Author's Note: Again, I started this story over because I was struggling with where/how to go next. I plan to keep releasing about 1 chapter a day until I either finish, or I get behind with what I have already written. I felt like the original story began in the middle and needed to flesh out the beginning better before I could continue. It is obviously a work in progress and I welcome helpful feedback. Please let me know what you think.

Chapter 6

The Gardiners extended their visit for a full fortnight after they moved to Pemberley. During this time, the relationship between the Darcys and the Gardiners deepened, and much business was discussed between the gentlemen. Before the fortnight ended, Mr. Gardiner informed his family that the elder Mr. Darcy signed a contract promising a significant investment in his business. The son was included in these conversations and even Elizabeth participated from time to time, since she occasionally assisted her uncle with his accounting.

Fourteen-year-old Elizabeth found a sense of home at Pemberley that she had never quite felt in London. She missed her childhood home of Longbourn, or at least she missed the freedom she once had to wander through the fields and forests. Together with Fitzwilliam and Georgiana Darcy, she felt some of that freedom again as the siblings showed Elizabeth around the estate. The three were often found together, and despite the disparity in their ages, they found much in common. Elizabeth was in between the two in age, helping to bridge any gap between them, and they each helped her as she learned to ride across the estate. Though not fashionable or strictly proper, Georgiana's brother had taught her to ride astride, so Elizabeth was taught the same. She attempted riding side-saddle but found it less comfortable and less steady, so she grew to prefer riding astride, though her uncle informed her it would not be permitted in town.

Georgiana, with her shy demeanour, gradually opened up to Elizabeth's spirited companionship. Fitzwilliam Darcy, though initially reserved, showed a kindness and patience that Elizabeth had not expected with both of the girls. He often joined them on their rides, offering tips and encouragement, and providing additional protection in case Wickham sought them out.

One afternoon, as they rode through the countryside, Elizabeth revelled as the wind blew her hair. The rhythmic motion of the horse beneath her made her feel alive in a way she had never experienced before.

"You are becoming quite the accomplished rider, Miss Gardiner," the younger Darcy remarked with a rare smile, displaying his dimples.

Elizabeth grinned back at him, though her cheeks heated slightly at the appearance of said dimples. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I have had excellent teachers in you and Georgiana."

Georgiana, riding alongside, nodded in agreement. "Indeed. I am glad we could share this with you, Elizabeth. I have always wanted a sister and I have so enjoyed having a female companion this last week."

"Your father has invited us to return next summer, and told my aunt and uncle that we may see you in London in the autumn and spring. You must write to me, Georgiana. It may not be quite the same, but it will at least allow us to stay in contact until we are in the same town again," Elizabeth offered.

The three stopped for a few minutes as they reached the top of the small hill they had been ascending. "This is beautiful," Elizabeth cried. "I do not know how you ever leave it," she said, turning to smile at her companions.

They returned her smiles and the three spoke for several minutes about the view of the distant peaks. Before long, they turned their mounts and began to ride back toward the manor. Elizabeth slowed slightly, and Darcy did the same, allowing Georgiana to go on with the groom riding behind her.

"Are you well, Miss Gardiner?" he asked.

She turned to him, her smile gone. "We are to leave soon and I have heard nothing again about the man who accosted me." She paused briefly as she took in the look on her companion's face. "I did not know if Georgiana knew what happened and so did not want to mention it in front of her. I have also hesitated to say anything to my uncle. Can you tell me anything?"

It took a moment for Darcy to answer, and Elizabeth watched as his face grew stonier the longer the silence lasted. "Forgive me if I have upset you," she said quietly.

"You are not to blame, Miss Gardiner. I was momentarily lost in thought. You have become like a ... sister to me, so I suppose that makes me angrier by what Wickham attempted with you," he paused and sighed before continuing. "Wickham was discovered three days ago attempting to steal a horse and some other things from a neighbour's farm. He was caught since he also attempted to injure the farmer's daughter as he did you, but he did not count on her having several brothers who arrived home just as he struck her to silence her. One brother attended to the injured girl while the other two took him out behind the barn and beat him severely. If he recovers from the beating, he will be hung. Once again, Wickham attempted to claim that he was Fitzwilliam Darcy, so the magistrate sent a note to my father informing him of events and letting him know Wickham's fate. They knew he was lying since both my father and I were well known in and around Derby."

"So he will receive his punishment for his misdeeds?"

Darcy nodded, taking a moment to think before he answered. "We were friends once. It pains me to see what he has become and to know that his life will soon end. Despite everything he had done before, my father offered to sponsor him in a career, with a promise of funds once he completed an apprenticeship, but he angrily refused. He has been given so many chances to better himself, yet he chose this path. Even after he was beaten and arrested, he attempted to use my name in the hope of injuring me one more time. I suppose I feel sorry for what he could have been. I know the thought plagues my father."

Elizabeth leaned slightly in her saddle and patted his hand. "He made his own decisions, Mr. Darcy."

"Why is it that you call my sister by her name, and even call my father Uncle George, yet you still call me Mr. Darcy?" he asked, the suddenness of the question surprising Elizabeth.

Laughing at the abrupt change of topic, Elizabeth clasped his hand for a moment. "Because they have asked me to call them such, while you have not," she trilled.

