The wait was torture. Darcy had only been gone a few hours, but Elizabeth could hardly focus on anything around her, let alone continue as hostess to Bingley and Caroline. Troubled, Georgiana grasped Elizabeth's hand tightly, and it acted as a reminder to her: she must behave normally.

However, Caroline was making it exceptionally hard to do so.

"How odious you must find your abandonment, Mrs. Darcy. Whatever shall you do for entertainment with Mr. Darcy away and no country dances within miles of Pemberley?"

Elizabeth gave her a tight smile. "I shall make do, Miss Bingley."

Caroline tutted and continued as if she hadn't heard. "Georgiana is sure to be off again with her education and travels once more, and I might as well add," she stopped to give Georgiana a sly smile, "she will be coming out very soon." She took a slow sip of tea. "You shall be left alone with this grand house and no one to keep you company I daresay. Quite a turn of events for you." Elizabeth glanced at Georgiana who was frowning at Caroline. "I hope you don't feel too regretful."

Before Elizabeth could retort, and luckily as she was losing her temper and was in no mood for Caroline's shenanigans, Bingley strode into the drawing room, his hand in his hair. Elizabeth and Georgiana noticed that Caroline became silent instantly. "Parsons has assured me that Darcy shall return as soon as possible." He sat across from Elizabeth. "Just a matter of business that couldn't wait, as you said, Mrs. Darcy. I only wished to inquire if I could be of assistance."

Elizabeth attempted a warmer smile for him. "You are too good, Mr. Bingley, but I gather Mr. Darcy has everything in order, or he would have asked for your assistance instantly."

The four of them continued small talk for what seemed like hours. Elizabeth could hardly beg to retire for the night as the hostess, especially with Darcy gone. She conversed, played cards, and even read some poetry out loud - which in the end, helped more to distract her rather than simply pass the time.

Finally as the clock had passed midnight, Caroline yawned prettily behind her hand and stood. "I must beg for sleep, Mrs. Darcy." She gave her a stiff curtsy which Elizabeth returned immediately. "Good night." And Bingley also left to escort his sister upstairs.

Elizabeth rushed through her nightly rituals, declining to bathe or tidy her hair. Instead she paced her bedchamber, causing Hannah to grow dizzy with the patterns in the carpet. "Ma'am, are you unwell? Shall I fetch a glass of wine?" Her eyes grew wary of Elizabeth's increasingly agitated state. "Or perhaps the doctor?"

Quickly, Elizabeth replied in alarm, "No, Hannah. I am well, and I request you to stay with me."

Hannah was about to reply when a knock sounded on her door. Elizabeth instantly rushed to it to find Georgiana on the other side, and she gently yanked her sister-in-law inside and to the pair of armchairs. "You must tell me everything. I must know what my family is facing."

Georgiana glanced briefly at Hannah and then to her hands. Elizabeth caught the action and took her hands in her own softly. "I trust Hannah implicitly, and I would never force you to reveal anything you did not wish to anyone." She softened her voice to a plea. "However, Hannah has lived here all her life, and she may very be able to help Mr. Darcy find Lydia. Please, Georgiana."

Georgiana took a breath and nodded. "You are right, of course." She gave Hannah a small smile. "Forgive me, Hannah, but I am not proud of my past. Tis a hard thing to admit."

Hannah sat down on the step stool nearby and leaned in, arms full of lined and satin. "No need to apologize, Miss Darcy. We all have our secrets, but you can trust me not to repeat anything unless you give me permission."

Georgiana nodded and began. With each minute that passed, Hannah's eyes grew wider. At one point she covered her mouth with a hand to hide her dropped jaw. But as Georgiana grew closer to the end of her tale, her eyes red but dry, Hannah only nodded knowingly.

"Richard told me that before last summer, Mr. Wickham demanded the living that was promised to him by my good father, even though he was previously paid three thousand pounds when he initially declined it," Georgiana ended, her heart thumping as she witnessed Elizabeth hang her head into her hands. "Fitzwilliam never liked him, not really, but he made an effort for our father and the late Mr. Wickham. An effort made in vain that almost cost him everything."

Elizabeth took several moments to gather herself. Shame coursed through her entire body, her skin flush with it. Everything made sense now, truly and completely. How very wrong she was about Wickham, about Darcy, and, even, how very wrong about herself. She used to pride herself on her keen eye for character, her judgment impeccable, but it only took a handsome face with dramatic tales of woe to sway her. She deserved every ounce of this shame.

Hannah cleared her throat, the clothing forgotten entirely on the table, her stool inched closer to the pair. "Mr. Wickham sullied his name in and around Pemberley long before he bewitched you, Miss Georgiana, and even before old Mr. Darcy had passed." She leaned in closer. "My own papa would never tell me why he demanded I stay away from the scoundrel, as it wasn't the place for his daughter to know, but as I grew older, tales of his awful actions spread throughout Lambton, and no doubt beyond. Debts, ruined girls, you name it. He was been rotten since the day he was born."

Elizabeth finally looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. "Oh, Lydia. Poor, stupid girl. How will you ever survive such treachery?"

