When Darcy has those internal arguments I see them as a fight between his heart and brain. I think you can kinda guess which is which. I just wanted to tell you that cuz I don't think I ever said that before. I going to try to put one in every chapter.

Well hope you enjoy. =)


Both Darcy and Bingley continued their attentions to Elizabeth and Jane much to everyone's surprise. The inhabitants of Meryton were sure that they would very soon see two very advantageous marriages. Though some other mothers were jealous of Mrs. Bennet there was only one person truly unhappy with these attentions.

Caroline Bingley hated Meryton with it's lack of fashion and the country folk with their lack of breeding. She hated her brother for bringing her to Neatherfield. But most of all she hated the Bennets. In particular she hated Elizabeth Bennet. Caroline had seen the attentions Darcy had paid her and she was furious. Darcy was hers. No country girl was good enough to get her hands on the Darcy fortune. In Caroline's mind there was only one person who could bear the title Mrs. Darcy, herself.

"Caroline, Darcy and I are going out to dine with the officers tonight." Bingley informed his sister one morning.

"Oh I must invite company to keep me from being so board while you are away. Perhaps I might invite Miss Jane Bennet so I can get to know her better." Caroline planned to interrogate her guest to find reason to keep Charles away from her. If Charles stayed away from Jane it would be harder for Darcy to be with Elizabeth.

"Might I also suggest inviting Miss Elizabeth. I am sure Jane would be much more comfortable with her sister with her." Darcy suggested. Caroline was scandalized and saw her plan backfiring miserably.

"Of course." She replied curtly and moved to her room to write the invitation. She finished it quickly and read it over again. She was satisfied and sent it out with a servant. She smiled as she watched the servant disappear to the horizon.

The note itself was very polite. There was nothing wanting in her manner of address. The only defect was the fact that the note contained an invitation to only Jane.

Mrs. Bennet was ecstatic at Jane's receiving a note from Neatherfield. She demanded loudly to know the contents of the note. Jane read it quickly.

"I have been invited to Neatherfield." Jane's eyes sparkled with pleasure. It was obvious she was very much in love.

"Only you? Has Lizzy not also been invited?" Mrs Bennet demanded in a disapproving tone. "Lizzy, I told you that you should have given Mr. Darcy more attention. How else are you supposed to catch him?"

"Oh mama, I am sure that it just slipped their minds. Anyway neither Mr. Darcy nor Mr. Bingley will be there. The gentlemen are dining out."

"Dining out?! That will never do." Mrs. Bennet was looking unhappier by the minute.

"Papa when can I have the carriage ready?" Jane asked with only slight impatience

"Carriage? No you must go on horseback. We cannot spare horses for the carriage."

"But mama---"

"You will go on horseback." There was such an air of finality in that statement that no one could argue.


As Jane rode to Neatherfield, a massive storm arrived soaking her to bone. She arrived at her destination thoroughly wet and sneezing and coughing up a storm. She was immediately sent to bed. A note was sent out to the Bennet household informing them of her illness.

After the note was sent the party at Neatherfield was rather subdued. Bingley had gone to see to Jane and the Hursts were no where to be found. That left Caroline and Darcy alone in the drawing room.

"Did not Miss Elizabeth come as well." Darcy finally asked the question foremost on his mind. This did not please Caroline.

"No, I was informed that she did not wish to come." Darcy's face fell noticeably, which only served to anger Caroline more. Fortunately for her he dropped the subject and they fell into silence.

When the note arrived at Longbourn there was a vast array of emotions. Kitty, Mary and Lydia were all more or less indifferent. Mr. Bennet was worried, but mostly amused at his wife's reaction. Mrs. Bennet was ecstatic. She had only planned on Jane staying the night. Now she had caught a cold and would be staying for some weeks.

Elizabeth was excessively worried and also mortified. The worried feeling won out and she decided to go see Jane. When she informed her parents of this decision Mr. Bennet was unhappy to inform her that the horses could not be spared for the carriage. Not to be discouraged Elizabeth decided to walk. Her mother went into a fit, but in the end Elizabeth won out.

The walk to Neatherfield was pleasant if rather muddy from the rain. Elizabeth sighed as she looked at the state of her apparel. She gave a slight shrug and continued on. She did not truly care for the opinions of most of the inhabitants of Neatherfield. Bingley, she was sure, would not care one straw about her appearance. Caroline would be shocked and scandalized, but that was a plus in itself, for Elizabeth. The Hursts would be indifferent. Darcy's reaction would be the only one she was unsure of. He had been paying her attentions these past weeks, but would he take one look at her and be disgusted? Would he consider her beneath his notice after seeing her? As these thoughts arrived she realized something else, she didn't care. If he was that shallow she would never consent to marry him anyway.

As see rounded the corner she came face to face with the object of her thoughts.

"Mr. Darcy." She recovered quickly and gave him a curtsy.

"Miss Elizabeth." He gazed at her enraptured. Her hair was loose and she did not have her bonnet on. A few of her brown curls caught in the wind. This sight was almost enough to stop his heart. He wrenched his eyes away only to find himself looking into her eyes. They were normally bright with laughter and happiness, but today they shown far brighter. He continued to admire her completely forgetting all other thoughts.

"I am come to inquire after my sister." Darcy was so caught up in staring that he could not answer right away when he did answer he instantly regretted it.

"Your sister?" Elizabeth gave him a searching look as if trying to ascertain wheatear he was ill or not.

"Yes my sister." He was still incapable of rational thought so she clarified, "Jane."

"Oh yes of course." Darcy said at length his brain finally returning. His gaze shifted to her lips and another internal struggle began.

Kiss her!

NO! We have been paying her attentions, but she has made us no promises. If we kiss her now it would lower us it her eyes.

Not if she enjoyed it. Kiss her!

What if she does not share our feelings yet? If we make such a forward move it could erase all our chances to be with her.

She would enjoy it. So would I. Kiss her!

Even if she enjoyed it she could never accept it. She was raised to highly. We cannot risk losing her with one foolish move.

KISS HER! KISS HER NOW!

We shall do no such thing!

Darcy tore his gaze away from her lips and took a step back.

"Your sister is in one of the guest rooms. May I escort you?" Elizabeth nodded her assent and they both made their way back to the house. Elizabeth's mind was full of concern for her sister. Darcy's was fully occupied wondering of his decision had been the right one.


Hey the brain finally won an argument. =) That's a first

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