Beginning, Section II, Next Section

Chapter 7

Posted on 2008-09-01

The next day the roads' condition was not much improved so the unanticipated visitors were forced to stay at Pemberley a day longer. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst both late risers, which caused them to miss breaking their fast with everyone else, and after that they disappeared into one of Pemberley's many sitting rooms.

"I believe our brother to be in grave danger," Caroline jumped right to the point as soon as she and her sister settled down in the blue sitting room.

Mrs. Hurst looked sceptical.

"I overheard a conversation yesterday between the Miss Bennets, and Miss Jane said that she loves our brother," Caroline whispered, leaving out the fact that dear Georgiana was part of this distressing conversation.

Mrs. Hurst gasped, "What does our brother feel about Miss Bennet? And how many times do I have to tell you not to eavesdrop?"

Caroline promptly ignored her sister's reprimand and answered Louisa's first question. "I believe that he loves her; we must remove him from this situation like we have done in the past."

"But what about Farrington?" Louisa asked.

"What about Farrington?"

"Oh dear! I forgot to tell you! Farrington Park is but three miles from Loungbourn, which is the Bennets' residence," Louisa explained. "Being such close neighbours, we cannot keep Charles from meeting up with them."

"Can we persuade him not to go?" Caroline was beginning to become desperate.

"He has already invited Mr. Darcy and Georgiana," Louisa informed her.

"We can have Mr. Darcy persuade him that the match would a mistake," Caroline truly started grasping at straws.

"Mr. Darcy might not help; it may be just up to us," Louisa mused.

"Do you mean to tell me that he might be so captivated by Miss Eliza that he will not help save his friend from an imprudent marriage?" Caroline asked incredulously.

"Yes I do, but that is not the worst of it," Louisa lowered her voice. "You must secure him before Miss Eliza renders him unattainable."

"Are you saying that he might make her an offer?"

"You have not seen them interact lately due to your illness. Miss Eliza is always trying to draw Mr. Darcy's attention to herself. The worst part is that he seems to have fallen into her trap!" Louisa said.

"I should have known when he called her handsome..." Caroline muttered to herself.

"Pardon?"

"Never mind. The main obstacle is separating Charles and Miss Bennet; Mr. Darcy knows his duty to his family," Caroline said.

"Do you have any ideas, sister?" Louisa asked.

"We could bring him back to London earlier," Caroline suggested.

"That is not possible; the Gardiners are hosting a ball at Netherfield Park the day before we depart for London and Mr. Darcy already said that we would go."

"What else have I missed? And when was I to be informed of this?"

"When we received the actual invitation. Yesterday at the picnic, Mrs. Gardiner mentioned the possibility of a ball, and when her nieces agreed to the idea everyone said that they would be there. I believe that you are fully caught up, now."

"If we cannot leave until our planned departure and Charles already invited Mr. Darcy and his sister, it seems the only thing that we can do is persuade him that his darling Miss Bennet does not love him as he loves her." Caroline smiled.

"That is a good idea, sister, but will Charles still pursue her?" Louisa asked.

"Do you have any better ideas?" Louisa shook her head. "Then that is a chance we must take."

A knock on the door startled them both.

"Who is it?" Caroline called.

"It is Elizabeth."

"Come in," Caroline replied unhappily. When Elizabeth came in Caroline demanded, "Do you need something?"

Elizabeth was undaunted by Caroline's tone. "I was sent to find you; we are to have dinner."

Caroline scoffed, "Pemberley has very adequate servants, I am sure we would have been fine had one of them come to announce dinner in your stead."

"Normally, yes, but I was going to the library so I volunteered to announce dinner myself," Elizabeth explained. Miss Bingley brushed past Elizabeth and when Mrs. Hurst went to do the same Elizabeth stopped her.

"Can I speak with you for a minute?"

"What do you wish to speak about?" Mrs. Hurst inquired.

"I could not help but overhear the last part of your conversation when I came to the door--and I ask you to not interfere with my sister and your brother's relationship. I know that you want to move your family's name up in society, but consider his happiness. Would you want him to be miserable because he married a beautiful heiress instead of the woman he loved?"

Those points hit Mrs. Hurst hard as she had married a man of fashion rather than waiting for the man whom she loved.

"Do you want him always to think that my sister was indifferent to him? I know you love your brother even if you do not show it. Do not cause him to be trapped in a loveless marriage; consider what it will do to him."

Mrs. Hurst had always resented her marriage, the lack of love and care that her husband showed. Did she want to make her younger brother face the same pain as she did every day? Her choices were clear. She could make her brother live without love or respect for his marriage partner or she could let him marry a gentlewoman who was not in their social sphere. Mrs. Hurst knew her answer, but stalled, "I will consider it, Miss Elizabeth."

"Thank you."

By the time the three ladies joined the rest of the group, Mrs. Hurst and Elizabeth had caught up with Miss Bingley, and Elizabeth lagged slightly behind. At the table everyone had already chosen their spot, leaving two empty spots near Georgiana and one empty spot near Bingley, Jane, and Darcy.

In the end Elizabeth sat near Darcy, as neither of the Bingley sisters wanted to sit next to her. Dinner went by smoothly and quietly. Quickly, supper came around with the announcement that by tomorrow or the day after the roads would be clear enough for everyone to travel home.

This announcement was received with mixed feelings. Some people enjoyed this impromptu gathering, while others were happy to see the end of it, namely Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.

After supper everyone went back to their previous nights' pursuits. Mrs. Hurst was abnormally quiet, pondering Miss Eliza's reasoning. She knew that in the end she would tell Miss Eliza that she would not interfere, but many of the reasons applied to her life and marriage as well. The truth was that she was not happy with her marriage partner, just as many of her friends who had also made marriages of convenience, but then they would scorn love-matches that were made when one partner was superior to the other. Was that because they were jealous that those people had a happiness that they would never feel?

"Louisa?" her sister asked

"Did you say something?"

"I was just saying to dear Georgiana how much I like her little table design. Is it not superior to Miss Grantley's?" Caroline repeated herself, vexed at her sister's inattention.

"Yes, of course I agree, very much superior," Louisa replied, with an obvious lack of enthusiasm.

"And I was quite delighted to hear your improvement at the harp," Caroline continued.

"Thank you, Miss Bingley." Georgiana blushed at the attention.

"Do you not agree, Louisa?"

"Pardon?" Mrs. Hurst only heard her name.

"We were quite delighted to hear Georgiana's improvement at the harp," Caroline prodded.

"Oh, yes, very much. It is amazing."

Caroline was quite put out with Louisa's behaviour and quickly made it known. "I dare say, Louisa, you are getting as bad as your husband!" She exclaimed.

The room went silent at this shriek. Louisa blushed a shade akin to that of a tomato, something that she had not done for years. Mr. Hurst woke up at the noise and exclaimed, "Yes, I agree, damn tedious waste of an evening," and promptly fell back asleep.

Caroline knew that she had gone too far and quickly excused herself. After Caroline left, Louisa reflected on her sister's behaviour, ‘Do I want to be like her?' she thought, and realized that the answer to that question was a definite and resounding ‘No!' This episode added yet another reason for Louisa to determine not meddle with her brother's courtship.

The next morning the roads were clear, which meant that everyone could head home and that the last opportunity for Mrs. Hurst to talk to Miss Elizabeth privately was soon passing. The carriages that brought everyone to Pemberley were called and the entire group walked out to the carriages as one large procession. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Elizabeth walked next to each other.

"The thing we spoke of," Mrs. Hurst said to her, discreetly.

"Yes?"

"I will not get involved with it. I will support him, what ever the outcome."

"Thank you." The ladies curtseyed and parted, Mrs. Hurst to Pemberley, Miss Elizabeth to her carriage. Mr. Bingley handed in Jane and Miss Eddings. Mr. Darcy handed in Elizabeth, savouring the warmth of her hand in his. He held her hand for a second longer than necessary, causing her to blush. She sat down in the carriage. Mr. Darcy closed the door and as soon as the carriages in front of them had departed, their carriage was off. Elizabeth looked back at the quickly fading figure and stared at him until he was out of sight

Posted on 2008-09-07

Miss Bingley assumed that her sister would help separate Miss Bennet and Charles, as it was not the first time she had suggested that they do so. So two days after everyone left Pemberley, she was in for shock. The day was quite dreary. Due to the grey skies and rain, Mr. Darcy and her brother stayed in while Georgiana was off as usual visiting her new close friends. The only subject that could hold Charles' attention was Jane Bennet, and Mr. Darcy had made himself scarce. After listening to Miss Bennet's perfections for an hour Caroline drug her sister out of the sitting room.

"We must do something."

"About what, Caroline?" Louisa nervously asked, she had the feeling that in a moment she would have to tell her sister that she was not going to assist in separating Charles and Miss Bennet.

"You know very well, what. We must separate them, and quickly."

Louisa took a deep breath and shifted uneasily from side to side, "Caroline, I---I am not going to intervene in their relationship. Jane Bennet is a gentleman's daughter while we are merely the children of a tradesman. While not superior to us in wealth, she would be a tolerable match for our brother." ‘Not to mention that they love each other, but that is not something that Caroline would understand,' Louisa thought.

