Netherfield Park Is Let At Last

By Rachael

Beginning, Next Section

Chapter 1

Posted on 2008-07-21

“Have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?” A lady asked one day as she walked into the sitting room with her companions.

The gentleman to whom she had been speaking to replied that he had not.

“It is; I had just overheard Miss Ashley and Miss Eddings speaking of it at the milliners.”

The gentleman folded his paper.

“Do you not want to know who has taken it?” cried the lady.

“Certainly. My dear, you seem very impatient today.”

The lady ignored the second part of his reply. “"It is taken by a Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner with four young children; in addition, their two eldest nieces are soon coming to visit. Is that not grand?"

“And are these ladies your age?” Mr. Darcy asked his sister.

“A few years older, but yes; I am very excited to make their acquaintance.” Miss Darcy informed him.

“I can tell.” The gentleman dryly replied. He went back to his paper before Miss Bingley- who had went to the milliners with Miss Darcy- could try and engage him in a conversation.

“When are they to come?” Mr. Bingley asked.

“They arrive in two days. Apparently they are to attend the assembly in Lambton next week. Oh! I wish I was out, just so I could see them there.” Miss Darcy said.

Mr. Darcy was ecstatic to see the change in Georgiana merely for the reason that there were soon to be two new prospective friends for her; so ecstatic, in fact, that he impulsively made the suggestion that his sister was hinting at. “Bingley, Miss Bingley, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, and I could go for a little while to see what they are like.”

“Darcy, that's the first time I have ever heard you suggest going to a ball of your own will!” Bingley exclaimed.

Darcy shrugged. “I wish to meet our new neighbours. Of course, if you would rather not, I can just call on them.”

“No!” Bingley exclaimed, then added hastily, “I would love to come! Your sister mentioned the other day that many of her friends who are out would be going. Caroline, do you not want to go?”

Miss Bingley was not one to forego any chance she had of dancing with Mr. Darcy; therefore, she immediately agreed.

“That is settled then. We shall be going to the ball.” Mr. Darcy said, finalizing their plans.

Five days later Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner stood outside of Netherfield waiting for their nieces' arrival. Their housekeeper, Mrs. Allen, had heard the carriage turning into the drive. Not long after, the carriage which bore their nieces, reached the grand house.

“What a beautiful home!” Jane Bennet exclaimed as she alighted from the carriage.

“So nicely situated!” added her sister.

“Indeed, we are very happy that we were able to find such a splendid home. In Derbyshire, no less!” Mrs. Gardiner replied. While looking at houses, Netherfield had always been one of the family's favourites and the fact that it was so close to Mrs. Gardiner's childhood home settled the issue.

"Come in, come in, it is rather chilly out here -- indeed, where are our manners, making you stand outside in the cold after such a long carriage ride?" Mr. Gardiner ushered the arrivals in, surrendering them to the housekeeper to show them their rooms.

The Gardiners had decided to purchase an estate two months ago, after Mr. Gardiner received a letter informing him of the recent demise of his Great Aunt Augusta, a relation he had not even know existed. Mr. Gardiner was the only eligible heir; consequently, his family received the whole of the inheritance. She did not have an estate because she sold it when she got ill, but the amount of the inheritance allowed Mr. Gardiner to get a clear six thousand pounds per annum.

They invited their nieces to stay to help them settle into the new home. Also, it allowed the eldest Bennet sisters to get away from any new matchmaking plans that Mrs. Bennet might come up with.

The day after the Jane and Elizabeth arrived; Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley called on Mr. Gardiner to greet their new neighbours.

“My dear, you will never guess who called on me earlier when you were visiting your friend in Lambton.” Mr. Gardiner greeted his wife. “By the way, Jane and Lizzy are in the music room with our daughters.”

“Who visited us, my dear, you must tell me since you said that I would never guess.”

“Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. They came and sat with me for a half hour. I was hoping that they would meet our nieces, but alas they did not. I did discover something rather interesting, however.”

“What, my dear?”

“Mr. Darcy and his guests are to go to the assembly this week.” Mr. Gardiner grinned, “Have you told Jane and Elizabeth that we are going?”

“Not yet, how about we join them in the music room now and inform them of this engagement.” Mrs. Gardiner suggested.

Mr. Gardiner gallantly offered his arm to his wife, which she accepted.

Four days later Jane, Elizabeth, Mr., and Mrs. Gardiner went to the assembly in Lambton. There they were greeted by Mr. Eddings, who reminded Elizabeth of Sir William, simply wealthier.

“We greet you to our neighbourhood's humble assembly!” Mr. Eddings bowed deeply. He was average height and rather portly. Starting to tour the room, nearing his daughter and another gentleman, he exclaimed, “Capital, capital!”

“Did Sir William come to Derbyshire and change his name?” Elizabeth asked her sister, referring to the man's random exclamations of “Capital, capital!”

“Elizabeth!” Jane whispered, “Do not tease our Aunt and Uncle's new neighbours!”

The room suddenly went silent as the doors opened once more, admitting Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. Mr. Eddings rushed up to the group and, after bowing deeply once more exclaimed, “Capital, Capital! Mr. Darcy, you do us great honour!”

Mr. Darcy bowed. To Elizabeth he looked uncomfortable in the social setting, but didn't look like he thought that the assembly was beneath his notice. She glanced over at Jane and saw that her sister's gaze was locked on Mr. Bingley's face.

Not long after the Pemberley's party arrived, Elizabeth could hear Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley request of her uncle to make the acquaintance of his wife and nieces

Chapter 2

Posted on 2008-07-29

“Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, may I present my wife Madeline Gardiner and my nieces Jane and Elizabeth Bennet? Madeline, Jane, Elizabeth, this is Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.” Mr. Gardiner did the introductions.

“It is a pleasure to meet you.” Darcy said, politely.

“Miss Bennet, unless you are otherwise engaged, will you dance the first with me?” Bingley asked, not once taking his eyes off of Jane.

“I am not engaged.”

Mr. Bingley beamed. Then to make sure he did not slight Jane's sister he asked, “And the second with you, Miss Elizabeth?”

“It would be my honour.”

Elizabeth noticed that his friend, Mr. Darcy, did not seem inclined to dance, which explained her surprise when he asked her to join him for the first set.

"I would enjoy that, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth noted that Mr.Darcy obviously did not enjoy dancing, but forced himself to dance at least a little, so he would not give offense.

At the same time, Mr. Darcy thought to himself about how pretty Miss Elizabeth was. She had such fine eyes. Both Miss Bennets would make good companions to Georgiana. He promised himself that he would secure the second dance with the elder sister before the first dance started.

