Thank you for all your lovely comments and support. Here is another chapter; hopefully, I can keep up this rhythm.

Lizzy

She looked back at Mr. Bingley for an instant and saw him standing there with regret on his face. Lizzy was he was feeling remorse; he deserved to feel all the disappointment in the world. His actions lost him one of the most wonderful people in the world. She was now worried about Jane, to have met Bingley and in such a way. What was she thinking? Was she ok? They arrived at the carriage and got inside. She sat next to her while her aunt sat in front of Jane to be able to see her well. Lizzy sent her a look of worry that she returned before turning to Jane.

"Well, that was an unexpected meeting. How are you, Jane?" A calmness seemed to settle over Jane, and a small smile bloomed on her face.

"It was unexpected, but to be honest, not unwelcome."

"You are happy to have seen him? Please, Jane, don't tell me you still have feelings for him?" That made her worry even more.

"Don't be silly, Lizzy, nothing like that. I was worried about meeting him, that is true, but I was worried it would be in some public meeting, a ballroom or theatre. The same way we met Miss Bingley. I was not certain I knew how I would act and react to him. I am glad that it happened this way; I was able to stand my ground. I was polite, but I also confronted him on his behavior, but most importantly, my courage didn't fade when I faced him, I feared that it would. It is one thing to be angry and strong far away from the person that hurt you, and another it to remain so when you face them again. It was so extraordinary to see I could do it. I was never like you, Lizzy; I always fell to civility and conventions. I would never challenge anyone even if they had wronged me. I would try to make excuses for their wrongdoings. Standing up for myself felt good." Joy sprang in Lizzy's chest, hearing her sister speak with such confidence and happiness. Her aunt seemed similarly affected as a full smile had burst in her face.

"I am so proud of you, my dear. It is a hard thing to stand one's ground in such a situation, especially in front of someone that has hurt you so. Such an experience will only make you stronger and more capable. I believe you are more ready than ever to deal with your feelings for Mr. Harrington and to protect yourself if things don't go as planned."

"I agree, aunt; I feel more confident in managing the situation."

"I am so happy for you Jane, now that we have gotten this out of the way it is going to be an extraordinary visit." Jane smiled before setting an innocent look on her face.

"I agree, now the only thing left is to get Lizzy to see reason about Mr. Darcy, but that might take much more time."

"JANE!" Lizzy was absolutely scandalized Jane's her comment, even as aunt Gardiner burst into laughter. As they rode back home, she realized they had not managed to get the gifts for Mary and Kitty.

Lizzy

After an exciting day yesterday of Mr. Harrington and Mr. Bingley, Lizzy wanted a quiet, peaceful day. Their aunt and uncle had things to do that day, and the nanny was taking the children on a field trip. So Jane and Lizzy had been left alone in peace to do as they wished. Jane had gathered all the clothes in the house, including the children's, that were in need of repair to fix. Just with the children's clothing, she had quite a lot of work. But Jane always liked feeling helpful to their aunt and uncle. Lizzy took a novel and decided to read; she hadn't had as much time for books since she arrived in London.

Just as she was starting, the footman came with the mail. "A letter for you, Miss Elizabeth, from Longbourn."

"Just for me?"

"Yes, Miss."

That was strange, even more so, since they had already received a letter from Kitty of Mary. The only other person that sent her mail was Charlotte, and she was already married and living in Hunsford.

She opened the letter, and to her immense surprise, it was from her father. After a few seconds of debating, she opened the letter she needed to know what he had written.

Dear Elizabeth,

I am not certain how to start this letter, which is a strange feeling since I wave always been clever with words. But I have not been behaving as a father should. I have known if for a while, but it has been hard to face.

Life sometimes places you in places you feel you were not meant to be in. I, for example, should have been a scholar. It would have been a good life for me, one that I would have managed properly and enjoyed, I will not say I should have remained unmarried as I cannot regret my daughters, but I was perhaps not good at that either.

Failure is a hard thing to face, and it was easier to ignore with your mother there. She put so much effort into your futures, and you and Jane are so intelligent and beautiful. What sort of man would not wish to be married to such extraordinary women? It reflected my utter failure to protect you when you started taking control of your life with Mrs. Taylor. I should have saved money from the start so you could have decent dowries, I should have let you come out into society in London as your aunt and uncle offered many times. But I was indolent, and it was easier to hide in my study.

These months in which we have barely spoken have been the worst of my life. Yesterday during dinner, I could hear Mrs. Taylor, Kitty, and Mary talk about Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, and I was stunned. I could have never imagined Kitty and Mary being part of such an intelligent discussion. I would never imagine either of them actually reading it. It was then where I was forced to face how wrong I have been. I had always believed that only you and Jane had inherited my intelligence, but the truth is I just stopped trying.

I will start trying again, Lizzy. I hope that we can go back to the relationship we had before. No, a better one, since you won't have to fight me when it comes to my laziness in checking your sisters. I love you, my dear Lizzy, please forgive me.

Sincerely,

Your papa

She read her father's letter several times as tears flowed through her face. It was such a surprise. She would never have imagined such a letter coming from her father, so much feeling, a heartfelt apology; it was everything that she had been wanting. What would this mean for them as a family from now on? She was not sure, but she was happy to have their close relationship again.