I'm away for the weekend, I'll take my iPad with me but not sure how much I'll get done. :) gonna leave off comments to get on with an update!

Chapter 10

The next morning Elizabeth was so pleased with Jane's recovery that she decided to call her mother to see her, with the hope that they could travel home in the carriage. Alas it was not to be for their mother had decided that Jane was too ill to move and appealed to Mr Bingley to concur, which he readily did, so in Netherfield they were to stay.

Luckily the conversation in the parlour was not as embarrassing as Elizabeth had feared.

"Would you not wish to stay in the country forever Mr Bingley, Tis a vast deal pleasanter than town is it not"

"When in the country I wish never to leave, however I must own that I feel quite the same when in town" Mr Bingley was always jovial.

"But you are enjoying your stay?" Mrs Bennet would not leave off without the compliment

"I cannot recall spending my time more pleasantly than since I have come to the neighbourhood."

Mrs Bennet looked satisfied

"What say you Darcy?" Bingley turned to his friend

Darcy looked a little surprised at being addressed, his face took on a darker mien "my experiences of town of late have left me with a distaste for its refinements. I believe I shall travel to my estate early in the season this year"

Mrs Bennet looked almost sympathetic and Elizabeth was fearful of her saying something coarse, but Mrs Bennet surprised her.

"Yes, town can be most unpleasant. Gossip takes on such a vicious edge these days. I cannot abide it. We are quite happy in our little country and have no need for town, though I do long for the theatres and public places on occasion."

Elizabeth recognised the beginnings of a rambling talk which would likely undo all the good sense in her first statement and so she interrupted.

"Mama, have you seen Charlotte Lucas since I came away?"

"Yes she called yesterday with Sir William, what an agreeable man, quite of our opinion about the country" she nodded at all in the room, as if they had all agreed on a matter of great doctrinal import together "she sends her regards and wishes you to call upon her after you have returned"

Elizabeth nodded and was thankful that she heard the sound of the carriage coming around, Twas not all good news for at that moment Lydia put herself forward to request a ball. Mr Bingley was all good humour in his acceptance although Elizabeth felt the embarrassment regardless. It was over and the Bennets were off, leaving Elizabeth behind to continue tending to Jane.

Immediately she quitted the room to allow Caroline and Louisa to abuse her relations.

She sat and read to Jane and then was sent outside for some fresh air as Jane wished for some quiet to rest. Louisa met her in the hallway and suggested they walk together, with concealed regret she accepted and they set off down the path.

Caroline was determined. After the Bennet's visit she was hoping to engage Mr Darcy in some conversation about country manners, certainly this would have, in the last, been a topic that they saw eye to eye on, however Darcy was not to be moved. She managed to get him to agree to walking out and tried again to talk about his sister.

"I am so pleased I managed to covey my regards to Georgiana. I should like to write myself. Would you be able to provide me with her direction?"

"I am sure you can understand why she is not writing to many of her former acquaintances. Her correspondence comes through Pemberley and I send on what she wishes. I would be happy to send her a letter for you if you wish"

Caroline huffed inside but smiled to Mr Darcy and agreed she would do so with alacrity. Maybe a change of topic was needed.

"You seem to enjoy the pert opinions of Miss Eliza Bennet!"

"Do I? I am sure no more than any one who chooses to converse with me. Our party has not been large and you must admit that some of the house guests are not verbose"

Caroline narrowed her eyes, she knew she had not talked to him much but to have it pointed out was disconcerting.

"Am I to wish you joy?"

Mr Darcy did not answer, perhaps once this sort of remark would have elicited a response but he was not fooled by Caroline's attempts to make friends now.

"You would have a charming mother in law of course"

He was just about to reply when they rounded a bush and came across Elizabeth and Louisa. Darcy almost coloured, what if she had heard? But her features gave no indication of hearing anything amiss. Caroline was also put out.

"Oh my, you appeared so suddenly, why did you not announce your approach?"

