Thank you all for such encouraging reviews. This is my first ever attempt to write anything since my schooldays, so they gave my confidence a little boost... or even a big one.
Chapter 2
Elizabeth quietly opened the door to her sisters bedchamber and peeked her head into the room, expecting Jane to be asleep. Her sister was lying quietly, her eyes closed, but as Elizabeth started to close the door Jane spoke out:
"Lizzy? Is that you?"
"Forgive me! Did I wake you?"
"Not really, I am finding it hard to find sleep. My ankle pains me more than I anticipated. Come in and tell me about your evening, dearest."
Elizabeth gently closed the door and came over to sit on the bed. Jane pulled down the cover so that Lizzy could slip underneath out of the cold, and Jane listened as the evening was described in detail.
"Mr Bingley must have liked you very much, a second dance is a great compliment to you Lizzy... and you seemed to have enjoyed his company"
"I enjoyed his attentions very much. He is everything a young man should be: sensible, good-humoured, lively and sincere.. and good! He made me think of you! He would not hear a bad word spoken of anyone!"
"Mmm. You still haven't told me much about your other admirer. What was his name, Mr Darcy?"
"He is a very handsome man. I am not sure what else there is to tell. He only spoke two words to me the whole evening, and those were "Miss Elizabeth" accompanied by a very civil bow when we were introduced. He had a decided air of superiority, but I think, from something Mr Bingley said, that maybe there is more to him than meets the eye. I would very much like to find out who is beneath the austere mask."
"Perhaps the words he spoke to is friend are more revealing than the ones he spoke to you! What was it he said? The prettiest girl in the room? With beautiful eyes? I think that we can safely vouch that the man has good taste!"
Elizabeth again felt the feeling of warmth in her cheeks and her heart seemed to beat just a little faster. She was grateful the room was dark. "Yes, indeed. He shows signs of superior intelligence!" she laughed lightly, and steered the conversation to a safer subject, "I still insist in saying that, had you been present, I would have gone unnoticed. You are so beautiful Jane, inside and out, that you cannot help but light up a room when you enter it!"
"You are too kind to me Lizzy." Janes voice was weary.
Even in the dark, Elizabeth could tell that her sister was in considerable pain. She pressed her to take some Laudanum to help her sleep and then slipped away to her own room for what little was left of the night.
...
Mr Bingley was awake long before his usual hour the next morning. He found himself unable to lie abed as he usually would after an evening of dancing but his kind heart was unwilling to summon his man from his slumber before the prearranged time.
He pulled his warm robe over his shoulders, and went to the large window that looked out over the beautiful autumn Hertfordshire countryside.
His thoughts turned to the previous evening, and what a pleasant time it had been. So many pretty girls. Miss Elizabeth. Her warm smile and her pretty figure had captivated him. Darcy would say that he was easily captivated, that he had a new infatuation every month, that he could not leave a ball without forming an attatchment. But how could he not be drawn in by her sparkling eyes? Yes, her very fine eyes... why even Darcy had noticed those eyes.
He smiled broadly and looked out in the direction he guessed lay Longbourn as he formulated a plan to call upon the Bennet family as soon as would be acceptable.
The crunch of boots on the gravel below drew his attention.
It was Darcy who appeared from around the corner of the house, followed by his groom who was leading Darcy's fine specimen of a horse. He watched from the window as his friend mounted, spoke a few words to the young groom, and rode off across the dew covered fields. It was just like Darcy, to be galloping about the countryside, while the rest of the house slept. Bingley watched as his friend disappeared into the distance and then stood daydreaming until he heard the chamber door creak open : Johnson had come in to ready him for the day.
He was the first to arrive at the breakfast room, but he had barely started filling his plate when Darcy entered, back from his morning ride. Both men set about helping themselves to the impressive range of breakfast dishes that were laid out on the sideboard.
"Mrs Nicholls certainly knows how to keep me happy!" Bingley grinned, "breakfast is always my favorite meal of the day!"
