A/n thanks again for the lovely reviews. i'm sorry yhe convo between d/e couldnt go on longer .i know we could all listen to them chat forever, but theres a limit to upload size! sorry!

to the guests with constructive POV about the interactions. thanks. i get your opinion, thanks for sharing. no it didn't seem critical. I absolutely agree everyone has a different POv, and i like hearing logic about why you think someone would or wouldnt behave a certain way. its all interesting. im sorry for people who think G is too young. no i dont intend for henry and her to rush off to gretna tomorrow. But G was sixteen around nov of pnp, (as Wickham said to E at longborn) so by spring she could be 17, a perfectly normal age to marry back then. although i agree most 21/22 yo men wouldn't marry at that age even 200 years ago. Anyway, as stated, Im not marrying them off, just getting them to interact. :)

what was that? more D/E? ... ummmm not sure, you might have to be patient!

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Chapter 24 - Home again, home again.

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The party heading towards Meryton consisted of The Bingley carriage, the Darcy carriage and the Hurst carriage. Bingley was conveying Jane, Elizabeth and Henry. Caroline had tried to obtain an invitation to the Darcy carriage but was unsuccessful. Darcy spent the journey talking with his sister. The colonel had been sent on assignment, luckily to the north and not abroad, but could not join them in the wilds of Hertfordshire.

The Hursts travelled straight to Netherfield, which had been opened a few days prior. Bingley was to stop at Longborn and Darcy, after a conference with his sister, decided to travel thither also.

They were, of course, invited in to refresh themselves, which was graciously accepted.

Elizabeth, after her introduction to Miss Darcy, was anxious to speak to her more.

"Miss Darcy." She approached after the introductions were made to the rest of the family. "How was your journey?"

She led her to a sofa and they sat down together.

"It passed very easily. How about yours?"

"We were a merry party. I do love travelling with my brother. We have a game whereby we try to come up with the most outrageous story based on something we have seen."

Georgiana peeked a glance at Henry, who was stood with Mr Bennet talking quietly, and blushed. "Your brother seems to be most interesting." She barely spoke above a whisper and her eyes remained downcast. Elizabeth noted her tone and blush with interest, glancing quickly at Henry and catching him shooting a look towards them. Once he caught her watching him he turned away and soon after quit the room with her father.

"I understand you had the misfortune to meet him whilst he was looking rather dishevelled?" She questioned.

"Oh!" Miss Darcy looked up "indeed, he was rather.." She trialled off.

"He said your care was exemplary, so I must offer my gratitude."

"Oh no, I only got in the way."

Elizabeth could see the young lady was a bit embarrassed and so moved the conversation on and before long they were talking of books and music quite happily.

Darcy was overwhelmed by the feeling of contentment. Elizabeth and Georgiana were getting along famously. Mrs Bennet, although a little over enthusiastic, was quite the hostess and had seen that her guests were well provided for before monopolising Bingley and Jane for details of the shopping and their time spent in London.

He was quite surprised to find Lydia moving towards him and offering to refill his cup. He knew nothing of the changes Henry had wrought and so was all the more surprised by the ladylike behaviour.

"Mr Darcy, were those matched greys pulling your carriage?"

He looked surprised. "Indeed they were, Miss Lydia."

"Can you ride them also? Or are they solely for carriages?"

"You could ride them." Darcy answered, somewhat baffled "but I prefer to ride my own horse."

"Of course. What horse do you own?"

"My horse is called Epona and she is an Arabian."

Lydia's eyes lit up "like the horses owned by the empress of Russia!"

Darcy looked so shocked that Lydia laughed at him, just suppressing the snort that threatened.

"Indeed you are correct. My cousin, Richard, is a colonel and was stationed in Spain. He obtained some of these beautiful horses after a campaign against the french. He is trying to breed them with our thoroughbreds."

"Henry has a thoroughbred, but we ladies have had to share Nellie. Who is so very slow." She pouted "but Henry has promised that if I am good he shall ensure I have a proper horse."

Darcy looked confused "forgive me Miss Lydia. I cannot recall seeing you ride."

She laughed "oh, no I did not ride, or not often. It was only recently that I discovered how much fun it could be. Do you not agree?"

