5. Chapter 5

June 2, 2014 - I've not read this story in years. It is so different from my more recent work, and yet I can find those things which are prensent in all of my various works that mark it as mine. Still, I have forgotten a lot of what is coming - though not the major plot points - so I am sometimes as surprised as the readers on what I find in the chapter. *snert* Thanks for the continued avalanche of reviews. I've been a bad girl and not answered any of them. I'll try to answer some soon.

Chapter 5

Darcy was in an ill mood. He had hoped to leave London a week ago but duty, unfortunately, got in the way. His solicitor had approached him the day before his intended departure with news on one of his investments that could not be ignored. It took three days to deal with the crisis. In the meantime Georgiana had come down with a cold. She was finally well enough to travel yesterday. They were delayed from departing just after breakfast by a small problem with the carriage. By the time he escorted Georgiana into Netherfield they barely had time to change for dinner. Caroline Bingley promptly attached herself to his arm and he was too tired to gain his release. That morning Bingley insisted on showing him around the estate. It would be a good beginning for his quest to become a respectable landowner. Netherfield was big enough to stretch him but not so large as to overwhelm him. Bingley could see nothing wrong with it, unfortunately; but Darcy's practiced eye saw many things that would need attention. This would end up being a working holiday. His problem was how to guide Bingley without making it seem that he was taking over for him. This would need further consideration before he could begin. If only he could find some time alone away from Miss Bingley for his contemplations.

Now he found himself on the way to the local assembly. He hated assemblies! He did not enjoy the dancing or any of the inane conversation attendant upon it. He did not want to bring Georgiana but when he voiced the possibility of his staying home with her, Miss Bingley declared that she could never willingly leave guests unattended in her home. So here he was, in a carriage, on the way to a very unwelcome evening.

Georgiana, on the other hand, was ecstatic! She knew she would not be dancing no matter how much she wanted to. She was not yet out, but she was permitted to attend as long as she stayed to the sides of the room. She did not care, she would see Elizabeth again! They had decided to have some fun while they could. In their letters they planned that they would not acknowledge their acquaintance until Elizabeth felt the time was right. Georgiana was secretly hoping to get a good look at Caroline Bingley's face when she discovered her "dear Georgiana" knew some inconsequential country miss! Georgiana clued her brother in on the charade on their journey to Hertfordshire. She knew he normally did not approve of disguises but she could tell that he was anticipating some amusement from it as well.

At last the Bingley party arrived at the assembly rooms, fashionably late of course. They could not help notice that all eyes were drawn to them as they entered. It was to be expected. The low murmurs started almost immediately and Darcy heard the inevitable "Yes 5,000 a year", "10,000 at least" and "such elegance". It was enough to make him retreat even further behind his mask of indifference. Sir William Lucas greeted Mr. Bingley with a strange combination of pomposity and civility that was unable to offend but likely to bewilder. Bingley did his duty and quickly engaged the eldest Miss Lucas for his first dance. Darcy led his sister to the side of the room and waited for Bingley to finish. Georgiana quickly located Elizabeth who noted her presence with an almost imperceptible nod.

Once Bingley escorted Miss Lucas back to her father he gathered his friends and made his way to greet Mr. & Mrs. Bennet. He sincerely hoped that the angel standing next to Mr. Bennet was one of his daughters and he would be able to be introduced to her.

"Mr. Bennet, this is a surprise. I have heard you rarely attend an assembly!"

"This is true. However, when the possibility for extra diversion arises I can be dragged away from home readily enough. May I introduce my wife and eldest daughter? Mr. Bingley this is my wife Mrs. Frances Bennet, and my first born, Miss Jane Bennet."

Somehow Bingley managed to speak. "It is an honor to meet you both. Miss Bennet, would you do me the honor of the next dance with me if you are not yet engaged?"

"Yes, Mr. Bingley, I am not engaged."

Bingley heard a throat clear next to him. "I beg your pardon! May I present my friend Mr. Darcy and his sister Miss Georgiana Darcy."

"It is a pleasure to meet you both." Darcy withdrew a few steps after this. "Let me introduce you to my other daughters, Miss Darcy." Mr. Bennet signaled for Elizabeth and Mary to join him. "These are my next two daughters Elizabeth and Mary. My two youngest are there dancing," he pointed them out in the set.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. May I introduce my brother?" Georgiana was startled not to find him at her side but motioned him forward again. "Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mary this is my brother Fitzwilliam Darcy."

"So this is the famous Miss Elizabeth Bennet. It is an honor. Miss Mary Bennet, I am pleased to meet you as well."

Elizabeth laughed at this.

"What makes you laugh, Miss Elizabeth?" Darcy frowned and replied coldly.