"Of that I am well aware, Bingley! Mrs Reynolds is always in panic to prepare a large collection of morning rolls when she hears you will be a guest at Pemberley. I must admit this is an excellent spread. From what I have seen, you have a very competent housekeeper." After adding another egg to his plate Darcy turned to take a seat at the table. "The Steward also seems to be doing a good job, judging from what I saw on my ride this morning."
"Yes, would appear to be a hard worker, and conscientious. He mentioned some drainage problems in some of the lower fields did you notice anything?"
Darcy was about to answer when footsteps and voices approached the room and Caroline and Louisa entered together.
Dary restrained himself from letting out an audible sigh. All useful conversation was to come to an end.
"Mr Darcy! Brother! How are you this morning? I hope you slept well? " Miss Bingley simpered, without waiting for a reply, " I am sure I did not. My bed could not have been aired correctly. I must speak to the housekeeper about it. Oh, and the time it took to bring up my bath water...I was most unimpressed. We shall need to bring in more staff Charles, it will not do."
There was a blessed moment of silence as the two ladies filled their plates, interrupted all to soon by another complaint.
"Where are the strawberry preserves? I specifically requested strawberry preserves! Can these people do nothing correctly?"
Mr Darcy silently stood, walked to the side board, picked up a large glass bowl and placed it in front of Miss Bingley.
"I believe this is what you are looking for?" and with a bow of the head he went back to his place.
"Oh, yes, er, thank you Mr Darcy. You are too kind." Her plate at last filled, she swiftly took her place at the table choosing the seat next to Mr Darcy.
He felt the hairs of his neck stand on end. Like a cat stroked the wrong way,
Miss Bingley leaned over and whispered , "I am sure you agree, Mr Darcy, that that yesterday evening was most ennuyeux. I felt most completely out of place and I know you did too. You must help me to convince Charles not to put us in such a dilemme. Such a lack of good breeding. No savoir faire."
"You cannot expect, Miss Bingley, to find the same refinement in a small country assembly as you would amongst the first circles of London society. Your brother, however, is wise to make himself known in the community. To establish your family as landed gentry you need to have good relations with the neighbouring estate owners."
"Yes, indeed!" Interjected Bingley with enthousiasm, " The Bennet family, for exemple! I understand that Longbourn is the largest estate in the area, after Netherfield. I am determined to further our acquaintance with that family and you shall help me Caroline."
Caroline Bingley scowled. Then a smile crept across her face. "Yes Charles, you are quite right. Everyone needs to see the position we now hold here. I have a mind to take Miss Eliza Bennet under my wing. With a mother like hers, and a sister who is infirm, the poor thing needs all the help she can get!" Although she spoke these words to her brother, her eyes remained firmly on Mr Darcy, hoping he would be impressed by her kind benevolence.
Darcy kept his eyes fixed on his plate. From what he had observed of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and he had spent a considerable time last evening engaged in observing that particular young lady, she would most definitely not appreciate any attempt to be taken under the wing of Caroline Bingley.
"Then it is agreed! Bingley declared, "we shall call at Longbourn tomorrow! Will you join us Darcy?"
Curious to see what would be the outcome of Caroline's efforts, and not at all opposed to the idea of observing Miss Elizabeth again, Darcy declared he would.
...
Elizabeth herself had slept longer that morning than was her habit. The Laudanum had been effective, and Jane was still sleeping peacefully when, as was the custom, Charlotte came late in the morning to have her share in the discussion of the previous evening.
Mrs Bennet wasted no time in expressing her triumph.
"Mr Bingley singled out MY Lizzy for two sets! Two sets! I can hardly comprehend it! Such a shame it is Charlotte, for you, for without Jane there you may have been in for a chance, but it was my Lizzy that caught his eye! Although I am very sure you will manage the disappointment. You are used to it I dare say. Such a delightful man, and so rich! Do you not agree?"
Charlotte smiled serenely, used to Mrs Bennet's outbursts. "I am very happy for Lizzy, she is my dearest friend, and I quite understand why any gentlemen of good taste would enjoy her company and I think you enjoyed his... did you not Lizzy?"
"Mr Bingley is just what a young man ought to be, sensible, good-humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners!—so much ease, with such perfect good breeding!"
"He is also handsome," replied Charlotte, "which a young man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete!"
