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Chapter 24. Many Happy Returns.

Posted on 2010-10-21

August 1818

"Oohhhh…." moaned the young lady. Truly she had never experienced such feelings … never even dreamed that her own body was capable of such. Her lover was kissing her neck, nibbling on her earlobe… then a new sensation began, lower down, making her shiver and unconsciously arch her body toward his hand … he was touching her stomach, stroking her breast…

"Aaaaahhhhhhhh…." Was that his mouth on her breast? Was he tweaking her nipple … suckling?

"Oh God!!!!!!!!" She pressed her face into the pillow to keep herself from making more unladylike sounds. When he had first kissed her, she had worried abut the impropriety… now she thought of nothing… was incapable of thought… did not think she could survive much more… but was certain that she would die if he stopped.

"CHARLES BINGLEY!" Fitzwilliam Darcy stood frozen in the doorway of Netherfield's drawing room, appalled at the sight of one of his closest friends, currently fondling his fiancé's bared bosom and inching one hand up her skirts. Miss Jane Bennet, normally a vision of serene good-breeding, was reclined on the settee, flushed and barely aware of her surroundings. Her arms, freed from their sleeves, were stretched out above her head and her face was still pressed into the pillow where she had muffled her moans.

Charles sprang to his feet and stared at his friend wide-eyed, clothing rumpled and hair standing on end. The only reason that Darcy did not set upon him that instant was the sudden look of shamed comprehension on the younger man's face, followed immediately by horror when he looked back at Miss Bennet. In an instant, he had plucked his discarded coat from the floor and draped it over her shoulders.

Meanwhile, William heard footsteps approaching in the hall behind him. Giving Bingley a searing look, he turned and shut the door behind him.

"Mr. Darcy? Have you found my sisters?"

Though William was attempting to be more open with Elizabeth's family, the mask he was accustomed to wearing in Society stood him good stead in the current situation. "Miss Catherine, would you check in the music room for Miss Mary? I shall meet you there in a minute."

Kitty gave her sister's fiancé a mildly confused look but assented agreeably and disappeared down the hall. When she was out of sight, Darcy leaned back against the wall, shut his eyes, and heaved a great sigh.

Prior to opening that damnable door, he had been having a superb day. That morning, he had kissed his sister goodbye and departed London with the settlement contracts tucked into his saddle bags along with several gifts for his beloved Elizabeth and her family.

The weather had been fine and the roads excellent, with the result that William was dismounting in front of Longbourn before afternoon teatime. His day had become even brighter when he entered the house and found that Elizabeth and her father were all alone; Mrs. Bennet had taken the other girls to Netherfield to tour the house and determine what should be changed before Jane's wedding. (Darcy had mentally thanked his ancestors for settling in northern Derbyshire where visits from Fanny Bennet would be few and far between.)

After exchanging a tender greeting with Elizabeth, he had settled in Mr. Bennet's book room and shared an hour of friendly conversation with his future father-in-law and that gentleman's favorite daughter. He had described his trip from London, passed on messages from Georgiana, and related Miss de Bourgh's decision to relocate to another cousin's London townhouse even as her mother retreated to Rosings to lick her wounds.

William had sipped his tea as Elizabeth talked of the comings and goings at Longbourn and her mother's eager planning for the double wedding. With chuckles all around, she had also reenacted a conversation carried out over the breakfast table that very morning, in which her father had declared that he would be working on various estate matters that day and it was absolutely necessary that his favorite daughter remain to help him, even if meant she would miss the outing to Netherfield. The pair of Bennets had grinned at each other conspiratorially and William had been warmed by their easy camaraderie.

After tea, Darcy had brought out the settlement contracts for both to read. Though he would have preferred to simply enjoy the company, it was in his nature to get the business over with before taking his pleasure.

William was uncomfortable conversing about the extent of his wealth with anyone and, after his mistakes at Hunsford, he was particularly ill-at-ease discussing it around Elizabeth. Mr. Bennet displayed his usual, sardonic humor, making jokes about how disappointed the Meryton gossips would be to know that they had severely underestimated Mr. Darcy's income for so long.

At first, Mr. Bennet's levity lightened the atmosphere, but gradually his teasing began to make William uneasy. As though she sensed his mood, Elizabeth had looked up from the papers and gazed at him with such a warm look that he forgot her father was even in the room. "You are being very generous, Mr. Darcy."

William barely comprehended to what she was referring, his whole being focused on her lips and remembering how heavenly it was to kiss them. Luckily, he recalled himself when she raised her eyebrow quizzically. "Errr… it is nothing, truly." He shrugged and dropped his eyes; suddenly all the justifications he had planned while sitting at his desk in London seemed too juvenile to even attempt.

While her father's mockery meandered to the well-worn topic of her mother and silly sisters, Elizabeth turned back to the papers. Well aware of Longbourn's finances, it made her deeply uncomfortable to see the contrast when Darcy's wealth and properties were laid out in black and white. In addition to the allocation of her pin money, he appeared to have considered every possible need; inheritance for their eldest child as well as other offspring (male and female), arrangements should they remain childless, terms by which he would support her mother and sisters upon Mr. Bennet's death, and a dower for Elizabeth to live independently should he die first.

This last made Elizabeth shut her eyes for a minute as a chill swept through her. She knew such arrangements were necessary, but it seemed so fundamentally wrong to be considering such unhappy outcomes when their love was so young and strong. She felt rather than heard William come to stand beside her.

He leaned over her shoulder and recognized the section that she was reading. "I know it is not pleasant to think about, but we can never know what the future holds. I will rest easier knowing that you and your loved ones would be comfortable should the worst come to pass."

Elizabeth sighed before nodding, though she could not bring herself to meet his eyes. His logic was sound, but that did not mean that she had to like it.

Mr. Bennet quickly became bored with the legal documents and tossed them on his desk while pushing his chair back. "Well, Mr. Darcy, it is clear that your solicitor has earned his pay packet on all of this."

William was rather disconcerted by the negligent manner that Elizabeth's father waved at the settlement. Looking at the older man seriously, he spoke carefully, "Of course, you shall wish some time to read them privately and consult your own solicitor. When you have noted all the changes you wish made, we can meet to discuss them and then I shall have my man write up a fresh draft."

However, Longbourn's master had already turned his attention to a new translation of Plutarch's Parallel Lives that he had recently received. "Yes, yes… very well."

Elizabeth took notice of the brief exchange and recognized her father's mood; if they did not vacate his bookroom soon, he would become irritable. Standing and gathering the papers back into their leather binder, she quietly informed her father that she would see Mr. Darcy out. Mr. Bennet, nose already in his book, barely noticed when the pair shut the door behind them.

Though Lizzy would have much preferred to abscond with her fiancé outdoors and reacquaint herself with his kisses, she knew that she might not have another time alone with him for some days. Therefore, she led William to the sitting room and bypassed the comfortable sofa for the straight-backed chairs at the table. Smiling apologetically as he settled beside her, she spoke softly, "I hope you do not mind; there are some sections I do not understand and, as you say, it is better to deal with it now and be done with it, rather than worry about what might never be."

To her relief, Darcy had only nodded seriously. "I completely agree. Please show me what you do not understand."

The couple spent nearly an hour reviewing the document, as certain details had led to discussion of other aspects of the Darcy properties, investments, charities, and livings.

Finally Elizabeth pressed her chair back and sighed, shutting her eyes for a moment. "Goodness. I had no idea there was so much… you must think me such a simpleton…"

Feeling the warmth of his hand on hers, she glanced to see that his eyes were soft but twinkled with humor. "You know that is not true; with your intelligence and diligence, I have no doubt that you would know every detail of England's wealthiest bachelors if such was your interest. Instead you have spent your time much better."

Elizabeth managed to raise an eyebrow. "Through extensive reading?"

William chuckled softly and then could no longer restrain his desire to be alone with her where they did not have to worry about family or servants interrupting them. He stood and held out his hand. "Come," he said softly, and Elizabeth rose and followed without a word.

The couple left Longbourn and walked quietly across the garden to the little wilderness beyond.

As they walked, William noticed Elizabeth's continued silence and became increasingly worried that she was upset after learning of the true extent of his family's wealth. He attempted to apologize again, "I am sorry if all of this has upset you."

Elizabeth looked up at him and he was relieved to see that she did not look unhappy, merely thoughtful. When they finally passed behind the trees and could no longer be seen from the house or road, she turned and, lacing her fingers behind his neck, encouraged him to lean down and kiss her.

William felt his passion swell immediately, but also sensed that she needed comforting more than a demonstration of his desire for her body. He kept his kisses light, moving from her lips to eyelids to forehead. Holding her to him, he could feel her light breath on his neck and quickly cast his mind about for something less… inflammatory… to think on.

He was uncertain how aware Elizabeth was of his struggles but shortly she stepped away and, taking his hand, led him to the stone bench below the arching elms. When she finally spoke, it took him a moment to realize that she was responding to his last statement.

"You have nothing to apologize for, William. I admit to being unaware of just how wealthy you were… and then seeing it laid out with all the arrangements for myself and our children… well, it was a bit of a shock to see it all in such stark terms."

Will began to speak again, but she silenced him with a finger against his lips. "Shhhh… my love, you have nothing for which to apologize. Truly, it is I who must thank you."

William could not be silent. "I have done no more than is expected by a gentleman of my station."

Lizzy smiled at him fondly. "Hmmmm… I may not have read a marriage settlement before, but I know enough to suspect that you have done somewhat more than expected." Seeing that he was about to protest, she shook her head.

"William, I thank you for your generosity in the settlement… but more than that, I wish to thank you for treating me with such respect. Most men would have discussed it with my father and shared little with me, although I am the one who is affected most directly by the settlement."

William blinked and then sank down on the bench beside her. "I'd never even considered it." He thought for a few more minutes. "It never even occurred to me to not discuss the settlement with you. And yet, I can very easily see myself working out the contract for Georgiana's marriage with her betrothed and his father, and only informing her of the most general details after the fact."

Elizabeth smirked, "Poor William, your acquaintance with me continues to infect you with radical thoughts."

Will wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close so that he might kiss her forehead. "You have changed me for the better, my dear. All for the better."

She smiled up at him but he noted a more serious look in her eyes when she raised her hand to his chest, above his heart. "You are the best man I have ever known. And that is in your essential being--it has nothing to do with anything I have done."

When William looked as if he was about to argue, she silenced him with a kiss which quickly flared into something more ardent. However, before many minutes passed, they were recalled to the present by the sound of the housekeeper calling to a maid in the kitchen garden.

William groaned but shifted to a marginally more appropriate distance, though he still kept hold of her hand. Laughing lightly, Elizabeth rubbed her thumb along the back of his hand. "Poor William, only six more weeks."

He turned a pair of very dark, very intense eyes on her. She smirked. "We could run away to Scotland."

"Do not tempt me."

"My mother would not be pleased. Though, having lived through her fussing for the last weeks, I rather think that might be a point in favor of such a plan."

After sharing an amused look, by mutual accord the couple stood and began to stroll hand in hand among the herbaceous borders. They spoke of how pleased they were with the idea of a double wedding with Jane and Charles, and this naturally led to a discussion of how best to manage Mrs. Bennet's desire to show off her daughters' fiancés through a seemingly endless series of teas and dinners. Darcy mentioned the Fitzwilliams' wish to hold a dinner to celebrate his engagement and Elizabeth confirmed the plan for herself, Jane, and Mr. Bennet to go to London the following week.

"You and Mr. Bingley may accompany us, if you wish," she teased. "We would certainly appreciate your assistance at the modista's.

"Shall I hold your things while you shop, then?

"Of course! And if you are very good, I shall take you for a cup of chocolate after we are done."

After some teasing, Elizabeth mentioned that the Gardiners would be hosting an engagement party for their two nieces a few days after the Bennets arrived in London. Darcy responded with rather more enthusiasm than he usually greeted such invitations; his experience with the Gardiners led him to believe that their guests would be far more interesting than the usual insipid society he had endured at past events.

After agreeing to forward the Gardiners' invitation to his Fitzwilliam relations, William inquired about the work she and her father had been doing before he arrived at Longbourn.

Elizabeth grimaced and admitted that, when she had returned from Derbyshire, she had reviewed Longbourn's accounts and found a great many bills and other correspondence related to the estate and household had not been dealt with during her absence. She sighed. "I worry about what will happen when Jane and I leave for our new homes. Mama hasn't the head for numbers and Papa can't be bothered."

