Part 1

Posted on Tuesday, 27 November 2001

Darcy glanced at the letter he held in his hand as his carriage approached Netherfield, and he smiled.

Dar(blot),

(blot) am writing to invite you to join me at Nether(blot). I have met an angel, and she has agreed to marry me! Surely I am the happiest of (blot), and want nothing more now than to have you, my (blot), in my company. Please say that you will come at once!

I cannot wait until you meet my dearest Jane! A more (blot) creature has never walked the face of the earth. She is such a (blot), caring woman ... I do not know how I could have considered myself alive before meeting her.

Please, you must (blot)! I look so forward to (blot)ing you as a guest in my home.

Bing(blot)

Darcy's grin grew wider; Bingley's handwriting was atrocious at the best of times, but in his state of bliss it appeared it had reached its lowest point ever! No matter, the message was very clear. Bingley had found the woman of his dreams and was to be married; and he wished for Darcy to join him at his home in the country so that he could meet the bride to be. Darcy's smile faded as he sighed and spoke aloud, "If only I ... but it is a foolish wish, is it not?"

Darcy arrived at Netherfield in the midst of a commotion the likes of which he had never seen. He was nearly run down by one footman as he entered the house, and he saw several maids scampering here and there, their arms filled with linens and basins. Really Bingley! Can you not keep your servants in better order than this! He looked around just in time to see an older man on his way up the stairs with Bingley at his heels. Caroline was following them both, a distinct look of displeasure on her face.

She turned when she heard the door close behind Darcy, and the change in her expression was dramatic. "Mr. Darcy!" She cooed. "How lovely it is to see you again." Darcy resisted the urge to roll his eyes and returned the greeting.

Upon hearing Darcy's voice, Bingley turned from his place on the stairs. He had a quick word with the older man and then turned to Darcy, a look of consternation on his face. "Darcy old man! I do apologize for the state of the house ... Miss Bennet came for supper last evening and took ill ... and so of course she remained here for the night ... and this morning we have sent for her sister, and the apothecary has just arrived ... "

Darcy interrupted him, "Bingley, slow down man! It is all right, I understand completely. Why don't we retire to the library, and you can tell me all about it ... slowly this time?"

Bingley grinned. "Yes, and that will give me time to acquaint you with the charms of Miss Bennet! This way to the library, Darce!"

After settling into their chairs in the library, brandy snifters in hand, Bingley began to speak. "Darce, I cannot tell you how happy I have been these last two months ... I rather think I have never experienced such happiness in my life! Well, the day that Miss Bennet agreed to be my wife was of course the happiest of all ... but still ... oh, had I known when you and I came to look at this place what lay before me, I would have moved in that very day! Miss Bennet is all I could ever dream of in a woman, she is an absolute angel come to earth! Never did I think it possible ... and then suddenly, there she was in front of me, an absolute vision ... "

Bingley continued to ramble on about the virtues of Miss Bennet but Darcy scarcely heard him, having drifted off into a reverie of his own. He had once dreamed of the day that he would bring a wife home to Pemberley, but that dream had been put on the shelf like an abandoned toy. Oh, it came down for the occasional dusting off, but it was always returned to the shelf in short order, its owner left even more despondent than before.

"Darce, I say ... are you listening to me at all man?"

Darcy started at the sound of Bingley's voice. "I am sorry ... something that you said made me think of something else, and I am afraid I got quite distracted."

"Well, I will forgive you, especially as the distraction appears to have saddened you. Do you know what you need Darcy? You need to find a wife ... someone who will suit you as well as Miss Bennet suits me ... someone who will bring back the happiness that you appear to have lost lately. I intend to give a ball very shortly ... perhaps you will find her among the ladies of Hertfordshire!"

Elizabeth made her way down the stairs, and began to search for Mr. Bingley, as he had wanted to be updated on Jane's condition as soon as Mr. Jameson, the apothecary, left. She wandered through the halls of Netherfield, eventually making her way to the library. She reached for the door but hesitated when she heard a deep, unfamiliar voice.

"Honestly Bingley, I appreciate your concern ... I truly do understand that you are only attempting to make certain that the rest of the world is as happy as you are ... but please, enough!"

"But Darcy ... " she heard Mr. Bingley begin.

"But nothing Bingley!" the voice, which Elizabeth now presumed belonged to someone named Darcy, continued. "I have all but given up on the idea of ever finding a woman I would wish to marry." Elizabeth knew that she should leave, as this was obviously a private conversation, but there was a touch of sadness in Darcy's voice, and she found herself compelled to remain where she was.