"I cannot believe this! You must help me."

"I refuse to help you, Caroline. It is not our place to do so." Louisa decided not to even try to explain why.

"What do you mean, ‘you refuse'? Of course it is our place, we are his nearest relations! If it is not our place, whose is it?" Caroline would not accept her sister's refusal to help.

"It is no one's place, Caroline; it is our brother's life."

Caroline sputtered for a while, "But that has not affected you before, why should it do so now?"

"Because I had not realized it before. Nothing you say will persuade me otherwise," Louisa declared resolutely.

"Very well, I shall know how to act," Caroline declared.

A week after Elizabeth and Jane returned from Pemberley and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner returned from Bryson House, the ladies of Netherfield started planning the Netherfield Ball. As it was the first ball that any of them had planned, they wanted to have plenty of time to make sure everything was perfect. The eldest of the two Gardiner daughters joined in the preparation, learning how to host a ball. Since neither of the girls was old enough to go to the ball, Rebecca being eight and Anna ten, the Miss Gardiners were allowed to watch part of the ball from a point on the grand staircase where they would not be seen.

Jane and Elizabeth found that, unlike what they had previously believed, they were naturals at planning the ball. No detail was too small to be taken care of by one, or both, of the ladies, and by the week of the ball everything was set. During the month of preparation Miss Eddings, Miss Ashley, and Georgina had frequently called on Netherfield to help with the ball and to be a break from the planning, when needed. On one of the days that the three did not call on the Gardiner household the three ladies made a trip over to the Ryders' home. In Netherfield's sitting room the topic of the youngest Ryder daughter was brought up. All five of the ladies shared the opinion that Miss Amy Ryder was neglected due to the fact that she did not follow in her mother's footsteps. It was decided that they would call on her to see if she wished to become better acquainted with the five friends.

As it was, Miss Amy was having a particularly bad day when Misses Ashley, Eddings, and Darcy called. Her mother was making an extra loud fuss about the fact that her youngest daughter would never marry if she was so smart, so witty, and so opinionated. Mrs. Ryder's only consolation was that Amy was too shy to be impertinent to new acquaintances, especially gentlemen. At the end of this discourse a carriage bearing the Darcy seal was pulled up the drive. While Mrs. Ryder was disappointed when three ladies exited the carriage, rather than Mr. Darcy coming for one of her darling eldest daughters, the loss was made up for due to the fact that a friendship with Miss Darcy would throw her daughters into the path of rich men. Amy slinked away to the library, knowing that the ladies did not come for her, snuggling up on a chair with Much Ado About Nothing. She was vastly surprised---almost as surprised as her mother---when the visitors asked to be shown in to the library to join her.

Mrs. Ryder was shocked, to say the least, when Miss Darcy and her two friends asked to see Miss Amy Ryder, especially that they would join her in the library, rather than wait for her in a sitting room. To make up for the fact that Miss Darcy asked for her youngest daughter, rather than one, or all, of the eldest three, Mrs. Ryder sent her other daughters to the library. You can imagine her surprise when, thirty minutes later, she peeked into the library only to find that it was empty. She asked a passing servant where her daughters and guests were and the reply was:

"Miss Darcy, Miss Eddings, Miss Ashley, and Miss Amy went to tour the park; the other three Miss Ryders are in the sitting room, ma'am." The maid curtseyed and went to rush away, but Mrs. Ryder stopped her again.

"Which sitting room?" she asked. While Bryson House was not nearly as grand as Pemberley, it, like Netherfield Park, was substantial; therefore it had many rooms, including three sitting rooms.

"The yellow sitting room, ma'am." With that the servant finally was able to escape the mistress.

Mrs. Ryder stormed into the yellow sitting room and demanded of her perfect daughters, "Why are you not with our guests?"

"They requested Amy's company, Mama," Her eldest replied, quietly.

"And only Amy's company, Mama," Added the second eldest, in a whispered tone, a tone which was never spoken in unless their mother was quite upset.

"They wished to see our fountain. That is a four person path, even if they wished for us to join them, it would have been rather awkward," The third daughter added. She was by far the boldest of the daughters, so bold that she would disregard her mother's temper even at the worst of moments.

"I see," Mrs. Ryder fumed, her youngest so singled out, it was unthinkable; and not only that, but Amy would not know how to use it to her advantage.

Meanwhile, outside, Amy was enjoying herself, something quite rare since her father's death five years ago. The young ladies lost track of the time due to how much fun they were having. Miss Darcy easily brought Miss Amy out of her shell, due to their similarities in dispositions. They invited Miss Amy to join them tomorrow when they called on Netherfield Park. "And make sure that you have hours to spend there. The Gardiners and their nieces are so kind and welcoming that they would most likely ask you to join them for dinner." Miss Darcy added.

"I will come, but could someone give me a ride home? We only have a few carriages and my brothers took one when they left to tour the lakes."

"You will have no trouble getting a carriage tomorrow; I can promise you that," Miss Ashley said.

The six girls became good friends in the course of Amy's first visit to Netherfield. By the end of the visit they referred to each other by name: Jane, Elizabeth, Diane, Eileen, Georgiana, and Amy. They felt like sisters, but understood each other better. In the two weeks before the ball, Amy could be seen with her new friends more often than with her own sisters. The girls made a promise: the four girls would go to Netherfield Park on the day of the ball hours early to help finish the preparations, and then they would all get ready together.

Also, throughout the month between the impromptu visit to Pemberley and the Netherfield Ball, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley frequently joined the ladies on walks, visits, and the occasional dinner. While they did not formally court Elizabeth and Jane, the neighbourhood talked of their upcoming marriages, of course all of this talk was discreet and never in the presence of any of the people involved. Acting as any good sisters would, the Bennet sisters' closest friends always gave them space when Darcy and Bingley were around. Naturally, that did not keep them from teasing their friends about the gentlemen's attentions when the gentlemen were not near, but it worked out well. Mrs. Ryder was put out that her daughter did not catch the attentions of Mr. Darcy, but she figured that the future Mrs. Darcy---for that is what she called Miss Elizabeth in her mind---could raise Amy's chances at marrying well.

A few days before the ball Mr. Darcy came upon Elizabeth while she was reading a letter.

"I hope that I am not interrupting you," he ventured.

"The interruption is not unwelcome, I assure you. I had just finished reading a letter from my sister Mary; it seems that she is engaged to Mr. Collins, the gentleman who inherits Loungbourn upon my father's death."

"Have you met her fiancé?" Mr. Darcy inquired.

"No, he came to Loungbourn in search of a wife about a month ago. He proposed to my sister a few days before he left, roughly a fortnight ago. My sister wrote the address very ill, causing the letter to only arrive today."

"Is he a good match for your sister?"

"Materially it is, of course, but I am not so sure as to how they get on. From what I hear from my sister, she definitely admires him, but I am not so sure if it is a love-match. From what I heard from my father, he is quite silly and stupid, always going on about his noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh."

Mr. Darcy slowly smiled, "Lady Catherine you say? Of Rosings Park?"

"Yes, do you know of it?"

"Definitely, my aunt is Lady Catherine."

"Is she as perfect as my cousin describes?" Elizabeth asked because her sister devoted a multiple paragraphs quoting her fiancé about the condescension of the great lady.

Darcy started coughing," Maybe we are not talking of the same person." Mr. Darcy left his explanation at that and Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, so he added, "Lady Catherine... enjoys getting her own way and gets... upset... when she does not."

"I see." Elizabeth gestured to the seat next to her, Mr. Darcy took it, and they sat in comfortable silence for a while.

"I was wondering if you would dance the first with me at your ball---that is, if you are not otherwise engaged."

"I would be delighted," Elizabeth promptly replied. A few minutes later Mr. Darcy left. Afterwards, when the friends gathered, Elizabeth related the contents of her meeting with Mr. Darcy to her friends and sister. According to Jane, Mr. Bingley had asked her for the same dance as well. There was much giggling and teasing to accompany this news

Posted on 2008-09-15

The day of the Netherfield Ball was perfect. There was no rain, no snow, no fast winds, just a nice, crisp breeze of November air that lightly blew across the fields. Servants scurried around the house, hanging the last of the decorations, placing candles, dusting, and making the house perfect for the ball that night. Mrs. Gardiner stayed in the ballroom as a result of frequently being called there to help clear up any confusion. Her daughters were being taught, as usual, by their governess; and her sons were being cared for by the nursemaid. Jane and Elizabeth escaped from the house immediately after breakfast for a walk, and after dinner they helped their aunt with the ball. Not long after, their four friends joined them, along with their respective maids and finery. As there was not much to do by that time the seven ladies gathered in the drawing room for tea. The afternoon flew by and soon the six girls assembled in Jane and Elizabeth's rooms to get ready for the ball.

The ladies chatted as they dressed in all but their gowns and had their hair fixed by their maids. They borrowed feathers and clips and such from each other, sharing their ideas with the group and improving on each other's. Most of all they conversed about the upcoming ball and the first dance.

"All of you teased Jane and me mercilessly about the fact that Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy claimed our first dances, and as I must have my share of the teasing," Elizabeth said provocatively, "who claimed yours?"

"No one," Amy blushed, looking down in embarrassment.

