wise to underestimate him.

"I am grieved to learn of the circumstances which brought about the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Collins." Darcy replied thickly, swallowing back his anger. "Grieved and shocked. I have never thought well of the man, but the more I learn of him the further my opinion sinks. Deceit and trickery are abhorrent in every possible way." He hesitated, his voice softening somewhat. "However, I do not understand why it is that you live in so much fear of him…that you feared for your very life at that."

Elizabeth's bright eyes would not meet Darcy's warm, steady gaze. Those famous hazel orbs were looking past Darcy, peering into the depths of fraught memories. Her voiced wavered as she spoke, her tone wet with unshed tears. "Once things had been settled, the Gardiners took all of us to Longborn, so that we could see Jane married. My relatives had been…unsettled…by the hasty decision of the elder Collins to wed my sister…but outside of this instance, they knew no evil of him. However, I was very convinced of my sister's unhappiness, and I begged to remain with them at Longborn after the marriage had occurred. Collins was still uneasy with his new standing in society and wanted to maintain the approbation of my family despite the patched-up affair of his wedding and consented to the scheme."

Darcy looked as if he would speak, but Elizabeth raised a slender hand to silence him, continuing her monologue. "Jane's transition to married life was exceedingly difficult Darcy, and that is perhaps as circumspect I can be in describing those months to you. Jane bore it all as cheerfully as she could manage and would not confide any of her troubles to me…but there are some things that simply can not remain concealed from the members of your own household. I became Jane's protector, as much as I was able to be for her…but I was still a child myself and my little attempts at rebellion perhaps did more to hinder Jane than to help…until the day that I…" Here her voice faltered, and her faraway expression returned to the London parlor, her speaking eyes wet.

Instinctively, Darcy found himself extending his handkerchief once again, and Elizabeth took it with gratitude, pressing the cool fabric against damp cheeks. "Forgive me," she murmured with an uncharacteristic softness, "I have not spoken of this day aloud to another soul. I know that I must…but recalling these events and speaking of them…it is not easy for me."

There was nothing he desired so much in all the world than to be a comfort to his beloved in such a moment, but he was not at liberty to do so. With enormous will power, Darcy commanded his body to remain where he was, and refrained from pulling her small frame into his arms. "I am happy, even eager, to hear all that is within your power to confide to me, Miss Bennet, but I will not press you. If there is any explanation of the past 7 years you owe to anyone, it is not me, but to your family."

She released a humorless laugh. "You are correct, of course. But if I can not speak my truth before you now, how will I ever find the courage to face my sisters or achieve the justice that I seek? No – I must take the trouble of practicing…difficult as it may be."

Darcy allowed himself a wry sort of smile. "Perhaps you would be more comfortable if I removed myself to the window, and stared out in my usual attitude of hauteur…surely you must have come to realize that there is no one who has spent more time listening to you speak than myself."

This unexpected humor made her laugh in truth, even if her mirth was short-lived. "There was a time I believed you attended me so closely, but did not engage in the conversation, because you found amusement in finding fault with me and my pert opinions."

The Derbyshire gentleman could not help but shake his head at his own folly. "I have never found conversing in public settings an easy or pleasant task…but only my great regard for you has rendered me absolutely silent. I hope that if nothing else, the offer I extended to you assured you that I had not been finding any fault with you during my long stretches of silence."

"Yes," Elizabeth replied softly, looking up at him through thick lashes with an expression that left Darcy breathless, "it has been many months now that your quiet companionship took on a new meaning for me. I have not thought so poorly of you in quite a long time."

Darcy could do little more than smile warmly in response, his heart thundering in his chest. He had spent the better part of the past two years living with the assumption that the woman he loved despised him – and rightfully so, but she was all forgiveness and tender affection. A man who felt less may have been able to say more, but Elizabeth understood his quiet nature now.

With a heavy sigh, the actress reached into the same drawer she had retrieved Forelli's letter, and removed another missive, yellowed with age. Her hands trembled slightly as she extended the letter for Darcy to take. "You have asked me why I am afraid of my sister's husband, and the time has come for me to unload this burden. I am sorry, Darcy, that you have become mixed up in this tragic affair. It was never my desire for anyone to learn of my intentions, but my secrecy has only served the villain in this case. After the marriage took place, I remained at Longborn for several months. With my elder sister married, she could be considered a proper chaperone for me in Meryton society, despite how close we are in age. Life at Longborn was quite different than the home I had left behind when I moved to London in my Uncle's care, my new guardian was very strict. One fine autumn afternoon, Jane allowed me a break from my lessons in order to enjoy the fresh air. My walks were constricted to the boundaries of the estate, and I liked to end these rambles at the barn in order to visit the cats who made it their home. Only on this day, the barn hosted more than the usual animals…I caught sight of my guardian, Mr. Collins in a heated exchange with another gentleman, who was a stranger to me. Fearing Mr. Collins' ire that I had skipped my lessons, I took refuge behind a hale bale and could not help but to overhear the conversation between them."

