So, slower updates from me, as promised. summer hols are looming, so i am hopin to have the bulk of the story written begore schools break up. I am focussing on writing and making good progress, although as always it is ending up longer than expected. at about 16000 words now, not as close to the end as I thought.

Hope that is ok for everyone, itll still be a short ish story.

thanks for all the rewies, so many people that are happy ive written more. i am really glad I can oblige you! ;)

Chapter 3 - Too wise to woo peaceably.

Elizabeth had found Jane to be more fretful after dinner. Her fever was high and her sleep unsettled. She ordered a willow bark tea and gave directions to make it up with horehound and evening primrose to help with Jane's cough and congestion. A bowl of sage water was also laid next to her to be used to wash with and, hopefully, to reduce the perspiration.

Within an hour Jane was certainly more settled and Elizabeth felt she should rejoin the group below stairs. Politeness dictated the necessity, but she was also curious to see how Mr Darcy behaved. She had enjoyed the conversation over dinner and wanted to see how he would act now.

When she returned the whole party was at loo. She was invited to join but, citing Jane, chose not to, expecting they were playing high. Darcy deliberately played himself out and declared his intent to retire from the game.

"Miss Bennet, I have lost and so you may take my chair if you wish, or I would challenge you to a game of backgammon?"

Elizabeth looked up from her book, slightly startled that Darcy had approached without her noticing.

"I thank you sir, I am quite content, you may re join your game"

"Lady Luck is not with me tonight, I would be foolish to continue playing. I never lose, or win, too heavily in games such as these. 'Tis too tempting to the fates"

She smiled slightly "In which case I believe I would enjoy a game of backgammon"

Darcy set up the board, slightly further away than was strictly necessary, and sat opposite Elizabeth. Taking a moment to gaze upon her as she looked over the board.

They rolled to see who started and the game began.

"Do you prefer backgammon to cards then Miss Eliza, I would have thought you took little pleasure in anything other than reading"

Caroline's voice was louder than strictly polite, but she would have her share of the conversation.

"I take pleasure in many things Miss Bingley. Cards included."

"I suppose there was an alternative inducement to play backgammon then"

Elizabeth suppressed the smile at the snort the Mr Darcy quietly let out.

"I cannot imagine what you mean. I do enjoy games of strategy,"

"You would likely enjoy chess then. Have you ever played?" Darcy knew his Elizabeth, the one from his memory or dream, played very well. But he was not certain if he had taught her or her father had done so.

"I have played before sir. My father taught me"

"I do not recall that being one of the lady like accomplishments taught at my seminary. Pray, miss Eliza, where did you attend school?"

Elizabeth looked up, having to avoid the amused gaze of Mr Darcy. She could not tell if he was amused at her expense of at the machinations of Miss Bingley. Prior to that day she would have assumed it was at her expense, now she was not so certain.

"My sisters and I did not attend school"

"Oh my, how hard your governess must have had to work, with their being six of you"

"Five Miss Bingley" Elizabeth suppressed the sigh "and we, none of us, had a governess"

"Oh" Elizabeth noticed the smirk on Caroline's face and suspected her next line was to be her point "I suppose you have all learnt your accomplishments at the hands of your mother then"

Caroline gave a significant look towards Darcy and turned her attention back to the game.

Elizabeth frowned and made her next move, Darcy made his, and the silence stretched.

"I have always wondered at the accomplishments of which ladies can boast"

Darcy stated, Elizabeth jerked her eyes up in surprise, Caroline was no less curious as to what Darcy would say. Bingley chimed in also, inadvertently helping Darcy.

"I find it hard to believe how all young ladies can be so accomplished"

Caroline was scathing "all young ladies? Accomplished, Charles, whatever can you mean. Some young ladies have no accomplishments to boast of" her words held meaning.

"Miss Bingley, what would you say made an accomplished woman?"

Miss Bingley sat up straighter, perceiving Darcy's interest as a way of showcasing herself. "Why they must have a thorough knowledge of the modern languages, drawing, dancing, singing and music. And she must also have something in her air and tone of address"

"Goodness, with all those accomplishments one must assume she is a paragon of virtue. I have never seen such a woman myself"

"Oh!" She screeched "How can you say such a thing! Maybe you have not had the benefit of moving in our society, we know many such ladies"

Darcy spoke up "One would assume that accomplishments are to attract a husband?"

"Why of course, what husband would wish for an unaccomplished bride" she looked meaningfully at Elizabeth, who was frowning in confusion at the turn in the conversation.

