I have seen a few of you mentioning the age difference between Jane and Elizabeth in the comments. My thought is that there is about 3-4 weeks between their birthdays, making Jane 11 months older than Lizzie. I'm sure she would have been more gracious than I was as a child when I had to spend (the worst) 5 weeks of the year being the same age as my younger sister! Anyway, I hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter Eighteen

Caroline Bingley had been walking in a short circuit in the park in the hopes of being seen and seeing some of her more important connections. She was disappointed, therefore, when she spotted Miss Jane Bennet walking with Colonel Fitzwilliam of all people. As much as she did not want to have to engage with them, to snub the son of an Earl was just not done; even if he was only a second son and in the company of a country nobody.

As she stood with the pair and her sister, Louisa, making awkward small talk, she noticed Mr Darcy approaching down the tree lined walk. Before she had so much as considered the identity of his walking companion, she called out to him to capture his attention.

"Good afternoon, Miss Bingley." Greeted the woman by his side as the pair approached. Caroline was highly displeased to find it was the Hertfordshire chit, Eliza Bennet, who was clinging to the gentleman like he was her most prised reticule.

"How do you do, Miss Eliza? I did not know you were in Town also."

"I arrived only a few days ago. I have been so fortunate to meet with so many acquaintances since my arrival too, and now I may count you amongst the number."

Without any further consideration for the others, Caroline turned to the primary object of her attention and said, "I am sure I have not seen you since our return to refined society in November, Mr Darcy. How busy you must be."

Caroline attempted a handful of times to draw Mr Darcy into conversation but every attempt was thwarted by one or other of the assembled would-be walkers. When each effort failed, she grew more and more frustrated with the situation; something which was easily identifiable through her pitched voice and reddening face. As she could not bear to continue conversing with the conniving harpy or her do-gooder of a sister, and after only the briefest of fawning (in her opinion) over Mr Darcy, departed with an excuse that rang false to all ears.

Darcy was incensed at the gall the woman showed, her conduct had changed not one whit. To Richard and Elizabeth, who were still unaware of the events which had transpired in Hertfordshire, the encounter with Miss Bingley was simply afternoon entertainment. Even Jane could not bring herself to be too concerned for the woman's welfare given her earlier mistreatment at Miss Bingley's hands.

After the bitter woman's departure from the small gathering, Helena and Georgiana returned to their party full of giggles and a tale about how they had spotted Miss Bingley searching for prey and had hidden behind a bush to avoid her.

Miss Bingley stewed on the encounter for several hours before deciding something had to be done about the Miss Bennet's once and for all. The plan she set in motion to bring about their downfall began in the drawing room of a well renowned gossip two days later. There she relayed the story of how the eldest Miss Bennet, the daughter of a poor country gentleman, had thrown over her intended (a well-respected parson) to chase her wealthy brother to Town. Once in Town, she set him aside as well, as she continued her pursuit up the social ladder. The shameless Miss Bennet had since turned the head of the younger Fitzwilliam brother, though Miss Bingley confessed she would not be surprised if she moved onto the elder brother or maybe a Duke before the month was out. She would put her money on a compromise if she could.

There was a sister too, she shared as an aside, who was trying to secure the eligible Mr Darcy. What else could one think of such a family but that they were scheming mercenaries, not to be trusted?

At around the time Miss Bingley was telling her tall tale about the Miss Bennet's, Lady Matlock was inspecting her dining room decorations ahead of the family dinner she would be hosting that evening. Rebecca had, for years, wished to have all of those dearest to her in once place and that night would see it achieved. The only regret she had ahead of the dinner party was that her cousin Amelia would not be there to see the tenderness which was developing between their eldest children.

Also amongst the guests would be the Earl and Countess of Alfreton, Jane and Elizabeth's maternal uncle and his wife. Rebecca had called upon Lady Sarah the day after Elizabeth's arrival, once the plan had been agreed to, to invite the couple to join them. Lord Alfreton had not had a great deal to do with his nieces over the years as the relationship with his sister, Madeline, was still fragile, but since their father's passing two years prior, he had put more effort into bringing the Gardiner's back into his circle. As such, the pair were delighted to accept the invitation and further their relationship with all involved.