William hesitated before asking, "Why not hire a steward, or even just a secretary to assist your father?"

Lizzy laughed mirthlessly. "That was how I gained the position. We had a man, Mr. Felder, but… well, when I was thirteen, I decided that the best way to learn how to keep household accounts was to work them out for myself." She sighed at the bittersweet memory. "So, I lined some parchment so that it looked like Papa's ledgers and then went around collecting the various expenditures from Hill and the shopkeepers. It was quite impertinent of me, I suppose; luckily Mr. Felder was away for the week."

William smiled and squeezed her hand. "I should say it was quite enterprising of you."

Elizabeth quirked her eyebrow mischievously. "You were not skimming funds from the Longbourn accounts to line your own pockets."

That was enough to stop Darcy in his tracks. "What!?!"

Lizzy smirked sardonically. "I entered all the month's debts very carefully in my pretend-ledger, but no matter how many times or ways I tabulated them, I could not arrive at the sum that Mr. Felder had presented. Mama told me to leave the arithmetic for the men, so of course I was determined to find my error.

The couple shared a grin before Elizabeth continued. "Finally I was so frustrated that I badgered Papa to look over my sums." She grinned. "When he could not find a mistake, he reviewed Mr. Felder's ledgers and found… discrepancies.

"It was not so very much--ten or twenty pounds each month--but it was significant enough that my father dismissed him."

"And appointed you his replacement?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "It made sense at the time, though I am sure that Mama assumed it was temporary. However, the months passed and Papa is not so good at exerting himself if it is not an emergency." She sighed. "And Lydia was increasingly dissatisfied with wearing her sisters' made-over dresses, so it was very easy to conclude that the funds could not be spared for a new steward's salary."

"I would be happy to pay for someone…" Darcy trailed off when Elizabeth began shaking her head.

"It is a kind offer, but… Papa may be… apathetic toward his duties, but I fear he would be offended if you were to offer… he is already a bit testy that I am leaving him for you--that is how he describes our marriage, I am afraid--and I should not like to give him an excuse to sulk over a perceived insult."

William nodded, understanding instantly. After a minute of thought, he inquired, "What about your younger sisters?"

Elizabeth blinked, instantly embarrassed that the idea had not even occurred to her. She considered carefully before speaking. "I wish I could recommend Mary; she is so serious and it would give her a reason to feel useful and… valued." She sighed. "But neither she nor Kitty have much aptitude for arithmetic. Oddly enough, of all of them it was Lydia who learned the most quickly."

She laughed out loud at Darcy's disbelieving look. "I speak truly! Jane and I taught the younger girls their sums and we would make a game out of it; racing to see who could add or multiply numbers in her head the fastest. Though she was the youngest, Lydia always won." She became serious. "That is, until she realized that those were not the sort of tricks to gain Mama's approval. Almost overnight it was all lace and hair ribbons and boys."

After a few more minutes of discussion on the subject did not reveal a solution, Darcy checked his watch and realized that he should depart for Netherfield if he was to have time to great his host and change for dinner. He was loath to leave Elizabeth, but the prospect was made much brighter when his fiancé reminded him that Mr. Bingley was coming to Longbourn for dinner and noted that Mr. Darcy would be equally welcome.

The couple waited outside the stable while Davey Hill saddled Darcy's horse. Though they were standing where they could easily be observed, William could not quite resist brushing Elizabeth's ungloved hand with his own. "Thank you for your letters," he said softly. "They meant a great deal to me."

She smiled up at him, love sparkling in her eyes. "As yours did to me." She lowered her eyes, suddenly embarrassed by the strength of the emotion she felt for the quiet man standing beside her. Feeling his hand on hers again, she looked up and the intensity in his eyes made her shiver.

A moment later, the stableman led out Darcy's dapple grey and, after a few words of farewell, the couple parted, comforted with the knowledge that their separation would be of short duration. If Lizzy spent some minutes idly gathering a bouquet of flowers while imagining the day when they would no longer need to part, there was no one there to observe her.

Meanwhile, Darcy gave his horse its head and both enjoyed a brisk canter over the three miles to Mr. Bingley's leased estate. William could not remember a more pleasant autumn afternoon in his life. Unfortunately, his mood darkened when he was forced to slow and give way to several large wagons driven by soldiers passing in the opposite direction. In his delight with the afternoon, he had forgotten to speak to Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth about the return of the militia to Meryton. He prayed that Colonel Fitzwilliam's information was correct and that Wickham had remained behind in Brighton. It seemed too much to hope that his father's wayward godson had been swept out to sea with the flood.

When Darcy finally rode up the driveway to Netherfield, his diminished mood was lightened by the pleasant sight of Miss Kitty Bennet sitting on a bench in the shade of an oak tree. As he dismounted and handed the reins off to a stableman, he noted that the girl seemed to be studying the front portico of the house intently and finally realized that she was attempting to sketch it. After confirming that his carriage had arrived and his valet was currently settling his things in his usual chamber, Darcy realized that this was an excellent opportunity to make a foray into knowing Elizabeth's younger sister better.

Unbuckling his saddlebags as he walked toward her, he smiled at the memory of Georgiana's eagerness that morning in making sure that he had packed the various presents for her new friends. It was this soft look that Kitty saw when she finally looked up from her sketchpad and noted the gentleman walking toward her from the stables.

"Mr. Darcy! I had not realized you were returning today, sir!"

William returned her smile and the younger Miss Bennet was struck by the thought that Mr. Darcy did not seem frightening at all. "Miss Catherine, it is good to see you again."

"Has Miss Darcy come with you?"

Though still uncertain of the girl's ability to behave as a proper lady in more formal situations, Darcy could not help but be pleased by the warm, unaffected manner in which she inquired after his sister. Miss Bingley and her ilk might display the polished manners that Society deemed fashionable, but as a brother, William found himself decidedly pleased that Georgiana was becoming closer to these Bennet sisters with their open manners and easy friendship.

"No, though she would have liked to. Georgiana needed to remain in London to see that Miss de Bourgh is settled at our cousins' home and she also wished to catch up with her studies."

Kitty studied the tall gentleman carefully and decided to venture another question. "What is she studying?"

Darcy easily understood the girl's curiosity, having only recently witnessed another example of Mr. Bennet's lackadaisical attitude toward his daughters' care. William was careful to use a gentle tone. "Whenever she is in London, she has lessons with her art and music masters once a week. In addition, Mrs. Annesley and I recommend various books for her to read and discuss with us, though of course she needn't be in London for that; we often correspond about the books we've read when we are apart."

Miss Bennet's eyes were wide as she contemplated the devotion of her new friend to her education.

Feeling self-conscious, William recalled his sister's gift and quickly drew it out. "Georgiana remembered that you were interested in learning to paint and wished you to have these."

Kitty received the small box from him with a squeak of eagerness but slipped the blue ribbon off, carefully tucking it in her pocket where it would not blow away, before opening her gift.

Although Elizabeth had shared her opinion that Kitty mimicked Lydia's rowdy behavior because she was so often ignored by their parents, Darcy was still somewhat amazed to see the young lady's eyes get misty over the small set of watercolour paints and brushes. Uncomfortable with the display of emotion, he spoke quickly; "There should also be a letter with our address in town. I know that Georgiana is eager to hear from you."

Kitty lifted the brushes and pulled out an envelope with her name written in an elegant script. Instead of opening it, she stood and made a shy curtsy to her sister's fiancé. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I… I shall write Miss Darcy right away." She peaked up at the gentleman before whispering, "I… I had thought perhaps she was just being nice to me because I was Lizzy's sister."

William was suddenly struck by just how correct Elizabeth had been in her assessment of her younger sister and rushed to reassure the girl. "Not at all, Miss Catherine. My sister is very eager to know you better." Unconsciously he extended his hand to touch her shoulder and, Kitty smiled up at him, finally understanding why Elizabeth liked the man so well and Georgiana called him the best of brothers.

After a pause, William turned his attention back to the house. "Are your mother and sisters inside?"

Kitty smiled. "Jane and Mary are with Mr. Bingley, but Mama and Lydia took the carriage into town to visit with our Aunt Phillips." She rolled her eyes in a way that reminded William of Elizabeth. "Lydia is desperate for any news about the regiment's return to Meryton."

Mr. Darcy's manner immediately became more serious. "Has the entire regiment arrived already? I rode directly to Longbourn and did not pass through town; I only saw a few wagons arriving."

Though she did not quite comprehend his concern, Kitty sensed his mood and became more solemn as well. "Our aunt told Lydia that the camp is being set up even now by an advance group and a few officers, but the main regiment will not arrive for a day or two."

Thinking rapidly, William paused before speaking again. "I assume that you and your sisters shall wish to return to Longbourn soon so that you are home in time for dinner. Shall I make sure that the carriage has been called for you?"

Kitty was openly appreciative of his offer. "Oh, thank you, Mr. Darcy. I suppose we could walk, but I fear that I am not quite as fit as Lizzy."

Seeing that it would take her a few minutes to gather her things, William nodded and kindly allowed the girl to take her time while he walked to the house. Deep in thought over how best to determine Wickham's location and plans, he did not even notice the absence of a servant to meet him at the front door, which had been propped open to take advantage of the summer breezes.

All of which led William to stand in the open door of the front drawing room where he was confronted by the shocking sight of Netherfield's master being much too familiar with Elizabeth's elder sister. Unsure of Miss Mary's actual location, Darcy directed Miss Catherine to the music room; though he disliked deception in general, he was willing to dissemble in order to keep Jane's sister from the room behind him. Just as that problem had been taken care of, Netherfield's housekeeper bustled down the stairs with a maid in tow.

"Oh, Mr. Darcy! I had no idea you'd arrived, and with no one to meet you, sir. My apologies! One of our footmen hurt himself this morning and everything's been topsy turvy since. Your carriage arrived just a half hour ago, sir, and your man is settling your things in your usual room, just as you like it."

William smiled, despite the situation; Mrs. Nichols reminded him slightly of Mrs. Reynolds, bustling about like a mother hen. He had been impressed by the woman's ability to manage Netherfield in spite of Miss Bingley's ridiculous demands during his previous visit in the autumn. "Thank you, Mrs. Nichols. John told me of the situation when he took my horse. I hope the injury is not severe?"

Netherfield's housekeeper liked Mr. Bingley's quiet, polite friend; unlike the master's vainglorious sister, Mr. Darcy had treated the servants with respect and kindness. "Fossett turned his ankle--swollen up like a melon, but not broken, thank the Lord. He was helping old Pete with the hounds and one of the pups got underfoot. Poor man loves those animals--probably throw himself in front of a charging wagon to save one."

Servant and gentleman shared a smile before Mrs. Nichols recalled herself. "Well now, here I am chattering on when you'll be wanting your bath and such. Shall I have water sent up just now, sir?"

Thinking quickly, Darcy replied, "Thank you, Mrs. Nichols. Let's make it an hour, shall we? First I should like farewell the Miss Bennets. Could you have the carriage brought around for them?"

"Oh yes, sir! Isn't it just wonderful about the master and Miss Bennet. Not a lovelier, kinder lady in the county!" And with that, the housekeeper was off in her usual bustling manner.

William had just enough time to draw a deep breath before the door to the drawing room opened slightly to show Mr. Bingley peaking out like an errant schoolboy.

"Is she gone?"

Darcy turned a sour eye on his friend. He might not yet be married to Elizabeth, but he already looked upon her sisters with a brotherly feeling and Ramsgate had increased his innate protectiveness. The fact that Bingley's betrothal to Miss Bennet had been publically sanctioned by her father did little to dampen his anger that Charles would seduce her in a public room where a servant or sister might have walked in at any time.

Deciding that Darcy was indeed alone in the hall, Mr. Bingley opened the door wider. Through the doorway, William could see Jane standing by the settee, eyes lowered and hands brushing her skirts restlessly, but much more formally attired than before. Ignoring Charles, William spoke directly to her in his most respectful voice. "Miss Bennet, your sisters are in the music room. I took the liberty of calling for the carriage. It should be here in a few minutes."

Flushed with embarrassment, Jane nodded her understanding and moved to the door. Mr. Darcy noted that she did not raise her eyes. Furious with Bingley for having put such a sweet, innocent lady in such a situation, William stepped back and held open the door for her with a small bow.

