Elizabeth opened her eyes to see Darcy staring down at her.

"Good morning," he whispered as he kissed her forehead.

"Mmmm," she stretched and yawned. "Did you stay here all night?"

"Yes." Darcy smiled and Elizabeth brightened. "You asked me to."

"I know... That chair couldn't have been very comfortable? I'm sorry."

"If you asked me to choose between this chair and any hospital, I'd choose this chair every time."

"Thank you for staying," she smiled shyly.

"You're welcome."

"Where's Bud?"

"At the Weston's. They have your truck as well."

"Why?"

"I thought it best for your recovery. And I'm not sure how the staff would've reacted to such a large dog."

"She's very playful," she pouted.

"I know that and you know that, but not everyone else does," he soothed. "Don't worry."

"I'm not worried, they're the ones that got her for me. Bud knows Stan and Mabel almost as well she knows you.... I just miss my dog," she sighed.

For a few moments there was silence. At length, Darcy asked, "You must be starving?"

"I am."

"Good. Mrs. Reynolds should be up in a few minutes."

She wrinkled her nose. "I was hoping for some french fries..."

"No McDonald's for you, young lady! We're watching your sodium intake."

"Damn!"

"What was that?"

"Nothing." She looked away.

"Let me help you up?" Darcy gently pulled her up and had enough presence of mind to toss the pillows behind her back, all the while suffering under the spell of her soft silky hair against his unshaven chin. "How's that?"

"Fine, thank you." He turned to leave. "Will."

Darcy turned back to face her. "Yes?"

She pointed to her forehead and smirked. "Is that the only kiss I'm gonna get today?"

He tried to hide a smile, but could not. "Well..." he walked over to her. "It's that morning breath thing, ya know?"

"Oh!" she guffawed. "If I was able to reach you, I'd sock you one!"

He laughed and leaned in. "If you insist..." Darcy whispered against her cheeks, then traced his lips to hers. Elizabeth's innards were aquiver. "I thought... I had only... dreamt this," he mumbled.

"I wasn't... sure myself..." There was a knock on the door, startling the two lovers. "But nothing beats a failure but a try," she sighed.

There was another knock. Damn!

"Come in?"

The door opened slowly. "Your lunch is here, Miss Bennet."

"Thank you, um, uh..." Elizabeth looked at Darcy.

"Mrs. Reynolds. Liz, this is Mrs. Reynolds. Mrs. Reynolds, Elizabeth Bennet."

"Hi and thank you, Mrs. Reynolds."

"Hello yourself and you're welcome," smiled the venerable housekeeper as she laid the tray on the table near the bed. "If there's anything you need or want, just dial 1." Mrs. Reynolds backed out of the room and closed the door.

"Need some help?"

Elizabeth was reaching for the tray. "As you see."

"Here... scooch back first."

"Scooch?" she snickered.

He smiled. "Gina's term."

"Ah," she smirked as he helped her 'scoot' back to the headboard. "Is that soup really hot?"

Darcy took a spoon off the cart and dipped it in the concoction; he sipped. "Yes!" he coughed.

"It'll take a few minutes to cool off." Darcy nodded. "Then come here..." she patted the edge of the bed, "... and entertain me."

"At your service, Madam." He bowed and obeyed. "Now... although I have several ideas of how you might be entertained and myself in the process, however, I await your instruction."

"You know what I want." Elizabeth gave him her best impertinent and pouty look.

Darcy raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure."

"Ooh! Will Da..." She was quieted quite judiciously.

A few moments passed, the soup cooled, passions rose... then another knock on the door. Double damn!

"Yes!" they both exclaimed, agitated, of course.

"It's me," came a voice from the other side. "Can I come in?"

Darcy looked away. "Oh Gina, of course!" Elizabeth straightened herself as much as a one-handed invalid could. "Come in."

The door opened slowly. "I didn't mean to disturb you, but I haven't seen my brother," Georgiana raised an eyebrow as she passed Darcy, "all morning."

Darcy blushed. "I was just making sure Liz was alright." Georgiana stared unconvinced. "I had made plans to join you for lunch downstairs," he defended.

"Umm hmm," she doubted. "Anyway Lizzy, how are you this morning?"

"Fine, thank you. And you?"

"Wonderful! Hey, it's a beautiful day, are you well enough to stroll in the gardens?"

"I haven't even attempted to stroll across this room!" laughed Elizabeth.