"I cannot say as much for his friend!" interjected Mrs Bennet from her chair in the corner, "A more disagreeable man I never saw! Mrs. Long told me last night that he sat close to her for half-an-hour without once opening his lips."
"Mr Bingley told me," said Elizabeth, "that he never speaks much, unless among his intimate acquaintances. With them he is remarkably agreeable. It would be well to wait, before we pass hasty judgement. Maybe there is a side to him that is yet to be discovered. It must be so for how else could he be such a good friend of Mr Bingley? For my part I am willing to forgive his pride for the time being."
"I do not believe a word of it, my dear. If he had been so very agreeable, he would have talked to Mrs. Long!" Mrs Bennet insisted, but then she stopped and paused as her brain caught up with her mouth, before continuing, in a much softer tone, "but you are perhaps right, Lizzy. We should not be too hasty in our judgement, after all he does have ten thousand pounds. I am sure one could put up with a lot for TEN thousand pounds a year! We must have him meet Jane as soon as is possible! She has the patience of a saint... I am sure she could put up with him!"
...
The next morning, as per Mr Bingley's plan, accompanied by Miss Bingley and Mr Darcy, he came to call on the Bennet family.
Mrs Bennet, on seeing them arrive, anxiously called her two daughters into the parlour, lamenting that Jane was not well enough to come below stairs, and that Lydia and Kitty had just gone to visit with Mariah Lucas. Mary took her seat discretely in the corner with a book.
When Hill opened the parlour door to announce the guests, Elizabeth was, to all appearances, absorbed in her embroidery and Mary reading.
Mrs Bennet, much to Elizabeth's relief, welcomed both Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy with equal cordiality, although rather more enthusiastically than was necessary. She called for tea, and much to Elizabeth's surprise, Miss Bingley immediately came to sit by her side."
"Miss Elizabeth... you must allow me to call you Eliza, after all we are to be neighbours! I hope you are in good health?" She spoke in a sugary voice then she lowered her tone and added confidentially "I have decided to take it upon myself to be of assistance to you. As you know, we are now the most prominent family in the neighbourhood and I feel I must set the standards of taste and fashion by which my neighbours will be guided. I am quite willing to share my knowledge of the latest fashions, and with a few clever tricks, your dresses will be much improved!
"You are too kind, Miss Bingley" Elizabeth's mouth formed a smile, but her eyes were shining with indignation, "However, my Aunt lives in London, and she keeps us well informed about the latest fashions. Your talents would be better spent elsewhere!"
Miss Bingley was about to reply, but her Brother, who had been waiting patiently for a chance to speak, beat her to it.
"Miss Elizabeth! You were telling me the other evening about place, a view point, from which almost all of Netherfield estate is visible. Oakwood Hill? Or some such name?"
"I believe you mean Oakham Mount, sir."
"Yes, that is the place. Oakham Mount, you say? Excellent! Is it a long walk?"
"From Longbourn it is about a two hour walk, for a good walker, that is. From Netherfield I imagine it would be considerably shorter. It has a most beautiful view, especially now we are well into autumn. The changing colours are splendid. People say it is the best view in Hertfordshire."
Miss Bingley let out a small laugh. "I am sure it is very pleasant, Eliza, but it is certainly nothing compared to the beauty of the hills of Derbyshire, what do you think Mr Darcy?"
"I do not think I can give an impartial answer. Derbyshire is my home county, it is very dear to my heart. I have, however, on my morning rides here, found Hertfordshire to have quite a charm of its own. I am sure it has many places of outstanding beauty."
He looked at Elizabeth as he spoke, his dark handsome eyes softened by his recollection of home. For a short instant their eyes met, and a flash of understanding passed between them. Elizabeth turned away as she felt the familiar glow of warmth spread on her cheeks.
"What do you say to the idea of an expedition to Oakham Mount?" Mr Bingley suggested cheerfully. "The days are still warm enough, and I should very much like to see it. Will you be our guide Miss Elizabeth? And of course your sisters with you?"
Elizabeth willingly agreed to the project, and the rest of the visit was spent working out the details of the outing.
