Early August 1806

'Are you in Meryton to subdue the discontented populace, sir, or to defend Hertfordshire against the French?' Elizabeth Bennet asked the Colonel of the regiment. She found the man, dressed in the latest London fashions scintillating in his conversation and sharing a wit similar to her own. Due to this fact alone, her eyes shone with supressed amusement.

'Neither, Miss Elizabeth,' he answered with an engaging smile. Looking around the parlour, not one of the officers wore red coats, yet. The Colonel came with a small advanced party to meet the locals and ready the camp for occupation. 'We hope to winter peacefully. The King's soldiers are in great need of training and the officers in ever great need of society. So far I am pleased with the welcome offered by the people of Meryton. Unfortunately the Militia do not find such a reception everywhere.'

'Are you are to stay until the spring, Colonel?' asked Jane in a soft voice.

'I'm afraid not, Miss Bennet. My good friend, Colonel Foster is to be married and start his wedding tour before re-joining his men. He will return with his new bride in six weeks,' the young man answered easily. 'Then I shall be a man of leisure until the New Year. After that, I return to my posting at the War Office in London.'

'Are you displeased with Hertfordshire, Sir,' Elizabeth teased.

'I have found the country surrounding Meryton holds much beauty,' he's eyes twinkled with mischief, 'and diversion. I hope to extend my stay and acquaintance.'

Glancing at the man, Elizabeth noticed his gaze sweeping her aunts guests. It never stopped on a particular individual. His enjoyment of the young ladies in the room could not be missed, nor could the delight shining from his hazel orbs at the impertinent behaviour. Briefly resting on Lizzy, she smiled brightly, capturing his meaning.

'I man of leisure, Sir,' Elizabeth questioned amused.

'Indeed, Miss Elizabeth,' he replied. 'My cousin recently aided his good friend, Mr Bingley, to close with the town attorney, your uncle I believe, on a property called Netherfield. I understand the gentlemen will take possession at the same time I am to quit Colonel Foster's regiment. My cousin holds an estate in Derbyshire and oversees our Aunts holdings in Kent. He intends to show Mr Bingley the management before purchasing a property to call his own. I hope to be of some assistance in this matter.'

'So you will be at leisure but not idle,' Elizabeth teased.

'I cannot bare to be idle,' Colonel Fitzwilliam grinned, 'so it is a situation that will benefit all.'

'It seems we are to have not one new neighbour, but several,' Lizzy smiled delighted. 'Perhaps fortune has smiled upon you, Colonel. A readymade acquaintance in the area with one of the finest homes in the county is fortunate indeed. Tell me Colonel Fitzwilliam is Mr Bingley to bring a large party?'

'I believe his two sisters and brother in law besides my cousin,' Fitzwilliam whispered as if sharing a very great secret. 'Miss Bingley is to keep house for her brother.'

'Oh dear,' Elizabeth played along. 'I gather Mr Bingley is without a wife if he brings an unmarried sister. That will be much talked of.'

'I believe so,' The Colonel smiled, understanding where this conversation tended.

'What a poor choice,' Lizzy teased, 'there will be more than one mother with eligible daughters declaring he must be in want of one.'

Laughing heartily, Colonel Fitzwilliam asked, 'am I to understand you are not interested in the marriage state?'

'That depends on who is asking,' she returned with a delighted smile.

'Lizzy,' Jane hissed, aware of the impropriety. 'We would be glad to meet any new neighbour, especially if they are a relative of yours, Colonel Fitzwilliam.'

'Thank you Miss Bennet,' Richard bowed, his face losing some of its humour. 'Still, Miss Elizabeth, I must insist on an answer. Surely at least one young man from the neighbourhood has admired your many and varied charms.'

'Colonel Fitzwilliam,' her severe demeanour became undone by her mischievous eyes, 'as you are doing the asking, I'm afraid I do not hold the essential criteria for the wife of a second son of an Earl. I am without fortune or connections. Alas, unless you have already amassed your future wealth, we are fated to be good friends.'

'How could I argue with that,' Richard felt like roaring but contained his amusement to a very broad smile. 'You understand my position perfectly, Madam. I hope we shall continue our acquaintance while I am in the county.'

'I will insist on it, Sir,' Lizzy smirked. 'Then perhaps I will be introduced to Mr Bingley before it is widely known that he lacks a wife. And if I hear of a young lady with five or ten thousand pounds, I shall inform you at once.'

Giving her sister a horrified glare, Jane finally moved the subject to a safer topic. 'Do you enjoy London society, Sir?'

'I enjoy the amusement of the theatre, Miss Bennet. Do you go for the season?' Richard asked, his glance sharing his dissatisfaction with Miss Elizabeth.

-ooOOoo-

'You were entirely too forward with the Colonel, Lizzy,' Jane came close rebuking her sister. Ready for bed, they sat in her room discussing the events of the night at their Aunts card party.

'Oh, Jane,' Elizabeth couldn't keep her humour contained, 'the good Colonel is the most amiable and witty man I have met. I believe he understood me perfectly and I him.'

'Do you like him, Lizzy?' Jane questioned.

'I do, very much,' Elizabeth's gaze took on a faraway look. 'I am by no means falling in love with him. It would be impossible in any case.'

'Do be serious,' Jane pleaded.

'But I am,' Lizzy cried with a broad smile. 'You and I know we have little but our charms to recommend us. Lydia, Kitty and even Mary are bound to cause disruption and ridicule where ever they go. I am afraid you will have to raise our fortunes and very soon.'

'So you tell me,' Jane blushed, thankful her sister did not mention being five times as pretty as the rest of the Bennet girls. The both heard enough of that from their well-meaning but inappropriate mother. 'I will try to fall in love with a man of good fortune, but only so you may end an old maid and teach my ten children.'

'I see I have taught you well,' Lizzy stood from Jane's bed, kissed her sister on the head and proceeded out of the room.

Glaring at her reflection in the mirror, Elizabeth found her features softened by the candlelight. Sighing heavily, she puffed up her cheeks and blew out the flame. The best Miss Elisabeth could hope for with regard to Mr Bingley would be for Jane to fall in love with him. If she showed even the slightest inclination, Lizzy determined to give her every opportunity.