When he offered his arm, Jane ventured a glance up, expecting to see condemnation for her wanton behavior. Instead, she was met with a solemn, steady, focused look that searched her own eyes for symptoms of hurt.

Jane had not quite understood her sister's exuberant joy over her engagement to this man; his behavior had always seemed proper but she had never seen any sign of the depth of feeling Lizzy attributed to him. However, in that instant, she felt the intensity of his brotherly concern for her embarrassment. In that instant, Jane had no doubt that, had she requested it, Mr. Darcy would have taken his good friend out to the yard and thrashed him within an inch of his life. For the first time in many years, Jane felt… protected.

William blinked when Miss Bennet looked up at him and, taking his arm, smiled slightly. There was still discomfort there, but the fear had receded. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy."

Still panicked over the wreckage that his first kiss with Jane had become, Charles hovered around the two until Darcy turned a gimlet eye on him. "Why don't you go check on the carriage, Bingley? I shall show Miss Bennet to her sisters." Though phrased as a question, the Master of Pemberley's tone made it clear he expected to be obeyed.

Charles babbled a few words of assurance and then left them on his errand. Once they were alone, Darcy turned back to Elizabeth's sister who seemed to have relaxed slightly now that Bingley was not hovering. "Miss Bennet," he said softly. "If you wish for a few minutes alone, I can leave."

Come of her usual serenity had returned and Jane smiled gently at the tall gentleman. "Thank you, again, Mr. Darcy, but I shall be… well."

When she stumbled over the last word, Darcy noted a profound shame flash across her face before she could recall her usual pleasant demeanor. Both the emotion and the mask reminded him uncomfortably of Georgiana in the weeks and months after Ramsgate. Thinking rapidly, he drew Miss Bennet back into the drawing room, though he made certain that the door was left open for propriety's sake.

When he was certain that they were alone, William spoke softly but rapidly. "Miss Bennet, Jane. Though Elizabeth and I are not yet married, I cannot help but think of you and your sisters as my own. If there is anything I can do for you in the role of brother, you have but to say the word."

Jane held her breath for a moment before whispering, "I thank you, sir, for your concern… You know not how much it means to me. However, in this instance there is nothing for you to do. The shame is my own, and so must be the consequences."

Though part of him wished to curse Bingley for his lack of self-control, causing such a sweet lady to look so wretched, the brotherly part of Darcy recognized that his anger was not what she needed right now. He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm before speaking again. "Miss Bennet, you must listen to me. Whatever has happened, it was not your fault. You are an innocent and Bingley should not have taken advantage of that. My friend has never been known for his self-control."

Miss Bennet's shocked look made him realize how his words might be taken. "Oh Lord, no! I did not mean to imply that I have seen him so with other ladies, only that… He cares for you very deeply, and has for many months now. And Charles has never been one to suppress his emotions; that is my talent, I fear."

This last was said in such a wry tone that Jane could not help but smile slightly. Encouraged, William continued. "I shall speak with him tonight on the subject of proper gentlemanly behavior."

Jane's worry showed clearly. "You must not lay the blame at his feet, for I was just as… wanton. My behavior… oh, he must be shocked."

William bit his tongue before he told her that Bingley and any other man would certainly consider such passion a pleasant shock indeed. Though he might have confided such a sentiment to Elizabeth, it was not something he could imagine saying aloud to his own sister, let alone hers. Instead, he simply said, "I would urge you to confide in Elizabeth and seek her counsel. I… She mentioned having a talk with your excellent aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, that gave her a more balanced sense of the transition from single to married lady."

Jane looked at him for a long moment, clearly pondering his carefully worded statement. Finally she nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy. You are correct; Lizzy often has a clear-sighted view on people that quite passes me by." The pair exchanged a long look and knew they were both thinking of Caroline Bingley.

Darcy's own thoughts soon moved beyond that, however. "Miss Bennet, I should also beg for your forgiveness, though I well know that I do not deserve it. Had I not impressed my own ill-formed opinions on Mr. Bingley, he would have returned to Hertfordshire last winter."

Seeing the lady's confused look, Darcy suddenly realized that neither Elizabeth nor Bingley had informed Jane of his part in their separation. In a few terse yet deeply apologetic sentences, he summarized his actions and how her sister had forced him to see how arrogant and presumptuous he had been.

By the end of his explanation, Jane had turned to the window and was staring at the landscape beyond it. After a few moments of silence, William forced himself to speak again. "Miss Bennet, I pray that one day you may find it in your heart to forgive me for all the pain I have caused you."

He was about to speak again, already thinking ahead to how they might plan for the two sisters to visit one another without Jane being subjected to his own, clearly undesired, presence when he was distracted by a touch on his arm.

With her golden hair glowing in the late afternoon sunlight, Miss Bennet truly looked like a Madonna. "Mr. Darcy," she said softly. "I forgive you freely, though I do not believe you have done anything that requires forgiveness. You acted to save your friend from heartache, a sentiment I can only respect. Perhaps it is my own fault that I did not show more of my feelings, but after a lifetime with our mother, I suppose I have formed something of a mask to the world." She smiled softly and William could see the love shining in her eyes. "That is one of the traits that I appreciate in Mr. Bingley; he is so open with his emotions. He has no fear that his warmth shall be misunderstood."

Darcy returned his smile, suddenly realizing just how much of a kindred spirit he had found in his future sister-in-law. "A trait that I treasure in my friend, as well. I may tease Bingley over his tendency to approve of everyone and everything that he meets, but I would not change it for all the world."

The pair looked at each other for a moment in perfect understanding. As though reaching a decision, Jane Bennet reached out to take his arm. "Shall we go search out my sisters, Mr. Darcy?" With a mischievous look that reminded him very much of Elizabeth, she led him out of the drawing room. "I believe we shall like having you as a brother very much, sir."

Chapter 25. Brotherly Affections.

Posted on 2010-10-28

August 1818

After Miss Jane, Mary, and Kitty Bennet had departed Netherfield for Longbourn in Mr. Bingley's carriage, Darcy turned a gimlet eye on his younger friend. Charles had fluttered about the ladies, desperate to be near Jane yet simultaneously afraid to look her in the eye for fear of seeing a change in how she viewed him.

When the coach disappeared down the drive, Bingley finally turned toward his friend and noted the look of censure. Sighing, he turned and re-entered the house, heading for the library which, though not normally his natural habitat, was certain to have a well-stocked bar. "Oh come on, Darce. Let me get a whisky and then you can lecture me to your heart's content. Though I can tell you right now that nothing you can say will be worse than what I'm already saying to myself."

Bingley's back was already turned so he did not see the other gentleman's expression soften slightly.

Once in the study, Charles had poured out significantly more than two fingers of whisky before Darcy even entered the room, and then moved to stare out the window before his friend had shut the door behind him. Jane's fiancé took a sip and rested his forehead against the cool windowpane, self-disgust evident in his posture.

Although Caroline had waged a campaign to refine his palate for years, the taste reminded Charles comfortingly of his late father. A gruff, hard-working Yorkshire man, John Bingley had grown up close to the Scottish border and referred to his favored drink as the Romans had-- aquavitae. Normally an even-tempered man, the only time his younger son remembered seeing him truly angry had been when discussing the effects of the English Malt Tax of 1725, which had driven many Scottish distillers to go underground to avoid the excise men. It had infuriated John Bingley that the government's excessive taxation would drive otherwise honest men to break the law in order to feed their families.

What would his father think of him now, wondered Charles. The landed gentry might speak disparagingly of the integrity of tradesmen, but John Bingley had had a deep, abiding sense of right and wrong, particularly where it concerned how a man should treat women. He sighed.

"I only wanted to kiss her," said Charles softly. "I've dreamt about it for so long." Suddenly he felt very, very young.

Darcy stood behind an armchair and tightened his hands on its back to keep himself from forming fists. "Bingley, you are not some adolescent boy who has never danced with a girl before. If her father had walked in, he would have been justified in calling you out on the spot! I have half a mind to do so myself! What were you thinking?!?"

"Obviously, I wasn't." Charles turned just in time to see his friend's face flush. He lowered his eyes even as he held up a hand in supplication. "Please, I was not being flippant. I deserve everything you have to say to me and more; if you wish to take me out back and thrash me, I cannot argue." His thoughts turned inward. "Jane would not even look at me."

The sight of his normally ebullient friend so completely drained of all cheer soothed a tiny bit of Darcy's outrage and his hands relaxed. "Miss Bennet is a well-bred gentlewoman, not some Town flirt. You must exercise some self-control, Bingley."

Charles groaned and moved so that he might slump into the nearest chair, legs stretched out before him and arms behind his head. "I only wanted to kiss her… just once… is that too much to ask before we are married? I am not cold and stiff like you, Darce; I have such passion boiling up inside me… I can't imagine only wanting to debate books or philosophy or whatever heady intellectual subjects you and Miss Elizabeth spend all your time on."

Had Charles been paying attention, he would have seen the unique sight of Fitzwilliam Darcy blushing and open mouthed in astonished embarrassment. He did look up when his friend dropped down into the other armchair and began laughing as he had rarely witnessed; a full, deep belly laugh.

"Believe that if it pleases you, Charles." William was not about to admit that he had kissed Elizabeth deeply and passionately the instant she accepted his proposal and had been doing so on a regular basis since.

Seeing an interrogation in his friend's face, William only held up his hand. "You may pose questions which I have no intention of answering. What is between my fiancé and I is private." His eyes sharpened. "As should yours and Miss Bennet's. A public drawing room where anyone-- servant, relation, friend, neighbor-- might walk in on you is not the place."

However, Bingley had the look of one experiencing a revelation. He leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees and eyed his friend with an air of expectant curiosity that made Darcy want to squirm. "Lizzy told us of the many walks you took together at Pemberley."

William straightened his shoulders and did his best to assume an air of unquestionable authority. "Of course. I wished her to see her future home." Noting Charles' raised eyebrow, he continued, trying not to sound defensive. "We were usually accompanied by my sister, or Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, or their children."

The younger man grinned. "Usually?"

Darcy rose and moved to stand behind his chair, closer to the door. "We occasionally toured the park alone, either on horseback or on foot." Seeing that his friend had a sly look in his eye, William snapped before he might say anything; "However, never did anyone happen upon us with her dress undone and my hand up her skirts! And not because I was better at hiding us, but because I respect her too much to go so far before our wedding!!!"

Darcy's voice had strengthened as he spoke and Bingley's attitude deflated back to self-disgust. William sighed and twisted the signet ring on his finger. An angry lecture would not aid his friend.

"Charles, believe me, I understand the… desire. I am engaged to a beautiful, passionate, teasing woman whom I have loved and, if you must know, lusted after, for many months. The fifteenth of September seems eons away. However, I have seen the reputations of too many ladies permanently tarnished when a babe was born too soon after the wedding, and though they may be securely married, the gossip still hurts them. Charles, you know as well as I how unkind Society can be; there are those who will use any fault or impropriety, however minor, to condemn. And they will be particularly eager to do so with our future wives, however well-bred and kind-natured Jane and Elizabeth are, simply because they were the unknowns before they married us."

When Bingley remained silent, staring at the rug, William sighed and moved to sit down again. "Charles, I am sorry. I do not mean to lecture you. Truly, I have not the right to lecture you. It is only that I do not wish to see Elizabeth or her family hurt."

The two men sat silently for some minutes. Eventually, Charles heaved a great sigh. "I have had my head in the clouds for these past weeks." He paused before saying softly, "Caroline will be one of the worst of them."

Darcy have him a sardonic look. "Lady Catherine may have been quiet when we packed her in her carriage and sent it off to Kent last week, but she was not prior to visiting Longbourn and I have highly doubt that she will remain so."

After William summarized the events at Matlock, Bingley admitted that he had received another letter from his younger sister that day.

"Four pages long, closely written, and not a pleasant word throughout."

Darcy's lips tightened into a thin line but he spoke evenly. "What shall you do?"

Charles sighed. "If you don't mind, I should like to stay with you at Derwent House when we are in town later this month." At the other gentleman's nod, he continued, speaking slowly and reasoning it out as he went. "Thank you. I have sent word for the house on Waverley Street to be opened up." At Darcy's curious look, Charles explained, "The property came to me directly; Caroline and Louisa's inheritances were purely monetary."