As the music of the first dance commenced, Darcy and Elizabeth lined up next to Bingley and Jane. Bingley still had yet to take his eyes off of the angel that he was to dance with. Elizabeth noticed that Mr. Darcy was staring at her.

`Thank heavens my mother is not here,' Elizabeth thought to herself, `or else she would have already started to plan Jane's wedding, and mistake Mr. Darcy's civility for attraction.' What Elizabeth did not know was that she mistook Mr. Darcy's attraction for civility.

The first dance passed in companionable silence for the two couples, with only occasional words being exchanged. The second dance passed in the same fashion. Messrs. Darcy's and Bingley's eyes, however, remained glued to their former partners.

The rest of the evening went well. Jane and Elizabeth rarely sat out any dances and at the end they were asked to dance a second by Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, respectively.

The next morning after breakfast, Mr. Gardiner met with his steward while Mrs. Gardiner, Jane, and Elizabeth conversed in the drawing room, the children being upstairs with their nursemaid and governess.

“What did you think about our neighbours last night?” Mrs. Gardiner wanted to know, especially about the group from Pemberley.

“As a whole they seemed very kind, Aunt Gardiner. Especially Miss Eddings.” Elizabeth replied.

“Indeed, the whole Eddings family seemed kind. And what of Mr. Bingley?” Mrs. Gardiner asked Jane.

“He is all that a young man ought to be.” Jane said animatedly, then blushed.

Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner exchanged a glance. “Indeed,” they both said as one.

“And Mr. Darcy?” Mrs. Gardiner prompted.

Now it was Lizzy who blushed. “He is a true gentleman, and very handsome. But the Bingley sisters! They were better pleased with themselves than what they saw, I think.”

“I thought that once you got to know them they were friendlier.” Jane as always, saw the good in people even when no good existed.

“But their brother seems kind, and I wish to know everyone in the neighbourhood better.” Mrs. Gardiner added.

“Indeed.” Elizabeth finished.

The housekeeper, Mrs. Allen, entered the room. “Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, and Mr. Bingley, ma'am.”

“Show them in, Mrs. Allen.” Mrs. Gardiner replied. The housekeeper nodded and the people that she named entered the room.

“Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth.” Mr. Darcy stated. They all bowed and curtseyed.

“Mr. Darcy.” Mrs. Gardiner replied.

“I wish for you to make the acquaintance of my sister.” Mr. Darcy said. When Mrs. Gardiner nodded, a shy, young girl stepped forward. She could hardly be called a girl because she looked about the age of sixteen. She was tall; taller than Elizabeth, and looked graceful and elegant. But what overpowered all of this was her shyness. “Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, my sister Georgiana Darcy. Georgy, Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth wanted to put the poor girl at ease so she said, “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I heard about you last night from your brother.”

“And I, all about you.” Miss Darcy murmured.

“I understand you are quite fond of music and play very well.” Elizabeth said.

“N.. no! I mean, I am quite fond of music, but I do not know that I play well.” Miss Darcy replied demurely.

“I would love to hear you play sometime.” Jane said.

“Perhaps.” Miss Darcy said.

Mrs. Gardiner decided to change the subject. It is always so beautiful here,” she sighed, “I love the wild, untamed beauty.”

“Indeed, I have always found it my favourite county.” Mr. Darcy added. “Have you lived here before, Mrs. Gardiner?”

“Yes, I grew up here.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled in remembrance.

“I love walking through the forests here,” Miss Darcy added tentatively.

“Indeed, I am eager to do so.” Elizabeth replied.

“We must go walking sometime, Miss Elizabeth.” Miss Darcy suggested.

“What a wonderful idea!”

“Then we could go back to Pemberley for tea,” she added.

“Is Tuesday convenient?”

Georgiana nodded eagerly. “Jane, Mrs. Gardiner, you must come as well.”

“I am not a great walker, but perhaps I could join you for tea,” Jane suggested.

“That would be great fun.” Georgiana said. “Miss Elizabeth, a carriage will pick you up here at one o'clock on Tuesday.”

“I shall look forward to it.”

Mr. Bingley continued to stare at Jane. After the details pertaining to this outing were decided he sat next to her and for the rest of the visit Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, Elizabeth, and Mrs. Gardiner made light conversation while Jane and Mr. Bingley talked softly together.

On Tuesday Elizabeth saw Pemberley for the first time. Her new friend was waiting in front of the house.

“It's beautiful. I have never seen a house better situated.” Elizabeth said finally.

“I agree, but I am rather biased.” Georgiana giggled softly. Elizabeth found the giggles contagious and three minutes later when Mr. Darcy walked out of the house he saw his sister and Miss Elizabeth full out laughing. `The Bennets seem to be a good influence on Georgiana, especially Miss Elizabeth,' he thought to himself. Aloud he said,

“Miss Elizabeth, Georgy, good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon, sir,” Elizabeth said as she curtseyed.

Mr. Darcy bowed.

“Miss Darcy and I were just about to go on our walk.”

“I will leave you to it, then.” Mr. Darcy bowed again and walked away.

“Let us go this way.” Georgiana motioned towards another direction. Georgiana had noticed her brother's attraction to Lizzy at the Gardiners', and she decided to nudge them along a bit. The path that they took led to the path that her brother took; Georgiana chose this path in hopes of meeting up with her brother.

“You know best.” Elizabeth cheerfully said.

They walked down the path and talked about the trees and plants that they saw along the way.

“Miss Elizabeth?” Miss Darcy began.

“Yes?”

“I feel like we know each other so well already and…” Miss Darcy looked down.

“Yes?” Elizabeth prompted.

“I was wondering if you would call me Georgiana.” Georgiana blurted out. She looked down and blushed.

“Only if you call me Elizabeth, or Lizzy.”

Georgiana nodded. “Can you call me Georgy, Lizzy?”

“But of course, Georgy-Lizzy.” Elizabeth teased, and both girls giggled. Not long after they switched to first names the girls walked out of the path and back to the front of the house. `William must have taken another path that branched off of the original path.' Georgiana thought to herself, disappointed.

They checked the time, and as Jane was due to arrive in five minutes, they went to the music room, where they were to have tea.

“Would you play a piece for me?” Georgiana asked, glancing at the pianoforte.

“Only if you play for me as well.” Elizabeth replied. Georgiana nodded as Elizabeth made her way over to the pianoforte. She played the piece by heart. Her performance was, in a word, captivating. There were a few incorrect notes and her performance could have been improved technically, but Georgiana was stunned nonetheless.

Unbeknownst to the two ladies, Mr. Darcy was just down the hall and heard the entire piece. He was mesmerized by the beautiful music, and could not do anything but listen as she played.

“That was enchanting!” Georgiana erupted into applause. Mr. Darcy had to hold back from doing the same.

“But I missed so many notes, and the technique could have been much better.” Elizabeth modestly said.

