arcy took a steamer across the North Channel and ended up at his destination in the early afternoon. He went to the car hire agency and picked up a small, but fast car. It took him roughly three hours to reach his final destination, as he was weary, hungry and lonely, he stopped at a small restaurant for a healthy repast and listened to the locals talk about the spring fling that occurred there every year. He was glad he was here and it was exactly what he needed to do.

The Scottish weather was unbelievably warm and sunny for this time of year, and he praised God for giving him such delightful weather. Darcy ordered a beer and sat back enjoying the local color of the place.

"Bloody beggar did it again. Damn crazy fool that man, he is," said the old gentleman with one arm.

"Jonah, don't talk so much nonsense when we have payin' customers here," the old woman retorted. Darcy smiled to himself and took a swig of his beer.

"Bloody beggar sold the mill right from under the feet of all those men!"

"That bloody mill was losin' money. Nah, makin' any, you old git." She exaggerated her movements, shrugging her shoulders to Darcy, who pointed to his now empty glass indicating he would like another.

"'Tis not, 'ere we've been a millin' busyness for a hundred yares, now laddie. Jus' out to make more money. Lost my bloody arm to that mill. What're you to say about that." He turned to Darcy. "If you owned that bloody mill, losin money an' such, would ya shut it?"

Darcy thought before answering, "Well, I would need to know certain things before I could answer that. Such as, why was it losing money? You lost your arm in that mill, were conditions hazardous? Who was the foreman? And was he properly protecting the people who worked in the mill and the interests of the people affected by the mill. It's not so cut and dry."

The old woman spoke first, "Hear, hear. A man who knows a bit about business, eh?"

"Well, not the mill business, ma'am."

"I've never seen you here before, traveling north?" As Darcy nodded in agreement, the old man peered at him closely and tried to see if he could recognize the stranger. He thought he did, but then realized it was probably just his old eyes playing tricks on him. "You look like someone I knew a long time ago. A very long time ago." The woman cleaned off the countertop and told him to stop making up stories. One of Jonah's favorite past times was telling old tales. "No, I've seen that face before. I'm mighty sure of it." He shook his head roughly as if he were trying to make all his memories come to the frontal lobe of his brain.

"So, what brings you up 'ere. The fresh air?" the old woman asked.

"Yes, and peace and quiet. Don't get much of that in London or Ireland for that matter," he mused.

The old man came very close to Darcy and inspected everything about him. He was nose to nose with him which startled the younger man greatly.

"It's you, isn't it?" he whispered.

Darcy looked at him incredulously, "I'm sorry, sir, but I haven't a clue as to who you are. Perhaps you are mistaking me with an old acquaintance. I've never been in this place before."

"Jonah!" yelled the woman, "leave that lad in peace. Don't you go scarin' off the payin' customers!" Darcy rose and dropped some money on the table to pay for his food and headed out the door.

"Fitzwilliam!" The old man said rememberingly. Darcy turned around slowly and walked back into the area where Jonah was standing.

"That's my last name. How do you know me?"

"Not you, you bloody fool. Your father. You're spit right from him." Darcy softened his features and smiled. The man continued, "We fought in the war together -- Korea. Good chap that man was. Never forgot us. Good, good man."

"Yes, he was. A very good man. He passed on ten years ago; days after my mother died," he said solemnly.

"Bless their souls, son." The old man stuck his hand out, "Jonah Wilson."

"Darcy Fitzwilliam, sir. An honour to meet anyone associated with my father." Darcy smiled.

"Be strong, son. Like your da'. They come around, always do." Darcy furrowed his brows together wondering what the cryptic message meant, but shrugged it off. He headed to Elizabeth's cottage for a late afternoon nap.

Georgiana waited patiently for Cal to arrive home. He had left very early in the morning trying to get any information on Elizabeth and her whereabouts. She flicked through some old magazines, and even tried to sit down and watch Coronation Street but to no avail. She cursed Darcy for not answering his mobile.

Now with Rachel on her way, things didn't look so good. Georgiana had not the patience to deal with the juvenile musings of Miss Rachel. If she popped into a room saying "Hello, mes amis!", she thought she'd kill her. She was too protective of Cal almost to the obsessive point, and for someone so young, it might be considered perverse. But Cal felt deeply for her, and she knew that she couldn't say much to dissuade him from such a relationship. Georgiana checked the time on the clock and sighed heavily. Only four more hours until Rachel arrives, she thought glumly.

The thought of Elizabeth and Wickham together made Georgiana shudder horribly. Why didn't she stop them when she had the chance? Why would Elizabeth even go with him? The thoughts rambling through her brain were enough to give a her a headache the size of Britain. She went to her bedroom and decided a long nap is just what the doctor ordered.

Darcy was exhausted when he arrived at the cottage. He contemplated taking a bath before crawling into the bed. He opened the door and cursed his key for sticking. Upon inspection of the cottage, he didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. It looked a little tidier than he remembered leaving it. He walked into the bedroom and placed his bags down. He went into the kitchen and put the groceries into the fridge. He was shocked when he saw that the fridge was full of food. He smiled to himself and figured it out that Elizabeth was here. Fate! he thought happily. He went into the studio, and still no Elizabeth. He ran into the study, still no Elizabeth. He quietly went into the living room and there she was sleeping very soundly on the davenport.

He stared at her for some time, just watching her take shallow breaths. A small smile played on her lips, and he wondered if she was dreaming of him. He treaded quietly across the room and bent over to kiss her cheek. She smiled up at him and moaned softly. He played with her hair and whispered over and over again how much he loved her. And she still slumbered. Elizabeth looked up at him with a dazed and confused look when she started waking. His smile was one that resembled a Cheshire cat. He was holding her tightly and murmuring into her neck how much he had missed her and loved her.

"Wake up, Sleeping Beauty. Time for you to awake." He said romantically.

"What are you doing here?" She asked of him, while yawning.

"I could ask the same of you. Too many distractions in Ireland. I thought by coming here, I could relax and think of you, but this is much, much better, darling. Oh, how I have missed you." He squeezed her and nuzzled her neck. She pulled away from him quite abruptly.

"You think that this is ok? You think that you can just walk in here and I'm willing to accept everything? Are you that foolish?" Darcy was astonished. He obviously had no clue as to what she was talking about and didn't think that she was making much sense right now.

"Darling, but what are you talking about? Accept what? I thought that we were ok? You're talking in riddles."

"I see. Did Georgiana send you here. I thought Cal would've shown up by now. How dare you come in here and tell me that you love me!" She yelled at him, "how dare you tell me that you had too many distractions in Ireland. Sunday night did not seem like a distraction at all. No, she sounded like a beautiful American with a drawl!" Darcy started when he listened to her.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about your infidelity," she said matter-of-factly.

"My infidelity! Are you mad!" he shouted back.

"Maybe so. Maybe I was mad to get involved with someone like you. You are contemptible. Why did you never tell me about Georgiana? Why did you refuse George his inheritance?" Tears slid unchecked down her cheeks.

"Georgiana's business is hers. And since when did you take such an interest in that man!"

The man with whom they had been talking about was standing in the doorway listening to the heated argument between the two.

"Since she called me on Sunday night to come and take her away." George said dripping with malice. Darcy whirled around to face him. It took every ounce of courage not to punch his gloating face. "She called me in distress and asked me to get her. Darcy, she called me," he said vindictively.

Managing a somewhat dignified, "Get stuffed", Darcy grabbed Elizabeth's elbow and steered her into their bedroom. He slammed the door shut and paced quickly around the room. "What the hell are you doing?"

She made no reply.

"I ask you again. What the hell are you doing?" he said in a low and dangerous voice.

"I've made a decision regarding this relationship, Darcy. I want out. I can't trust you. I don't even think I know you anymore."

"You what? What lies has he been telling you? How could you possibly believe him. That man – that man is a positively useless excuse for a human being!"

"You obviously don't know him anymore, do you? George has been nothing short of a gentleman. He has been kind, attentive and interested."

