The reader should not be faulted should they assume that it would be the hysterics of Mrs. Bennet which broke the calm quiet that reigned in the wake of murder. But it was in fact the shout of the almost always amiable Charles Bingley which pierced the silence. Having just finished his second set of dances with Jane Bennet, He'd been at the end of the line, and furthest from the door. Stepping into the street, with the fair Miss Bennet by his side, he recognized his coach and his bloody, dead coach driver (whom he'd previously seen neither bloodied nor dead). And then he recognized Darcy, standing close to the unpleasantness, and the only moving figure, who at that moment was approaching three young ladies who were disturbingly close to all that blood.

"Good God, Darcy, the ladies must be removed from here at once!"

This time Darcy didn't pause, and continued moving towards the three women, but he registered he'd heard his friend by slightly turning down the corners of his mouth. The spell indeed was broken, and what once was many people calm and quiet, became a disordered panic, filled with much noise.

Bingley would often congratulate himself on being a man, who once he had determined on a course of action, would always act quickly in bringing about that course of action. Between himself and his friend, it was Darcy who was more the man of action, but with the caution he always took, and the careful consideration he viewed each situation prior to taking any action, it would be easy to think that attribute belonged more to Bingley. And never was that distinction clearer than in this instance, when Darcy found Bingley quite settled on a course of action, that was at cross-purposes to what he would elect to do.

For Darcy, the priority was to secure the scene, call the magistrate and then interview any witnesses while the scene was still fresh. Additionally, he was more concerned with removing one male guest from the scene than he was in protecting the delicate sensibilities of the ladies of Meryton. Immediate danger seemed past, Bingley, however cared only about removing the ladies from the scene, doing so with haste, but also ensuring that all ladies were accompanied by a male guardian, preferably armed.

As Sir Lucas was the magistrate, there was no need to call, but as Darcy looked over at the normally cheerful fellow, observing the greenish cast to his complexion, he did not have trust in that man properly being able to carry out his duties, particularly that of securing the scene.

Meanwhile Bingley was placing his two sisters and Mr. Hurst into the second chaise. They'd fortunately opted to come in more than one conveyance at the insistence of the two sisters in order to prevent the dresses from being crushed. He was also trying simultaneously to oversee the Bennet ladies into their carriage, and was about to ride off with them, as they had no male companion when Darcy stopped him.

"Bingley, I should like you to help me secure the scene."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible. I must see the Bennet ladies home. Their father did not accompany them. I'm sure Sir Lucas is up to the task, and John Lucas can take his place in securing a safe return for the ladies of his family."

Darcy scowled and took a long look at the other remaining man of his party, who had not spoken since the discovery of the body, but also seemed uncommonly uninterested in all that passed around him. "Bingley, I really think it would be best if Smith and I were to depart at once, and you can help Sir Lucas secure the scene until I have returned."

"You're being absurd Darcy, the Bennet ladies must have protection, there is a murderer about. You and Smith ought to render any assistance to Sir Lucas, if you feel that to be the most necessary course of action."

"Bingley, I must insist. If you are adamant about the Bennet ladies having accompaniment, then I shall offer it myself, Smith will ride with your sisters back to Netherfield to offer further protection, and I shall return here and relieve you of your duties as soon as I have completed my task."

Bingley was about to object again, but from somewhere, a groom seemed to appear out of nowhere, and handed Darcy the reigns to two horses. Sometimes a small handful of coins can appear to have powers that are purely magical. Darcy handed off one of the horses to the man he and Bingley had called Smith, and leaned in to whisper a few words, the expression on his face severe. Smith mounted and followed after the carriage to Netherfield without further communication, while Darcy turned his horse to the carriage containing the Longbourn ladies. He mounted his carriage, but then turned his horse back to Bingley for a moment. The normally biddable Bingley was actually scowling at him, finding Darcy's high-handedness, in this instance, disagreeable. But as Darcy turned his horse he relaxed his face, in anticipation of an apology for which all would be easily forgiven now that all the ladies were headed to safety. There was no apology forthcoming, however.

"Your horses, was it you who acquired them?"

"My horses?"

"Yes, your four that pulled the coach. Did you purchase the horses? Are they of your stable. I don't recognize them, but perhaps you bought them before coming to Netherfield."

"Well yes, at summer's end. I was at Tattersall's. I'd been going each Monday to try and find something suitable for the country. Now that you mention it, I received an uncommonly good price for all four. They weren't on auction, but a man offered them to me for a number I could not refuse. I became suspicious, as it really was too low for what appeared to be such fine animals, but he explained he needed to move them fast and preferred not go through the auctions. I'd have thought them stolen, but who goes to Tattersall's with stolen horses. He had the proper paperwork, too. But Darcy, my God, why are you having me speak of horses. The ladies must be seen home, and if you won't take them I will."

Darcy made no reply, instead turning back to the carriage containing the Bennet ladies and instructed their driver to turn for home, with all haste. Before the sound of the horses pulling the carriage in motion drowned out the voices within, Darcy clearly heard a shrill voice, "the nerve of that man, giving orders to my driver." And then in a deeper, more pleasing voice, "Mama, he only means to see us safely home. It's very good of him."