“But you poured your heart into it!” Georgy argued back.

“Well, no matter. It is your turn, now.”

“I will play, but please don't make me sing.” Elizabeth nodded.

Georgiana played Cannon in D, a song that was too easy for her talents, but Elizabeth could tell it was a favourite. Not a single note was incorrect and the technique was brilliant.

“That was amazing!” Elizabeth exclaimed after she finished applauding.

“Yes, but it was an old favourite. If I played any worse than I just did, you might think that I never practice!” Georgiana replied.

Elizabeth was spared from making a reply because Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, announced Jane's arrival. They group of three drank tea and chatted for a half hour longer before Elizabeth and Jane went back to Netherfield Park. During tea, Georgiana requested that Jane call her Georgy as well.

During the carriage ride home Elizabeth noted, “Georgy is a sweet girl. She seems shy, but I truly wish to get to know her better.”

“Indeed.” Jane answered absently. She was thinking about how she wished that Mr. Bingley was at Pemberley, but he was not.

“Although, I have to say that I am glad that Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were out while we were there,” Elizabeth added.

“I wish to know them better as well.” Jane replied. Elizabeth only shook her head in resignation

Chapter 3

Posted on 2008-08-04

Later that week the ladies received a call from Miss Eddings. “You are all invited to a party at Mayfair,” she informed them.

“Indeed?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.

“It is one week from now.” Miss Eddings continued.

Jane and Elizabeth pleadingly looked to their Aunt Gardiner. “We can come.” She announced, to her nieces' satisfaction.

Miss Eddings clapped her hands in excitement. “I cannot wait!” she exclaimed. “Mr. Darcy is allowing his sister to go, even though Georgiana is not out. We shall be such a merry party!” Miss Eddings' enthusiasm reminded the sisters of their youngest sister Lydia, minus the forwardness, silliness, and lack of decorum.

“Indeed, we shall.” Elizabeth smiled.

“Oh, I must be going. I hope to visit you again,” Miss Eddings declared.

Jane spoke up. “Please do.”

“Then I shall!” With that Miss Eddings took her leave.

“She seems like a sweet young lady,” Mrs. Gardiner said.

“Very much so, with an enthusiasm much like Lydia's,” Jane agreed.

“Although she possesses a maturity that Lydia lacks, that is exactly what I thought,” Elizabeth added. The sisters smiled at each other in agreement.

The party was a small affair, of only families from the neighbourhood. During supper Elizabeth was seated next to Mr. Darcy and a Mr. Ashley; Georgy sat across from her. While Mr. Darcy tended to be a quiet person, Elizabeth found that he was witty and well informed. Jane was seated next to Mr. Bingley and her Uncle Gardiner.

After supper they sat down to play cards, until Miss Eddings suggested dancing. Elizabeth talked to Georgy during the first few dances while Jane spoke to Mr. Bingley. After a short while, Mr. Darcy approached his sister and Elizabeth, eventually asking the latter to dance. She was surprised at his singling her out, but she quickly accepted. Georgy watched this scene with growing pleasure, and went over to talk to Mrs. Gardiner during the dance. Mr. Bingley and Jane joined that set, as well.

The evening felt too short to all present, especially for Pemberley and Netherfields' parties, with the exception of Miss Bingley, Mr., and Mrs. Hurst.

Over the next few weeks, Netherfield's ladies grew better and better acquainted with the local populace. Daily the ladies would call on, or receive calls from, the other families of the neighbourhood, most commonly from Miss Darcy, Miss Eddings, Miss Ashley, and whoever accompanied them. There grew a deep bond between the five young ladies. Their three neighbours also proved themselves fond of children, never objecting to the young Miss Gardiners' company.

Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were also frequently in attendance. Every time when they were together Mr. Bingley would quickly single Jane out while Mr. Darcy would join Elizabeth and whoever else was there. Elizabeth's admiration for Mr. Darcy continued to grow. Each time they were in each other's company she would see some new admirable trait in him. That is not to day they did not verbally fence, oh, no, they did that quite often. However, surprisingly they both rather enjoyed their battle of wits.

Miss Darcy noticed how her brother's gaze was constantly directed at her new friend. She secretly hoped to be able to call Elizabeth her sister in the future, and had the feeling that her brother would not be adverse to that.

Miss Darcy wanted to discern her friend's feelings towards her brother, so one day on a walk she said, “You enjoy balls, do you not?”

“Very much so.” Elizabeth replied while leaning over to smell a flower.

“I am quite petrified of my coming out, in general-- as you probably have noticed, I am rather shy,” Georgiana said, thinking that the word to describe her at the moment was closer to mischievous than shy.

Elizabeth laughed lightly. “Do you not like dancing?”

“It really depends. I am rather nervous that I will not do credit to the Darcy name, or I will stumble, or something silly like that.”

“Georgy, Georgiana, I know that you never need to worry about living up to the Darcy name. You are graceful, elegant, and accomplished. You are a good friend and you are beautiful. No, Georgy, you have no reason to be scared of that, but I do not blame you for being so, it is a natural felling.” Georgiana blushed at Elizabeth's list.

“I know that I will never be able to be in a social situation with as much ease as you.” Georgiana trying to bring the conversation back to her original point.

“Perhaps not, but I believe that it is the difference in our dispositions,” Elizabeth said.

“Indeed.” Georgy paused, not knowing how to continue. “I am like my brother in that respect.”

“He is not comfortable in social situations?” Elizabeth was slightly surprised. “I know that he is shy, but to my knowledge he has always been at ease.”

“To tell the truth he does not tend to enjoy dancing” Georgiana informed her.

“I had figured that at first, but he does seem to indulge in the amusement quite often for disliking it.”

“He has danced more at the last party and assembly then he would normally. I was wondering his reason for doing so. Perchance you know?” Georgiana smiled innocently, pretending not to know what she was implying.

Elizabeth smiled back, her eyes full of mirth. “I believe Miss Bingley has caught his eye as last, and he does not want to miss a chance to dance with his beloved” she whispered conspiratorially. Elizabeth was surprised that the thought hurt her.

Georgiana laughed. “I believe that is what Miss Bingley hopes, yet he did not dance with her at the party, and he danced with her only once at the assembly. There must be some other reason for this sudden change in character.”

“As I had not known him before this alleged change in character, then I cannot see how the situations are different,” Elizabeth said, realizing too late that the only change in situation is that the Mr. Darcy had not known the present Netherfield party.

“And what do you think of my brother?” Georgiana asked, abnormally forward.

“He seems kind, considerate, well informed, witty, generous…” Elizabeth blushed, remembering who she was speaking to.

“And handsome?” Georgiana added, knowing full well that `handsome' would have soon been added to the list, if Elizabeth had not stopped.