"Interested in seeking a great revenge! You fell for his lies. He sweet-talked you, and your oblivious to it! I had thought more of you, Elizabeth. What have you two done? How long have the two of you been holed up here?"

"Was it a figment of my imagination that answered your mobile? Darcy, you are the pot calling the kettle black! How interested was she in you? I've told you he has been a gentleman." Darcy collapsed on the bed. He looked up at Elizabeth and understood everything. It was she who called Sunday night, not Georgiana.

"I will explain about Helena, but first would you perhaps enlighten me as to what Mr. Wickham has told you regarding his inheritance and Georgiana."

"Helena, you are on a first-name basis with her? I will gladly tell you what was said." She repeated the information that was given to her by George. Darcy at times laughed and sighed agitatedly. "What have you to say to defend yourself?"

"I say only this, Elizabeth, that had you taken the time to really listen to his story, you would have seen through the lies. You are caught in his web of deceit. You believed every word he has said. I will only add that I have inflicted nothing on that – that person," he finally spat out.

"And of Georgiana? How can you defend yourself to those charges. Did you not know that attempted murder -- even an unborn child is a criminal offense." Darcy started, then coloured.

Darcy came up behind Elizabeth and whispered ever so chillingly, "I told you Georgiana's problems were her own." He noticed her shudder and walked toward the door and then quitted the room. Any anger Darcy felt for the woman quickly turned into a blinding hatred towards the other man.

aroline had not gone out of her way to be in the least civil towards Helena. She cursed Darcy for leaving her in this blasted country with nothing to do and with an American who she could barely comprehend. Helena, usually all politeness and easiness, even found her patience wearing quite thin around Miss Bingley. She had proposed a late lunch as a white flag to the animosity that the other woman had created. It was agreed that they would again go to the pub that they had been frequenting.

Moira was very happy to see Helena again, but she frowned at Caroline. She questioned both ladies about the missing gentleman. Caroline answered that he had pressing business matters and had to leave the country. She then dismissed Moira with a flick of her hand. The woman rolled her eyes at Helena and brought them to a table. Miss Bingley hemmed and hawed about the table and its proximity to the kitchen and it being too noisy in her estimation. Helena asked her kindly to refrain from the pettiness for one afternoon. She could have shot daggers at Helena.

"I want to know what you have planned for Mr. Fitzwilliam?" Caroline said quite determinedly.

"I'm sure I don't follow your meanin'. I don't have anythin' planned for him." Helena remarked absently, "Oh, just friendship, Caroline. But I could ask the same of you, darlin'. You've been steering any talk of Elizabeth away from him and you've been all over him like... well, like we say in Nawlins, like flies on sh...."

"I know the saying, dear," she spoke sarcastically, "however, I don't believe you. Darcy has always and will always be the man I love. Elizabeth has been a diversion of sorts. He'll come back. They always do." Helena laughed at her ease in relaying this bit of information to her. She also thought she was crazy for thinking such a way.

"Well, Darcy certainly has been diverted for a long time. Let's see, three years is it? I would have thought that if you were the woman for him, he wouldn't have proposed to Elizabeth. I don' recall his tellin' me that he proposed to you." The verbal mud fight continued.

Caroline became flustered and floundered while trying to think of something brilliant to say, "Darcy just needed time to realize that Elizabeth is not what he wanted. She's beneath him socially and economically. She paints." Helena fixed her eyes on Caroline and grimaced.

"What the hell is it with the British and class systems? Who cares what her family background is or was? I was raised by a single mother with no father in sight, and I turned out very well!" Helena became extremely angry, and Caroline quickly tried to quiet her down. "Listen Caroline, I'm tryin' here to be friends with you. But you constantly fight me, darlin'. Come let's start fresh, please?" Caroline looked at Helena and saw the sincerity in her eyes and finally gave in.

"Well, we do have to live with each other for the time being. I guess it wouldn't be all that difficult. But one thing: absolutely NO ELIZABETH! I refuse to discuss her again. I do not like her. I will never like her. I will never think of her." Helena resignedly took Caroline's hand and they shook on their newly agreed-upon truce.

Rachel arrived wearing a beautiful cerise sheath bought exclusively at Christian LaCroix in Paris. She spent all day getting ready and looking beautiful for Cal, and he was most appreciative. When Georgiana spied the reception that Rachel received from Cal, she knew deep down that Cal had found his soul mate. Now if only my brother had as much luck, she wished.

"Oh, Gee, I had the best time in France. We went to the Arc de Triomphe, La Tour Eiffel, and I sat in Monet's Giverney! It was all so lovely. So beautifully lovely. Cal, we must go. Just you and me. It would be so romantic. The city of lights." Cal took her hand and squeezed it gently then raised it to his lips and kissed it lightly. "Where's Elizabeth? Cal said she'd be here. I was so dying to see her and Darcy," she squealed.

"Elizabeth had to go, dearest. But she did want me to kiss you on the cheek and wish you a welcome home." Cal kissed her on the cheek. "So, dear, you look positively to die for. French men and wine have done you well," he said saucily.

"Oh, Cal," she knocked him on the head with her handbag, "I only had thoughts of you, darling."

"Right," said Georgiana, "I think cook has dinner out on the terrace. Can we separate you two suffocating humans?"

"Oh, Gee, too much?" Cal said. She indicated with her fingers "just a wee bit."

Dinner went by without any kissing or hand holding by the two lovebirds, much to the gratification of Georgiana who felt uncomfortable having to witness this level of affection between other people. The three of them were talking companionably when the phone started ringing. Cal excused himself and went into the study to take the call.

"The bloody bastard, Cal. I... I can barely talk.... Kill him..... In a restaurant..... Scotland.... Elizabeth and George, are together.... I can't take......Oh, God!!!!"

"Get your wits about you, man!" Cal said urgently, "Who have you killed? Where are you?"

"Cal, George and Elizabeth, have been together for five bloody days in her cottage! How the hell can I keep my wits about me. I've killed no one yet."

"I tried to find her, Darcy. What are you doing in Scotland? We thought you were in Ireland?"

"What do you mean you tried to find her. You knew about this and didn't ring?"

"We did ring. On too many occasions, and you never answered the bloody mobile!"

"Oh, God. Cal, I thought it was Georgiana. I had a message that she called on Sunday night. Helena told me Georgiana called. I now know was Elizabeth. She thought Helena and I were... Cal, I'll kill him if he hurts her in any way. I'll bloody well kill him..."

"Darcy, where are you?" Cal asked quickly.

"I've told you, in a restaurant."

"How long will it take you to get to Pemberley? Can you make it in about 3 hours? I'll meet you there. You are not going to kill anyone, do you understand?"

"Yes. Pemberley. Three hours." Cal and Darcy rang off. Darcy hopped into the car and forced it into gear grinding them in the process. He drove maniacally down the main highway which was treacherous to maneuver at night. He replayed the fight with Elizabeth over and over again. Wishing he had told her to truth about George. Wishing he had never, ever heard of George Wickham.

Cal informed the two women of the predicament and explained in very few details what had transpired between Darcy and Elizabeth. Georgiana tried her best to talk Cal into letting her come with him, but he thought it best if she stayed and kept Rachel company. Rachel, on the other hand, was quite put out. She tilted her head and pouted to Cal. She had just arrived and already he was running out to play the superhero.

"Rachel, honey, I promise tomorrow will be for the two of us. But right now Darcy needs my help. Surely, you must see that." He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head.

She sighed, "Of course, I do. I feel his pain." She smiled and pouted again. Cal could not stop looking at her inviting mouth and descended upon it. Georgiana cleared her throat and told him that he better get a move on it if he wanted to meet with Darcy before he did something he might regret. Rachel shot her a glowering look and Georgiana meekly smiled at her.

Amazingly, Helena and Caroline finished lunch without one catty remark and the two women found that they did have some things in common. Caroline explained that most women were not friendly to her. And Helena nodded in agreement. Both women were so beautiful that most men automatically thought that they had boyfriends or lovers, so they never had many dates.

