Thank you to all those who reviewed. I still can't believe that my story has gotten such a response.
I'm sorry about all the grammar and spelling mistakes. I updated the previous chapters so they should be corrected. And apologize to, and thank those who point it out to me. I have corrected the biggest error (James and University- more info below) So, more sorry in advance.
I also welcome those who know more than I do about the Regency period and correct me. I do look up the customs and ways of that time period but I do slip once in a while so I appreciate the criticism.
I will elaborate on the characters of James, Elizabeth, Mr. Bennet and you will see more of Mary, Kitty and Jane.
I got a question about their dowries and I am trying to figure out the exactifications so that when it comes up I'll be ready for it. Likewise I got a question about James going to a University; yes he has but came back before the story started. At least that's what I'm gonna go with because I can't seem to find any exact information on the subject. So I'm just gonna go with this and yea…. (If you have any sources of good information about the Regency era. Privet Message me.) The part where, I believe, some of you may have thought Mr. Bennett was being unkind, it was more of a comment and maybe a slight warning that Kitty was speaking out of turn.
Now! To the story!
Chapter 3: The Netherfield Party
The sun was shining and a light breeze blew from the North as a large carriage rode down the road jostling a bit as the wheels went over stones. Inside the carriage were two gentlemen and two ladies.
One specific gentleman with a pleasing face, copper colored hair, kind blue eyes and a gray hat was the, now, master of Netherfield Park. Charles Bingley was the only son to a reputable tradesman and was a graduate of Cambridge. He had been advised by his father to establish the name of Bingley rightly in the world by seeking to expand his fortune beyond trade.
Next to him was his sister, Caroline Bingley. She had chestnut red hair and it was in a bun on the back of her head. She wore a fine red gown with a matching necklace and a fine coat with a rather large hat only made to look larger with the many feathers on it. Miss. Bingley had a look that clearly said she was board of the carriage and would much rather be in their townhome in London.
However the young lady opposite her was very much interested. She leaned against the window frame obviously excited by the views from her position but fatigued by the travel. Her golden blonde hair was tied back with a simple bonnet with many spring flowers on it. She wore a cream colored dress under her light blue pelisse. The young miss was dreadfully excited to be going with her brother and his friend to his friend's new home. She was so excited that she started to rub her arms as if she was warming from the cold.
"Georgiana are you cold?" The tall man sitting next to her asked.
She smiled at him, "No brother, I am quite warm. I am just terribly excited at seeing Mr. Bingley's new home."Darcy nodded.
Fitzwilliam Darcy was, by all accounts, a very respectable man. He was perhaps very shy on first acquaintance. Some would say that his taught figure and curt seeming emotionless way of speaking made him proud and disagreeable. But he was not; he was actually quite humble for a man of his wealth and station. He smiled quite a lot when in the serenity of his beautiful Pemberley, and when he and Georgiana were alone. He never truly smiled whilst in company. He may grin but it would never extend to his whole face the way it did at home.
He was also, because of his great steward, allowed to travel with friends and to see family. It was because of that that he had found himself sitting beside his sister in a carriage bound for Meryton.
He glanced at his sister again and gave a small grin. She was so energetic in her youth, for she was not but five and ten. She had been shuffled around from Pemberley to London, school, Pemberley then back to London. It was time for her to have a little, and under the constant eye of her brother, adventure. A chance for her to get out into the world without being out in society just yet. Darcy sighed for it had to be soon, soon she would be sixteen and, as his aunt had pointed out, was "about the age for young girls to come out, having a few years of balls and parties before she was to settle down" What a fine thing to say when your daughter is two and twenty and has technically never been "out" in society at all.
It also made him wary and, now, slightly overprotective about the company around sweet Georgiana. For the event last winter had greatly, and justly, scared him.
Caroline had noticed Mr. Darcy's sigh and, being ever attentive to the gentleman's actions, said "Why Mr. Darcy whatever would make you sigh with such sadness?"
"I bet I could guess Caroline." Charles said cheerfully, "He's morning the absence of a Miss. Chadsworth."
Darcy grinned a smidge at his friends teasing, "Who would not?"
"I certain would not." Caroline said smoothing her dress, "She was a most haughty and fickle little thing that has a talent for gossip and always over does her tea when I visit."
"I found her to be quite polite." Darcy said.
"Of course she would be to you, for you are a very handsome and very respectable man." Caroline said batting her eyelashes at him.
He turned away from her and looked out of the window. The grass, trees and rocks reminded him of his home in Derbyshire.
"So as Charles was teasing, I'm sure you were not thinking of that Miss. Chadsworth. What, may I inquire were you thinking about?" Caroline said with a disapproving look at her brother.
"Home, most likely." Georgiana said still gazing out the window. "The scenery probably reminds us both of Derbyshire and Pemberley."
Darcy reached over and grabbed his sister's hand, "Precisely my dear sister."
Georgiana smiled at her brother, gave his hand a squeeze and resumed her looking out the window.
"Surely nothing can compare to the spectacle that is Pemberley." Caroline said, "For I have never been anywhere quite like it and there is not any place I adore more than perhaps Darcy house in London."
