Thank you for coming to read this, my first attempt at writing anything publicly.

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'Why again did I concoct and then consent to this scheme? Miss Bingley! Miss Bingley and all of the other empty-headed, fawning, simpering, overly-obliging, compromise attempting, addle pated, shrewish, vapid ladies and their marriage-minded mamas who would aim their daughters at bachelors like Caesar would aim a spear! It was much less complicated when the original five men were involved. Why could Uncle not keep his mouth shut! Proper consideration was not given to beyond a few men. No reasonable excuse can cover the addition of this many!'...thought Darcy as he rode. Not wanting to be trapped in a carriage for the trip, he rode along-side the caravan. Then, behind it. Lastly, a personal stop to stretch the legs added to matters. First lost in thought, now lost in fact! He was not fully aware when he left the group, nor the main road. He continued in this manner for a time, until a curious sight came into view. A bare foot and ankle protruding from a thick nesting of leaves in a bough that was extended over the road.

'You there! Boy!' Darcy commanded the foot. "Do you know the direction to Netherfield?'

Without a word, the foot quickly disappeared from view.

'It is too late to hide! I saw you. I request direction to Netherfield if you know it; the nearest town if you do not!'

'Are you of the hunting party Sir? I would think it not bode well for your hunting skills if you cannot locate a Manor such as Netherfield Park!' a disembodied voice teased from the foliage.

'I can detect a grouse in a hedgerow, but it is not as easy as to locate a particular estate in an unfamiliar county.'

'The most direct path is rather complex for one unfamiliar to the area, Sir. I could walk with you on your way past the worst of it; on two conditions. Firstly, if you would turn your back fore you have caught me in an undignified position. Secondly, you must swear to not inform anyone of the condition with which you found me.'

Darcy turned his back with a bit of a chuckle, 'You have my word as a gentleman. However, why would it be a secret for a boy to climb a tree? I climbed many a tree when I was a lad…' He turned once he heard the sounds of footsteps. 'Forgive me, Miss.', a corner of his mouth twitched to a slight smile,' I was unaware that wood sprites inhabited these woods.', his smile growing slightly.

Both stopped at the sight of the other, frozen in place. Lost in the eyes of the other, until she broke the gaze and stared at her shoes while she regained her composure. A flush began to creep to her hairline as she stood tall and raised her eyebrow, 'Perhaps the information would have been forthcoming if the leasing attorney had been told of a visiting giant! If you will come this way, Sir….?'

'Pardon me, I am Darcy.', he said with a bow.

A conversation ensued. What began as a discussion of the dangers tree climbing alone quickly became dialog of Shakespeare, poetry, French authors, and Latin translations. He was impressed by her quick opinions and lively mind. She noted his attentions and his taking her as a serious acquaintance, and not just a silly girl. He did not laugh at her, call her a hoyden, or any of the other things with which she was all too familiar in hearing from others. He treated her as an equal. As delightful as their conversation was, she had to get back soon. She had been gone too long.

'If you follow this path, it will take you from Longbourn's lands and to the doors of Netherfield Manor directly. Good Day, Sir'. She bobbed a quick curtsy and was out of sight before he could express his thanks.

Darcy mounted his horse and continued on the prescribed path, his mind occupied on an entirely different matter than previous. Here in the middle of an unknown wood, he had made the acquaintance of a woman unlike any other. While she was beautiful, although not in the fashionable way, it was her quickness of mind and wit that accentuated her charms. Her sparkling eyes and teasing manner lingered in his memory. He was not certain which impressed him more: her intelligence and manner, or his ability to speak so freely with a woman of such limited acquaintance. Nearly three full years of attempting to find a wife in the finest of ball rooms, and here is the first woman to turn his head and engage his mind. He was nearly to the stable when he realized he never did discover her name! Blast!

Darcy rode past the stable boy heading towards him, and went directly to the chaos of the stable. The others were clearly newly arrived. Carriages of varying status, 2 wagons, and both carriage horses and personal mounts were in the process of being tended to and put away by the overwhelmed stable hands when Darcy requested to be pointed to a fresh stall. He would tend to Apollo himself. After a proper grooming and tending, he made his way towards the manor. As his boots were streaked in mud and he quite reeked of horse, Darcy made his way to what appeared to be the kitchen entrance. The kitchen gardens needed stricter tending, but he was impressed by the variety readily available from a leased property.