"Do not distress yourself, Amy. There is still plenty of time until the ball, not every gentleman is engaged for the first set." Jane soothed.

Amy continued to look down.

"I am sure that the moment the men lay their eyes on you, they will be tripping over their feet to be the first to ask you to dance tonight." Diane added.

"Two of my cousins are coming tonight, and the younger, Colonel Fitzwilliam, has secured my first dance," Georgiana said, to bring everyone's attention from the discomfited Amy.

"Is he handsome?" Eileen Eddings asked.

"Quite, and he looks quite dashing in his regimentals." Georgiana and Eileen giggled.

Lizzy turned to Jane, "Is that our friend sitting over there, or our sister, Lydia?"

"I am not quite sure; it looks like Georgiana," Jane pointed out.

Georgiana giggled some more and replied with a dramatic sigh, "Ladies, I am not one to fuss over any soldier, but when someone asks me if my cousin is handsome, I must speak the truth."

"Mr. Ashley," Eileen stated.

"Pardon?" Diane asked.

"Your eldest brother asked me for my first dance," Her friend explained.

"Ooh!" Diane giggled, "Am I to have a sister soon?"

Eileen reddened, "He just asked me for a dance, not to marry him."

"But you know how shy my eldest brother is; he rarely dances, and never dances the first. To ask you for the first dance shows that he is very attracted to you."

"And you?" Amy asked.

"I beg your pardon?" Eileen asked.

"I think she is asking what you think of Diane's brother," Georgina replied for Amy, who nodded in agreement.

Eileen flushed, "I like him, very much," the normally outspoken girl stammered.

Georgiana and Amy exchanged knowing smiles while the sister of gentleman-in-question thought, ‘Perhaps I will have a sister by next year.' Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at Jane, who suppressed a smile.

"The eldest Mr. Hitchcock obtained my first dance," Diane finally took pity on her friend. No one raised any eyebrows, suppressed smiles, giggled, or teased Diane for saying this because Mr. Hitchcock and Miss Ashley thought of each other as siblings.

Eventually the ladies' hair was primped and in place. Each of the maids took out their mistress' dresses with the other ladies ooh-ing and aah-ing at the beautiful clothing. None of the friends saw each others' dresses before that night---except for Elizabeth and Jane. As each of them finished being buttoned into their dresses they complimented each other on their taste, style, and beauty. Amy looked especially gorgeous since her friends had helped her find which dress styles suited her the best, rather than what her mother liked the best. All but herself knew that she would be the belle of the ball that night and that she definitely would outshine her sisters.

When the evening finally came, the six friends made their way downstairs to see that the servants had finished the arrangements a half hour before. They all gasped in delight at the general splendour that was the ballroom at Netherfield.

Not long after, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner joined their nieces and guests in the ballroom. Since the rest of the guests would soon start arriving, the adult Gardiners and their nieces stood near the entrance while the other young ladies ambled over to the punch table. They stood at the entry greeting until all of their guests arrived; which included the Viscount Leventhal and Colonel Fitzwilliam, the Darcys' cousins. After everyone had arrived, Mr. Gardiner escorted his wife into the ballroom with his eldest two nieces following him.

The gentlemen began collecting their partners for the first dance. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley went over to Elizabeth and Jane for a bit of light conversation before taking their places. When the foursome joined the set of dancers, Elizabeth saw that next to Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana stood Lord Leventhal and Amy.

Darcy followed his partner's gaze and explained, "The second he saw her, he begged me for an introduction."

Elizabeth was slightly surprised that Mr. Darcy knew what she was wondering, but put aside that emotion. "They are a handsome couple," she smirked. "And to think, Amy was disappointed earlier because she was not already engaged for the first dance."

Darcy smiled slightly; causing Elizabeth to---once again--- reflect on how very handsome he was. Until the music started, they conversed amiably with each other and the couples around them. Once everyone was lined up, the musicians began to play and everyone bowed to their partner. Throughout the dance Elizabeth and Darcy continued their conversation. At one point they were next to Amy and the viscount and noted that both were staring both at each other in awe. Once again Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged an amused glance, and then continued their conversation. Jane and Bingley were faring no better than Amy and Lord Leventhal, as Bingley was shocked into silence at the notion that Jane could be even more beautiful than she had previously been. Jane looked up at Bingley occasionally and saw his adoring gaze, which caused her to blush and look down again. At the conclusion of the dance, the six friends gathered together to discuss the first dance and their partners. When it was Amy's turn to share her thoughts, she just blushed, gazing at the floor, and refused to say a word.

"Well?" Diane asked, being lucky enough to be the only one that did not have a romantic interest in her partner.

"He, he is very handsome," Amy stuttered out, blushing once more.

"Is he witty?" Elizabeth asked, thinking that her friend probably did not hear his voice other than when he asked her to dance.

"I did not talk to him very much, but I know that he is very kind. He saw that I did not have a partner so he asked me to dance, and if that was not enough he said that I looked very beautiful, and that the dress became me very well," Amy blurted out, nervously, turning even a deeper shade of red.

None of the other girls pointed out that even if he was not kind he would have said so, since it was the absolute truth. None of them mentioned that he seemed quite smitten with the youngest Ryder girl, either.

Not long afterwards, their partners for the second dance advanced towards them and the friends agreed to finish their discourse at the end of the second set. The first part of the evening flew by for everyone. For the gentlemen that claimed first dance of five of the friends, most of the ball was spent admiring those ladies, for those ladies, most of the evening was spent the same way towards those gentlemen. Besides Diane, the six girls were all asked for the supper dance by their original partner, and they all happily accepted. The six ladies and their partners sat together at one large table for supper, and enjoyed a light, teasing conversation throughout most of the meal.

Even though Darcy had been avoiding her all night, he finally asked Miss Bingley to dance the first after supper. The look that she threw Elizabeth was triumphant.

"I believe she forgot that you already have danced with him twice, both times being principal dances," Diane said over Elizabeth's shoulder.

"I believe so," Elizabeth softly replied before giggling. Mr. Hitchcock collected her, as he was to be her partner for that dance. Throughout the dance each time Miss Bingley was turned Elizabeth's way she shot her a mean look, which added to Elizabeth's discomfort caused by seeing Darcy dance with Miss Bingley.

Unfortunately for Miss Bingley, the dance could only last so long. When the dance was terminated, Mr. Darcy separated his arm from Miss Bingley's the second that propriety allowed it, and made his way over to his cousins. Wanting to know Leventhal's opinion on Elizabeth's friend, but not wanting to be teased about dancing with Elizabeth twice, Darcy remained quiet. Finally Colonel Fitzwilliam spoke, as his affection for Georgiana seemed to be cousinly and nothing beyond, so he knew that he would not be teased.

"So, brother, has the confirmed bachelor finally found a lady that has caught his interest?" he asked.

"Which one?" the viscount inquired in response.

"I meant you, but I suppose both."

"Miss Amy has caught my eye, but I do not know much about her," Lord Leventhal replied, truthfully.

"Brother, you danced with her twice; you never dance with a lady twice. Besides, if you do so in London then you are as good as married," Colonel Fitzwilliam replied.

"Then it is a good thing that I am not in London."

"You know, the Ryders go to London during the Season," Darcy informed his cousins.

"If I see her at a ball then I will be sure to ask her to dance," Leventhal said.

"Twice?" Colonel Fitzwilliam prodded.

"Perhaps. If I get to know her better, but I have barely talked to her, and I have known her for less than a day."

"Then I might, perhaps, acquire another sister!" The Colonel replied teasingly.

"What about you, Darcy?" Leventhal asked, changing the subject.

"What about me?"

"I noticed that you have been paying a lot of attention to the younger Miss Bennet," Colonel Fitzwilliam said. "Georgiana was telling me that this was not the first time that you have, either."

"Miss Elizabeth is an attractive, witty, friendly young lady; it seems like it would be impossible to assume a rude façade while speaking to her," Darcy said.

"Did you hear that list, Fitzy? He really must be in love with her," Leventhal teased.

"Yes I did, Levy, and he danced with her twice today as well as twice at the assembly," Colonel Fitzwilliam replied.

"Are you sure that we are talking of Darcy? He never dances with a lady twice at a ball or assembly, and if he did he would not dance with her twice at two dances!" Underneath all of the teasing, Leventhal was actually surprised at what his brother disclosed. ‘Darcy never dances with a lady twice, he must have it bad,' he thought.

"Fitz, Lev, I can hear you, I am right here!" Darcy was starting to get irritated.

"So, Darcy, what do you think of her?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked, seriously. "Are you in love with her?"

Darcy gave his cousin a dark look, and remained silent.

"She seems like a charming young woman, I think that you would be very happy with her," Leventhal put forth.

"Other than Aunt Catherine, our family would welcome her, even with her lower relations," Colonel Fitzwilliam added.

Darcy raised an eyebrow, but was pleased with what his cousins just had said.

"I do have a question," Fitzwilliam said.

"Yes?" Darcy asked.

"When will you have an opportunity to get to know her better? You are leaving for London tomorrow, as is she." Fitzwilliam asked, figuring out that his cousin's silence was caused by his feelings for the lady.

"Do you remember the estate that Bingley has let?" Darcy asked.

