3 chapters posted yesterday, and a few very rapidly (for me) in the days before. I just wanted to let all of the guests know so they did not miss a chapter (s).

Chapter 21

A new day dawned and the whole party awoke to improved spirits. Jane was doing quite well, though not entirely restored, she was now able to break her fast with the rest of the party. The sisters descended the stairs together and entered the breakfast parlor, Jane smiled as soon as her eyes met Bingley's. He briefly forgot the confusion wrought by yesterday and felt the pure joy of his angel awaking in his home and joining him so early in the day. The party all greeted one another and Elizabeth announced her intention for a walk, hoping in addition to indulging her own preferences, her sister would have time with her suitor.

Miss Bingley and the Hursts' were still abed, leaving no one to disrupt the natural flow of harmony amongst the party. Richard and Darcy agreed to ride out once Richard replied to a letter. All was decided so that each would have their own comfort, until Jane declared her intention to return home on the morrow, restoring Bingley's previous doubts as to her affections. He attempted to persuade her to stay, hoping to discover a preference for his company. Not having the pleasure of understanding his motives, she politely declined, hoping to make it understood that she meant nothing scheming by arriving wet and ill, and would do nothing improper by staying longer than she was ill to further her own interests. Jane was determined to show, whatever her mother's behavior, hers would always be strictly proper.

As Elizabeth rose to walk out, Darcy offered to join her, hoping at least to further her good opinion of him. As they entered the garden, he requested her advice.

"Miss Elizabeth, I was wondering if you would be inclined to help improve the neighborhood's opinion of me at the ball?" inquired Darcy.

"And what am I to do sir? Declare your new manners to all the neighbors each time I take a turn at gossip" she teased.

"Indeed not," he smiled, understanding her jest, "I was hoping to prove more considerate and was wondering if you could recommend a few dance partners."

"Well, as we know, I'm not tolerable enough to tempt you, so I suppose I would have to recommend Jane, as she is the renowned local beauty. If she fails to entice you, sir, you will need to remove to a new country to find a partner to entice you."

"I had hoped to have you amongst my partners, that is, if you would not object to standing up with me? I understand I made somewhat of a spectacle of my preferences at the assembly, so I did not wish to put you in the position of refusing me. I would not suspend any pleasure of yours and would not have you sit out for refusing me. I never enjoy the activity, as you know, unless I am well acquainted with my partner."

"As to the offense to myself, I believe that is all forgotten, on my part at least," she smiled, quite curious at this motives for suddenly wishing to dance, and went on to say "though I cannot speak for the neighborhood at large. My mother has forbidden me to dance with you, you know, should you ever ask." She paused to laugh, eyes gleaming in the morning light, while he looked at her in horror, managing to feel enticed and afraid all at once, "But fear not, my father has issued a general directive giving me license to disregard my mother's advice and use my good sense in its stead, whenever I deem it more proper." Darcy couldn't help it, he smiled too.

'`And what instigated such an initiative on your father's behalf?' he inquired, quite serious, thinking on any number of things that may provoke Mr. Bennet to limit Mrs. Bennet's efficacy in any number of endeavors, resenting him a bit for putting the burden on his daughter.

"Somethings are left best unsaid Mr. Darcy," she said with a smirk. He smiled back, in truth he was entirely relieved she was willing to dance with him, he was becoming rather sure she would prefer to sit out before they had spoken. Elizabeth then persisted in her teasing, while pronouncing his dance partners ``As to the rest, you'll find Jane's serenity a comfort, Charlotte Lucas is quite sensible, Mary is quite awkward, not so much with the steps, but she is unaccustomed to being asked. I daresay, she'll wish to speak even less than you, perhaps you will only suffer an ill-applied bit of scripture or two. I beg you not to meditate on it too long, as it is likely not applicable. More than one person has lost an evening thinking on how Mary meant to apply something. I wouldn't countenance you leaving out Miss Bingley either, the sooner you have it done with the better."

"Do you mean to throw me to the mercy of the very woman you vowed to protect me from, madam." teased Mr. Darcy.

"Indeed Mr. Darcy, and for your own good. It wouldn't do to have Miss Bingley following you about, constantly hinting for a dance. She may trip your other partners if she fails to believe she will get her fair share. It would not do for a gentleman to leave us to such dangers. I implore you to stand up with her first, so she may content herself by suspecting your preference."

"I will leave you to decide your dance then madam, as I can swear to you on my honor to see to your instruction and keep your feet safe."

"Very well, you shall have the supper set, but I warn you, I never speak of books in a ballroom."

"Is it by rule then, or do you merely state your own preference?"

"Neither, my head is always too full of the goings-on. I'll expect you, sir, to make insightful comments about our neighbors throughout our set."

"I'll come prepared then, madam, as you have failed to reserve me until half the event is through."

"I daresay, I suspected you would enjoy having the better half of the evening to acquit yourself of your dance with Miss Bingley. What if I had requested the second sir, you'd have the first and no other with your hostess, according to our terms."

Darcy cringed, Elizabeth laughed. "I see the sense in your argument madam, it only remains to follow your instructions." He bowed and took his leave to ride out with Richard, who didn't fail to see him grinning like an idiot while he was mounting his horse.