"Since the time I was old enough to even consider marrying, I have been pursued for nothing more than my fortune and my position. I have never found a woman who was truly interested in getting to know me; not one has shown the inclination to learn more about me ... my hopes, my dreams, my aspirations for the future. And until I find such a woman, I cannot consider marrying ... not even to carry on the Darcy name. I suppose Pemberley will have to be passed to Georgiana's children."

"Darcy, really, I had not the slightest idea that you felt that way. It is true, I suppose, that many women are out to make the most advantageous match they can in terms of money and status, but that is not the motivation of all of them! Take Miss Bennet for example ... "

Darcy groaned. "Miss Bennet, yes, the lovely Miss Bennet ... Bingley, I am happier than I can say that you have found someone who suits you as well as Miss Bennet obviously does ... but please do not continue to remind me of my own miserable state by bringing to the forefront your happy one! And certainly, you don't mean to say that your imminent marriage to Miss Bennet is not an advantageous match for her?"

"No, no, I don't mean that at all ... it is just that, well ... I think that it is possible to have an advantageous match also be a good one in other ways ... one that contains love and respect."

Darcy sighed. "Well, I do certainly agree that is possible. After all, I believe my parents' marriage would have been seen in that light. I am certain it was seen as good for both families ... but they also had much love and respect for each other. And having grown up in such a household as that, how could I possibly settle for anything less for myself? I am almost to the point where I despise going to London ... the invitations come, and of course I can't decline all of them, so I go and find myself surrounded by beautiful but empty-headed women, all eager to claim my opinion on any subject as their own! Not that they actually pay attention to what I say. No, my opinions are not what interest them ... I rather think when they look at me, they see my money and estate. And when they do speak for themselves, they do not appear to be capable of having a thought or opinion over and above the year's latest fashions! The ones I suspect of being capable of thoughts on other subjects hide their intelligence behind vapidity and silliness, which I believe might just be worse than being incapable of serious thought to begin with!" Darcy paused, and when he continued, his voice was lowered. "Is it really so much for me to ask that there be a woman out there somewhere for me, one who is interested in me for myself and not for my money? A woman who can appreciate and love me, despite my faults, and whom I can love in the same way? A woman I can discuss things with, laugh with, have as a loving mother to my children? Do I really ask for so very much?" Elizabeth could not make out Mr. Bingley's reply, as the voices in the room had lowered sufficiently that she could only just tell they were still speaking. She knew that she should return to Jane's room and look for Mr. Bingley a little later, but instead she stood in place and pondered the man, yet unseen, behind the conversation she had just overheard.

Suddenly, the door burst open and someone emerged, someone who appeared to be in a bit of a hurry. Elizabeth was so startled that she did not have the presence of mind to move quickly. And so as Darcy hurried out of the room, he met the immovable force of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. As Elizabeth began to fall, Darcy reached out quickly in an attempt to catch her; however, his position was such that it only caused him to overbalance, and quite soon, the two were sitting side by side in the middle of the hallway.

"Madam, I uh ... I am certainly so sorry ... I did not see ... " Darcy broke off as Elizabeth, who had just gotten over the shock of having been knocked to the floor, began to giggle. Her giggles soon turned into full-blown laughter. Darcy could do nothing but stare at this fascinating creature for a moment; how odd that a woman who had just ended up in an undignified heap on the floor would find it so amusing! But Elizabeth's laughter was infectious, and Darcy found himself unable to stop the corners of his mouth from curving upward. Finally, as her laughter began to subside, Darcy found his voice.

"Madam, would you mind telling me just what it is about our situation that you find so amusing?"

"Certainly sir" Elizabeth replied with a grin. "I cannot help but think of the awkward ballet we have just performed. I have little doubt that I have never appeared so graceless in my life!"

"Nor I" Darcy chuckled. "Indeed, I am very sorry for this, it is entirely my fault. You are not injured in any way?"

"No sir, I do believe the only thing I may have injured is my pride."

"As the two of you appear to have met after a fashion, perhaps I should take this opportunity to introduce you properly." Darcy and Elizabeth both started as Bingley spoke from the doorway of the library. "Darcy, that is Miss Bennet's sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Miss Elizabeth, this is one of my best friends in all the world, Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth began to giggle again. "Mr. Darcy, I would certainly wish to greet you properly at our introduction, however I believe someone will need to help me up from my place on the floor first."

Darcy jumped to his feet as his face began to color. How ill mannered she must think him! He had been so caught up in the moment that it had not even occurred to him that they were still sitting the middle of the hallway! He gallantly reached down a hand. "Allow me to help you up, Miss Elizabeth."