"There's a rose garden right beneath this room. What if I had the balcony..." Darcy pointed toward the french doors, "... opened and set you up out there?"

Elizabeth's eyes widened considerably. "Would you?"

"I wish it as well. But you can't pin your dreams on something that cannot possibly happen," she shrugged.

"That is very mature of you."

"Dr. Ferrars helped me a lot. I mean, all those days of solitary confinement with no bed... I had plenty of time to think. But just talking to him for 2 hours brought out all my fears and worries. I'm not saying I'm fully recovered, of course, but I have a goal now."

"And what is that?"

"To be able to walk down the street without fear."

"I'll do whatever I can to help."

"You can start by letting me finish my senior year at my old school." It was not a question, merely a statement.

Darcy smiled. "I'll get Mrs. Annesley on it right away."

"And I want to take martial arts lessons again."

"Good! Anything else?"

"Small steps, big brother, small steps." She patted his shoulder and kissed his temple. "I'm having lunch with Lizzy, do you mind?"

"No." Georgiana headed towards the door. "You like her, don't you?"

"Of course! Anybody who'd risk their life to save another, has to be liked, but now I'll be able to get to know her." And with that she left him to his work.

As promised, Darcy had instructed the staff to open up the balcony off Elizabeth's bedroom.

Darcy peeked in. "I see you're already washed and dressed."

"Ready for my outing!" she smiled and puckered as he walked over.

He kissed her forehead. "Good!" He walked towards the fluttering heavy draperies. "It's a beautiful day. I hope you won't tire yourself out?"

"I'm not planning on it," she said a bit disappointed. "Are you joining us?"

"No. I have a lot of work to do. I'm just here to carry you out."

Elizabeth held out her arm, he walked back over to her and picked her up. "Is that the only kiss I'm going to get?" she pouted.

He raised an eyebrow at this scenario of déjà vu. "I don't want to be interrupted again..." Darcy shifted her in his arms, pulled out a chair and placed her in it.

"Oh, I don't mind," Elizabeth purred. "Really!" she smiled. "And no morning breath!"

All she had to do was smile and bat those eyelashes and he would give into her desires. He was caught in her trap.

"I..." he leaned down near her face.

"Lunch is served!"

They both jumped at Mrs. Reynolds voice.

"Don't say it," Elizabeth whispered and rolled her eyes.

"Say what?"

"I told you so."

"Ah, good! I'm starving!" exclaimed Georgiana from behind the housekeeper. "Perfect timing!" she smiled at everyone as she sat down.

"Perfect timing," smiled Elizabeth behind gritted teeth.

"Have a wonderful afternoon ladies!" Darcy bowed and left.

"Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds, I can handle it from here." The housekeeper smiled, nodded and left. "So Lizzy, how did you rest?"

"Very well, thank you. You seem in chipper spirits today."

"I am!" Georgiana smiled and scooped the fruit salad onto Elizabeth's bowl. "I still sleep odd hours, but I'm fine otherwise."

"Really? I mean you've been through such an ordeal."

"You didn't expect me to bounce back so fast, right?" Elizabeth nodded. "I admit to struggling with myself every now and then, but as I told Will, with counseling, freedom and love, my self-esteem and self-worth will continue to grow."

"You sound like Dr. Ferrars," chuckled Elizabeth.

"He's been a big help to me. I just got off the phone with him. He says hello and hopes you're doing better." Elizabeth smiled. "I plan to see him at least once a week, even if that means flying to Dallas on a school night."

"He's very good, but isn't that a little drastic to be flying back and forth?"

"It probably is, but I feel very comfortable with him."

"You could talk to me, if you wanted to?"

"I intended to talk to you, but not about that... but yeah, it would be good to have another woman's perspective. A sister!"

"I'll help as much as I can."

"Thank you."

"What did you want to talk to me about?"

"Lessons."

Elizabeth smiled. "Hapkido or Karate?"

"Both!"

"I am officially a teacher, you know?"

"I know. Will told me." Elizabeth smiled again. "We've just got to work out the logistics."

"You brother has already been learning some techniques."

"Really?!"

"He catches on quickly. But until I am better, I can't help you."

"What about your father?"

"He's down here more than he's at home and in my humble opinion, he's the best teacher there ever was. Patient, honest, considerate, kind. Which reminds me of something." The medicine not only made her giddy and excitable, but it also made her forgetful. "I have to see if he patented his style of the art."

"I'm sure Will took care of that."

"Hmmm. I'll ask him."

