itzwilliam Darcy sat at his desk in his study going over the day's post. One letter in particular had really got his attention; and he knew that he must tell his wife and make a decision quickly. It was a matter of utmost urgency. Darcy sat back and sipped the tea that the housekeeper had brought in with the letters. He opened the letter again and reread it:

Dear Sir,

Your presence is required at your earliest convenience. It is with great sorrow that we regretfully inform you that your Uncle Wortham has passed away on this night Twelfth of December, 1817. Your presence is requested to be here for the reading of Mr. Wortham's will to be read on Fourteenth of January, 1818. It will be read here in America.

As we know that there are time constraints for you to arrive from so long a distance, we would appreciate if you could arrive in America at your earliest convenience. Enclosed is the name of a Solicitor in London who will make any and all arrangements.

Pray for good health,

John Durham
Maryland, Delaware America

Darcy rang for the servant to clear away his tea things and to call his wife into his study.

He had never once thought of ever leaving Europe and heading over the Atlantic before, he knew that this would be an interesting trip, but did not want to tire Mrs. Darcy with so labourious a trip. No, he thought it over and her place would be to stay here at Pemberley with Georgiana. But he would be gone a long time and that disturbed him immensely. How could he be away from his wife for two to three months at least! No, he thought, she would never go for my leaving her for so many months. Darcy knew that if Elizabeth had her way, the trunks would be packed within the hour and she would be on the docks waiting for the ship to arrive.

A small smile came to his lips as he imagined her rushing around trying to get ready for America. He didn't notice her when she entered the study and stood staring at him for a good full minute before clearing her throat to arouse him from his thoughts.

"I was told that you needed to see me." She looked at his cluttered desk and sighed exasperatingly, but jokingly as usual.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I have had a letter that I must attend to immediately and wished to discuss it with you, darling. If it is not too much to ask, I mean." He flashed a wild smile at her.

"Oh dear, then I guess it is serious, your tone and your wit are not up to par yet."

"Well I must tell you that my Uncle has died and the reading of his will is to be in January and I am requested to attend." He paused here and saw her countenance change, she no longer felt like teazing anymore.

"Oh, darling, I am so sorry. But an uncle, I had no idea that you had anyone else excepting Lady Catherine." She pursed her lips together and crumpled her brow. Darcy always disliked her pensive look; she invariably became quite peevish for several hours later.

"This uncle lived in America..."

"America!" She exclaimed.

"And we have not seen him for many, many years. I have not seen him since my twelfth birthday right before my mother died. He left England forever and migrated to the Colonies. And then he went on to Maryland. He has been there at least 15 years or so. But I have been requested to join the proceedings in America on the Fourteenth of January, which means that I will have to miss Christmas here at Pemberley with you and Georgiana." He thought if he added that in maybe the tides would blow over quickly. He was soon proven wrong.

"Not so fast young man! Of course, you cannot spend Christmas here, but do you think I could live with myself knowing that you are moons away from me. It cannot be borne, darling. No, we must accompany you. I will not brook opposition. Georgiana and I can entertain ourselves while you gentlemen do your duty. America darling can you see it now! Oh, dearest, I must go and pack. No wait. When were you planning on leaving." She had had her back to him and he was laughing so hard that he could not speak for five minutes.

"We will be leaving in but two days darling; so you don't mind going to America?" He searched her face for any sign of derision, but did not see any. Only the clear, fresh face of a woman deeply in love with her husband. She walked over to him and embraced him as he led her to the sofa on the other side of the room. He gently placed her on his lap and brushed the loose curls from her face. He tenderly kissed her cheek.

"Oh, darling, I am sorry that we have to go under these pretenses, but I could not bear to be without you for one moment. No I am very happy, indeed. All I need is you and my life is complete."

"Aye, indeed. I love you Elizabeth Bennet Darcy." And he softly kissed her lips.

Part 2

arcy sent a note post haste to the solicitor in London. He had only one problem - not going to America, he had planned to make that journey with Elizabeth at a later date - but that he had not seen or heard from the deceased gentleman in so long. It seemed fruitless to travel for four weeks across the icy Atlantic ocean in mid-December. Especially Darcy thought, for a pocketwatch or some other small trinkets that he was expecting.

Luckily Darcy was tucked away in his library contemplating his upcoming trip, because outside the massive mahogany door, Mrs. Darcy has thrown the house in to the greatest uproar. Trunks and hat boxes littered the main entrance way. Georgiana ran to and fro trying to remember what she had forgotten or what she was about to forget.

Mrs. Reynolds had never seen the house in such a state, if any stranger came by to ask for directions or refreshments (Darcy turned no one away), they would have thought Napoleon's latest conquest was the beautifully situated Pemberley. Elizabeth ran from room to room shouting orders, contemplating that her gowns would have to be repacked due to the way the trunks were thrown about.