"Well, Mr. Darcy, that was the exact same thing Mrs. Reynolds said the day I met her at Pemberley."

"Excuse me. Georgiana, would you like something to drink?" Darcy said rather tersely.

"Yes, could you bring me some punch?" she answered awkwardly. Darcy bowed and left abruptly.

"Georgiana, I do believe you have grown since last we met."

"Perhaps a little, Elizabeth. Have you read the book I suggested?"

"Yes, we shall have to discuss it later."

"Will you excuse me, Elizabeth, I need to get my punch from my brother."

"Of course dear, I shall speak with you later."

Mr. Bennet watched the scene unfold before him with great amusement. It was obvious that the two ladies had planned their mischief and the look on his wife's face was priceless. Yes, it was worth a night of suffering through another assembly for that alone!

Mrs. Bennet was speechless. Where in the world had Elizabeth met Miss Darcy? The wheels turned and turned and it was not long before she put Pemberley, Mrs. Reynolds and Miss Darcy together. Some friend indeed! Miss Darcy was obviously very rich. She quickly calculated the advantage of such an acquaintance to her dear Elizabeth and was quite disposed to further it for Miss Darcy was in the position to put Elizabeth, and all her daughters, in the paths of rich men! Oh this night was turning out very well. Mr. Bingley could not keep his eyes away from dear Jane and Elizabeth had a wealthy friend! She was so pleased that she forgot all about her smelling salts for one evening.

Georgiana made her way over to her brother, none too pleased with him. "Fitzwilliam Darcy, how could you insult my best friend like that?"

"Who did I insult?"

"Elizabeth! You were rude! You should have asked her to dance! What is wrong with you? Now go over, apologize and ask her to dance!"

"Do I have to?"

"Do I need bother answering that?"

"I am sorry, you are right, Georgiana. I should not let my distress over the last week affect me so. It is not fair to you." here he paused, "She is tolerable I suppose," he teased.

"Tolerable enough to tempt you then?"

"Yes, just enough. Never fear, Georgiana, I shall try not to embarrass you again."

"I am counting on it!"

Darcy made his way over to Elizabeth, bowed and asked her to dance. Upon her acceptance he led her to the set forming.

"Miss Bennet, my sister has pointed out how rude I was to you earlier. I do apologize for my words and behaviour. I am afraid you have caught me in an unpleasant mood tonight."

"Your apology is accepted as long as you promise to do your best to improve your mood, sir!"

"Very well, a very reasonable request. I shall behave as close to an affable gentleman as I can for the rest of the evening."

"You misunderstand me sir! I did not mean for just this evening. I was referring to the remainder of your stay in Hertfordshire!"

"I will try for your sake, madam."

"Good! Now let us talk of other things. I am very happy you have brought Georgiana into Hertfordshire. I have found that I have missed her very much."

"Georgiana would never have forgiven me if I did not bring her with me."

"You certainly are the good brother!

"Forgive me for asking a personal question, Mr. Darcy, but are your sister's spirits improved as much as her letters imply. I could not help but noticing when we met that she was struggling mightily with something, though she tried to hide her emotions."

"That is a personal question but I do not mind answering it. She is much improved, due mostly to you Miss Bennet."

"Me, Sir!" she cried quite surprised.

"It is impossible to deny that her spirits began to improve upon your acquaintance. Your letters were no less crucial. I watched her become more and more at ease with herself with each successive one."

"All I did was attempt to amuse her with pictures of life here."

"It seems to have been the perfect tonic."

"Is the reason then for her distress gone?"

"As much as it can ever be," was his enigmatic reply.

Elizabeth had enough sense to drop the subject. If Georgiana wanted to discuss it with her then she would listen. If not then she would honor her privacy.

"You dance very well for a gentleman who does not like the amusement."

"Who told you that? Oh yes, I imagine I know your source of information."

"Well, you are one of her favorite topics!"

"Should I be concerned?"

"Of course! You have no idea how observant your sister truly is!"

"Then I AM concerned, Miss Bennet. Is it safe for me to remain in Hertfordshire?"

Elizabeth laughed, "You are safe from me, but I would not be so sure about my mother! Mr. Darcy, I must speak frankly. I would be careful of showing any particular interest in any young lady here unless you are serious. The country does not have the same sophistication as in town. You do not need to be hounded after by every young woman of marriageable age in the country, young ladies being driven by their matchmaking mothers."

"That is an extraordinary speech Miss Bennet and I thank you for your concern but I am accustomed to being chased. One of my most ardent pursuers is here tonight."

"I noticed the lady from your party who has not let you out of her sight."

"Miss Bingley does not know how to take a hint."

"Georgiana agrees."

He smiled at this reference to his sister.

"I hope you and she will have many chances to meet."

