Thank you to everyone who so kindly wished me a good weekend; it was good, but what a weekend. My uncle's car broke down on the way to the Great North Run so he hitchhiked up to Newcastle, then my twin brother had to drop me and my uncle back off at his car so it could be recovered the rest of the way home. It took almost 10 hours to do a 3 and a half hour journey and I didn't get home until 3:45 this morning.
Back home safe now though, and with wifi so hopefully I shouldn't have to move around looking for a strong enough signal to update the story lol.
Thank you for all of the lovely reviews, and now back to the story.
Heaven x
The Netherfield party made sure they were among the last to leave Lucas Lodge that evening in order to ensure that they could aid Miss Elizabeth and Miss Catherine. As they were assembling their belongings a servant came in and asked to speak to the present Miss Bennets.
"What is it Hill?" asked Kitty having heard the request as it was made.
Hill pulled Kitty and Lizzie aside and began signing rather than speaking. Most of the servants at Longbourn had learned sign language from Kitty and Lizzie when Lizzie had first learnt so as to communicate with them without Mrs Bennet knowing what was said. All of the servants liked the two girls and had wanted a way to comfort them without raising the ire of their employer's wife.
When, earlier that evening, Mrs Bennet and her two spoilt daughters had returned from their evening and instructed the staff not to let in the middle Bennet daughters, Mrs Hill knew she had to do something. She had tried to speak to Mr Bennet but he was already asleep in his bookroom smelling strongly of his favoured port. Knowing that nothing further could be done until the morning, and knowing that if the Lucases didn't host them for the night that any of the tenants would be glad to, Mrs Hill requested that a trunk be made up for the misses.
When her husband carried three trunks down to the kitchen instead of just one, Mrs Hill suspected trouble. When he explained that their abigail had packed as much as she could after hearing the youngest Miss Bennet declare that she would just take what she liked from the rooms of her sisters, Mrs Hill knew that she would have to speak to the girls.
So it was that she found herself at Lucas Lodge, explaining the sequence of events to her two favourite Bennets.
The gentlemen of Netherfield had spotted the exchange and were about to walk over to them to discover what was going on when they were stopped by Miss Lucas.
"I fear sirs, that this is a conversation you would not wish to be privy to. It would appear as though my friends will be in need of your assistance, at least for tonight. They may further explain Mrs Hill's appearance to you on the morrow, but know that her presence means that Mrs Bennet has carried through on her threat, for tonight at least."
The gentlemen all nodded at her words and waited for the exchange to reach its conclusion. After a short while Miss Elizabeth and Miss Catherine both gave Mrs Hill a hug and made their way towards the gentlemen.
"It would seem Mr Bingley, that my sister and I will be taking you up on your kind offer of hospitality, for tonight at least," began Lizzie. "I feel I must thank you and apologise Mr Bingley. You are very generous to allow us to stay at Netherfield with you, and I am only sorry that my abominable behaviour is the reason that the offer needed making."
"Not at all Miss Elizabeth," returned Mr Bingley, "I am most happy to be able to offer up my home to a neighbour in need, and feel that your behaviour may have been justified. Without meaning to cause you any distress, it seemed like Mrs Bennet was rather aiming to upset you, so I feel gratified that you were able to stand up for yourself."
"Indeed, Mr Bingley. My mother frequently seeks ways to degrade and upset me, but my behaviour was not as it should have been tonight. I will not allow you to justify my behaviour when I myself cannot condone it. I thank you for trying though," she replied with a small rueful smile.
"Are we to leave for Netherfield now?" questioned Mr Darcy, who had been studying Elizabeth's face for signs of distress. "I fear that our hosts are only awaiting our departure."
The rest of the party merely nodded, making their way to the carriages, within which Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley sat waiting. Mr Hurst joined his wife and sister-in-law in the first carriage and Bingley and Darcy joined the two Bennets in the other carriage.
Once they arrived at Netherfield Mr Bingley ordered two rooms to be readied for his guests. Once they were ready, Miss Bingley reluctantly showed her guests the way to their rooms, silently admonishing her brother's amiability for forcing her into the company of such wild examples of country manners.
Lizzie and Kitty were having a silent conversation, signing quickly to each other, whilst following their hostess. They both agreed to send a note to their father as soon as was polite the next morning.
When they reached their rooms both ladies thanked their hostess and retired for the night. Miss Bingley then retired to her own room, grateful that they were only hosting the Bennets for one night.
The next morning Mr Darcy woke up early wishing for a long ride on his horse before everyone else woke, and was disappointed when his valet informed him that it was raining heavily, leaving it dangerous to go out riding. He was, however, aware that the rain may prolong the stay of Miss Elizabeth and Miss Catherine, and found himself slightly less mournful about the weather given the thought.
Deciding to pick a book to read before breaking his fast, Darcy made his way toward Bingley's dismal library. He was quite surprised upon entering the room to find Miss Elizabeth awake and clearly engrossed in a book.
Pleased at his luck, Mr Darcy picked a book at random at sat down in the armchair opposite Elizabeth, hoping to gain her attention but not knowing how to within the bounds of propriety. He opened his book to appear as though reading but frequently looked up at Elizabeth, before giving up the pretence of reading and just looking at the intriguing woman.
It was in this state that Kitty and Mr Bingley found them, and Kitty couldn't quite stifle her giggle at the site; garnering the gentleman's attention. Mr Bingley was smirking at his friend and Kitty had mirth shining brightly in her eyes.
"Mr Darcy, if you wish to gain my sister's attention, especially while she is reading, you may wish to adopt a more direct approach."
"Indeed, Miss Catherine. How direct an approach would you recommend?" Mr Darcy questioned, wondering whether the sisters had developed a way of gaining Miss Elizabeth's attention that remained within he bounds of propriety.
In answer, Kitty moved next to her sister and put her hand into Lizzie's line of sight. Frowning Lizzie looked up at her sister to question the disturbance and promptly blushed at the sight of Mr Darcy sat down amd Mr Bingley at the doorway while her sister merely stood with a slight look of triumph on her face.
Lizzie didn't need Kitty to sign to realise what had occurred. "I'm afraid Mr Darcy, that my attention is not easy to gain whilst I am reading. I will not begrudge you taking the liberty of nudging me slightly if it takes too long for my notice to leave a book. I have granted the same permission to all of my friends, and as such could do no less for you or Mr Bingley when you have proven youselves just as worthy of my friendship."
"Thank you Miss Elizabeth, I too find you worthy of my friendship and am honoured by the prospect of being your friend. I was wondering whether you had broken your fast already?"
"I hadn't Mr Darcy, as it was rather early when I made my way here to retrieve a book this morning."
"Can I escort you to break your fast Miss Elizabeth?"
"I you will give me but a moment to pen a note to my father at Longbourn, Mr Darcy, I would be delighted to accept your offer."
At this Mr Bingley walked further into the room to gain the attention of the room's occupants.
"Miss Elizabeth, I fear the roads are rather dangerous at the moment, for the rain is yet to let up, so while you can still dispense your note to Longbourn I fear a solution is unlikely to present itself in this weather. Please inform your father that we would be glad to host yourself an your sister until such a time when it is safe and advisable for you to return home."
Lizzie quickly acceded to the suggestion knowing it would be unwise to attempt returning home until the weather had let up a bit.
