Chapter 7

When Elizabeth walked up to Netherfield court on Monday after work she could hardly believe her eyes. She knew that Bingley lived in a fancy London Town house but this was one of those amazing groups of housing that had their own private gardens and who knew what else. Elizabeth had to work to keep her jaw off the floor. She was shown through the communal entrance by a doorman (a doorman really? Like a hotel or something) and to an imposing front door across a courtyard. When she was buzzed in Caroline met her in the lobby.

"Why it's Eliza? Is it not. Welcome. Do you not have any other bags?" She looked in astonishment at Elizabeth's small hold-all.

"No. Just this."

"Hmmm, well ok. I will show you your room and then Jane is in the kitchen."

That turned out to bear little resemblance to any kitchen Elizabeth had been in. It was bigger than their one in Meryton and was so shiny and clean. Jane was working away at the stove and Elizabeth gave her a warm hug.

"Elizabeth! How was work? Your team getting on ok?"

She talked about a few new contracts they were looking in to and some of the tasks the team were starting. She was finding it difficult to delegate but it was something she would have to learn.

"And you Jane? What's happened to get you back to London? I thought you were contracted to work in Hatfield for six months and London the other six?"

"Well the hospitals in London have had a lot of sickness problems so they couldn't cover this week. Mr Phillips sent an email asking if anyone would cover the extra shifts. Hatfield clinic is well staffed so I volunteered."

"I see, conveniently coinciding with an invite to this palace?"

Jane laughed "well no, I was planning on staying with you but Bingley offered and how could I refuse!"

The man in question walked in at that point. "Hello ladies, that smells amazing" he walked over and kissed Jane on the neck and peered in the wok. "Thai food?"

"Yes, Lizzie and I keep planning to go but not managed yet. We cook it a lot to make up for that! It's just about ready"

"Great. I'll get everyone to the table."

The food was delicious. Jane knew how to cook a good stir fry. Caroline spent most of dinner talking about shopping she had done that day, Bingley couldn't stop staring dreamily at Jane. Darcy still said very little. Occasionally looking at Elizabeth. She had to keep checking for food in her teeth and blow away hair. It was quite disconcerting.

After dinner Darcy and Elizabeth managed to get in to a debate about music. Darcy seemed to think that modern music was ruining the young people of society. Elizabeth scoffed, why was he acting like a grandpa? Even her dad didn't take that strong a view. And Lydia's music was pretty good at killing off brains cells so he should take that view.

Caroline kept trying to interject comments to help Darcy's arguments, but mostly they weren't well thought out and she really gave more fodder for Elizabeth. They both went to bed full of the other but with differing thoughts.

Elizabeth thought he was the most annoying, egotistical and disagreeable man she knew. Darcy couldn't help but think about the fire in her eyes as she argued the merits of some of the music around at the moment. He settled in his bed thinking he really wouldn't mind having her there with him. He thought well enough of himself that he had no doubt she would come to bed if he asked her, but he was not looking to get tangled up with a girl at the moment. Too complicated, and so consoled himself with thoughts of her instead.

Elizabeth was up and out early, managing to miss Caroline, Jane and Bingley entirely. She had the misfortune to encounter Darcy as she was heading to the door. Clearly he was an early riser too.

"Good morning" he ran his eyes up and down her. She looked flawless today.

"Hi, I'm heading out. Getting an early start today. See you later" she didn't miss the look and had a quick glance in the mirror as she passed. Not seeing anything out of place she shrugged and continued out of the door.

Much of the week passed as the first day did. Elizabeth was to return home after work in Friday. Jane and Bingley were going on a mini break Friday to Sunday and Jane would be back at home Sunday for lunch. Elizabeth reluctantly agreed. It had been three weeks since the last lunch at home and she tried not to go more than once a month.

On Thursday, as she was getting off the tube when a man ran in to her. She dropped her bag and watched her pens, hair grips, coins and work papers flutter to the ground. She dropped quickly and started gathering as the next tube would be along soon and the wind would be enough to blow all her work away. The man dropped next to her and started frantically gathering the papers

"I'm so sorry. I was completely not watching. Let me help"

She didn't look at him until she had gathered everything up when she did she caught her breath slightly. Gorgeous. Dark hair, fashionably falling in his eyes, which were a light brown, very expressive. Young but not boyish, slight stubble gave him a slightly rugged look. Tall but not overly so.

"Ummmm" she stuttered "thank you, and no problem"

He smiled and his whole face lit up. He looked so happy to see her, although that couldn't be so "I am sorry for bumping in to you, but not sorry that it gives me a chance to say hello. I am George Wickham. Who might I be speaking to?"