“Indeed,” Elizabeth blushed again.

Georgiana felt a little pity for her friend so she teased, imitating Miss Bingley's voice, “I believe our dear Miss Bingley would agree to that.”

“Almost anyone would agree to that,” Elizabeth said, thankful that Georgy eased up.

“But many would not think him quite so handsome if he was not quite so rich.” Georgy observed.

“Many would not, but I believe that those people should be avoided. Those are the people that tend to care about one's monetary value more than the actual person.” From the corner of her eye Elizabeth saw Georgy blanch. “Georgy, whatever is the matter?”

Georgy shook her head. “Oh! Will you promise to never tell anyone, if I tell you?”

Elizabeth nodded, eager to help her friend.

“Well, you may tell Jane, but no other. I hope that you will not think ill of me after I tell you.”

“Nothing can make me think ill of you, Georgy.” Elizabeth declared.

“This easily may.” Georgy mumbled as she turned away to collect her thoughts. “Mr. Wickham is the son of my late father's steward. My father treated Mr. Wickham as a second son, loved him as a second son.” With that, Georgiana proceeded to tell Elizabeth of her dealings with Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth murmured consoling phrases at the appropriate times and when Georgy was finished, she pulled the younger girl into a gentle hug, and Georgy started crying.

A while later Georgiana slowly stopped crying. “You are not at fault, Georgy. That man used you, and used you very ill.” Elizabeth assured her.

“I feel so much better now. I have not truly talked about what happened at Ramsgate with someone who was not involved or hired by my brother, before. I do hope that you still wish to be my friend. I would understand if you do not, though.”

“Georgy, I said this before, and I will say it again. Nothing can make me think ill of you. Maybe you accepted his advances, but you did not do anything improper for a lady being courted, which is what you were. There is no reason for me to think ill of you, even if I wished to. You thought that he loved you and you believed that you loved him. Surely there is nothing wrong on your part.” Elizabeth finished.

“Do you truly think so?” Georgy sniffled.

“I do.”

“I believe we must be going back to Netherfield, I believe that we have been out for a while now.” Georgy said.

Elizabeth nodded. With that they turned to head back to Netherfield Park

Chapter 4

Posted on 2008-08-11

Georgiana Darcy was one of those fortunate enough not to suffer the after effects of crying. To be sure, her cheeks were slightly sticky from drying tears and her eyes a little red and puffy, but for the most part, one would not be able to tell that Georgiana had recently been weeping. She easily dried her cheeks with a handkerchief, and if she claimed a lack of sleep, no one would wonder at the validity of the statement. Happily for her, her nose did not swell up or turn a different colour. So, by the time Georgiana and Lizzy arrived at Netherfield Park they merely looked like two young ladies tired out by a lengthy morning's walk after little rest the night before.

The girls entered, handing their bonnets and pelisses to the butler, mid-giggle, as a result of a comment made by Elizabeth.

“Where is my sister?” Elizabeth inquired of the butler.

“The drawing room, I believe, with your aunt and their callers.”

“Thank you.” The butler bowed as Elizabeth and Georgiana proceeded to the named room.

“Ah, Elizabeth, Miss Darcy, so good of you to join us. Did you enjoy your walk?” Mrs. Gardiner said.

“Very much, I thank you.” Her niece replied.

“Grand.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled. “Mr. and Miss Ashley are here, as you can see.” The callers bowed and curtseyed to the new arrivals, a motion that was returned. Mrs. Gardiner continued, “Jane ran out of blue thread and went to get some. She will be back soon.”

As if on cue Jane entered, dropping a curtsy to the already standing visitors. “Lizzy, Georgiana, you're back!” Jane exclaimed.

Georgiana smiled gently. “As you see.” Elizabeth snickered at Georgiana's dry remark.

“Would you like more tea?” Mrs. Gardiner asked, bringing civility back to the atmosphere of her drawing room.

“Yes, please.” Each of them replied while they seated themselves.

As Mrs. Gardiner poured the tea, she explained her husband's absence saying, “Mr. Darcy invited my husband to go shooting at Pemberley.”

“It is a nice day for hunting,” Miss Ashley commented.

“Indeed, the last few days have been fine. I hope the bright weather lasts,” Jane said.

“As do I. Last week Georgiana and I had to cancel our walk due to the storm,” Elizabeth added.

“It was a pity to be locked indoors. There are so many sights that you still have not seen.” Georgiana said.

“I think that we should have a picnic on the green, near Lambton,” Mr. Ashley suggested.

“That sounds like great fun.” Jane replied.

“I will see if my mother and I could organize it. If we have the picnic a week from tomorrow then my other two brothers will both be back in Derbyshire,” Miss Ashley volunteered.

“Then we shall look forward to it,” Mrs. Gardiner said. Conversation moved to other topics. A quarter hour later, the Ashley siblings announced that their visit was, sadly, over.

“I will make sure that you will be the first to know after I ask my mother to help me plan the picnic,” Miss Ashley promised.

“We thank you,” Jane replied for all of them. The ladies of the house went back to embroidery as the music room was occupied by the two Miss Gardiners and their governess.

After working quietly for a while Elizabeth asked, “Dear Georgiana, would you join us for dinner?”

“Please say you can,” Jane begged.

“We would really enjoy having you, dear,” Mrs. Gardiner said. The conversation was similar to previous ones that they had, so it was no surprise when Georgiana acquiesced.

Mrs. Gardiner stayed with the young ladies only a little while longer since she wanted to supervise part of her daughters' music lesson.

As the other ladies were on the verge of becoming bored, Georgiana decided to regale them with tales of what Miss Bingley had done the day before.

“She acts as if she is the mistress of Pemberley. I find it quite amusing, but I truly pity my brother. Miss Bingley is always fawning over us both, but she saves most of her attention for my poor brother. You both know how much we rely on Mrs. Reynolds.” Jane and Elizabeth both nodded. “Well, yesterday Miss Bingley had the nerve to correct her. Mrs. Reynolds turned and looked Miss Bingley clear in the eye and said, `If, and this is a big if, you ever become my mistress you can tell me how to do things around Pemberley until then I will do what my master bids.' Miss Bingley was livid and stormed out of the house.”

“She deserved it,” Elizabeth said.

“That's what my brother said when Mrs. Reynolds came to him to say that she would understand if he fired her,” Georgiana replied.

“Surely Miss Bingley is not that awful.” Jane was, as always, incapable of thinking ill about anyone.