That evening the guests were assembled in their finery in a green drawing room at Matlock House. The Darcy's were the last to arrive and Georgiana quickly slipped off to find a space near her favourite cousin, Helena. The two girls had been vital to one another over the years and the bond between them had strengthened further since the previous summer. It had been Helena who had raised doubts about Wickham to Georgie and who had encouraged her to speak to her brother in the event of something coming to pass between them.

It had also been Helena who had facilitated his sister's recovery where Darcy had failed to make progress. When Richard had suggested some time away from Georgiana, Darcy had been in doubt, and whilst his sister was not the carefree young girl he wished her to be, her broken heart was mending and he knew he had his cousin to thank for it. Whatever magic she had weaved was working and he would always be grateful for it.

With Georgiana's swift departure from his side, Darcy was left standing uncomfortably near the doorway. He was joining a family dinner where he was related to only half of those in attendance. He subconsciously moved in the direction he heard her voice originating from and felt his discomfort ease as he arrived at her side. When those gathered were ready to move into the dining room, The Earl of Matlock led the way escorting Lady Sarah. As others around his began to follow after them, Darcy offered his arm to Elizabeth who gladly accepted.

The pair had been seated together on the left side of Lady Rebecca. Opposite Elizabeth and to the Countess's right was James Walker, Earl of Alfreton. Also at their end of the table was Madeline Gardiner, placed strategically next to her brother by the hostess in the hopes of furthering their slowly rebuilding relationship.

At the other end of the table, naturally, sat the Earl of Matlock, to his right the Countess of Alfreton and Mr Edward Gardiner, and to his left, Jane and Walker. This resulted in Richard, Helena and Georgiana making up the centre spots on the unevenly laid table. Lady Rebecca had toyed with the idea of inviting one more but could not bring herself to invite the only other gentleman who know the Bennet's heritage after Jane had made her position clear regarding Mr Bingley. She also considered laying an empty place for Amelia Bennet, but decided that would be too morbid for what she hoped would be a cheerful occasion.

As the various courses came and went, Lady Rebecca revelled in the realisation of her wish as she watched her family all enjoying each other's company. She even got so caught up in her emotions that she had to blink away a tear which formed in her eye during a toast made by her husband.

As his mother was absorbing the occasion, Walker was silently talking himself out of playing footsie with his tablemate. To distract himself, he said, "Jane, you should also ask Lady Sarah if any of her charitable organisations require additional support, I am sure there are many who would welcome you."

"Of course," The Countess replied, "extra help is always welcome. What sort of charity work do you wish to do my dear? Something with the arts? Or the poor? If I am not directly involved in one, I most certainly will know someone who is."

Jane blushed at the sudden attention and gave a light kick to Walker's ankle under the table as punishment for his crime. What Jane did not count on was Walker's earlier dilemma and she found herself temporarily lost for words when he hooked his foot around her ankle in response. Knowing her companions were waiting for a reply, she squeaked out, "I miss the work I did for Longbourn's tenants." After a breath she added, "I used to help with the children and organise food and clothing donations to the poorest families in the area. I enjoy spending time with my family here in Town, but I wish to be useful again."

Jane had slowly been experiencing a change in her relationship with her cousin Walker. Ever since Mr Bingley had stopped calling, Walker had stepped up the frequency of his own visits. They would usually just sit in the parlour in the house on Gracechurch Street and talk, or if the day was particularly fine, they would take a walk in the local park as they conversed on all manner of subjects. With all the time that they were spending together, Jane had come to better understand Walker and see him for the careful, deliberate sort of man he was, who did nothing without first thinking it through. So when his eyes would linger on her face, or his hand would brush against hers, she knew it was not accidental; Walker was signalling that his interest in her was more than just cousinly. What surprised Jane the most was that this attention thrilled her and gave her tummy butterflies. It was so very different from any feeling she had ever felt, but she enjoyed and welcomed it all the same.

As Jane was arranging to accompany Lady Sarah on a visit to an orphanage the following week, her sister was completely absorbed in a tale from the usually austere Lord Alfreton about how he and her mother got into several scrapes as children.

"And so, I came running out of the door and into the yard," his Lordship said with vigour, "completely unaware of the string she had pulled taught across the doorway, I went flying! Landed head first in a bucket full of water too, which Amelia claimed to have nothing to do with but had been too conveniently placed if you ask me. Everyone always said Amelia was the epitome of ladylike behaviour, but that is only because they did not know her before her last governess, Miss Thomas, got a hold of her."

