Chapter 3

After arriving at Longbourn, the Bering family quickly separated to their own rooms for the night. When Myka had finished brushing out her hair she heard the familiar knock that often accompanied their return from assemblies.

"Come in Pete," called Myka, knowing who it would be. She was surprised when Pete closed the door but stood nervously up against it instead of coming into the room. When she looked at him, she noticed the tell-tale glint in his eyes.

"You really like her don't you?"

"That obvious, huh?" Pete said as he came to sit on the end of Myka's bed.

Myka shrugged, "probably only to me."

"She's beautiful Myka. The most beautiful woman I have ever seen," said Pete with a sigh as he laid back on the bed putting his arms behind his head.

"Yah I know how you feel," thought Myka to herself. "Most beautiful woman indeed."

"She's lovely, sensible, and easy going. I doubt she has an angry bone in her body. She's not easily bothered by things and everyone seemed to take a real liking to her," continued Pete, not even noticing Myka's lingering blush.

"Especially mother," said Myka causing Pete to roll his eyes.

"She danced with me four times, Myka. I didn't expect her to say yes that last time I asked," Pete said with a grin.

"Yes well, she clearly had no other choices," teased Myka. Pete was thoughtful for a moment as if deciding if should say what he wanted to.

"Do you like her Myka?" Pete asked quietly.

"You like her Pete, so how could I not?" Said Myka in mock seriousness.

"Mykes, I know I kid a lot, but I really want to know what you think of her. Even if I probably wouldn't listen if you said you didn't."

"Well you've certainly liked many a stupider person," said Myka with a teasing smile.

"Myka," warned Pete. "Please, this is important to me. Myka sighed and sat down next to him on the bed.

"I know you worry about her returning your affections," Peter nodded. "And you are wondering if you are being too willing to see her in a good light, and ignoring any red flags," said Myka knowingly. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing.

"I have always been envious of your ability to see the good in people Pete, even if it means that you give them more chances then they deserve. For what it's worth, I don't think you have mistaken Miss Fernandez' character. She seems a genuine enough person to me. Her brother on the other hand - James - you said?" Pete nodded. "There is something unsettling about him."

Yah, I felt it too, but I don't know what to make of it. His manners left something to be desired, but he seemed pleasant enough when you conversed with him and her other brother, Steve, he was a laugh..." Myka listened in silence while Pete talked about Kelly and "Jinksy" as his friends called him. Eventually her thoughts wandered to the dark-eyes mystery that was Helena Wells and she couldn't help but smile.

At Netherfield Park, Kelly and her party were settling into the lounge after returning from the assembly.

"What a lovely evening, don't you think Helena?" Said Kelly as she sank into the cushion of her chair and sipped on her wine.

"We shall agree to disagree my old friend," said Helena as she went over to the desk to write a letter to Christina.

"Yes quite," spoke up a grating voice that Helena loathed. "I do hope we don't have to suffer through any more of those. It was almost unbearable pretending to enjoy conversing with those savages." Helena cringed as she listened to James talk, she had almost forgotten he was there. It was bad enough when they had to work together on artifact hunts, which luckily was rare, since she mostly worked with Jinksy these days, she could barely tolerate him in her personal life.

James was quick and calculating and could easily charm a room of people into doing anything he wanted, which was how he had earned the nickname "Mc Fearsome" at Cambridge. But as he got older, he seemed to take less and less enjoyment from life. These days he was moody, judgmental, and acted as though he was far above everyone he met, everyone except Helena whom he was constantly trying to impress. This is the very reason why his siblings had inherited the family fortune even though he was the eldest. Where he was callous, his siblings were kind. Where he was selfish, his siblings were generous, and their parents could see this even from an early age. When the Fernandez patriarch died James was left nothing and had no choice but to either go off on his own or follow the whims of his younger siblings if he wanted the luxuries of living off the family money. This had left him even more bitter and angry than he was before.

When their father died, Steve, for his part, had already happily married Liam and settled in London, so he gave his half of the inheritance to Kelly so that she could achieve their father's lifelong wish of purchasing an estate. Kelly, however lovely she was, knew nothing about owning an estate so she decided to lease one first and spent months begging Helena to help her. Finally, Helena relented. She needed a break from London and the warehouse anyways.

Kelly and Helena had been friends since their own days at Cambridge, despite being so different. Many that saw them together wondered how they could possibly be friends, but they balanced each other. Helena found that Kelly's presence in her life helped ease some of her moodiness and natural melancholy and forced her to be less reserved. Plus, she never judged or lost her temper at Helena despite being baited often enough. In return, Helena offered reliance, sound judgement, honest commentary, and fierce loyalty. Helena was singularly the cleverest person Kelly had ever met and she respected her opinion above anyone else's. Kelly knew that Helena's reserved nature, often verging on rude, was a mask to protect her fragile heart. Helena loved more deeply than most and has had more than her fair share of betrayal and heartache, especially recently.

Kelly looked at her friend sitting across the room writing a letter to Christina and her heart ached for her. She knew she was lonely, but she also knew she was too stubborn to do anything about it. She was an expert at keeping others at a distance. Perhaps this Myka woman would be able to break down some of her barriers. She really hoped so. She would like to see things work out for her friend and who knows; Myka's brother is quite charming, maybe there is potential there. Either way, she can use it as an excuse to force Helena into the same room as Myka as often as possible. She smiled as a plan formed in her mind. If things didn't work out for her friend, no one would be able to say she wasn't provided ample opportunity.