"And yet, very few of those accomplishments will help a woman run a household. I, personally, think she must expand her knowledge with extensive reading and I would not underestimate the attributes of kindness and compassion."

Elizabeth looked up, startled, and could not help but smile in response to the look he was giving her. Miss Bingley turned away, a pinched look of displeasure on her face.

In a few more moves the game was over, Elizabeth narrowly the victor. She rose and declared her intention to return to her sister. Caroline did not wait long to begin abusing her.

"Miss Eliza is one of those who seeks to promote themselves by undervaluing her fellow woman. It is a most paltry art, although I daresay it is successful on occasion."

Darcy stood, clearing away the backgammon set "all arts used by the fairer sex are paltry. They are often mean and usually completely futile."

...

So here she was, Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longborn. Expert at making out characters, failing to sleep due to the enigma that was Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.

He was proud and offensive and seemed to believe himself above the company in Hertfordshire, and yet he was kind and caring and sensitive to her needs. He flirted and was agreeable and had the most attractive dimples.

So which of the two gentlemen was the real Darcy, did she really want to know? Did she want to get to know him better?

More importantly, why did she care so much?

...

The next few days showed some steady progress in her sister's condition. Her own progress, with regards to Darcy, was less certain.

There had been occasions where she had conversed most pleasantly. Often to the chagrin of Miss Bingley. She had played him at chess, loosing but he had also taught her a few tactics that may help her in future. She had even danced a reel when Miss Bingley had played for them. The dance was cut short as Miss Bingley had claimed she had broken a nail. The dancing had been fun, his smiles ready and his moves elegant and light. The funniest point was the look on Miss Bingley's face.

There had been debates, bordering on arguments. Some so heated that Binley had asked them to take it to a different room. Caroline had attempted to join in but often was left wondering what the subject was.

However there had been times when things had not gone well. Her mother and younger sisters had arrived, all of them at once, and had been exuberant as always. Her mother, in particular, was vulgar. Darcy was, clearly, uncomfortable with the idiocy coming out of the mouths of her family. His posture became stiffer and his manner less inviting.

He was quite sharp with her mother, and ended up being quite reticent for the rest of that day. Caroline had, clearly, enjoyed the display and had made sure to remind Darcy of some of the more coarse and ill-bred remarks made.

Elizabeth had not tried to approach Darcy, she knew he did not like her family, but she had never seen that as being such an obstacle as now, when she was wondering how she felt about this man.

Darcy, for his part, had not approached Elizabeth either. He had forgotten how difficult her mother was. His memories of his, non existent, marriage included ones of his in laws. However they had clearly been on their best behaviour whenever they attended Pemberley. And Lydia's behaviour had completely altered by the time she was twenty and married to that reprobate. He had found it hard to reconcile these memories to the people in front of him now.

He had wanted to reassure Elizabeth that he thought no less of her for having a few silly relations, but had not found the time, at least not the privacy.

Jane was so much improved by Sunday and had asked to borrow the Bingley carriage. Bingley had tried to protest but Jane was firm where she felt herself to be right and so the carriage was ordered.

Darcy had engineered being able to hand Elizabeth in to the carriage, both he and she were gloveless and the tingling went straight through Darcy, accompanied by a wave of longing not permissible in an unmarried man when thinking of a gentle born lady. It could not be helped and he made sure to give her hand a quick squeeze before releasing her and walking away, his breath coming in short gasps from the sensation.

Elizabeth was glad for the removal.

"Oh Jane, I have never been so glad to leave a place in my life. Not withstanding the company of your excellent Mr Bingley of course"

"Oh Lizzie. It would seem that you and Mr Darcy were becoming friendly"

"Oh, please do not mention such to mama. How awful she would become if she saw an opportunity of securing Mr Darcy." She sighed "I do not know what to make of him. At times he was most agreeable and I found myself" she trailed away.

"You like him, do you not?"

Elizabeth looked at her sister "Jane, I believe I was half in love with him, until mama came along. How can I look to Mr Darcy when he disdains my family so, and the worst part is I cannot condemn him. Mama was awful, and Lydia silly. Who, other than family, could wish to spend time with them?"

"Lizzie, they are not so bad. And if your Mr Darcy does not wish to connect himself with your family, he is not worth you time."

"He is not my Mr Darcy, and I very much doubt he would be. You are correct. I love my family, much as they vex me, and I could not countenance a connection who would not accept that."

With that, she settled it with herself and the carriage moved onwards, taking its occupants back to their home.