Darcy nodded "as a matter of fact I do agree. I love nothing more than a good gallop through the country."

"Oh, Henry has only shown me how to canter. Nellie, of course, does not go faster than a brisk trot. But Henry let me ride his horse just before he returned to London. It was the most exhilarating experience."

Bingley drew his attention at this moment and they prepared to depart for Netherfield.

Elizabeth had noticed Lydia sat with Darcy and the animated discussion that ensued, she had marvelled at Lydia's thoughtfulness at bringing Darcy some refreshment and had watched her engage him in conversation like a true hostess. She was impressed by the ladylike behaviour of her younger sister, especially as she had lost none of that enthusiasm and gaiety that characterised her younger sister. She just lost the brashness and impropriety that had caused so much mortification.

...

Mrs Bennet was ecstatic to have her eldest daughter back, and to be engaged to such a handsome rich man was no small thing. She had completely lost hope for Henry falling for Miss Bingley, but she had not missed the glances between her son and the young Miss Darcy. She was not insensible to the difference in station, but the biggest obstacle was time. Miss Darcy was not yet out and so would not seriously consider a suitor at this time.

Her keen matchmaking mind was set upon the task. How to keep Henry within her notice? Mr Bingley's alliance with Jane would not be enough. No. Elizabeth seemed to be friendly with Miss Darcy, which might help. But Mrs Bennet knew that one connection between families was the best way to beget a second and as she watched Lydia talk animatedly with Mr Darcy, a plan started to form.

...

Elizabeth was writing a letter to her aunt. Both thanking her for her hospitality and relating the details of their journey. She heard the doorbell and would have gone down directly but just wished to finish her passage. Once sanded and completed she went to the drawing room, only to find her mother at her needlework.

"Did we not have visitors?"

Her mother looked up then back at her embroidery. "They are walking about the garden."

"Was it Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy? Or was Georgiana with them?"

"It was only the gentlemen."

"I should join them."

"You shall stay here Miss Lizzie. Jane is walking with Mr Bingley and Lydia will keep Mr Darcy company. You know he only finds you tolerable."

Elizabeth stared in shock at her mother, she could not seriously imply that Lydia would be a good match for Mr Darcy? Could she? Doubt crept in to her mind. Had she not seen Mr Darcy conversing easily with Lydia only yesterday? Surely if he had wished to see her he would have waited? Yes they had spoken freely in London, but what if he had realised she was not suitable?

She made another, half hearted, attempt to leave and was given a direct order by her mother. She sat down and pretended attention on her embroidery, willing her eyes to stay dry. It was now, with these concerns and feelings swirling around, that she could admit to herself that she cared for Mr Darcy, could she even love him? She felt for the young man who had grown up with so much expectation on him, who had lived such a quiet yet public life. They had spoken of his societal expectations and the manner in which he was often regarded by ladies of the ton. He wanted only a bit of liveliness, which her aunt had pointed out might come with the right wife, and he would be perfectly amiable. And yet he was walking the garden with her sister, her lively younger sister, whilst she was ordered to stay indoors.

...

Darcy, for his part, was a bit bemused by the attention of Miss Lydia. That she had improved in deportment he could not argue. She seemed to have developed a passion for horses and riding that he thought was admirable. He was happy to converse on such a topic, but he was desperate to see Elizabeth, Miss Elizabeth. Why had she not been there to greet him? Had she avoided his call? What had happened?

As soon as he politely could manage, he directed his steps back towards the house. Lydia happily chatting on about the benefits of thoroughbred over a cross breed horse. Gelding versus mare.

When he entered the parlour he noticed Elizabeth immediately. She was tucked in a corner and hunched over her needle work, as if trying to make herself as small as possible.

Mrs Bennet greeted him and bade him sit near Lydia and he began to comprehend what might be occurring, at least in Mrs Bennet's eyes. He pondered his options. To comply might keep his interest in Miss Elizabeth a secret. He knew Elizabeth would refuse him if she wished to, but how miserable would her life be if Mrs Bennet knew she had refused a wealthy gentleman? If he moved towards her now he would be declaring his intentions openly, was he ready for that?

However if he did not, would she feel the slight and question his loyalty?

