A/N: As an exercise to keep my creative juices flowing as I work on a book I'm writing, I've been playing around with other characters from my favorite worlds. I've been having a lot of fun with the characters from Pride & Prejudice. Thought it might be good to publish my story to the world. Hopefully, you guys will enjoy it and I might get some feedback that would help to improve my writing skills. Unfortunately, this doesn't have a fleshed out plot or anything as it's just my musings but a plot is coming to light. I hope you'll enjoy taking the journey with me.

This is a what if story that I know has been done before but I have been wanting to play around with my understanding of the characters. What if Mr. Darcy's proposal was interrupted with sad news from Longbourn? I hope you enjoy!

Abominable man were the only two words that came to the forefront of her mind as she chanced a glance at the man who sat opposite her in the carriage. How had this happened? If only she had followed through with her engagement for the evening instead of begging a headache. It had totally backfired. Now she actually had a headache. She had tried closing her eyes to rest, hoping to relieve herself of the ailment. But, every time, the awful scene played before her mind…

Her mind stopped. How had this happened? Suddenly, the idea of dinner at the Great House seemed a welcome relief. Her headache had been a means of avoiding the very person who stood before her demeaning her family in every possible way. Maybe she had the wrong way of it. Perhaps this was how all proposals of marriage were issued throughout the entirety of England. She'd clearly romanticized them; however, some affection, especially a case involving a lady of small fortune such as herself, must be warranted.

Yet here she sat in the midst of her second offer in six months confounded. While this offer had all the emotion that Mr. Collins' lacked, she couldn't help but wonder at the idea of insulting your intended in an attempt to elicit a yes. If she hadn't hated the man already – he was definitely solidifying himself as the last man in the world she could be prevailed upon to marry.

"Please do me the honour of accepting my hand."

"In such cases as this –" her angry refusal was cut short by the sudden entrance of her friend. "Charlotte! What is it? Has something happened at Rosings?"

Suddenly a very worn out Mr. Collins appeared behind his wife. "Has she been informed, my dear? My dear cousin, please allow me to offer my most sincere condolences to you and your family. Even Lady Catherine herself saw the necessity in you having us here and sent us from our dinners straightaway, though the meal was but midway through. Such is the thoughtfulness of my patroness."

"I don't understand – what has happened?"

"It is your father, Lizzy." Charlotte quickly cut off her tactless husband. "An express was sent – and taken straight to Rosings for there you were to be. It is not certain he shall make it through the night. Your sister, Jane, begs you come home as swiftly as you can."

For the second time in one evening, Elizabeth's mind blanked. Her father: the only other person in the world save Jane who understood and appreciated her witty humor. Her mind seemed disconnected from her body. Surely, she was having a dream and she was but a witness to how she would act given such an occurrence. Or, so that is how the next few minutes passed.

"Miss Bennet, you must sit. Mrs. Collins would you be so good as to fetch Miss Bennet a glass of wine." Mrs. Collins nodded and quickly left the room as Mr. Darcy led a speechless Elizabeth to a nearby chair. "Mr. Collins would you please have one of your servants gather Miss Bennet's things? I shall be back within the hour with my carriage."

A look of shock graced Mr. Collins' less than handsome appearance. Had it not been for the gravity of the situation it would have been almost comic. "Mr. Darcy," he exclaimed, his normal deference mingled with utter and unmistakable shock. "Surely a different means of transportation can be acquired. There is no need to inconvenience a man such as yourself for my cousin. Cousin Elizabeth knows the ways of the world and will understand. The next post would be sufficient, do you not agree, Mrs. Collins?"

During Mr. Collins' speech the lady questioned had re-entered the room and was in the process of coaxing her friend to take a sip of wine.

"Pardon me, madam." Darcy started before an answer was given. "There is no need to answer that question. Prior to your hasty arrival, I had just extended Miss Bennet an offer of marriage. Given my new relationship with her, it falls within my purview to see her safely conveyed home. It is no inconvenience. Colonel Fitzwilliam and I already had plans to make our journey to London. I'm sure a maid can be acquired from Rosings, so you need have no worries on that account."

Elizabeth watched as the two men debated her travel. Charlotte's hand upon her own was the only consolation she had as the wine worked its magic and she re-entered the world of the living.

"Gentlemen," Elizabeth declared standing. "While I appreciate your concern, I must beg you to desist this debate." Though she would not admit it at the time for she needed to appear as if she was in control, Elizabeth was grateful for Charlotte's supporting arm under her elbow. She needed to appear strong now. "May I please see my letter?" Mr. Collins reluctantly pulled the letter from his pocket.

My Dear Lizzy,

I have just received the worst news. Our dear papa has fallen gravely ill. Mr. Stanton is unsure of his recovery. As soon as this missive leaves, I shall be heading to Longbourn.

I must beg you Lizzy to come home immediately.

Jane

While she fought back tears, she let go a sigh of relief. "Charlotte, it doesn't say anything about not making it through the night."

"Forgive me, Lizzy," her friend began casting a glance at her husband. "I was led to believe that was the message contained therein."

As Elizabeth followed her friend's eyes to her cousin, she chanced a glace at Mr. Darcy. His eyes were aimed at Mr. Collins with a coldness she'd only seen once before on the streets of Meryton. He commanded a most imposing person and, had her cousin been paying him any mind, he would have been begging Mr. Darcy to forgive his exaggeration. Mr. Collins, however, was blessed with the inability to read anyone and thus remained ignorant to all that occurred around him.

Elizabeth grabbed hold of her friend's hand. "Do not think on it, Charlotte. I am most relieved to find those words did not appear in the missive. All the same, I should like to get to Longbourn as soon as possible. Perhaps, Mr. Darcy, if your plans for an early morning departure tomorrow are still fixed, I may ride with you and the Colonel as far as London. I am sure my Aunt and Uncle can be persuaded to convey me the rest of the way home."

A/N: Sorry for a somewhat sudden break. I'm doing my best to break the story into 1,000 word increments. This was the best breaking point...which, you'll see when I post the next chapter. Thanks for reading...and I promise there will be fewer author's notes from here on out.