“She is,” Georgiana stated flatly. All three of the ladies were surprised at how much Georgiana was talking. Elizabeth had the feeling that Georgiana felt that she was being honest about what happened, and that it was in the past. “The best part is still to come!” Georgiana giggled and continued so that her companions could hear the best part. “I went outside for a walk and when I passed the lake I saw a billowing orange cloth thing in it! A minute later Miss Bingley trudged out of the lake, sopping wet! Her orange dress clung to her body, her hair was half down and disorderly, her face had a furious expression and the best part: there was a single piece of seaweed sticking out of her bodice. I had to keep from laughing!” Georgiana did not keep from laughing now. Even Jane could not resist giggling at the picture she portrayed.Between laughs Georgiana finished her tale. “I assume that she slipped, but none of us know. Miss Bingley stormed past me and as she entered the house, Mr. Hurst walked past her and said, in his drunken voice, `Don't get the floors wet.' Her scream could be heard from outside when she saw herself.” With that the ladies collapsed in laughter.

After they calmed down Jane said, “Truly we should not laugh at poor Miss Bingley's expense.”

Elizabeth scoffed, “Poor, my foot! I say that she got what was coming to her. I have only seen her twice, but her condescending air was immediately apparent.”

“But…”

“True, we should not be laughing at her, but the whole situation is just so ridiculous.” Georgiana reasoned.

Jane blushed and smiled shyly. “I agree, I cannot help but laugh at what happened to Miss Bingley, even though I do feel mean doing so,” She admitted. The girls collapsed into laughter once more.

This was how Mrs. Gardiner found them when she came to announce that dinner was served. She raised her eyebrows, but did not inquire.

The ladies sat down to a delicious dinner, and not long after they started eating they were joined by Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, Mr., and Mrs. Hurst.

“Please join us,” Mrs. Gardiner said.

The gentlemen sat down. Mr. Darcy sat by his sister and Elizabeth, who were already engaged in conversation. He noticed how much Georgiana opened up that day.

Mr. Bingley paused a moment before joining his angel to announce, “My sister is not feeling… well, so sadly she cannot join us, but she sends her regards.”

Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Jane exchanged a look that Mr. Darcy saw, causing a ghost of a smile to hover about his lips. Elizabeth subconsciously thought how handsome he looked when he smiled before she mentally berated herself, `He is only my friend's elder brother and a rich one at that, someone who is bound to marry well.'

Jane was concerned that Miss Bingley was ill from her accidental midday bath in the lake so she worriedly asked, “Is your sister ill, sir?”

“No, she is just… not up for company.” Mr. Bingley was having trouble describing how his sister was faring without explaining yesterday's incident. They were all surprised when they heard Mr. Hurst's bark of laughter.

His wife glared at him, “What befell Caroline is not funny,” she hissed.

“Nothing befell your sister, she befell the lake.” He replied with another couple of chuckles. At that point Mr. Darcy started chuckling, as did Georgiana and Elizabeth. He looked askance at the two ladies, but simply assumed that Georgiana told the sisters about yesterday's big excitement.

“Pemberley's lake?” Mrs. Gardiner was thoroughly confused.

“Yesterday, she, er, slipped and fell in.” Mr. Bingley awkwardly explained over Mr. Hurst and Mr. Darcy's chuckles and Georgiana and Elizabeth's giggles. “Darcy, pray stop, you're not helping!”

Throughout the entire conversation, Louisa Hurst glared at her husband, and Jane Bennet sat next to Mr. Bingley looking comfortingly at him.

“I am sorry. It was just so funny.” Mr. Darcy said.

Bingley tried his hardest at glaring at his friend, but the glare did not last long. “Well, anyways, she does not feel fit for company today.” The arrivals settled down to eat, with conversations sprouting around the table. Mr. Bingley and Jane talked quietly; Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy conversed; and Mrs. Hurst lowered herself to talk to Mr. Gardiner, whom she found was rather entertaining. Georgiana joined their discussion, and Mrs. Gardiner tried to talk to Mr. Hurst. The entire group moved to the drawing room after dinner, and a half an hour later the group that came from Pemberley departed, exchanging Mr. Gardiner for Miss Darcy.

Upon arriving back at Pemberley, Mrs. Hurst rushed to her sister's side to acquaint her with the details of the gathering at Netherfield Park.

“Our brother had to tell them that you slipped and fell in the lake yesterday because they were wondering why you were not there,” Mrs. Hurst said. `Well, that's not a total lie,' she thought. `He had to tell them about the lake because of their worry that Caroline was ill, so it's basically the same,' was her logic.

“What must they think of me? I mean, I do not care for their good opinion; Mr. Gardiner was in trade until recently. But, now he is a man of higher consequence than our brother, so I must take care of what they think of me,” Caroline fretted, conveniently forgetting that her brother's fortune was also made in trade.

“Well, Miss Elizabeth laughed, but the rest seemed worried for you,” Mrs. Hurst confided.

“I never liked her. Laughing!” Caroline was extremely put out.

“Well not laughing exactly, but she and Georgiana giggled while Mr. Darcy and my husband chuckled,” Mrs. Hurst explained, mentally cringing.

“WHAT?!?” Caroline shouted, then quieted. “How could he?” She sniffed. “Well, I am glad that some people can derive humor from the situation.”

“Indeed.” Louisa was proud of her sister for calming down, but she could tell that Caroline was still rather upset that Mr. Darcy had laughed at her.

“And what of dear Jane?” Caroline Bingley had decided to befriend the beautiful young lady, but had yet to see her since the second time that they had met.

“Our brother seems quite taken with her.” Louisa said. She was not worried, however: her brother had been quite taken with many girls in the past, but it never came to anything.

“Hmm, well that is not good. I hope that she is just another passing fancy of his,” Caroline grumbled.

“Indeed, her mother is the daughter of a tradesman. No, Jane Bennet cannot marry our brother; I do hope that there is no inclination on her part,” Louisa finalized.

“I am to bed.” Caroline announced. “I have a headache.”

“I hope that you did not catch a cold when you fell in the lake yesterday.”

“I hope so too. Now that would be too embarrassing.” Caroline stood up and swept out of the room. As she walked by the billiard room she could hear her brother and Mr. Darcy's voices coming from the inside.

“She is the most beautiful creature that I have ever beheld.” Caroline rolled her eyes at this statement.

“She smiles too much, but she seems like a sweet girl.”

“Rather like and older version of your sister.”

`Charles does have a point, both are easy to manipulate,' Caroline thought.

“The sisters seem to be a good influence on Georgiana. I have not seen her so happy for a long time,” Mr. Darcy said. Caroline wanted them to go back to their original line of conversation, but what they said next shocked her.

“Especially Miss Elizabeth, I believe.”

Mr. Darcy's voice softened, “Especially Miss Elizabeth.”

“You like her, do you not?” Caroline started at this.

“What is there not to like?” Mr. Darcy played dumb.