"I thank you sir" Elizabeth replied as Darcy helped her to her feet. Darcy's hand lingered in hers just a moment longer than necessary; he told himself he was simply assuring that she was steady on her feet before he let go. The two of them glanced at each other for a brief moment, and as Elizabeth began to blush, she turned to speak to Mr. Bingley. "Um, Mr. Bingley, I was actually searching for you to give you the latest news regarding Jane's health." Bingley looked at her eagerly, and she continued. "Mr. Jameson is certain that it is just a bad cold, but he did say that she should remain here for a few days if possible as she is feverish and he would rather not chance her going home. So it appears that we must impose upon your hospitality a bit longer."

"Oh, Miss Elizabeth, it certainly is no imposition at all ... I am sure ... I am quite sure that my sisters and I would never wish for you to feel that way." Elizabeth thought perhaps Mr. Bingley's sisters might feel a little differently than Mr. Bingley himself, but she kept that thought to herself. "The most important thing is the health of your sister. And Darcy here, I'm sure, will not mind the extra company at all, will you Darcy?"

"Indeed not, Bingley," Darcy replied as he turned to look at Elizabeth. "I am certain that I will not find Miss Elizabeth's company an imposition at all. I am only sorry that it is to be under these circumstances."

Elizabeth smiled at Darcy briefly, and turned to Bingley. "Mr. Bingley, I do believe I shall return to my sister now. I will be sure to keep you apprised of her progress or any changes in her condition." She then turned to Darcy, raised an eyebrow and said, "And as for you, Mr. Darcy, I must thank you for today ... for it was certainly one of the most interesting ways to make an acquaintance that I have experienced thus far. I bid you good day, sir." And with a smile, she was gone. Darcy watched her as she ascended the stairs, thinking that perhaps the next few days could be very interesting indeed.

Supper that evening did not turn out the way that anyone wished. Elizabeth had sent word to Mr. Bingley that Jane was feeling no better and therefore she felt she should sit with her for the rest of the evening. Mr. Bingley made sure that supper was sent to Jane's room for the both of them, and so Elizabeth and Jane spent the evening quietly together, one resting while the other read. Elizabeth found her thoughts drifting from her book, thinking instead of how pleasant an evening in the company of Mr. Darcy might have been. For those in the dining room, the evening was no more promising. Bingley was glum, as all he could do was think of Jane and her discomfort; Hurst complained loudly to anyone who would listen until he had a sufficient amount to drink and then he quieted considerably; Louisa simply sat and looked as though she would rather be anywhere other than where she was; and Caroline fawned over Darcy until he began to feel rather ill. He finally found the chance to excuse himself, stating that he had a letter to write to Georgiana and that he believed he would then turn in early, as he wasn't feeling himself and thought perhaps a good night's sleep would be of great benefit. As Darcy made his way to his room, he passed the room containing Jane and Elizabeth, and once again felt the keen disappointment he had experienced earlier in the evening when he was informed that Elizabeth would not be joining them for supper.

Part 2

Posted on Friday, 7 December 2001

The next morning Elizabeth awoke early. After assuring herself that Jane was resting comfortably, she decided it would be a perfect morning for a walk so she grabbed her bonnet and slipped quietly out of the house. The sun was rising, the air was fresh, and Elizabeth was filled with the joy of being alive. She was unused to spending so much time in the house when the weather was fine but felt that Jane's health was more important than her own needs, so she had stayed indoors and tended her sister. Now that Jane was on the mend, it was time to indulge herself just a little. As she reached the meadow, Elizabeth began to walk faster, and then to run. She ran and twirled around and laughed with her arms outstretched and her bonnet hanging down her back, completely unaware of the delightful picture she made.

Darcy stood still, unable to tear his eyes away from the lovely sight in front of him. He had gone out for an early morning ride and had stopped under some trees at the edge of the meadow only moments before to allow the horse to rest a bit. He had been surprised when he saw Elizabeth, pleasantly so. He was just thinking of how to approach her when he saw her begin to run through the meadow, and he realized that she was not aware of his presence. As he watched her dancing and laughing, making her way through the grass and wildflowers, he found himself completely unable to form a coherent thought. Never before had he seen anything quite so enchanting. He knew somewhere in the back of his mind that it was not proper for him to be watching any young woman without her knowledge, but that part of his mind was easily overruled by his heart. And so, he continued to watch her, becoming more and more enraptured as each minute passed.

As Elizabeth neared the edge of the meadow, she glanced up and found herself caught by a pair of intense dark eyes. "Mr. Darcy! I, uh, did not see you there, sir!" she exclaimed, as her cheeks turned what Darcy thought was a most becoming shade of pink. "It appears that two days in a row now you have caught me in a rather unladylike position"

"Well, you can hardly be blamed for yesterday, Miss Elizabeth. Had I been watching where I was going more carefully, you would not have ended up in the position that you did. In truth, the entire blame for yesterday falls to me."