"I think it's a good idea for me to learn some sort of defensive techniques. A source of confidence and empowerment." Elizabeth agreed. "I always wanted to learn... I even took a few lessons, but I was too shy to stay with it."

"I know. Will told me."

"Did he also tell you that I tried it because of you?"

"He mentioned it."

"I remember you from the wedding. I kept my father in stitches," she chuckled. "I would kick in the air and say 'Titsy taught me!'"

"Titsy?"

"You're Titsy!" They both laughed. "You must remember that I had a lisp as a child?"

"I don't remember that!" snickered Elizabeth. "You hardly spoke!" she blurted.

"Yeah, that too!" snorted Georgiana.

"When you first said Titsy," she gasped for air. "I thought you were paying homage... to my rather... bountiful... breasts!"

"I never thought about that!" Georgiana pointed and fell out her chair in hearty laughter.

"A, a Freudian slip, perhaps?!" guffawed Elizabeth.

"Stop! Please?!" roared Georgiana.

"Okay, okay," she sniffled. "We'll be serious." Elizabeth held her head up in a dignified air. "Serious."

Georgiana righted herself and the chair. "Yes, serious." She sat down again. "Well, anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!"

They both giggled while trying to maintain composure.

"Oh Lizzy, I haven't laughed like that in months... years!" she wiped her tears. "Thank you."

"No problem."

They ate quietly, or as quietly as intermittent chortling would allow.

"You know... any style of martial art would be just as beneficial?"

"Yes, but I've made up my mind. I like both you and your father. I realize I'm falling into a comfort zone, but so be it. The first step is the most important."

They talked of other things: womanly and worldly, silly and otherwise, and after more than 3 hours passed, Elizabeth offered a great yawn to her company.

"Sorry!" she giggled.

"I'll get your nurse."

"Thank you."

Georgiana instantly went to find the home care nurse and when they returned, Elizabeth was fast asleep in the chair. They carried her to bed, tucked her in and left.

A knock came to the door; Elizabeth wiped her tears and fingered her hair into place. "Come in."

Darcy opened the door. "You rang?"

"Yes."

He entered the room and closed the door. "What may... Why are wearing your hair like that?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" she sniffled.

Darcy, sensing her fretful state, crossed the room in an instant. "Tell you what?"

"I saw myself... in the mirror!" she cried and hung her head.

"Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth," sighed Darcy as he kissed her on the top of her head. "You are still beautiful."

"That's not what I saw!"

Darcy sat down on the edge of the bed. "The doctor said you will heal. You must believe that."

"How can I?"

"Liz," he admonished. "In all the weeks we stayed together, I don't ever remember you fussing about the way you looked."

"I never had to before."

Darcy chuckled and lifted her head. "And you don't have to now. Believe me when I tell you that your bruises have diminished considerably." He softly kissed her. "Considerably." His tongue traced her lips.

Elizabeth sighed inwardly. "You sure... know how to... make me feel... so... good!"

*****

Georgiana peered in the door. "Did you get enough rest?"

"Yes." Elizabeth's smile lit up the room. "Yes, I did."

Georgiana had seen her brother leave Elizabeth's room only a few minutes ago all dreamy and smiles; she thought to steer the subject away from any possible awkwardness for herself. "We just got the most gaudy Christmas card from Caroline Bingley."

"I don't doubt it," she frowned.

"Do you... Of course you know her!" Georgiana contorted her face. "What a stupid question I almost asked! Duh!"

Elizabeth laughed. "Oh, I know her, but I'd sure like to forget her."

"I take it then that you and she are not the best of friends?"

"Dear Lord, No! Gina, we can't even be in the same room most times."

"What happened?"

"Which time?" she smirked.

"All of them!" she giggled.

Elizabeth and Georgiana shared horror stories of Caroline.

*****

"I've already checked. So, on Sunday, January 17^th..."

"No Will!" she giggled. "That's only 30 days away." He smiled. "I agreed to 3 months."

"Okay," he chuckled. "Three months it is. We'll meet at the Meyerson Symphony Center."

"What's playing?"

"The Marriage of Figaro will be playing on the 17^th of January. As far as March is concerned, I have no clue."

Elizabeth smiled sweetly. "I'll be there, regardless."

They spoke in hushed tones to each other, into the wee hours of the morning. They talked of their past encounters and present happy circumstances. Their future together was not put forth out loud since the current state of affairs was all novel and newly sprung. That is not to say that, the unspoken was not wished nor the inferred not desired.

