A/N: Well, I found some time to write this week, which is not as busy as I had first feared (for once). Wickham should arrive next chapter...

As always, constructive criticism is appreciated :) Enjoy this new chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pride and Prejudice.

Chapter 11: Of families

Mr Darcy spent the ride back to Netherfield lost in his thoughts. His friend Bingley, believing that he was still fuming from the parson's words, left him alone which suited him at the moment.

Though he had been furious to hear Mr Collins openly comment what were private family matters, he was far too used to London's constant gossip to be overly bothered by it. He had been much more irritated, however, to witness the parson's unwelcome attentions to Miss Elizabeth.

He had of course read many descriptions of jealousy in literature, but experiencing it was quite different. He had only managed to control his temper because of years of ingrained education on proper behaviour and because of Miss Elizabeth's assurances that she would not marry the heir of Longbourn.

The scene had unfortunately triggered the memory of a conversation when there had been a mention of the eldest Miss Bennets spending part of the next season in town. And though no man in Meryton had ever been able to charm the young woman, Mr Darcy was quite aware of how many men would be interested by a beautiful, witted and quite wealthy gentleman's daughter – even if said gentleman did not have much connections in the upper society.

He sat straighter in his saddle and Sonata quickened his pace in response. He had already established that he had at least some feelings for Miss Elizabeth. She was beautiful, clever and shared many of his own interests. She was not afraid or in awe of him – an attitude commonly found in London's ballrooms and that quite disgusted him – and willing to defend her opinion with a well-constructed demonstration. Obviously, she was not as wealthy as some in his family expected him to marry, nor was she from a titled family, but he was confident that she would be accepted by most of his relatives.

In fact, the only reason he could not allow himself to court her at present was her constant refusal of such offers. He needed to send this letter to his aunt and ask her if there was any scandal attached to the name of Bennet – though why would this only affect Miss Elizabeth and none of her sisters was quite strange. Meanwhile, he would try to subtly introduce her to the idea of a courtship.

Satisfied with this plan, he nodded, earning a surprised glance from his friend. Before Bingley could enquire about his unusual behaviour, he turned towards him.

''I need to write an important letter and send it to London before dinner. I am afraid I will have to remain in my rooms instead of reviewing the accounts with you.'' He apologized.

Bingley smiled and shook his head. ''Do not worry about it, Darcy! My fortune comes from trade, I should be able to manage the accounts without your help. Though I may have to check some finer points of the estate's economy with you later on.''

When they reached Netherfield, Mr Darcy hurried upstairs before the ladies of the house – and one in particular – could come and insist he joins them in the drawing room. Though he usually did not mind writing some of his business or personal letters in their presence – it was in fact a perfect way to remain in the room while not having to participate in meaningless discussions – he did not want to chance having Miss Caroline Bingley reading this particular letter over his shoulder. It was highly personal, and he did not trust the woman would calmly accept his acknowledged interest in Miss Elizabeth.

Once he was safely settled in his personal sitting room, he sharpened his pen and started to write.

Dear Aunt Amelia,

I hope you are well, and that my cousin Henry is feeling better.

Georgiana was much improved when I left Pemberley, and we both appreciate the companion you advised for her. Mrs Annesley is very kind to her and is slowly rebuilding Georgiana's self-confidence, which has been so shaken by recent events.

As you know, I am spending a few weeks in Hertfordshire to help my friend Charles Bingley with the estate he has leased. We made the acquaintance of the Bennet family, composed of Mr Bennet, a country gentleman, his wife and his five daughters. They are easily the wealthiest family in the area, and Bingley has fallen in love with the eldest daughter. They are currently courting.

However, the second daughter – Miss Elizabeth – is treated quite differently by her family, despite her exceptional qualities. Though I believe that it is unlikely, I would much appreciate if you could try and find if there is any sort of scandal attached to her family, or Miss Elizabeth in particular. I know she has an uncle – her mother's brother – living in London, and from what I gather, he must have been quite successful in his trade business. Sadly, I do not know the name.

I need the information as soon as you can managed. I also ask that you do not share any of this with the Earl, Henry or Richard.

Your favourite nephew,

Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Once he was finished, Mr Darcy sealed the letter and called his valet, instructing him to send the letter to Lady Amelia Matlock and make sure that it was delivered directly to her, as soon as physically possible. He then relaxed in his chambers until dinner.

The following day, he spent most of the morning with his friend, visiting more tenants of Netherfield. Bingley was still unused to the exercise, and barely knew what he was supposed to ask them. A landed gentleman was much more responsible of his tenants welfare than a business man of his employees, and Bingley had even rarely met most of his employees. For all his natural ease in social situation, he was much more comfortable taking decisions from his desk after deliberating over numbers. To associate those numbers with human faces was a new and somewhat awkward experience for him.

On their ride back to Netherfield, Mr Darcy noticed a familiar figure walking near the border between Netherfield and Longbourn. Claiming to need a solitary ride, he urged Bingley to go back to the house without him. His friend was tired from the visits and accepted easily.

As soon as Bingley was out of view, Mr Darcy directed Sonata towards the lane where he had seen Miss Elizabeth walking. He quickly sped up to a canter until he reached the fence where he stopped and dismounted.

