Dear Guest - Wait. I just want to confirm that when the Colonel used the word "companion" he meant wife. RIght? Well, that will have to wait another chapter or two to answer.

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Some emotion Mr Darcy couldn't name flared deep in his heart at the deliberate demonstration of unity between the two women. Watching their interaction since the music ceased, he could see the open, artless bond between them. If only he could see Georgiana this happy at Pemberley, in the company of such a woman. So far his enquiries for a Ladies Companion had failed to elicit a response. It seemed his sister would be fated to spend many hours in the company of Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst. Something Mr Darcy really didn't want to contemplate.

Perhaps, he remembered his conversation with Richard, I could encourage an acquaintance between Miss Elizabeth and my sister in the interim. I do not know the lady at all well, but my cousin speaks highly of her. From what I have witnessed last evening and again today, she is impertinent but witty, outspoken but respectable, intelligent but at ease in company. Gently bred, Miss Elizabeth Bennet would fill the role adequately and teach Georgiana much. I see nothing in her character which is immoral or inappropriate for a young woman of her station.

Miss Elizabeth Bennet stood from the piano stool when she felt the gaze from the other room. Her eyes locked with Mr Darcy's for a moment. If the scowl on his face were any indication, he took the role of elder brother very seriously. However, Lizzy could never be accused of backing away from an issue. He would not intimidate her even if she approached the door to the parlour with some small amount of trepidation. Her spine straightening, Elizabeth smiled at Georgiana. Reaching out a hand, she placed it calmingly on the younger woman's arm.

'Is your brother always so formidable?' Lizzy questioned in a whisper while trying for a slight smile.

'Fitzwilliam,' Georgiana appeared shocked at the words. Glancing at the man seeming to hold up the fireplace, even she had to admit he seemed displeased. 'I have rarely seen him in such an attitude unless we are staying at Rosings. There he speaks hardly a word. Something must have occurred. Our Cousin came a few moments before you arrived this afternoon.'

'Men and business,' Elizabeth allowed her lips to take on a genuine lift. 'Do you think the Colonel will join us for tea?'

'You are very fond Richard,' Georgiana commented thoughtlessly. Suddenly blushing she knew she shouldn't have tried to gain the information from Elizabeth. Not that she'd deliberately implied anything.

'We are friends,' Lizzy's merriment suddenly ended, 'no matter what others say.'

'Oh,' Georgiana's eyes kept to the floor while her cheeks became even hotter.

'Miss Darcy,' Elizabeth pursed her lips while speaking slowly so as not to let her anger show, 'I am known for not holding my tongue when perhaps I should. Usually I find the expectations of others give me much pleasure. I can find ridicule in many things. Unfortunately, when the reputation of a respectable man and woman are in question for little more than enjoying each other's company, I cannot laugh.' Sighing heavily, Lizzy added, 'but we are not here to discuss such topics. Let us be less serious and think only of what amuses us.'

'It is a shame,' Georgiana glanced up at Elizabeth, 'I would have liked you for a cousin.' Even more for a sister, she added silently. Although, if I talk with my cousin, I may find he has an ulterior motive for speaking so warmly of you to my brother. If only I could get you to come to Pemberley with me for the winter, as my friend, it would give my brother time to see you as I do, even if I have just met you. Anyone can see you are ten times superior to Miss Bingley.

'Are you always so severe on the hearing your sister play?' Lizzy dared to enter Mr Darcy's private space and whisper. The words forced him to complement Georgiana, which she believed the shy girl needed. What better place for praise than from her esteemed older brother whom she quite obviously adored.

As her eyes explored his face, Mr Darcy's expression changed. He is a very handsome man, Lizzy considered, if only he would smile like that more often. Last evening, while we danced, his countenance seemed so open yet he often retreats into this proud, arrogant man. But we are being observed and I will have his attention only a few more moments. Glancing sideways, Elizabeth noticed Caroline and her sister taking great interest in their conversation.

'I have rarely heard anything more beautiful than Georgiana's talent at the pianoforte,' Darcy's face changed to curiosity before he faced his sister. 'You continue to amaze me.'

'Thank you,' the young girl blushed furiously.

'I hope we shall hear you often while you stay at Netherfield,' Lizzy smiled indulgently.

'Oh, I wish it too,' Georgiana raised her eyes to Elizabeth's. 'Perhaps then you will play for me. Fitzwilliam, Miss Elizabeth had invited me to Longbourn for tea. Please say I can go.'

'Shall we hear you play then,' Darcy smirked, understanding why this woman's open, artless character had captured both Georgiana and Richard's friendship. And mine too, if I am to be honest, the thought popped into his head.