Each woman placed a hand on her shoulder in solidarity. After a long moment of quiet support, Hannah attempted to give her mistress a smile. "They shall be found, ma'am."

Elizabeth sighed dramatically and looked away to another corner of the room. "Where else would they go but to London? I know in my heart they are not headed for Scotland. Where else but London could they be so well hidden from my father?"

Georgiana frowned miserably, but Hannah perked up. "You are right, ma'am, but he could not remain hidden for long without relying on some connection of sort." She turned and smiled excitedly to them, Elizabeth and Georgiana now fixated on the maid. "He must seek help eventually now that he is without his soldier's salary. We know he will not have anything saved given his gambling reputation. He will seek help!"

Hannah stood quickly before either lady could do more than blink in wonder. She gathered the linens once again and curtsied quickly to each as they tentatively stood. Breathless she added, "I shall visit Lampton as soon as I can in the morning, ma'am. My mother's memory is as sharp as anyone's, and she practically ran the inn since well before my age. If we are to find any hint of whom Mr. Wickham could go, she will know it."

Hannah hurried from the room. Without anything more to do, Elizabeth tentatively bid Georgiana good night. She dared not hope that Hannah's theory would come to anything, but here at Pemberley, she could do nothing but wait and hope.

Darcy was antsy. Three days had passed since his arrival to London. Three days that he, Mr. Bennet, and Mr. Gardiner searched fruitlessly for Lydia and Wickham. The first day was wasted entirely on convincing his father-in-law that there is no chance of the pair being anywhere but London after Scotland was ruled out. Darcy also called on Richard immediately to relay the news, and the colonel got to work within his military inner circle to try and pry some news away. The second day consisted of planning different parts of town and what to prioritize. The third day finally included actual searching, although Darcy felt he could cover much more ground without the older gentlemen; and they haven't even yet descended past the upper class of town.

The trio took camp at the Gardiner's house in Cheapside the majority of the time they weren't out searching. They began each day's goings from there as it was located closer to several boroughs, and Mrs. Gardiner insisted on providing them with a substantial breakfast as they would not return until well into dinner time. Darcy would almost always make the trek back to his own home to sleep and bathe, however he did give in to his new aunt one evening when he could hardly keep his eyes open a moment longer and happily accepted the guest room she had ready for him.

Besides the terrible reason why he was with the Gardiners, he found he quite enjoyed their company. Mrs. Gardiner was intelligent and fashionable, quite many years younger than her husband, but with an even demeanor and warm spirit. Mr. Gardiner was a jolly person, or else Darcy witnessed briefly outside the stress of the current situation, but when they took a break, Darcy found him to be a steady and compelling companion.

Mr. Bennet's previous humor had all but extinguished. Often he was forced to sit down to eat, and he was always the last to retire and the first up in the morning. Darcy feared if he did not slow down, he may be returning to Pemberley to relay much graver news to Elizabeth.

The fourth morning together shone bright and cold. Darcy and Mr. Bennet were just sitting down for some coffee when the post arrived. Mr. Bennet quickly tore into his own correspondence, but Darcy was surprised to find a letter of his own. Richard was due for dinner with any updates he could provide, so the mail would not be from him. The butler noticed and gave him a soft nod, acknowledging that he did indeed send for his post in Mayfair, and, no, it was no trouble.

His name is shown on the outside in elegant, feminine script. Once he opened it, he was pleased to find his first ever letter from Elizabeth, albeit short.

Darcy,

Please, I beg you, share any and all information as you receive it. Tis my sanity at stake. I know you shall look after my father, and I thank you for it.

I have employed the assistance of Hannah and her mother, Mrs. Port, whom you may know. We are drumming up a list of potential associates of Wickham and will send it as soon as it's completed. Please do not reprimand me or Georgiana for confining in Hannah or her mother. We are stranded here with the likes of Miss Bingley and I must take action of some sort.

Please, Darcy. Find her.

E.D.

Elizabeth's letter caused a curl of worry to bloom in his belly for his wife. He knew she must be anxious and feeling abandoned. Miss Bingley's presence certainly did not help. But her signature at the end sent a new warmth through him. E.D. - Elizabeth Darcy. With new found energy, Darcy requested paper and pen immediately to reply to her, even with no news to share.

As soon as he posted it, Darcy stood abruptly, buttoning a loose waistcoat button. Mr. Bennet noticed. "And where are you headed? Mr. Gardiner has yet to descend from his bedchamber."

Darcy paused a moment before deciding to share the blunt truth. "I have reason to believe we shall find Mr. Wickham and in turn Lydia whence we find friends of his. Although Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends - he is less likely in retaining them. Due to his tendency to ignore debts and flirt his way through the wrong family, he shall be on the move often until he finds a safe haven."

Mr. Bennet stood, his eyebrow quirked. "And you have a plan to trace these steps of his?"

Darcy nodded gravely. "Yes, sir. I shall follow the path of the debts."

"And what makes you think anyone shall help you in finding the scoundrel if he has recently scorned them?"