"Surely Caroline!" Bingley said fanning shock, "I would have thought you loved out home in London best, for you are always so reluctant to leave it."
Darcy tuned the Bingley's voices out. He knew that Caroline fancied him, but he would not, could not ever return her affections. He liked to think that, were he inclined to marry, it would be to a kind and intelligent woman who would help keep Georgiana company and who would be his companion for the rest of his life. He would like to think that, were he to marry, it would be for love. He wanted so badly to have that woman with him, so Caroline and his Aunt Catherine would stop berating him with their obvious attentions or their ridiculous arranged marriage comments.
Georgiana got very excited, "I think we are near!" she said getting some sort of a nervous excitement.
Bingley looked out the window, "I do believe we are. Meryton may not be as busy or as sociable as London Caroline but I do believe I shall be quite happy here."
"Best not speak so just yet Bingley for you have not seen Meryton society." Darcy said as they pulled into the town.
The carriage pulled up to an attorney's office where Bingley was to sign papers before going on to Netherfield. Everyone was helped out for Georgiana wanted to look about at the new sights that Meryton had to offer. Caroline wished to stretch her legs and Darcy would accompany Georgiana wherever she wished to go.
Unknown to the Netherfield party the three Bennett siblings had just entered town and were heading towards the ribbon shop.
Kitty had linked arms with her brother and was talking animatedly about a design she had sketched out for a bonnet she would wear to the next assembly.
James, who was use to Kitty's enthusiasm, was smiling and nodding while she spoke and made sure to keep her from running into people. Elizabeth was looking around and fallowing behind them.
After all had exited the carriage and Caroline, Georgiana and Darcy had walked around to stand in a shady patch near a store a young boy ran into the street after a wayward ball he had accidently dropped.
Both Elizabeth and Darcy, both being of acute observation, saw the situation at hand.
A man on a horse was riding past and the ball, boy and man on a horse happened to intersect paths.
Elizabeth rushed forward pulling the boy back making him fall on a sack of flower but inadvertently putting herself in the path of the horse.
At the same time that James and Kitty yelled "No!" Darcy rushed forward and with the skill of a man who had danced at many balls, grabbed Elizabeth's hand and spun her inwards towards him and out of harm's way.
The man rode on and James and Kitty rushed forward.
Elizabeth had her hands pressed against Darcy's chest and both had locked eyes.
For a moment Elizabeth looked into the gentleman's eyes and felt blush creeping into her cheeks. For he was a very handsome man with dark loose hair and rather beautiful blue eyes. It was an odd thing to note, at a time such as this, but she noted a scent of something rather pleasant on his person.
Darcy looked into the eyes of this beautiful young lady, she had rather kind looking brown eyes with chocolate brown hair tied into a bun on the back of her head. It was a strange thing to note but he had felt that her hands had been rather soft.
Darcy released her and she stepped back. They didn't break eye contact as Georgiana rushed forward.
"Are you alright?" Darcy asked.
"Yes. I thank you." Elizabeth said with a curtsy.
Darcy bowed as James and Kitty got to them. A second later Georgiana joined them.
"Are you alright?!" James asked looking her over. He touched her head shoulders and looked her up and down, "I don't see anything."
"I'm quite alright James really." Elizabeth said.
Darcy noted the use of his christen name and automatically assumed that he was her beau, either that or her sibling and he was inclined to hope for the latter.
"Oh thank goodness." Kitty said hugging her. "I was so worried that you would be hurt."
James turned to Darcy and bowed, "I thank you sir for saving my sister. We are greatly indebted to you."
Darcy unintentionally smiled, it should be no concern of his if they were siblings, though it lightened his heart a bit. "Not at all. For I would think that anyone would have done the same, had they noticed."
"Are you alright?" Georgiana asked grabbing his arm.
Elizabeth tried to not let the disappointment on her face show, he was with someone.
"I'm quite alright Georgie. I was not in any danger."
Elizabeth curtsied again, "Thank you again. Good day." And she walked off towards the direction she had previously been walking, pulling James along. Kitty smiled and curtsied to the Darcy siblings and then hurried off after her brother and sister, taking care to watch for horses.
Georgiana tugged on her brother's arm to get him to move back to the safety of the shade. Darcy kept eyes on the young lady whom he had saved until she disappeared into a shop.
"Mr. Darcy that was so very brave of you to save her!" Caroline said, "Are you alright though, I feared that you might have come to harm in your rescue."
Darcy smirked still thinking about the girl, "I am fine Miss. Bingley."
Caroline continued talking about his bravery as Darcy turned towards the street glancing a few times at the shop thru whose door the girl had disappeared.
When Bingley returned they all reentered the carriage and, headed off to Netherfield. Caroline spent no time at all in recounting Darcy's bravery to her bother. Georgiana was excited once more to be heading to a new place and Darcy wished that he had asked the girls name.
Thanks for reading. Leave a review and let me know what you think about the Netherfield party.
Now I think I should tell you that I am well aware that I left out the Hurst's. I am planning to include them eventually but I thought for now we would just have these guys. And I did mention "the events of last winter" I know it was spring in the book but this isn't the book. :p And It's something kinda different. Elaboration to come.