It was evident at the current moment of the admiration between Jane and Mr. Bingley. They showed a preference for each other's company, and seemed to gravitate towards each other even in a crowded room. The preference they shared towards each other was sickeningly sweet, but for the normally reserved Jane it was a clear indicator for those who knew her intimately of her deep love for Mr. Bingley.

It added to the guilt Alex would feel after the Netherfield party would leave Longbourn. The present guilt he feels would be from his plans to simply manipulate Miss Darcy. The previously shy and guarded Georgiana now blossoming into a confident and lively woman, that Alex has grown fond of.

This fondness would tie Alex's tongue in informing Miss Darcy of his coming departure for a whole two hours, until the anxiety grew until he could not hold it much longer. The following hour Miss Darcy strove to be a great discomfort for Alex, as she insisted upon him dancing with her for its duration at the center of the room as recompense.

"Are you perchance a Blackguard heavily indebted. That you would flee immediately from your home" Georgiana inquired, Alex being caught by the pointedness of the question asked her to repeat it.

"Are you some fortune hunter that sought my regard for my 30,000 pounds" Georgiana asked pointedly "A blackguard running from his creditors"

Alex not understanding the cause for such a line of questioning hesitated in answering. He simply looked at her intrigued at the sudden turn of conversation, Georgiana looking increasingly incensed at his lack of answer. Alex, unwilling to risk her ire, chose to answer her questions honestly.

"I am certainly in debt, but I am not running from my creditors. For I am perfectly capable of balancing my finances" Alex answered "I have been called rash, forward and sometimes discourteous, but I am by no means a Blackguard I hope"

The answers Alex gave looked insufficient to mollify Miss Darcy. Miss Darcy who bowed and left with an uncertain expression on her face. He looked towards Miss Darcy talking with her brother, who was keenly returning the attention to Alex.

The loud laughter of Lydia broke Alex of his fretting, and the bright red coat of the officer she was speaking with seemed to lift a fog from his mind. Mr. Wickham was the cause of such pointed questions, Alex surmised. The situation with Mr. Wickham was what she wished to avoid and the pointed questions was her proactive defense in avoiding suffering the same.

"Misery enjoys company it would seem" Elizabeth said appearing behind Alex.

"And happiness seems to be a disease" Alex stated gesturing towards Jane and Mr. Bingley.

"It would seem I am not to wish you joy anytime soon" Elizabeth replied now gesturing to the Darcys.

"You may be surprised, if I am to wish you joy earlier" Alex responded.

"I doubt that very much" Elizabeth stated "If you are insinuating towards Mr. Darcy, then I am barely tolerable and of little consequence to him"

The witty remarks of the two Bennets could not be more opposite of the Darcys. The brother attempted to calm his sister and reassure her of his support. The sister attempts to induce her brother to investigate Alex in order to discover some form of heinous designs. With Miss Bingley stoking the fires of Georgiana's resolve, and disparaging Elizabeth and Alexander Bennet's situations.

"He earns two thousand a year from his sinecure, I am told. He must be an avid gambler in order to be in debt" Miss Bingley supplied "And rumour is he also oversees the finances of Longbourn, a property of another two thousand a year"

"He also has his surgery" Georgiana added "The income from that must also be considered"

"He has probably already spent the fortunes of his sisters" Miss Bingley continued "That is twelve thousand pounds. The sisters most likely have no fortune to their name"

For Georgiana the situation was more important than mere speculation. The growing feelings she is developing towards Alex was weighing on her. Those same feelings that almost led her to disaster with Mr. Wickham was raising itself for Alex. The discovery of Alex being in debt added to her anxiety, she could not reconcile the difference between feeling for her or the fortune.

This continued for sometime, the two deepening their speculations on the financial situation of Alexander. With Darcy more understanding of the situation, since estates are burdensome properties and their maintenance sometimes require vast sums of money for critical repairs or renovations. The sheer vastness of income sources by Alex astounded Mr. Darcy in truth, the skills that could generate income was a good assurance of responsibility.

Mr. Darcy having decided that Georgiana was not to be prevailed upon bowed and left their company. The target of his abrupt withdrawal was in order to gain an advantageous viewing position of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, that was coincidentally beside Sir William.

"What a charming amusement for young people this is Mr. Darcy" Sir William said "A primary requirement of polished society"

"It is not Sir, for every savage can dance" Mr. Darcy replied.

Sir William smiled in response as his thoughts were struck down so abruptly. Sir William however was relieved at the arrival of Alexander, who gave respite to the growing awkward tension.

"Alex here has danced well with your sister did he not Mr. Darcy" Sir William supplied "They may well dance at St. James if Alex cared for it"

"Yes, they did dance well" Mr. Darcy replied "But by no means capital"

"You are an adept at the dance, Mr. Darcy. For I saw you dance at Meryton, and it gave me such pleasure" Sir William stated "Your dancing at St. James would be a proper compliment "

"It is a compliment I never pay to any place if I can avoid it" Mr. Darcy replied, and quickly bowed and left Sir William and Sir Alexander. For Elizabeth has repositioned herself opposite away from his view.

"With Mr. Darcy being in town yet avoids assemblies I question his ability to present Georgiana anywhere" Alexander stated "For he would be a terrible chaperone"