Elizabeth appeared to consider this for a moment, and when she spoke, it was with a twinkle in her eye. "Why Mr. Darcy, I do believe you are correct. Yesterday was entirely your fault, and as you are so eager to own it, I shall not argue that point with you any longer."

Darcy fought to keep the smile from his face, saying in the most sober voice he could manage, "I thank you, Madam, for allowing the blame to fall on me, as it should. Perhaps, if you are ready to walk back to Netherfield, you would allow me to accompany you?"

"Certainly sir. I can think of nothing more pleasant." Elizabeth blushed as she realized that her words might appear rather forward.

Darcy did not appear to mind at all; rather, the smile he had been fighting appeared to have won the battle. "Shall we make our way back to Netherfield then?" Elizabeth nodded her assent. Darcy took hold of his horse's lead and began to walk beside Elizabeth. After a few moments silence, he asked "So, would it be acceptable for me to ask what brought you out so early in the day Miss Elizabeth?"

"Very acceptable, sir," Elizabeth replied with a smile and a sidelong glance at Darcy. "I am unused to spending my days indoors. Naturally, when it is cold, I do not walk very far ... but I do enjoy a good walk when I get the chance. Lately though, with Jane's illness, I have spent all my time indoors. So when I awakened this morning and found her better, I decided to treat myself."

"And how fortunate for me that you did. I too enjoy a good walk ... but I must admit that your company has made this one more pleasant than most."

Elizabeth colored at the compliment, and once again Darcy was struck by how absolutely enchanting she was with her sparkling eyes and blush-kissed cheeks. They walked in companionable silence for a few moments, with Darcy stealing a glance at Elizabeth every now and again. When she finally caught him at it, he acted as though he had been preparing to speak. "Um, so ... I do not recall if I mentioned to you that I have a sister."

"No, you did not mention it to me previously. Pray tell me something about her."

"Her name is Georgiana. She is more than ten years my junior, and so was very young when our parents died. Because of this, she has looked at me almost more as a father than a brother. She is a sweet girl but she is very shy. She is not in female company very often. She does have a companion, but because she spends a great deal of her time at Pemberley, she does not often see anyone other than relatives. And she is not yet out, so even when she is in London, her activity is somewhat limited. I do, however, intend for her to come to Netherfield for Mr. Bingley's wedding. I ... I wonder ... if the opportunity would arise ... if you would object to meeting her? I believe that she would enjoy your company very much."

Elizabeth was not insensible to the compliment Darcy paid her by offering to introduce his sister to her. It made her very happy indeed to find he thought so well of her after such a short amount of time. "I ... would like very much to meet your sister, Mr. Darcy, should the opportunity arise."

Darcy grinned. "I am very glad to hear it, Miss Elizabeth, very glad indeed."

Darcy and Elizabeth continued their walk back to Netherfield, enjoying the morning air and each other's company. They spoke of many things; their likes and dislikes, what they enjoying doing when their time was their own, and their tastes in books, music and theatre. As their route took them past the stable, Darcy left his horse with the stable boy and he and Elizabeth continued their walk back to the house. They were very deep in conversation as they approached Netherfield and as such were unaware that Caroline stood on the balcony watching their arrival with great interest and not a little anger.

"So, this is the thanks I get for welcoming Miss Eliza into my home." Caroline muttered to herself. "The very first opportunity she gets she makes a play for Mr. Darcy ... my Mr. Darcy. Well, this will not do ... I will not allow some little country chit to step in and ruin my plans of becoming Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley. After we are married, Mr. Darcy may have all the flirtations he wishes, but before ... no, this will not do at all. I will put a stop to this ... and the sooner the better!"

"Mr. Darcy, Miss Eliza," Caroline called out as sweetly as she could manage under the circumstances. "We had wondered where you each had gone. I see, however, that there was nothing to worry about. I was not aware that the two of you had been introduced."

"Yes, Miss Bingley, Miss Elizabeth and I were introduced by your brother shortly after my arrival yesterday," Darcy said. Elizabeth worked very hard to hide the smirk that arose when Darcy corrected her name, instead smiling politely at Caroline.

"Well, I was just going out for a walk myself Mr. Darcy, perhaps you would like to join me?" Caroline cooed.