“I mean you really like her; I believe that you think her rather pretty.” Mr. Bingley was not used to fishing for information, and it showed.

“I do.”

Caroline heard a crack. Someone just took a shot at the billiard table.

Silence.

“Very much,” Mr. Darcy said, stiffly.

Silence.

“What do you want Bingley?” Mr. Darcy finally cried in exasperation.

Silence.

`Oh! I wish I could see their facial expressions right now!' Caroline thought.

“I think her one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance. There Bingley, are you happy?”

Both gentlemen started talking quieter, so Caroline decided that she had heard all that there was to hear. She turned to go away, not hearing the men approach the door and come into the hall where she was standing.

“How much did you hear?” Mr. Darcy demanded of her.

“I beg your pardon?” Caroline schooled her features into what she hoped looked like an innocent expression.

“Caroline, how many times do I have to tell you not to eavesdrop?” Neither of the gentlemen looked happy with her. On top of that, Mrs. Reynolds had said the day before that Caroline would most likely never be the mistress of Pemberley. Things definitely were not looking up for her. The first thing that she would do when she became Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley, Caroline decided, was to fire Mrs. Reynolds.

Caroline looked between the two angry faces and did the only thing she could: … she sneezed

Chapter 5

Posted on 2008-08-18

The picnic that Miss Ashley had planned took place on a particularly nice day. While the weather in the north was normally cold and dreary at this time of the year, this October day was particularly unusually fine.

“I am very sorry, but my sister can not come to the picnic today; it seems that she is ill.” Mr. Bingley informed the hostess.

“Oh dear, I hope she is not too sick.” was the only thing that Miss Ashley could think to say.

“Not at all. She is considerably better, but not well enough to picnic outside.”

“I understand and I hope that you will send my condolences.” Miss Ashley turned to greet her next guest.

Soon all of the guests arrived. The only person that was unable to make it was Caroline, and no one, other than Mrs. Hurst, felt the loss. The entire group packed itself into fifteen carriages, to drive to the green near Lambton. Elizabeth, Jane, Georgiana, and Miss Eddings were in one carriage. Miss Ashley was with her brothers; Mr. Eddings was with his other sister, and the rest of the party was similarly situated.

Mr. Bingley seemed slightly put out that he was not in the same carriage as his angel, but he figured that it was fine since he had the entire picnic to sit next to her. He made sure to be the one to help Jane down from the carriage and offer her his arm and they made their way to the blankets and food that servants had already set up. Mr. Darcy did the same with his sister and Elizabeth. When all of the gentlemen made sure that the ladies were seated, they started putting together plates.

As they ate, the group chatted comfortably. The matrons, gentlemen, and younger people conversed in separate groups.

“This is quite fun. I thank you for putting this together.” A Mrs. Hitchcock said to Mrs. Ashley

“Yes, well, when Diane came home from calling on our neighbors last week and said that she wanted to put together a picnic, I figured that this is probably the last opportunity before winter hits. In addition, this is good experience for her.” Mrs. Ashley said.

“I always love gatherings and parties, even if we tend to be shunned from the most fun.” A Mrs. Ryder added. She had been a flirt in her youth, and thoroughly enjoyed all kinds of balls and parties.

“I had an idea the other day, but I have yet to share it with my nieces,” Mrs. Gardiner admitted to the ladies.

“What kind of an idea?” Mrs. Eddings inquired.

“Well, many of the families here are going back to London come the 27th of November,” Mrs. Gardiner said, “and my husband and I wish to host a ball at Netherfield on the 26th. I know that is a while from now—a little over a month—but what do you ladies think?” Mrs. Gardiner asked, knowing full well what they thought.

“A ball!” Mrs. Ryder exclaimed, “Oh! Please do, my children and I long for a ball!”

“I am sure that many of the young people wish for a ball,” Mrs. Ashley said, then lowered her voice to not be overheard. “I believe even Mr. Darcy would look forward to it, and we all know how much he dislikes the amusement. And I have no doubt that Mr. Bingley wishes to dance with Miss Bennet again.”

All of the ladies giggled like schoolgirls for a few minutes, until a Mrs. May spoke up. “You can ask them if they wish to have a ball now, then we all shall know, so none of us decide to leave the area before then.”

Mrs. Gardiner looked wary, as she normally did not act like that. “Certainly, then they cannot say that they do not wish for a ball just to spare my energy.”

“Your nieces are so considerate.”

“Yes, they are.” Mrs. Gardiner raised her voice, “Jane, Elizabeth!” Her nieces looked up in astonishment; their Aunt Gardiner never raised her voice, only their mother and Aunt Phillips did. “What do you think of us giving a ball on the 26th of November?”

Elizabeth looked surprised. Both ladies paused a second before answering.

“Oh! Please do!” all but the youngest Miss Ryders exclaimed—they were very similar to Lydia, with the exception of the youngest. The youngest was like a mix between Elizabeth and Jane, and shy like Georgiana. All four of the young ladies were eligible, as were their two elder brothers.

“We would enjoy a ball very much,” the younger Mr. Eddings said.

“We would,” the shy, eldest Mr. Ashley said. His other two brothers did not speak, for they would be gone by the time that the ball took place.

Miss Ashley, Miss Eddings, Mr. Bingley, and Miss Darcy looked at them pleadingly. Mr. Darcy wished for the ball as well so he could dance with Miss Elizabeth. He had not looked at anyone pleadingly since his parents had died and was not about to start now.

“We would enjoy that greatly, Aunt.” Elizabeth finally replied.

“Both Elizabeth and I looked forward to helping you plan it,” Jane added.

“Then it is settled.” Mrs. Gardiner announced. Other conversations were started and the large group divided again. For Jane, Elizabeth, Georgy, Miss Ryder, Miss Ashley, Miss Eddings, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and the other young ladies' brothers, conversation turned to the upcoming ball, London, and Mr. Bingley's new estate.

“Brother, please allow me to come to the ball, even if I cannot dance with anyone but you.” Georgiana pleaded.

“Fine, you may go,” Mr. Darcy knew that he would give in eventually. “We will discuss who you can dance with later.”

“Thank you, brother!” Georgiana exclaimed.

“I hear that you are both to go back to London soon,” Mr. Eddings said to the twin Colonel Ashleys.

“Yes, we are on leave from our regiment for now,” one of them replied.

“Many of the families will be traveling to London after the ball, will they not?” the other asked.

“My guests and I are planning on traveling to London on the 27th,” Mr. Darcy replied.

“Then I shall travel to my estate which I have recently acquired,” Mr. Bingley added.

“Where is this estate?” Mr. Ashley asked.

“In Hertfordshire, near a town called Meryton,” Mr. Bingley cheerfully replied.

