Author's Note: All right, just a little note. When you come upon the scenes that are already in the book I changed the quoting a little bit, just to make it my own, so it won't go exactly how it is written in the book. Other than that I am trying my hardest to keep it as true to the book as possible. I enjoyed all your reviews and encourage you all to correct me if something is wrong.

Thanks again!!!

Chapter 4

Darcy hadn't particularly planned to enjoy himself at the assembly, mostly because he preferred not to dance, but he couldn't help thinking about how alike his friend and sister were. Both of them willing to look at the world as blameless and not seeing any ulterior motive in anyone. He paid little attention to his surroundings, barely noticed those to whom he was introduced and cared very little about the dancing excepting, of course, when either Mrs. Hurst or Miss Bingley entreated him. Whether he was on the floor with one of his two partners, or standing off to the side he always kept a watchful eye on his friend.

"Darcy, why are you not dancing?" Bingley asked after an exhausting dance with the prettiest girl in the room.

"You know I do not like to dance." Darcy replied. "Besides, your sisters are the only ones in this room I would care to stand up with."

"But this room is full of lovely young ladies who dance well, and, might I add, or very pretty."

Darcy looked around him at the girls. Sure, there were a few pretty faces, but the only one that stood out just happened to be the one Bingley had preferred the entire night. It was in fact she whom Darcy had paid a great deal of attention to. He had learned her name was Jane Bennet and noticed her cool composure whenever she was around Bingley. He was very much afraid for his friend. Perhaps she was trying to insnare him.

"The only pretty face here is that of your chosen partner and I will not deprive you of her company by stealing a dance."

"What about her sister? She is sitting there." Bingley looked in the direction of where Elizabeth Bennet sat.

Darcy turned his head and took a quick glance. He noticed a girl in white dress sitting with her hands crossed in her laps with dark curly hair coiled atop her head. He turned again before he had a chance to notice much more.

"I suppose she is pretty too, but I prefer not to stand with anyone I am not well acquainted with, and she is not tempting to me at all."

Darcy noticed Bingley's disappointed face, but it was soon replaced as the last dance of the evening began and Bingley went directly to Jane's side and led her to the floor. It was at that moment that Elizabeth Bennet had passed in front of him leaving a scent of roses lingering in the air around him. He watched her as she went to a couple of girls towards the refreshments table and that is when he saw her eyes dancing in the candlelight. The girls turned in his direction and began to laugh under their gloved hands.

Are they speaking of me? Darcy wondered and Elizabeth turned towards him again, smiled, then paid no attention towards him the rest of the evening.

The Netherfield party arrived home very late, or early, depending on the person, and sat for a moment together going over trivial details of the dancing, food and partners. When Bingley had mentioned the looks of the country girls the sisters and Darcy conceded that Jane, and Jane alone, was by far the prettiest.

"She is such a sweet girl." Miss Bingley announced, gazing at Darcy to gauge his reaction.

Darcy was watching Bingley and noticed a small smile creep to his face. "The prettiness of the face cannot make up for the plainness of social standing."

"I do not care what you say, Darcy, I shall like her anyway." Mrs. Hurst called from the settee.

"And I too." Miss Bingley felt she was quite free to like Jane after hearing Darcy disown her.

The small smile which had so slowly appeared on Bingley's face was now wider. Darcy could tell that by his sisters apparent approval of her he was now free to court the young lady.

"We shall see," Darcy thought before they all retired to bed.

Chapter 5

My Dear Georgianna,

Netherfield is a lovely home for our friend, though I doubt we will see each other much once he has installed himself here. The ride is longish, though with good roads. Miss Bingley asked about you the other day and I believe wishes to see you. We will have to invite Bingley and all his sisters to Pemberley after the season. Or perhaps before in London.

I am sorry I have not written to you in a few days but I have been rather busy with a personal matter that I hope very soon to wrap up. I shall come to London soon and pay my regards to Amy and the Colonel.

