Author's Note: Hello, and happy holidays! I am so sorry for the late and long overdue update, and there are really no excuses. I am going to start updating regularly again. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and please follow and favorite if you have not yet done so. As always, I love reading your reviews, so don't forget to leave one! Good night, and stay warm!

Love,

Lady RB

A Productive Evening for Some

Staring into Mr. Darcy's cold gaze, she wondered how such a severe man could possibly be the same who had caringly given her books when she had fallen ill and… Elizabeth had to stifle her gasp as she realized that Mr. Darcy could have been the person to switch the books as she slept. What an intrusion! If it had been him and not a servant… no of course he would not be foolish enough to deliver them in person.

Both Caroline Bingley and Mr. Darcy's eyes were now fixated on Elizabeth's warm face. Caroline looking on smugly, despite having set her sights on The Earl she had been teasing and praising Mr. Darcy for what felt like ages now. She lacked the decency to settle her unfortunately tiny brain on one gentleman, preferring to engage in coquetry with multiple partners. Her mindset was that should one abandon her, which was always in her near future, she would have a spare. But here Elizabeth was judging Caroline Bingley when she herself was engaging in such a Carolineesque behavior.

Fortunately for Elizabeth however, it was Caroline who turned a brilliant shade of scarlet when Elizabeth lightly replied, "Engaging in the same delightful pastime as Miss Caroline of course; simply observing your remarkable penmanship."

There was really no plausible plan of action Mr. Darcy could take from there to press further. His unease was nevertheless felt, and the underlying tension behind his equally lighthearted response seemed to fill the room.

"Well I certainly have no wish to deny you any activity that gives you some degree of pleasure Miss Elizabeth."

He paused, staring deeply into Elizabeth's unflinching eyes. He took notice when she shifted slightly in discomfort.

After nearly a century of analyzing her, he sharply remarked, "Miss Bingley and yourself have certainly grown attached throughout the course of your stay. Why the pair of you are almost indistinguishable."

The party sat in silence for the rest of the evening. Any attempts at conversation from Jane or Mr. Bingley aimed at the remaining members were quickly shot down with terse and unfeeling responses. It was unanimous among the surly group that the time for idle chatter had long passed. Elizabeth resumed her previously failed attempt at engaging in one of Mr. Bingley's numerous novels, still unable to fully comprehend more than a sentence. Mr. Darcy wrote his letter, and Caroline was supposedly doing needlework, though her light snoring said otherwise.

As night began to fall outside of the only window that did not have velvety drapes covering the view it provided, Elizabeth stifled a yawn. Jane's gaze darted to Elizabeth's weary and slightly shivering frame with a look of alarm.

"Oh Lizzy dear, how long have we been away from your chamber? I never should have allowed you to depart from it, you are not well at all, I just believed that it would do your heart some good to-"

Her sentence was cut off with a glare from Elizabeth. No one need know that she had come down simply to address her rude behavior earlier with the Earl and thank him for all that he had done for her.

"Well, I am sure I speak for the both of us when I say that it was a pleasure to have your company for the evening, and the change of scenery was lovely. But Lizzy needs her rest now. Good night, and I will make sure to inform you all of Mr. Jones' opinion come morning."

Elizabeth made no attempts to argue as Jane practically dragged her upstairs. The evening had been one of bitter disappointment, and she was thankful for the opportunity to escape it.

Dear G-d, has it truly only been an hour? Oh what torture! Does this woman ever cease her nonsensical expatiating? To think, he was being forced to endure such drivel, with no end in sight, with no benefits for himself. He might have been able to hold his tongue and listen with some degree of composure if, like in the past, he was assured with the knowledge that the lady in question would pay him her attentions. But as Louisa Bingley was married, he himself was in the midst of the pursuit of a certain lady to wed, that was out of the question. Louisa also had not veered from her assigned topic of discussion: Caroline, and her many alluring qualities.

Louisa had been saying nothing at all for the past ten minutes. The Earl, though present in body, was clearly not there in mind. Her husband had gotten lost somewhere during their second turn on the stony path that cut across the lawn. He would turn up at some point, but at the moment she had no desire to tend to his mild, even dull, absurdities. They were about to take what must have been their twentieth roundabout this embarrassingly small garden of her brother's, when she abruptly stopped. It took The Earl nearly crashing into her for him to pause as well.

"Yes, Mrs. Hurst? I'm afraid I didn't quite catch that. Why exactly have we stopped? Is there a problem?"

"That would make sense, as I did not say anything m'lord. It appears night has fallen. I could hardly notice what with your diverting company, and this delightful view of my brother's cleanly cut grass. How refreshing. Alas, we should go inside now, lest you want to fall ill and keep Miss Elizabeth company."