"I do appreciate the offer Miss Bingley, but I am afraid I will have to decline. I need to speak to your brother on some matters of business. Good day, Miss Bingley." With that, Darcy offered his arm to Elizabeth and escorted her into the house, as Caroline seethed silently on the front stairs. Once they were inside, Elizabeth released Darcy's arm and turned to him, eyes twinkling with mischief. "How kind it was of you to escort me into the house, Mr. Darcy. I do believe your good manners were noticed by all parties today."

"Indeed, Miss Elizabeth, I believe you may be right." Darcy replied with a smile. "I must insist however that it was an absolute pleasure and not a duty at all."

Silence ensued, and Elizabeth found herself very much in danger of drowning in those dark eyes. Finally she shook herself and spoke. "I, uh, I thank you very much Mr. Darcy. I must ... I do believe I should return to my sister now." She turned to the stairs and began to ascend, attempting to ignore the fluttering in her stomach.

Darcy had been likewise affected, and therefore found himself calling to Elizabeth after she had already made her way up several stairs. "Miss Elizabeth!"

Elizabeth turned, "Yes, Mr. Darcy?"

"Will ... uh, will you be joining us for supper this evening?"

"If Jane is still well, I believe I shall."

Darcy grinned. "Then I shall see you at supper. Until then, Miss Elizabeth." And with a bow, he was gone.

Elizabeth made her way to Jane's room, a smile playing about her lips. She opened the door to find Jane sitting up in bed, looking very much like her usual self. "Jane, I am so glad to see you better!" She crossed to the bed and gave her sister a hug. "I have been concerned."

"Yes I know you have Lizzy. I can't tell you how much it meant to me to have you here while I was ill."

"As if I would be anywhere else when you needed me! Tell me, do you feel as well as you look?"

"I do feel much better. I am very tired, but I believe the worst of it is over. But enough of me, I wish to know where you have been and what you have been doing; for something must have put the smile you were wearing as you entered my room on your face!"

Elizabeth laid her bonnet on a nearby table and sat in the chair that had been placed next to the bed. "Well, I did have a lovely walk this morning ... "

"Yes, but you have lovely walks quite frequently, and I do not believe you have ever smiled like that after one of them!"

Lizzy looked down at her hands in her lap and attempted to suppress a smile. "I did have company on the walk back."

"And are you going to continue to vex me, Miss Lizzy, or are you going to tell me who that company was?" Jane said with a grin.

"Well, I did not tell you yesterday, because you were still feeling poorly, but Mr. Bingley's friend Mr. Darcy arrived ... I met him shortly after ... it was ... rather interesting ... " Elizabeth began to blush, and Jane shot her a questioning look. Elizabeth continued, "And then I did see him again this morning while I was out on my walk, and he was kind enough to escort me back to the house."

"I know there is more to it than that, Lizzy ... I demand that you tell me! What was so interesting about your meeting Mr. Darcy? And what is he like? Charl ... Mr. Bingley has mentioned him quite often and I have been anxious to meet him."

"Oh Jane, he is quite a handsome man, very tall, with the most intense dark eyes and dark curly hair that you ... " Elizabeth realized her thoughts were drifting and tried to gather her wits. She did not notice the look Jane gave her. Jane, for her part, was quite interested in this conversation and the man it concerned. She did not recall ever seeing her sister go quite so distracted before. Elizabeth continued. "Suffice it to say, he is a very handsome man indeed. And he is quite, quite charming." Elizabeth then began to laugh. "And as for the reason I say our meeting was interesting, well, I shall tell you that story. Yesterday, after Mr. Jameson left you, I went to find Mr. Bingley to tell him the news of your condition. I heard voices in the library, and was about to leave when a man came out the door quickly and ran straight into me! I fell to the floor, and as he tried to prevent that from happening, he fell also. I began to laugh as I thought of how we must have looked, and he began to see the amusement in it as well. As he was apologizing, Mr. Bingley came into the hallway and introduced us to each other as we sat in the middle of the floor. And that" she concluded "was my first meeting with Mr. Darcy."

Jane gasped. "Oh Lizzy! How absolutely shocking!" She looked at Elizabeth, eyes full of mirth. "And what great fun!"

"Jane!" was the only word Elizabeth could utter before she and her sister began to giggle.

Supper that evening was not the pleasant event that Darcy had anticipated. Caroline had made the seating arrangements and he was very disappointed to find that Elizabeth had been placed at the complete opposite end of the table from him, thus making any conversation with her impossible. Instead he had to content himself with catching her eye occasionally and the thought that he would be able to converse with her once they retired to the drawing room.

