Hi!

Sorry again for the delay in updating, I seem to have a talent for underestimating how busy I am going to be and on top of that I can't seem to stop changing my mind about how these next few chapters should play out. Thanks for sticking with me and for your lovely reviews.

Enjoy!

As she held the younger woman, Lizzy's quick mind raced backwards and forwards, trying desperately to fathom the situation they were in and how it might be resolved agreeably. She could understand perfectly the distress it caused Georgiana to think that her brother would give in to such blackmail; even from an entirely practical standpoint once Lady Catherine realised how effective it was at ensuring Darcy's compliance there was no telling where she would stop. That she had already gone to such lengths spoke volumes about the great lady's mental stability or lack thereof. The thought of Darcy marrying also brought a tightness to Elizabeth's chest that she would rather not contemplate for now.

However, she could appreciate why he was unwilling to risk Georgiana's reputation and saw no easy way to eliminate this threat. Without knowledge of how exactly Lady Catherine intended to prove the near-elopement, it was impossible to counter her. At present it seemed the best Elizabeth could do in the circumstances was to attempt to protect and console Georgiana, praying that Mr Darcy would find some solution that did not involve his union to his cousin.

'Come, Georgiana, let me take you back to Netherfield, or to Longbourn at least. You are distressed and must rest before you make yourself unwell. I am sure your brother would hate to see you like this, indeed it is exactly what he is trying to prevent. When you have rested and eaten something you will see that it is not so hopeless.' Elizabeth coaxed gently.

'No!' Georgiana replied, visibly attempting to calm herself and wondering how to persuade Elizabeth that something must be done. 'Look at the letter he left me, Lizzy.' She said, drawing it from her reticule. 'He clearly did not believe that he would be returning soon and the manner of his apology to you shows that he intends to do something that he thinks will hurt you. The only conclusion can be that he intends to marry Anne and believes you will think he was leading you on. We must persuade him that he does not have to go through with it!'

'But what would you have me do? Even if you are right in thinking your brother would be inclined to listen to me, that is no use when he is not here.' Lizzy pointed out, hating to disappoint the faith her young friend seemed to place in her but at a loss as to how she could possibly help the situation.

'Which is exactly why we must go to him!' Georgiana told her eagerly, finally seeing that she was gaining ground. 'We must travel to London. Fitzwilliam will most likely break his journey there, so if we are quick enough we may catch him and if not we may also enlist the help of my family to prevent his marriage. They will not wish to see my reputation damaged, but I cannot believe they will support a union between Fitzwilliam and Anne either. They will certainly not allow Lady Catherine to sully the name of our whole family just to get her way.'

'Georgiana!' Elizabeth cried in dismay. 'I cannot possibly take you to London. It would only create further scandal. What would Mr Bingley think if I spirited you away from his protection? And my own father when he found I had absconded with you?'

'It is hardly so surprising that I would wish to return to my own family when Fitzwilliam has been called away suddenly by a mysterious emergency. I had hardly intended for us simply to disappear without a trace.' Georgiana replied calmly, a steely glint behind her eyes. 'However, if you will not come I am determined to go alone, reputation be damned!'

Elizabeth came close to dismissing this threat and insisting that Georgiana should not be any further involved in this matter, but a niggling doubt held her back. If she was certain that Jane was about to commit to something that would bring her great misery then there was little that could stop her from racing to attempt to save her dearest sister. If Georgiana's resolve to save her brother was even half so strong as this then she supposed she should just be thankful that the younger girl had come to her at all rather than immediately following him alone.

'I see you will not be dissuaded. However, please remain here and allow me to go alone.' Lizzy pleaded. 'This is not your responsibility, and how would I face your brother if something were to happen to you?'

'Do not be absurd, Lizzy! How on earth would you explain your travelling alone to confront my brother? That would be scandalous. It is far more seemly that we should go together, indeed, why would I not ask an older friend to escort me back to my family?' Georgiana pointed out.

'I suppose.' Elizabeth admitted unwillingly, knowing she could not argue with this but hoping to keep Georgiana as far out of this as possible. 'But I do not know how our journey will be achieved. We certainly cannot go on horseback and I do not know how we are to persuade my father that it is necessary for us to have the carriage without revealing the truth of the situation to him.' She said, adding more lightly: 'Even I would not attempt to walk to London.'

'I may have already prepared for that.' Georgiana admitted somewhat guiltily, drawing another letter from her reticule. It was addressed to Mr Bennet, and Elizabeth looked in amazement at the handwriting on this letter compared to the one Darcy had left for Georgiana.

'Should I be concerned at your proficiency in forging your brother's handwriting?' She asked.

'Never mind that now,' Georgiana dismissed quickly, 'the letter asks your father to ensure I am escorted to stay with my Aunt and Uncle. From there I can easily send a servant to find out if Fitzwilliam is at Darcy house and if so go to confront him. If he is not then I will have no choice but to appeal to my Aunt for her help. She despises Lady Catherine so I hope she would support me.'

'I suppose it may work.' Elizabeth conceded hesitantly. 'But will my father not be suspicious that your brother asks us to escort you to town rather than leaving the task to Bingley or a trusted servant?'