"Because I was always in this contest or that contest, many people thought I was stuck up or a snob and looked down on them. You can't imagine how far removed that is from the truth! I love people."

"I know exactly how you feel. Women hate us because we're pretty..."

"Excuse me, Caroline, are you complimenting me?" Helena interrupted in jest.

"And because we have brains." Caroline giggled. She never thought she would ever have a conversation like this in her life. And she quite enjoyed it. Helena and Caroline laughed and giggled like two crazy schoolgirls, commenting on the different people who came into the pub. Moira even got involved when one of the regulars came in quite intoxicated and couldn't stay on the barstool. As the lunch crowd turned into the dinner crowd, Caroline offered to buy a whole round of drinks for the patrons. Men came up to her and talked to her like a human being, as Helena sat back and watched as Caroline became the queen of the ball.

Darcy and Cal showed up at Pemberley within minutes of each other. Mrs. Reynolds was shocked to see Darcy tearing through his palatial home. She welcomed him home, as he silenced her with a nod to the head while his hand gestured for her to leave. Cal was immediately shown into the library where Darcy was frantically pacing.

Cal sat in the black leather chair that Darcy and Elizabeth had picked out the year before. This was always Darcy's favorite room and refurbishing it with Elizabeth was one of the greatest joys he had ever encountered. Darcy and Cal said not one word to each other.

Darcy thrust a drink at Cal which was happily accepted. He prepared one for himself also.

"I just don't get it, Cal. He told her the same lies over and over again and she fell for it. I threw Georgiana down the stairs. I refused his inheritance. Indeed!" Darcy's face was red with rage.

"She will come around, Darcy. She'll see that his lies do not hold water."

"Women! They always fall for a tragic story and puppy dog eyes."

"It can be said the same about men, too." Cal tried to say lightheartedly.

"No. I will not let him beat me. I've come too far with her to lose her to him now. Cal, she thinks I've murdered a fetus. How do you propose I acquit myself of that charge." He sat down opposite Cal and put his face in his hands.

"By telling her the truth," he offered.

"Hearsay."

"Dammit, Darcy. She will listen to you. You have proof and what does he have? Nothing. Not one bloody bit of information to back up his lies. The manner in which you tell her, that could be problematic. We cannot have you go back to that cottage. His life is not worth yours in prison."

"Of course. But I cannot go on thinking that she and he are in that place. Doing God knows what!"

"Darcy, be real. She would not do anything to jeopardize her relationship with you. I talked to her the other day. She told me they were just friends and nothing more. You must give her that much." Darcy was up and pacing again. More agitatedly he kept cursing George Wickham. "Let me take care of everything. You put down in words what you want to say, and I'll bring it to her." Darcy looked at him gratefully and extended his hand to his cousin and keeper.

"I don't even know where to start?" he said resignedly.

Cal shook Darcy violently, "From the beginning, Dammit. I think you should go back to Ireland." Darcy made to protest, but Cal would have none of it. "I told you, I will take care of it."

"Adrian Lukis wants to take me to Dublin!" Caroline yelped with pleasure. "Did you see how absolutely handsome he is. Much better than that Rupert Van... Oh, goodness, I forgot his name." Helena laughed with her and congratulated her on her conquest. She did agree that he was indeed very charming if not a tiny bit smarmy looking. But Caroline could knock smarmy out of the best of them.

"Hey, I thought you were gonna tell me all 'bout Bridget, Mark and the jellyfisher, Rebecca?" Caroline was so giddy that she couldn't stop giggling.

"Oh, poor Bridget. You know what, I can give you the Readers Digest version of it quickly. He wants me to go with him tonight!"

"Do ya think it's wise, Caroline? Ya jus' met him an' such."

"I will have you know that I can take care of myself, thank you very much." Helena rolled her eyes and agreed with her. Caroline could indeed take care of herself in a pinch. "Okay, now onto Bridget. Bridget worked in publishing where she was shagging her boss, Daniel. He dumped her for a plastic American. Oops, sorry. Mother and aunt Una tried desperately to fix her up with gorgeous human rights lawyer, Mark. He at the time was dating some brilliant family lawyer named Natasha. She was too lacquered for him. So he asks Bridget out on date. Bridget, the fool she is, stood him up. "

"Why?" Helena broke in.

"She was blow drying her hair. Well, Bridget quit her publishing job, you know the one where she was shagging the boss, and went to work on television as -- and get this -- a reporter. She is the worst reporter in all of England! Anyway, Bridget and Mark finally hook up, shag, date, break up, shag, date, and break up! Well, last time I heard from Bridget she caught him with Rebecca getting out of cab and his shirt was undone! She probably attacked him right in the backseat of the cab. I wouldn't put it past her though. Come to think of it, I taught her to do that!"

"Oh, poor Bridget. Any chance of their gettin' back together?" Helena asked.

"Well, he'll have some heavy explaining to do. She is devastated! Along with everyone else. I won't hear from her until Saturday. She's very busy being the world's worst reporter." Helena laughed and thanked her for the blow-by-blow report on Bridget.

Darcy felt some return of his sanity knowing that Cal would take care of everything. It took at least six drafts before he came up with exactly what he wanted to say to her. Once finished, he franked it with the Darcy crest and handed it to Cal. He never felt so nervous in all his life. He did take Cal's advice and called for the company helicopter to take him back to Ireland. He needed to get away from Pemberley and all that reminded him of her quickly.

Beyond exhaustion and hunger, Darcy arrived at the cottage a few minutes before midnight. The cottage was dark and looked empty. He went into the sitting room, grabbed the whiskey off the settee and made his way to the bathroom upstairs for a bath. He thought the darkened house gave it atmosphere and lit candles for his bath.

Helena came home alone. She tried to dissuade Caroline from going to Dublin but, once she got it in her mind to do something, there was no changing it. She felt a little grimy and smoky, so she headed straight to her bedroom and quickly changed into shorts and a tee shirt. She went downstairs to raid the fridge, but found nothing that she wanted to eat. She had become quite fond of the sitting room and sat down in the over-stuffed chair, reading a magazine. Sleep would elude her for the time being. She couldn't really concentrate on the article she was reading and pretty much realized that it must be all the alcohol that she had drunk.

Darcy finished with his bath and knew sleep would elude him as well. So arming himself with towel, he wrapped it around his waist and headed down to the sitting room where he could read. His head was a mass of dark curls and the towel clung quite nicely to his hips.

Helena had managed to doze off but awoke with a startle when Darcy crashed into the small table he hadn't seen.

"What're you doin' here?" she asked amazed.

"I--I, well things changed suddenly. I've just come back," Helena stared at the towel, then moved her eyes up to his chest.

"Oh."

"Helena, I saw Elizabeth. She was with George." He paced around the room clad only in a towel. "He told her all those lies I told you about, but the difference is she believed him."

"Oh, darlin'," she thought about it, then said, "Darcy, what did you do?" He laughed at her and continued pacing. To Helena, seeing him clad in only a towel and extremely angry was damn sexy in her estimation. He came closer to the chair she was sitting at.

"I wanted to kill him and I wanted to kill her. I feel... I can't even explain how I feel." Helena got up and moved a stray curl from his eye. He grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to him. She thought about pulling away. But looking into his eyes and seeing the hurt and the want was even too much for her. "Oh, God, Helena. Stay with me tonight? I need you. Please?" He moved his mouth closer to hers and she accepted his kiss. He gently led her upstairs to the bedchamber.

eorge tried to console Elizabeth after Darcy had stormed out of the cottage. When the tears had stopped, Elizabeth managed to look around her surroundings and focused her stare at George. She started laughing, which perplexed George immensely.

"Do you realize what I've just done, George?" she asked of him.

"Well... No, not really?" he said, scratching his head. She laughed again.