As soon as he felt his feet hit the ground, he wondered what he was doing. He could not act on his feelings – whatever they were – until he had received his aunt's response, and to meet Miss Elizabeth on purpose without a chaperone was highly improper.

He shook his head. He had gotten quite used to their time together over the last few days, and felt quite bereft when her cousin's arrival had stopped the daily encounters. When he saw her from the corner of his eye, he had ceased the occasion to spend some time with her without thinking. Now however, the impropriety of the situation was glaring at him, and he was pondering whether or not he should climb back in his saddle when he saw her emerge from the forest.

She noticed him almost immediately, and her smile drove away his thoughts of returning to Netherfield. After all, he reasoned, it would be most impolite to leave now.

Propriety could not be fully ignored, though, so Mr Darcy resolved to remain on his side of the fence. He greeted Miss Elizabeth, and she returned it cheerfully.

''I apologize for the scene I created at your house yesterday.'' he added, thinking back of the general unease at Longbourn after his discussion with the parson.

Miss Elizabeth let out a small laugh. ''You have nothing to apologize for, Sir. I believe Mr Collins brought this upon himself.''

He nodded and remarked. ''You seem especially cheerful this morning, Miss Elizabeth.''

She frowned slightly. ''Am I?'' She paused. ''Well, I suppose I do have some reasons to be cheerful today, indeed. I had not realized that it had affected me so.''

He looked at her expectantly. She glanced at him and gestured ahead of them. The path ran beside the fence, making it possible for them to walk together while still remaining on separate sides of the wooden barrier. He had already noticed that she was more comfortable to talk about personal matters while walking.

Soon, she explained. ''My cousin realized that my younger sister Mary was more receptive to his attentions.'' Mr Darcy's eyebrow rose, guessing that there was more to this sudden change of heart than what she was willing to say, but he did not comment.

''Mary and Mr Collins spend most of yesterday evening speaking together. My cousin made it quite clear when he arrived that he intended to leave Hertfordshire as an engaged man, and it is now likely that my sister will be his chosen bride. Though they are not officially courting, Mary has taken it upon herself to prepare for her future role of Mistress of Longbourn.''

She looked up. ''She asked to accompany me on my visits to the tenants this morning. And she will continue to accompany either Jane or I from now on.''

She stopped and seemed to stare at something above his left shoulder. ''I am not close with any of my sisters besides Jane. In fact, today was probably the first time I had a real discussion with Mary. I confess I had long resigned myself to those distant relationship with my younger sisters, but now I have some hope of building some closeness with Mary.''

She focused back on him and grinned. ''And of course, I cannot deny that I am relieved that my cousin noticed how unsuitable we were.''

Mr Darcy smiled in amusement at this last remark, but his mind was still reeling from her previous confession. He had noticed that the two eldest Miss Bennets were close, but he had not realized how estranged Miss Elizabeth was from her other siblings. Unfortunately, he could recognize that she had closed the subject for now.

''I believe you have a sister, Mr Darcy? I remember you mentioning her a couple of times.''

He smiled fondly at the thought of Georgiana. ''Indeed, though she is much younger than myself. Therefore, I am something between a brother and a father to Georgiana.''

He hesitated, but continued. She had shared some personal thoughts, it was only fair that he did the same. And if she became his wife, she would learn this sooner or later anyway.

''Both my parents are passed on, as you know, and I have been her guardian for five years now – with help from my cousin and some advice from my aunt.'' He slowly started.

''Your aunt? Do you mean Lady Catherine?'' She asked.

''Ah, no. I meant my other aunt, who is the wife of my mother's brother, the Earl of Matlock.'' He paused, unsure. ''In fact, health is my mother's family has always seemed to be an issue. My mother would easily fall sick when fatigued, and she recovered slowly. I heard that it took her nearly a year to fully recover after my birth. A few months after Georgiana's birth, she caught a bad cold that settled in her lungs. She never recovered, and my father was never the same afterwards.''

He had rested his hand on the fence some time during his confession, and Miss Elizabeth rested her gloved hand on top of his in silent support. Seeing her fully concentrated on his tale, however, he doubted she was even aware of her actions.

''My cousin Anne, Lady Catherine's only daughter, has an even more fragile health, which is why the family determined that it was probably safer for her not to marry. She will inherit the estate, so she does not need material support from a husband. My other cousin Henry, the Viscount, also has a relatively fragile health which is the source of many tensions in the family.''

''What do you mean?'' she asked softly.

''He is the heir – which is probably fortunate as I doubt he would have survived the harsher life of a second son – but he is often sick and still unmarried. His younger brother Richard – and the cousin with whom I share Georgiana's guardianship – decided to join the army against the Earl's wishes. My uncle fears that his eldest son will die from illness and that Richard will die in battle, making him heirless.'' Mr Darcy explained, unable to fully contain the bitterness he felt at his uncle unfeeling reasoning.

''And your sister? Is she well?'' Miss Elizabeth enquired softly.

He nodded. ''Fortunately, it seems neither of us inherited those health trouble. Richard and my aunt Catherine also enjoy perfect health. For that, I will be forever grateful.''