Thanks again to everyone who has let me know they are reading by favoriting! Thanks too for the reviews. I so appreciate the encouragement and the input. I have definitely incorporated some of your suggestions. Other times I am making choices that may be different from what some prefer, but I always appreciate hearing ideas especially from a great community like this one. The story is done and I am posting as fast as I can edit! I have tried dozens of times to upload this next chapter but each time was unsuccessful - not sure what the issue was. Originally this chapter was more than twice this long but then I had the idea that perhaps if it was shorter the site would let me upload and eureka!
The next morning Miss Bingley was once again waxing poetic on the subject of Miss Eliza's shortcomings only this time she had Mr. Darcy as her captive audience as they strolled through the shrubbery together.
"I suppose I can understand how the simple residents of this small insignificant hamlet could regard Miss Eliza as a beauty and even a wit, but really you must agree if she were ever to be introduced in town she would be found utterly wanting."
She received not reply. Not entirely certain how to interpret Mr. Darcy's silence Miss Bingley changed her approach.
"Truly though I feel sorry for her. Not only due to the very limited opportunities this neighborhood presents for meeting people of fashion but also because of the rather boisterous and unrestrained nature of her mother and sisters. I fear her family's lack of decorum and manners must restrict her prospects further."
"True, but I have often observed that some people are willing to put up with unsavory relatives for a truly valuable friend or acquaintance." Darcy answered.
"That may be," Miss Bingley tried to agree while continuing to enumerate the many flaws that characterized the Bennet family and most especially its second daughter. She resented the easy friendship Mr. Darcy had apparently established with the country girl and she was sure he would see the folly in it soon enough if she kept pointing out to him the many ways Miss Eliza was inferior to women such as herself. In the middle of her next speech to that effect the pair were met from another walk by Mrs. Hurst and Elizabeth herself.
"I did not know you intended to walk," said Miss Bingley quickly, afraid she had been overheard.
Mr. Darcy was certain they had been judging by the blush spreading across Elizabeth's face and the hurt look he glimpsed in her eye. He realized that if she heard Miss Bingley's cruel words and nothing at all from him she might assume he agreed with her. This he would not allow.
"You used us abominably ill," Mrs. Hurst pouted, "running away without telling us that you were coming out." Then taking the disengaged arm of Mr. Darcy, she left Elizabeth to walk by herself. The path just admitted three. Mr. Darcy felt their rudeness and had no intention of allowing another slight against Elizabeth to go unanswered. Nor did he intend to subject himself to the company of the Bingley sisters instead of Elizabeth whom he felt he owed an explanation.
"This walk is not wide enough for our party," he began. "I think perhaps we should divide and conquer. Miss Elizabeth, would you do me the honor of taking the avenue with me and you, Miss Bingley can show your sister the many fine shrubs and plants you have been pointing out to me."
Without waiting for an answer, he offered his arm to Elizabeth. For a moment, he was afraid she would refuse him. But after a brief hesitation she laid her hand in the crook of his elbow and they moved on together.
When they were sufficiently removed from the others he stopped her forward progress by placing his hand gently on hers where it rested on his arm. She pulled it back and stepped away from him.
"Miss Elizabeth," he began. "I must apologize."
"For what, Mr. Darcy?" She asked with an arched brow and arms crossed against her chest.
She was angry, Darcy realized with a little smile. He was glad she valued his opinion enough to not want him to be swayed by Miss Bingley's harsh critiques.
"I believe you may have overheard some remarks made by Miss Bingley. Please know that I do not share her opinions, Miss Elizabeth. I have come to think very highly of you and value our friendship."
"Is that so, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth replied. "Thank you so much for putting my mind at ease now if you will please excuse me I must attend my sister."
She was gone before Darcy thought to stop her. He wondered how his words had angered her further, as they clearly had.
Dinner that evening was unlike any gathering of Netherfield's occupants thus far. Mr. Bingley was even more jovial than usual as he anticipated Miss. Bennet's joining them after the meal. Miss Bingley's tactics were familiar. She attempted to dominate the conversation vacillating between enumerating her own good qualities and attempting to bait Elizabeth in to revealing her own faults. It was Elizabeth who really made the difference. She seemed determined to charm Mr. Bingley and even Mr. Hurst like she had never done before.
Mr. Hurst found that while she herself preferred a plain dish to the more exotic fare he favored Elizabeth was quite knowledgeable about the culinary delights he loved and happy to speak with him about them at length. In addition, she appeared very interested in his dissertation on the superiority of English cooks over French ones. Mr. Bingley occasionally joined their lively conversation and Elizabeth drew from him and even occasionally Mrs. Hurst stories from their childhood that brought much laughter to the table. From everyone except Mr. Darcy and Caroline Bingley. The former felt Elizabeth was deliberately snubbing him and the latter was troubled by the former's evident concern over Miss Eliza's failure to include him in her conversations.
Soon after the last course was served Elizabeth excused herself that she might attend Jane to the drawing room later. When the sisters made their appearance, they were welcomed by Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley with many professions of pleasure. Elizabeth marveled at how agreeable they could be when they chose. Had it not been for the disdain they had displayed for her on so many other occasions she would have found herself truly enjoying their considerable powers of conversation and attention to her sister. However, when the gentlemen entered Jane was all but forgotten. Miss Bingley's eyes clung to Mr. Darcy and she spoke to him almost before he was inside the room. Mr. Darcy approached Jane.
"You are looking remarkably well, Miss Bennet." He said with a formal bow. "I hope that you are feeling better."
"I am, Mr. Darcy thank you." Jane responded with a warm smile.
Mr. Hurst also expressed his gladness at her recovery. Mr. Bingley was quick to voice his joy at her evident improvement and ability to join them for a portion of the evening. He took the opportunity to sit on the other side of her and inquired minutely as to what might bring her comfort, canvassing everything from refreshments to building up the fire. Elizabeth took up her needlework and made her way to a seat by the window. Although Mr. Darcy had been standing practically in front of her she managed to maneuver around him with little difficulty and no eye contact. These skillful machinations were all for naught as just a moment after she had begun her work Mr. Darcy approached.