Georgiana slid herself into a chair next to her brother at the breakfast table.

"What are you doing?"

"Eating. Why? More goals to discuss?"

"I meant, what are you doing with Lizzy?"

"That's not something I wish to discuss with my much younger sister."

"She has a nurse you know?"

"And?"

"You don't have to carry her around and be in her room constantly, do you?"

"No, I don't. But I want to do it."

"Why?"

Darcy was getting frustrated with the line of questioning. "Why are you asking, Gina? I thought you liked Liz?"

"I do... I just don't want you to hurt her."

"What, what makes you think I'd do something like that?" he nearly exclaimed.

"Well..." she sat up straight. "I've seen you with other women." Darcy turned a deep crimson. "You get bored too easily and in a few weeks you're through."

"I, I..."

"How do you feel about her?"

"I don't know how I feel," he defended. "I didn't think I had to know how I felt immediately after the first kiss."

"I didn't say you had to declare your undying love or anything. I just think... Well, if you're just grateful to her for rescuing me then..."

"I am grateful."

"I said just grateful. If you don't have any other feelings for her then you need to leave her alone." Darcy sat thoughtful. "And if these feelings are just physical then leave her alone as well." No reply. "She's very vulnerable right now, Will! What if it was me?"

His attentions were returned to the present; he nodded and Georgiana left the room.

Once Darcy was sure that Georgiana had left the wing, he paced. What am I doing?! The situation, as his sister presented it, had brought up what was forever present in the shadows of his mind. Yes, he wanted her... with every fiber of his being! Yes, she was vulnerable right now, but he had always wanted her and he had always gotten what he wanted! His psyche flicked back to all those encounters of the past year and the affect she had on him. The hold she had on him. The spell she cast on him. Her beautiful face, without the current black and blue, her long fluttering eyelashes, those oval exotic eyes that were so dark they were almost blue, her thin curvy figure topped off with an ample cleavage, those legs that practically reached up to her throat. All the animalistic impulses of the past came flooding back. Damn! That's nothing but physical attraction! He concentrated his mindset on what non-physical aspects he liked about her, but his brain kept advancing back towards the obvious. Coming up with nothing tangible, as a true businessman would, he gave up... for now.

*****

"Charles!" exclaimed Darcy as they hugged. "Isn't this a bit early for you?"

"Well..."

"Did you get up before the crack of dawn?" he laughed.

"Hello Will darling," purred Caroline who was watching the touching moment from the window in the corner and secretly hoping to receive the same.

Darcy stiffened and loosed his friend. I should've known! "Caroline." She held out her hands to him and he, guarded as usual, walked over to her. "And how are you this Christmas Eve?"

"Fine, thanks," she kissed him on his cheek. "I was so worried about you! I nearly withered away while you were in the hospital." Caroline eyed him hungrily. "But you look as good as you always did. No bullets can harm the man of steel!"

Darcy winced at the Superman implication, it had been nearly a year since Elizabeth called him such, yet he still remembered it. Although she meant it as a snide remark at the time, he allowed it, but no one else would have that pleasure.

"Rehab," he stated coolly. You should try it!

Caroline eyed the drawing room as though a police officer doing a cavity search. "Oh, how lovely this house is! You've outdone yourself this year, Will!"

"I'll tell the staff that you approve."

She was used to his sarcastic quips and merely thought them endearing. "Tease!" she tossed her head back and gave out what she thought was a seductive snort.

"Charles, let's talk?"

"What about me?! What shall I do with myself while you 2 talk business?" she whined.

Darcy pushed Caroline away. "Liz, I'm..."

Elizabeth ran away in tears. Darcy called after her and then followed, post-haste, but was unsuccessful in his pursuit. Elizabeth managed to slam shut her bedroom door and lock it before he got to it.

Elizabeth crumbled to the floor and wept furiously.

Darcy lightly stroked the door. "Liz!" he called out. No answer, only sobbing. "Liz, I'm sorry! I'm sorry." She bewailed with even more fury. "Please let me in? We can talk about this. I didn't..."

"Go away!" she cried. "Go away," she whispered.

Darcy leaned his forehead against the door and listened to her for several more minutes until he heard someone approaching. He quickly retreated to his rooms as Mrs. Annesley came up the steps.

*****

"You really did it this time, Caroline!"

"It was my place to do it! He needed to know how I feel!"

"It's always about you!" Bingley shook his head and paced in front of the door. "Before you wreak any more havoc, you'd better leave." He threw his car keys on the table.

