Chapter 15

When the Bennets arrived Caroline was upstairs putting the finishing touches on her outfit for the evening. With a satisfied smile she decided she looked very well tonight. Her manners and poise would be quite the contrast to the Bennets. Mr. Darcy she knew would be offended by the perceived slight. He would be affronted on behalf of his insipid sister and her gullible brother. He did not take such insults lightly, his good opinion once lost, would be lost forever. After tonight Eliza Bennet would lose his good opinion when her family did not show up for dinner without the courtrsy of even sending a note.

…

"It is so good to see you tonight Miss Bennet," Bingley said greeting his angel.

"Likewise Mr. Bingley, " Jane said blushing.

"We are so pleased to be here Mr. Bingley," Mrs. Bennet shrieked loudly. "Doesn't Jane look lovely tonight? I dare say she is as elegant and lovely as Miss Darcy and Miss Bingley. " Looking around Mrs. Bennet ask in confusion, "Where is Miss Bingley?"

"My sister I am sure will be along shortly," Mr. Bingley said all smiles.

"Mr. Da-"Caroline's voice purred from the doorway but stopped midway catching sight of the Bennets. "Wh-What? Why are you here?" she sputtered in disbelief.

"Sister dear, are you unwell? You look rather pale. Did you forget that we were having guest tonight?" Bingley challanged his sister.

"La Miss Bingley, you look ready to faint," Lydia exclaimed. "You don't look well at all."

"I,I-" Caroline sputtered. "I sent the Bennets a note."

"A note? Why did you need to send the Bennets a note?" Col. Fitzwilliam ask raising his eyebrow.

"Well I-" Caroline started to say.

"I truly believe you are not well," Bingley interrupted her. 'Perhaps you had best retire to your rooms. I'm sure Mrs. Bennet would be willing to act as hostess tonight. She is afterall familiar with the duties of the role and the Bennets travled all this way."

"Miss Bingley allow me to assist you to your rooms," Mrs. Annsley said stepping forward and firmly grasping Caroline's arm.

"Thank you Mrs. Annesly," Bingley said grateful for the companion's assistance.

"Mr. Darcy," Caroline entreated her prey, but he ignored her and turned his back to her, addressing himself to Elizabeth.

"Miss Elizabeth I count myself a lucky man to be in your company again today," Darcy said with a smile.

Caroline let out a soft gasp and her shoulders slumped at the direct cut from the gentlman she had claimed for herself. Col. Fitzwilliam also turned his back to Caroline and steered Georgiana away from her prescence. At this cut from the three members of the first circle Miss Bingley fled the room. The Bennets looked on in confusion. Having a wider understanding than her sister in law, Madeline addressed herself to Miss Darcy saying, "You look charming tonight Miss Darcy. When I walked into the room I almost thought Lady Anne was in attendance tonight."

Blushing Georgiana thanked her and latched onto the oppurtunity to discuss her mother. Under Mrs. Annsley and Madeline's guidance the tension in the company eased and everyone fell into conversation.

"Something happened with Miss Bingley today?" Elizabeth quietly ask Darcy, who nodded. "It is not my business, but I must admit to being curious."

Taking a breath Darcy said, "Bingley intercepted a note his sister attempted to send to Longbourn a short while ago. She claimed she was to indisposed to entertain tonight and requested your family not come tonight.'

"For a lady that intended to rest in her rooms tonight she was certainly dressed in fine style," Elizabeth said wryly.

"She did not intend to rest in her rooms. Her scheme appears to have been an atempt to drive a rift between Netherfield and Longbourn. Her note was not worded politely. It was offensive and designed to cause your family to wish nothing to do with our party I imagine. She intend for the rest of us here to believe that your family was cutting us by not showing up or sending a note. She was planning on my pride and my resentful temper to ensure the connection was cut."

"That heartless harridan," Elizabeth huffed.

"Even had Bingley not of intercepted her note, there is one thing she did not take into consideration," Darcy said grimly.

"And what was that?"

"I could never resent you. Or believe that your family would be so rude. I would have been on a horse to Loungbourn once your family was late to ensure the well being of all of you. Her scheme would have been exposed even if the language used in the note caused your fatber to bar me from Longbourn."

Elizabeth smiled widely at him, "I am pleased to hear so sir. Her scheme to deliberately drive a wedge in the friendships between Longbourn and Netherfield was cruel."

"It was. Your aunt, " Darcy said changing the subject, "is truly a treasure. I must thank her for her kindness to Georgie. As you know my sister is shy but your aunt, much like yourself, Miss Bennet and Miss Lucus, has gone out of her way to put her at ease. I truly appreciate it."

"Georgie is a sweet girl, who could do any less for her," Elizabeth teased lightly. "She is an enjoyable creature, she just needs to relax to show to her best, much like her elder brother."

"I take it I have improved then in your estimation?"

"Not in essentials sir. In essentials I believe you are just as you have always been. The improvement is in my understanding there."

"I would hope that I improved in manners."

"Your manners, while perhaps not as conventionally amiable as Mr. Bingley, are charming in their own way."

"You find me charming Miss Bennet?"

"Not perhaps when you discuss mud, but you are quite equolent on other subjects such as tree climbing."

"I shall avoid talk of mud. Perhaps I can impress you with my knowledge of waterfowl."

"Goose, gander or duck sir?" Elizabeth said laughingly.