Emma: Sorry, I seem to be rather inclined to clichés, I'll try to avoid them!
Tryn: I'm finding it quite hard to get my head round some of the language but I'm trying, any ideas!
WhiteCamellia: Mr Bingley did live at Netherfield but at the end of the book it says they only lived their for a year and then moved to be closer to the Darcys.
Anyway, here's chapter 2 for you all.
Disclaimer: As much as I wish they were my own, they belong to JA!
Chapter 2
Miss Kitty Bennet was one person who had prospered indirectly from the marriages of her older sisters. In the year following the weddings, she had found herself more and more in the company of Mrs Darcy and Mrs Bingley. The proximity of the Bingleys' new estate in Cheshire to Pemberley allowed Kitty to travel comfortably between her two sisters. It seemed that being in the society of her sisters had somewhat changed Kitty. Being away from Longbourn had encouraged her to settle. She was considerably less flighty and had developed a manner more pleasing to the society in which she now moved. Indeed, the improvement she had made had led to a decrease in the time spent at Longbourn. This suited Kitty well for she had no desire to endure Mrs. Bennet's nerves.
Her visits to Charles and Jane Bingley were frequent but hers was another heart captured by the beauty of Pemberley. The time she spent there had led her to discover a side of Mr. Darcy he had not revealed whilst in Hertfordshire. It warmed her heart to see the looks that passed between Mr and Mrs. Darcy.
It was, however, her new sister that encouraged Kitty to stay at Pemberley. In the absence of Lydia, Kitty had missed the company of someone her own age. Elizabeth had been most pleased at how Kitty and Georgiana got on, indeed she considered Georgiana to be more wholesome company than Mrs. Whickham.
That afternoon found Kitty and Georgiana taking a turn by the lake, deep in conversation. Kitty turned to see Mr and Mrs Darcy approaching them from the house.
"Lizzy!" Kitty called as her sister drew nearer, "are we bid to the Preston's this evening?"
"Kitty, it is not becoming to shout so but yes we are," chided Lizzy with a smile.
Mr. Darcy noted the look that passed between the two younger women, "It seems that my presence here is no longer desired," he laughed, "I shall take my leave as I have need to speak with my steward." He smiled lovingly at his wife and strode off.
"Come then ladies, I presume there is something you would like to ask me having driven off Mr. Darcy!" Elizabeth teased gently.
Georgiana coloured violently as Kitty tried to suppress a laugh, silenced by a stern look from her older sister.
"Do you know if Mr. William Preston shall be there?" Kitty enquired.
"I should imagine so," replied Elizabeth, pausing as Georgiana's flush deepened. "Kitty, do not tease Georgiana so. No doubt Mr. Preston will be present and I am sure that you will behave in an appropriate and ladylike manner." Kitty coloured at her sister's teasing and it was suggested that they returned to the house.
That evening found the Darcys and Miss Bennet in the company of Sir and Lady Preston. The Prestons were a respectable family who had recently moved to the north from Somerset. In the short time they had been in the neighbourhood, they had developed an amiable friendship with the Darcys.
Having dined pleasantly, the ladies had retired to the drawing room and Elizabeth found herself engaged in conversation with Miss Sophia Preston, a pleasant, although a little plain young woman.
"I hear from your mother that you are recently engaged Miss Preston."
"Yes, I am," smiled Miss Preston.
"I hope that you will be very happy!" Elizabeth wished warmly.
"Thank you Mrs. Darcy, I do believe I shall."
"Do you play Miss Preston?" Elizabeth enquired.
"Yes, a little."
"Perhaps we shall hear you play?"
"Yes, perhaps, I am sure my mother shall insist upon it."
Elizabeth glanced towards where Lady Preston sat with Georgiana. Georgiana was sat very demurely conversing with the lady in question. She watched as the young ladies eyes turned slightly to observe Kitty who was being shown a piece of embroidery by the youngest of the Prestons, twelve year old Beatrice.
The ladies were suddenly stopped in their conversations by the entrance of the gentlemen.
"Good evening ladies!" Sir Preston boomed as he took a seat in one of the armchairs. He was followed by Mr. Darcy and two younger gentlemen, Mr. William Preston and Mr. Henry Preston.
Miss Preston took her leave of Elizabeth to great her father and Elizabeth was soon joined by her husband.
"Good evening Mrs. Darcy, I trust you are having a pleasant evening?" Mr Darcy enquired.
"Indeed I am, a pleasant evening indeed." Elizabeth replied, eyes sparkling at the necessary pleasantries that passed between them. She noticed her husband's gaze fix upon his young sister who was now in the company of Mr. Preston. Elizabeth watched the young couple, Georgiana smiled and coloured a little as the gentleman addressed her but soon seemed to find herself at ease with the gentleman.
"She reminds me very much of Jane," Elizabeth commented to her husband "she has the same quiet countenance. Mr Preston seems to be an amiable man, he is very attentive towards Georgiana." This was something that had not escaped Mr. Darcy as he watched the couple with uneasiness. Elizabeth, in turn, observed her husband with concern. She understood the anxiety that passed through Mr Darcy in relation to his sister after his dealings with Mr Whickham.
The couple were distracted from their observations by laughter erupting from the table behind them where Kitty had won a game of cards with Miss Beatrice and Mr Henry Preston. Elizabeth shook her head and smiled, Kitty would always have trace of Lydia's influence in her it seemed.
Lady Preston, however, drew attention away from this by insisting that Miss Preston entertained them on the pianoforte. Miss Preston demonstrated a proficiency similar to Elizabeth's sister Mary although the company were enchanted when Beatrice sang a beautiful aria by Mozart.
The evening drew to a close, signified by a tired Beatrice suppressing a yawn and the party from Pemberley took their leave and returned home.
That night, whilst awaiting her husband, Elizabeth pondered on the events of the evening, particularly the attentions that had been paid to Georgiana. Perhaps it would be a suitable match although she imagined that Mr. Darcy would always be reserved in his judgement of any potential suitors. She respected the great love he had for his sister but she could not help but worry that he would suffocate her.
Her attention was immediately drawn away from her thoughts by the arrival of her husband. In public, they were the perfect couple, their affection only betrayed by fleeting looks. In private, however, they shared a deep intimacy on a level beyond physical affection, their very hearts were joined as one. She sighed as he drew her near and kissed the top of her head. She observed him, lines of worry were drawn across his brow.
"What worries you Fitzwilliam?" she asked, well aware of the answer.
"Georgiana."
Elizabeth moved so as to see her husband more clearly, "Georgiana is a handsome, well-accomplished young lady, surely you cannot expect her not to receive such attentions as Mr. Preston bestowed upon her this evening?"
"Indeed I cannot prevent them, yet I find it hard to rejoice in them," Darcy replied bitterly.
Elizabeth was not put of by this, "Fitzwilliam, I understand your concerns but you will have to let her go one day, lest she die an old maid. Surely you do not wish to deny your sister the happiness that we have been blessed with?"
Mr. Darcy softened, "indeed I do not, yet I am reluctant to let her go, oh Lizzy, what am I to do?"
"Trust God, for He will have it hand."
"How I love you Elizabeth" Darcy whispered.
"And I you," Elizabeth replied as her husband drew the curtains around them.
I hope you enjoyed that, it wasn't written as well as I wanted it to be, I may rewrite some bits but please review! It may be a while before I can update next as I am currently moving house, stay tuned for Mr Darcy's birthday celebrations!