After a few moments of silence, Charles resumed, though he sounded almost as if he were talking to himself. "It is the house in which I grew up, when we weren't in Scarborough, and I have many happy memories of our family there. After my parents and Arthur died, Caroline and I stayed at the Hursts' townhouse. I did not even think about it; without Mum and Da there, the Waverley house was too empty, too full of memories."

Both men sat for a few minutes, thinking morosely of how houses that were once filled with happy families seemed far quieter when those families passsed on than those which had never had happy families to begin with.

Eventually, Charles sighed deeply and forced himself to think positively. "But now, Jane and I shall make it a home again. I have written to the housekeeper with my plans; we shall visit the house next week when we are all in London and begin deciding what needs to be replaced and redecorated and so forth. Jane shall meet with Mrs. Barton about hiring a staff--it has only been Mr. and Mrs. Barton there to maintain the place, so most of the servants were let go--and I shall…"

Bingley trailed off and was silent for a few moments before squaring his shoulders and looking up at Darcy with a determined look in his eye. "I shall speak with my sisters and arrange for them to retrieve any keepsakes or furniture that they wish to have."

"Miss Bingley shall not live with you, then?"

Charles sighed; his innate dislike of conflict battling with his increasing aversion to his younger sister. "Father's will requires me to welcome her in my house until she turns twenty-five. Or rather, required Arthur to do so. Obviously it never occurred to Da that my elder brother would not be alive to look after us all." He managed a smile. "I can just imagine his dismay to find that it is silly little Charlie to whom it all falls."

Darcy cleared his throat. "Charles, you have handled the transition of your father's business extremely well, particularly given that you were not prepared for the load that was laid upon your shoulders."

Charles shrugged one shoulder. "I have done my best--and I can never thank you enough for your help through it all. Da had it all planned out; Arthur would take over the family business, Louisa was married to the son of one of his investors, and Caroline and I were to be raised as a lady and gentleman, poised to launch the next generation of Bingleys into a higher plane of society." He sighed.

Knowing how it was to live with the feeling that one could never live up to the expectations of one's father, William attempted to encourage his usually optimistic friend. "Charles, your father would be proud of you. You have accomplished all he wished for you and more. You have fulfilled Arthur's duties in the business to the best of your ability; you have completed your education and have taken the first steps in learning to manage an estate. And you are engaged to a worthy gentleman's daughter. Would you father not have approved of Miss Bennet?"

Bingley's somber face was lightened with a genuine smile. "Da would have worshipped the ground she walks on. He would have revered her beauty and told me I was not worthy of such a lady, but more importantly he would have admired her kind and gentle nature. Da was a man who valued strength of character."

Charles looked up at Darcy with a happy glint in his eye. "He would have liked both of our fiancés. Perhaps that is why it is so easy for me to think of moving back into the Waverley house again; Mum and Da would have welcomed Jane there with open arms."

Suddenly his expression soured. "Unlike Caroline."

After a pause, William ventured, "Could she stay with the Hursts?"

Caroline's brother shrugged. "I shall discuss it with them. Louisa and Gil have not been themselves since… well, since that summer. I remember when they married, he couldn't stand Caroline and even Louisa had little patience for her pretensions. They divided their time between London and his father's estate in Somerset, while Caro and I were at Waverley Street. The family would come together at dinners occasionally and we might see the Hursts at parties and balls when I escorted Caroline, but there was not the closeness that we have now. Well, the physical closeness--living together, attending events together and such--I cannot say that we share much of our feelings or thoughts with one another."

Darcy remained silent, sensing that his friend needed work his way through the knot of emotions and duties.

"I suppose that Caro was less of a snob, then. Arthur and my parents would never had put up with her superior airs, for all that they wished her to be a lady. They desired for our family to take its place in society, but they had a great deal of respect for their forefathers, tradesmen or no."

Charles sighed. "Our forefathers, I should say. Regardless of what Society values, I am proud of my family; I come from a long line of honorable, hardworking men."

William nodded. "My own family invested in your family's enterprise; from what I understand, my Grandfather Darcy was one of the most inveterate, class-conscious snobs there was, yet he recognized the value of Bingley and Sons Co."

The two men were silent for a few minutes, thinking of their ancestors. Finally, Darcy began to speak again while staring off into the distance. "The world is changing, Charles. The lower classes have revolted against the aristocracy in France and America, and anyone who pays any attention at all to our own parliament can see how the power of the House of Commons increases with every passing each year. And, for all of my own family's connections, I believe that it is right for any man, regardless of his birth, to have the opportunity to strive for whatever position he desires, as do many of my peers.

"The economic power is shifting, as well (or more likely it is the cause of social changes). When I review my grandfather's ledgers, Pemberley's revenues were almost entirely agricultural; wool, wheat, barley, hay, wood and so forth. Now, I cannot imagine not having shares in the woolen mills and breweries. It is no longer feasible for the wool to be spun by women in their cottages; I send wagons of wool bales off to textile factories, similar to those your own family runs. These new ways of smelting iron and the new inventions using steam power … they are shifting the balance of our world, I think."

John Bingley's son looked at Fitzwilliam Darcy with fascination. He himself was not of a philosophical bent, so his conversations with his friend rarely touched on such weighty subjects. "I had no idea you felt so."

Darcy shrugged and crossed his legs. "'Tis not myself alone." He gave his friend a pointed look. "As you would know if you read more."

Charles could not help but laugh and the atmosphere lightened. "Ah, but why should I put myself to the work when I have you to question whenever I wish the answer?"

Darcy rolled his eyes but their usual camaradeie was largely restored. Will rose to pour himself a finger of whisky and wordlessly offered to refresh the other man's glass.

The two men sat for some minutes in silence, sampling the whisky and pondering their own thoughts. Finally, Charles spoke aloud. "Caroline turns twenty-five in February."

"No wonder she is acting so forward--she has become desperate," said Darcy without thinking, then blushed slightly at Bingley's laughter. "I apologize…"

"No! Don't! You are quite correct; I had not really thought about it. I suppose I assumed that her behavior was my own fault, because I was not as capable as my parents or Arthur at restraining her."

William gave his friend an admonishing look. "You are but a year older than she, Charles. Any brother would have difficulty, particularly with a sister as… spirited… as yours."

Bingley chuckled but his manner became more serious. "You have not had such problems with Georgiana. I have always admired your relationship with her; she looks up to you as the 'best of brothers', with both affection and respect. I know quite well that Caroline feels none of the latter for me, and there are moments when I even doubt the former."

His tone was so downcast that Darcy sighed. "Charles, Georgiana is more than ten years my junior and our circumstances have demanded a very different relationship between us than for you and your sister. I remember Georgie being placed in my arms as a newborn like it was yesterday; it was my tenth birthday and my mother told me that it was my duty to look after her. Mother died less than two months later; it is my last clear memory of her.

"We saw very little of Father after that. At the time, he seemed overwhelmed with work, rebuilding Pemberley's staff and tenants, recruiting farmers and shopkeepers to Lambton and Kympton to replace those lost in the epidemic. In hindsight I believe he was melancholic with guilt for not having somehow saved all those dependent on him from the pox. Grandmother Darcy looked after the two of us for a few years but I suppose I knew she would not live much longer. It was Georgiana that I clung to. Even when I was away at school, I would write her."

"I always wondered about that," Charles murmured. "She could not have been reading yet when we were first at Eton."

Will blushed slightly but smiled. "No; I gave her a doll who was dressed to look like me, and first Grandmother and then Mrs. Reynolds would sit with her and pretend that the doll was reading my letters to her. They would write me back with whatever accomplishments or events had happened in her life that week; I knew when she walked and what her first words were, though I was not there to see them. And then when she was old enough, I taught her to read and write, and she began sending me letters of her own."

Charles grinned. "I remember when you received the first letter that she had addressed herself; you were like a proud Papa." He trailed off, blinking in realization. "It is nearly true; you are more father than brother to her."

Darcy nodded seriously. "That is the point I was trying to make; we have been this way far longer than I have been her legal guardian. Though, now that she is older, I am attempting to be more of a brother to her." He glanced up at the man sitting opposite and made a decision.

"Charles, we are to be brothers, and there is something else you should know." In a few terse sentences he summarized Wickham's attempted seduction of his sister the previous summer at Ramsgate.

By the end, Bingley burst from his chair and began pacing, transparently furious. "That bloody bastard! And Georgiana barely fifteen, and a particularly young, innocent fifteen, if you will forgive me."

Darcy nodded, taking another sip of his whisky. It felt good to hear the other man's anger and know that his sister had just gained another protector.

Meanwhile, Bingley continued. "I admire your restraint; I would have beaten him to a pulp." Then his face changed to an odd expression. "Though I can't quite imagine how I would feel if I found Caro in such a situation."

Suddenly Charles slumped back down into his chair. "That's a lie. I would be embarrassed, concerned at how her actions might harm our family's reputation, but in truth, unless it was obvious that the man had overpowered her physically, my first instinct would be to blame her for getting herself into such a situation. Really, I would expect to find that she had arranged it all herself, including the opportunity for me to find them together alone and force a marriage."

Bingley was looking disgusted, though it was not clear to Darcy if the emotion was directed at himself or his sister. "Good God, Darce! How is it that I can think so of my own sister?"

"I believe that you know your sister very well, as I do mine. Charles." William waited until he was sure he had his friend's attention. "I am well aware that I am blessed to have such a sweet, gentle, obliging girl for a sister. I cannot imagine what I would have done had she been more like yours in personality. Probably sent her to live at Matlock, or with one of our Fitzwilliam cousins, for it is God's honest truth that I would not have known how to deal with her, myself."

Seeing that Charles looked slightly less miserable, Darcy continued. "Charles, I sincerely believe that you have done your best by your sister."

Bingley studied the other man for some moments before nodding seriously. "Thank you, Will. I appreciate it more than you can know, for I trust your honesty as well as your judgment."

The two men were silent for some minutes, finishing their whisky. When the mantel clock began to ring out the hour, they took notice that they would need to dress quickly so as not to be late for dinner at the Bennets'.

Bingley grinned and slapped Darcy on the shoulder. "I believe that I shall like us being brothers very much!" Though William rolled his eyes at his friend's antics, his smile told of his agreement.

Dinner at Longbourn was a relatively pleasant affair, if not the most easy that the two young couples had ever enjoyed in company.

Upon her return to Longbourn that afternoon, Jane had maintained a façade of serenity until she could closet herself in her bedchamber. Luckily, Lizzy had followed her not too many minutes later and, after letting her sister cry on her shoulder, she gathered what had occurred from a few disjointed words and phrases.

"I was immodest! Wanton!"

"You are not wanton, Jane."

"I must disgust him… such behavior…"

"Mr. Bingley adores you, Jane. He could never be disgusted by you."

"But my behavior, Lizzy! He touched me and I wished it! I wanted him to do more! I don't even know what I wanted him to do, but I wanted it… desperately!"

This last was said in such a wail as Lizzy had never heard from her normally placid sister. Quickly deciding that a different approach was necessary, she leaned back from where they sat on the bed and forced Jane to look at her.

"Jane Bennet, enough! You are not being sensible! Charles kissed you; he touched you. You enjoyed it, but so did he. That is not the behavior of a man who is disgusted by your behavior; quite the opposite, in fact."

She gave her sister a moment to digest this new concept before taking her hand and speaking more softly. "Jane, we have been blessed with fiancés who love us. They respect our minds, and I have every hope that we shall be friends as well as spouses. However, we are not marrying only to have a friend and companion, but a lover."

Seeing that Jane looked rather shocked at her statement, Elizabeth sighed but kept hold of her sister's hand. "I had some extremely enlightening conversations with our Aunt Gardiner when we were in Derbyshire. I fear that Uncle Edward would blush and never look me in the eye again, but we spoke of marriage… of the… physical aspects of it."

Feeling her sister's hand tense, Lizzy looked up into her wide blue eyes. "Jane, we are to be married in less than two months; surely you have thought of it." She quirked an eyebrow. "Be honest, Janie; men have been trying to kiss you for years and you have always managed to fend them off, usually without them knowing that you were even aware of their intentions. Mr. Bingley would never have managed to kiss you if you had not also wished it."

Jane blushed a brilliant scarlet, but the light in her eye told Elizabeth that her guess was correct. "Janie, dearest sister of my heart. Shall you condemn me as well? For I have kissed Mr. Darcy, shamelessly sought his kisses, in fact. There are times when I feel like a wanton seductress when I am near him, so much do I desire his touch. And he feels the same."