Elizabeth had also experienced disappointment when she entered the dining room and found that she was seated far from Darcy. The thought did occur to her that Miss Bingley had likely arranged things that way for her own purpose, as a punishment for their behavior earlier in the day. She attempted to make the best of it by speaking to Mr. Hurst during dinner, but once he found she preferred a plain dish to a ragout, he had nothing more to say to her. The only thing that made supper bearable were those moments when she felt Darcy's eyes upon her, and looked up to meet them with her own. The warm feeling those moments gave her were enough to sustain her for the rest of the evening.

As supper progressed, Caroline found herself becoming more and more out of sorts. She had arranged the seating so that Darcy would be far away from Elizabeth (and directly next to herself), and she had thought that would be enough to put a stop to things. But she found this was not the case. Many times during supper Caroline would be speaking to Darcy, only to discover that he had not been attending to her words at all. And she had begun to notice that Darcy and Elizabeth appeared to be looking at each other a great deal, which only vexed her more. She grumbled under her breath "Why that little hoyden ... just look at the way she shamelessly flirts with him ... and at table, no less ... "

"Pardon me, Miss Bingley, but were you speaking to me?" Darcy asked.

Caroline blushed, causing an unpleasant contrast between herself and her favorite orange dinner dress. "No, Mr. Darcy, I was not speaking to you, I ... uh ... I appear to have been thinking aloud, that is all."

Darcy looked at her for a moment; eyebrow raised, and then gave his attention once again to his food.

Supper finally came to an end, and everyone moved to the drawing room. Elizabeth made herself comfortable on one of the settees, and Darcy quickly took the chair closest to her. Caroline entered the room, saw them sitting together, and swore under her breath. At least it would have been under her breath had she realized what she was about, but as she did not, she spoke more loudly than she ought. All eyes in the room turned to her in shock, and Louisa gasped and exclaimed "Caroline!" Caroline simply wrinkled up her nose and stared at her sister, having not an idea as to what had caused her exclamation. Bingley in the meantime had walked over to where Darcy and Elizabeth sat and murmured "Please excuse my sister ... I can't imagine what has come over her ... she has been acting rather ... peculiar lately." They both accepted his apology graciously, and Bingley moved back to the other side of the room, still quite mortified due to Caroline's outburst.

Caroline remained oblivious to everyone else's discomfort, and seated herself at the card table with Louisa and Mr. Hurst. She called out "Mr. Darcy, it seems we need a fourth for cards, surely you would fancy a game or two?"

Darcy turned to look at her, quite annoyed that she had interrupted the enjoyable conversation he was having with Elizabeth. "No, Miss Bingley, I find I do not have the mind for cards this evening. I am sorry, but you will have to play without me."

"Oh, well, I suppose then Charles that you will have to do for a fourth, as Mr. Darcy appears to have abandoned us." Caroline said, disgust evident in her voice.

Bingley looked at her oddly, but made his way to the card table so as to not further anger his sister.

A while later (too short a while, in Darcy's mind), Elizabeth stood and said, "If you will all excuse me, I would like to check on Jane."

"Certainly Miss Elizabeth ... you will return and tell me how she is doing?" Bingley asked.

Elizabeth smiled at him. "Of course I will Mr. Bingley, it will be my pleasure." With that, she quit the room.

As soon as she was gone, Caroline turned to Louisa. "Can you believe the way that Miss Eliza was behaving, Louisa? It was making me quite ill, the way she was falling all over herself trying to make a good impression."

Bingley snorted and said "But Caroline; Darcy did the same thing only yesterday!" Darcy shot him a warning glance as he began to color, but Bingley continued, recounting the tale of Darcy and Elizabeth's unconventional meeting. Bingley was so enjoying himself that he did not notice Caroline's face go red and then white as she attempted to mask her anger.

Elizabeth returned to the drawing room and as soon as she walked in the door, Mr. Bingley jumped to his feet and crossed the room, anxious for word on the health of his beloved. "Is Miss Bennet feeling any better, Miss Elizabeth?"

"Yes, I do believe she is feeling better, and she sends her greetings and regrets to you all. I think she will still be too ill to come downstairs tomorrow as she is rather weak; however I am certain that she would appreciate a visit from you on the morrow, Mr. Bingley."

Bingley grinned widely. "Then that is good news! You may tell her that I look forward to it when next you see her."

"I shall certainly do that sir." With that, Elizabeth made her way back over to the settee where she had been seated previously. Darcy greeted her with a smile.

"I am glad to hear that your sister is in better health this evening, Miss Elizabeth."

"Yes, she is, thank you Mr. Darcy. Although it will likely be another day or two before she is well enough to return home."

Darcy made his best attempt to appear disappointed. It would not do to admit that he was happy that Jane was still ill enough to keep her and her sister at Netherfield for a few more days. "Oh, I am sorry she is still that ill. I suppose you will simply have to make the best of your time here."