How are the cousins? Is Amy doing all right? I received a letter from Aunt De Bourgh. She wishes us all to come to her very soon and see the new garden she had put in. I am to tell you Anne is doing remarkably well and also wishes to see you.

Darcy stopped his writing for a few moments. He could scarce believe he had been at Netherfield for a month. Every time he hinted at going away Bingley all but begged him to stay a while longer. Almost every day Bingley had visitors from the surrounding families and Darcy felt it to intolerable to endure their company. He had no patience with them and would rather not get acquainted with any of them knowing he would never see them again once he quitted Netherfield.

The letter ended with a few brotherly words of love and he sealed the envelope and gave it to one of the stable boys with a coin, and asked him to post it in town.

One particular family had been given more admittance to Netherfield than any other, that of the Bennet's. Whenever the sisters arrived Darcy always managed to be away from their company. He had seen little response in Jane towards Bingley and felt her too cool. He also wished to avoid Miss Elizabeth Bennet whose dancing eyes always managed to find their way into his thoughts whenever he had an idle moment.

He would be hard pressed to avoid her at Lucas Lodge, which is where they were all going that evening. He had already told himself he would say not a word to anyone and perhaps quietly slip out when no one was looking.

The evening started quite nicely. There were small cakes and sandwiches for refreshment and punch. Darcy was speaking to Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley when Miss Elizabeth, arm in arm with Charlotte Lucas, walked into the room. For a moment their eyes met, hers seeming to be hiding some secret behind them, before she walked passed him, towards the other side of the room. Darcy breathed in deeply and he inhaled the alluring rose scent. All thoughts of leaving early left his mind. He was no longer paying attention to Jane's demeanor towards his friend, but he was openly staring at Elizabeth, trying to figure out what it was about her that kept his mind on her eyes.

Before Darcy could stop himself he began to walk towards the two girls and stopped next to Elizabeth. He tried to make his feet move away, perhaps towards the little cakes on the refreshment table, but before he could Miss Lucas spoke.

"We were just talking to Colonel Forster about a ball."

"Yes," Elizabeth chimed in. "We teased him about all new comers having to throw one. What do you think of that?"

"I think it a subject which all girls enjoy to talk and tease about."

"But that is not all we talk about."

"Of course not," Miss Lucas interrupted. "We also love to display our many talents, however small. I believe Elizabeth would like to sing for us all."

Elizabeth's eyes went quickly to her friend's. Darcy noticed the sudden awkwardness. Within a few seconds she seemed to relax.

"I must warn you, Mr. Darcy, that I never claim to have the talent of singing, but Miss Lucas enjoys teasing me."

Darcy watched Miss Lucas and Elizabeth go to the piano. While Miss Lucas played Elizabeth sang. Darcy knew at once that Elizabeth was no accomplished singer, but her voice was nice to listen to and she was very animated. After two songs the two girls left the piano which was immediately commandeered by a plain looking creature who started in on a jig.

Before Darcy could get away he was accosted by Sir Lucas who tried with all his might to engage him in some sort of conversation. Perhaps he wishes to claim me as a friend, were Darcy's thoughts when Elizabeth once again crossed his path.

"Miss Eliza!" Sir Lucas nearly shouted, causing her to stop in front of the two of them. "I see your sisters are dancing. Will you not stand up with this fine gentleman?"

Darcy's heart quickened and before he could remember his dislike for dancing, he said, "I'd be honored."

"I am so very sorry," Elizabeth smiled. "But I was not planning on dancing this evening. Please excuse me."

Darcy was left alone, once again smelling the roses. He stood thus, contemplating the enigma that were Miss Elizabeth's eyes when Miss Bingley happened upon him.

"How boring it is here. I cannot imagine what my brother is thinking settling here." She paused, looking up at him. "I can imagine what you are thinking."

"I doubt it." Mr. Darcy said quickly, angered at his thoughts being interrupted.

"I suppose you are wishing yourself at Pemberley away from these insufferable people. I quite agree with you."

"You are wrong. I was thinking of a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman."