"Yes, and I am determined to find out which of the two of us is better walker!"

"I think I would put my money on you, but do not tell Georgiana I said that."

"Mr. Darcy?

"Yes?"

"If you danced next with Miss Bingley you would not have to worry about her advances the rest of the evening."

"An excellent suggestion, Miss Bennet. I believe you are right."

"When should I call on you with Georgiana? Tomorrow?"

"Mr. Darcy, for your sake and as well as mine I think it best you wait a day at least. I was serious about my mother. I am sure you will be receiving an invitation to dine with us as soon as she can figure out a way."

"Thank you, Miss Bennet. I appreciate your discretion. It seems that this will not be easy on you. I will speak to Georgiana about it."

"I will likely be taking a walk to Oakham Mount in the morning. It is a pleasant view."

The music ended and he led her back to his sister.

"I am sure it is. Thank you for the dance and the conversation. You have improved my mood immensely."

"I hope it will last past the next dance. Thank you, Mr. Darcy."

"Ladies."

Darcy bowed and left to find Miss Bingley. He did not want to, but Miss Bennet was right. It would be best to get it over with so he could find more pleasurable things to occupy the rest of the evening. Funny, he thought, he could not remember enjoying a dance as much as he had the last one. Maybe country assemblies could be pleasant after all. Then he found Miss Bingley. Yes country assemblies have one advantage; he normally would not have to put up with Miss Bingley because she would never be caught dead at one unless Bingley insisted she go. Next time he determined to attend one without Bingley!

Mr. Bennet sent his three youngest daughter home with their mother first. The entire party could have squeezed into their carriage together; they had done so many times. But tonight Mr. Bennet wanted to have his two eldest to himself for a while.

"Lizzy, your Miss Darcy seems to be a pleasant sort of girl. She is too full young to be out yet though. I am glad her brother has more sense about it than I did with your two youngest sisters."

"Papa!"

"No child, you know I am right. Pretty soon you will realize, as if you had not already, that your father is not without fault."

"Papa!" cried Jane, "Do not tease us so. You are the best man I know!"

"Better than Mr. Bingley?"

"I have just met him tonight. How could I know his character upon such a short acquaintance?" Jane said to her father but she could not look him in the face as she spoke.

Mr. Bennet had observed many things that night. It was obvious that the new young master of Netherfield was quite taken with Jane. Then again, she tended to have that affect on men. The amusing thing was that she could not see it herself. This time however, Mr. Bennet could see that she was quite impressed by the gentleman herself. Things could get interesting. He just needed to decide if he was ready to begin to let her go. He always knew that time would come. Did it just begin tonight?

"Father," Elizabeth began, "Thank you for taking the time to speak with Mr. Darcy and Georgiana. I know neither of them are comfortable around so many who are unknown to them."

"I have to admit to being selfish Lizzy. I found their company pleasing and it gave me an excuse to avoid your mother."

"Papa! What are we going to do with you!"

"Leave me alone with my books and port!"

The carriage had returned and Mr. Bennet led his daughters from the assembly rooms back into the familiar confines of their family carriage.

Mr. Bennet's thoughts turned to his second born. It was obvious that she shared affection with Miss Darcy. The poor girl could hardly stand it when Elizabeth left her to go and join the dance. And speaking of dances, her dance with Mr. Darcy had been most interesting. The young man had obviously apologized for his earlier uncivil behavior. Fortunately Lizzy appeared to have forgiven him quickly. It appeared she had then set out to make him more at ease. The gentleman then seemed pleased with his partner and had spent the rest of the set in amiable conversation. Later in the evening Mr. Bennet had an opportunity to speak with both Mr. Darcy and his sister. He found that under their reserve lay a biting sense of humor and great intelligence. He was struck with the thought that he had finally found a man worthy of his Elizabeth. Yet he was a man of the highest circles in society. He would never dream that such a man could lower himself and wish to connect himself with a family such as his. No, he had better keep an eye on Lizzy. He did not wish to see her hurt because he knew her well enough to know that she would be capable of seeing his superiority over every man she had ever met. She was not aware of it yet, but if her intimacy with Miss Darcy continued, she would see it soon enough.

"Thank you for coming tonight, Father. I needed your support to deal with Mama. I knew how she would be once she found out all about Miss Darcy."

"You are welcome, Lizzy. I had an inkling of what you would be facing and I knew it would not do to leave you alone. Jane is too good to stand up to your mother!"

"Papa!" Jane blushed.

"I enjoyed myself tonight, girls. I am very proud of you both. Indeed, I believe I could not stand more than four silly women in my house!"

"Papa!" Jane and Elizabeth said together. At that all three began to laugh as they entered the gates to Longbourn.