Caroline, who had been watching Darcy and Elizabeth and growing more and more angry, decided that it was time she interrupt. "Miss Eliza, I am sorry to hear that you shall be forced to endure several more days away from your charming family. Perhaps Jane would be all right here on her own now that she is on her way back to health. And you could then return to your family."

Darcy fumed ... he was well aware of the game that Caroline was playing, and did not like it a bit. "I'm certain that it gives Miss Bennet great comfort to have her sister here while she is ill Miss Bingley; surely you do not suggest something that would make Miss Bennet unhappy?"

Caroline's eyes narrowed. Darcy was taking far too much interest in Elizabeth for her liking. "Oh no, Mr. Darcy, I would never suggest something that would cause our dear Miss Bennet pain. I simply thought that Miss Eliza might be more comfortable among the members of her own family."

"Indeed Miss Bingley, I do appreciate your concern and thoughtfulness. But I am quite comfortable here; everyone has been very kind." Elizabeth's eyes met Darcy's and she blushed and looked away. "I am certain that Jane will be well enough to leave in a few days and so we will see our family soon enough."

Darcy fought down the disappointment he felt at Elizabeth's words. For reasons he was not quite ready to admit, he felt a profound sense of loss when she mentioned leaving Netherfield. Snap out of it man! You have known the girl for little more than a day! Yes, she is beautiful, and charming, and witty, and has the most beautiful eyes you have ever seen, but it is not as though you are in love with her! And you knew she was to go home as soon as her sister was well. His thoughts were interrupted by Miss Bingley.

"Pray tell me, Mr. Darcy, how is your sister Georgiana? It has been too long since I have seen her. Tell me, does she still play the pianoforte so well? Such an accomplished girl! I assume that she has grown since I saw her last ... how tall is she now?"

Darcy refrained from rolling his eyes and answered Caroline's questions as best he could. "Georgiana is well, Miss Bingley. I thank you for inquiring. She does still practice the pianoforte every day; and forgive me if I sound too much the part of the proud older brother, but I believe she plays very well indeed. It gives me great pleasure to listen to her. As for her height," he hesitated, "I believe she would be about Miss Elizabeth's height, perhaps a little taller."

Caroline was taken aback by his comment. Must the man bring her name into every conversation? "She cannot leave soon enough for my liking" Caroline muttered. Darcy had ceased to pay attention to her and thus did not hear her remark, but Elizabeth did hear it and decided that she had listened to more than enough of Miss Bingley for one evening. Elizabeth stood and generally addressed the occupants of the room.

"I do believe I should check on Jane again and as it is growing late, I believe I will then retire for the evening. So I will say my goodnight to you all." As she turned to leave the room she looked at Darcy and she was struck by the look of disappointment on his face. The fluttering she had noticed in her stomach earlier in the day returned, and once again she tried to put it out of her mind.

She was in the hall when she heard Caroline call to her. "Oh, Miss Eliza, do wait a moment." Caroline joined her in the hallway, just outside the drawing room door. "I would like you to pass a message on to your dear sister for me ... but we can continue down the hall as I tell you, so as not to delay you further."

They walked down the hallway, Caroline babbling on about wishes for Jane's health, and Elizabeth growing more and more suspicious. Her instincts were proven correct when they had moved a sufficient distance from the open drawing room door. Caroline turned on her and hissed "Now, Miss Eliza ... as we are alone, I have some things I believe you need to hear ... for your own good, of course." Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at her, but did not interrupt. "I have seen the way that you look at Mr. Darcy ... obviously you do not realize that he and I are meant to be together. I will not let a little country chit like you stand in my way." Caroline laughed. "As if he would be interested in someone like you to begin with! Oh, he might find you worthy of a flirtation, but he could never have serious designs on someone of your kind. He is far too wealthy and too well connected to lower himself by falling into a serious relationship with someone of your social status. Why, his family would never forgive him for sullying the Darcy name! And he would never be accepted in the social circles he frequents ever again! He would be shunned by friends and family alike ... no, you would do better to stay away from him completely ... you will only embarrass yourself if you set your cap at him."

Elizabeth was shocked by the words coming out of Caroline's mouth but she recovered quickly. "Miss Bingley, I thank you for your kind advice. I am quite relieved now." Caroline looked at her with disbelief. "Truly, I am ... for I now know that I am best served if I behave as myself, as I have always done. For what would be the point of my playing the flatterer or coquette, as so many other women have done? As you have said, it would bring me no benefit, and I would only end up the injured party in the end. So I thank you Miss Bingley for your concern ... you have done me a great kindness this evening. Now, if you will excuse me, I wish to see my sister. Good night, Miss Bingley."