'Who be you?' challenged a woman who projected an air of authority and wore a large apron overlaying her gray service dress.

'Fitzwilliam Darcy.' he said with a slight bow, 'I am a member of the hunting party and am expected. My apologies for my unkempt appearance. I am not fit to enter through the main doors. Could you notify Bingley that I am arrived?'

'If you will follow me Sir, I will take you to the butler. We be not accustomed to gentlemen entering through the servant's door.'

'Fitz! I thought we had lost you!' declared Alexander after encountering Fitzwilliam in a hallway, 'How can we expect success on this plan of action if the mastermind disappears?'

Darcy clasped his brother's shoulder, 'I would not think you would have me declared lost quite so soon! Have you finally become weary in our scheme?'He paused, then lowered his voice, 'Were you aware that there is a wood sprite in the woods? A delightful sprite with chocolate ringlets and an apparent dislike for bonnets!'

'Oh? I was not aware that you had desired to begin the hunt early! Already scouting the prey?'

'Alexander. Since this stratagem was borne from a mutual distaste of being chased like a rabbit and assessed like prime horse flesh, perhaps you should not refer to the ladies of the neighborhood as prey!'

'Right you are, Fitz! Come, I believe I know the way to Bingley's study. It is past time for you to greet our host.'

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'Darcy! so glad you could join us! After all, this plan has been your formulated design for months. It would not be the same without you!'

'I was unavoidably delayed by an unplanned stop. I lost the caravan, then the direction. I was rescued by the most delightful ...', he cleared his throat, 'Has someone paid a call to acknowledge our party so we may attend the assembly this evening, as hoped?'

'Sir William paid his respects, and made clear that the village is in much uproar with new visitors. He looks forward to assisting with any introductions that we may require.'

'Very good. Could someone show me to my room? I need to start my preparations for the evening.'

Bingley watched the brothers leave, a satisfied smile on his face. He glanced at his watch and knew that he needed to begin his grooming as well. It would take longer than normal for the staff to accommodate all of the bathing needs of the guests.

Eventually, the men filtered into the billiards room and helped themselves to a simple fare of bread, cheese, cold meats, and fruits that had been set out. More formal dining would begin tomorrow, but for tonight it would be sufficient. Cards, books, and cues were brought out to pass the time while the others finished their preparations for the evening.

The Darcy brothers were the last to arrive. As was their preference at all social events, they were dressed in the severest of black matching tailcoats and trousers with a slate grey waistcoat. Each bore a well practiced mask of indifference. Both men were wary of tonight. This was the first time their group would venture out en mass to a public event. The group had grown too large and too quickly. Neither man could have predicted that word would spread so quickly and include two minor Lords, three Viscounts, and multiple 2nd and 3rd sons, a very successful man in trade who graduated Cambridge, and a widowed father had joined the group with his son. Each man added to the purse for an opportunity to find and choose his own wife away from the marriage mart of London and the Ton. While each man's requirements varied, it brought to each man an opportunity to contribute to their own happiness. Once the gossip hit the clubs, Darcy felt obligated to allow others into their circle. He did not dare say no to men who possessed such connections, even though he was fully aware that not all of the men would adhere to the charter. Fitz knew this could create more chaos than benefit, yet he pressed on.

'I say! It takes the scowling bookends longer to dress than a Dandy!,' Richard called from the back of the room. The statement was not received well by the Darcys, and added to the staunch look of the brothers, while several others attempted to cover their chuckles with a cough.

A servant brought a tray to the gentleman containing the last two glasses of port, exited the room, and pulled the door behind them.

The gentlemen stood together in a loose semi-circle.'To the bachelor's club!' declared one man.

'And to it's happy end!' declared another.

The chuckles and smiles ended as each man drank to the success of their latest undertaking with the highest of hopes, set down their glasses and quit the room.

In a flurry of activity, each man was handed their respective hat, gloves,and other accouterments and proceeded to the waiting carriages. Two men stayed to the back of the group and extended a questioning look to the valet. 'You are still wearing your signet ring,Sir'. Quickly, the ring was removed and secured in a waistcoat pocket. Fletcher gave a slight nod to the gentlemen as they took their leave. The Darcys loaded into the last carriage. The signal was given and the procession of began its procession into town.

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Glossary

vapid - offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging

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