"Miss Gardiner," he said loftily, a hint of teasing in his eyes, "would you please allow me the honour of calling you by your Christian name? I would like it if you would address me as my sister does, and call me William."

"I would be happy to call you William, though I suppose if we do see each other in town as your father plans, we should return to formality of address," Elizabeth replied.

"Only when in company, and truly, since you are not out, it should make little difference. Though perhaps in London, I ought to refer to you as Miss Elizabeth," Darcy said, his tone pleasant.

Elizabeth turned to smile at him. "I would like that," she said simply. Shaking off whatever feeling was seeming to overwhelm her, she continued. "Georgiana has told me on several occasions that she views me as a sister. Perhaps we ought to simply call you my brother or another cousin, then our informality will be excused."

"I think I could benefit from another cousin," he said slowly, and Elizabeth felt an unexplainable sense of relief over his claiming that relationship.

The Gardiners departed for London not long after this conversation. Over the next year, they met with the elder Darcy and his daughter several times in London , although saw the younger gentleman only rarely until the spring.

At twenty-one, Darcy was already considered quite a desirable catch in London society. A naturally quiet and reserved man, he was uncomfortable with the attention of matchmaking mothers, their daughters, and the occasional brother or father keen to encourage a match between the heir of Pemberley and their titled, well-dowered, or well-connected sister or daughter. Darcy struggled not to retreat behind a mask when attending the events his aunt, Lady Matlock, and his father insisted he attend.

He found relief in his books, his daily rides, and his frequent visits to the Gardiner home. The presence of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, whether at their house on Gracechurch Street or at Darcy House in Mayfair, did much to ease his tension when he was forced to be in town during the Season, but it was their niece who provided the most support during this time. His father was steadily declining—his illness was becoming apparent even to those who did not know him well. Unfortunately, that only forced him more into prominence within society, with more women attending to intrude upon his notice.

The Gardiner home became a place where he could forget much of the troubles that faced him. Even Darcy House became less of a retreat, as callers appeared to drop by at all hours, and his father's reliance on him in business matters became overwhelming at times. Additionally, he had to put on a brave face for his sister when he was there; soon it was only in Gracechurch Street when he felt he could relax. Though Gardiner still spoke to him of business, it felt more like a partnership, where Gardiner was his mentor, than it did with his father.

Elizabeth proved to be a good companion to him during this time, providing the right amount of support and teasing. She seemed to naturally understand what he needed and was adept at teasing him out of a poor mood. She understood when he needed to sit quietly and when he needed to be prodded into speaking.

One evening, after a particularly trying day at home, Darcy found himself at the Gardiner home attempting to escape the responsibilities of home. He was weary, the weight of his father's illness and the pressures of society pressing heavily upon him. As he entered the drawing room, Elizabeth looked up from her book and immediately sensed his distress.

"Mr. Darcy," she said with a warm smile, "you appear as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders."

Darcy attempted a smile in return but failed. "Some days it feels as such, Miss Elizabeth."

She stood and walked over to him, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "Come, let us take a turn in the garden behind the house. The fresh air will do you good. You did not leave your study today, did you?"

He nodded, grateful for her understanding. They stepped outside into the cool evening air, the garden bathed in the soft glow of twilight. As they walked, Elizabeth chatted lightly, her voice a soothing balm to his troubled mind.

"Tell me what you are reading," she prompted, knowing how much he loved to read as a way to calm his troubled mind.

Darcy's expression softened as he spoke of the history he was currently engrossed in. Elizabeth listened attentively, her presence a steadying influence. She asked questions, made insightful comments, and gradually, he felt the tension ease from his shoulders.

After a short time, they came to the bench in the middle of the garden and sat down. Elizabeth turned to him, her eyes filled with genuine concern. "You are carrying too much on your shoulders, William. It is not wrong to lean on those who care for you."

He looked at her, struck by the sincerity in her gaze. "It is difficult, Elizabeth. My father relies on me more and more, and society's expectations are relentless. And by society, I mean my Aunt Matlock. And my Aunt Catherine." Darcy shuddered at the recollection of her last letter, in which she demanded they announce his engagement to his daughter. His father had told her many times in the last two years that there was no arrangement, nor would he force his son to marry his cousin, no matter what the "Great Lady Catherine de Bourgh" attempted to insist upon.

"You have friends and family who wish to support you," she insisted gently. "Do not shut us out."

Darcy nodded, moved by her words. "Thank you, Elizabeth. Your friendship means more to me than I can express. I am worried about so many things, most particularly my father's declining health. But even there, my motivation is selfish—I am certain I will fail as Master of Pemberley when he passes."

She smiled, her eyes sparkling in the fading light. "Your friendship is valuable to me as well, William, and to my aunt and uncle. You will not fail; you are well prepared for this position. For the last year, you have been the person in charge of the estate and even before then, were helping your father make decisions. He has prepared you very well."

In that moment, Darcy felt a profound sense of gratitude for this young girl. Here, in the presence of someone who truly understood him, he found a measure of peace that he rarely felt elsewhere. As they sat together in the quiet of the garden, he realised that as long as Elizabeth and the Gardiners were in his life, he would not fail, since they would always support him.

His other family would provide aid, well, at least Lord Matlock would, but without his father there to be the figurehead in charge of Pemberley, everyone would turn to him. Not having his father there to support him would hurt. But Elizabeth had already eased that fear, at least a little.