"I've thrown away the best thing that I've ever had. I ended a relationship that he and I put our heart and soul into for three years. And for what reason?" she added while putting her hands on her hips to give a more dramatic effect. He shook his head, still not understanding. "Because I thought he was having an affair. I chuck him because of my insecurities. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I have thrown it all away....Maybe. But there may be one thing I can do." He looked at her warily and tried to figure out what was going on in that pretty head of hers. "Can I take your car?" she asked.

"But of course. Where are we going?" he inquired

"Not you. Me. Let me wash up. You have the mobile in it, don't you? On speakerphone?" he answered affirmatively to all questions asked, but he dared not ask any more.

It took Elizabeth about twenty minutes and lots of cold water to bring down the swelling in her eyes due to all the crying she had done this week. She finally thought herself so foolish for wallowing in misery. Allowing herself to cry and sleep and sleep and cry. It was most maddening! Once she was finished, George dangled the keys at her and told her in not so subtle terms that she should be very, very careful in his car. She laughed at him and told him to get a grip.

The cool night air felt refreshing against her hot cheeks. She wanted the breeze to embrace her, so she rolled down all the windows in the car and then realized what a mistake that was and quickly closed them again. She fidgeted with the mobile and dialed her sister's number. Janice was always there to comfort her when any problems arose. The phone rang only twice before Charles answered.

"Hello, dear brother!"

"Elizabeth, where in God's name are you? Don't you know we had a foot patrol out looking for you?" he admonished.

"Dearest brother, I'm fine, honestly, but I must talk to Janice most urgently."

"Well, just to let you know, she will be giving you an earful. She has been beside herself with worry. And stop 'dearest brothering' me. It will not work!" Charles put Janice on the phone.

"Oh, Lizzy, I've been so scared. Nobody knew where you were, only that you had gone off with George. Are you really all right?" she asked lovingly.

"No, but I will be. Janice, Darcy and I have broken up." She heard Janice gasp into the phone. "Don't worry about it. I intend to mend things. Just listen to what I have to say, please?"

"Of course," she said.

"For the past two months, I have been...well..to say the least, irritable, tired, no energy, weepy. His marriage proposal scared the hell out of me. It's like saying, well Elizabeth, this is it... time to grow up. Not only do I need to take care of myself, which I barely do at times, but it is also taking care of him, too. What if he decided that he doesn't love me after all... after we've been married for six months. I got cold feet. I used this dumb excuse about our parents to hold him off. And Janice, I love him. Truly, madly, and deeply, I love him. And I want to be his wife and I want to live the rest of my life with him."

"So, why are you telling this to me and not to him?" The connection on Elizabeth's end was fading in and out. "Elizabeth, can you hear me?"

"I don't know where he is?" Elizabeth said dejectedly. "He came to the cottage and we had such a row it was horrible."

"Elizabeth, what happened between Darcy and George? And where are you? Are you in a...a car?"

"Yes. I'm in a car. I took George's car to be alone. Oh, good, a restaurant. Listen, Janice, you have to help me. I need to set this right. Any pointers? I never was good with this love stuff." Janice laughed at her and remembered her previous words.

"Have you thought about taking a pregnancy test?"

"What!"

"Well, your words--irritable, tired, no energy, weepy. Classic pregnancy symptoms. I say you get yourself to a chemist and do a home test. It takes no time and is very accurate. You can always have it confirmed by a physician."

"It.. I... Pregnant? It never dawned on me," she thought back about two months, remembered something, and then thought it all very possible. It would account for her mood swings. "I've just pulled out of the carpark of the restaurant. There is a Boots down the street. I'll ring you back."

Elizabeth hurriedly entered the chemist and proceeded to look for the test. This is ridiculous, she thought, you are an adult woman and this is the '90s, just go and ask the man. "Excuse me, sir. I... ah... well... Where would I find a home pregnancy test?" The chemist looked her over and frowned. She huffed at him and quickly paid for it. All she could think about was taking the test. She opted not to go back to the restaurant and quickly made her way home.

It took Cal a little over three hours to make his way to the cottage, and he still got lost with the directions that Darcy had given him. He turned the radio on to get the football scores and was quite amazed at how well Arsenal were doing. They were number two behind Manchester Utd. Maybe they would win the Premiership Cup this year after all. He impatiently waited for the American baseball training camp scores to be read. One of his favorite pastimes was baseball. Playing it or watching it when in America was a secret hobby of his. His favorite team was the Boston Red Sox, with Vaughn hitting incredibly well in training camp; they could be on the road to that elusive World Series Championship. One thing that kept bothering Cal was the name Helena. Darcy had brought it up several times. Who the hell is Helena? he thought.

Finally, he came upon the quaint cottage and was quite annoyed to find it darkened. Here, he had spent all day in the blasted car and would it have been too much to ask that the occupants could be awake! He parked the car beside Wickham's and did all he could from not smashing the Love Bug to pieces. He went to the door and started to knock when he realized he had left the blasted letter in the car. So he trudged back to the car and grabbed the letter. Elizabeth was the first to hear the knock and quickly ran down the stairs to answer the door. Secretly praying that Darcy had come back, she was quickly taken aback when Cal smiled tiredly at her.

"Good Lord, Cal, you look exhausted!"

Her outward appearance was one that he had not expected. She seemed happy. Showing him into the study, she fixed him a mineral water with lime.

"I have come bearing a letter," he said while searching her face for any sign of despondency. "Darcy wanted me to give this to you. How are you? Are you all right?" he asked with genuine concern. She took the letter from him and fingered it slowly. She loved the Fitzwilliam crest and kept running her finger over it. To her, it was as if Darcy were standing right in front of her.

"I'm wonderful, Cal. I need to apologize for running out. It was very wrong of me but, when I called Darcy and a woman answered the phone, I just put two and two together and came up with one hundred. I overreacted." She looked down at her lap and wanted terribly to read the missive. "Would you mind, if I took this upstairs to my room and read it? I don't know how long I will be. Are you to wait for my reply?" He nodded yes and she told him to make himself comfortable.

Elizabeth settled on her bed and began the letter.

Darling Elizabeth,

What I am about to relate is very difficult. I had wanted to protect you and my sister from the evil doings of George Wickham. Do allow me to tell that my love of you is unwavering and undying. However, I must not digress and should start from the beginning.

When I was a child, my parents tried unsuccessfully to have another child. At the same time my father's steward was finding it financially and emotionally burdensome to care for a small child, as the mother had died during childbirth. My parents informed me at the age of nine that we would be taking in George Wickham, as a foster child. He would be brought up as my brother. Shortly after that, my mother became pregnant again and thankfully produced Georgiana. We all adored that beautiful little girl. George and Georgiana were close, extremely close, and I was jealous. George and I are nearly the same age and he was getting along with my blood relations better than I was. It pained me to see how people liked him just because he was the outgoing one, while I concentrated on my studies. George, with his easy-going and playful manner, endeared himself to my parents. I was left to be by myself most times. Father hardly paid much attention to me, and mother was very busy with Georgiana.

By my teens, I was able to see how conniving and calculating George was. He would hide Georgiana's dolls, blame me, and then play the hero by recovering them. He did not do well in school, but Father excused it as his trying his best. He skipped most classes and to this day, I still do not know what he was doing or to be frank who he was doing. He had quite a reputation at primary school. While at Eton, I began dating. A natural thing for a young boy becoming a man. I remember her quite clearly, her name was Julia Bowen and she was charming. She was generally well liked and her father owned a shipping business. I know that my parents were secretly hoping that an alliance would take place after I had finished up with university. She would regularly come to Pemberley to be with me during my holidays. We enjoyed each other's company and got along quite famously. We became friendly to each other, and she allowed me to do things that most young girls shouldn't allow to be done. Remember, I was young and eager. On one such occasion that she visited Pemberley, I had gone to the office with father, and mother was visiting her sister in Kent with Georgiana. George told her that I was waiting for her in the carriage house. She proceeded to go to the carriage house and, when I never materialized, she turned to leave.

