Dear reader, Am I posting chapters too quickly? I've noticed from the stats that some of the chapters have fewer readers. I thought perhaps that may because when the chapters are posted too close together the system does not put the story at the top of the list. I also, worried that the stay at Netherfield was a little boring but I need those chapters to establish some relationship between the two. Things move very swiftly a few chapters after they leave (I've already written them). I would love to hear your thoughts. I have just a few more chapters left for the house party but can try to edit them down If readers aren't as interested in the driving forces and insights into their actions. If so, is that because you would like to see the end of the story sooner? Even at the expanse of having more understanding of the characters, or do the details truly just muck things up? For example, I'm sure the story could have done without the Mrs. & Mr Bennet chapter, but I thought the story was more enjoyable for it. In short, I would love your two cents.

Chapter 17

Returning to the drawing room only to note the others absent, Colonel Fitzwilliam went in search of the ladies, quite concerned how Miss Bingley may act absent a witness. Beholding a view from the Library window of the women escaping the house, he thought to make haste. He arrived in time to note Darcy headed in the opposite direction of the rest of the party, looking to be in quite a state. Just as Caroline turned to scowl, thus making her position clear, Richard arrived to rescue the ladies from one another's company. He would speak with Darcy after he conversed with Elizabeth. He prayed that the conversation would be enlightening, as it would be beneficial to have the information pertinent, in order to contrive a reasonable approach, as his cousin would scrutinize every detail, however reasonable.

"Ladies, might I join you for your constitutional?" inquired Richard. Miss Bingley simpered, Elizabeth raised an inquisitive eyebrow, both declaring he was most welcome. As they took a turn about the garden, chatting on nothing of much consequence, one woman was shown every deference, the other was treated with merely every proper politeness. Beginning to sense he was not her advocate, and mayhap never would be, Miss Bingley began to regret issuing his invitation to stay. She knew, however, had she not, her ever amiable brother would have. Having an additional guest at their house party was now fixed and there was little to do about it. Though he was of little use to her, she could see no real harm in his stay. He merely proved insufficient as the ally she had hoped. She took her leave, citing a need to speak with the housekeeper and Richard began his reconnaissance.

"I see loveliness runs in your family, Miss Elizabeth. Your sisters all have their own charms."

Elizabeth sighed, "I'm sure that is rather generous of you."

"Indeed not, they're all lovely young ladies and I'm sure your mother means well." He replied, rather less circumspect and polite than was his usual wont. Richard needed to root out the cause of things so the mother may be maneuvered.

"She does mean well, of that, I'm sure, but I daresay her worry creates no benefit and merely creates more to be concerned about. She is not wicked, nor is she cruel, as she would go no further than putting two young people in company as much as she could contrive and bragging about what a fine match it would make, but I understand how it may look to a stranger, if I may be so bold as to express it so."

"I think many have done far worse than your mother, though they may be much less in need of the profit. What causes your mother to worry so?"

"My father's estate is entailed to a very distant cousin, whom we've never met, likely because we have heard no good of the father before his demise. My mother thinks running the household with economy is an extravagance that will prevent her daughters from marrying, rather than an act of prudence, as she believes failing to show us to an advantage will cost more in the long run, by way of creating more spinsters. Suffice to say, little is saved, and five daughters are out. My mother fails to understand, tis unlikely to aid her cause to have five sisters to choose from." Elizabeth gave all the appearance of teasing with her last sentiment, but Richard's well-tuned eye could discern the embarrassment and discomfort there. Those poor girls, the two eldest, being everything proper, but having the impropriety of their family depreciating their own virtues, presenting a connection to them as a liability. Where did the two of them even learn decorum?

"I daresay she is not the first matron to think in such a way. I would imagine that it is a great hardship on her sensibilities to worry for when your father is gone, especially with such an heir. Lack of knowledge often leads to excess imagination when it comes to unknowns in one's future. Being so distant a relation one cannot know if he would properly see to the responsibilities that came with such fortune, or even if he would even acknowledge those burdens as his, as sentiment cannot be counted on to drive his generosity."

"My mother's understanding is such that you have deduced everything you will ever need to in order to make sense of her activities and exclamations."

"Forgive me, may I ask, how is it that yourself and your sister are of such a different temperament? My curiosity has outweighed my manners in this matter." Richard blushed, he knew the question was impolitic and hardly tactful.

Elizabeth laughed. Richard gave her a questioning look, willing her to wish to explain herself.

"I believe it is owed, sir, to those infamous relations in trade. Though Miss Bingley would be horrified at my assertions. My aunt and uncle are everything genteel and discerning. Jane and I visited often before my aunt became too busy with her own children. I believe she provided the most significant of our examples, as my aunt's great gift in life is refining what a person's character was meant to be, as opposed to covering it with manners that are so refined that they are no longer sincere."

"She seems quite the lady."

"I daresay she is. Neither Jane nor I could love her more."

The colonel smiled and changed the topic to something more politic. They both enjoyed the rest of the stroll in a pleasant and entirely unremarkable way until Elizabeth returned to Jane.