Elizabeth was all aflutter trying to close Pemberley for the duration; Georgiana, near tears, because she remembered what she forgot, then presently forgot again. Elizabeth surveyed everything again; again running from room to room then stopping at the mahogany door, forcefully opening the door and proceeding to slam it shut, waking Darcy from his reverie. Why would a rational woman open a door then slam it shut without actually entering the room, Mr. Darcy rubbing his temples sighed and went to investigate.

"Elizabeth, what in God's name...." He was unable to finish his sentence as he saw Georgiana near tears running haphazardly from room to room. Mrs. Reynolds chasing the dogs that had got loose from the kennels and Elizabeth berating the undergardener. With the house in an uproar, he knew he had to take control of the situation and in a very powerful voice he shouted, "HALT!" Within seconds the calamity and noise died down. Not one person moved, he had magically frozen everyone in their state.

Elizabeth was the first person to move and quickly made it to her husband's side. With a smile that would melt an ice princess, she addressed her husband warmly.

"Darling, thank you for finally joining us." And with that the house awoke again with the noise and calamity.

"Elizabeth, all you need to do is come and tell me that you require my assistance. Simple as that. There really can be no need for you to slam doors to get my attention; perhaps it was an overreaction on your part." He realised what he said when Elizabeth's face darkened and her brows furrowed together.

"I, overreact, sir. Do you realise that we are to sail to America in two days and I need to make sure that this house and all our tenants are well cared for. I have overseen your trunks being packed, my trunks, my toilet, my hats, my books, your books, my potions, lotions and trinkets that seem to make you one satisfied man. Do you realise what I have been through trying to make sure it was done correctly." She started to walk away when he quietly said, "I'm sorry, dear. I realise that this trip is taking its toll on us and we haven't even left yet, but as long as we are together we will be fine, I promise you."

Elizabeth rushed into her husband's arms and listened to him tell her how much he loved her and loved stroking her hair. Georgiana came up behind Elizabeth and saw the tender moment between her beloved brother and wife that she did not want to interrupt. "No sister, you are more than welcome to join our embrace." Darcy looked lovingly at Elizabeth and anticipated her answer, "By all means, the more the merrier." Georgiana, Darcy and Elizabeth as one loving family.

"Now Georgiana, why are there tears in your eyes and lead in your heart." Darcy lovingly answered.

"Brother, you will laugh if I tell you."

"Nay, I will do nothing of the sort. Please, I beg of you tell me what it is that ails you." Georgiana looked at Darcy trying to compose herself, but the bottom lip quivered and her voice broke with sobs.

"Oh brother, I can't find Dolly." The floodgates opened and Georgiana looked for the nearest chair to sit down as the sobs became louder. Darcy bit his lip as he tried not to laugh at his sister. Elizabeth was perplexed, she knew of no such Dolly. "Dolly." She whispered.

"Georgiana, I thought Dolly left a long time ago." Georgiana cut him off short, " Oh no brother, in fact, she was here yesterday. I saw her yesterday."

"Well, maybe Elizabeth can help you."

"I would darling, but I have no idea who or what Dolly is." She looked genuinely confused, "Is she a servant?" Georgiana resumed her art of crying, "Oh Dolly, Oh Dolly." She said over and over again. Darcy tried to comfort his sister, but to no avail. "Have you checked under your bed?"

She nodded. Again Elizabeth spoke, "Oh now, I get it. She's one of the dogs, possibly hiding in the house, darling I really do need to pay more attention to our animals don't I." She ran up and down the hallway, "come here Dolly, good girl Dolly, come to Georgiana." She turned around to face her husband who's countenance belied the discomposure he felt. "Where is that blasted dog." Darcy could contain himself no longer and started to laugh, really laugh, a real full belly laugh, much to the chagrin of Georgiana and Elizabeth. Georgiana's sobs grew louder as Elizabeth ran up and down the hallway calling Dolly.

Mrs. Reynolds had quietly come up the main staircase and was purposefully trying to hold something behind her back without the master or his sister seeing it. She stepped forward, giving a short glance to Darcy, who now had tears in his eyes, when Mrs. Reynolds held up the missing article for Georgiana, he howled even louder when Elizabeth stopped calling for Dolly.

"Oh Mrs. Reynolds you found her. Oh Dolly, you were so lost. But, where?" Georgiana's countenance changed dramatically. Darcy still howled and Elizabeth grew angrier when she realised the fool she was made of.

"A rag doll! That is what I have been calling, a blasted rag doll!"

Georgiana was happy, Darcy sore from laughing. Elizabeth glowered at her husband then told him that she was going down to the library for one hour, not to be disturbed, and wanted a brandy ready for her. Darcy was well warned, one hour.

Darcy's laughs grew even louder as Elizabeth, yet again, slammed the mahogany door.