Darling, what I am about to tell you is very difficult indeed. George cornered her in the carriage house, locking the door and proceeded to attack her. He beat her soundly and threatened to harm her greatly if she ever came back to Pemberley or me. She told her parents that she was attacked by a stranger and we--my father, myself, George and others in the area--looked all over for the blackguard. We never located a man with the description she gave us and gave up after two weeks. She was finally able to tell me the truth about the beating when she came to my father's funeral. George, by this time, had also conveniently disappeared and did not reappear until the reading of my father's will.

When Georgiana turned fourteen, the unthinkable happened. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had known there was a problem but never saw the doctor. With the diagnosis, we were told she had a month to live. It destroyed my father. He, who was always so robust and good and happy, turned into a depressed, melancholy person. I threw myself into work because I knew he couldn't. Watching mother wither away was something I couldn't do, which was inducement enough to work long hours at the office. Georgiana was conveniently sent to my aunt's house for the duration of my mother's illness. Father tried every resource to locate George, but to no avail. I, on the other hand, knew exactly where he was and what he was doing, but I concealed it from my father. Let George Wickham read in the paper that the woman who loved him like her own flesh and blood died wondering about him. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I had every reason to not want him around.

Before my mother died, she begged me to look after Georgie. As I was ten years her senior, I should watch that she did not take any wrong turns and that she should enjoy what life had to offer. I made the promise to my mother. She died in her sleep that night. Darling, everyone who knew my mother adored her, and losing her was the hardest thing I have ever had to endure. Georgiana went into shock and father became inconsolable. He wished himself dead. Without mother, he was nothing. Georgiana refused to go back to Aunt Catherine's, and I fought with father to keep her here, at Pemberley. Mrs. Reynolds, the Godsend she is, helped with Georgie. My father did not look well at all at the funeral. He kept swaying and couldn't keep his eyes open. I had to support him many times during the service. When we went to the family burial plot, my father asked for my forgiveness, then fell to the earth, having suffered, as we later found out a massive coronary. He died instantly.

As you know, my parents are buried together side by side, exactly the way they would have wanted. Somehow, the solicitor managed to find George for the reading of the will. And George, being the rat he is, could smell money from another continent. Needless to say, the will was a great shock to me. I was asked to run the company with him. The same man who never once even tried to understand exactly what the business was! Luckily for me, my father included in the will that George MUST finish university. That was my saving grace. He refused. He said he had no head for numbers but maybe I could create a title for him that didn't require any degree at all. I laughed at him and told him in no uncertain terms that it was not acceptable. If he wanted any share in the business, he must continue on with his education and then he would have to work for it. Again he refused. He asked for money which I gave him without one thought. He said he had a good prospect for work, but as it would include traveling he would need cash. He took the money, and I did not see him for three years.

Cal and I were given joint guardianship of Georgiana, which was a blessing in disguise, because Georgie could be a handful at times. She was a precocious teenager, but not unlike any other normal teenager, and I pride myself on that. Although she was rich, she was well grounded. She did go through that rebellious stage, coloring her hair purple and hanging out with the local kids from Lambton. When she did fall in with a rough crowd, Cal and I tried talking to her. But seventeen-year-old young ladies are not the easiest to deal with. One afternoon she went out with her friend Cynthia, who was a very amiable young lady, and I liked her a lot. Cal thought she may have had a crush on me, possible I suppose, being much older than they. She dressed normally, unlike Georgie, who took to dressing like Madonna. I thought she would be a good influence on my rebellious Georgie, as I had been calling her, lovingly, of course. I was very wrong, indeed. When Georgiana failed to come home that night, I was beside myself with worry. Cal rushed over and I had the whole town of Lambton searching every nook and cranny for her.

Elizabeth, this part is by far the most painful. Please, do not let it go further than your eyes and lips. For days, we searched all over Derbyshire for her. I had people in London and France looking for her. I hired private detectives. I had funded Scotland Yard with more than enough money and they were at my beck and call. I do not mean to sound pretentious, not at all, but my sister is and will be my life. I love her unconditionally, like a father for his daughter. For two months, I knew not where she was and it destroyed me. The business started faltering and Cal became my Rock of Gibraltar. Without him, I would have gone deeper and deeper into a depression. I accused everyone of harming my beautiful sister. Two months to the day she left, she came back. I was overjoyed, gladdened, ecstatic, and I wanted to kill her.

She came back to me beaten to a pulp. Her ribs were cracked and she was pregnant. Cal and I rushed her to hospital. You could barely see her face; it was covered in purple bruises and her nose had been broken. She couldn't cry. I cried for her. I wept tears that I didn't even know I had. Shortly after we brought her to hospital, she miscarried. She kept saying that George would take care of her and that he loved her. At the time, I didn't think anything of it. But it was Cal who managed to question her when she felt strong enough. She told him that the George was George Wickham. And that she had managed to catch up with him in Lambton where he professed an undying love of her and asked her to marry him. They ran off to London. Elizabeth, he beat my sister to within an inch of her life, and he beat her knowing that she was carrying his child.

Georgiana, luckily was able to come home after two days in hospital, and Cal and I took care of her along with Mrs. Reynolds. The day after she came home, Wickham came to Pemberley wanting to see how Georgiana was. Had Cal not been there, I would have torn his face off. He said something about wanting to know about his child. Cal informed him there would not be a child. Mrs. Reynolds called the constable to have Wickham removed.

Her recovery was slow, but she made progress as a result of the steady stream of top-drawer physical therapists and mental health administrators that we brought in. With the loving, tight-knit community of Cal, Mrs. Reynolds and me, Georgiana recovered and was admitted into nursing school. Her graduation and subsequent assignment in Yorkshire was the happiest day to date. My next happiest day would have been the day you and I wed.

Seeing you with that man was more than I could take. He could have killed my sister. I love you and will do anything to keep you from harm. Please allow me to tell you how important you are to me. I know that Cal will be waiting for you. I have given him leave to clarify any information that you desire.

Again darling, please accept my compliments for your health and happiness.

Your loving,
Darcy

Elizabeth had not realized that tears had been falling down her cheeks. She found it too preposterous, but Cal was here and he would never lie to her. She really didn't know what to believe. George had never, ever tried to harm her. He had always been gentlemanly to her. The tears fazed her as she brushed them away. Her legs felt heavy and refused to get up. She unconsciously put her hand over her stomach and sighed. She knew right now that Darcy Fitzwilliam was everything to her and she would do anything, anything at all to make him understand that. She loved him and nobody else--no American or Caroline Bingley--was going to change that or take him away from her.

Forcing herself off the bed, she went to have a chat with George. She wanted to hear his answers to such charges. She knocked on George's door and waited for him. Quietly she said his name and still no answer. She carefully opened the door and noticed that he was not in his room. She loudly called his name. George quietly tapped her on the shoulder and gave her a big grin.

"You wanted me, doll?" he leered.

"Please don't look at me like that. I've received something--something I believe we need to discuss. Cal is downstairs." She watched to see his reaction, but he'd had years to steel his disposition. She sighed, and he led her into his bedroom.

Elizabeth sat down on the divan and proceeded to explain to George the information that she had received. Because his back was to her, she couldn't see his reaction. She noticed him grabbing hold of the dresser several times as she repeated certain bits of information but not all. She didn't want to elicit any anger from him. When he finally turned to face her, he seemed cool and calm.

"It pains me to ask this of you, George, because I have always thought of you as a friend, but with this new information... I.... I wouldn't want to be lied to..." She looked down at her lap and fidgeted with the bottom of her shirt.

"And you believe this information? May I please read the letter?"

"No, George, I cannot do that. I just want to hear what you have to say."

"I've been staying with you for five days and now you decide that you don't trust me?" he bellowed. Cal heard muffled noises but thought nothing of it.

"Please, George, keep your voice down. I never said that. I just want to know what happened, that is all? Please, don't get angry." George flew into a violent rage and made to grab Elizabeth's arm when she flung open the door. "George, you are acting ridiculous!" He started yelling unintelligibly at her, and Cal raced to the where the commotion was.

