By way of introduction: This new installment of short stories may or may not suit everyone's tastes. I have received numerous requests for unusual pairings and AU type personality changes. In some of these stories you may find that the characters are quite different from canon, but I will make a serious attempt to make the reason for these changes believable. For those of you who choose to read, I hope that you enjoy these little offerings. LFU

A Troublesome Promise

Fitzwilliam Darcy made a deathbed promise to the man who helped him in a time of great need. Now he owes a debt which he is finding very difficult to repay. Can he teach Charles Bingley how to be a landed gentleman and master of an estate, or is the effort truly impossible?

AN: My thanks to Kwupp2 for the idea

On the road from London to Meryton, 1811

"Do you think that we shall survive among these primitives, Mr. Darcy?" Caroline asked as she surveyed the pastoral scenes passing by the carriage window. It was clear that she looked upon one and all with disdain and falsely thought that she shared a camaraderie with the tall, handsome man seated across from her. Mrs. Hurst, her older and wiser sister, shared a momentary look with Mr. Darcy, asking forgiveness with her eyes. She and her husband knew the reason that Mr. Darcy still maintained a close acquaintance with her family, despite all of the troubles such a connection brought to him.

At the moment Fitzwilliam Darcy was just hoping that Charles Bingley had not managed to get himself into any trouble in the three days he had been alone on his newly-leased estate. Please God, let there by no entanglements this time? All that I ask is to be able to fulfill my promise to his father and then be done with the matter entirely.

Mr. Hurst was seemingly sleeping against the carriage wall beside Mr. Darcy, though he suspected that the man's slumber was another pretense. Hurst had confided long ago that he could not spend more than a quarter hour with his younger sister-in-law before he wanted to do violence. His pretense of sleeping was his only method of escape on those occasions when he felt the need to stay close and protect his dear wife from the schemes of her burdensome sister. Darcy could sympathize, but as dearly as he wished to try the method himself, he dare not. If I let down my guard even for a moment, Caroline Bingley will find some method to compromise me.

"I rode the length and breadth of the area with Bingley when he first surveyed Netherfield Park, Miss Bingley. I found it and its people to be very much like those around Pemberley: good honest folk making a good honest living. To the best of my knowledge there are no cannibals readying their roasting pots for you." He watched the chit shudder and scolded himself, I need to watch my humor. She probably believes that there is just such a situation waiting for her. Of course, if she behaves true to form, then there is all likelihood that at least a few of the locals will wish to at least pillory the woman.

He mentally shook himself, I need to shake off these negative thoughts or I will make a bad impression myself and then the locals will not listen to my cautions. How is it that men like George Wickham and Charles Bingley are so easily trusted while men like myself, who are truly trustworthy, struggle to find anyone who will listen?

The quandary persisted in Darcy's mind right up until the moment that his carriage delivered them to the doorstep of Netherfield. Then he had a new concern to worry about when Charles Bingley enthusiastically announced that he had committed the entire party to attend an assembly that same evening.

Meryton Assembly

"She's an angel, Darce! The most beautiful woman I have ever seen! And the sweetest of creatures as well! But look, there is one of her sisters. Let me introduce you so that you may dance and stop standing around in such a ridiculous manner."

"Who do you mean?"

"Over there."

Darcy looked over and saw the same young lady who had caught his attention more than once. Only a half hour before he had heard an anomaly: an intelligent conversation in a ballroom! And it was between this young lady and Sir William's eldest daughter. Perhaps...? "Then will you make the introductions, Bingley?"

"Most certainly!" And like an enthusiastic puppy, the man hurried over to where the young lady sat.

Seven minutes later the next dance began and Darcy was out on the floor with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, thankfully far away from either Mister or Miss Bingley. He had not spent a great deal of time contemplating her appearance, but he had to admit now that her fine eyes and her smile definitely made her look quite pretty. They had danced for the first five minutes in silence until Elizabeth finally asked, "We hear that you have come specifically to teach Mr. Bingley how to be master of an estate. Forgive my impertinence, but you seem young yourself. Are you so highly qualified?"