Her luminous eyes locked onto Darcy's sympathetic gaze, and she allowed his unspoken support to bolster her, continuing, "Mr. Darcy…I hope you will not think less of me for eavesdropping. I could hardly help doing so in the circumstance, but I confess, my nature is such that I could not contain my curiosity in any case. How different my life should have been had I never heard what was spoken!"

Darcy had been restraining himself from closing the space between them with a mighty vigor. But seeing the woman he loved so clearly distraught, his vivacious Adelaide so subdued, so frightened, proved to be too much. He reached across the length of the desk, taking her small hands in his own with every tenderness. "I hope you know me better than to believe I could ever think less of you for actions taken as a child…but will you not tell me what it was that you overheard, Elizabeth?"

She gulped visibly, and then shook her head slightly, as if to shake off the last of her fears. "The conversation between Mr. Collins and the stranger, who was called Malvern, regarded payment from Collins to that man for a service rendered...Malvern did not feel he was receiving proper compensation for the aid he had given Collins. At first I did not comprehend what the argument was about…until Malvern stated that Longborn was worth killing for…and…I can still hear the very words in his voice…he said 'I helped you kill a man, I confess it."

The light of comprehension dawned in Darcy's eyes. "You are certain, absolutely certain of what you heard?"

"Oh yes," Elizabeth replied, looking wan. "Malvern was blackmailing Collins for the murder of my father – it was stated in no uncertain terms, and the letter in your possession will further verify this claim."

"Such knowledge would surely frighten and upset any who heard it. But why did you not bring this matter to the attention of other adults in your life? Surely your Uncle Gardiner and Phillips would have moved against the blackguard!"

"I had no opportunity to do so before it was too late…you see…as the conversation concluded, the gentleman moved towards me…and as I realized there was no way I could move without exposing myself, I am ashamed to confess that I was beset by panic and promptly fainted. I came to in the study…to the sight of Collins…dragging my sister Jane into the room by her hair."

Darcy paled. Over the course of his acquaintance with Mrs. Collins, he had harbored several uncharitable thoughts toward her, observing the manipulative way she had pushed his friend toward her sister during their time in Hertfordshire. His opinion of her had improved as he saw how attentively she nursed her stepson at Netherfield, but still Darcy had found reasons to doubt her. Hearing of her difficulties filled Darcy's breast with shame. Mrs. Collins, not even five-and-twenty, had endured more than most and yet retained a tender, loving, heart.

Elizabeth was still speaking, choking out her words as she described what happened next – Mr. Collins, canny as he was, realized that Elizabeth would suffer more from witnessing her beloved sister receive a beating, than feeling the stings of the cane herself. He told Elizabeth that Jane had vouched for her, had told her husband that Elizabeth was a good girl, and that Jane had promised to be responsible for Elizabeth. By the logic of the Master of Longborn, Elizabeth's transgressions were Jane's transgressions, and it would be Jane who suffered for them. Elizabeth had begged him to spare her sister, which had only excited Collins' passions and caused further injury. He claimed that Jane's punishment had been because Elizabeth had disregarded her lessons and flouted propriety by napping in a hale bale, like a common field-hand.

"But I knew that wasn't the true cause of his fury, of the blind rage that possessed him. Collins could not be sure whether I had truly been asleep, or merely pretending…he rightly feared that I heard his private conversation and sought to remind me of the power he held over all of us. I could read his fear in those black eyes."

Darcy's thumbs traced the curves of Elizabeth's palm in soothing circles, all the while his mind raced with righteous fury. "And so…you ran?" He whispered, hardly trusting himself to say more.

"Yes. But it was not so simple as that. I would have remained forever for Jane's sake. However, I had become truly frightened of what would happen to her if I remained, as well as if I left. I spent many sleepless nights trying to figure out what could be done…and I concluded that there was little in my power to do. I was a thirteen-year-old child, and Jane was bound by God to her father's murderer, and the testimony of a hoydenish young girl would not be enough to see him hang for the crime…if such a testimony was even given any consideration at all. If anything, telling such a fantastical story would more than likely see me put away for grief-stricken delusions. That is what they do with 'hysterical' young women after all…send them to Bedlam. I realized that I would have to be extraordinarily careful with my behavior and allow Collins to relax somewhat…all the while gathering what evidence I could to prove the truth of my story."