"I'm not going anywhere! He'll come to his senses and do as I say."

"In your dreams Caroline," he sighed. "Why don't you just wake up?"

"Oh, I'm wide awake now! I see it all! I know it all! And if I have to keep reminding Will of her lowlife connections then I'll do that!"

"And just how do you know about Wickham and Lydia?"

"Do you think she's the only one capable of digging up dirt on other people?! Ha! Will doesn't even lock the drawers in his office. And I had a key made just in case!"

"But, that's... that's criminal!"

"I'll do whatever I need to do to keep my friends close and my enemies even closer!"

"Your enemies?"

"My worst enemy," she huffed.

"But how... Why?" Bingley was completely bewildered.

"It's none of your damn business!" Nobody slaps me and walks away scot-free! "But I'll make sure she pays and pays dearly," she cackled wildly. Then she turned flippant. "In the meantime, I'll marry Will."

His features hardened. "I've been troubled by your attitude for a long time now and..."

"You think I care little brother?" Caroline flopped in a chair and rolled her eyes.

Bingley locked the door. "It doesn't matter whether you care or not."

"What the hell are you doing?"

"You," he spat, "will not interrupt me. I've tried to overlook your hatred and disdain for the Bennets. I have no clue as to what goads you so. However, I will brook no more spiteful comments or ungracious behavior on your part. Especially to my wife!" Caroline rolled her eyes. "I can't believe I let you get away with this for 11 years! But no more! You will never be allowed in my house again..." Caroline yawned. "No more excuses for you when you refuse an invitation from Jane, because there will be none." Caroline smirked. "No more lying for you when you do something completely uncalled for." Caroline contemplated her nail polish. "No more giving you money..." Bingley finally got Caroline's attention, she looked up in shock. "... and whatever little money you have left, you should learn to spend it wisely."

"Charles, you can't! That's not fair!"

"Your weakness," he smiled. "Is no longer my problem."

"Why are you doing this to me?!" she whined.

He walked over and leaned on the arms of her chair. They were nose-to-nose; Bingley's normally laughing blue eyes turned ice cold. "Because now I see you as you really are... A money hungry Jezebel who is willing to prostitute her body, her mind and her soul for the all-powerful dollar! And the more money the man has, the more you change."

Caroline pushed Bingley away. "I don't need you! When I marry Will Darcy, we'll destroy you and your precious Bennets!" And with that she ran to the door, unlocked it and went to her bedroom.

*****

Ever present staff scurried around greeting the early morning rising master of the house with holiday wishes, Darcy merely nodded as he passed them by. He lumbered into the breakfast room and immediately upon seeing Caroline, his mood spiraled even lower. The dark circles under his eyes, from lack of sleep, took on a purplish-black shade. His bruised lips, from biting them throughout the night, turned ashen gray. His red eyes, from glaring in the dark, turned bloodier. His cracked and dry throat, from holding back tears, suddenly swelled shut.

"Merry Christmas!" she chimed cheerfully.

"Jane! Thank God you're up! Honey, have you heard from Lizzy?!"

"Charles, what's wrong?! Why should I be hearing from..."

"She gone Jane! Gone!"

"Gone?! What do you mean gone?!"

"Gone! Bye-bye! Arrivederci! Sayonara! See ya, later! Buenos No..."

"I get it!"

"Sorry, honey."

"Now, tell me why she left?"

"Caroline upset her and..."

"Why in hell would you take Caroline with you?! You know they hate each other!"

"She insisted, honey. I had no..."

"Charles Emerson Bingley, if anything happens to Lizzy, I'll never forgive you!"

"But, Jane, baby, sweetheart, I..."

"Be ready to room at the YMCA!" Jane slammed the phone down in his ear.

*****

"Papa! Lizzy's run away!"

Mr. Bennet blinked his eyes to get a look at the clock. "Of what are you speaking?"

"Charles just called me in a panic. He went to pick up Lizzy at Will's, but took Caroline with him, they had a fight and now she's gone!"

"Jane, calm down!"

"Is that Jane?!" screeched Mrs. Bennet. "Oh my Lord something's happened!" She sat straight up in the bed. "Charles has lost all his money and they are destitute! Oh my poor, poor Jane!" she wailed.

"Calm yourself Fran!"

"Oh Lord, even worse, he's run off with another woman! Oh Jane, Jane, Jane..."

"Nothing's wrong with Jane, Lizzy's missing!"