"Yes."

"It is but three miles from her family's estate." Darcy explained.

"Do you believe that you will propose before we leave for Rosings?" Fitzwilliam asked.

Darcy raised his other eyebrow. The three men were silent for awhile, then something occurred to Darcy, "Lev, do you remember what you said about Aunt Catherine's clergyman?"

"Yes. I believe he is the stupidest man that I have ever met, and he practically worships the ground that our aunt walks on," Leventhal replied.

"Do you remember his name?"

"Yes, Mr. Collins, why?"

"The Bennets' estate is entailed upon that unfortunate man," Mr. Darcy explained.

"I fear for the future of the estate," Leventhal seriously replied.

"That is not the worst of it. Her younger sister, Miss Mary, is engaged to him." His cousins made a few consoling noises before they had to separate for the next dance. The evening flew by, and, sadly, it ended quickly. More than one person went home wishing that they could have danced a third with their first partner, if decorum had allowed. All in all, it was a successful evening, the perfect way to for many in the party to end their stay Derbyshire, and all concluded the evening with hopeful anticipation of their upcoming stay in Hertfordshire and London

Posted on 2008-09-21

The day after the Netherfield Ball the Darcys, their cousins, the Bingleys, and the Hursts packed up for London, as did many of the neighbourhood's other key residents. Many of the families spent Christmas with their families in other counties and in London; therefore, to make it easier for everyone, they all left on the same day. If a carriage was crowded for one family, another would offer a spot in their own. Two families who did not leave on the 27th were the Gardiners and their guests and the Ryders. The Ryders were to leave three days from then because their sons were to arrive on the 29th from visiting their friend. The Bennets had planned on leaving the 30th of December before they found out that the rest of the neighbourhood would leave four days before, and they kept to their plan. To get away from her mother's enthusiasm that her youngest danced with a viscount during two of the most important dances Amy made an early escape to Netherfield Park. The Gardiners invited her to breakfast because of the early hour and she eagerly complied.

"I enjoyed the ball last night," Amy truthfully said.

"Are you not glad that your first dance was not claimed before the start of the ball?" Elizabeth teased.

Amy blushed. "I am."

"The two of you looked very handsome together," Jane acknowledged.

Amy blushed again, and stammered something that no one could make out.

"I am very glad that you enjoyed the ball; all of you ladies put so much work into it that you deserved to enjoy it," Mr. Gardiner replied to Amy's first comment.

"You looked very lovely last night," Mrs. Gardiner said, gently.

"Thank you, Mrs. Gardiner."

The pleasantries continued throughout breakfast, and after the meal was finished Jane, Elizabeth, and Amy went up to the sitting room that connected the sisters' rooms to talk about the ball the previous night.

After they all were seated, Elizabeth asked, "Amy, what do you really think of the viscount?"

"I like him. I cannot say more because I do not know him very well. I have only known him for one day."

"If he were to be in London at the same time as you, do you think that you would ever go to the same balls and parties?" Elizabeth pressed.

"Most likely. I believe that we have gone to the same parties before; I know that we have gone to many of the same parties as Mr. Darcy, and I believe his cousins go with him sometimes," Amy told them.

"You do know that Lord and Lady Matlock, as well as their children are to be in London over Christmas, yes?" Elizabeth asked.

"I had not known. Do you think that I will see him?" Amy asked, eagerly.

"You said that you have seen Darcy and his cousins before, so maybe you will see Lord Leventhal at a party."

"Perhaps." Amy was excited at this prospect. "If I do see him at a party I will make sure to add that in a letter to you."

"You do have our address?" Jane spoke up.

"Yes, I have it written down," Amy answered.

"Make sure to remind Diane and Eileen to write," Elizabeth said.

"I will, and make sure that you remind Georgiana."

"We will," Jane replied.

The ladies sat in companionable silence for awhile until Amy brought up the subject of the ball and the gentlemen there, again. "Mr. Bingley seemed to always be near you Jane, even when you were dancing with someone else."

Jane had a dreamy look upon her face at the mention of Mr. Bingley and sighed.

"As did Mr. Darcy for you, Elizabeth. You are the first lady that he ever showed interest in. In London he is considered a confirmed bachelor, but there is not a lack of effort on the ladies'--and their mothers'--part to change that," Amy said.

Elizabeth cocked her head in question.

"He is quite a catch, even if he is untitled," Amy explained.

"Even without his monetary value, he is quite a catch." Elizabeth's expression could easily rival her sister's expression for dreamiest. She shook her head, as if to rid her thoughts of Mr. Darcy. "I am only worried that he might give up his suit once he has met my mother."

"She cannot be so bad," Amy soothed.

"You know how you complain about your own mother?" Amy nodded her head, ""You need only imagine her with a case of nerves, to have an idea of mine."

"She is not so bad," Jane said.

"Jane, in your opinion, no one is so bad," Elizabeth retorted.

"I always speak what I think," Jane defended herself.

"I am sorry, dear Jane, for speaking so hastily, but even the most resilient suitors could be frightened away by our mother. You know how loudly she speaks. What if they overhear her talking of how lovely it would be to have two daughters so well married? They will think that we are fortune hunters, nothing more."

"If Mr. Darcy loves you, Lizzy, he will not be frightened away so easily," Amy said.

"I suppose, but I am so worried. It is not just my mother that embarrasses me so easily; my youngest sister is a flirt and my second youngest follows wherever she leads," Elizabeth explained.

"As are all three of my elder sisters," Amy said, wishing that it were not so.

"And our middle sister, Mary, is determined to impart her wisdom from Fordyce's Sermons as well as show off her accomplishments at singing and playing the pianoforte at every opportunity, even though her voice is not strong enough to sing very well. I do love my family, but sometimes they seem to be determined to expose themselves to ridicule."

"Well, as I said before, if he truly loves you he will accept even the most embarrassing of your relatives," Amy consoled.

"Let us hope for both of our sakes that it is in the Fitzwilliam blood to be accepting of embarrassing relatives," Elizabeth said.

"Indeed," Amy murmured.

The ladies settled on the topic of what Amy was going to do in London. They kept the discourse light, refusing to bring up any of their worries. After talking for a while, Elizabeth suggested that they take a walk because it was the last that they could take in Derbyshire for a long while. The other two ladies accepted eagerly, and twenty minutes later they were on their way.

For the majority of the walk each lady was lost in her own thoughts causing the small group to be quiet. Jane thought of how considerate Mr. Bingley was, and how he embodied her idea of a perfect gentleman. She imagined herself as the mistress of Farrington Park, welcoming her friends and family to her home with Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth thought nonstop about Mr. Darcy. She imagined him walking with her on the grounds at Pemberley and reflected with pleasure on how handsome he was with his curls and his dark eyes. She imagined having the Gardiners over for Christmas, as well as hosting parties for the good friends that she had made in Derbyshire. Amy was also thinking about a pair of fine eyes in the face of a handsome gentleman, although it was not Mr. Darcy, but his cousin the viscount whose eyes inspired her reflections. Even though she had only known the gentleman one day, she knew that he was kind, as he had asked her to dance two of the most important dances because no one else had asked her. Other than this and the littlewhat she had heard through her friends about him, she did not know much about Lord Leventhal, so she dwelled upon the thought of how handsome and kind he was.

The ladies lost track of time as they wandered the paths at Netherfield estate, and by the time they remembered to return to the house, dinner had started. They were not too late for the repast, but were tardy enough to receive questioning gazes from Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. They merely replied that they had been out walking and had forgotten the hour, and the meal continued.

After the Gardiners excused themselves, the ladies went back to the same reflective silence which had dominated their walk. They quickly finished, and Amy left to oversee her packing.

There was not much for Elizabeth and Jane to do compared to the weeks previous, so they went to their sitting room. Elizabeth read and Jane embroidered a handkerchief.

The next day was as empty as the day before, so Elizabeth and Jane went to Lambton to pick up trinkets for their family. In the end they chose a cross for Mary, a locket for Kitty, lace for Lydia, a couple of silk handkerchiefs for their mother, and a nicely bound copy of the Dialogs of Plato for their father. When they were in the shop looking at the cross and locket, a silver necklace with a blue pendant the colour of her sister's eyes, caught Elizabeth's attention. She decided that the necklace would be perfect for her sister and discreetly bought it, as a surprise gift. Jane had the same idea a little later when she saw hair pins that matched Elizabeth's favourite dress.

That night before supper Jane slipped into her sister's room and placed the hair pins on Elizabeth's vanity. After supper when everyone went to the drawing room Elizabeth excused herself to get her book. She went into her room and opened the drawer in her nightstand and took out her book and the pendant that was for Jane. Elizabeth slipped into her sister's room, placed the pendant on Jane's vanity, and joined the rest of her family.