A moment, whereby Elizabeth glanced up, decided it. He read pain, confusion and hurt in her expression. He barely stopped to think how he had read so much so quickly before declaring "I thank you, Miss Lydia, for the walk. But I have much to discuss with Miss Elizabeth."

He bowed and took the seat closest to her, noting as he did so that the tension dropped from her like a stone dropped in a lake. In the next instance she was smiling a brilliant smile, so bright Darcy wondered that he did not need to squint to see her clearly.

"Did you not wish to walk?" He asked, still uncertain about his reception.

She grimaced slightly "I, uh, was persuaded that you had enough company."

He smiled gently at her and tilted his head to the side "you know, you must know your company would always be welcome."

Elizabeth drew in a sharp breath at the weight of the statement.

"Miss Lydia seems to have developed quite the interest in horses."

Elizabeth laughed, realising what they will have spoken of. "Yes, it gives her a certain unique quality compared to her sisters. Jane rides but her interest extends only as far as it's usefulness."

"And you would rather walk?" He supplied.

She smiled at him through her lashes "Yes. I would."

"Have you learnt?" He pressed gently, thinking of the many sights of Derbyshire she would enjoy, but would be too far for a walk.

"Yes." She sighed "but I am afraid I found that my own two feet were more preferable, particularly when one horse does not carry three sisters" She shot him a cheeky grin and he could not help but smile back.

"If you should visit Derbyshire." He struggled to keep his tone casual and not just blurt out 'when you are mistress of pemberley'. "There are many sights I believe you would enjoy, but a horse would be the preferable mode of transport."

She pursed her lips, then sighed dramatically "I see. I suppose I shall have to follow Lady Catherine's dictates then."

Darcy frowned in confusion and Elizabeth leaned in, lowering her voice "I shall have to take the trouble of practicing!"

They spent a moment enjoying the closeness, Darcy resisting the impulse to kiss her luscious lips. He sat back after a time, deciding a change in subject might help his wandering thoughts.

He shifted slightly in the window seat "Did you enjoy meeting Georgiana?"

The question was in a light tone, but Elizabeth could read the depth of meaning in the question. "I did, she is a lovely girl. Older than Lydia I gather."

"Yes, She is almost seventeen, but not yet out."

Elizabeth nodded, looking over at Lydia, who was whispering furiously with Mrs Bennet.

"Lydia was out at fifteen." Elizabeth did not wish to speak of it so moved on. "I did not speak to Miss Darcy of it, do you know when you might think of bringing her out?"

Her question was casual, but she was interested in the answer.

"It would have been soon, if not for..." he left the sentence unfinished and Elizabeth nodded, understand to what he was referring.

"As it stands I will review matters at the turn of the year. We could consider next year's season." He shrugged. "I am in no hurry and if she is not I see no reason to force matters."

"I think your logic seems sound. What about hereabouts? Could she attend some gatherings locally?"

Darcy frowned "I had not thought about it." He spent a moment looking at his hands before looking up at her, eyes boring in to hers. "What think you?"

Her eyebrows flew up in surprise "me?"

He raised an eyebrow "Yes, you. You know the people hereabouts better than I. What say you to allowing Georgiana to spend some time at gatherings?"

Elizabeth frowned, the weight of Darcy's expectation settling on her. The answer deserved due consideration. At last she took a breath "I think country society is a fair way to introduce someone to small gatherings. We would not be quite so strict on the bindings of out or not. Being presented has no bearing here. But perhaps some of the smaller gatherings, the ones with local families, might be more comfortable for Miss Darcy. And of course any dancing would have to be restricted to family."

Darcy nodded. "You make a good point. She may feel more comfortable to be seen in a small environment with people who do not look upon her as a child. Before she is subject to the larger gatherings in town. I will think upon it and discuss with Georgiana."

He nodded at her and she felt the warmth in her swell, her realisation from earlier fresh in her mind. She, daringly, laid a hand upon his arm.

"You are a good brother sir. I.." her throat constricted and she looked away, her hand dropping from his arm. Darcy looked at her, willing her to look up and complete her sentence, but they were interrupted by the return of Bingley and the gentlemen soon after departed.