Darcy was startled by such a forward question, but at least the young woman wasn't immediately fawning over him, "Sadly, I took over my father's estates five years ago upon his passing. Whether I am qualified to teach another or not is its own issue. But Mr. Bingley's father was a great aid to me in understanding my father's investments, so I promised to give it an honest attempt."

Elizabeth's eyes were sincerely sad as she answered, "I am sorry to hear of your father, Mr. Darcy. I hope that my impertinent words did not bring back too many sad memories."

Their hands met in the gyrations of the dance and he gave her slender hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance, "Do not concern yourself on that, Miss Elizabeth. Although I often think of my father even still, my memories are mostly fond now."

"Then you have adopted my own philosophy to think only on the past as it gives you pleasure. I commend you on this. And may I ask, how does your pupil? My father was given to understand that this is not actually the first estate that Mr. Bingley has leased?"

Once again, Darcy was surprised at the question and even more surprised at his willingness to answer forthrightly, "This will actually be his third. On my recommendation, he began with a smallish estate near London. Then a second, slightly larger in Nottingham. The first was too near the enticements of London. The second would have taken more work to restore than Mr. Bingley was willing to provide. This third is, by my estimation, in relatively good condition with a full list of tenants and all structures in good repair. I am hoping that this property will set Mr. Bingley on his own two feet and able to take full responsibility."

Elizabeth was silent and contemplative, her eyes straying to where Mr. Bingley was making much of his interest in her sister Jane. "He is unreliable, then?"

Darcy struggled with his answer as the dance ended. Not wishing to lose this opportunity, he asked quickly, "Are you already spoken for the next dance, Miss Elizabeth?"

She blushed at the plea in the handsome man's eyes, but sadly answered, "I am afraid that the rest of my card is full, Mr. Darcy." They were walking off the floor, with him deliberately leading her toward an unoccupied area so that he could keep her a minute longer.

"Then could I request your permission to pay a call sometime soon? Tomorrow or the morning next?"

Elizabeth consented to the latter and felt her heart flutter at the gratitude in the man's eyes. Goodness, I'm having trouble breathing! Am I turning into my younger sisters?

For the rest of the evening her eyes followed Mr. Darcy even when she was dancing... but they found Mr. Bingley and Jane just as often. Jane is two and twenty, the most beautiful woman in the county, and desperate to marry and leave our home. Should I encourage the match or do my all to keep them apart?

Elizabeth was the only person in the family who knew that Jane's sweet temper had been tested to the limit just this past year. A man with an estate in the south of England had paid a visit to his relatives, the Longs, and had fallen quite quickly for Jane. Jane, for her part, had been well on her way toward falling in love with him.

All might have gone differently, but their mother, desperate to see her daughter married, had tried to force a compromise. Jane was humiliated and her suitor was disgusted. He departed with haste the next morning and not a word was heard since. It had done much to open Jane's eyes, but it had also served to make her determined to marry and get as far away from Longbourn as possible.

On the road towards Meryton, two days later...

The entire Bennet sisterhood were out on the road and on their way towards Meryton. Kitty and Lydia were, probably hurrying toward mischief. Mary had been forced to play chaperon for Jane and Mr. Bingley by their Mama, mostly because the woman did not want Elizabeth to take on the task. Mary would be distracted while Elizabeth might be too protective. The best that Elizabeth could do was to walk behind so that she could watch for untoward behavior.

That left Elizabeth walking almost alone with the tall and handsome Mr. Darcy... a situation which was not unpalatable for either party. Mr. Darcy clearly had something that he wished to voice, so Elizabeth walked silently beside him and waited. Finally he said, "Miss Elizabeth... what I am about to tell you, I tell you in confidence for the sake of your sister." He paused, waiting for a reaction.

"You have something to say and I am willing to listen. You have my word that I will keep your confidence, but only so long as doing so will not endanger my sisters."

"That is reasonable, but please know that I am telling you this so that you may take measures to safeguard your elder sister."

"Goodness! Now you have me worried!" She could not help but speed her pace to draw closer to Jane and Mr. Bingley, but Darcy restrained her by the simple expedient of retaining her hand.

"Please... allow me to have my say and then we may discuss the best recourse. I have found in the past that warnings from me do not have the desired effect. Most people, upon meeting both me and Mr. Bingley, will automatically lend credence to him rather than myself. I seem to lack the charm to make myself credible."