The elder Miss Bennet blinked rapidly, clearly surprised at these new confidences. "But Mr. Darcy always seems so serious… so… grave. I can't imagine him thinking such things…"

Lizzy grinned and bumped her shoulder against her sister's. "And how often have I heard my own, dear Jane called cold and untouchable? I know how big your heart is, though you may not wear it on your sleeve. William is much the same; he has been pursued by matchmakers and Society ladies for years and he has a mask to protect himself from them all. But to those with whom he trusts with his true self… Oh, Jane! How I wish our wedding was tomorrow!" Lizzy flung her hands above her head and flopped back on the mattress theatrically, staring up at the bed curtains while wrapping a ringlet of hair around her finger.

Jane studied her sister for some minutes while the other was clearly lost in pleasant imaginings. When Elizabeth finally remembered that she was not alone, she met Jane's eyes. Though she blushed, her elder sister could easily see that Lizzy was not greatly troubled by her preoccupation.

Jane spoke cautiously, still thinking out the conflict between her emotions and the rules of behavior she had been taught since girlhood. "But it is not proper to feel so… such desire is not seemly."

Lizzy moved slightly so that she was able to take Jane's hand in her own again. Studying their linked fingers, she spoke quietly. "It is not seemly to display affection in public, any more than it would be proper to walk through Meryton on market day with no clothes on. A kiss would not be proper if there was no intention of marriage. I do not dispute any of that.

"However, we are both engaged and ours will not be marriages of convenience. Aunt Maddy gave me some advice that I treasure; she said that, though we must abide by society's rules in public, what a married couple does behind closed doors is their own business."

Seeing that Jane was thoroughly shocked, Elizabeth rushed to explain. "We did not speak of… the physical congress… only of how a man and a woman might… act."

Lizzy sighed in frustration. "I am not explaining this well. We were discussing the mistress and master's chambers at Pemberley, you see. They have not been used in many years and there was some damage from a leaky pipe, so we began to talk about how to redecorate, and that led to possible renovations."

She was silent for a moment. "The original floor plan provided for just one bed chamber for the master and mistress to share, you see."

Jane blinked rapidly, having never considered such a thing. "But surely the house is large enough that there is no shortage of rooms…" She trailed off at the sight of her sister's bright smile.

"Not at all. It was designed so because the Mr. and Mrs. Darcy of the time wished to share their bed chamber."

"Every night!?!" Jane was truly shocked, even as a warm feeling began in her stomach at such a thought.

Lizzy looked down and rubbed her sister's hand with her thumb. "Every night. It is as our aunt and uncle do… and as William and I plan to do."

Looking rather dazed, Jane spoke without thinking, "I cannot imagine Mama and Papa…"

She trailed off and then couldn't help but giggle at the horrified look that her sister shot her before pressing her face into a pillow. "Please! Do not make me think about it!"

When the sisters' laughter finally quieted, they were both laying back on the bed, arm in arm. Lizzy raised their joined hands with a smile. "You see, Janie? Charles shall be stealing you away from me, so I must have William nearby to share my secrets with and keep me sensible."

Jane continued to stare at the ceiling, though the look on her face was light. "I had never thought of a marriage in that way. I had considered what it would mean to be mistress of my husband's house, to bear his children…" she blushed but continued softly, "…of being… lovers. But I had not thought of being such friends and confidantes as you describe. Yet, as soon as you say it, I realize that it is very much what I desire."

Jane turned to study her younger sister with some admiration. "Thank you, Lizzy. You are very wise."

When Elizabeth rolled her eyes and laughed, Jane sat up and interrupted. "No, you must listen to me. We do not often speak of it, you and I, for it is Mama's praise of my looks and Papa's of your mind that creates so much tension in this house. We have been closer than sisters, you and I, perhaps in spite of our parents' favoritism. Certainly we can both see its effects on our younger sisters."

Elizabeth sat up to better consider Jane's words, and could only nod sadly in agreement.

Jane continued. "I am not as well-read as you are; I am intelligent to know that though I am not stupid by any means, I am not as intellectual as you." She squeezed her younger sister's hand. "But it is your clear-mindedness and your courage that I admire most. If it had not been for you, I believe I would have succumbed to Mama's matchmaking attempts years ago. But with you at my side, I have remained strong and waited for such a gentleman who would make me happy, not just our mother."

Elizabeth was embarrassed and kept her eyes lowered. "Jane, you are the strong one. When Mama or our sisters, or even Papa become too much, I leave. I walk out the door and run wild in the hills, or I find a book and loose myself in it. You remain; you put up with Mama's fussing and Papa's sarcasm without flinching."

Jane smiled crookedly at Elizabeth, not having realized that her younger sister harbored such guilt. "Lizzy, you must not condemn your behavior. We both have our own ways of coping with the unpleasant. You may leave, but I do as well, in my way. I can smile as if none of it affects me because I have removed myself; it is almost as if I can wrap myself in a bubble of air and all it just slides off. You are the only one with whom I feel comfortable just letting myself … be."

The two sisters studied each other for some minutes before Elizabeth squeezed Jane's hand. "Have you spoken to Mr. Bingley like this?"

Jane took a sharp breath and her discomfort at such an undertaking was obvious.

Lizzy sighed and hugged her sister before leaning back and looking her in the eye. "Promise me that you will. Promise me that you shall allow him to know the real Jane. I would not be surprised if Charles does not already know you quite a lot better than you may think already."

She laughed at Jane's look of worry. "Mr. Bingley is a good man and I shall like having him as a brother very much, just as he has been like a brother to William for many years. You can trust him, Jane; that is all I am trying to say. Your life shall be happier if you share your hopes and fears with him; all those little daily joys and minor worries that we have shared with one another. Do not put on that bright face of yours and pretend that everything is always perfectly fine."

Elizabeth grinned. "At the very least, let him know when something is wrong so that he may fix it! I have noticed that William takes great pleasure in arranging things to make me happy and I can't imagine that Mr. Bingley is so different. If you only show him your perennially happy face, he shall be miserable because it seems as if he has nothing to do for you!"

Jane had blushed slightly and rolled her eyes at her younger sister's antics, though in her heart she admitted that the words held a significant amount of truth. "Shall Mr. Darcy be re-hemming your blue gown, then? Mama brought it back from the seamstress today and it looks as if Mrs. Bolton left it for her new assistant."

Lizzy's laughter bubbled over and Jane soon joined her. "He might, though I believe I should delay my most bizarre demands until after we are married."

It was not much later that the girls heard Mrs. Bennet bustling up the stairs, calling for Mrs. Hill and the maid to attend her while simultaneously checking that all her daughters were dressed for dinner.

Elizabeth rose with a sigh and a smile, but before opening the door she turned back to her sister. "Jane, I would be surprised if Mr. Bingley was not just as upset with himself as you are, if not more so. I know you shall feel embarrassed to see him again, but you might try to let him know that you are not angry with him. My own misinterpretations of William's silent looks brought us both such pain… I suppose that is why I am so very forward in trying to draw him out. But I shall continue to do it, for I do not wish for there to be such misunderstandings between us again and the only way I know to avoid them is to talk over every last thing with him."

When Elizabeth left, shutting the door softly behind her, Jane allowed herself to flop back onto the bed in a most unladylike manner. Honestly, the idea of facing Mr. Bingley again was terrifying and, had Lizzy not spoken, she might have claimed a headache and begged her mother's leave to remain in her room. Not that Mrs. Bennet would have allowed her to do so, thought Jane in a rare moment of cynicism. After a moment of consideration, the eldest Miss Bennet stood and began to ready herself for the evening.

Though she felt herself prepared to face Mr. Bingley, Jane was still glad of her sister's presence at her side when the gentlemen were shown into Longbourn's drawing room. Mr. Darcy's first look was to Elizabeth, but then he turned to study Jane and she felt such a brotherly protectiveness there that she was finally able to raise her eyes to her own fiancé. When she did, it was easy to see that Charles was just as embarrassed as she felt.

Into this strained situation bustled Mrs. Bennet with her oblivious eagerness to oblige her guests. "Jane, Lizzy--don't just stand there! Welcome the gentlemen!"

Though her mother prattled on, Jane was only aware of her fiancé. Charles had finally raised his eyes and she could plainly see that he was terrified that she would not want him near her. Taking a breath, Miss Bennet managed a friendly smile and held her hand out to him.

In an instant, Bingley was cradling it in his own, bowing deeply and kissing her hand with barely a feather of a touch. When he looked up she could see that the worry was still there but had been partially replaced by wonder. "Welcome, Mr. Bingley."

She loved that his expression was so open, that she could see his relief and love and adoration written all across his face with no attempt at disguise.

"Thank you, Miss Bennet," he breathed.

Noting that the others were distracted, Jane spoke softly for his ears alone. "We need to talk; not now of course, but perhaps tomorrow, when we can find a moment of privacy."

Some of the worry returned to Bingley's face. "Anything you wish. I must apologize, profusely. I can only hope that you do not wish to…"

When his voice cracked, Jane suddenly realized that the poor man believed she was planning to break their engagement. She rushed to relieve him. "If you feel you must apologize, then so must I, for surely our behavior was just as much my fault as your own."

Charles stared into her eyes as though desperately trying to read a sign that was too far off to see clearly.

Jane smiled and did her best to let him see all the love and affection that was in her heart. "For now, though, let us simply enjoy an evening with your future family. My mother is very eager to discuss her plans for the wedding with the four of us."

For a moment, Mr. Bingley remained still, as though he could not quite believe what was before them. It did not take more than a moment, however, and his usual ebullience burst through like a particularly brilliant sunrise. "I cannot think of anything I would rather do!"

Though they did not speak much, the couple did not part for the remainder of the evening, except for a few short minutes when the gentlemen retreated to Mr. Bennet's study for a brandy. Even then, Jane's father was equal parts vexed and amused at the young man's eagerness to return to his daughter's side.

As a result, Mr. Bennet was slightly distracted when Mr. Darcy attempted to speak to him of his concerns over the regiment's return to Meryton. If William was disturbed by his host's inattention, he did his best to hide it.

When the gentlemen returned to the ladies in the drawing room, William watched Bingley move to Jane's side immediately. He had only just assured himself that the lady was pleased with Charles' company when his own fiancé appeared beside him with a cup of coffee.

Smiling, William accepted her offering. Taking an appreciative sip, he said softly, "Just as I like it; I thank you."

Elizabeth's eyes sparkled. "I would be a poor fiancé indeed if I did not know how you like your coffee prepared." The pair shared a warm look before a loud noise from her mother drew their attention to the other side of the room.

Mrs. Bennet had discovered her future son-in-law's plan to open up the Bingley townhouse. "Oh, how wonderful! Just think, Jane, a house in London! How rich you shall be!"

"Mama…" Jane attempted to distract her mother but Mrs. Bennet was too excited.

"Oh, but I must be there! Jane can't possibly make such decisions about redecorating a house without her mother!

"Mama, Aunt Maddy and Lizzy will accompany me."

"Oh no, Jane! Mrs. Gardiner can't possibly know all the right warehouses…"

Miss Bennet was enormously relieved when Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy moved to stand between herself and her mother.

"Lizzy, have you heard the news? Jane shall be redecorating Mr. Bingley's townhouse! Oh, what fun we shall have in London!"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and attempted to think of some way to distract her mother. Luckily, her father's attention had been attracted even as Mrs. Bennet turned to her other daughter's fiancé.

"And Mr. Darcy! Shall we see your house as well? I am so sorry to have missed visiting your estate, but Derbyshire is so far away. Surely you will prefer to spend most of your time in London? Oh, and then Lydia and Kitty can stay with you. Just think of it, my own daughters, the belles of London Society! Such balls and parties you shall have!"

Mrs. Bennet turned to catch her younger daughters in her fantasy. "Girls, shan't you like that? Just think of all the rich gentlemen you shall meet!"

When she finally paused to take a breath, Mr. Bennet called over to her. "Mrs. Bennet, of what are you speaking?"

"Of our trip to London, of course!"

Mr. Bennet raised his voice before she could continue. "We have already discussed this, Madam, and the plan shall not be altered. I have business with Mr. Gardiner, so I will accompany our eldest daughters to London. You shall remain here with the younger girls and make certain that the wedding planning goes smoothly."

