A/N woah, so those last chapters generated a lot of comments. I have loved reading them, all the good and bad. Only one who was seriously upset and I am sorry. one person suggested I may need to up the rating. Thoughts? I am a little unhappy that insinuating a relationship would be ok if it is between one type of person and not between another type. I have not gone in to more detail. However this is a public forum and you lovely people are the public so I will abide by the general consensus, feel free to message or post if You feel I should upgrade the rating.

some of you are worried about how E +D will meet again given the lack of hunsford. Well I am sure we can find a way. ;)

Chapter 21

Elizabeth did not manage to see Charlotte, except in company, for the following few days. One could hardly speak of such subjects in company. However the decision she had made became evident when Mr Collins took his leave with no evidence of the smugness Elizabeth would have expected of a newly engaged man. He showed no inclination to return to Hertfordshire, despite Mrs Bennet's saying he would be welcome.

One more day, the fiourth day since Darcy had left - not that she was counting, brought Lady Anna Maria to Longborn to take her leave.

"My dear Lady Anna-Maria, I had thought you were to stay longer? Nothing is the matter I hope" Lizzie knew she was being impertinent but she was on good terms with Anna Maria Megash and saw no reason to change that even with Charlotte revelations. They were walking, during a break in the rain, and so were in conference privately.

"No my dear, but I believe my purpose in coming to Hertfordshire has been fulfilled and with the addition of Miss Lucas coming with us as a dear friend" she watched Elizabeth for her reaction and was satisfied with the small smile that Elizabeth gave her "there seemed to be no reason to stay."

"Well, we shall miss your conversation."

"You are most welcome to visit if you should like that in the future!?"

Elizabeth smiled warmly "I think I would like that"

"I hope that Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy will return soon, but we did not wish to wait for them."

Elizabeth tried to control her reaction to Darcy's name, in truth her shock over Charlotte's revelations had almost driven him from her thoughts, almost.

"I am sure we would happily welcome any of the party back should they chose to return"

Lady Anna Maria wished to say more, but could not so smiled in sympathy and took her leave.

The whole party was sad to see the Megash couple go, but the real shock was the report circulating not long after that Netherfield had been closed and the last of the party, the Miss Bingleys and the Hursts, had also removed to town. A note dispatched to Jane soon after, from Caroline, informed the house of their resolve to follow their brother to town and potentially stay the whole winter.

The Bennet household was wilting fast. The usual witty conversation was missing and although both Jane and Elizabeth tried hard to hide their depressed spirits but they weren't always aware when they were silent and so the family party was affected. Jane had replied to the note from Miss Bingley and Elizabeth had written to both Miss Howson and Charlotte with a hope of recovering some intelligence. All they could do was wait.

.

The party that initially left Netherfield consisted of most of the gentlemen and Mrs and Miss Howson. Mr and Mrs Howson had fulfilled their duty to their nephew, Mr Bingley, and had helped him settle in to his estate. They were leaving to prepare their daughter to come out in the next season before returning to the north. Their actions thereafter would depend on their daughters prospects. They had enjoyed their sojourn in the country but Miss Howson was not keen to spend much more time with her cousin, Miss Caroline Bingley, and was hoping to establish some contacts before the season.

Mr Chetham, who travelled in the carriage with the Howsons, had been very taken with Jane Bennet but it became clear to him that she did not favour his company and no other lady caught his fancy. He was still figuring out his life course and felt that he should spend some time looking for a place for him before seriously looking for a wife. As such, town was the place to be right now so to town he would go.

Mr Hervey, had enjoyed his time but found the ladies of the country were either not worth trifling with or seemed to be spoken for. The exception was miss Elizabeth but he hadn't decided if she was worth more effort, she seemed too well behaved for him. Her younger sisters were too easy. So he was returning to town to find some sport.

Mr Darcy had planned to stay longer but when Mr Bingley had to travel to town and many of the party went with him he found himself thinking about what he was wanting to do. He was due to meet his sister soon and did not want to be at Netherfield with Miss Bingley without the protection of the rest of the party, especially her brother. He had listened to some of the criticism directed his way and he had tried to adjust his way of thinking of people, but he needed some time away from a pair of bewitching fine eyes before he became ensnared in an unacceptable relationship.

A conversation with Lady Anna Maria had shown that she felt Miss Elizabeth Bennet and him to be well suited and she had been quite disdainful of his plan to leave. He was hoping that time and distance would give him some clarity. He had tried not to raise any expectations but he was not sure he had always succeeded. As the carriage rolled away from Hertfordshire he could not help but feel like he was heading in the wrong direction.

Mr Bingley thought only of some clear blue eyes and long blonde hair. The second carriage consisted of these three gentlemen and was mostly silent until Darcy perceived the dreamy expression on his friend's face and broke the silence

"Bingley, you look like you are in love. Again"

"Oh Darcy she is an angel"

Darcy sighed "how serious are you? Is this like Miss Cranford, and Miss Havesham, Miss Smythe and Miss Sellwood?"

Bingley looked chagrined momentarily. "No Darcy, she is better than all of them together"

Darcy winced, he had hoped not "in which case my friend we need to talk. I know you are aware of her family and their lack of fortune or connections. Your name is becoming well known in the ton and an alliance to the name Bennet will not help that."

"I know that Darcy, but I care not for advancement"

He raised an eyebrow "and all the time we have spent the last two years making friends and connections?"

"Yes... Well..."

"Her family are ridiculous"

"Darcy, come on"

"No Bingley, they display almost universal poor behaviour. They would be ridiculed within days of introduction to society. Taking them on would be a task indeed"

"What if I said that the benefits would out weigh the costs?"

"Will they? Are you sure of her regard?"

Bingley frowned, he knew Jane was serene in her countenance but he had felt she returned his affections, if not as strongly as his own. He was naturally modest and relied on his friends heavily.

"Do you not think so?"

"A marriage with a lack of affection would be difficult eventually. I have to say Bingley that I observed her closely during the ball and I could perceive no symptom of particular regard. I think her heart would not be easily touched. She seemed just as happy to receive Chetham's attention"

Bingley looked crestfallen but Darcy felt he had to act in service of his friend.

Bingley looked up sharply at the other occupant of the carriage "what think you Hervey?"

"I have to admit I did not spend much time watching Miss Bennet, at least not analysing her attentions to yourself. She did seem to favour your company over Chetham, but I cannot say I perceived her seeking you out"

Bingley felt like he had been kicked, could it be true? Did she only encourage him for mercenary reasons, he had more wealth than Chetham? The rest of the carriage ride was spent in silence, each man lost in their own thoughts.