Elizabeth stood her ground and faced George. "I expect you to be gone, George. I'll let you stay the night. But at first light you must leave." Elizabeth motioned to Cal to go back to the other room and told him that she had everything under control. Against his better judgment, Cal did as asked and left. Elizabeth started to walk away, but George grabbed her and violently started to kiss her, biting her lip in the process. Because his strength was too much for her, she couldn't fight back. She brought up her knee and managed to hurt him enough that he released his grasp on her. His language was as foul as ever, and Cal again ran back to the bottom of the stairs. Elizabeth ducked out of his grasp and made to the top of the stairs and was about to run down them as Cal was about to come up. George seized hold of Elizabeth's arm and told Cal if he came up the stairs he would hurt her. Cal stayed at the bottom pleading with him to release her. Elizabeth, violently tried to break free, but his grasp was hard and hurt her. She took her free arm and managed a good hit across the face. He shook her roughly and flung her down the stairs.

Elizabeth lay like a heap at Cal's feet and George ran out past them. Cal couldn't tell if anything was broken, and he kept saying her name over and over again. Elizabeth was conscious enough to tell him that she hurt.

"Elizabeth -- your back, can you feel your legs?" she nodded yes, "I'm going to feel around your neck, please let me know if I hurt you." After making sure she had not broken her back or neck, he gently lifted her up to place her on the davenport. Elizabeth became hysterical and started wailing, "NO!" Cal immediately put her down and ran for his mobile in the car. He dialed emergency.

"Elizabeth, the paramedics will be here shortly. Tell me where it hurts?" She was beyond consolation now. She looked as if she were going in and out of consciousness and softly mentioned to Cal, "Please save my baby." And then darkness.

elena turned over in the bed and heard the faint breathing of Darcy right beside her. She extricated herself from Darcy's grasp and slowly inched off the bed. She grabbed the closest thing that looked like an article of clothing. Quietly shutting the door, she noticed she had Darcy's button-down oxford and quickly put it on. Thankfully, it covered her down to mid-thigh.

Softly padding down the stairs, she made her way to the kitchen and made a strong pot of coffee. The sun had barely managed to rise; waves of guilt engulfed her. The thought of blaming it on all she had to drink infiltrated her mind many times. But she knew that was a lousy excuse. What would he be thinking? Could he be able to face her? Could she face him? Damn him, she thought, why did he have to look so good in a damn towel, anyway? A million things ran through her head and she couldn't justify one thing. Hell, she couldn't even think of a good excuse for their actions last night.

Now, Darcy, he was smooth. Put a bottle of whiskey in his hand, get dumped by the woman who completed his life, and flash those huge, incredibly dark, brown eyes. Of course, any female would melt, if she were human. She poured herself a huge cup of extra-strong, black coffee and sat down heavily at the kitchen table. The aroma and steam of the coffee seemed to perk her up, a little. Thoughts raced through her mind. After Caroline accused her of wanting Darcy, and now that it happened, she would have a flip if she found out.

Oh, Helena, you've got to fix this mess, she thought as she sighed into her coffee.

Darcy stood at the doorway watching the pensive look on her face. He dared not disturb her and looked at her for a long time. Desperately wanting to know what she was thinking, he searched her countenance for any tell-tale sign of her feelings. He had enjoyed last night. The spontaneity and passion had incredibly taken him by surprise. His actions had taken him by surprise. He had always believed in a monogamous relationship and, yes, he did feel guilt by what had taken place, but Elizabeth told him that it was over between the two. Would Helena feel as though she had been used? In a moment of weakness, did he take advantage of her? Darcy tightened the belt to his robe and proceeded to sit down across from Helena.

Helena gave him an embarrassed grin and wished him a good morning. Darcy grinned back at her and wished her the same. Putting the pleasantries aside, she prepared him a cup of black coffee.

"I'm goin' back to the bed and breakfast," she blurted out rather suddenly.

"No, you can stay here. I want you to stay here. Do you understand?" He said it rather ominously, and she questioned him with her stare. He laughed at her confusion and continued, "Oh, Helena, last night happened not because of too much drink or my being hurt or my using you... I know that's what you think. But last night occurred because I wanted it to happen. Since the first time you sat down next to me on that blasted airplane, I knew."

"I wanted to be friends with you. I thought I could help you with Elizabeth... I thought I would be able to say no to you. I tried. But you came down in that... After your bath and you looked so lost... so unbelievably..." Her voice trailed off as she got up from the table. "Needless to say, I didn't think at all," she said slightly embarrassed.

In one big swoop, he had her in his arms and softly kissed her neck. "No repercussions, Helena, none at all." He smiled at her. "Desire, want, and need. She chucked me, not t'other way around," he repeated.

"Have you ever heard of a rebound. D'ya know what a rebound is?" she asked.

"In terms of relationships?" he quipped.

"I'm not laughin' here. This is serious. And you're makin' fun of this," she broke from his embrace.

"I am not making fun of this." He sat on the chair she vacated and pulled her onto his lap. "You know, you look better in that shirt than I. But... I think I would prefer it off right now." He unbuttoned the top one and made it down three buttons before she pushed his hand away.

"This is not like you. Did you polish off the bottle before comin' down?" she responded agitatedly.

"What is like me, pray? Are you stereotyping me as a stiff-upper lip Brit? Or does my past goodness mean that I cannot have fun? Well, what?" Before Helena could answer, the mobile rang. "I thought I put it in the desk?" He released Helena and went into the other room and grabbed the phone, bringing it back into the kitchen. He motioned to Helena to stay put.

"Yes," he answered.

"Mr. Fitzwilliam, James Holryod here. I understand you've put a bid in for the McKlintock coal mine that we are closing?" Darcy sighed and mouthed, "business."

"I have. I'm sorry, you are?"

"Ah, well sir, I'm the present owner, and to be frank I didn't realize that you would... that anyone would want to own this ramshod of a mine."

"I'm having people look at it. I've made a bid; that is all. I don't understand why you rang?"

"I rang to inform you that I do not want to sell, that this mine needs to shut."

"I'm willing to offer you anything. Money is no object, I can assure you of that." Helena listened to the conversation in awe.

"Mr. Fitzwilliam, I am no idiot. I know exactly who you are. I've spoken to that Bingley chap, and he informs me that this will be a loss to you." Mr. Holryod said tightlipped.

"Perhaps, we should set up a meeting between the three of us and the lawyers and let us handle it then. Right now, I'm on holiday. I would be willing to meet with you next week? I don't have my diary in front of me, but I could have my assistant ring you with times and dates. Would that be acceptable?"

"I think not, Mr. Fitzwilliam," he huffed and quickly hung up.

Darcy stared into the phone and shrugged his shoulders. It didn't bother him at all. He would get that coal mine. Helena looked at him strangely and tried to put his character together. She realized, aside from Elizabeth and Caroline, she really didn't know him.

"What was that all about?" Helena asked.

"I put a bid in for a mine that is closing down, potentially devastating to this community's economic future. I can go in, fix all the problems that are wrong with it and then sell it."

"Ah... A complete Sir Lancelot," she said as she turned away from him to pour more coffee.

"Somewhat. A sixpence for your thoughts," Darcy whispered.

"I was thinking that maybe it's time for me to head home," she turned to face him. "I mean Louisiana."

"I'd really like for you to stay," he countered.

"I can't. You need to work things out with Elizabeth. You're meant to be with her, not this crazy broad from the southern part of the United States. It really is best," she lied and he could tell she was lying.

"What happened last night, Helena? C'mon, tell me. What bloody well happened? You know and I know. It was magical..." Helena stared at him and wanted to agree. She would give anything right now to be able to run into his arms and say yes it was magical.

"Darcy, you and I are two adults and you must know a one-night stand when you see one. Go back to Elizabeth. I'll be fine. I'll admit to you that you are one very special person and I don't go around doin' this sorta thing with just anybody. So feel honored, okay, love?"

