So... I accidentally went on a 4 year hiatus. I am so sorry! But I finally wrote a new chapter after rereading the whole story. My writing style has changed a lot over the years so I've tried to imitate my old style. Not sure how successfully. This might be awful but hey! New Chapter! Hope you like it!
Darcy once again found himself staring out the window of Netherfield's library. The rain was pouring down outside and Darcy found it to be quite mesmerising watching the droplets trickle down the glass. Mrs Bennet had bustled in that morning with her younger daughter in tow to visit Miss Jane Bennet. The whole affair had left Darcy feeling quite drained, whilst he adored his conversations with Elizabeth, the simpering and shrill voices of the Bennet matriarch were just too much for Darcy to handle; even in small doses.
Following the tense dinner with Elizabeth and the Bingley siblings, the doctor had arrived; treating Miss Bennet's fever with ease. Her voice was still a little rough from her ailment but she was finally well enough to return to Longbourn, after only another two nights at Netherfield. Darcy was selfishly disappointed that Miss Bennet's recovery meant that Elizabeth would be leaving him. He had very much enjoyed spending time in her company around Bingley's country estate. Charles and Darcy had joined Elizabeth in a walk around Netherfield's ground that morning. Charles had insisted they give the younger Bennet sister a tour of the grounds.
It had been a very pleasant walk indeed; Elizabeth had enquired about Charles's plans for the Netherfield Estate and they spoke at length of dogs and horses. Charles was eager to discuss his plans with someone other than Darcy and Elizabeth, having grown up in the area, was happy to share her knowledge of Hertfordshire. Darcy for the most part had observed the conversation, he delighted in listening to Elizabeth talk of such adventures with passion. He could hardly draw his eyes away from hers as they sparkled with excitement and he admired the faint blush that painted her cheeks. His mind, once again, wondered as he imagined walking with Elizabeth through the grounds of Pemberley, her hands entwined with his, the sound of a child's laughter following them. About half way round their walk Charles had become suspiciously interested in the stream that ran through the grounds. He told Elizabeth and Darcy to carry on with their walk and he would catch them up. Charles had given Darcy a knowing look and they continued their walk; Bingley soon followed a few steps behind. Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm, which she gladly accepted, and they strolled leisurely through the grounds of Netherfield.
"So Mr Darcy" She started with a soft smile and twinkling eyes. "Tell me, How are you finding Hertfordshire?"
"I must admit I was not overjoyed when Bingley first asked me to join him on this adventure." She raised her eyebrow in surprise. He chuckled at her expression.
"I imagine it must be terribly… what did Miss Bingley say? Savage." She giggled at the choice of words. To Darcy, her laughter was music; the most beautiful kind he had ever heard.
"Yes. I thought it might be. I was pleasantly surprised so do not judge me too harshly, Miss Elizabeth."
"I would never. I am only ever fair and kind." Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous grin.
"Did you know that I had only danced with three women before Meryton?" He asked. She gaped up at him in disbelief.
"Three? Oh how dreadful Mr Darcy. You must be seen as quite unsociable in London. It is such a shame that the young ladies of the Ton have been denied such a pleasure. The conversation was riveting." He laughed.
"Do you mock me Miss Elizabeth?" She laughed freely and Darcy noticed a wisp of hair escaping her bonnet. It found it quite distracting.
"Would I dare mock the great Mr Darcy of Pemberley? Perhaps I mock those who fall at your feet." She retorted and Darcy chuckled.
"Yes, your impression of Miss Bingley is quite accurate. Although you do not flutter you eyelashes enough."