'Usually I would travel with Mrs Annesly, but since she did not accompany us to Hertfordshire that is not an obstacle. The letter explains that it would be a comfort to me to travel with a friend at this distressing time and it would not do to draw Bingley away so close to his wedding. It is true that if Fitzwilliam really wanted me to travel to London then the company of my maid and his valet would be enough, but I do not think that your father will find the request too strange to believe. We have all grown rather close in the past month.' Georgiana reasoned.

'Very well, it is not a terrible plan.' Elizabeth allowed. 'But we best return to Longbourn now. I believe that my father will be breaking his fast soon and time is of the essence if we are hoping to catch your brother in London. As it is, we will have to hope that he has decided to stop there for quite some time. If he merely changes his horse then he will likely be away from London before we are even able to depart from here and we will travel far slower in the carriage than he will on horseback.' She warned, worried that Georgiana's hopes would be raised only to be dashed again if they did not find Darcy in London.

'Yes, yes! We must away as soon as possible. If I know Fitzwilliam then he will wish to meet with his attorney immediately to have a marriage contract drawn up, so I am hopeful that he will be delayed in town for quite some time. Thank you, Lizzy. I knew that you would not let this happen.' Georgiana enthused. Despite the older woman's cautioning she was convinced that the whole situation could be resolved satisfactorily.

The two ladies made quick time back to Longbourn and entered to find Jane and Mr Bennet at breakfast, though the rest of the family had not yet risen. The occupants were surprised to see Georgiana, but Jane's natural politeness and Mr Bennet's inclination to be amused by the foibles of his neighbours meant that they received her with relative graciousness.

'Good morning, Miss Darcy, to what do we owe the pleasure of your company?' Mr Bennet asked.

'Good morning, sir. I am afraid it is rather unfortunate tidings which bring me here.' Georgiana replied, her eyes wide and innocent as ever. 'My brother was drawn away in the early hours of the morning by an urgent family matter. He left instruction that I should follow later, but did not wish to inconvenience Mr Bingley so close to the wedding. I have a letter for you.'

She handed the forged missive to Mr Bennet and he scanned it quickly. Though he may have found the request strange and suspected that he was not receiving the full story, he had no reason to distrust Miss Darcy and could see no harm in ensuring she reached her family in town so he was not inclined to refuse.

'How did you get here, Georgiana?' Jane asked while her father was preoccupied, looking around in concern. 'You cannot have walked, surely?'

When Georgiana replied that she had, Jane's concern grew further. Though she knew it was not an insurmountable distance and would hardly blink if Lizzy walked it, the idea of the shy young woman out alone in the unfamiliar countryside disturbed her.

'I see no issue with escorting you to London, Miss Darcy, and assume that my Lizzy has already offered to accompany you too. But I am also curious as to why you walked here. Surely Mr Bingley would have escorted you and your belongings?' Mr Bennet remarked. Elizabeth shifted nervously, but Georgiana had expected such inquiries and was prepared.

'I believe it was my brother's intention that Mr Bingley would escort me here, sir, but I confess I could not bear to wait for him to rise when I do not know what emergency has drawn him away. I do not need any of my belongings from Netherfield; I have plenty in London already and my possessions can be sent on later if necessary, though I very much hope we will be able to return in time for the wedding.' She explained, her very real worry over the situation lending credence to her performance.

'Oh, you poor thing!' Jane exclaimed, assuming it must be distress at whatever family news had been received that had driven her to such lengths. 'I should accompany you too.'

'No!' Elizabeth exclaimed a little too vehemently, before catching herself and explaining her outburst to her sister in a hushed tone. 'I would not have Georgiana worry that she is keeping you from your wedding preparations while she is also so concerned about her family. I promise that I will satisfy her every whim, but you must remain here. Think how Mama would react if you left now!' Jane frowned at this but did not argue.

'Will you join us to break your fast, Miss Darcy?' Mr Bennet asked, ignoring his daughters.

'I should like to be going as soon as possible…' Georgiana said uncertainly, looking at Elizabeth.

'Well, I intend to eat before we depart. Your brother would certainly not be impressed to find we had allowed you to travel on an empty stomach.' Elizabeth announced, taking a seat.

'Yes, indeed.' Mr Bennet agreed. 'And then Lizzy and I must pack some belongings if we are to stay the night with the Gardiners, while you must write to Mr Bingley so that he knows you have departed safely. I am sure he will be quite distressed to wake and find you gone when your brother has entrusted you to his care.'

Georgiana had no choice but to bow to the instructions of her host though she feared that every second could be the difference between saving her brother from a terrible fate. In the end she was glad that she had, for once she began to eat she found herself famished from her vigorous exercise and her outlook became considerably more positive once she was full.

Thankfully to all involved, they were able to conduct their remaining tasks and depart Longbourn promptly before Mrs Bennet could rise and question their activity. Mr Bennet felt rather like a naughty schoolboy creeping away. He was almost certain by now from the countenance of his daughter and young charge that he was at least partly being deceived, but he trusted his Lizzy and so found the whole escape quite exciting. Still, he could not resist the chance to rile them a little with awkward questions about how they met that morning and allowed himself a little internal chuckle at their joint sigh of relief when he closed his eyes and feigned sleep.

©Isabelle Lowe, 2019