Mr. Bingley returned the visit a few days past, with Alex joining Mr. Bingley on his return to Netherfield with saddlebags containing chocolate bars. Alex wishing to make amends for his rude escape past, and hoping to make a proper acquaintance with the others.
The gift of chocolate bars was met with surprise as the new and incredibly expensive confection was usually only sold in lots at auction. The party stood at the reception dumbfounded by the show of generosity, until Mr. Darcy alluded towards Mr. Bingley to give an offer to join them for dinner.
Mr. Darcy's mind was quick to respond, because he was part of the few that have already tasted the confection, to which Georgiana had grown a liking towards. For the Bingley's however it was to be their first time to indulge upon such a rare confection, the wounds of the past seemingly forgotten at the chocolate branch offered to them.
Alex however simply scanned his surroundings, seeking for the entire polite welcome act for when Georgiana would join them. The minutes ticked by, Alex's anxiety continuing to build at the uncertainty of Georgiana's whereabouts.
"Mr. Darcy may I inquire about your sister" Alex said, being unable to contain the question.
"She is unwell" Mr. Darcy answered.
"I must see her immediately if that is so" Alex rose and approached Mr. Darcy.
"May I inquire on what reason" Mr. Darcy questioned sceptical at the apparent interest "For Mr. Jones will arrive shortly"
"I am a recognized Doctor, Mr. Darcy" Alex motioned to go "I must see so I may asses her condition immediately"
Mr. Darcy was struck by the revelation, likewise the others in the room he noted. He looked to the room discreetly and noted the question building on the tongues of the Bingley's. His opinion of Alex rose, as the man was a doctor at such a young age.
Alex felt relief at the information that Georgiana felt ill, and was not gallivanting around Meryton. The sheer hypocrisy of his own statement did not escape Alex and quickly felt shame at the thought of such a young girl being sick giving him relief. He motioned for Mr. Darcy, to lead the way, and both of them excused themselves from the others.
Alex and Mr. Darcy continued towards the room of Georgiana. They find Georgiana sat upon a chair reading Throne Wars to the exasperation of Mr. Darcy, and the guilty surprise of Georgiana.
"You felt unwell enough to meet our guest, yet strong enough to read your novels" Mr. Darcy said disappointedly "I apologize for the inconvenience and deceit, Sir Alexander"
"I am already here, and she is already caught, I say let me assess her condition so that she may follow us downstairs" Alex answered.
"I apologize for the inconvenience" said Georgiana meekly.
Alex assessed Georgiana's health and found her completely well. He noted the look of shame on Georgiana's face, that was simply remedied by handing her a chocolate bar. He also noted the selection of novels that Georgiana was reading, while she admired the chocolate she held. The fantasy books whose stories he was well acquainted with since his younger years.
Mr. Darcy and Alex would return to the others shortly after. That entire day Alex was the target of the interrogation like questions that came from the Bingleys. That evening proved to be more of the same, and at dinner it was Mr. Darcy that opened the questions.
"You serve as the town Doctor" Mr. Darcy asked.
"I am rarely at Longbourn for a majority of the year, I thus cannot service the town" Alex replied "My main office and surgery is at Oxford Street, London"
"Such a prestigious location, you must be a doctor of great renown" Miss Bingley stated.
"I chose the location, as the most prominent of my patrons would be nearby" Alex replied "The costs of rent equally as prominent, I must attest"
"Your knighthood, how did you acquire it" Mrs. Hurst asked.
Alex was relieved at the change of topic, but the sensitivity of that particular question was great. For he was sworn to secrecy at what he did to gain his knighthood and more.
"I acquired it in services to the crown in general, and the Prince of Wales in particular" Alex answered "The details I cannot divulge"
"You are acquainted with the Prince of Wales" Miss Bingley asked astonished "Do you often attend court"
"I do, but rarely" Alex said "I often spend my time in the surgery or in my office"
The remainder of the evening is spent playing cards for the Bingley's and Hurst's, but Alex stuck close to Georgiana engaging her and Mr. Darcy in a lively conversation about the slavery presented in the novels. That the three of them would find some common ground about the subject, and increasing the rapport with each other due to it.
The return of Alex to Longbourn ended that particular conversation, as Netherfield returned to its inhabitants. The retirement of Georgiana immediately after to read her book in her room, after Alex revealed a few insights about the novel.
The immediate topic of conversation for the remainder of the evening was the manners of Alexander. Their earlier judgement of him being overly proud and particularly rude was now under redress. The apparent wealth and connections that such an acquaintance would provide as the primary topic of interest.
"He seemed quite partial to the attentions of Georgiana" Mrs. Hurst noted "If only their fondness for the same books, or of a particular design he seeks"
"The connections I find suitable, but the living may not match that of Pemberly" Miss Bingley added "If he does hold certain designs towards Georgiana"
"I would not be averse to such a connection, but to attest attraction with no more than an afternoon of conversation I find presumptuous" Mr. Darcy stated "I also cannot assure that Georgiana would share the same affections presently"
"Charles your dear friend, and I am certain Georgiana holds some regard for him" Miss Bingley added "Such a connection would not be averse to you, Mr. Darcy"
"It would not indeed" Mr. Darcy answered.
"We should call on Alexander in the morning to become better acquainted" Mr. Bingley supplied being uncomfortable at the turn of the conversation "We have barely been acquainted with the entirety of the Bennet's themselves"
At Longbourn, the interrogations did not end as all the female Bennets descended like a pack of hungry wolves to question Alex about the day he spent at Netherfield. Mrs. Bennet in particular would regularly loudly proclaim the advantages of his match with Georgiana. In the library however, Mr. Bennet was thinking at the series of events that had passed.
The peculiarity of the often recluse and serious countenance of his son, engaging him in order to call on strangers, was novel for it was always his mother that forced him to join in them calling others. The sudden change stemming from attraction towards such a new acquaintance was questionable for Alex's character but he would not breach that subject, for it calmed his nerves as the fears of Alex being unsociable or worst favoring men was calmed. The overjoyed attention of Mrs. Bennet towards having Alex married so well however was a good counter balance to his nerves.
The Netherfield party would call on Longbourn later in the afternoon, having returned the call of other families first.
With Mr. Bingley has remained as lively continuously across the day. That day he would see the noted beauty of the Bennet daughters, to which he would agreeably engage in conversation. His attention would primarily focus on the eldest Miss Bennet, Jane; who gently returns his attention.
Mr. Darcy would keenly observe Alex, noting the more unrestrained and candid manners he exhibited in the comfort of his own home. The quick exchanges of wit between Mr. Bennet, Alex and Elizabeth Bennet, that did not escape his notice and their often use of obscure references. He would curiously inquire about the obscure references they used, and the conversation drifted towards the novels they referenced.
The Netherfield party retired, carrying with them books Alex was lending to Georgiana, as it was the next book in the novel series. An invitation to dinner was given by Mrs. Bennet, but politely declined due to earlier arrangements with the Lucas's.