Elizabeth choked on the water that she had been drinking. “Did you say near Meryton?”

“Yes, I did. Do you know of it?”

Elizabeth was speechless for a second. “D-d- do I know of it? How ironic, `tis but three miles from my home, Loungbourn.”

“Is it?” Mr. Bingley looked enthusiastic. “Well is that not something? Netherfield is but three miles from Pemberley; and my estate, Farrington Park is but three miles from your home, Loungbourn!”

“Brother, please let me come!” Georgiana pleaded.

“I do not believe that it is my place to offer that to you,” Mr. Darcy said to his sister, while secretly celebrating his good fortune.

“Miss Darcy, if you can, I would love it if you could come. We shall be a merry party!” exclaimed Mr. Bingley, practically bouncing in excitement.

“William?”

“You may, Georgiana, as long as you do not forget your studies.”

“Thank you, William; you are the best brother ever!” Mr. Darcy blushed.

The group of young people quieted down and they started speaking of the beauties of Derbyshire. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley thought privately that the most beautiful part of the scenery was sitting right next to them in the forms of Elizabeth and Jane, respectively.

Even Mrs. Hurst enjoyed herself, even if she would not admit it for the world. She secretly thought that she would not mind getting to know the Bennet sisters better.

But five minutes after everyone had finished eating, rain started pouring down. This unfortunate occurrence caused everyone, in a manner of seconds, to become soaking wet. The ladies delicately ran toward the carriages, where the footmen placed the blankets over them. The gentlemen made sure that the ladies were situated in their carriages, warmly, then went to their own. Half of the carriages went to Pemberley since it was the closest to the picnic spot. The other half went to Bryson House.

Caroline was at the door in anticipation of Mr. Darcy's return so she was shocked when six carriages pulled in. Soaking wet people came streaming into Pemberley where Mrs. Reynolds started preparing hot baths. Mrs. Reynolds also sent out riders to retrieve clothing for everybody since the roads quickly became impassable. Caroline Bingley definitely was not happy with the situation. Not only were there over five single females, not including herself or Georgiana, they included the one that her brother was madly in love with and the one that Mr. Darcy—her Mr. Darcy—was falling in love with. Oh, no, things definitely were not looking up for Caroline, but for however long the Bennet sisters would stay at Pemberley, Caroline was going to make Mr. Darcy see how below herself they were

Chapter 6

Posted on 2008-08-25

Mrs. Reynolds quickly ushered everyone in, and calling on her most trusted servants, she quickly had all twenty of the new guests installed in Pemberley's guest rooms. As she heard and saw the rain start, she already had four baths ready for Pemberley's original occupants. The quickest riders had been sent to retrieve clothing for a few days since the roads were blocked and treacherous and would most likely not be passable for a short while.

By the time that the majority of the people completed their baths, the riders were back, allowing each guest to wear their own clothing rather than trying to fit into their hosts' and hostess'. The large group of twenty-four gathered in the music room, each following their own pursuit. The Miss Eddings and the youngest Miss Ryder played a harp and two-pianist trio; the other three Ryder sisters chatted and giggled loudly. Georgiana, Jane, Elizabeth and Miss Ashley embroidered while talking to each other; Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst whispered to each other about the lack of decorum that the Ryder sisters showed; and the gentlemen, Mr. Darcy excluded, played cards. Mr. Darcy wrote a letter, seated near his sister.

“Oh, yes, I had forgotten, what with all of the excitement.” Elizabeth admitted in reply to Jane's inquiry. She had just asked after a letter from their father which had arrived that morning.

“How is your family?” Georgiana asked.

“Quite well. Actually, they are uncommonly well.” Elizabeth grinned.

Miss Ashley raised her eyebrows.

“According to my father's letter, the Militia is coming to Meryton, which is close to were I live. My younger sisters, apparently, are rather taken with them.”

All four of the ladies glanced at the eldest three Miss Ryders, then exchanged looks, and giggled. Out of the corner of her eye Georgiana saw her brother pause in his writing and stare at Elizabeth at the sound of her laugh.

“And that's not the whole of it.” Elizabeth continued after her companions quieted .

“There is more?” Miss Ashley asked.

“What is it?” Georgiana wanted to know. She saw her brother put down his pen, captivated by the ladies' conversation.

“What else could there be? Farrington Park is already let.” Jane added, gazing at Mr. Bingley.

Elizabeth smiled. “You see, Loungbourn estate is entailed away to my father's cousin, a Mr. Collins. It seems that he has extended the proverbial olive branch to my family, and he has come to visit in the hopes of marrying one of his cousins--more accurately, Jane or myself.” Jane blushed, staring at Mr. Bingley once more. Georgiana saw her brother start at this suggestion, and shared a look with Miss Ashley who saw Mr. Darcy's reaction, as well. Elizabeth finished telling the information, “As Jane and I are not home Mr. Collins has settled for the next eldest, our sister Mary.”

“I am very happy for her,” Jane announced.

“Does he have a profession?” Georgiana asked.

“Yes, one that is perfect for Mary's future husband.” Elizabeth said. The other girls leaned in. “A parson!”

“I agree; that is quite fitting for how you have described your sister.” Georgiana said.

“Quite fitting, indeed,” Miss Ashley added.

“Good for her. It is only a matter of time until Mary will be the first Bennet sister married,” Jane said. The other three ladies raised their eyebrows and looked across the room at Bingley. Mr. Darcy saw the eldest Miss Bennet's blush and realized that even though she did not show it, Miss Jane Bennet was in love with his friend. To give the ladies room, he stood and ambled over to Bingley's side.

“Or second sister married,” Miss Ashley whispered.

“Or third,” Georgiana murmured, too quietly for her companions to hear.

“What did you say, Georgiana?” Jane asked.

“Oh, nothing.”

“I wonder if there are any single, rich soldiers for Mama to marry our other sisters to. If Mary marries, Mama will make sure that our other sisters are not single much longer.” Elizabeth pondered aloud.

“So your mother enjoys making matches?” Miss Ashley asked, “I feel blessed that my mother has not such an inclination; my cousins tell me that the trials they must overcome are great indeed.”

“It is not so bad for us, Miss Ashley, as there are not many single, young men in our neighborhood.” Jane replied.

“Then I am glad for you,” Miss Ashley stated.

“Oh yes, there is one more thing in the letter,” Elizabeth disclosed.

“What, what?” The other three demanded.

She beamed. “Apparently, Farrington Park is let at last.” All four of the ladies shared a laugh at this piece of information. “The letter was unusually long for one from my father. I believe that he misses us, Jane.”

“There was also much news to impart.” Jane added.

“Yes, there are many changes occurring in our neighborhood and Meryton.” Elizabeth concluded.