That night as the two sisters changed into their nightclothes they each saw something shiny on their vanities. They turned their head to look at they saw the gift that the other sister bought for them. They both smiled. The next morning they thanked each other and made sure that their new jewellery was packed in their luggage. The following day, they were traveling with the Ryders and Gardiners in a procession on the road to London and Hertfordshire

Chapter 11

Posted on 2008-09-28

The three days that it took for the conveyance to reach London went by slowly, but were not as dreadfully boring as it might have been if there was no conversation to be had. As the carriages' occupants were close friends and family, however, there was not a lack of entertainment. Finally, the carriages reached London. The Ryders went to their townhouse while the Gardiners and Bennets went the Gardiners' house in Cheapside, which they had yet to sell. They stayed there overnight and on the fourth day after leaving Netherfield Park they undertook the last leg of their journey. By that point the Gardiner children were sick of being confined to a carriage, even with the frequent stops that they took, causing them to be restless during their last short journey. At long last the two carriages pulled into Loungbourn's drive.

"It will be so good to be home again, no matter how much we have enjoyed ourselves the past few months," Elizabeth said to her sister and aunt. Jane murmured in agreement.

"Especially since two certain gentlemen will be here?" Aunt Gardiner asked.

Jane blushed and demurely replied, "We will be glad to see them again. They have been very kind."

"And attentive," Elizabeth teased her sister, who blushed again, then reminded them, "But remember, we will not tell Mama about the gentlemen's attentions." Their carriage pulled to a stop, cutting short any reply.

All of the Bennets rushed out to meet the carriages. As everyone was helped out they were enthusiastically greeted by the inhabitants of Loungbourn. The Bennet sisters greeted their cousins while Mrs. Bennet barley glanced at them.

"Brother! Sister! You are very welcome. It is a pity that neither of my daughters came home engaged! What will become of us all? Jane could not be so beautiful for nothing!" she ranted. She continued, but this time to her eldest two daughters. "At least Mary is engaged to Mr. Collins. If she were not I am sure that he would turn us out of the house before your father is cold in his grave!" Before Jane and Elizabeth could congratulate their sister on her upcoming nuptials their mother continued, "It is a pity that neither of you attracted a single suitor, let alone a rich gentleman. Oh! How you try my nerves. At least Farrington Park is let by a rich young gentleman, although I have heard that he is practically engaged to a lady from the north of England! As is his friend that he is bringing! What a pity, as the friend is rumoured to have 10 thousand a year, at least!" Jane and Elizabeth exchanged looks. "Well, come in. You must tell me all about your trip and about the house, oh, whatever it is called."

The travelers were able to quickly excuse themselves since they were quite tired from their long carriage ride. Before they took a nap the eldest two sisters met in Jane's room.

"I must say, it is a good thing that we did not inform our mother that we had gentlemen callers," Elizabeth said.

"Indeed, for we do not want to get her hopes up," Jane said sensibly.

"You know that is not the reason. Why, if we had, she would bother us until we told her how rich they are, where they live, how large their house is, and every last detail about them," Elizabeth smiled. "Although, you would not need to tell Mama about your caller; she probably already knows more about his wealth than you do!"

"Lizzy!" Jane exclaimed, then smiled innocently, ‘two could play this game,' she thought. "I think that you are glad that we did not tell her because you would never have peace due to cries of, ‘10 thousand a year!'" The sisters giggled and lay on Jane's bed silently for a bit.

"Although I do wonder how Meryton's gossips know of Bingley and his friend's interest in ladies that they met in the north," Elizabeth admitted.

"Do you think that they mean us, or some previous interests that they had?" Jane asked.

"Perhaps someone in Meryton made the information up and it is just ironic that the situation is actually somewhat accurate," Elizabeth suggested.

"Perhaps," Jane sighed and blushed at the thought of Mr. Bingley being considered practically engaged to her. "Lizzy?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you love Mr. Darcy?"

Elizabeth had a dreamy look on her face as she replied, "Yes, I believe that I truly love him. Do you love your Mr. Bingley?"

"He is not my Mr. Bingley!" Jane exclaimed.

"Since you already admitted that you love him, I do not need to ask you that."

"If Mr. Darcy were to propose to you, you would accept him?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"I would. And you? If Mr. Bingley proposed?" Elizabeth asked, knowing that the answer would be identical to her own.

"I would." The sisters became silent again, relishing the sisterly bond that they had.

"Well, I am tired, I am off to take a nap," Elizabeth finally announced.

"Sleep well, dearest," Jane said.

"You too, dear Jane." With that the sisters parted to sleep the rest of the afternoon.

All of the adult travelers awoke and made their way downstairs around the same time. This just happened to be not long after Lydia and Kitty returned from Meryton to visit Aunt Phillips. The subject of the gentleman that leased Farrington Park came up and the youngest two Bennets shared the new information that they had.

"They are coming to the Assembly Ball!" Lydia squealed.

"On Saturday!" Kitty added, not to be left out. "He is to bring six ladies and four gentlemen."

"Nay, it was twelve ladies and eight gentlemen," Lydia disagreed.

To conceal the fact that she knew that it would actually be three ladies and three gentlemen, Elizabeth commented, "Too many ladies," exchanging another look with Jane and her aunt.

"Not that it matters, for we are to never be acquainted with him!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. Her eldest daughters gave her a questioning look so she said, "Your father refuses to call!"

Lydia and Kitty began to inform their eldest sisters of the other gossip that they had heard about Mr. Bingley and his guests, but were interrupted by their mother. "I am sick of Mr. Bingley!" she exclaimed.

"I am sorry. If I had known earlier I would not have called on him yesterday; but I am afraid that it is too late to escape the acquaintance now." Mr. Bennet said.

"You have called on him!" Mrs. Bennet shrieked, "Girls, girls, is he not a good father?" she went over to her two youngest to talk endlessly of Mr. Bingley.

Finally Mr. Bennet had had enough so he interrupted, asking the Gardiners, "Where are you traveling the day after tomorrow?"

"We are to return to London to sell our old house, as we inherited a townhouse in a more fashionable part of Town. After we settle into our new lodgings we are to travel to Bath to settle the details on the house that Aunt Augusta had lived in until her death. We are to let the house," Mr. Gardiner replied.

"I had thought that you did not inherit a house?" Elizabeth was perplexed.

"No, Aunt Augusta sold her country estate in Sussex when she became ill and bought a house in Bath. Her doctor had recommended the waters to her. She was going to sell her townhouse as well, but decided to leave it for her heir." Mrs. Gardiner explained.

"Oh!" Elizabeth had had no clue as to the how large the inheritance actually was until then.

"It is too bad that you cannot meet Mr. Bingley and his friend," Mrs. Bennet said, conveniently forgetting the gossip about his supposed near-engagement.

"It is too bad," Mrs. Gardiner replied with a slight smile.

"I cannot wait until the Assembly. I wish to meet the new addition to our neighbourhood," Elizabeth said.

"Whatever for? Neither of the gentlemen will pay any attention to you!" Mrs. Bennet snapped. Elizabeth raised her eyebrows and Jane thought, ‘I can think of one gentleman that will pay attention to her.'

The talk of Mr. Bingley did not fully cease until supper, which, fortunately for Mr. Bennet, was not long after the start of that discussion. Over supper Mrs. Bennet demanded that her daughters tell her of their time in Derbyshire. They told their family stories of what happened there, the picnic, the assembly, their friends---even about being trapped at Pemberley. In short, they talked about everything except Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. They also made no mention their friendship with Georgiana. Mrs. Bennet interrupted their narration in all of the right places, as well as the wrong ones. Finally, at the end she demanded to know why they did not endear themselves to their friends' brothers. "Would you not love having one of your friends as your sister?" She asked.

"Indeed, I would," Elizabeth whispered, thinking of one friend in particular that she would wish to become the sister of.

"Then why did you not secure one of them?" Mrs. Bennet asked, after overhearing Elizabeth's comment. Elizabeth did not have an answer to that.

The next day the Bennet sisters went to Meryton to buy ribbon for the Assembly the upcoming weekend. As they came out of the shop a carriage bearing the Darcy crest rolled by. Elizabeth looked up at the window with hope of seeing the owner and was rewarded by the sight of Mr. Darcy. As the carriage past he turned to keep her in his sight. Right before he lost sight of her, he nodded and was satisfied by the sight of a smile hovering over her lovely lips.

"Lizzy?" Lydia asked.

"Pardon?" Elizabeth asked, still slightly affected by the sight of the man she admired.

"I was just curious as to why you stopped in the middle of the sidewalk," Lydia said.

"I caught sight of the man I believe to be Mr. Bingley's friend," Elizabeth explained.

"Really?" Kitty asked.

"What did he look like?" Lydia asked.

"He is very handsome, with dark curly hair and dark eyes," Elizabeth replied, thinking that her description was pale compared to what he looked like in person.

"Too bad that he does not wear regimentals. A man is nothing without a redcoat," Lydia said. At that moment a gentleman wearing that specific article of clothing walked up to the group.

"Miss Mary, Miss Kitty, Miss Lydia," he bowed.

"Mr. Denny, these are our two elder sisters, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth. Jane, Elizabeth this is Mr. Denny," Mary said, knowing that her two younger sisters would not complete the introductions. The group chatted until the Bennet sisters had to return home. Denny offered to escort the ladies, walking with Kitty and Lydia on each arm. The other three sisters dropped to form a second line.