The last he threw in as a sop to Fanny's feelings, but it worked well as she brightened immediately.

"Oh, yes, of course. It would be a disaster if I left for two weeks, so close to the wedding." She turned to her second daughter's fiancé. "Mr. Darcy, are you quite satisfied with the date? It is so soon; I do not know if we shall be able to arrange such an affair as you are accustomed."

Elizabeth held her breath but Darcy felt only a sort of amused affection for his future mother-in-law. Having seen the behavior of Lady Catherine and even his Uncle Edward for a time, William appreciated this woman's simple desire to please him. With a small smile (admittedly more than Mrs. Bennet had ever seen the man express), he spoke kindly. "The date is perfect, Mrs. Bennet, and I am certain that the celebration you plan will be lovely. My own parents were married from a small parish church in Derbyshire and I am very happy that mine shall be similar."

While Mrs. Bennet was staring at the gentleman as though she had never seen him before, William turned to see the look of open affection on Elizabeth's face.

Into this silence spoke the youngest Miss Bennet. "Well, I should not like to go to London anyway, not now that the regiment has returned." Lydia shot a superior look at her sisters that Elizabeth was not certain how to interpret.

Darcy was concerned at this evidence that Elizabeth's youngest sister was still enthralled by the militia. Before he could think of anything to say, however, Mrs. Bennet rebuked her offspring. "Don't be foolish, Lydia! I've been known to admire a handsome man in a red coat myself in my day, but those soldiers are nothing to the rich gentlemen to whom your new brothers shall introduce you!"

Lydia's chin jutted out as she glared at her mother. "I don't want to meet their boring old friends! I don't care how rich they are; I want to marry a man who is interesting and exciting and loves me!"

In a whirl of skirts and curls, Lydia stormed out of the room; her progress up the stairs and into her bedroom was easily tracked by the pounding of feet and slamming of doors.

Jane and Elizabeth blushed with mortification even as Darcy was uttering a silent prayer of thanks for his own sister's quiet, gentle manner. Mr. Bennet laughed off the antics of his youngest daughter with a wave of his hand. "Well, well. At least she saved me the trouble of sending her to her room!"

Mrs. Bennet's mind reverted to the wedding planning as though there had been no interruption. Soon she had engaged Mr. Bingley and Jane in a discussion of the menu for the wedding breakfast. Mr. Bennet was just wondering if he might safely retreat to the solitude of his bookroom for the evening when Elizabeth approached him and spoke quietly.

"Papa, I am worried about Lydia. She seems to have become even more fixated on the regiment during their absence, and now that they are returning…" She trailed off; there was something about her youngest sister's words and attitude that had particularly unsettled her, but she could not quite put her finger on it.

Resigned but still irritated that his presence was required in the drawing room until their company left, Mr. Bennet was not in the mood to consider the workings of his youngest daughter's mind. "Don't fret about it, Lizzy--your sister is only behaving as she always does. She shall not be in London to embarrass you, if that is your concern."

This last was said with a slight edge to his voice that prompted Elizabeth to respond immediately. "Indeed, sir, it is not any specific event that worries me, but her general attitude…"

Mr. Bennet waved her off. "The matter is settled, Lizzy. Lydia shall not be attending any assemblies or parties until the wedding, and your mother knows not to entertain the officers here at Longbourn while I am gone. Now then, Mr. Darcy--what about a game of chess? My daughter has spoken highly of your abilities but we have not yet had a game."

William had drawn close enough to listen to the exchange. Like Elizabeth, he was concerned of the trouble the youngest Bennet daughter could get into if she associated herself too closely with the officers (and one officer in particular), but he was unsure of how to reinforce his fiancé's comments to her father without offending the older gentleman.

Hoping that a more private moment might present itself later when he could attempt to speak further on the subject, Darcy agreed to the match and moved with Mr. Bennet to a small table by the window where they proceeded to set up the board and play with only minimal conversation.

It would not have surprised either Elizabeth or William to know that their thoughts ran along a similar path, both hoping that all would be well despite a nagging worry over Lydia's behavior.

Chapter 26. Trip to Londontown

Posted on 2010-11-04

August 1818

In spite of Mrs. Bennet's protests, she was left behind at Longbourn with her three youngest daughters while her husband accompanied Jane and Elizabeth to London. Admittedly, her arguments were even more disjointed than usual, for it could not be denied that Fanny Bennet was reveling in her newfound prominence among the female population of Hertfordshire for having attached not just one but two daughters to such impressive (i.e., rich) gentlemen.

The final straw came when Mr. Bennet (after a nudge from Elizabeth) offered funds for his wife and the younger Miss Bennets to have new dresses made up by their favorite Meryton seamstress, so that all the family would be looking their best at the wedding. Then, even as Mrs. Bennet began to bubble in anticipation, Jane spoke in her usual, serene manner (though Lizzy would later swear to having seen a twinkle of mischief in her eye).

"Mama, perhaps it would be better if none of us went to London. Lizzy and I could have our gowns made in Meryton just as well. I worry about leaving you for two weeks; should we not be here to help plan for the wedding? There seems to be so much to do."

"Certainly not, Jane! What can you be thinking? Marrying such fine gentlemen; of course you must have your wedding dresses made in London! Mrs. Bolton shall do well enough for the younger girls, but the future Mrs. Bingley and Mrs. Darcy must not look like country bumpkins! Don't you worry; I shall be here and see to everything!"

There was some other conversation on the topic but on the whole, Mrs. Bennet had adopted the idea of remaining in Meryton as if it were her own. Of course, that did not prevent her from providing lengthy (highly repetitive) lectures and extensive (though disorganized) lists to Jane and Elizabeth on what they would need to purchase, from morning dresses and ball gowns to slippers and undergarments. Then Mr. Bingley declared his intention to host a dinner at Netherfield on the evening before the wedding and asked Mrs. Bennet to assist in the planning; her effusions reached a decibel that even her husband had never heard before and she had little attention left to direct the minutias of the shopping expedition.

Thus, the Master and Mistress of Longbourn were both content; Mrs. Bennet to stay and plan for the wedding (and revel in her command of an engagement dinner and wedding breakfast, in addition to decorating the church for the ceremony itself), and her husband to escape with his two most sensible daughters to a house which, though not devoid of feminine discussions, did at least promise an excellent selection of books.

And so it was that Mr. Bennet and his two eldest daughters came to be settled in the well-appointed Darcy carriage on a hazy morning in the first week of August. Once Longbourn and her waving sisters were out of sight (minus Lydia, who had not bothered to rise from her bed), Elizabeth looked around at her companions. When her glance settled on her fiancé sitting on the opposite bench with his friend, she let out a contented sigh.

When William quirked an eyebrow, she smiled. "I feel as though I have spent much of the last year in carriages, travelling from place to place."

Amused and curious to see where his daughter might take such an opening line, Mr. Bennet replied, "Ah yes, my dear. Your extensive observations should make you quite an expert. A true proficient, one might even say." He eyed his future son-in-law and was pleased to see that the normally serious young man showed a twinkle of humor.

"Lady Catherine might argue that such proficiency is inborn, not learned. Had she cared to do so, she herself would be a great proficient at all aspects of carriage design," rejoined Lizzy.

Seeing that Darcy was amused but slightly uncomfortable, Mr. Bennet relented. "Are we likely to meet with her Ladyship while in London, Mr. Darcy? I believe that your family have issued several invitations for our company."

"My uncle, Lord Henry Fitzwilliam, is in London for the close of parliament; he and my Aunt Eleanor are looking forward to making your acquaintance. I am afraid that Lady Catherine returned directly to Kent after her visit to Hertfordshire, though she has begun writing to us all again. From her letters, she appears to have forgotten all recent revelations that are inconvenient to her vision of Anne's superior ancestry and connections."

Mr. Bennet's eyebrows rose. "Indeed? But your cousin is still in London, is she not?"

Darcy's expression tightened. "Yes, Anne is staying with my Cousin Ellen and her husband, Lord Parker, though I do not know for how much longer."

Remembering the weak young woman who had visited Longbourn, Jane asked sweetly, "Has Miss de Bourgh been seen by a doctor yet?"

William glanced toward Elizabeth and was steadied by her understanding look. In truth, he was frustrated with his cousin; by all accounts she seemed content to sleep or sit quietly, except for occasional forays to the Bond Street shops where she would purchase sweets or trinkets for herself. She showed little interest in making new acquaintances or even getting to know her Fitzwilliam relations better. A well-regarded specialist had attended her several times and advised a regimen of mild exercise, fresh air, a healthier diet and the eliminations of many of her medicines and reduced dosages of the others. According to Ellen, Miss de Bourgh had listened to the man's recommendations silently but did not seem inclined to exert herself in following them.

Realizing that he had not responded Jane's question, William prevaricated. "She has and we are hoping that his recommendations will improve her health."

"Shall we see her in London?"

"Probably; I expect that Ellen will bring her to the engagement party that the Gardiners are hosting for us. However, I suspect that she shall return to Kent soon. The Earl shall be meeting with the de Bourgh solicitors to discover the details of Anne's inheritance this week, but after that?" Darcy shrugged. "My cousin is not accustomed to being away from her home for any length of time and does not appear to find much pleasure with London's entertainments or Society."

Elizabeth quirked an eyebrow. "Why, Mr. Darcy; she sounds very much like someone I know."

William replied with a leveling look that did not quite mask all of his amusement at her tease. "Though I do not deny my preference for the country, there are certainly some attractions that only London can provide; the opera, the theatre, lectures and scientific demonstrations, for example."

"Book shops…"

Mr. Bennet joined in their laughter; "There you have it, Lizzy! I was beginning to consider having the carriage turned around."

"But Papa, surely you know that our every minute shall be consumed with shopping for dresses, lace and bonnets… and teas with other ladies to discuss those same," teased Lizzy.

Mr. Bennet displayed an exaggerated look of the very real horror he felt, and his feelings were not far different from the other two gentlemen in the carriage. "Mr. Darcy, perhaps I might stay with you instead. You need not provide me with a room; just a blanket and pillow and I shall bed down in your library."

Amid much laughter and friendly teasing, the group discussed their preferences and plans for the autumn, both before and after the wedding. Darcy was forced to admit that he was, for once, almost looking forward to appearing in the Little Season, as it would provide him with the opportunity to show off his beautiful bride before spiriting her away to Derbyshire. (He and Elizabeth had decided to accept Michael Trevor's offer of a seaside cottage retreat for the fortnight following the wedding, after which they would spend two weeks in London before traveling to Pemberley for the winter.)

Bingley had teased his friend by turning to Elizabeth, "Please remember that Jane and I shall be at Pemberley for Christmas and you are welcome to come south with us in January. Darcy here seems not to understand just how miserable those northern winters of his are!"

William responded with mock anger. "Bingley--you are from Yorkshire, for God's sake!"

Charles only shook his head. "Oh no, my friend. Those are my ancestors; I have lived in London for too long and now I have a foothold in Hertfordshire." He and Jane shared a smile before he turned back to Darcy. "My blood has thinned! Why would I desire to return to that icy tundra you call home?"

"It is beautiful in the winter… the snow sparkles on the peaks…"

"Yes, it sparkles for, what? Four hours a day when the sun rises at eleven and sets at three in the afternoon?"

Elizabeth noted with amusement that Darcy was beginning to look positively grumpy. With a gay laugh, she spoke before argument could escalate. "Well, I am looking forward to my first winter in the northern wilderness. Snow shall be a vast improvement over the frozen mud we seem to have for months on end in Hertfordshire. And I expect that I shall not even notice the short days as we shall have such excellent company." The Gardiners and Bingley had both accepted their invitations to spend the Christmas season at Pemberley and William and Elizabeth were both looking forward to it.

"Who else shall be there?" questioned Jane. Though she had heard descriptions of Pemberley and understood it to be a very large estate, she was still having difficulty imagining her sister as mistress of a house which could accommodate so many guests that even Netherfield would be bursting at the seams.

With a happy look to William, Elizabeth began listing off their guest list. "You, Mr. Bingley, and the Gardiners shall be staying the longest, of course. Papa claims he has not yet decided, but I have great hopes that Uncle Edward's descriptions of Pemberley's library shall provide enough of a lure." Father and daughter exchanged a fond look before Elizabeth continued.

"We have invited William's uncle, Sir James Darcy; you will like him, Papa. He is a judge at the old Bailey. And then the Fitzwilliams will come up from Matlock for a few days between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day."