"My mistake, Mr Darcy." She turned to face him. Her blue eyes bored into his and he could not tear his gaze away. He noticed flecks of green melting into the ocean blue of her eyes. The world stopped spinning for a moment and all he saw was her. She let out a shaky breath as their gaze was locked. How he wished he could kiss her in that moment. The snap of a twig breaking behind them broke the spell and they pulled apart, not realising how close they had been standing. Elizabeth blushed brightly and averted her eyes whilst she regained her composure. When she looked back up at him it was with a bright mischievous smirk. "Oh Mr Darcy, how kind you are? Dancing with such country chits, you are truly an inspiration" Elizabeth shrilled, her long eyelashes batting furiously. Darcy laughed heartedly at her impression. He knew it was wrong of him but it tickled him. They laughed together until his ribs hurt and Bingley managed to catch up with them, a curious look on his face. Darcy promised to explain later after dinner.
All too soon they had returned to the house and Darcy's happy mood was dampened by the shrill tones of Mrs Bennet. After a quick tour of the house Elizabeth and Miss Bennet had gathered their belongings and all six Bennet women had squeezed into the carriage. Soon after Darcy had retreated to the library for some peace.
"I say Darcy, they are quite a lively bunch of young ladies." Bingley mused as he entered the library. Darcy turned to greet his friend with a tired smile.
"Lively is certainly one word for it." He replied; resisting the urge to roll his eyes. His friend was kind to a fault. He never once spoke ill of any person.
"Mrs Bennet is particularly…" Bingley paused looking for the right word. His brow furrowed as he struggled.
"Excitable?" Darcy supplied. Bingley shook his head, his red locks falling gently in front of his eyes.
"No… that's not it. Determined?" Bingley questioned himself. Darcy chuckled. His friend wasn't wrong. If Mrs Bennet had her way Jane and Charles would be married by the end of the day. Luckily for Darcy that seemed to have distracted the elder Bennet lady from Darcy's budding courtship of Elizabeth.
"Unbearable?" Darcy offered with a chuckle. Bingley flushed bright red; obviously thinking similarly to Darcy but too gentle to admit it.
"Now now, Darce. You shouldn't say such things about a lady." Bingley admonished him. Darcy just laughed again.
"You are always so good Charles. You deserve an angel." He grinned as the blush on his friend only grew darker.
"I think I have found one. Jane truly is an angel." Bingley smiled; his eyes glazed over as he started to daydream about the eldest Bennet sibling. Darcy wondered if that was how he looked when he thought about Elizabeth; surely he wasn't quite so obvious.
"What brings you to the library this fine afternoon Charles?" Darcy prompted. His friend was not one for spending his day reading. Charles had always found reading quite a challenge. His talents lay elsewhere and Darcy had often found himself helping his friend with their studies at Cambridge.
"Ah yes!" Charles shook himself out his daydream; grinning sheepishly. "You have a letter. It's from Georgiana I believe. I thought it was best kept away from Caroline's prying eyes."
"Thank you, Charles." He took the letter from Charles's outstretched hand. Bingley nodded his head as a goodbye and bounded out of the library. Darcy wondered what Bingley could possible have to do with such excitement on such a dreary day. Nevertheless he began to read. It was dated from 2 days ago. He pondered on how much had happened in those two days, it had been the evening of the disastrous dinner.
October 18th 1811
Dearest Brother,
Bath is simply splendid. It is full of such wonders and I have learnt so much. Did you know that the Romans invented a system to heat the floors and water in the baths? It's truly amazing. There is a furnace below the baths that is able to heat the water to different temperatures. I would not have believed it if I had not seen it myself. The city itself is beautiful, not quite like the rolling hills of Derbyshire but there is a certain type of beauty to be found in the structure of the buildings. Mrs Annesley has been quite wonderful company. Nothing like Mrs Young at all. You will be proud of me Brother, I have not spent all my allowance on ribbons and sheet music, although it was sorely tempting. I have found something I think you shall like but it will have to wait until you have returned from Hertfordshire. I won't spoil the surprise.
I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying your time in Hertfordshire. I cannot believe that you danced half the dances. Are you sure you are my shy Fitzwilliam? You have not been replaced by an imposter? Forgive me if I am wrong but I suspect Miss Elizabeth Bennet had some influence on your sudden change of heart. You accuse Mr Bingley of being smitten. Do you not recognise this in yourself? Perhaps I will have a sister soon after all. I do hope you will tell me more about the woman who has somehow charmed you.