Louisa detached herself from Elizabeth and took Me Darcy's spare arm. Darcy would not allow such an insult, but particularly not from two women who had been part of the set who had been holding him accountable for his sister's actions.

He removed his arms "I believe I shall leave you two to catch up, I have matters of business at require my attention"

Elizabeth shot him a look of reproach as Caroline then seemed to feel obligated to offer her to walk with them.

"I thank you, but I am aware of how precious sister time is, I must remain in sight of the house in case mines needs me. I would not take you two from the charming walk ahead"

And with that she skipped off, not even looking to Mr Darcy.

He started walking back to the house and as soon as he was sure the Bingley sisters were out of sight he turned his steps to follow Elizabeth.

"Miss Elizabeth? Might I walk with you"

"Do you not have matters of business that require your attention?" He looked flustered and she thought the disconcerted look was particularly becoming on him.

"I do indeed, but I would not feel right allowing a gentlewoman to walk an unknown park alone"

She laughed and declared it was hardly unknown, but accepted his company none the less. After a few moments of silence she spoke.

"Mr Darcy, I feel I must alert you to an observation"

He nodded to indicate his willingness to listen.

"I do not think Miss Bingley is enquiring after your sister through a sense of friendship"

He looked at her, his expression neutral but Elizabeth thought she could see a flicker of pain.

"I mean only that her purpose is unclear"

"I thank you for the thought, I am of the same opinion. Even if I was not I do not speak of my sister's situation to many people. Only those I can trust or she has taken in to her confidence"

Elizabeth made no reply, she desperately wished to reach out, to lay a comforting hand on him, a wish she gave way to. Although only on his forearm. He immediately raised his arm as if to offer her escort so anyone watching would have seen nothing amiss.

"Sisters can be trying but one cannot help but love them, none the less"

He looked down at this slip of a country miss, with compassion and intelligence shining from her eyes and he felt... Right. He smiled at her and enjoyed the widening of her eyes. So she found him attractive, that was an interesting fact.

Elizabeth for her part had lowered her eyes and tilted her chin down so that her bonnet covered her face. She knew it was warm and her breathing was a little ragged. How could one smile affect her so, never mind that it transformed the gentleman from one of good looks to one who was unbearably handsome. She scolded herself under her breath and then almost jumped when he enquired.

"Did you say something?"

"Uh, no. I was merely" she couldn't think of anything "Twas nothing sir"

He concealed the grin, this would not do. He reminded himself of the reasons why he should not encourage this. He was not going to seriously pursue this country maiden, he should not be raising any sort of reaction.

"I am grateful that the country is not prone to gossiping"

Elizabeth laughed, light and pleasing. "Do not be fooled Mr Darcy, this country is no less prone to gossiping than others. You are lucky that you have gained the good favour of my mother and lady Lucas by asking their daughters to dance that first day. It also was beneficial that both Mr Goulding and Mr Long, as well as my father had some kind words to say. The gossips are known to flay people alive if they fail to impress the key matrons"

"Then I am grateful that the sacrifice of my time has been of benefit"

"Oh Mr Darcy, how can you say such!" Elizabeth exclaimed, aware he was teasing and delighted to find this part of him "sacrifice indeed, I'll have you know that Mary has gained some serious consequence in mother's eyes thank's to you, you cannot call it a sacrifice it will undo all the good"

"I would by no means be the cause of injuring your amiable sister, I retract the statement"

Elizabeth laughed "I am very pleased to hear it, but now I fear I must away, I should not like to leave Jane any longer"

"Do you not wish to know about my sister?"

Elizabeth's look of confusion was endearing "do you wish to speak of her?"

Darcy shrugged

"I am not someone she had taken in to her confidence and our acquaintance is not enough to deem me trustworthy."

"Are you not curious?"

"Insatiably, but I would never force a confidence" and with an impudent smile she dropped his arm and skipped away to the door and let herself in to the house.

Darcy chuckled and followed at a more sedate pace, yes this minx was an interesting one, was that enough?