Not long after this statement, supper was announced. Since Georgiana had not known that they were to have more guests that evening, she had not planned the seating, so she fervently hoped that William would escort Elizabeth to dinner. In the end she had no need to worry, as her brother made sure to be by her friend's side as people were pairing up. He offered his arm to Elizabeth as well as his sister. Mr. Bingley did the same with the other Miss Bennet and his own sister.

Mr. Bingley knew that Darcy did not wish to sit next Caroline, so Bingley escorted the two ladies on his arm to chairs near Georgiana. Supper ran smoothly with Miss Bingley separated from her Mr. Darcy. She sat quietly and grumpily next to her brother, watching him fall even deeper in love with Miss Bennet. When the ladies departed, Caroline sat next to her sister and an empty seat, hoping that the host would sit beside her. She was quite disappointed when one of the Colonel Ashleys sat next to her instead. To make it even worse, Mr. Darcy--her Mr. Darcy--sat beside Miss Eliza.

Miss Caroline Bingley spent the evening ignoring the Colonel, talking to her sister, watching her brother, and glaring at Miss Eliza.

On the other hand, Elizabeth enjoyed the evening very much. She talked to her sister and friends as well as Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth enjoyed getting to know her friend's brother better, as well as his conversation. By the end of the night, she felt herself well on her way to falling in love with him.

Just as Elizabeth finished getting ready for bed, she heard a knock on the door, “Who is it?” she called.

“It is I, Georgiana.”

“Come in,” the door opened and Georgiana scurried into the room and hopped onto Elizabeth's bed. “I hope you do not mind that I came, but I do not have a sister or close friend that I have ever gotten to talk to at night, just before it is time to sleep,” Georgiana admitted.

“No, no, you are very welcome. As I have four sisters, I am very used to midnight visitors. Actually, I was about to go visit Jane. Perhaps you would be so kind as to collect her?” Elizabeth replied.

“I will do that.” Georgiana disappeared as quickly as she came, arriving back with Jane in tow a few minutes later. She knocked on the door, calling, “It is Georgiana,” and entered.

After the three girls settled onto the large bed Georgiana cocked her head towards Jane.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Jane asked in a kind tone.

“Like what?” Georgiana replied.

“You seem to be trying to figure something out,” Elizabeth interjected, trying to be helpful.

“I am. I am trying to figure out what you think of my brother's friend.” Georgiana stated, ignoring Elizabeth's blush at the mention of Georgiana's brother.

Elizabeth mentally berated herself for blushing at the mention of Mr. Darcy. `He is only Georgiana's brother,' she thought, `and he would never marry so low.'

“I like him,” Jane admitted, ignorant of her sister's preoccupation.

Georgiana raised her eyebrows.

“I believe that he is all that a gentleman ought to be. I do like him. I greatly admire him. I- I love him,” Jane blurted out.

Georgiana smiled in satisfaction, glad that Jane would admit her true feelings, unlike her sister.

“And my brother, Elizabeth? You like him?” Georgiana asked.

Elizabeth knew that Georgiana would ask her this eventually, but she wished for more time to prepare. She turned an unflattering shade of red, and stammered out, “What is there not to like?”

“I mean you really like him. You said that he was handsome,” Georgiana practically mirrored the words that Mr. Bingley had spoken to her brother.

“I do.”

The three girls heard a thud, sounding as if a book was dropped right outside the door. They exchanged concerned looks asking each other, what if someone had been eavesdropping. The person hastened away telling herself, “I must tell Louisa,” making it clear that the person had, in fact, overheard, and that the person was Miss Caroline Bingley.

Elizabeth realized that the other two ladies were not satisfied with her answer, so when she was sure that Miss Bingley was out of hearing she added, stiffly, “very much.”

Jane and Georgiana both looked at her expectantly and remained silent.

“What do you want me to say?” Elizabeth exploded, but when they remained silent, still, she added, “He is the best man of my acquaintance. There, are you happy?”

Georgiana slowly smiled, “I agree, you have chosen very well. You too, Jane.” The three girls giggled, indulging their feminine side, forgetting any possible objections to each match. For a short while longer the three ladies chatted about a variety of inconsequential subjects until Lizzy noticed the time, sending her friend and sister off to bed.

The gentlemen that the ladies were talking of were also awake at the time. In fact, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were once again speaking of the loveliness of the eldest two Bennet sisters while playing pool. Luckily, this time Miss Bingley was upstairs preparing for her beauty rest after overhearing that alarming conversation.

“She is wholly different than anyone that I have ever met; she is perfection in itself,” Mr. Bingley said, dreamily.

Mr. Darcy knew that his friend had it worse than ever before, since Bingley could not get that silly expression off of his face when talking about the eldest Miss Bennet. To test the strength of Bingley's affection, Darcy brought up Miss Bennet's lack of connections and fortune.

“Her mother is the daughter of a tradesman, her uncle was in trade, and another of her uncles is a country attorney. What about that? Society will frown upon the match, and to make it worse, Miss Bennet has no fortune.” Mr. Darcy cringed at the arguments that he brought up, but he knew that the only relatives of hers that he lived near were the ones of the gentry, while Bingley would live near, the attorney.

“Darcy, how could you bring up those objections when you are interested in her sister? Not that they matter to me, because I love her, I truly do,” Bingley replied, “and it is different from all of those times when I fancied myself in love. It is different and I can feel it. If I had Ja- Miss Bennet's love, it would not matter a jot about her relatives. Her mother could be the most vulgar lady in England as well as her aunt, and I would not care.” Bingley paused after this declaration, “What about you Darcy? I will not let her situation in life affect my happiness, will you?”

Darcy shook his head, “The truth is that my Aunt Catherine would not accept any woman as my wife unless it was Anne, and my other cousins and their parents would accept any woman as my wife as long as she made me happy. The ton would not be happy were I to propose to Miss Elizabeth, but they would eventually accept her. Her lack of fortune does not signify, for I have enough of my own, and I would accept any relatives, like you said. I am glad that you would not let my arguments deter you, for I said them to see how you would react. You know that your sisters will say the same, and push them farther.”

Bingley slowly started smiling throughout Darcy's reply, “Some day, we may just be brothers,” he suggested hopefully, offering his hand to his good friend.

As they shook hands Darcy replied, “I am unsure of Miss Elizabeth's feelings for me; before I jump to proposing to her, I wish to see how she acts when she is at her home.”

“While I know I love Miss Bennet, I wish to wait a bit longer--to get to know her better, as well--but I am just saying that the chances of us being brothers are not slim.”

“I must agree, they are not.

Netherfield Park Is Let At Last ~ Section II

By Rachael

Beginning, Section II

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

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

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

To Be Continued . . .

© 2008 Copyright held by the author.

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