Caroline has never been tactful in her advances. It is clear to anyone that knows you that they are quite unwanted. I am sure I would have lost my temper long before you brother. I find her companionship quite pressing at times. You would think she is trying to woo me instead of you. Obviously she thinks that I am the way to your ever cold heart. I only wish I had been there to see you finally put her in her place. You are quite forgiven though and from what I can tell, the people of Hertfordshire would have been quite proud of you defence of Miss Elizabeth.
I miss you terribly.
Your loving sister,
Georgiana Darcy
Darcy smiled softly as he read the letter. His sister's curiosity over the Roman baths was wonderful to read about. Her mind was as sharp as a whistle and she devoured books and knowledge with an insatiable hunger. Georgiana was the only girl he had known to fawn more over the structure of buildings than the newest lace found in the shops. He chuckled as he read her response to his admonishment of Miss Bingley. Like Darcy, Georgiana's only regret about her brother's friendship with Charles was Caroline. They both tolerated Louisa but Caroline had attached herself to the Darcy siblings like a leech. Darcy reread the letter a couple of times before tucking it in the pocket of his jacket. He would respond later that evening with an invitation to Netherfield.
He wondered, as he stared out the window at the bleak english countryside, how his Elizabeth was? She was most at home in the meadows and woods of the countryside so the rain probably infuriated her. Perhaps she would join her sisters in embroidery or sit by her own windowsill reading a book. He wondered whether she thought about him when they were apart, whether she ever pondered on the colour of his eyes. Did she think about the way he laughed? Did she wonder what their children might look like? Did she ever wonder what his hand would feel like in hers? Darcy sighed. He was too far gone, to be rejected now would be the most painful experience. He glanced up at the ceiling and sent a quick prayer up to his mother. He hoped that she was happy watching his inner turmoil with love. Lady Anne Darcy had insisted that love was the greatest force on this earth. Darcy felt the all consuming power of it but he rather wanted to run away. It had been far easier when none of the ladies had taken his fancy. He ran his fingers through his hair, his hand resting on the back of his neck. He was sure his mother was delighting in his first attempts of love.
"Mr Darcy?" A new voice startled him from his inner musings. He glanced up at the doorway. Louisa Hurst had joined them at Netherfield. Darcy's brow furrowed in confusion. Charles had not informed him that his other sister would be joining them. Perhaps it had been Miss Bingley who had sent out the invitation.
"Mrs Hurst." He gave a small bow to the lady who curtsied respectfully in return. "Your brother did not tell me of your arrival."
Mrs Hurst smiled apologetically. "It was Caroline who sent for me." Darcy wondered what the younger Bingley sister was planning. It wasn't unusual for Louisa to visit her two siblings but the timing felt suspicious to Darcy.
"I suspected as much. What brings you to Netherfield, Mrs Hurst?" Darcy kept his voice cool. He enjoyed Louisa's company when she was not being influenced by her sister but he could not help but feel like Caroline was setting this up.
"Caroline is… concerned." Her voice was hesitant. Darcy maintained his distant and gestured for her to continue. "About you, Mr Darcy. It is bold of me to discuss this with you but we are friends are we not?" Her green eyes were narrow and a small blush crept up her neck. Darcy let out a deep breath, at least he was not the only one in the room that found the conversation awkward.
"And what exactly is so concerning that she could not discuss it with her brother. I assure you Charles is more than happy to talk to me about these matters, Mrs Hurst." Darcy raised his eyebrow at his friend's sister. She was flustered, Good.
"Charles' behaviour is apparently equally concerning." Darcy smirked. So it was the Bennet girls that had the Bingley sisters up in arms. That he could handle easily, as long as Caroline was not about to tie him down and force a marriage proposal out of him.
"I am not sure I understand Mrs Hurst" Darcy said feigning innocence.