Darcy's eyes drifted toward the unopened letter on the desk before him, and the corners of Elizabeth's plump lips curled slightly. "I knew that Malvern would be expecting more payments, and so I watched the post most carefully. I did not believe that Collins would be stupid enough to keep the prior communications from his co-conspirator, and so I waited for fresh news. While I waited, I plotted how I could remove myself from Longborn, should Collins discover what I was about. I did not want to leave my sister…but I did not know what a murderer like Collins could be capable of if he realized he had indeed, been discovered. In only a few short weeks, the letter I had anticipated, arrived. That same evening, when I was sure that all members of the household had retired, I snuck into the study to hunt for the missive and see what could be gleaned from it."

0o0o0o0o0o

Darcy had then lifted the letter from the desk and unfolded the aged pages with care. Though he hardly wanted to believe Elizabeth's fantastical tale…there could be no dismissing the implications of such a letter. The contents of the letter had, indeed, confirmed Elizabeth's side of the story…as well as explained the terror that caused her to flee Longborn, and her fear to return to Hertfordshire. After reading the letter, he had insisted that they share it with the men he had hired to investigate Collins…and getting Elizabeth to acquiesce to the scheme had been difficult, at best.

However, Darcy had carried his point, countering Elizabeth's more emotionally based objections with a firm resolution of spirit and a calm, logical response to every one of her misgivings. She had been reluctant to agree but agree she eventually did. Now they sat before Constable Reid as a united front, a team, Darcy thought to himself with a small smile, eager to hear the good gentleman's thoughts about the case against Mr. Collins.

Constable Reid was hardly a poet. After he finished reading the last of the provided information, he pursed his lips slightly and spat out with some vehemence. "Blasted entailments! What good comes from them?"

Darcy's stoic façade did not drop, but Elizabeth released a laugh of surprise and delight. "I am quite of your opinion, Sir." She stated with warmth.

"The evidence presented within this letter certainly helps build a case against Mr. Collins, but without corroborating witnesses outside of yourself, Miss Bennet…well, it would be very difficult to present the case to the courts. The choice of Miss Bennet's profession will undoubtedly be used to discredit her own testimony. If we are to move forward against Mr. Collins, it is imperative that we find this Robert Malvern and this maid he wrote of."

Elizabeth bristled slightly at the constable's comment regarding her line of work but knew the truth of what he said. As a young, attractive, and charming actress, she was the toast of the town…and unless her most powerful friends publicly gave her their full support, that status would alter significantly when she accused a landed gentleman of murder. How often did their society ignore the cries of women in favor of the very men that spoke against them? How many women were married to gentlemen who had forced their attentions on their person? How many girls were banished from their homes, how many young women were shunned by society, because of small infractions, while men who participated in these same sinful activities never heard a word of condemnation spoken against them? London society would be quite eager to dismiss the words of an actress no matter how popular she currently was. Seeking legal redress from Mr. Collins's crimes could potentially have more lasting effects on her than on the villain. Yes, Reid was right…finding Mr. Malvern was a necessity.

Darcy frowned with severity and said, "Do whatever is needed to find him, and send the receipts to Darcy house. Miss Bennet is not to pay a shilling of the cost for this manhunt."

"Mr. Darcy!" Elizabeth said with some dismay, "there is no need to make such a generous offer. I have a good income and am well able to pay for the services of Bow Street."

Darcy turned his head, his brown eyes warm despite his grim countenance. They were eyes full of love for her, and as soon as theirs met, she realized the futility of her argument. Despite being rejected, humiliated, and pushed away, there was nothing Fitzwilliam Darcy would not do for her. "Miss Bennet, I mean no insult to you, nor do I wish to insult your independent nature…but you must allow me to take up the mantel of this burden. I know that you have an inheritance from Signore Forelli now – but if you truly intend to take on the guardianship of your sisters after we take Collins to court, you will find providing for three dependents a costly affair. The Darcy fortune is in a much more stable position at present than your own. I would hate to see you squander your finances precipitously when I was able to provide you with this aid with little inconvenience or impact on my own wealth."

It was Elizabeth's turn to frown, and she did so quite prettily. Her ire stirred at his officious, heavy-handed manner, yet…he was right. Forelli's legacy made Elizabeth secure, but it certainly did not make her rich. It would take a great deal of misplaced pride for Elizabeth to reject Darcy's help…he had the sort of resources which meant that he hardly had to consider the cost of anything – while Elizabeth lived by a strictly followed budget. After living so many years on the kindness of others, there was not much Elizabeth loathed more than asking for assistance, but she was more clever than proud. It would be stupidity alone to reject the insistent man who loved her despite everything.