"That shall be quite a houseful," commented Mr. Bennet. Though his heart still clenched with the thought of loosing his favorite daughter, the look of pure affection that Darcy was directing at Elizabeth went a long way in easing a father's pain.

William was wholly unaware of the dreamy look on his face. "Pemberley has not been the site of such a joyful Christmas for many years; since my mother lived, in fact. After that, Grandmother Darcy made sure there was some small celebration for us in the nursery, but my father did not participate except for attending Christmas services and dinner. After Grandmother passed, Georgiana and I would go to Matlock for a few weeks to celebrate with the Fitzwilliams, but Father remained at Pemberley alone."

The group was quiet for some minutes, considering how the money and connections of the Darcys had not guaranteed them happiness.

Mr. Bennet was never one for brooding, however, and he soon shook off the melancholy mood and turned back to Elizabeth.

"But have you not forgotten to invite your foremost connections, Lizzy? What of Mr. Collins?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at her father. "Though I am certain that our cousin would revel in the opportunity to admire the windows and chimney pieces at Pemberley, Charlotte shall be far along in her confinement by December so they shall not be able to travel so far."

Remembering the other occupants of Kent who were known to them, Jane asked tentatively. "And Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh?"

Darcy spoke immediately and decisively. "My aunt shall not be welcome at Pemberley until she apologizes to Elizabeth and shows her the respect due her as Mrs. Darcy."

Lizzy flushed slightly at this demonstration of his loyalty. "I fear that shall take some time."

Darcy's eyes twinkled. "Perhaps not as long as we might have expected. I received a letter from my uncle yesterday. Apparently Lady Catherine's most recent epistle to him was full of plans to debut my cousin in the London Season next spring. If such is her thinking, then I can only guess that she has accepted my defection from her dynastic plans and now begun plotting anew."

Mr. Bennet chuckled. "Well, well. A single man with a large fortune never had much safety in London Society, and even less so this spring, I expect."

"Will Miss Darcy be coming out this spring?" asked Jane.

Darcy looked to Elizabeth, who smiled in reassurance. "We hope so. She is still so shy, and I don't like to force her into it if she doesn't feel ready."

Elizabeth couldn't help but tease. "Mr. Darcy would happily put off his baby sister's presentation until she turns thirty."

Darcy smiled but replied seriously. "We will leave it until January and then make a decision." Secretly he had great hopes that a winter spent in Elizabeth's company would help rebuild his sister's battered confidence. Although Lizzy's words exactly described his feelings, Georgiana would be nearly eighteen and it was time.

Mildly ashamed at how the younger gentleman's conscientious guardianship contrasted to his own lackadaisical manner of raising his progeny, Mr. Bennet turned the conversation to Mr. Bingley. "And what of your family, my boy? Shall Gracechurch Street be overrun by visitors of the Bingley variety?"

Charles smiled sadly. "I'm afraid that there is only my two sisters, Louisa and Caroline, left, sir. My parents and elder brother died in a carriage accident three years ago."

The others made sympathetic noises until Bingley shrugged off the melancholy and continued, "My mother was the only child of only children, so I never got to know any of my Hockenberry relatives. My father's people are from Yorkshire, near Scarborough." He glanced shyly to Jane. "They will not be able to travel to Hertfordshire for the wedding, but I have tentatively accepted an invitation to visit next spring. My aunts especially wish to meet Jane."

Elizabeth smiled, pleased that at least some of the Bingley family appeared to be welcoming her sister. She expected little from the Superior Sisters but cold civility, if that. "Is Charles a family name?" she wondered.

The young man flushed a brilliant red even as Darcy began chuckling. "The lady asked you a question, Bingley," said his friend, attempting to look serious but failing miserably.

By now the Bennets were quite curious at how a relatively common name could cause such a response.

Bingley turned to Darcy accusingly. "I can't believe I ever told you."

Darcy turned to the others and explained. "Bingley had been at school several weeks and was suffering a severe bout of homesickness. He held me captive one night, pouring out every last detail about his childhood that he could dredge up. As a result, I was in the happy situation of knowing any number of embarrassing facts with which to threaten him."

"You were an excellent listener," grumbled Bingley. "Would that you were a better forgetter!"

"Come now, Mr. Bingley," entreated Elizabeth, decidedly amused. "You must tell us the origin of your name now, or we will be forced to interrogate Mr. Darcy for all he can remember."

"Lizzy," tempered her sister, concerned that her sister's lively teasing might truly be upsetting Mr. Bingley.

Charles waved his hand in submission. "Really, it is not such a mystery. My father took great enjoyment in historical tales of great kings. My elder brother was named for King Arthur of Camelot." Here he paused to elbow Darcy, who had begun to chuckle anew. "And I was named for Charlemagne, which I am well aware is a bit off, as I am as unlikely a great military conqueror as ever might be born."

All in the carriage were smiling as Mr. Bennet cocked a brow and noted. "Yes, well my boy, after playing you at chess, I am forced to concur. Perhaps you had best stick to being a gentleman farmer."

As the ensuing laughter quieted, Charles thought to turn the subject to less embarrassing topics, though the soft look in Jane's eyes told him that perhaps he had conquered something quite worthwhile. Mr. Bennet was encouraged to tell stories from his university days with Mr. Gardiner which amused him and kept his daughters and their fiancés entertained for much of the morning.

Although the trip from Meryton to Gracechurch Street was not much more than thirty miles, they were less than half way when a loud rattle prompted the driver to stop. Darcy was highly irritated when a wheel was discovered to be cracked, undoubtedly by one of the larger ruts in the country road.

Fortunately, they had stopped on the outskirts of a small village with a comfortable inn where Darcy was able to arrange for rooms and a private parlor. A local smith was hired to repair the wheel as best he could but William also sent a man to summon his other carriage from London. When he finally sat down with the others and accepted a cup of tea, he began to apologize again until Elizabeth touched him on the arm.

"Such things happen, Mr. Darcy. It could have been far worse; think what might have happened had the carriage been moving at speed."

William looked at her carefully and, reassured by her obvious sincerity, turned to see Bingley and Jane chatting happily with Mr. Bennet. Clearly he was the only one so upset by the delay; the others were so relieved to be gone from Mrs. Bennet's nerves and pleased with the company that they were perfectly content. William forced himself to relax and managed a smile that was matched by Elizabeth.

The village was a pretty one, with a central square shaded by a massive oak and ringed by shops. After luncheon, Mr. Bennet disappeared into the bookshop while the two couples enjoyed a stroll in the afternoon sun.

When they met back at the inn, Thomas Bennet was gloating, having discovered several rare volumes and made the acquaintance of a fellow bibliophile. "Congratulations, Mr. Darcy. This was truly an excellent place for the carriage to break down; I should never have stopped here otherwise, and what a loss that would have been! Mr. Mercer is an odd character to be sure, but he seems to have an unparallelled nose for finding rare volumes of Greek philosophy at estate auctions."

Neither Bingley nor Darcy had ever seen Mr. Bennet in such a jubilant mood, and soon Jane and Lizzy were giggling at their amazed expressions. It was some minutes before their father caught on to the reason for their amusement, but it did not dampen his enthusiasm. William and Elizabeth were easily drawn in to a discussion of the books he had purchased and the remainder of the afternoon was spent in easy conversation.

Before the group sat down for dinner, the blacksmith delivered the news that he had managed a temporary fix on the wheel that would hold until they could get it to a proper carriage shop in London. Even so, Darcy was relieved when his own man arrived at the inn with word that a second carriage had been brought from London.

After a simple but well-prepared supper, Darcy settled down to a game of chess with Mr. Bennet while Charles and Jane sat quietly talking on a sofa by the fire. Elizabeth moved to freshen her father and fiancé's teacups before turning back to retrieve her own.

Attuned to Elizabeth's movements, Darcy noticed her pause by the door and cock her head at noises coming from the hall. He was surprised enough to rise to his feet when she suddenly flung open the door and, stepping into the hall, uttered a shocked "Lydia!" and reappeared in the doorway practically dragging her youngest sister. Lydia had liquor on her breath, her clothes were askew, and her hair was coming unbound though it had been stuffed into her bonnet in some half-hearted attempt at propriety.

Behind her, none other than Mr. Wickham appeared in the doorway, scarlet coat unbuttoned and leering, "Well, well, little Miss Lizzy… we shall have some fun tonight." He was too drunk to focus on more than one point at a time. The rapid movement of Darcy brought a moment of clarity. "Erhmm…. Darcy. Oh, and Mr. Bennet. How lovely to see you all. If you will excuse me, I must be seeing to the… er… horses." With a jerky bow, he was gone.

Mr. Bennet was pale, too shocked to even stand. Bingley had risen as Jane moved to assist Elizabeth with a soused younger sister who was loudly demanding to be allowed to go with "her Georgie," claiming their congratulations as she was on her way to Gretna Green to be married.

Elizabeth looked to her father, who had still not moved, and then to William. Understanding her perfectly, Darcy spoke firmly to his future father-in-law. "Mr. Bennet, you will wish to see to your daughter. Bingley and I shall see to Mr. Wickham, sir." Mr. Bennet shook himself out of his shock, nodded weakly to Darcy, and finally moved to his daughters. "Bingley." Darcy barely glanced toward his friend and swept out the door, the younger man a step behind.

As the two stormed down the stairs to the main floor of the inn, they heard raised voices outside in the stable yard. The gentemen emerged in time to see Wickham desperately trying to pull himself into the saddle of a large but uncooperative bay mare, while simultaneously trying to rip the reins out of the hands of her rider… an equally large, heavyset man dressed in the manner of a merchant.

Before the two gentlemen could do anything, the merchant let loose his fist and with one blow, Wickham crumbled in an unconscious heap in the mud. Calming his horse with one hand on her neck, the merchant looked up to see Darcy and Bingley in the doorway. "Ahem. Sirs, my apologies if he's a friend of yours, but the fool just burst out here and tried to grab me mare."

With a black look, Darcy responded "No, sir. There are some obligations that we wish to see him about ourselves." The merchant grinned, shrugged, and went on his way. Leaving Bingley to keep watch over the unconscious Wickham, Darcy rounded up his trusted valet and two of his larger footmen. His valet had been with him since university and knew much of Wickham's past. As it happened, both of the footmen had sisters who had been abandoned in a bad way by Wickham and had been looked after by Darcy in his usual manner of cleaning up behind his father's godson.

Working together, the men dragged a muddy Wickham up to small but thankfully unoccupied room on the inn's second floor. Leaving his servants to "care" for their charge, Darcy and Bingley returned to the parlor where they found Mr. Bennet sitting in an armchair with his head in his hands, and Elizabeth pacing up and down the room with what Caroline Bingley would consider most unladylike passion.

Elizabeth looked up at their entrance, her eyes widening with alarm. "Did…"

Without a thought Darcy went to his fiancé and took her in his arms, saying, "We stopped him, my love. My men are watching him and will tell me when he wakes." At her confused look, he explained "Wickham attempted to steal a horse--he was knocked down by its owner even before we got there. Your sister?"

"Ah. Jane has taken Lydia to her room to try to settle her down, even to sleep off the… effects." Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to mention the amount of whiskey that her sister appeared to have consumed. "From what I understand of her ramblings, Wickham convinced her to come with him as an elopement. They waited until after we had left, 'borrowed' one of the militia's curricles, and set out a few hours after we left this morning." With disgust in her voice and eyes downcast, she added "Lydia was deliriously happy to stop in London before heading to Gretna Green."

Thinking quickly, Darcy squeezed her hand and said haltingly… "So, they had not yet…"

Elizabeth's eyes flew to his-- "No, they had not yet… been together."

"Then, there should still be a way through this other than marriage." At this, Mr. Bennet finally looked up. "Sir, with all due respect to your family, which shall soon be mine as well, I have known George Wickham since childhood, and with such an understanding of his morals and base habits I would strongly advise against attaching him to your daughter."

"Even one who has shown her own lack." Mr. Bennet sighed deeply, but seeing Mr. Darcy about to speak again he waved the younger man down. "No, no. I agree. Lydia may be one of the silliest girls in England, but even she does not deserve to be shackled to such a blackguard at fifteen… even if she thinks it a joyous opportunity. Oh, my dear Lizzy, what are we to do?"

