A/N - hello everyone, happy weekend. i hope you are all having a good one. shockingly sunny here in the uk. i know its supposed to be summer, but that aint no guarantee on the rainy isle. :)

absolutely overwhelmed by the number of reviews so far. thank you so much. wow. you guys are the best!

so a note on regency language. I do try, really I do, and if i make a mistake please feel free to point it out. This is not my day job and i am no expert. i am gonna leave 'discombobulate' just cuz I love that word, but apparently im about a hundred years too early for it. sorry folks.

i struggled to find a good place to stop this chapter. the best pause point was just too long. so its a bit short and a bit of a poor place to stop, i apologise.

its rated T, i think it'll really be about a K+, but i wanted to start on the safe side. i'll try to post about once to twice per week. The story is about 13000 words so far,and im not far off the end, i think. defo 'low' angst, so far. hope that suits everyone after my last angsty one! :)

disclaimer, i dont own p&p, the characters all belong to JA, im just borrowing them. this is all my own work, please dont steal it. thanks!

Chapter 2 - Things won are done, joy's soul lies in the wooing.

Elizabeth was self conscious as she entered the drawing room on Darcy's arm, it was unintentional but quite conspicuous in such a small party. Caroline, of course, noticed the pair enter, as very little escaped her notice when Darcy was involved, her eyes narrowed in consternation.

"Darcy, darling." She rose and moved towards him "How was your game of billiards? Did you win?" She tittered behind her hand.

"I did not win or lose. Miss Bennet lost her way and came to rescue me from either fate and we are now come to see how fares the company in here"

"Miss Bennet," Bingley jumped up from his seat where he had been staring absently in to the flames of he hearty fire warming the large room. "How does your sister?"

Elizabeth smiled warmly at the obvious concern in Bingley's voice, using the enquiry to detach herself from Darcy and move in to the room "She was resting when I left her. I am most grateful to you, and you Miss Bingley, for allowing me to stay. She is easier with me here"

"Of course" exclaimed Bingley "we are most happy to have you, are we not Caroline?"

"Indeed"

Elizabeth suppressed the smile that threatened and was thankfully saved from making a reply by the call to dinner. Darcy was perturbed to see Bingley offer his arm to Elizabeth leaving him with no choice but to escort Miss Bingley. He seated her at the mistresses seat and was left with two choices, to sit next to her, but also next to Miss Bennet. Or to sit next to Bingley and opposite Miss Bennet. The former was more conducive to private conversation with Miss Bennet, however he would likely be regularly inopportuned by Caroline. The latter would allow him to avoid any form of tete-a-tete with Miss Bingely, but would only allow conversation between himself and Elizabeth to include Bingley. He opted for the latter, feeling he had already perturbed Elizabeth today with too much single conversation.

Caroline noted, with displeasure, the seating arrangements. Her preferred position would have been with Hurst between herself and Eliza and Darcy on her other side. She knew Hurst would not take his attention off his food and wine and therefore she would be free to converse solely with Mr Darcy.

She was not certain what was occurring. She had been reasonably sure that Mr Darcy had been considering making her an offer. He had been attentive to her as a hostess, she was sure he was impressed with the way she ran the household. She had made certain that he had overheard a few, key, conversations she had been having with the housekeeper. As a way of showcasing her superior education and abilities.

Darcy had made that comment about that chit, Eliza's, eyes. But his response to her teasing had been reassuring. If only she had been allowed to care for him after his fall! She could have engineered a compromise and made it look like compassion. But his valet had rarely left his side and he had not been a-bed long enough to make it possible.

Ever since he had been back on his feet he had become coolly indifferent to her. A situation she found most vexing.

She spoke with her sister whilst watching the trio at the other end of the table have a lively discussion of some sort. Her attempts at joining the conversation were met with a complete lack of enthusiasm and she could have sworn Eliza suppressed a smirk at her on one occasion.

How dare she! Caroline must find a way to get her out of the house.

When the ladies separated Elizabeth excused herself to check on Jane.

...

Darcy, meanwhile, was being questioned by Bingley.

