Author's note: sorry for how slowly I'm going. Thanks to everyone who has pointed out some of the inconsistencies, like where we were putting the Gardiners. I appreciate it a lot!

Now, let's get ODC into the library together and deal with Caroline. :D

Chapter 13

The following morning, Elizabeth awoke with a start. The sun coming through the windows made her realize that she had slept through the night without once being disturbed about Jane, which caused her more alarm than comfort. She immediately jumped from her bed and ran to the adjoining room.

"Jane?" she called with an urgent whisper as she walked through the door. "Are you well?"

A shushing noise came from the corner of the room, and Elizabeth turned to see a maid sitting on the chair. "She is sound asleep, ma'am."

"How is she? I slept the entire night. I never woke up for her."

The maid smiled. "She is still feverish, but she slept through the night very well. She awoke once, but the other maid who was here brought her some tea and toast, and she fell asleep immediately. Then she awoke again about an hour, and I gave her a bit more, along with some willow bark. She's just now gone back to sleep."

Elizabeth sighed in relief. "Then she wasn't left alone and ill?"

"Oh no, ma'am. The mistress - that is, the new mistress, Mrs. Hurst - changed Miss Bingley's orders and said a maid should be in here at all times."

"Thank you so much," Elizabeth said gratefully.

"It was my pleasure. Miss Bennet has been ever so kind, even being so sick," the maid replied with a grin. "I've never met anyone so pleasant when they've had a cold, and I've done my fair share of nursing my brothers and sisters."

Elizabeth returned the smile with one of her own. "Jane is quite perfect in that way. I've never had a cross word from her in my life, and I've known her since she was two years old."

The maid giggled, then said, "I believe the rest of the house has already finished breakfast, but I can have something brought up for you if you'd like."

Elizabeth agreed, and soon a tray was delivered. The servant who brought it informed her that Mrs. Hurst and Georgiana were ensconced with the housekeeper for the remainder of the morning. "They wanted to know they weren't neglecting you, ma'am, but there is much to be done."

"Do you think they would mind if I borrowed a few books from the library?" Elizabeth asked.

"No, they wouldn't mind. Mrs. Hurst said you were to entertain yourself however you wished."

Pleased with the kindness of her new hostess, Elizabeth quickly polished of her food, then headed down towards the Netherfield library. From what she remembered, it was always light on books, but there would surely be something there she could use to pass the time until Jane awoke.

Elizabeth entered the room and began to scan the bookshelves. As predicted, there as not much of a selection. In fact, there seemed to be fewer books than she remembered from the couple of times she had visited in the past.

She ran her finger along a shelf, then wiped it on her dress, grimacing at the dust that had gathered. Thankfully, this is my own dress, not a borrowed one from Mrs. Hurst. Forcing herself to be contented with just reading the titles, she idly walked along the rows of old books that lined the walls of the room.

Finally, a faded green book caught her eye. The title was almost completely worn off, so she picked it off the shelf. She opened the book and read the title aloud. "An Analysis of Winter Vegetable Gardens in England."

Elizabeth gasped and hugged the book to her chest. This is perfect! The publication date showed the book was quite old, which didn't surprise her, as vegetables were less common than meat at a meal.

She was so engrossed her information about broccoli, brussels sprouts, onions, and more, that she did not hear the door open or see Mr. Darcy enter the room.

Darcy, for his part, was taken aback at seeing Elizabeth in the library. He needed a few moments of peace, away from Bingley's chatter and Hursts grunts, and his customary place of refuge was the sparse library at Netherfield.

At first, he intended to sit for a few minutes with his book, and this did not change with Elizabeth's presence. The fact that she seemed to ignore him caused him to assume that she, too, wished to be left alone. Unfortunately, the dust that had been stirred up during her search began to tickle his nose. He frantically attempted to stifle his sneeze, but the attempt was futile.

"Achoo!"

Elizabeth was so startled at the sudden noise that she started in alarm and dropped her book. She said "God bless you" out of habit, then looked across the room to see who had sneezed.

"Oh, Mr. Darcy! How - how long have you been here?"

"Not long. My apologies for disturbing you," he said with a bow. "It was not my intention to startle you."

Elizabeth laughed and said, "I'm afraid it was just as much my own fault! I should not have become so engrossed in my book."

"Here, allow me," Darcy said, crossing the room in large, quick strides to pick up her book.

As he handed it to her, he caught a glimpse of the title. "Where did you find this?" he exclaimed.

"On that shelf over there," she answered, gesturing towards the bookcase. "Is it yours? Did you misplace it?"

"No, but I have been looking for a copy of it!" Darcy said with excitement in his voice. "I thought it might be useful for this winter, but I have been unable to locate it. It was published too many years ago, and only a few copies sold, so it was never reprinted."

"Then you must take it," Elizabeth said, handing it back to him reluctantly.

Darcy's eyes widened. "To the victor goes the spoils, Miss Elizabeth. I insist you read it first. Would you allow me to borrow it when you finish?"

"Of course," she assured him. "I will not spend much time with it. I'm afraid it's not as helpful as I thought it would be."

