Chapter 10:

Caroline Bingley could not stop gloating. She was beaming and smiling from ear to ear, laughing with the ladies from the ton. She was invited to high tea and had insisted that Mr. Darcy accompany her before he left to Pemberley in two day's time. They had not seen each other since he had paid her a visit and asked her to come with him to Rosings to meet Lady Catherine. Caroline was thrilled.

"My dear Miss Bingley, you have not believed what I have heard" said Miss Morling, a young lady of social standing who loved to gossip, "that young Miss Darcy almost ran away with a scoundrel, Mr. Wickham!"

"Oh darling" said Caroline, shrugging her off, "You cannot possibly believe such lies. Have you met Miss Darcy? Georgiana is the sweetest and most accomplished young lady. So poised and talented. You will believe a good for nothing commoner who has nothing to lose and everything to gain? He was a spiteful thing—did you know that Mr. Darcy gave him four thousands pounds when the old Mr. Darcy passed away? Yes!" she added, noticing the small gasp in Miss Morling's beautiful face, "And he spent it all! A scoundrel indeed. He was simply seeking revenge from the generosity of one of most outstanding families, the Darcys" said Caroline, for she knew she ought to squash these rumors quickly by downplaying them. She would not risk her future family being hurt by then, she was, after-all, to become a Darcy.

"I had no idea!" said Miss Morling, whispering, "The rumors seem to be founded on something, for they are being talked on all over town." Miss Bingley shrugged her shoulders and reached for her tea with a very smug look on her face.

"I would be careful spreading such things, Diana, you do not want them to be heard by certain families in the ton. You must know how well connected the Darcys are, you would not want them to think you are spreading such lies" said Caroline, in her smooth voice. She could very cunning and convincing when she set her mind to.

"Of course not" said Miss Morling, nodding her head, believing Miss Bingley, for she was right, it would not do to be seen as the one spreading the rumors, specially if they were unfounded. She would have to let Miss and Mrs. Wellington know, for they too thought they were true. She thought Miss Bingley would reveal the truth by being nervous but she seemed so unbothered by it that it must be she had nothing to hide.

"My dear, I apologize for interrupting" said Mr. Darcy, coming upon the ladies, "How do you, Miss Morling?"

"Mr. Darcy" she said, smiling broadly, for he was so very handsome.

"Would you mind if I spoke to my fiancé, I must be off for some business and would like to say goodbye to Miss Bingley" said Mr. Darcy, forcing a loving look towards Miss Bingley. He thought of Georgiana, who he truly loved, and smiled lovingly at Caroline who was glowing under his gaze.

"Of course" said Miss Morling, jealous that the Mr. Darcy would look at someone like Miss Bingley, albeit pretty, came from trade.

Mr. Darcy reached for Miss Bingley's hand and walked with her to the corner of the room, where there were large windows, flooding the room with natural light. Miss Bingley could not contain her joy—she was radiating and were it not for the hate bubbling inside Darcy, he would say that she looked very beautiful.

"What were you speaking of?" asked Mr. Darcy, looking towards Miss Morling. He wanted to act nonchalant, but he knew very well what the conversation had been about. He had overheard them talking and was very happy with Miss Bingley's response.

Miss Bingley, smiled, buying herself time. They were getting along so well, she did not want to mention Mr. Wickham's name, now that it all seemed past them. She knew that if he only tried, he would fall in love with her and though she had not forgotten his harsh words when they were dining in Netherfields, she excused his behavior due to Mr. Wickham's presence.

"Nothing of importance" she said, smiling. Mr. Darcy smiled back for he now knew that his plan was working. Miss Bingley, the most cunning and conniving woman was on his side and she would ensure that all the rumors were shut down. And when he would break the engagement, for he had every intention of doing so, she would have nothing to hurt him with, for by her own doing, she discredited the one bargaining tool she had.

"I will in the morrow. I shall write to you to inform you when to come to Rosings, I believe the first week of February will work. I must first speak with my Aunt. I have not had the pleasure of discussing with her the particulars of the engagement. She will want to be very involved planning the wedding" he said.

"But of course, as your close relative, I would be delighted to indulge her" said Caroline, smiling broadly. She could see herself going in and out of shops with the illustrious Lady Catherine, buying to her heart's content under Mr. Darcy's tab, and seeing the jealous looks of all the ladies around her. Her eyes gleamed at the thought of that, leaving her feeling very happy.

"Till then" he said, reaching for her hand and kissing it tenderly. She almost swooned—this was just as she had imagined it, as it would always go. He left her in the happiest of states, and felt confident that Miss Bingley would unknowingly do his bidding and save Georgiana from ruin.

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Jane was quiet during their half a day's journey to London, looking absentmindedly out the window. Lizzie could not help but study her sister, her spirits seemed to have recovered but she was not sure if Jane could forgive Mr. Bingley. They had not discussed him since that fateful day when the news of his departure had arrived and Lizzie would not push the subject. But she knew that although Jane had once held him in esteem, he would have to prove his attachment if he were to ever have a second chance with her sister.

It was after midday when the Bennet sisters arrived in Cheapside and were welcomed by their Aunt, Uncle, and young cousins. It was after they had joined them for an early supper and had gotten ready for sleeping, that Jane spoke of the unspoken subject between them.

"Lizzie" said Jane tentatively, while brushing her long blonde hair. "Do you think we should pay Miss Bingley a visit?"

"Miss Bingley?" asked Lizzie, arching an eyebrow. "It has been a month and a half since you last saw her and she did not seem inclined to further the friendship."

"You are right, no she did not" said Jane quietly.

"If you wish it, I shall accompany you" said Lizzie, knowing what Jane truly wanted.

"I want to see for myself and though it may sound silly, I want clarity on the subject. Why would a man who professsed himself in love leave without word and not even a glance back?" said Jane, quickly regretting her words and bringing her hands to her lips.

"He professed himself in love with you?" asked Lizzie, reaching for her sister's hand.

"Yes, the night of the Netherfield's Ball, he whispered during one of our dances that he had never felt what he feels now and that he could not believe love could be so sweet" she said, blushing.

"Oh Jane! How could he have raised such expectations?" asked Lizzie, confused, for though she knew Mr. Bingley held Jane in regard and could not understand why he left and did not come back, she had no idea that he had declared himself—even if not directly.

"It is so very like him, is it not?" asked Jane, her words harsh.

"I do not have the pleasure of understanding you" said Lizzie.

"He is so well mannered and unaffected but he is not direct. Yes, he singled me out and whispered sweet words, but it was all indirectly..." said Jane, thinking while talking. "I would like to pay Miss Bingley a visit, for though I do not expect a renewal of his addresses, I would like to see for myself and get closure."

Lizzie nodded, in awe of her sister. "I shall go with you" said Lizzie, squeezing her sister's hand.

"Thank you" said Jane, in a whisper. She held back a sob and delicately covered her mouth with her hand. Lizzie reached for her sister and hugged her, feeling her sob quietly against her, and feeling how very dreadfully Mr. Bingley had treated the most loving and sweetest person he would ever know.

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Okkkayyyy ideas are flowing, chapter are being written and I'm very happy with how its all going! What did you think of this chapter? I'm not sure what will happen with Jane and Bingley, as you know from my last story, I wanted her to get someone worthy of her but maybe Bingley will rise up to the challenge?

As always, love reading reviews, if you liked this chapter, tell me what you think!