"I say Darcy, you seem to be showing Miss Elizabeth a fair amount of attention. I cannot make out what you mean by it. She is an exceedingly interesting young lady, but you are not usually one to rattle away. It is most uncommon. Do not fear, my friend, you are not likely to raise expectations, yet. I am merely curious"

Darcy glanced at Hurst, who was snoring softly, brandy glass precariously balanced.

"Bingley, I cannot explain exactly what I am about. You would be unlikely to believe me. But I am interested in getting to know Miss Elizabeth better."

Bingley sighed "Caroline will be disappointed"

Darcy frowned "I do not understand, I have done nothing to raise her expectations."

Bingley looked a little sheepish "You did mention to me you were considering her."

"Which, of course, you did not tell her"

The silence spoke volumes.

"Charles, how could you?"

"I did not exactly say that, exactly. I may have mentioned you were considering if you two would suit"

Darcy growled in exasperation

"You must correct her assumption"

"It was not an assumption. You have been paying her a great deal of attention"

Darcy frowned "not enough to raise any sort of expectations, my honour is not engaged Bingley. I will not be forced here"

"Of course not my friend." Bingley raised both his hands in a gesture intended to placate, "I would never do such a thing. I confess a," he paused "more formal, connection with Darcy house would be desired, but I would not stoop to going against your will. I am sorry for giving her the idea. 'Twas poorly done of me. I meant no harm. I thought she may be on her best behaviour if she thought she had a chance to show off. I did so want my house here to be a success, a good hostess is invaluable for me to ingratiate myself with the local community. Having Caroline run things smoothly has been a big help."

Darcy sighed. "Bingley, you just let her know you were mistaken. I am not considering her. I may have thought that an alliance would be helpful with some of the aspects of my family life. However, I did not do more than consider and choose against her." He did not wish to insult his friend, and much of his reasons for shuddering at the thought of marrying Miss Bingley were due to memories which may not be anything other an fanciful imaginings on his part. "I am sorry if this causes an issue, however I am considering courting Miss Elizabeth, if she will allow me to, and I would not wish Miss Bingley to become vengeful."

"I will speak to her." The look on Bingley's face suggested he did not wish to do any such thing, but Darcy trusted he would do. Perhaps.

"Shall we join the ladies?"

"Yes, let us do that"

They woke Hurst and finished their port before rising to attend the party in the drawing room.

...

When they returned to the ladies, Darcy noted the lack of Elizabeth's presence immediately. He did not have to wait long before he discovered where she might be. Bingley aided him in this respect.

"But where is Miss Bennet?" he cried, on noticing her absence, as Caroline proposed a game of loo.

"She returned to nursing Jane." Declared Mrs Hurst

"Oh, I do hope she is no worse"

"Really Charles, she will be perfectly well! What does Eliza think by scampering about the country because her sister has a cold. I could hardly keep my countenance this morning, her hems were six inches deep in mud if at all"

"Quite so my dear" chimed in her sister.

"I must confess I hardly noticed, I thought she looked remarkably well." Bingley declared, moving towards the card table that the servants were placing.

"It shows an abominable sort of conceited independence" Caroline continued, completely ignoring her brother.

"It shows an affection for her sister which I find admirable"

Had such a statement come from Charles, Caroline would have no doubt continued to ignore him. The fact that it was Mr Darcy's strong baritone declaring such had the room silenced. He was happy to continue.

"I would wish for such devotion in my family. I am of the opinion that kindness is a rare commodity and one to be cherished and respected. Will you deal Geoffrey?"

Darcy's words silenced Caroline momentarily. But she was not ready to give up yet.

"Jane Bennet is a sweet girl. But her mother, goodness me how she goes on. Louisa and I were asking after her relations. Do you know her uncle is in trade, and resides in Cheapside?"

"Perhaps we should call, when we are next in town" both Caroline and Louisa erupted in to giggles.

"I believe I have heard of Mr Gardiner and he is quite well respected as a businessman." Darcy looked sideways at Bingley, a small smile playing about his mouth "Charles, your father's business is now run by your godfather, is it not? Mr Gardiner may well be an excellent connection for him."

Hurst snorted in amusement at the red faces of both Louisa and Caroline, not being half so well entertained in their company before.

Bingley merely cleared his throat.

"Well, shall we focus on the game?"