Denny was invited to tea which he accepted. After tea, he departed leaving the family to various pursuits. Kitty and Lydia were fixing bonnets. Mary read, as did Elizabeth; Jane embroidered, and Mrs. Gardiner played with her children upstairs. Mrs. Bennet planned the meals for the next day while her husband and brother went to the library. That evening after supper Jane and Elizabeth retrieved the gifts that they bought for their family, as well as the gifts they bought for their aunt, uncle, and cousins that afternoon. After receiving their gifts, all exclaimed that they loved them, and then the gifts were put aside or in the necklaces' cases, put on.

The next day the Gardiners departed for London to sell their old home and the rest of the family settled back into the routine that they had before Jane and Elizabeth left to visit Derbyshire.

Chapter 12

Posted on 2008-10-05

The Bennets arrived at the Meryton Assembly a little later than was their wont, and were directly greeted by Sir William Lucas.

"You are here! Capital, capital!" he exclaimed. Elizabeth and Jane exchanged a glance as the greeting reminded them of when Mr. Eddings greeted them at the Lambton Assembly months back. After Sir William decided that they were welcomed enough he excused himself and made a circuit around the room with random exclamations of, "Capital, capital!" All of a sudden the room became silent as the doors were opened and the Farrington party entered the room. They stood at the front while Sir William scurried over to receive them. Bingley surveyed the room, as if to see his neighbours, but really he was looking for one neighbour in general. Caroline Bingley looked around in disdain, thinking how insupportable it would be to spend several evenings in such low company, as well as how happy she was that her brother did not have a lake on his new property. Darcy was trying to look like he agreed with Miss Bingley, but was looking for Elizabeth as much as his friend was looking for Elizabeth's elder sister. Mr. Hurst was hoping that they would have good brandy at the assembly, and his wife was looking as if she was a proud, disagreeable lady.

"We welcome you to our neighbourhood's humble assembly!" Sir William announced.

"Thank you, sir," Mr. Bingley replied back, jovially. With that the good people of the neighbourhood went back to their conversations. As was proper, Mr. Bingley requested to be introduced to Sir William's family, and when that task was performed Mr. Bingley requested to be introduced to the Bennets.

"Mr. Bingley, this is Mrs. Bennet, Miss Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth Bennet," Sir William informed him. Bingley and Darcy kept their expressions from showing that they had already met the eldest two daughters, as the ladies were. They had asked the gentlemen to do so beforehand with the explanation that their mother would be unbearable if she knew that they had previous acquaintance. "Mrs. Bennet, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, this is Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy."

The two ladies were having as much trouble as the gentlemen were keeping the expression. "My two youngest are over by the officers, and Mary sits in that corner," Mrs. Bennet informed the gentlemen.

"It is an honour to meet you," Mr. Darcy said, sounding rather grave.

"Indeed, it is!" Mr. Bingley added, cheerfully, "And if you are not already engaged, Miss Bennet, will you dance the first with me?"

"I would enjoy that, thank you," Jane replied, blushing.

"Miss Elizabeth, will you dance the same dance with me?" Mr. Darcy asked.

"Yes, thank you," Elizabeth said, as demurely as her elder sister. As everyone lined up for the first dance of the evening, people caught sight of the two rich, single, young gentlemen dancing with the eldest two Miss Bennets and a murmur passed through the crowd. "How is your sister, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth asked, too quietly for others to hear her.

"Very good, she asked for me to apologize to you for not coming tonight, but she had a headache from the carriage ride yesterday, and today it was worse."

"Oh dear, is she ill?" Elizabeth fretted.

"We do not believe so yet, and if she is, it is probably just a cold. Georgy told me to inform you not to worry, as she knew that you would." With that the music started, as did the first dance of the evening.

For Darcy and Elizabeth there was light banter throughout the dance. At first it was slightly stifled because they knew that many people would try to overhear their exchange. They had to make sure that their conversation did not give the impression that they had met before the Assembly. As the dance went on they fell into the occasional lull, but for the most part, their conversation went by smoothly. Their friend and sister's conversation was not so fortunate. They had moments where they both had much to say to the other causing their exchange to burst forward, but at other times the speaker would be silenced by a look from the other causing them both to start thinking about how perfect the other was.

For obvious reasons the dance had to end eventually much to the dismay of the two sisters and their partners. The gentlemen lifted their spirits by asking the sisters for the last set as well.

With that they parted ways. Elizabeth went over to talk to her good friend Charlotte. "Lizzy, it is very good to see you again, I have missed you greatly," Charlotte said. They had not seen each other that week so that was the first time that they saw each other in months.

"I have missed you as well. I believe that no matter how many letters I wrote and received, it cannot compare to seeing and talking to you in person," Elizabeth replied.

Charlotte lowered her voice, "Did you not say that one of your good friends from the north was someone by the name of Georgiana Darcy?"

"Indeed I did."

"Is she related to the gentleman that you were just dancing with?" Elizabeth had left out her growing affection to Mr. Darcy in the letters as well as this bit of information.

"Yes, she is," Elizabeth lowered her voice as well, "I wish to keep this a secret, but she is the sister of Mr. Darcy. Other than Jane you are the only one who knows."

"Why this need for secrecy?"

"You know my mother. If she found out that a rich gentleman was the brother of my good friend..." Elizabeth let the sentence hang.

"Is that all he is to you? Mr. Darcy seems rather attentive to you, and his friend to Jane," Charlotte observed. "Even now he is staring at you."

Elizabeth blushed and stammered out, "He, um, would not, he will, um, have to marry well."

Charlotte did not answer this garble of words and just raised her eyebrows in question.

"I would not expect him to offer to be anything more to me," Elizabeth blurted out.

Charlotte smiled innocently, "I was just thinking that you seem like good friends." With that Elizabeth blushed an even brighter red, from head to toe. Finally her friend took pity on her and said, "Even if you are just friends right now he looks like he is interested in courting you."

"I hope so," Elizabeth whispered under her breath causing Charlotte to smile. Two officers approached the friends to ask for the next set, causing the girls to end their discussion. During the light dance Elizabeth and the officer, who she had learned was named Mr. Denny, had a lively conversation. Both of the dancers enjoyed themselves thoroughly, although Elizabeth still wished that her first partner was her second. At one point during the dance she saw Mr. Darcy dancing with Mary, bringing her out of her shell, because he had heard Elizabeth mention once that she wished her sister danced more. Their conversation was rather stifled at first, but when Mary found out that Mr. Darcy's aunt was her future patroness they settled on that topic.

After the dance Mr. Denny excused himself and went back over to Elizabeth's youngest two sisters. Elizabeth could vaguely hear their conversation from where she was and winced at their lack of decorum.

"Is he here tonight?" Lydia asked. Elizabeth could not hear who her sister was asking for.

"He was obliged to go to town on business the day previous and has still not returned," Mr. Denny replied.

"Oh, we will miss him greatly, tonight," Kitty declared.

"I had been looking forward to dancing with him!" Lydia cried out. Elizabeth took a deep breath and before she could go over to talk to her sisters Mr. Bingley asked her for a dance. Elizabeth looked around in worry that Mr. Darcy had seen the exchange between her sisters and the officers, but he had not, as he was occupied asking Jane to dance. Mrs. Bennet saw this and realized that he had for the third time in a row singled her daughters out.

"Do you see that?" She shrieked to Lady Lucas.

"See what?" Lady Lucas was worrying over her eldest daughter's lack of partners.

"I might have two more sons by this time next year! Do you see how Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley have been singling out my girls? If only Lizzy would know how to encourage his affections. Imagine: ten thousand a year, and very likely more!" Mrs. Bennet informed her friend and rival.

"But what of the ladies that they are supposedly practically engaged to?" Lady Lucas asked. They did not know that Mr. Darcy was within hearing distance the entire conversation. At first he was worried that Elizabeth was not at all how he had supposed her to be and was a fortune hunter, but then he realized that if the eldest two Bennet sisters were fortune hunters then they would have informed all of Meryton that the two ladies that him and his friend were rumoured to be attached to were in fact themselves. Darcy found it rather ironic that his friend said that he would not care if their mother and aunt were the most vulgar ladies in the country, Bingley would still love Miss Jane just as much, and this statement was being put to the test. At least by the mother; their aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, was anything but vulgar.

The third set started and Mr. Darcy collected Miss Bennet and buried those thoughts. As the night wore on Mr. Darcy made sure to dance with as many of the ladies as he could, and found that he thoroughly enjoyed himself, even if some of the ladies, mainly Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty, were complete flirts. Although Mrs. Bennet and her youngest two constantly showed themselves completely without correct manners Mr. Darcy put away those thoughts and allowed himself to enjoy the moment, something that he so rarely did. Even with enjoying himself so much there was always something in the back of his mind reminding him of his final dance of the evening, something that he thought of with great anticipation, although for a different reason than normal. Mr. Bingley, having the personality that he had, did not notice all of the indelicacies that surrounded Mrs. Bennet and her youngest.

Mr. Darcy was not the only person who enjoyed themselves at the Assembly that did not normally take pleasure in a dance. Mary Bennet took herself out of her chair and stood near Miss Maria Lucas and was frequently asked to dance.