'Indeed you shall,' Lizzy smiled brightly, 'however I do not wish to excite your anticipation. My sister Mary plays technically as well as you, Miss Darcy but I'm afraid her performance is not nearly so polished.'

'As Georgiana is not yet out,' Darcy covered for the furiously blushing girl, 'I will be free to accompany my sister on Friday, if your family is not otherwise engaged.'

'We are not,' Lizzy answered, quickly looking to the rest to the room. Jane and Mr Bingley sat, head together in quiet conversation. Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley had inched closer on the couch, Caroline ready to spring forward and join their conversation. 'I will inform my family to expect you on Friday afternoon. The rest of the party are welcome, although I am not sure some will wish to bestow their graces kindly.'

'Louisa and I were just commenting on your superior playing,' Caroline entered the conversation by walking up to Georgiana's side. It had the desired effect of stopping further words between Mr Darcy and Miss Elizabeth. However Miss Darcy had to stifle a giggle.

'Thank you, Miss Bingley,' she curtsied and hurried away.

Caroline's eyes followed the young woman. She missed the delighted twinkle Lizzy attempted to suppress. Darcy did not and wondered at the joke. He would ask his sister later in the evening.

'Until Friday, Sir,' Elizabeth curtsied as well, moving over to Jane. She did not care about leaving Mr Darcy stranded with Miss Bingley.

'Friday?' Lizzy heard Caroline question, undoubtedly with a quirk of one eyebrow for good measure. 'What is occurring on Friday Mr Darcy,' Miss Bingley repeated when she did not receive an answer.

'Jane,' Elizabeth waited until a break in the conversation between her sister and Mr Bingley, 'it is well past time we should be leaving. Mr Darcy is to bring Miss Darcy for tea on Friday. You are welcome to join the party, Mr Bingley.'

'Oh,' Bingley looked somewhat taken back at the passage of time. 'Has your carriage arrived?'

'Walking is such beneficial exercise,' Lizzy prompted with a mischievous look in her brown eyes. Understanding Miss Bingley would be listening and shocked at her conversation. 'My sister's and I often take the pleasure of walking to Meryton.'

'Am I to understand,' Miss Bingley came to stand in the middle of the room, 'you are to walk home, unescorted. Three miles in all that dirt! You shall not be fit to be seen!'

'Yes, you understand me very well,' Lizzy offered. 'We thank you for the honour of your company this afternoon.'

'Thank you for your invitation, Miss Bingley,' Jane commented. 'Mrs Hurst, Miss Darcy. It has been a pleasure.'

'Perhaps we will see you again soon,' Bingley stated, looking only to the woman at his side.

'I hope so Mr Bingley,' Jane sounded shy, almost bashful.

In that moment Lizzy knew her sister had formed an attachment. There would be a long way to go before Jane knew Mr Bingley's character well enough to admit her attraction. Still, Elizabeth Bennet meant to do everything in her power to give her favourite sister the opportunity of true happiness.

'Charles,' Darcy cut across the farewells, 'I have ordered my carriage to take the ladies home. Fosset and Dorchester have agreed to accompany the carriage to Longbourn. Please, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, do not argue with me. The sky is darkening as we speak.'

'It is summer, Mr Darcy, the rain will soon pass,' Lizzy commented with a wicked smile.

Jane gave her a quelling look. Georgiana looked shocked. Caroline and Louisa shared a glance which told Lizzy exactly what they thought of her quaint country manners. However the object of her humour understood her perfectly well.

'Indeed it will, Miss Elizabeth,' Mr Darcy retained his facade but the look of enjoyment in her eyes gave him away. 'However I would never allow my sister to travel by foot when other means were available to convey her home. I could do no less than ensure you arrive in safety and dry.'

'Thank you, Mr Darcy,' Elizabeth curtsied, followed quickly by Jane. As they walked out to the drive, both Charles and the Darcy's followed. 'Tell me, Mr Darcy, should I find myself walking in this general direction, would Miss Darcy be at home to wonder the gardens. They are so fine during these summer months.'

'Georgiana,' Darcy deferred to his sister.

'I should like that very much,' Georgiana's orbs sparkled. 'Would tomorrow be so soon?'

'Indeed it would not,' Lizzy commented. 'After an afternoon spent indoors, I will need traipse across the country side.'

'And may I join you on these excursions,' Darcy knew he shouldn't but something in the region of his chest refused to stop the flirtation.

'That depends,' Elizabeth returned. At his confusion, she answered, 'on what Miss Darcy and I have to discuss.' Pausing as he handed her into the carriage, she turned to whisper, 'we may wish to speak of you.'

'I would by no means,' heart thumping, Darcy had never felt like this before, 'suspend any pleasure of yours, Miss Elizabeth. Until tomorrow.'