Elizabeth glanced from her father to her fiancé, and then forced herself into a more positive, confident frame of mind. She moved to ring the bell rope; "Well, first I shall send for a fresh pot of tea, and then, it seems, some plotting is in order." Making her request to the maid at the door, the tea was delivered within minutes and all moved to sit in a grouping by the fire. After pouring for the others and then preparing a cup for herself, Elizabeth took a breath and focused on what needed to be done.

"As I see it, there are three issues which must be dealt with. First, we must determine a way to notify Longbourn that Lydia is with us, without giving my mother any information that would alarm her." The gentlemen nodded, everyone silently agreeing that Mrs. Bennet would not be able to refrain from gossiping about any scandal. "For this reason, I believe it would be best for Lydia to come with us to London, as though it had been planned so all along. This brings us to what is to be done with her. For now, I would hope that the Gardiners will take her under their roof. We shall all work to keep her under control and attempt to make her understand what great harm her behavior might have caused." At this, she glanced at her father, who seemed to have aged a decade over the last hours, but was at least following along and nodding in agreement.

Mr. Bennet spoke softly. "That will do for now. I shall write your mother a note saying that Lydia so wanted to come to London that I changed my mind and allowed her to join us when she caught up to us on the road. The less information the better, I think." The others nodded quietly. "Then there is your sister. I agree that taking her with us to the Gardiners is the best plan for now. They are both sensible, and may even allow me the use of a room with a lock to keep her under key." At this he grimaced feebly and Elizabeth looked on with concern.

"But we cannot leave her there. Eventually, we must return to Longbourn, and the Gardiners have their own brood to care for. As much as I might like to, I cannot in good conscience leave her to them to deal with, when her behavior is at least in part my own fault." At Elizabeth's start, he said "No, no, now Lizzy. I remember your advice to me some months past. Considering the present circumstance it shows some greatness of mind, I think. And yet, I worry to take Lydia back to Longbourn, for fear that returning her to the same environment may make it difficult to effect any of the necessary changes in her behavior." He sighed again.

"If I may suggest, sir," said Mr. Darcy "my own aunt might be able to provide some assistance on that score." At the odd looks from Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth, and even Bingley, he quickly emended "my Aunt Eleanor, that is."

"The Countess of Matlock." Elizabeth noted quietly. She breathed deeply when William nodded. These were the very relations of her fiancé whom she was traveling to London to meet for the first time, and was desperately hoping to please. To arrive with her least favorite sister recently plucked out of a potential scandal was not the face she had hoped to put forward.

Darcy took her hand and squeezed it in reassurance. "Their youngest daughter, my cousin Lucy, was quite wild at that age, to the point of being uncontrollable in both speech and actions. When she turned fourteen, it was clear that something drastic needed to be done. Aunt Eleanor sorted through ladies seminaries to find a school with the right balance of good education for the girls, high morals of the teachers and," here he quirked his lips a bit, "an isolated location in Scotland where, even should the girl try to absent herself from her situation, her minders would notice and find her before she was able to reach anything other than sheep pastures." Bingley chuckled a bit and dared to wonder how such a place compared to the London seminary his own sisters had attended. "After two years, Lucy's behavior was under much more ladylike regulation, though her spirit was not crushed."

Mr. Bennet breathed deeply, then nodded as though to himself. "Very well, Mr. Darcy. Should your aunt honor us with her advice, then that seems the best avenue to follow."

"Papa, I think that such an arrangement would also benefit Kitty. She has always followed where Lydia has led, but I have hope that with the removal of such an influence, she will settle and improve," said Elizabeth, moving to touch her father's hand. At this, he glanced up and smiled at her, with the first genuine warmth she had seen from him since the muddle had begun.

"Unfortunately, that still leaves us with the problem of Lieutenant Wickham." All four simultaneously sighed. Lifting his tea for another sip, Mr. Bennet continued; "As much as it pains me to admit it, I fear that to do anything but send the villain along his way with nothing but a headache will raise the threat of scandal. If I accuse him, I will have to make public what he has done. And what Lydia has done."

"Sir, if I may." Darcy interjected. "My cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, is in the Horse Guards and is as intimately acquainted with Wickham's character as myself. As you all know, this is not the first time that this sort of situation has arisen connected to the man. I believe that Richard would be able, and in fact eager to help us. Lieutenant Wickham has absented himself from his regiment, I suspect without leave, and with a horse and vehicle that I also suspect were not given into his use for such an excursion.

"If Wickham has run true to form, I expect to find extensive debts left behind with the merchants in Brighton, as well as debts of honor among his fellow officers. When I pay them, these, added to the other notes that I have signed to cover Wickham's debts over the years should be more than enough to put his liberty in peril." Darcy hesitated at this point to say outright that he thought it not impossible that George might be tossed on a ship loaded with convicts bound for Australia. The small part of his heart that had not been steeled against the man hoped that such an extreme might give his father's godson a chance for a fresh start. Even now, he could not coutenance testifying to have his boyhood companion hung for his crimes.

They sat quietly thinking of this for a minute, until a log fell in the grate and Miss Bennet quietly opened the door from the other room and entered. Jane looked exhausted and Elizabeth flew across the room to embrace her dear sister. "She is asleep," murmured Jane. Looking over Elizabeth's shoulder to Mr. Darcy, she added "Your man is watching from the hall to ensure that our sister not try to…" Here she paused to steel herself. "To slip out and find Mr. Wickham."

Elizabeth pulled her tighter. "Oh Lizzy, she has absolutely no concept that what she has done is wrong. No misunderstanding, no confusion. She neither knows nor cares that Wickham was taking her to live together in London, unmarried. She thinks it some fine adventure to be had… and even that I should envy her." Here Jane finally broke down and sobbed on her sister's shoulder. Mr. Bennet's head went back down into his hands where he himself might release a few tears unnoticed. Darcy and Bingley glanced to each other, young men still uncomfortable with women's tears but deeply concerned by their beloveds' anguish.

Darcy looked to Elizabeth, and with that same unspoken communication that was building between them, asked what he could do to help. With her eyes, she brought his attention to the teapot, now sitting cold and nearly empty. The lukewarm dregs had been forced down Lydia's throat in an effort to counteract Wickham's liquor. Nodding his understanding, Darcy moved to the bell rope and, for the third time that evening, a fresh pot of tea was ordered to the private parlor of the inn.

By the time the maid arrived with the pot and settings, Jane had composed herself enough to sit quietly on the sofa beside Bingley, who took her hand the instant the servant left the room. The room was quiet but for the sound of cups on saucers as everyone but Mr. Bennet took their first sip. "Well then…" said the older gentleman, finally forcing himself to take some control of the situation. "Jane, thank you for sitting with your sister and settling her down. While you were absent, your gentlemen here were able to ascertain that Lieutenant Wickham will be staying the night at the inn and secured his presence when we depart in the morning."

Jane looked to Elizabeth to explain their father's meaning. Lizzy just shook her head slightly at her sister in assurance that she would explain the details later. Mr. Bennet continued; "It has been decided that we shall adhere to our plan to travel to the Gardiners' home on the morrow. Luckily, we are now in possession of two carriages."

Darcy nodded curtly and, already thinking ahead, spoke up, "With your leave, sir, I will send an express to my Cousin Richard tonight, apprising him of the situation and asking him to meet me at my townhouse. If necessary, I have room and men to prevent Wickham's flight before we finalize arrangements."

Mr. Bennet nodded "Yes, yes, very well. And I have a letter to write myself. So girls, how best to explain this to your mother?"

"Papa," said Elizabeth. "Perhaps it is best to give as much truth as possible to prevent any anomalies from being noticed. Perhaps it would be enough to tell Mama that, upon hearing that we were delayed not twenty miles from Meryton, Lydia spoke of her desire to travel with us to Lieutenant Wickham, and he offered to bring her to meet us in a borrowed curricle. Having met here, you have agreed to take her with us to London. Driving three hours alone with an officer in an open curricle marks her as a bit wild, but such is in keeping with what everyone already expects of her. As long as their intention remains unknown, her reputation shall not be too badly hurt."

Listening carefully, Darcy nodded immediately. "I doubt Wickham was stupid enough to announce his intention to desert before accomplishing the deed. There will be some talk among the officers who knew him, but he does everything he can to present an image of gentlemanly conduct to better encourage them to gamble with him. I doubt many suspect his true nature and thus would not blacken Lydia's name solely on her choice of companion for a curricle ride. Many are younger sons of gentleman, themselves with sisters."

Mr. Bennet nodded slightly, then took a deep breath and said, "Well, so be it. Lydia charmed an officer into a curricle ride to meet us, being desperate to help her sisters prepare for their weddings." He nodded again, looking to his eldest daughters for agreement, then rose and walked to the small table by the window, still laid with the chess game he had begun with his future son-in-law. He thought to make a joke on the irony of him, an unreliable correspondent at best, leaving a chess match unfinished to write his wife. He could not quite frame the words, however, and so silently pulled out paper from a drawer and began to mend the pen and write his note.

Though desiring to stay with Elizabeth, Darcy knew that his own notes must be dispatched quickly, so after squeezing her hand, he left for his room to write his cousin of Wickham's latest plague and arrange for two express riders, one for London and one for Meryton. When the door closed behind him, Elizabeth turned to her sister and Mr. Bingley sitting together on the sofa. In quiet murmurs, the three traded information and what comfort they could. In a short time, the letters were sent and it was decided all would retire. Jane agreed to share her bed with Lydia, as neither sister now trusted the younger not to run off in the night.

The next morning, Lydia descended to the main floor of the inn, attended by her sisters. As they were passing through the common room, the youngest Miss Bennet noticed Wickham sitting at a table with his two guards, complaining about his subpar breakfast (dusty porridge and weak tea). Before her sisters could restrain her, Lydia flew to her paramour.

"Oh, dear George! Isn't this lovely? We're all going to London together for the wedding! My sisters shall be my bridesmaids and I heard Mr. Darcy say that his own cousin is a colonel in the Horse Guards and will be meeting us, as well as Colonel Forster! You shall wear your red coat and we shall be attended by such high-ranking officers! Perhaps he shall bring Mrs. Forster and she can come shopping with me for my wedding gown!"

Unfortunately for Lydia, Wickham was hungover, ill-tempered, and aching over his entire body from the beating he had taken the night before. A flick of his arm pushed the young lady away, and his mean sneer was like nothing she has seen him display before. "Bah… stop pawing on me, you stupid wench! All you're good for is a bit of fun--you're the last woman in the world that I could ever be prevailed upon to marry!"

Hearing this, Lydia stood very straight and very still for a moment, her sisters moving to her side. Bingley and Darcy had entered the room in time to hear Wickham's words and see three beautiful Bennet women, standing shoulder to shoulder, eyes sparkling with fury at Wickham. As the other men in the room gaped, Wickham stood, still bleary but vaguely aware that something was wrong.

Lydia blinked, squared her shoulders and stepped forward to stand just before Wickham. "Humph!" she said before her right hand flew and slapped him so hard that he staggered. She turned away and swept from the room without a word, just as Elizabeth stepped forward and repeated the action before following her younger sister out the door.

Wickham took longer to stand upright this time, and when he did, he found himself faced with the eldest Bennet sister. Like many, he had always considered Jane Bennet to be a sweet, pliable thing with little in the way of strong emotions. Neglecting the sparks flying from her blue eyes, he attempted a conciliatory smile with his aching jaw. It was his misfortune that Jane Bennet, unlike her sisters, was left-handed. This final slap left his head ringing and as he attempted to sit on his chair (now overturned), he ended up on the floor, groaning.

As Darcy and Bingley stood gaping, Mr. Bennet stepped out of the shadows. "That, my boys, is what you get when you cross a Bennet lady." He followed his daughters out of the inn, still chuckling.

After organizing Wickham and his guards into the second carriage, Darcy and Bingley ventured up to the first, fearing to find the sisters in tears. Instead, they found three silent ladies sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, fierce in attitude.

"Mr. Darcy, are we ready to depart?" demanded Miss Jane Bennet.

"Yes, of course Miss Bennet." Darcy assured her, feeling all of eight-years-old when his governess had caught him smuggling a puppy into his room.

Mr. Bennet chuckled quietly and climbed into the carriage to sit opposite his daughters while the two young men moved to mount their horses. Only Mr. Bennet could see that Jane and Elizabeth each had one of Lydia's hands held in a tight grip.