Madeline laughed merrily from besides him and asked, "Do you still have the scar?" In response, he lifted some of the hair from his forehead and point to a sliver of white along his hairline.

"I get phantom pains whenever I see a bucket, I swear it."

As the subsequent laughter eased, Richard turned from his conversation with Georgiana and Helena to face Elizabeth, who was sat diagonally across from him, "Has Darcy told you our news yet, Lizzie?"

"I have not found the right time yet," Darcy answered, "to share the news and make our suggestion to Miss Elizabeth."

"News? A suggestion?" Elizabeth was riddled with curiosity about what they could have been speaking about.

"Well, now seems like a perfect opening. I shall do the honours for it appears my cousin cannot be bothered." Richard jested. "I am not sure if you are aware Lizzie, but every year for about ten days or two weeks, Walker, Darcy and I visit our Aunt Catherine at Rosings. It is usually at Easter time and we only go to keep the old woman happy."

"Richard!" Exclaimed his mother, as Lord Alfreton covered his laugh with a cough into his napkin. He had met Lady Catherine a few times in his younger days and could easily remember per proclivity for complaining.

"My apologies mother. Walker and Darcy go because they are responsible gentlemen. They review the estate and accounts and do all of that boring gentleman landowner nonsense." He said with a wink to Elizabeth, "I go to avoid being criticised and rebuked for the rest of the year and to get some respite from my mother's determined matchmaking."

"Richard!" Lady Rebecca repeated, the second time with more force. "I am not one of those vulgar matchmaking mamas. Do not exaggerate please. When was the last time I tried to set you up with someone?"

Without missing a beat Richard replied, "The Castleby's ball last week. You introduced me to at least a dozen young ladies and pointed out all of their admirable qualities for me."

"I was only being polite." The Countess defended. At the sight of her son's raised eyebrows she conceded, "Well can you blame me? I wish for you to be happily settled. What mother wouldn't?"

Elizabeth could think of one, but kept that observation to herself.

"You wish for grandchildren, but you need not worry. I have a suspicion you shall not have too much longer to wait for those, but they shall not be my gift to you." With that, all the eye of those attending to their conversation glanced knowingly down the length of the table.

"You are off topic, cousin! I still wish to know your news and suggestion." Demanded Elizabeth.

"This year, my traitorous brother has told us he cannot leave London. He thinks we believe him when he tells us he has important business to attend to."

"He very well might, but I doubt my sister would appreciate such a label." Elizabeth stage whispered in reply.

After the Colonel struggled to contain his laughter, Darcy took over the tale, "As I have lost my cousin's assistance in reviewing the estate matters, I proposed an extension to our trip. Richard got word this morning that his additional leave has been approved and so now we shall be visiting Rosings for four weeks. We leave on Tuesday."

"Why, that is the same – are we getting to the suggestion portion of this story?"

"We are," Darcy said with a smile, "would you care to join us on our journey to Kent? We shall be taking my coach so there will be plenty of space."

"Your offer sounds far more comfortable than the carriage my uncle intended to hire for me, I accept."

Early Tuesday morning, therefore, Darcy and Richard arrived to collect their travelling companion and a chaperoning maid. With the skill of well-practiced hands, the coachmen had Elizabeth's trunks quickly secured and the adventurers were off. Richard, who had learnt to take his rest as and when he could get it, was asleep before the carriage had left the city. This left Darcy and Elizabeth to entertain themselves for the majority of the journey for the maid was putting in a valiant effort to appear engrossed by the book she had brought along.

For the five hours which followed, the pair played several rounds of 'what am I?' and 'would you rather-', which did occasionally solicit input by one or both of the carriage's other occupants, especially when Darcy guessed Elizabeth to be a sabre when she was clearly a letter opener. The two of them also discussed their favourite books, music and artists and Darcy even spent twenty minutes describing the beauty of the Welsh hills which surrounded his estate there when Elizabeth mentioned that seeing some of the historical Welsh castles was on her list of trips she wished to take.

As the journey continued the travellers remained blissfully unaware of the gossip beginning to circulate with increasing ferocity through the drawing rooms of the ton.