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A s the carriage entered the countryside of Hertfordshire, Elizabeth felt a wave of emotion pass through her. Georgiana was worried when she saw her expression.

“Lizzy, are you all right?” she asked with concern.

“Yes, I am well. I just recollected how I left my home many months ago; it seems like an eternity has passed,” she said.

Darcy sat in the opposite seat, fervently hoping he had made the right decision by bringing her along; nothing mattered to him more than her happiness and welfare.

“Mr. Bingley would be surprised to see us suddenly,” Elizabeth exclaimed.

“He will, but he will be delighted to host us all, nonetheless.”

“Is Miss Bingley with him?” Georgiana asked with worry.

“I assume so, and the Hursts as well,” Darcy replied.

Judging by the look on Georgiana’s face, Elizabeth could sense that she did not prefer Miss Bingley’s company.

“Miss Bingley and Miss Anderson are alike,” Georgiana whispered lowly to Elizabeth. Elizabeth looked at Darcy and wondered how many women had tried to impress him in the past.

Once they reached Netherfield, as expected, Mr. Bingley was surprised to see them all but warmly welcomed them. The same could not be said about his sisters, especially Miss Bingley.

The wave of excitement she experienced the moment she set eyes on Darcy evaporated within seconds when her brother introduced Elizabeth to them.

Good Heavens! He is engaged, and who is she?

The Bingley sisters were not impressed with the unexpected arrival of the guests at their house, especially those they were not acquainted with, but Mr. Bingley ensured that the guests were well cared for and they had an early supper.

The women retired soon after, and Darcy had a deep discussion with Mr. Bingley.

“Darcy, I cannot believe they are capable of such deceit. To have done that to her sister and later raise her child with such hate. Mary related to me how that parson behaved with her, and her parents were planning a compromise just to save their property,” Mr. Bingley cried with disgust.

“I cannot tell you how worried I am for Mary’s welfare,” he added.

“Is she aware of everything?”

“Yes, and she is impatient to see her sister. As you requested previously, I have been in touch with the magistrate here, and we are well prepared to handle whatever transpires tomorrow.”

Darcy nodded.

“Have you decided on a date for your wedding yet?” Darcy asked.

“We are looking for a date within three weeks, but after tomorrow, I am not certain whether Mary would feel the same.”

“The Bennets have gone too long without punishment, deceiving family and society and taking everyone for granted. Imagine the kind of spite one must possess to ruin both mother and daughter in different ways. If not for Mary, that man would have harmed her for life. Every day, I think about it, and I cannot control the rage building within me. Her father feels the same way.”

“He seems to be an honorable man, but I wonder how he made such a big blunder.”

“He had his reasons, Bingley, until last week when he was confident in his actions. But now, he has nothing to defend himself, but I can certainly say he loves his daughter.”

They spoke for a long time, and before he retired, Darcy met Elizabeth in Georgiana’s room. He expected Georgiana to give them some privacy, but to his surprise, she stayed in the room without leaving them alone.

“I have a feeling Lady Martha sent her an express asking her to be more vigilant as a chaperone,” she said teasingly, looking at Darcy's frown.

“Pray, tell me, what have I done so far to make her feel so?” he asked with irritation.

“I do not know; you must ask her.”

“You enjoy teasing me, don’t you? You certainly make up for Lady Martha.”

“I miss her, and honestly, I miss Derbyshire.”

“Do not worry, we can return soon. I was discussing his wedding plans with Bingley; he wants to marry your sister in a couple of weeks.”

“I am so happy for them, but on the other hand, I am worried about what will happen to the rest of my sisters after tomorrow.”

“Elizabeth, you need to trust me. I will handle everything without causing you distress, and I have discussed this with Mr. Gardiner. You look tired and I hope you can give yourself the rest you need to have strength for tomorrow.”

“I trust you,” she said, and Darcy finally left them. Elizabeth retired, feeling strange spending the night in Netherfield. She had never been in the house before, and her thoughts circled around her life in a home just a few miles away.

***

Despite the cold November weather, the following day was bright and sunny. Elizabeth felt out of place at the breakfast parlor in Netherfield, but Georgiana kept her company. Miss Bingley sat along with her brother, silently scanning Elizabeth from top to bottom.

What did he see in her to marry her?

Miss Bingley could not digest watching the way Darcy behaved around her. Apart from his sister, she had never seen him care for anyone in such a way.

After breakfast, Darcy briefly conversed with Mrs. Lewis and Elizabeth, ensuring they understood the plan.