Elizabeth did not say that she found him quite charming, but she did say, "You have my word that I will listen with an open mind, Mr. Darcy."

"Very well. I have known Charles Bingley since Cambridge, though he was only just beginning when I was at the end of my university days. I was immediately impressed with his kind and cheerful nature, enough so that I stepped in and defended him against those who resented his ties to trade. I found him to be a good man, if somewhat flighty and with a tendency to fall in love with every pretty young woman he met.

"When my own dear father passed, I inherited all but some small bequests and my sister's dowry. Among my new responsibilities were several investments of a considerable sum. Two of those investments were in quite a mess, so I turned to the man associated with the longest-term and most-profitable investment, the elder Mr. Bingley, Charles' father. He graciously helped me to understand my father's portfolio and to deal with the legal issues around the poorly performing accounts. Without his help the estate would have lost a considerable sum and might have embroiled me in legal issues.

"Needless to say, I was very grateful, so I maintained an acquaintance with the man and his son. A year after my own father's death, Mr. Bingley, Sr. was diagnosed with a quick-spreading cancer which would soon take his life. He called me to his sickbed and begged of me a promise to try and help his son to become a landed gentleman. I had no hesitation in agreeing..."

There was another long silence and Elizabeth prompted, "But it has not turned out as it should?"

Darcy sighed and answered, "Charles Bingley does not have a malicious bone in his body, so far as I can find. That particular trait belongs to his youngest sister. He is a man with more good intent than application. He enters into every venture with the strong determination to do his absolute best, but is often and swiftly turned away toward a new pursuit... most often of the female variety." He saw Elizabeth's silent question and answered, "And just as with his responsibilities, his intentions toward the ladies begin with the best of intentions... but if there is any seed of encouragement..."

"My Jane would not encourage him toward anything improper," Elizabeth declared, though without as much heat as she wished were possible. Jane has been rather desperate of late. Would she allow or even encourage liberties in her desperation?

"Please know that I did not mean to imply anything of the kind. But when a young couple begin to display feelings, it is easy to overturn propriety in the heat of the moment. Without a strong moral compass and a firm determination, it is actually all too common."

"And you are saying that Mr. Bingley has neither?"

Elizabeth felt the man's muscles bunch under her hand. "I wish that I could say otherwise, but his elder sister, her husband, and I have had to extract him from several close situations which would have gone unchecked otherwise. I would not wish for your sister and you... your family to be harmed by this."

"And if he truly wishes to marry my sister?"

"He often falls in and out of love, but we can hope? While maintaining the closest of watches on them, of course. I hope... will you aid me in this matter? If it would not be too much of a burden on you, I shall make it a point to always visit with him and we... together... may watch over their best interests."

Elizabeth did not know whether to be disappointed that this man's visits were for a different purpose or hopeful for their continued time together. She chose to guard her heart and still hope for the latter idea. "I would be pleased to receive your calls in the manner intended, Mr. Darcy."

That mysterious answer plagued Mr. Darcy for the next several weeks as they did exactly as discussed. Does she welcome my calls for myself, or only to protect her sister? What does she think of me? Though it had not been Elizabeth's intention, that plaguing question served to keep her constantly on Mr. Darcy's mind... which served its own purposes. Of course, since he was nearly as often on her mind, it was only fair.

Netherfield Park, mid-November

Darcy and Elizabeth were strolling the garden in the early morning, before any of the others were ever awake. He could see that his walking partner was distressed.

"I intended to come down last evening and sit with the party, but when I stepped out of my room I found Mr. Bingley lingering near Jane's sick-room door, Mr. Darcy. And when I went in to see her, I was troubled to discover that the maid who was attending her had long since been sent away. I do not know what to do or think?"

Neither paid particular notice to the fact than Miss Bennet's hand was wrapped possessively around Mr. Darcy's forearm or that his other hand was laid just as possessively over that hand. It had become their natural way of walking, though they had taken no further intimacies. Darcy shook his head, "Please forgive me for saying this, Elizabeth, but am I wrong in feeling that your sister is just as determined as Charles in breaking with propriety? You have implied that she is more than ready to return home, yet..."