Miss Bingley cast her eyes down so as to show off her lashes, then very slowly rose them to meet him as she asked who the lady was.

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet." He stated, as he looked towards the subject of their conversation.

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet!" Miss Bingley nearly shouted. "I did not know the two of you were on such good terms. Are we to hear some happy news soon?"

Darcy laughed inside. He knew that paying a compliment to any lady was regarded as declaring his undying affection towards said lady. Darcy, however, was far from feeling such affections and made it plain towards Miss Bingley.

"Just think what fine relations you would have." Miss Bingley left then, letting his mind turn that over for a while.

Chapter 6

"Oh, brother, please do not leave us," Miss Bingley pleaded. "Or at least take us with you."

The gentlemen had been invited to dine that evening with the Officers and were to leave Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley alone. The two sisters liked each other very well, but whenever left alone they seemed to revert to their childhood days and argue and tease each other to no end.

"I am sorry, Caroline, but I already accepted and you two were not invited."

"There, Louisa, stay with your sister." Mr. Hurst said. He was most eager to leave knowing the Colonel to have a very fine wine and hoping it would be served tonight.

"Then we shall invite Jane to dine with us." Mrs. Hurst announced.

"Aye, and Lizzy too." Miss Bingley said, eyeing Darcy. "Perhaps their whole family."

"No, of course not those boorish parents. Just Jane." Mrs. Hurst was quite adamant.

"Yes, invite Jane to dine with you." Bingley said eagerly.

Darcy had very recently come to the conclusion that Jane did not care for Bingley and would either end up hurting him or marrying him for only his money. He must think of a way to get Darcy out of Hertfordshire...just long enough for him to forget her.

The ride to the barracks was quite long. The gentlemen noticed the fowl and talked of the hunting they would have to do soon, so that the time passed quickly. When they arrived they were introduced to all the officers, which varied in rank of social standing. If they had not had their military accouterments Darcy doubted if he would allow himself to be introduced to most of them at all.

The dinner was fine and the wine passable. Mr. Hurst looked almost hurt at tasting it knowing for a fact that this was not the best and looking very insulted. Why would not the Colonel allow his best wine be served when he, Mr. Hurst, was dining?

The talk was mostly of battles and training but soon turned to the women of the town. Lydia and Kittie Bennet were favorites amongst them but it wasn't until Elizabeth's name was mentioned that Darcy cared to pay attention to the conversation.

"She is quite beautiful," One of them said, "But she is not so giving of her affections as her youngest sisters. I heard Lydia say she wished to be governess of Jane's children, knowing full well she'll land herself a rich husband."

After hearing this Darcy turned to see Bingley's reaction but he seemed to be in a deep conversation with the Colonel and appeared not to have heard it.

"That is it, then." He said to himself. "I must get him away from her claws."

The rest of the evening could not pass by fast enough for Darcy. When it was finally time to go it was beginning to get dark and the ground had turned to mud from the rain. Bingley tried making conversation but Mr. Hurst would only grumble about the low quality of wine and Darcy's mind was on how to get Bingley away without his pride getting hurt. He hoped to God Jane had already gone home by the time they got to Netherfield.

"She is sick," Were Caroline's first words to her brother as they entered the door, almost as if Jane's getting sick were on purpose. "She is resting in a guest room. She had been so languid and drôle all morning how were Louisa and I to know she was sick?"

"Where is Louisa?" Bingley asked, hurriedly taking off his coat, hat and gloves.

"Upstairs with Jane. We did not know if we should call for Mr. Jones or not. She arrived on horseback!"

Bingley left them and ran up the stairs towards the guest rooms.

"You say she arrived on horseback? While raining?"

"Yes," Miss Bingley said, glad that Darcy spoke to her first for once. "She was all wet and sniffling. Looked an awful sight."

"I am afraid she is too ill to be moved." Louisa said as she came down the stairs. "She will have to stay the night. She had just enough energy to pen this," She handed the footman a letter, "take that to Longbourn. Well, I am off to bed."