"Oh that again!" she huffed. "Clarence, you know your daughter as well as I do, this is just another attempt to get attention!" Mrs. Bennet pulled the comforter over her head, flopped back to the bed, and covered her ears.

Mr. Bennet rolled his eyes and whispered. "Jane what happened?"

*****

Darcy slammed the phone down, head hung low, mumbling and cursing to no one in particular, or rather an indifferent desk sergeant. A sudden movement jerked his senses to aware mode.

"Charles!" he bellowed from his study. Bingley peered around the door. "Get in here!"

"Will, now..."

"Did you know?!" he pointed and sneered.

"No. I..."

"Then how in the hell did Caroline find out?!" his arms flailed wildly.

"From what she..."

"I've had it up to here with her!" he waved above his head. "This is the last straw... the last fucking straw!!!" He pounded the desk. "Charles, if I ever see your sister's face again, I'll kill her!

"Will, I..."

"I swear I will!" Darcy pushed his chair out from behind his desk and stood. "That's it! No more!" He paced. "How am I ever going to explain this to her?!" He looked heavenward.

"Will..."

"She'll never speak to me again! How am I going to fix this?!" Darcy stopped suddenly. "Charles, you have to help me?!" His eyes wild and pleading. "She'll listen to reason! She'll listen to you! She just..."

"Will!" Darcy stared blankly at his friend. "Let's sit down and talk about this... rationally, calmly. I'll tell you what I know and you'll tell me the whole story, then I'll do my best to help you."

Darcy had calmed. They talked for 10 whole minutes without any outbursts.

"I've got to call Charlotte, the Gardiners, and..." he fidgeted. "... and Mr. Bennet."

"I'm sure Jane has already informed her father."

"Second hand?!" Panic sprung forward and so did Darcy out of his seat. "You know he didn't want Liz to stay here in the first place! He's gonna hear that I screwed up and come down here and..."

"Will, calm down!"

"... that's why I haven't heard from him! He's on his way..." Darcy wanted to flee. "...probably packing his swords and ninja gear..."

Bingley was quite disturbed by his friend's abnormal behavior; he stood up and grabbed Darcy by the arms. "Will, calm down! Right now, there's nothing you can do. The police have been notified and they're on their way, right?"

"Right," stuttered Darcy.

Just then the phone rang, making them both nearly jump out of their skin; it was picked up by Mrs. Reynolds in another room. Bingley and Darcy stood silent until a voice over the speakerphone called out.

"Mr. Darcy, a Mr. Bennet is on Line 1 for you."

Darcy hung his head and walked over to the phone. "Thank you Mrs. Reynolds." He took several hard swallows then pressed the button. "Mr. Bennet, I..."

"What in the devil have you done to my daughter?!?!"

"Mr. Bennet, I..."

"Papa Bennet, this is Charles. This was no fault of Will's, my sister upset her and..."

"Excuse me, Mr. Darcy," Mrs. Reynolds' voice interrupted. "The police are here to see you."

"Thank you. Please show them in?" Darcy sat down heavily and rubbed his temples. "Mr. Bennet, I'm leaving you on speaker, in case you have something to add."

A quick knock followed and 2 plain-clothes detectives (Brandon and Eliot) entered.

"Mr. Darcy?" asked Brandon.

Darcy raised his hand.

The interview took no more than 15 minutes, however, some very interesting questions were brought to the surface by Detective Brandon that neither Darcy nor Bingley could fathom. How did Elizabeth know that Bingley's keys were on the coffee table in the drawing room? And how did she get off the property with security on guard at every post?

Bingley stood bewildered, Mr. Bennet seethed through the phone, and Darcy paced furious.

Oh, heads will roll, that's for certain! For incompetence, for ineptitude, for in... and anything else I can think of! But I'll have to get a dictionary and get back to you. On with the story!

"Charles," Mr. Bennet's voice broke through the collective fog. "What did Caroline say to upset Lizzy?"

Both men froze in horror. The moment of truth had arrived! At length, they both explained the situation to the fullest.

To say that Mr. Bennet was beyond shocked would be a gross understatement. There are no words to describe how Daniel felt initially when he was thrown into the lion's den, nor what the Jericho occupants felt when they heard the noise outside and saw their beloved city walls crumble in front of them, nor what Lot felt when he realized his wife had been turned into a pillar of salt after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah; so I won't try. I'll just say that an unnatural noiselessness fell upon the phone line, followed soon enough by a click and then the hum of dead air.