She dipped her head in a small acknowledgement to Darcy – the logistics could be worked out amongst them at some other point. What mattered most was that the search began. She turned her famous gaze toward Constable Reid and asked, "And what of the present circumstance, if my cousin, the heir of Longborn, succumbs to his injuries or illness?"

"If Reverend Collins dies, there is a very clear case to charge Mr. Collins with a crime, at least according to the information provided to me by my colleague. However, if Reverend Collins does recover, then the ability to charge Mr. Collins for assault rests upon his decision. Gantry writes that some of Longborn's servants have testified to having witnessed the attack after a coin was pressed into their hands…but there are no credible witnesses at present. The Reverend's account of the attack will become the key to Mr. Collins' freedom, in that circumstance."

Constable Reid had much more to say on the topic, and many questions to ask of Elizabeth, which she did her best to answer with equanimity. After having spent the better part of a decade confiding in no one, shielding her truth from the world at large, it was an emotional experience to unburden herself in this manner. At times, it felt exhilarating to have the truth be known, and in other moments her throat would constrict from the waves of panic that engulfed her. Elizabeth Bennet had been alone for many years, buried in the recesses of Adelaide Bernard's heart – this self-imposed entombment, and sudden resurrection, first by Forelli in writing to her Uncle, and now by Darcy coming to London, had her quite overwhelmed. And very soon, in a mere matter of hours…she would be on the road to Hertfordshire, the very country she had fled from, once again.

Elizabeth and Darcy had arrived at Constable Reid's apartments separately. She needed to return her house in order to oversee the rest of her packing, and complete notes to the Countess, as well as her colleagues, to explain her absence. Darcy had his own affairs to attend to before his return to Netherfield, but nevertheless waited for Elizabeth's carriage to be brought round before requesting his own mount. They stood together for a few minutes in a companionable silence, save for the wild beating of their hearts.

It was Darcy who broke through the silence. "I want you to know, Miss Bennet…your story…all I have learned these past two days…it has moved me in a way I did not expect. You were an incredibly brave child and have grown into a courageous young woman. I have admired you from nearly the earliest moment of our acquaintance but learning of your ordeals has transformed my admiration of your character to something much deeper. You are truly extraordinary, Elizabeth."

She turned to face him, fully, her speaking eyes shining with gratitude and affection. "I am not so very extraordinary, sir." She said softly. "I am an ordinary country-girl, who has found herself in extraordinary circumstances, but I thank you for your compliment. I am certainly not so courageous as you would believe…in fact I do not believe I have ever been so frightened as I am today, knowing I will be in Hertfordshire before nightfall."

"I do not believe," responded the gentleman gently, "that courage is the absence of fear, but rather the ability to rise above one's fears and trepidation."

Elizabeth's cheeks pinked slightly. "Thank you," she murmured, "I shall endeavor to remember your point of view, and let it bolster me when I falter."

The urge to kiss her, to bolster her courage with the depth of his regard, threatened to overwhelm him. It was extremely difficult to maintain proper decorum when she showed her whole heart to him in her fine eyes. Though she understood him better than she had that fated April, though she had even come to care for him, she still insisted they could not marry, and there was no understanding between them. If his darling Elizabeth, who had endured so much, could be so brave, then Darcy would endeavor to be patient, and not allow the passions of his heart to consume him. The Bennet family had experienced such tragedy, and the ramifications of their tragedy was coming to a head. His feelings, his wishes, his love…that was a secondary issue to the troubles at hand. He would not be the spoilt, selfish boy he had been a six-and-twenty, and press his suit further, at present. Elizabeth had unwittingly taught him many lessons, lessons of humility, respect for others, of what it truly meant to love. He would not lose his head and forget all that he had learned in these past two years. He would not throw himself at her and ask her to think of love and marriage in a time such as this. Instead, he would support her during these trials by being the friend and help-meet she needed, and show, through his actions, what a proper husband could be.

Author's Notes: If you're wondering why I didn't reveal the contents of Malvern's letter - it was deliberate! Considering how long Elizabeth has been absent from the lives of the other characters, it would be very strange to not write reunion scenes...and since she has reunions with multiple characters, (first Uncle Gardiner, now Darcy, next Jane and Mary, and others to follow) and her story is complex and emotional for her to tell, I've made a choice to only show certain bits of explanations from each characters reunion, so that it doesn't get too dull for my audience. Plus, it makes for a better mystery!

Thanks again for reading my work! I'd love to hear from you, and always appreciate constructive criticism. I've also been LOVING your theories.