"No, Helena, it wasn't just a one-night stand. We connected. Admit that?" he implored. Before Helena could answer again, the mobile started ringing and Darcy answered it just a little too quickly.

"Yes," he said agitatedly.

"It's Cal."

"Yes."

"Darcy, there's been an accident..."

Darcy interrupted, "What sort of accident. Georgie, is Georgie okay?"

"It's not Georgie, Darcy, it's... it is Elizabeth. You must come. She's been unconscious for a long time and it doesn't look good." He held off telling him about the confirmed pregnancy or of Wickham's direct association with the fall.

"Dammit, Cal, what the hell happened?"

"She tumbled down the stairs in the cottage. Listen, Georgiana and Rachel are here, and I've sent the chopper for you. Janice and Charles are on their way also. Please, you must come here quickly."

"Oh, God, Cal, tell me what happened?" he pleaded.

"I'll tell you when you get here." And with that he disconnected the call.

Helena's words reverberated throughout the longest chopper ride of his life. One-night stand. Two adults. And now this, with Elizabeth. His poor, sweet Elizabeth. Cal had been so cryptic on the mobile. It was killing him to know what had happened. How could she just tumble down the stairs? The pilot informed him that they would be descending on top of the hospital helipad. They were given the all clear for landing. Darcy issued a thumbs up and braced himself.

Darcy bounded down the corridor quickly looking for Cal or Georgiana. He sighted Cal talking to two inspectors and walked even more briskly to hear what was going on. Cal spotted him and shook his hand.

"Darcy, these are DI Tennyson and DI Murphy," Cal introduced.

"I'm sorry. I don't follow. Why are they here?" The two inspectors glanced at each other and then let Cal explain.

"Darcy, I didn't tell you on the mobile what happened because you would have... Well, George threw Elizabeth down the stairs. She questioned him about the letter and he flew into rage. She fought him, Darcy. She bloody well punched the guy in his face," he offered.

"What's being done to find the bastard? I'll kill him, Cal. I'll bloody kill him!" Darcy fell heavily into the chair that was right behind him and put his head into his hands. "Oh, Cal, I never should have left her there. Never. It's all my fault. I should have told her about him earlier."

Georgiana came out of Elizabeth's room and went directly to Darcy. Darcy looked up at her and was shocked to see who was beside her.

"Georgie, how is she? Can I see her?"

"Not yet. They're still doing some tests." Darcy stuck out his hand to his cousin, Nicholas Hampton.

"Nick, how are you? Since when did obstetricians start dealing in head trauma?" Nick glanced questioningly at Georgiana and she shook her head no.

"I don't deal in head trauma, Darcy. Georgie called me to come and check out Liz. Make sure everything was okay. She's a tough lady you have there. But there is something you need to know, and I'll let Georgie tell you. I must go back and check on Liz." Nick walked away and Darcy led Georgiana to a private corner in the corridor.

"What? Georgie and tell me everything. I need to know everything." Darcy said nervously.

"Well, first, she has a very serious concussion. She's not in a coma, but the longer she stays unconscious the more serious it becomes." Darcy started to interrupt, but Georgiana held her hand up to silence him. "Darcy, we performed a sonogram. Do you know what that is?" He shook his head no and she continued. "It's a picture without using radioactive waves, normally done with pregnant women who want to know the sex of their child. Well, before Elizabeth slipped into unconsciousness, she told Cal to save her baby. Janice confirmed that Elizabeth took a home pregnancy test yesterday, and we confirmed that she is twelve weeks pregnant. The fetus is viable and strong." Georgiana stared at her brother for an inordinately long time. She wasn't quite sure if he comprehended what she told him. "Darcy, did you hear me, Elizabeth is carrying your child. You're going to be a papa."

"Pregnant? Elizabeth? Georgie, I must see her. Please take me to her." Georgie took her brother's arm and led him into Elizabeth's room.

elena contemplated her situation and readily decided on going back to the bed & breakfast. Siobhan had wisely saved her room in the event that she needed to return, which, unfortunately, came a mere twenty-four hours later. The unresolved feelings wrestled inside of her. Had Darcy not left so suddenly, she would have definitely given in to his persuasions. What had Caroline called the woman who tried to pinch Bridget's significant other, Man-of-war? No, that wasn't it. Jellyfisher. Had she turned into a jellyfisher?

The ringing mobile quickly broke through her thoughts and she ran to the kitchen to answer it. Secretly, she wished it was Darcy so she could at least say good-bye.

"Darcy?" she asked breathlessly.

"I'm afraid not, dearest. And you don't sound anything like the lovely Miss Elizabeth Bennet," the mysterious gentleman laughed.

"Sweetie, ain't you just one perceptive fella? May I ask who's calling?" She quickly scanned the kitchen for writing materials.

"How incredibly rude of me. Yes, indeed, an introduction is only proper. James Hampton. Sir James Hampton."

Helena laughed heartily at his formality and seriousness, then quickly checked her laugh upon realizing he was in earnest. "I'm very sorry, sir. I am always forgetting I'm in a different country. I'm sure I've just made a huge blunder. Could you ever accept my apology? We, Americans, just have a different way of asking. Ya know what I mean?"

"I believe I do. Now, do I receive an introduction or do I have to go through life wondering who the charming, but elusive, American was answering my cousin's mobile?" he said in jest.

"Hmm... So you're Darcy's cousin? Interesting. How do you get a title and he doesn't. From what I've seen, he's a big-time philanthropist."

"Madam, anyone can throw money around. Darcy tends to throw it around quite often, too. He's the second richest man in England. Richard Branson owns the highest honour here. He's probably somewhere in the top ten in Forbes richest men in the world rankings, and I happened to have inherited my title." He said it spitefully, and it wasn't lost on Helena. She quickly tried to steer the conversation to a more pleasant topic.

"Well, sweetie, I'm Helena. Helena Johnstone. So why're ya callin'?"

"To own the truth, Miss Johnstone. I am searching for my bride," he said soberly.

Helena laughed at his tone and mockingly said, "And why is your bride needin' lookin' after?"

Sir James raised his voice in exasperation and said icily to Helena, "Actually, Miss Johnstone, I was being quite serious. My wife disappeared a week ago, and I found out where that blasted cousin of mine was. My wife would follow that damn man to the end of the world if she could."

"I think maybe she doesn't deserve you, sweetie. I mean a woman like that. But I've been with Darcy for eleven days and I've yet to meet a Mrs. Hampton." Helena tried desperately to get back into his good graces. She didn't need this man telling Darcy that a rude woman answered his phone and then mocked him a most uncivilized way, although she did detect no love lost between this gentleman to his cousin.

"My wife," he said contemptuously, "would never condescend to call herself Lady Hampton. No, I think you would know her as Caroline Bingley." Sir James heard the loud gasp then the sound of someone trying to stifle a laugh. He thought he might have even heard her snort.

"Caroline? Married! Oh my, well... isn't this interesting. But when? When did the two of you get hitched?"

"We married a fortnight ago. Please Miss Johnstone, have you seen my wife or not?" He sounded anguished.

"Yes, yes, of course. She's here. I mean she was here. She's gone off to Dublin." Then it hit Helena, Caroline took off with another man. She informed him that if she saw Caroline she would tell her. Helena asked if he would be coming to Ireland, but he thought not. His wife would have to come back to England, and he would willingly take her back.

"Sweetie, you really love her, huh?"

"With all my heart. I just wish she knew it," he replied. Helena's wheels started working and she quickly shook her head no. She had tried with Darcy and look what happened. No, this man would have to deal with his wife himself. She would no longer give any advice, nor would she get involved. Especially with this family. What was it with them? They all had more than what most people will ever have, and they managed to throw it away for something they couldn't have. Sir James hung up with Helena promising to tell Caroline that he located her and, to ask her to please come home.