“Are you certain you do not want me to accompany you, Lizzy?” Georgiana asked with worry.

“No, I will be all right. Do not worry,” Elizabeth said.

Georgiana watched them leave and hoped they would return soon. Mr. Bingley also went with them, and Georgiana excused herself to her room, unwilling to spend time in Miss Bingley’s company.

Meanwhile, Darcy sat beside Elizabeth in the carriage; even though they were in Lord Anderson's company, Darcy held her hand.

Elizabeth tried hard to compose herself as she watched the familiar paths she had walked since childhood pass by, as the carriage rolled on.

Finally, when she set sight of Longbourn, Elizabeth felt a wave of panic hit her.

Lord Anderson witnessed her agony as she struggled to compose herself; her countenance turned white, and she could hardly breathe. Darcy asked her again whether she wanted to return to Netherfield, but she disagreed. As the carriage stopped, she mentally prepared herself for the worst.

***

In Longbourn, the morning had started as usual; while Mr. Bennet sat in his library, Mrs. Bennet kept to her room, occupied with her thoughts.

I am happy that Mary is marrying him. But I am certain his sisters do not favor the match.

And why does Mr. Bingley insist on getting married so soon?

I need time to make Mary understand how to deal with his money.

She is too na?ve and will not even think about supporting us.

Had it been Jane, it would have been easy for me.

Downstairs, Mr. Bennet was tired of his wife’s constant arguments over the past few weeks. She had pestered him about wedding clothes, gifts, and much more. But what irritated him the most was her request to renew relations with the Gardiners and invite them to the wedding.

Just as he sat lost in thought, the servant announced the arrival of visitors, and Mr. Bennet was shocked to see Darcy and another man walk into the library.

“Mr. Darcy!” he exclaimed in surprise, not understanding who the other visitor was.

As they stood before him, Mr. Bennet could not determine why their eyes were cold and resentful.

“Mr. Bingley did not inform me of your arrival, but it is a pleasure to see you again,” he said, directing his gaze towards Lord Anderson.

“And who is this gentleman?” Mr. Bennet asked.

“Allow me to introduce you to my future father-in-law and Elizabeth’s father, Lord Anderson,” Darcy said with composure.

For a second, Mr. Bennet felt he had heard him wrong.

“Wha… What did you say?”

“Why? Have you forgotten her so easily? Or would it be easier to lie to me that no one named Elizabeth Bennet lived here?” Darcy asked.

“How do you know this? And this man here… is he?” Mr. Bennet stammered.

“You might not have seen me in the flesh, but I am certain your wife has spoken of me when you conspired against Sarah,” Lord Anderson said.

They watched Mr. Bennet startle; his features expressed confusion and fear.

“I suggest you leave this room now,” he said icily.

“Why? Will you deny that you never tried to ruin Elizabeth's life to save your property?” Lord Anderson asked with disgust.

“Who are you to question me? Get out of my house now. That girl ran away, and she is as immoral as her mother,” Mr. Bennet yelled.

Lord Anderson could no longer stand it; he grabbed Mr. Bennet by his coat and punched him hard.

“Watch your words, Mr. Bennet; I will not think twice to kill you right here.”

“How dare you slander the daughter you raised. Are you not ashamed of yourself?” Darcy asked with rage.

Mr. Bennet tried to free himself from Lord Anderson’s grasp, and according to him, his worst nightmare had come true.

“Did she really run away? Is that the truth?” Darcy asked as he grabbed Mr. Bennet’s arm.

“She did, she did run away.”

“Enough! She left because you wanted to ruin her for the sake of wealth. How could you do it? And you called her your daughter?” Darcy asked, shaking Mr. Bennet.

Just then, the library door opened, and Mrs. Bennet entered the room.

“My dear Mr. Bennet, I heard Mr. Darcy just called on you; I must fetch Jane immediately,” she said as she entered, and once she set eyes on Lord Anderson, Mrs. Bennet halted abruptly, and every muscle in her body froze.

“Mr. Andrews, I cannot believe…how are you here?” she stammered.

“You know my original identity very well, madam. Don’t you?” Lord Anderson asked her.

Her stare shifted between each of the men in the room, and she was horrified to see her husband's state.

“How dare you? Leave my husband right now. Mr. Bennet, what happened?” she asked in horror.

“Don’t you understand why I am here? I am here to obtain justice for my dead wife, the one you chose to betray so cruelly for money. Answer me now, did you do it or not?”