Chapter 12

December 19, 1811 Meryton

"I am so glad you kept your promise to attend a family dinner with us Mr. Bingley,"Mrs. Bennet gushed as the Netherfield party was shown into Longbourne. "You will of course be present for our annual Christmas eve celebration for the neighborhood, but it is nice to have such a intimate group tonight."

"We look forward to it Mrs. Bennet," Bingley said jovially as he looked toward Jane.

"You must of course great Jane. And perhaps you Mr. Darcy would like to great Lizzy?" Mrs. Bennet said hopefully. "Or my brother. He is a business associate of yours I understand. "

"Yes, Mrs. Bennet. Your brother has allowed me to invest with him for 5 years. His business acumen is second to none. Allow me to extend my thanks for including me and my relatives in your dinner invitation," Darcy said with a bow and a smile as he glanced towards Elizabeth.

Flushing with pleasure Mrs. Bennet thanked him for his civility and noted how attractive the man was when he smiled. If he didn't appear so taken with Lizzy she reflected that he would have done very well for Lydia with a smile like that and 10,000 a year.

"Miss Elizabeth," Darcy said glad to focus his attention on the object of his affection once he was done greeting all her relatives.

"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said her eyes twinkling. "I should not tease you so, but I must say I wonder where the Mr. Darcy of the autumn has gone. This kind charming man who exchanges pleasantries with all cannot possibly be him, can he?"

"That fool as learned his lesson and is no more. Good riddance I say," Darcy said smiling down at her.

"Miss Bingley must be devastated. Where is she this evening."

"Indisposed," Darcy said smirking.

"What my brother means to say," Georgiana said joining the two and leaving her cousin to the two youngest Bennets' mercy, "is that Miss Bingley faked a headache in an attempt to keep us all from Longbourn tonight. Sadly for her I sweetly pointed out how relieved she must have been that we would be dinning here so that she would not be disturbed."

"Which disturbed her greatly I am sure," Elizabeth said with a laugh.

"So much so that she became overwhelmed again. Her brother was forced to decide that it was best that she rest in her room."

"As I said, indisposed," Darcy said smugly.

"While your statement was accurate Mr. Darcy, the way Georgie presented it was more informative," Elizabeth said with a happy shake of her head.

"Ah, but had my dear sister not have shared her information I could entertain you with a guessing game."

"A guessing game sir?"

"Yes, guess what Bingley's sister did. And of course I would have had to act out all the parts, so it probably is best Georgie told you all about it."

"And you would have acted the part of Miss Bingley?"

"With vigour."

"Well then let's hear it."

Darcy entertained his sister and Elizabeth with a higly exagerated performance of Miss Bingley's indisposition that had both ladies laughing.

Darcy was pleased to have made Elizabeth laugh. The rest of the evening progressed much as it had begun, with success. Darcy enjoyed speaking with Gardiner about things other then buisness and discussing Lambton with Madeline. He persuaded the Gardiners to stop at Pemberly on their way to the lakes that summer. He hoped to have Elizabeth installed as its mistress by then to welcome them, but would settle for having her as a visitor with her aunt and uncle. When the subject of chess came up, Mr. Bennet issued him an invitation to play. Though he was reluctant to leave Elizabeth, Darcy agreed and followed Mr. Bennet to his library. Mr. Bennet proved to be an able chess player, the type Darcy looked forward to playing against often, relishing a challenge. Darcy was pleasantly surprised when after he won the first game, Elizabeth entered the library and Mr. Bennet presented her as the next challanger. Saying, "Now see if you can defend your win against my Lizzy."

As the Netherfield party took their leave after dinner, Bingley happily invited the Bennets to dine in two days, assuring them that his sister would be much recovered by then. Mrs. Bennet gleefully accepted the invite. She was convinced that soon Mr. Bingley would propose to Jane. She had also observed her second eldest daughter and was suprised Mr. Darcy had not proposed already. Madeline had softly reminded her to let the couple be, citing that Elizabeth would not respond well to any attempts at matchmaking by her mother. Convinced that Elizabeth seemed to enjoy Darcy's attentions, Mrs. Bennet followed her sister-in-law's advice, even if it was contrary to her nature.