Next Chapter! YAY! Thank you to all who reviewed! It meant a lot to me! I'm not quite sure how many chapters there are left to go so I'll just see how it goes. Enjoy!
The Consequences of Misunderstanding
'Yes, the Pemberly gardens are quite a sight, are they not?' Caroline asked Jane and Elizabeth for the tenth time. Elizabeth wanted to make a witty remark but Jane, who sensed her meaning, beat her to it.
'Caroline, you must have a reason for wanting us to walk with you for I'm sure that it is not to repeat the same words over and over again.' Jane smiled. Caroline's cheeks turned pink and Elizabeth hid a giggle. Caroline recovered quickly.
'Why yes dear Jane, I was hoping to discuss the celebratory ball!' Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other. They had forgotten of their discovery about Caroline's lies until that very moment.
'Oh yes, the big celebratory ball!' Elizabeth said, acting innocent. 'I wonder what you are wearing Caroline,' that was enough to send Caroline into a frenzy about her dress. They returned to the house half and hour later to find Mr Darcy and Mr Bennet gone on a search about the town.
'Meet me in my room in five minutes,' Jane whispered to Elizabeth. Jane left quickly and Elizabeth had to squeeze past Caroline's gaze. Once out of the room, she made her way upstairs.
'Jane' Elizabeth whispered at her sister's door.
'Come in Lizzie,' Elizabeth walked in and clambered on her sister's bed in a very un-lady-like fashion.
'Jane, I was thinking-'Elizabeth began.
'That Mr Darcy still has no idea that Caroline is lying about marrying him? Do you even think he knows what she is saying?' Jane finished. Elizabeth shook her head.
'Jane, you don't think Caroline could have something to with Georgiana going missing do you?' She asked. Jane stared at her.
'Lizzie, what do you mean?'
'Think about it Jane, we talk about our plan to tell Mr Darcy our theory and we hear a bang and footsteps outside of the door. The next day Caroline stops us from telling Mr Darcy what we think.' Elizabeth explained. Jane stared at her.
'Lizzie, I think you're onto something there. Just one question, how does our theory of Mr Wickham taking Georgiana have anything to do with Caroline taking her? Caroline and Georgiana are very close.' Jane reasoned. Elizabeth shrugged.
'Perhaps we were wrong about Mr Wickham.'
'Or he has someone helping him.' Jane finished. Elizabeth looked at her fearfully.
'You think Caroline is working with Mr Wickham?' She whispered. Jane nodded.
'It all makes sense now! Mr Wickham would not have been able to get the money form Mr Darcy's account without Caroline's help. Caroline only got it because she was living with Mr Darcy. Mr Wickham said that he'd already harmed Mr Darcy's family, he hadn't done it, Caroline had by taking Georgiana.' Jane cried. Suddenly the door flew open.
'Very well done girls, I didn't expect you to figure it out so quickly.' Caroline sneered from the doorway. Elizabeth stood up.
'Why are you working for Wickham?' She asked. Caroline laughed.
'As if I would tell you!' Jane stood up to join Elizabeth.
'So it was you? You who took Georgiana, you who stole Mr Darcy's money.'
'Yes dear Jane, well done.'
'You're not going to get away with this!' Elizabeth cried. 'When we tell Mr Darcy what you've done-'
'Oh no, Miss Bennet. You will not be telling Mr Darcy. You see, did you really think I would let you run to Mr Darcy and tell him everything?' Caroline smirked.
'What makes you think you can stop us?' Jane asked.
'Jane, I kidnapped one of the richest men in England's sister and stole money from him as well. What makes you think I can't stop you from telling him?'
'We could just walk downstairs right now and tell him,' Elizabeth pointed out.
'Hmm yes you could Elizabeth, except that Mr Darcy is out looking for his sister' Caroline replied.
'You can't do this!' Jane cried. 'We will tell him!'
'If I see either one of you attempting to tell Mr Darcy anything then I will make sure your family are framed for something they did not do,' Caroline warned.
'Like what?' Elizabeth scoffed.
'Mr Darcy is missing a large amount of money from his bank, who would have taken it apart from some money loving woman who has connection with Mr Darcy because her eldest is seeing his closest friend!' Caroline cackled. Elizabeth and Jane stared at her with their mouths wide open.
'You wouldn't dare!' Elizabeth seethed.
'Oh wouldn't I?' Caroline shot.
'What have you done with Georgiana?' Jane asked quietly.
'I don't think I will be telling you that either. Remember my words girls, good day' Caroline gave them the most fake of smiles and left. Jane looked at Elizabeth.
'What are we going to do?' She asked. Elizabeth shook her head.
'I do not know! We cannot tell Mr Darcy. I say that we wait until the ball, that way there will be a lot of people and it will be hard for Caroline to follow us.' Elizabeth sighed. They truly were in a muddle.
'Lizzie, what about Georgiana! The chances are that they will not have found her by the time the ball starts!'
'Jane, as much as I want Georgiana to be found, we have to concentrate on Caroline. She is the main threat here. I think if perhaps we can warn Mr Bingley somehow then we may be alright'
'What of Mr Wickham?'
'I have not seen him since we left home. Hopefully he will stay away. Now Jane, it is almost supper, we should head to the Dining Hall.'
When the girls arrived downstairs, they were shocked to see that Mr Bennet, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy were all sitting down. The rest of the household were there as well.
'Miss Bennet and Miss Bennet, good evening.' Mr Bingley stated and smiled at Jane who blushed. The girls sat down.
'How was your search today Mr Bingley?' Jane asked sweetly.
'We did not find a single trace! However the town is on alert so hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!' Mr Bingley replied. 'Oh but Miss Bennet, you must go out and explore, not wait for us to return! After the ball I shall take you on a ride through the woods round here.' Jane's face lit up at this suggestion.
'I would love that Mr Bingley,' She replied.
'Mr Bingley, I regret to say that if we do not find Georgiana before the ball I will call it off.' Mr Darcy said solemnly. Mr Bingley and Mrs Bennet looked outraged.
'Nonsense Darcy! Our friends here have travelled miles! Many of the guests will already have set out on the trek here!1 You cannot have them arrive to find out that there is no ball! And besides, I don't think Miss Georgiana would be very pleased if you cancelled a ball just because she wasn't there.' Mr Bingley cried.
'Oh yes, we must still have the ball Mr Darcy!' Caroline pleaded. 'We ladies have spent money on our outfits!' Elizabeth almost laughed into her cup. What a silly reason to not cancel a ball! She thought.
'I shall sleep on the matter.' Mr Darcy answered. The conversation was dull until the end of the meal. Just as she was leaving to go into the drawing room, Mr Darcy pulled her back.
'Miss Elizabeth, I seem to notice that yesterday you and your sister tried to speak to me but Miss Bingley called you away. Is there anything you wish to tell me?' Elizabeth stared into his eyes which were full of concern. Then she glanced to Caroline who was staring at her with a slight smile on her face. Elizabeth recited her warning over and over in her head.
'No Mr Darcy, there is nothing I wish to tell you,'
That's that chapter done and dusted! I hoped you enjoyed it! Not to sure when the next chapter will be but it wont be ages! Review?