"I shall pay them off," Darcy replied simply. And before Mr. Bennet could retort, Darcy added in quickly, "And I shall do so with or without your permission, sir. Wickham is a problem born from my family home that I should have rectified a long time ago. In not doing so, your own family has felt the brunt of his true, deplorable nature. If we are to be successful in finding them and convincing Wickham to marry Lydia, his debts must vanish in the end, and we both know how unlikely it is he shall pay them."

Mr. Bennet looked at Darcy a long moment before calling for the butler for their coats and to bring the carriage around. He caught the surprised look in Darcy's eye before he gave his son-in-law a grave smile. "Do not fear, Mr. Darcy. I will not fight you on this account - yet. But I will not bloody well sit here while you are out and about with this solid plan. Let us go before my brother-in-law tries to talk us out of it."

Elizabeth could barely keep her eyes open. She was attempting to stay awake for Georgiana, who was due to be along momentarily. She had no idea how the young girl managed to maintain such energy.

After their initial meeting with Hannah, Georgiana and Elizabeth hatched out a plan for their operation. Elizabeth would make some excuse one thing or another on business nearby (the rector, the dressmaker, a sickly tenant) each day. Instead, she and Hannah would visit Mrs. Port, who was still employed at the inn, however was more of a managerial type role given her tenure and age.

Georgiana would distract Caroline with whatever means necessary (music, cards, or - Miss Bingley's favorite - fresh gossip - which to be fair, was more just Georgiana agreeing with whatever Caroline put forth). Parsons, as a favor to Hannah and to aid his master, employed Bingley with the urgent need for more pheasant, and he readied Bingley's hunting gear each morning.

After several days of this, Hannah and Elizabeth finally constructed a long list to obsess over. Each and every acquaintance - good or bad - of Wickham's, Mrs. Port relayed steadily them after searching the inn's diaries, her memories, and even speaking to other folk covertly. The list was several pages long. Elizabeth could only hope something came from it.

Finally nodding off briefly in her armchair by the fire, she abruptly woke when Georgiana dashed into her bedchamber, followed quickly by Hannah. Georgiana immediately flopped into the chair's mate. "Lizzie, I beg you, please tell me you have succeeded. I do not think I can stand another day of Caroline's barbs towards every lady in England. There is no limit, it seems!"

Hannah hid her smile behind her hand as she made quick work of brushing and braiding Elizabeth's hair. Elizabeth tried to keep still as she handed over the pages, and she lazily placed her chin in her hand as Georgiana read. "Mrs. Port is as confident as she could be." She grasped Hannah's hand behind her and gave it a squeeze. "You know not how very grateful I am to you and your mother."

Hannah smiled wide and continued to brush. "Aye, I believe I do, ma'am. You have only repeated it a dozen times today alone."

Before either woman could continue, Georgiana gasped, causing Elizabeth to bolt upright and pulling Hannah along with her hand. "Ouch!" She shook her head impatiently. "What is it? What do you see?"

Georgiana's wide eyes turned to Elizabeth, then to Hannah, and then back to the paper. Her hands shook excitedly. "I have the most positive feeling about one name just here."

The group in London were in a dour mood. As soon as Darcy would trace a lead to Wickham and his debts, the lead would fall away again and they had to start afresh. After his initial disgruntled reprimand to Mr. Bennet and Darcy, Mr. Gardiner joined them the next day, and very soon after Richard came along, allowing the men to break off in pairs. Mr. Bennet stuck close to Darcy's side as if he knew that if they found Wickham, Darcy would be the man to do it. But their searches came back each evening fruitless.

After pouring over maps again last night, Darcy tiredly sipped coffee in his own parlor with Richard. He needed a reprieve from his wife's family, even if they were well bred and intelligent. He needed space to think and remember times with Wickham he would better forget.

The post then arrived, and Darcy was elated to see a letter from Elizabeth, perking him awake, something even coffee couldn't do at the moment. He was diligent in sending her a quick missive nearly every day, but he was running out of ways to break it to her that they had found no one and nothing. He hadn't heard from her since her original letter. He broke the seal and read.

Darcy,

I hope this letter finds you all well. Thank you for your continued correspondence. I admit to taking them to my bedchamber as I do not trust myself in front of Caroline or Mr. Bingley, and although I do attempt to remain optimistic, I fear every day Lydia is lost forever.

Enclosed is my part to attempt and resolve this disaster. It may come to nothing, but I was eager to aid in any way. Now that it is complete, I know not what to do with myself. Caroline is none the wiser, however, she does remark daily that I am rather peaky, but, of course, that is normal for her.

I do not wish to lift my hopes, but there is one name on this list that made Georgiana pause. I have underlined it for you; she was most excited.

Thank you again, sir, for troubling yourself with this matter. I am most indebted to you.

E.D.

It pained Darcy to read it, especially the part where she said she felt indebted to him. It was the very last thing he wanted his wife to feel toward him, but that matter could be resolved another day. Perhaps in his bedchamber once all this drama was complete, and Darcy could show how very indebted he was to her instead. Darcy grinned slightly to himself before perusing the list.

Several names sounded familiar to him from his childhood. He recognized a fair few, and a group of others he already thought of and visited them as soon as he could. Elizabeth, however, did not need to underline the name in question. As soon he turned the page, her name stuck out to him and he stilled.

Mrs. Younge