"Apparently, forgive me if I'm wrong, you have both seemed rather infatuated by two country chits." She spoke softly, her face was fully red now and she wrung her hands together; a nervous twitch that all the Bingley siblings shared.
"They are ladies, Mrs Hurst, not chits" Darcy's voice was firm, he would not stand for anymore insults to the Bennet sisters. "Furthermore, and god help me if I have to say this one more time to you or your sister, they are the daughters of a gentleman. Not a tradesman. You would do well to remember that."
"Of course, Mr Darcy." Louisa started to retreat from the room. Darcy felt a twinge of guilt at his words. He was sure that she was only relaying a message from her sister.
"Mrs Hurst." She spun round to face him, struggling to make eye contact. "I am sorry. I spoke too harshly." She nodded and left the room once more.
Caroline paced in her room. The situation was getting out hand and nothing she said or did seemed to weaken Fitzwilliam's resolve. He and Charles were utterly besotted by the two elder Bennet sisters. She hoped her sister had better luck as Fitzwilliam had always treated Louisa with kindness. Eliza Bennet would pay for taking her love away. Fine eyes, they are barely tolerable.
"Caroline" Her sister entered, pulling her from her thoughts. She knew in an instant that her sister had failed, a grim look on her face, they way she held her hands, they all screamed of her failure. She grabbed a glass off her dresser and flung it at the wall behind her sister with scream. The glass shattered with a satisfying crash, the shards narrowly avoiding Louisa's face as she flinched out of the way. "I am sorry Caroline. He is rather in love with Eliza"
"No!" She shrieked. It cannot be. It could not be love. He was supposed to love her. She was going to marry a gentleman, that's what her mother always told her. She would be a fine lady of the upper class. When Charles had first brought Fitzwilliam home from Cambridge, Caroline had known in that moment she would marry him. She would be Mrs Caroline Darcy of Pemberley; lovely extravagant Pemberley. Oh how she longed to walk freely in those halls, to have her portrait hung in the gallery, to throw the finest balls Derbyshire had ever seen. She was a natural host and a perfect fit for Fitzwilliam.
"Caroline, you must end this madness. It is embarrassing." Louisa tried to take her hand but Caroline pulled away. Her own sister was turning against her.
"I cannot do that Louisa. I love him! Do you not understand that? I love him!" She cried, tears falling freely down her cheeks. She had always loved him but he had never even seen her there. She let herself cry, for the first time since their parents died, it was long overdue. Finally, Caroline let her sister hold her. They sat on her bed whilst she wept for a love that was never meant to be. She vaguely heard her sister whispering words of comfort in her ear but she paid no attention. It was too much, her heart was breaking. It has been breaking since Fitzwilliam walked into her life but she had been comforted by his lack of interest in any girl. Elizabeth Bennet had changed that and with her brother's infatuation with Jane she knew she would be confronted by her lost love every day. So she cried, for minutes, for hours, for seconds. She could not tell but like all things it came to an end. She sagged against her sister in exhaustion, her head pounding and her throat sore.
"Louisa…" She whispered dejectedly. "Please, help me. There is still time."
She knew what others thought of her. She was desperate. She was cruel. Caroline had always been the Bingley sibling that others looked over. They saw Charles' money, his charm, his boyish good looks. They saw Louisa's gentle kindness, her angelic beauty, her grace. Caroline was dependant on her brother's money, she lacked the easy comfort her siblings had around strangers, she was prickly, more ambitious, less kind, and her beauty was not as striking as her sister. So she fought for what she wanted and she always succeeded. Now what she wanted was Fitzwiliam; her Mr Darcy.
There we go! Let me know what you think. Should I have just left this to die in my WIP pile? Probably. But it's been bothering me that I left it unfinished. I tried to give Caroline a bit more depth at the end, probably unsuccessfully. Mr Collins will be visiting in the next chapter. I might write that from Lizzie's POV for a change. See how the change in Darcy affects her story. Who knows. Anyway Reviews are awesome but pls don't be too mean.