Darcy stood at the doorway and silently watched Elizabeth sleep. She had a tranquil appearance and looked breathtakingly beautiful. Georgiana told him it would be okay for him to go to her and he slowly walked over to the chair that was placed beside the bed. He stayed in the chair not touching her, just staring for minutes until his sister intercepted his thoughts.

"You can talk to her and touch her. We encourage it," she admonished. Darcy gave her a weak smile. Georgiana told him that the technician and Nick were waiting outside to do another sonogram for him if he wished. He agreed and asked if he could have a couple of minutes alone. Georgiana said ten minutes. Then they would come back.

Darcy stroked Elizabeth's face and placed a kiss on her forehead. He took her hands and brought them to his lips and kissed them gently. Pulling back the covers, he placed his hand on her stomach, gently and softly caressing his life. His baby. Life created by the two of them growing inside of her right now. He silently willed Elizabeth to awake, and to share in the discovery of this information. He wanted right now to say everything he should have said a long time ago. How could he have been so foolish to think that any other woman could make him happy? Elizabeth was the only woman he ever needed. The only woman he really ever wanted. Her family didn't matter. What mattered was that they were happy with each other.

Exhausted, he sat in a nearby chair and remembered what he had been doing when Elizabeth was in jeopardy of losing their child and the guilt consumed him. He could have prevented this from happening. But he didn't protect her the way he said he would. She had accused him of infidelity and she was correct. And Helena. Helena who had only tried to help and told him that it was a one-night stand. His heart was heavy with the hurt he caused two women. He placed his chair closer to her bed and took her right hand into his and prayed softly for her forgiveness.

Elizabeth brought her left hand over and pushed his hair out of his eyes, "Whatever, for?" she questioned him with her stare. Upon realizing where she was, she became anxious and started crying for her baby. Georgiana and Nick along with the attending physician came running through the door, pushing Darcy aside.

The doctor shone the light to check Elizabeth's eyes and she blinked wildly. He asked her how she was feeling, but her first question was about the baby. Did she lose her baby?

"No, darling. Our child is very strong." Darcy replied happily.

Elizabeth sighed with relief and allowed the doctor to finish with the examination. It was decided that the concussion, although serious in nature, did no long-lasting damage. Other than leave her with a bump on the right side of her head, and a very serious headache. Georgiana removed the blood pressure arm band and told her everything looked good. Nick reminded Darcy about the sonogram and Elizabeth happily said yes, she would like to see it.

Nick and Georgiana excused themselves and quickly wheeled the machine in. Elizabeth mentioned she had to use the ladies, but it worked out quite nicely because the picture was clearer when the bladder was full.

Elizabeth laughed, "Yes, Georgie, that's easy for you to say, you're not about to burst." She and Darcy laughed. That gentleman situated himself on the bed to her left and propped her head gingerly on his chest and held her lovingly while waiting for the technician to set Elizabeth up. Nick plopped some gel on her belly and Elizabeth laughed at the coldness and feel of it. He ran the scanner over her stomach pointing out her kidneys and her bladder, which was extended. "I know!" she laughed again.

Then they saw it.

The small little orb blinking furiously. Darcy gasped and Elizabeth smiled and took his hand in hers. Nick pointed out the head, the heart, and the spinal cord. He told them how long it was and even gave them a due date. Darcy bent down and kissed her lips.

Georgiana told Elizabeth and Darcy she would inform everyone about Elizabeth's condition. Janice had been quite frightened and desperately wanted to see her sister.

"Oh, yes, of course, send her right in. Darcy you would not mind giving me leave to talk to my sister. Would you?"

"Certainly," he bent down to whisper in her ear. "I love you, darling." She patted his check and smiled sweetly at him. But he knew something was wrong. She was being too quiet. Was she suffering from some sort of memory loss? He kissed her cheek and escorted the three medical people out of the room.

Cal accosted Darcy and told him that the detectives still wanted an interview with Elizabeth.

"Good God, man! She has been through enough. Give her some time." He turned to the detectives and said, "Elizabeth is still not strong enough, but she'll be happy to speak with you later. Do you have any information on Wickham's whereabouts?"

DI Tennyson spoke first, "No. We think he may have gone to London. We have New Scotland Yard informed of him and there has been an all-points bulletin out. We faxed his portrait to all police on patrol. We are doing everything we can to locate him."

"Well, if you don't find him, I will. And when I get him, I will be his judge, jury and executioner!" he hissed. Darcy walked away, leaving Cal to explain that his emotions got the better of him. He wouldn't really do anything of the sort.

Nick stopped Darcy at the coffee dispenser and offered his congratulations on the baby. He then added, "You have always had one splendid girl there. The whole family has always liked her."

"Nick, it always amazes me how you and James are so different. You were always the caring one, and James could only be ruthless." He smiled.

"He was in competition with you, Darcy. And extremely jealous of you. You had wealth, power and women and all before you were thirty. He's worked hard for what he's attained now. You know he's mad about Caroline."

"Caroline Bingley? Then why the hell is she following me to..." he stopped in mid-sentence.

"She followed you? Caroline in Ireland? Darcy what are you doing, man! You have the most wonderful woman in there carrying your child. Do you need your head examined?" Nick condemned.

"She wasn't the problem." Darcy said dryly. Nick shook his head and walked away.

Caroline sashayed into the cottage at half past four decked out in brand-new Jaeger suit, looking unbelievably gorgeous. The chapeau on her head accented the suit brilliantly and Helena marveled at her.

"Helena, darling," she while air-kissing her cheek, "Wonderful, wonderful evening. Dublin Castle decked out to the nines. Champagne was free flowing. Adrian Lukis was wonderful, but I chucked him midway. Oh, the President of Ireland was there, Mary McAleese. Brilliant, brilliant woman. Funny, smart and down-to-earth, too." Caroline plopped down on the sofa and took off her shoes and hat.

"I'm glad ya had a great time and all, but don't you think... No, I need to start again. Caroline..."

"Well, what? Out with it, Helena. You sound like a cackling hen!" she said highly exasperated.

"Okay, then. Your husband called, remember him? Lord Hampton called. He was desperately looking for you. Caroline, how could you? What do you think marriage is? A Game? Do you realize how anguished he was! How can you be so cold!"

"How on earth did he track me down here?" Caroline asked semi-rhetorically. She saw the flash in Helena's eyes and quickly tried to backpedal.

"Is that the only thing you have to say for yourself? Your husband has been crazy with worry about you. And it's probably a whole lot more than you deserve. This man, who I spoke to for just a matter of minutes, professed undying love for you and this is how you treat him? Caroline, Darcy does not love you. He hasn't loved you for a long time. When will that sink into your thick over color-processed head! He loves Elizabeth Bennet, the painter," She said sarcastically.

Helena wanted to continue, but realized it was fruitless. Caroline sat looking at her with a gawking expression on her face that would make people think she had been slapped.

Sitting down beside her, Helena took Caroline's hands into hers and quietly said, "Caroline, he seems like a very sweet man and he's absolutely crazy about you. Why don't you just give it a chance? His relationship with Darcy is tetchy as it is, but this just pushed him over the edge."

"Helena," Caroline sniffled, "I've been in love with Darcy Fitzwilliam since I was a teenager. I made sure I took the same classes as he did at Cambridge. I became his shadow. Helena, I was so mad about him, I can't describe the feeling I felt for him. The passion was so overwhelming. But it was also one-sided. When he met Elizabeth, there was this electrical field around him that he never felt around me. I hated her for that. This upstart who took his heart from me. Deep down inside, and for some unknown reason, I'll always love him," she answered wistfully.

"Caroline, don't you think that maybe, just maybe you should focus on your husband? He seems like a really good person. If I had anyone, just anyone who loved me like Darcy does his Elizabeth and Sir James does you, I would be very, very happy. Darcy, and you and Sir James have the best kind of love that anyone could ever wish for, both of you have people who love you deeply. That anyone could ever want. I've never had that." Caroline saw the loneliness and emptiness inside of Helena.

And then it came to her.