"Oh?"

"Most of the vegetables need to have been planted in late summer. Even for winter gardens, it is just too late. There are a few, however, who might do well if I can get them in the ground in the next week or two."

"What vegetables would those be?"

Elizabeth spent the next half hour sharing everything she had learned so far from her book. At some point during the conversation, she realized he was still standing and motioned for him to take a seat opposite from her.

Once she had shared all of the information she possessed, he sat back and said, "Well, that is disappointing that so few things would be able to grow. But something is better than nothing."

"The real issue will be to find any seeds. These are not common vegetables, and I worry none would arrive in time."

Darcy stroked his chin thoughtfully. "That is true. I have not even heard of some of the plants you mentioned."

"I suppose that does not bode well for our search, then," Elizabeth said glumly.

"I could send a letter to my man of business in London," Darcy said. "He could make some inquiries and see if there are any importers who have some."

"If you'd like, I could also write to my uncle Gardiner," Elizabeth offered.

"Oh?"

She flushed slightly but raised her chin, her eyes challenging. "He owns an import business in London. We already have some supplies coming in from Portugal. I think he would have many associates he could ask about these vegetables."

However Elizabeth expected Darcy to react about her relatives in trade, it was nothing like his actual response.

"That is a very useful connection to have," he said. "If it would not be too much of an imposition, would you mind including an introduction in your letter so I may write him myself?

Elizabeth's eyebrows flew up in surprise. "I would not have expected the nephew of an earl to request an introduction to a tradesman.

She then flushed slightly are her impertinent remark. "My apologies, Mr. Darcy. I did not mean to -"

Darcy cut her off by saying, "No, I quite understand what you mean. I am a bit ashamed to admit that prior to this wretched year, I would have scorned the inferiority of such an acquaintance. If there is one thing this summer-less year has been good for, it has been to force me to face my own humanity. After all, what is the master of an estate without crops or tenants or tradesmen?"

"Well said, sir," Elizabeth said approvingly. "I would be very glad to include your letter in my own to my uncle."

"Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I am discovering how important it is to have diverse sources of food and fuel this winter. That is why we are here at Netherfield, instead of my own estate."

At Elizabeth's inquiry, Darcy explained his desire to grow Russian wheat over the winter. In turn, Elizabeth shared her family's plans to add rice to their diet and bring as many people into the home as possible.

"Although, we are quite full already, and I am afraid my father's cousin is to arrive soon. We will have to put him in the nursery or the servant's quarters!" she said with a laugh.

"He's coming for a visit? In this weather?"

Elizabeth sighed. "That was my thought as well, but there's nothing to be done for it now. He is my father's heir, although his father and mine have never met. By the time our house had filled up, it was too late to stop his coming."

"Where is he traveling from?"

"Kent. I believe his parsonage is in Hunsford."

Darcy's jaw dropped. "His name wouldn't happen to be Mr. Collins, would it? Rector to Lady Catherine de Bourgh?"

Now it was Elizabeth's turn to stare in surprise. "How on earth could you possibly know that?"

"Because I've met him. Lady Catherine was my mother's sister. I visit her every spring, and he had just taken orders and been given the living when I last visited."

"Really?" Elizabeth asked eagerly. "What can you tell me about him?"

Darcy hesitated, and Elizabeth laughed with delight. "You need not worry about offending me, sir. As I told my father after reading the letter, I do not think my cousin can be a very sensible man."

"I don't believe he is, no. I did not spend much time in his company, but I know my aunt, and I know the type of person to whom she would grant the living."

Elizabeth groaned. "I was hoping he would improve upon acquaintance."

Darcy grimaced and said, "I cannot say for certain, but that was not my experience with him."

"And this is to be the man who will inherit my father's estate? Then I pray my father long outlives the man."

"Who would inherit after that?" Darcy asked curiously.

Elizabeth bit her lip, and Darcy's gaze fell to her mouth. He was so enraptured at the sight that he missed her response. He gave his head a little shake and said, "My apologies; my mind wandered briefly. Could you please repeat yourself?"

"I said that I am unsure, as is my father. There is no one else. It could mean the entail is broken, or the property could revert back to the Crown."

Darcy frowned. "It is unusual that your father is unsure. Does the entail not specify?"

"That would be an excellent question for my father, or even my uncle Phillips."

"Yes, of course," Darcy said quickly. "I apologize for my rather forward questions."

Elizabeth gave him a warm smile, and his heart skipped a beat. "Not at all, sir. I do not mind answering the questions of a friend."

Darcy returned Elizabeth's smile with one of his own, and her stomach fluttered at the sight of his previously-unseen dimples. She took a steadying breath and began to speak again when they were interrupted by a shrill voice at the door.

"Oh, Mr. Darcy! Here you are!"

The pair turned to see Miss Bingley standing at the entrance to the library. She was wearing a gown that was more suited for a ball than a comfortable day at home.. Darcy stood up from his chair in respect. As she walked towards them, an overwhelming scent of perfume reached them long before its wearer did.

"You must be so bored in this room! I have told Charles time and again that it's incomprehensible how he can neglect our family library."