Caroline watched her suspiciously as she continued down the hall. It was so difficult to determine if Elizabeth meant what she said ... impertinent little miss that she was! However, the more Caroline thought about it, the more sure she was that she had made her point. Elizabeth would certainly no longer be an obstacle.

Lizzy gave an exasperated sigh as she threw herself into the chair next to Jane's bed. Jane looked at her quizzically. "Lizzy, whatever is the matter?"

Lizzy laid her head back against the chair and covered her eyes with her hands. "Oh Jane, it is nothing, really. I am perfectly all right."

"I know very well that you are not 'perfectly all right' Lizzy! I demand that you tell me ... you know I will not give you a moment's peace until you do." She paused. "Does this have anything to do with Mr. Darcy?"

Elizabeth laughed. "Jane, sometimes you do surprise me! I suppose it does have something to do with Mr. Darcy, although only indirectly. Miss Bingley said some things to me tonight as I walked to your room ... she made it seem as though she wanted to pass along her good wishes to you, but when we were out of hearing distance of the drawing room, she revealed what I must believe was her reason for speaking to me all along. She ... she behaved as though I was after Mr. Darcy! I admit, he is a very attractive man and I find myself enjoying his company, but I have certainly not been flirtatious or attempted to force my company on him! She was all too happy to point out to me that a man of his consequence would never consider an attachment to someone in my situation. I should not let this bother me ... I simply need to put this out of my mind ... it does not matter anyway." Elizabeth sighed. "She is correct, you know ... no man of his stature and wealth would consider an alliance with a girl who has no real dowry or title. She told nothing but the truth."

Jane said quietly "But Lizzy, it hurt your feelings all the same. And why would a dowry matter to Mr. Darcy ... surely he has enough money of his own that a dowry would be unimportant when thinking of marriage?"

Elizabeth looked up, startled at the leap her heart made at hearing the words 'Mr. Darcy' and 'marriage' in the same sentence. "Oh Jane, I wasn't speaking of Mr. Darcy specifically at that point ... I ... I simply meant that Miss Bingley was correct ... any man of similar wealth and position would not deign to marry someone in my position. But I suppose you are correct; it did hurt my feelings a bit."

"Lizzy, I know I should not speak badly of the woman who is to be my sister, but I have to say Miss Bingley can be very cruel. Do you recall how awful she was to me before Charles asked for my hand? When she spoke continually about his great affection for Miss Darcy? I have very little doubt that her reason for speaking in such a way to you is that she fancies Mr. Darcy is in love with her, and it upsets her that he takes pleasure in your company." Jane gave her sister an arch look. "And as for her other argument, must I remind you that your own dear sister is marrying a man who is above her in both wealth and position? Or do I not merit consideration anymore?"

Elizabeth laughed, "Dear Jane, you do always know just what to say to me. Of course you do; and when looked at in that light I would have to say that obviously, Miss Bingley is incorrect, and it can occur ... most happily, in fact. And so let us draw that conversation to a close; I do not wish to dwell on the words of Miss Bingley any longer."

"Not so quickly, sister dear! You did not tell me how you replied to Miss Bingley ... and I am anxious to know!"

Elizabeth attempted to look her most angelic. "Why, I simply thanked her for her advice ... it was very thoughtful of her to let me know I could behave as I always do and not play the coquette like so many women before me, was it not?"

Jane's mouth dropped open. "Lizzy! You did not!" Elizabeth giggled and nodded. "Oh, how I wish I would have been there to witness it ... I assume that she did not realize you were alluding to her when you mentioned the women before you? Oh, of course she did not, it would not occur to her that her actions could be seen in such a contemptible light. Sometimes, Lizzy, I fail to see how she and Charles could have come from the same parents."

Elizabeth laughed. "Jane, I daresay people think the same of us after meeting Mary, Kitty and Lydia."

"Oh yes, I suppose you are correct. I had not thought of it that way." Jane said with a smile.

"Now, I do believe I should leave you so you can get your rest, and I believe I shall retire for the evening as well. Oh! I did almost forget to tell you; Mr. Bingley said he would be happy to visit with you tomorrow."

"Oh, that does give me something to look forward to. Thank you so much Lizzy for arranging it."

Elizabeth turned and smiled at her sister. "You know I would do anything for you, Jane. Pleasant dreams then, and good night."

Jane wished her sister goodnight as well, but Elizabeth barely heard her. Her mind was more agreeably engaged in imagining the pleasant dreams she herself would have; dreams featuring a tall, handsome, charming man of recent acquaintance. The smile did not leave her face for the remainder of the evening.