The evening flew by for all persons involved and the last dance soon arrived. The group of people lined up with their partners and the music started, just as any other dance would. As Mr. Darcy looked at his partner all of the reasons that stood in the way of making her an offer once again melted away. At that point he realized that no matter what Elizabeth Bennet was the only woman whom he could ever love. He wished that her family's situation was better and her mother acted more like her aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, but he found that perhaps, like Bingley, he could overcome those objections. Darcy looked forward to the rest of his visit in Hertfordshire, to get to know Miss Elizabeth better, if not for any other reason.

Elizabeth meditated on similar thoughts, hoping against hope that her partner might overcome the lack of decorum that her family showed and perhaps fall in love with her. She realized that Mr. Darcy was the only man that she could love and the only man that she would ever marry. Due to these contemplations the last set was rather quiet for Elizabeth and Darcy, each appreciating the other's handsomeness.

As Elizabeth and Darcy preformed the final bow and curtsey they lost themselves in each other's eyes, both feeling a mutual contentment. Not that long afterwards both the Loungbourn and Farrington parties took their leave.

Chapter 13

Posted on 2008-10-12

The next day, Charlotte Lucas called on the Bennet household to talk over the Assembly ball as she did after every ball that they went to. As Jane and Elizabeth's Derbyshire friends did before her, after talking of inane topics, Charlotte teased her friends about the gentlemen's attentions. They recounted each detail of the evening, dance by dance. As Mrs. Bennet was off complaining to Hill about the lack of fish to be had for dinner; Mary in another room practicing the pianoforte; and Lydia and Kitty upstairs speaking of the officers, the three friends were left to speak about the Assembly.

Whilst the ladies were speaking of the ball, the gentlemen of Farrington Park were speaking of two of those same ladies. Rather, two of the three gentlemen were speaking of the two ladies while the third was sleeping on a nearby chaise.

"This neighbourhood is charming!" Bingley said, happily.

"Is that a generalization or about one part of the neighbourhood in general?" Mr. Darcy inquired.

Mr. Bingley blushed, but did not answer his friend's query; instead he changed the subject to the Bennets. "The entire Bennet family is friendly. I especially enjoyed talking to Mrs. Bennet."

"Indeed very friendly," Darcy replied, then remembering that Elizabeth spoke of her family with love he added, "Mr. Bennet is very witty, I wish to know him better."

"The youngest two are very lively, are they not?" Bingley remarked.

Mr. Darcy winced at this expression, but changed the subject to the middle daughter, "Miss Mary seems rather studious, I overheard that normally she does not dance much. Perhaps she is coming out of her shell due to her upcoming marriage. I believe that my aunt will approve of her."

"I am glad that Mr. Collins decided to marry her, rather than wait for the eldest two to come back to Loungbourn. I believe, from what I have heard, that Miss Mary is looking forward to her upcoming marriage," Bingley did not mention the real reason why he was glad that Mr. Collins settled for Miss Mary, but the reason was at the forefront of both of their minds.

"I am very happy for her," Mr. Darcy said. The gentlemen fell into silence. They were finally yanked from their thoughts with Mr. Hurst's awakening.

The next day brought the news that Mr. Collins was soon to return to Loungbourn. Not long after the Bennet family broke their fast they received callers.

"Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy here to see you ma'am," Hill announced.

"Show them in!" Mrs. Bennet squealed

"Mrs. Bennet, it is very good to see you," Bingley said, looking around the room for Jane.

"You are very good to call on us," Mrs. Bennet replied. The men bowed while the ladies curtseyed.

"You all are in good health?" Mr. Bingley asked after Mrs. Bennet offered them a seat. Mr. Darcy sat next to Elizabeth while Bingley sat near Jane. When she saw this, Mrs. Bennet had to hold back a shriek of excitement.

"Yes, very good health, thank you. And you?"

"Yes, thank you ma'am. Caroline had sprained her ankle yesterday morning and asked for me to extend apologies to you for her not joining me," his sister did not actually extend apologies for not calling on the Bennets, but Mr. Bingley did not want his sister to get in the way of him calling on the eldest Miss Bennet.

"Is she badly injured?" Jane asked, in a worried tone.

"She is not so hurt, but rather did not want to aggravate her ankle by moving around much," Mr. Bingley said.

Elizabeth raised her eyebrow at Mr. Darcy, wondering if this injury actually existed. He replied to her visual query in a low voice. "She was outside walking with her sister and saw me. Miss Bingley rushed over to my side, and stumbled on a rock."

"Did she do this just so you would carry her inside or did she actually fall?" Elizabeth asked impertinently.

"I did not carry her inside, so if that was the purpose, her plan did not work. Even if that was her intention, she actually did sprain her ankle. Mrs. Hurst informed us that Miss Bingley's ankle was quite swollen," Mr. Darcy replied, omitting the fact that he did not carry her inside for the reason of foiling Miss Bingley's plan, if that was in fact her plan.

"Then I hope she is not in pain much longer," Elizabeth said.

"I do not believe that the sprain was a bad one," Elizabeth and Darcy turned their attention back to Bingley who was speaking once again.

"She asked for me to invite Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth to dinner the day after tomorrow."

"We would enjoy that," Jane replied, softly.

"Very good!"

The group chatted and drank tea for a while longer until the gentlemen had to depart as to not overstay their welcome. After the gentlemen left, Mrs. Phillips came with the daily gossip as well as an invitation to an evening party in three days.

"Did you see Mrs. Long's dress at the Assembly, sister? That shade did not suit her at all," Mrs. Phillips said, talking of the Assembly as she had every day since that specific evening.

"Yes I did, sister, and the dress was completely plain. No ruffles, no lace, no adornments. I know that us married woman need not to show off, but, sister, her dress was completely void of anything decorative," both ladies shuddered at that thought.

"And Miss Goulding! She looked so plain! How is she to ever marry with her hair done like that, now that is a spinster in the making, and she is so naturally tan!" Mrs. Phillips continued.

"Indeed, sister, she is as tan as my Lizzy in the summer, I have not a clue how Miss Goulding is that way! The poor girl!" Mrs. Bennet and her sister pretended to be sympathetic, but failed.

"I noticed Mr. Darcy's attentions to your girls, especially Elizabeth. He only danced once with the rest."

"Oh, sister, he opened and closed with Elizabeth, it is a pity that those attentions were not towards my darling Lydia, she would know how to encourage him, but no. I hope that he does not realize what an obstinate, headstrong girl Lizzy is, imagine if I had a son-in-law that is worth 10 thousand a year! But I will not count on him marrying Lizzy as he might find out her real nature and then he will not want anything to do with her," Mrs. Bennet shook her head.

"At least you will have one daughter wed," Mrs. Phillips said, consolingly.

"I am very glad that Jane was not here when Mr. Collins came, if she was she would be the one that is his bride, then I would have no hope with Mr. Bingley! I am also glad that Lizzy was not here, as she would have probably refused him or I would have lost the chance at having Mr. Darcy as my son-in-law if she did not! Mary will make Mr. Collins a fine wife and as she is by far the most plain of my daughters she would not have attracted such a fine gentleman by herself. Now if Mr. Bennet dies we will still have our house secure, as well as at least one of the five girls married!" Mrs. Bennet replied.

Mrs. Phillips answered and they continued gossiping until it was time for Mrs. Phillips to leave. The rest of the day was spent quietly, with Mrs. Bennet having only one case of nerves, which was caused by lack of lace on Mary's wedding gown.

The next day Mrs. Bennet sent Mary to Meryton to buy more lace, as well as Lydia and Kitty to help pick out the lace. Elizabeth and Jane elected to join their sisters on that excursion to keep the youngest in check as well as in hope of seeing Farrington's gentlemen in town.

They stopped first at the milliners to look at the bonnets that were newly on display. After that they went to the modiste to see how the bridesmaids' dresses were progressing and to schedule their next fitting. After the group completed their first two tasks they finally started looking through lace, their reason for their visit to Meryton.

"Look at this one, Kitty, I believe it suits me well!" Lydia giggled.

"It does, it would do wonders to your white and pink gown." Kitty giggled back.

"Lydia, Kitty, we are here to look for lace for Mary, not ourselves!" Elizabeth admonished.

"I do not believe my dress needs lace, I do not wish to appear frivolous," with that Mary quoted a passage out of Fordyce's Sermons.

Lydia giggled and whispered to Kitty, "I would never wish to be that droll; if marriage does that to you then I never wish to be married!"

"Nor I, imagine how boring life would be!" her faithful assistant replied. The eldest three ignored them, going back to looking at lace and ribbons. Lydia and Kitty continued to come up with ideas on how to embellish their own gowns and bonnets with what they found while Elizabeth and Jane kept trying to help Mary. Each suggestion that they had was refused by the bride-to-be, and when they were almost through, all five of the sisters were starting to get cross.

"What about this lace?" Elizabeth finally asked, holding up the last sample of lace that was there. The lace was quite modest and was the least frivolous that one could find.

"That will do," Mary sighed, giving in.

The sisters gave a sigh of relief and went to buy the lace. Lydia and Kitty chose to wait outside as they saw officers walking around. When the eldest three sisters came outside they found Lydia and Kitty deep in conversation with two officers. Elizabeth recognized one as Mr. Denny although she did not know who the other was.

"We quite despaired without you, Mr. Wickham," Lydia said, batting her eyes ferociously.

"I was disappointed when I found out that I was to miss an opportunity to dance with both of you," the gentleman replied, oozing with charm.