The Earl had to hide his smirk. He had not expected Mrs. Hurst to be nearly this biting in her wit. And as though struck by lightning, a revelation came to him.

"Mrs. Hurst, pardon me for prying, but does it not irk you that your dear sister is using you to manipulate me?"

Mrs. Hurst made no reply, but her gloved hands had curled into tight fists at her sides.

"Yes, well, what would you say if I could offer an opportunity to thwart Miss Caroline's attempts?"

"As inviting as that sounds, I am satisfied with my current situation." Mrs. Hurst replied dryly, tilting her left hand upwards, her wedding ring gleaming.

The Earl chuckled and quickly assured her, "No, no, I have someone else in mind dear. Let's go inside, you were right it is getting windy now. I will tell you everything. I do need your assurance first, that you will lend your aid?"

Mrs. Hurst turned to face The Earl, her lips drawn into a slight grin, "How could I not?"

Elizabeth made sure to check if Jane was asleep in her chair before exiting her room, giving her a swift peck on the head first. She threw a thick woolen shawl over her dressing gown, and slipped through the door. The Bingley home had one sprawling balcony on each floor, but Elizabeth did not recall any other bedrooms of her floor being occupied. With this knowledge, she stepped into the cold night.

Mr. Darcy had not fallen asleep. How could he? The credit for his thoughtful gesture had been attributed to his wealthy, titled, and charismatic cousin. And he could not bring himself to forget Miss Elizabeth Bennet. He imagined her on his balcony that night, her hair whipping behind her face unpinned and without a bonnet to cover it. She was staring up at the sparkling sea of stars, her face brilliantly pale under the moonlight, not the expected pallor that should come with her state of health. Then she shivered slightly, and the illusion broke. She was not a dream, nor a figment of his imagination. She was real, that much was certain. A strange vision of white standing outside his door. He rose slowly, unsure of what he would even say. He had nothing of importance to say, no pretty prose or happy sentiments to stutter at her. He was still not certain of his own intentions. And in his indecision he watched as The Earl strode into his vantage point, unable to do anything but play spectator to their following conversation.

"This is highly inappropriate. Do you mean to compromise my reputation?"

"Miss Elizabeth, did you not consider that before you chose, of your own free will, to come outside at this time of day? On a shared balcony, no less?"

Elizabeth had no response, but a poor attempt to wrap her shawl tighter as a makeshift cover for her dressing gown.

"I hope you are not too uncomfortable, that is not my intent. Miss Elizabeth, that was never my intent. I just needed to speak to you for a moment, it should not take long. I need to apologize."

"Apologize," Elizabeth blinked in surprise. Was he actually going to admit to his deceit?

"I did not actually gift you either of the novels you received. I cannot begin to apologize, nor explain what exactly was my train of thought at the time. I just… I merely… Miss Elizabeth I do truly admire you. I cannot pretend otherwise, though I am afraid my actions may not have made my intentions as clear as I had hoped. I heard that you had received novels from an unknown recipient. I, not having your permission to write to you, and not wishing to presume, could not send something that might be unwelcome. So I acted without thinking. It was unfair to you, as well as the true owner of the novels in your possession. I hope you can learn to forgive me, your good opinion means the world to me."

"I can forgive you. I appreciate your honesty, m'lord. I am afraid I did not expect it. I did your character a great injustice once again."

"I suggest we start anew."

Elizabeth smiled widely and nodded. She was not one to hold grudges. She would not have been nearly so forgiving if The Earl had not apologized, but he had been honest. She could not ask for more than that. There was nothing left but to go forward without mistrust or guilt in their hearts. She dipped into a low curtsey and extended her hand.

"I am Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourne, it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

"The pleasure is all mine Miss Elizabeth."

Mr. Darcy turned away from his window as he watched The Earl take Miss Elizabeth's hand. They had both walked away, in separate directions thankfully, and Mr. Darcy was left with a hollow feeling permeating his chest. It must have been a cold draft from the window left ajar. He rose out of his bed and shut it, but it didn't prevent himself from getting no sleep for the second night in a row.

"Mrs. Hurst you did excellently. It seems my 'confession' went over better than I could have ever hoped."

"It is a shame I had to eavesdrop on Elizabeth and Jane's conversation. Jane really is a dear, but she would never slander another soul without knowing the 'full story.'"

The Earl nodded sympathetically before abruptly whispering, "You should go and find Mr. Hurst now. It really is dreadfully cold outside tonight."

She sighed dramatically, "I suppose you are right. Good night m'lord."

"Good night Mrs. Hurst."