Elizabeth, though pleased with her companion's easy and familiar use of her name, sighed, "And yet she will not leave. You may say it and know that I will not jump down your throat. I have admitted only to you that Jane is more than ready to be married and away from our mother. Is there not a way that we might encourage the two of them to just get married and call it good? So far as I can see, you are the only person doing anything in the running of this estate. If three times is the charm, I am afraid that in this case three times tells the tale. Charles Bingley will never be a proper master for an estate. But with the income from his very large inheritance the two of them could live quite well. I do not mean to sound mercenary, but..."

"Would your father approve such a match?"

"I cannot say yea or nay. If it were me, possibly not. I am his favorite and he does not think any man worthy..." Her eyes involuntarily sought out those of her walking partner. "In my case it would have to be a man of proven responsibility and character. But so long as Jane is well cared for... But would he be faithful, do you think?"

"I cannot say. For a time at least. If we were to press for this solution, I would see to it that the marriage settlement left your sister well-cared for regardless... are we agreed, then?"

Elizabeth stopped, turned, and looked up into the face she was coming to love most dearly, "We are agreed. Truthfully I am afraid that they are already taking matters into their own hands. Marriage is their only proper solution."

Then Mr. Darcy surprised her in a most pleasing way, "And is it not also the best solution for you and I as well, My Elizabeth. Truth be told, every time I look upon your beauty I want to kiss your lips and more. Once we settle the matter of our troublesome charges, could we not then seek to solve our own feelings as well." Having said the words, he now took action with a light kiss that quickly turned into a passionate one with Elizabeth's full and enthusiastic participation.

When she finally pulled away, Elizabeth answered, "Fitzwilliam Darcy, it has been many weeks since I resolved that you are the only man in the world that I could possibly marry. Yes, Sir, I will be quite pleased with your solution."

As anticipated, Mr. Bennet was most unfair in the way that he conducted his interviews with his daughters' intendeds. With Mr. Bingley, even though the man had honestly stated that he was unsuited to be master of a property and even though he offered not alternative pursuits, Mr. Bennet happily gave Jane's hand to the man. From certain reports from Mrs. Hill about Jane's morning travails with the chamber pot, he probably saw little choice in the matter.

When Fitzwilliam Darcy stepped into the man's office, however, he grilled the man endlessly and minutely on every aspect of his life and conduct. To be fair, when the interview was over and his consent was given, Mr. Bennet held his second future son-in-law in much higher regard than he did his first. That respect and even liking would last for many decades and Mr. Bennet was always pleased when the man paid a visit... he could not say the same for the first.

Jane married Charles and Elizabeth married Fitzwilliam Darcy in a double-ceremony. Mrs. Bennet was less than pleased when she learned that her favorite daughter would not be the Mistress of Netherfield Park after she had bragged to one and all about that eventuality. In fact, Darcy had to buy out the remainder of the lease so that Charles and Jane could hurry off to their own pursuits. When he and Elizabeth managed to turn it into a profitable estate, he chose to purchase the property for a second son.

Of course they kept that information hidden from Mrs. Bennet, lest she attempt to install herself on the property.

Elizabeth and Darcy spent most of their time at Pemberley or one of their other estates. They birthed and raised two sons and two daughters and were quite content.

Jane and Charles had their first child seven months after their wedding, proving that the other couple's best efforts were hopelessly ineffective. They went on to have two more which definitely looked like their shared traits. There were rumors after that that Jane might have taken other lovers. Of course by then Charles had been seen to chase after quite a list of "angels" among the London crowd, so one might say that they fit in well with the rest of the Ton.

Darcy and his bride continued to maintain a close friendship with the Hursts, but after the wedding the Bingleys, including Miss Bingley, were left to their own devices. On one occasion Darcy was feeling guilty for his failure to carry out his promise to the elder Mr. Bingley, but the other three did their best to reassure him that he had done all that he could.

Sometimes a troublesome promise is just impossible to fulfill. As Hurst put it, "Let them be, Darcy. They were always going to do exactly what they wanted in the end anyway."

Of course Darcy always credited Mr. Bingley, Sr. for his part in bringing Elizabeth into his life.