Miss Bingley made a show of gasping and said with feigned surprise, "Oh, Miss Eliza! I did not see you there! I thought perhaps you were a maid."

Darcy's eyes widened at this slight, but Elizabeth smiled and replied cheerfully, "I can see how you might think that. After all, as a woman grows older, her eyesight is one of the first things to fade."

Choking back a laugh, Darcy watched Miss Bingley's face turn a rather unbecoming shade of purple that unfortunately clashed with her orange gown. The fuming lady had no response, but merely stuck her nose in the air and sniffed disdainfully. She then turned her back on Elizabeth and faced Darcy. "Come, Darcy, I believe your presence has been requested…elsewhere."

"Oh? Who is inquiring after me?" he asked, and Elizabeth bit back a smirk.

Miss Bingley's face showed her panic at his refusal to jump immediately to her bidding. "Why, everyone, I believe. Come along, sir. We mustn't keep our family waiting. It is practically time for lunch, after all."

Without waiting for a response, she looped her arm through his and practically dragged him from the room. Just before exiting, she turned to Elizabeth and said, "I am delighted to see that Miss Bennet is well enough for you to leave her side. I imagine you will be leaving for you home soon. Please let me know your plans so I can make the necessary arrangements."

Elizabeth smiled impishly. "Thank you for your concern over my sister. I assure you that once we know of our plans, I will speak with the mistress of the house about them. Now, speaking of my sister, I believe I have been away from her long enough."

With that, Elizabeth swept past an irate Miss Bingley and an amused Darcy. "Well, I never," Miss Bingley huffed as Elizabeth fairly skipped out of sight.

Darcy hardly heard her. His mind was much more agreeably engaged by the sight of Elizabeth's figure, and he stared after her swaying hips until she was out of sight.

"I believe I can guess the subject of your thoughts."

He jumped as Miss Bingley practically purred the words into his ear in an attempt at intimacy.

"I doubt it," he said dryly, beginning to walk down the hallway, forcing her to come along or give up his arm.

"You are thinking about how tedious it would be to have such low company for another minute longer. I am quite in agreement with you, sir," she said, batting her eyelashes.

"You would be incorrect. I am merely meditating on the great pleasure that can be found in a pair of fine eyes."

Miss Bingley's fluttering eyes were now moving so fast, he was concerned she would become dizzy. "Might I dare inquire as to who possesses these eyes?"

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

Miss Bingley stopped suddenly midstep, and Darcy almost lost his balance as his arm was forcefully yanked backwards, still entwined with hers. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet?" she shrieked in a high voice. "I am all astonishment! Pray, when will you announce your wedding date?"

Darcy rolled his eyes and said, "I knew you would ask me that. It's amazing to me how a woman's mind can go from admiration to love, and from love to matrimony, all on the basis of a single sentence."

"Well, far be it from me to protest," Miss Bingley said snidely. "I'm sure her relatives in trade will be a joy to have visit at your estate. I can just see her aunt and mother visiting for Christmas dinner, along with your uncle the earl."

Miss Bingley was not allowed to let her wit flow for very long, as they had reached the drawing room. Upon entering, only Mrs. Hurst and Georgiana were present.

"Good morning, ladies," said Darcy with a bow. "Where are Hurst and Bingley?"

"I believe they felt you had abandoned them, so they decided to go hunting," said Mrs. Hurst. "They are freshening up in their rooms now."

Darcy flushed slightly. "I went to the library and became engrossed in a conversation with Miss Elizabeth about her family's plans for the winter."

"What did she say?" Georgiana's eyes lit up at the mention of her new friend.

Before he could answer, Hurst and Bingley entered the room. "Darcy! Where have you been, old man?" Bingley asked.

"Probably ensconced somewhere with Miss Elizabeth," said Hurst with a grin.

"Why would you say something like that?" shrieked Miss Bingley. "Really, Hurst! You could give the wrong impression to the servants, and then poor Darcy would end up compromised and forced to marry the hoydenish chit!"

Georgiana gasped at this coarse description, and Darcy's face darkened. Before he could say anything, however, Bingley stepped forward and said sternly, "Caroline, that is enough! It is clear that a night in your rooms did nothing to teach you. You will return there until you have shown your attitude has improved."

"I am not a child to be banished to my rooms!" Miss Bingley screeched.

"You wouldn't be treated like a child if you wouldn't act like one! Good Lord, Caroline! I have no idea what has come over you. If it were safe to send you to Aunt Mildred in Yorkshire, or even banish you to town, I would. I may be forced to endure your presence in my home, but that does not mean I have to suffer your company. You will remain in your rooms until you can act more like a lady and less like a harpy!"

Having never been faced with such contempt from her even-tempered brother before, Miss Bingley did the only thing she could to escape the situation: she fainted.

Bingley rolled his eyes at his sister's theatrics. "Well, at least that saves me the trouble of having to drag her to her rooms."

After giving instructions to a footman to carry her upstairs, Bingley turned to Mrs. Hurst and said, "Louisa, is lunch ready? I'm famished."