Scheme
Summary: You know the second proposal? Well, it was really all planned…Mr. Bingley and Jane conspire... LxD, JxB book based oneshot
Charles Bingley paced the sitting room at Netherfield. How was he going to get Elizabeth Bennet and his friend together tactfully? An idea! Mr. Darcy was arriving soon. Charles wanted to go see Jane. Jane and Lizzy were sisters. A scheme was born. He knew something was going on with them, but they needed the right opportunity. He could arrange it better than anyone. The plan began to form.
Part one: propose the idea of a group walk.
Mr. Bingley, while witting with the Bennets and Mr. Darcy, politely proposed them all walking out. At this idea, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet and Mary declined the invitation because of the appealing library, the unappealing long walk and the sheer waste of time such an event suggested. That left himself, Jane, Mr. Darcy, Lizzy and Kitty. Just as planned.
Part 2: as they walk, Mr. Bingley and Jane would fall behind, leaving Eliza, Mr. Darcy, and Kitty to walk together.
Accordingly, Mr. Bingley and Jane slowed down, while the others continued at the same pace. Just as he knew she would, Kitty, being Kitty, very soon became uncomfortable and made up some excuse to get away. She found Mr. Darcy intolerable and couldn't stand to be with him and her silent sister. Conveniently, Kitty's running off left the other two alone. Mr. Bingley smiled to himself. All was going as planned.
Part 3: Mr. Darcy and Lizzy are walking alone and soon start talking.
However, the couple ahead of them wasn't talking! They were walking in silence! Why was Darcy wasting his optimal chance to talk to Elizabeth? As he got more agitated, Jane patted his arm. "Mr. Bingley, look." He directed his attention to the two in front of them. They had started talking! Jane and Charles watch from their leisurely pace, Jane having been clued in his little plan (she was all too willing to take part).
"Mr. Bingley, what do you suppose they're talking about? They do seem to be in earnest."
He nodded, with a pleased look.
"They certainly don't seem to be speaking of the weather, do they?"
"Certainly not. You don't suppose…"
"That would be a surprise, wouldn't it?" he smiled at the girl holding his arm as they continued to follow at a distance.
A/N another little oneshot from P&P… I just love 'what if' stories!! Reviews are more than welcome.