Elizabeth and Jane exchanged a look. Both of them had recognized the name of the officer that their sister was flirting with, but neither of them knew from where. They joined their sisters and where introduced Denny's companion, the man called Wickham. As they curtseyed the realization hit her: Elizabeth had seen Wickham's portrait at Pemberley and had heard the name from Georgiana. He was the one who attempted to elope with her friend.

‘I must warn Mr. Darcy immediately, Georgy cannot accidentally see him in Meryton,' Elizabeth thought to herself.

At that moment Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley rode through town. They both looked immediately at the ladies that held their hearts. Darcy saw on Elizabeth's face a look of barely concealed disgust. He looked to her companion and saw the one person that he would have never thought to see there and happened to want to throttle.

Wickham

Chapter 14

Posted on 2008-10-19

Jane moved over to Mr. Bingley's side, both were oblivious to Elizabeth and Darcy's expressions as well as everyone else in the group. Elizabeth also moved to the gentleman's side, but only to stop near his friend. To sooth Mr. Darcy's angry expression Elizabeth smiled up at him atop of his horse. The newcomers dismounted and greeted the ladies and the officers; Darcy's greeting toward Wickham was a barely perceptible nod. When he saw that Darcy was not leaving Miss Elizabeth's side Wickham excused himself and departed with a haste that bordered on the rude.

The group broke up into smaller sections as they turned towards Loungbourn, each gentleman walking his horse, "Mr. Darcy, you must warn your sister that he is here," Elizabeth whispered.

Darcy looked at her in askance then shook his head figuring that Georgiana had told her friend, "I will speak to her about this matter, but I really cannot do anything but remove her from Hertfordshire."

"We shall miss her company, but I agree there is not much else to do."

"I am sure that she will be disappointed to depart so soon, she has yet to see you and your sister."

"Will his being here affect your staying in Hertfordshire?" Elizabeth tentatively asked, surprised at her boldness.

Darcy looked surprised as well, but that emotion was replaced by a warm feeling caused by the thought that Elizabeth cared, "Perhaps, I will travel with my sister, but it is up to Georgiana if I come back."

"Are you to leave on the morrow?" Elizabeth asked, a bit more cautiously. "I wish that you would put off your delay until Jane and I see Georgy at least once, at dinner tomorrow."

"I am sure that Georgy will want to see you as well, but I am not sure if she is willing to stay in the same area as that... gentleman longer than necessary," Darcy spat out the end of his reply.

"We would not judge her if she left as soon as possible," Elizabeth assured him. Darcy nodded in thanks.

"Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy," Jane called out; she had noticed that the couple had continually sped up throughout their conversation. When they turned she saw a look of agitation on both of their faces. "Whatever is the matter?"

Elizabeth rushed back to her sister's side and patted her arm reassuringly, and Mr. Bingley dropped behind with his horse. "Do you remember what I told you in Derbyshire? The story concerning Georgiana's near-elopement with her father's godson?" Elizabeth asked in the same whisper that she had started out with when speaking to Darcy.

"Yes," Jane looked confused for a moment then gasped, "That's where I recognized Mr. Wickham's name from! It had seemed familiar, although I had not made the connection."

"It took me a while too, dearest," Elizabeth reassured, "Upon Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley's arrival I noticed the previous and Mr. Wickham's cold exchange and realized where I had recognized the name from. Mr. Darcy and I were just speaking of his plans to remove his sister from Farrington."

Jane spoke up to her sister's previous companion, "I am very sorry that we will not be able to see your sister although please remind her that we would love to correspond with her."

"I will, although your sister mentioned the idea of Georgiana staying a day longer as to see you at dinner tomorrow at Farrington," Darcy replied.

"Will you do as Elizabeth suggests?"

"I will suggest it, but as I said to Miss Elizabeth the decision is my sister's."

"I am very sorry for these unhappy circumstances," Jane said truthfully.

"Will you warn Colonel Forester of Mr. Wickham's true character?" Elizabeth cut in.

"I had not thought of that, but I shall; I will warn your father as well so he can dispense the knowledge throughout the neighbourhood as he sees fit."

"I thank you on behalf of my family," Jane said. Elizabeth moved back to Darcy's side, and Jane, Bingley's. This time the two couples stayed closer together, leaving a larger gap between them and the youngest three Bennet sisters than when they had first set off. As Mr. Bingley did not know of the situation Darcy filled him in, leaving out the Ramsgate affair.

By the time that the large group reached their destination the group of four in the lead was able to cover up their outward appearance of soberness with a more lively expression, other than Darcy that is. He retreated into himself and his face took on a brooding look. No one other than his friend, Jane, and Elizabeth dared to approach him as he looked quite ferocious; even Mrs. Bennet refrained from talking brashly in his hearing. The gentlemen's visit was short and ended when Mr. Darcy went to warn Mr. Bennet of Wickham's past indiscretions. Bingley assured the ladies of the dinner plans that stood the next day and added that he was sorry that he would not be there as the gentlemen were to dine out with the officers and then they departed.

Mrs. Bennet felt rather flustered from the whole event and made sure that the entire household knew of it, "I am sure that they would have stayed longer if you had encouraged him more, Jane!" she screeched. "It is a shame that he is dining out, you will travel all of the way to Farrington and back without seeing Mr. Bingley. It is too bad that there is not a cloud in the sky---for if there was, I would send you on horseback, and then you would have to stay the night..."

"But Mama, Elizabeth is to come with me as well," Jane interrupted, softly.

"I do not understand why Lizzy is honoured with the invitation; they would have done better to invite Lydia, or even Kitty. Elizabeth Bennet, did you do something to offend Mr. Darcy? He was all out of sorts today, and you are the only person who could make him so, I am sure. He would have done much better if he had paid less attention to you and more to Lydia, or even Kitty." By the end of this speech Kitty was sniffling, Jane was shocked, and Elizabeth did not know what to think. Speeches such that were not uncommon at Longbourn especially to Elizabeth; but this crossed the line. Her mother was, in short, comparing her ability of offending Mr. Darcy to that of Mr. Wickham.

"La! nothing compares to a man in uniform, Mr. Darcy will never be truly handsome unless he wears a red coat. Mr. Wickham on the other hand is quite the opposite. I think he is the handsomest man that I have ever seen!" Lydia announced with an air of importance.

"I do not believe that I have met Mr. Wickham, Lydia. We must invite him to tea so I can be introduced," Mrs. Bennet giggled.

"No! That man will never be on the Loungbourn estate as long as I am master," Mr. Bennet finally cut off the discussion that was getting uncomfortable to his eldest daughters. "Further more, I will not allow Kitty or Lydia in the presence of officers unless Jane, Elizabeth, or I am accompanying them," he added, firmly.

"But Papa! Why?" Lydia whined.

"How could you bear to do that to your daughters?" Mrs. Bennet complained.

"Papa?!" Kitty was speechless.

"I can bear it, and if I find out that you went against my wishes there will be severe consequences," with that Mr. Bennet turned and left the room.

"Oh! Hill, HILL!" Mrs. Bennet shrieked.

"Mama, calm yourself," Jane said, comfortingly.

"Oh! What is to become of us all?" Mrs. Bennet moaned. "HILL!"

"Yes ma'am?" The faithful servant appeared.

"I need my smelling salts!" Mrs. Bennet made her way to her room with Hill trailing behind.

By the next day the mistress recovered and conveniently forgot her husband's new rules. She was well on her way of sending Lydia and Kitty out the door to visit their aunt Phillips when Mr. Bennet walked by.

"Where are our daughters going?" he demanded.

"To Meryton to visit my sister Phillips," was the reply.

"Do you not think that they might see officers in Meryton?"

"There is a chance of it."

"Did I not say in the strictest sense that they are not aloud allowed to see officers unaccompanied?" Mr. Bennet was loosing his patients quickly by that point.

"Then I shall accompany them."

"I did not just say that they must be accompanied, I said by myself, Jane, or Elizabeth," he reminded his wife.

"Humph! But Elizabeth and Jane are to remain here so they do not miss their visit to Farrington," Mrs. Bennet paused to think, "Then you must go to Meryton with your daughters."

"I most certainly will not, I have estate matters to attend to," Mr. Bennet turned to go back into the library.

"Mr. Bennet! You are too cruel to your daughters!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed to his receding back.

Lydia and Kitty watched this argument with slight amusement but mostly anxiety that their father would become much stricter in the following months. As they could not but follow their father's orders, Lydia and Kitty took off their gloves, spencers, and bonnets and retreated up the stairs to talk of the morning's events.

The atmosphere was unbearable at Loungbourn and Elizabeth longed to escape it, but she knew that her mother ordered her to stay in the house until it was time for her to go to Farrington Park, and so she had no choice but to bear it. Until then, Elizabeth kept herself amused by practicing the pianoforte, something that she did too rarely. The time passed by slowly, the house abnormally quiet other than the noise of Elizabeth's practice and Kitty and Lydia's occasional stifled giggles.

The post arrived not long before Jane and Elizabeth were due to leave so it lay discarded on its tray. The carriage was called and the sisters were on their way to, possibly, see their friends from Derbyshire for the final time in a long while