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She was worried that their relationship was becoming more and more fractious the longer they spent together in this state of grief and concern for the future.

"Perhaps Mama is right," she said to Jane that night as Jane brushed her long, dark hair before Lizzy returned the favour with Jane's beautiful fair locks. "Perhaps I can persuade him to be more favourable towards us."

"Perhaps. It will do you good to see Charlotte, but I will miss you, dear sister."

"Well, if I go, I think I must ask you to go to London to organise our lodgings with our uncle. I do not think Mama will be able to face such a task," she said.

Although that was partly true, she also thought there was a risk that her mother would refuse anything reasonable and that they would end up homeless because Mama believed they should still have the same level of comfort to which they had always been accustomed.

"Of course, Lizzy, I can do that. And then, when Mr and Mrs Collins are ready to move here, we shall have our own plan in place, and we shall make the best of it. I am sure we shall all like living in London, even Mama, eventually."

"You hold greater hope than I do," Elizabeth said with a sad smile. "But we will make the best of it, you and I. And hopefully, in time, the others will come around to the idea."

"Indeed. I am sure our younger sisters will enjoy the diversions there once our period of mourning is over."

"So it is decided. I will go to Hunsford, you will go to London, and when we reconvene, we shall have a plan for our lives."

Chapter Six

It was not particularly enjoyable being in London. Not that Darcy normally had an issue with the place, although he would choose to be at Pemberley every time.

But Bingley was not in a positive frame of mind, having left Netherfield.

They had only told him of Mr Bennet's demise when they were already rattling their way towards London, and he had worried that it did not look good for him to have left without seeing Jane first.

But that had been precisely what they wished to avoid.

As sad as the poor lady's situation was, it was no reason to change their plans. Darcy did not believe it would suddenly make her feel strong affection that had not yet been displayed, although it might make her more desperate to secure a husband of means.

And so they had departed for London, with Miss Bingley having informed the Bennets of their departure, and had now been in London for a fortnight.

But Bingley's mood had not improved.

He sat with a dark expression, drinking more than was good for him and not wishing to take part in any enjoyable pursuits.

And Darcy tired of it.

He felt sorry for his friend, but he did not wish to live in misery. Neither did he wish to be left alone of an evening with the gossip of Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst, both of whom he was beginning to think were quite unpleasant, especially towards their own sex.

How many times was he to hear how little they thought of Miss Elizabeth Bennet's beauty?

Perhaps he ought to tell them that he did not agree, that he could very well see why the county spoke of her as a beautiful and clever woman.

But it would not do to comment on such things.

It would give rise to ideas that he could scarcely acknowledge himself.

No, better to remove himself from their idle gossip than to dispute it and end up creating gossip of his own.

So, when his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam appeared on the doorstep, full of charm and joie de vivre as always, and declared that their aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, had requested that they visit in the near future, it seemed as good a time as any to depart London and go to the countryside.

It was not Pemberley, but it was a pleasant enough area, and although his aunt could be tiring, he always enjoyed his cousin's company.

And when he returned, he would speak to Bingley once more and try to find a way to improve the man's mood.

For surely there was something that could distract him from this obsession he had with the elder Miss Bennet.

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