AN: As requested, a Darcy Family tree.

(don't know about the Darcy family yet)

Fitzwilliams (Note that a lady married to an Earl is a Countess)
Earl Matlock married Lady Esther (countess) =
1. Richard (new Earl) married Helen (countess) = Geoffrey (Colonel) and Stephen (Viscount Married Marlene)
2. Lady Catherine married De Bourgh = Anne De Bourgh
3. Lady Anne married Randal Darcy = Fitzwilliam and Georgiana

Ch. 40 – Day Dreams

Charles Bingley rocked from his soles to his heels as he waited for his friend to shut the door and show interest in the conversation Bingley was so interested in discussing.

"Charles, let it out. I daresay, I shall be happier with the telling to return to the company of the ladies."

Bingley let out a short laugh. "Indeed! Are you not at all curious? It has to do with my sister."

Darcy sat in a chair facing his friend by the fireplace. One hand draped over the arm of the chair as he asked with an uninterested tone, "Which one?"

"The only one we have been discussing. I met Mr. Monroe this morning."

Darcy blinked and wondered if he should have an acquaintance with the man. "Who?"

"The one she danced and dined with at the ball. He came to call this very day. He seemed good enough. What was extraordinary, is that Caroline actually seemed to welcome the attention. Are you not diverted?" Bingley wiggled his eyebrows up and down, calling attention to exactly what he found so diverting.

"Of course. This is why you needed to speak to me so urgently?" Darcy stated more than asked. He thought that his friend could have easily said as much at the Gardiners.

"That is not all. I spoke privately with the gentleman for a time. I understand that he is selling his estate in Cheshire. Is that not something? That is not far from Pemberley in Derbyshire!"

Darcy nodded in understanding. "I see. Monroe… It must be Hazelcrest Hall. I have heard of that estate in Cheshire, although have never had the pleasure of seeing it or knowing the family. Why has he considered selling?"

Bingley nodded enthusiastically. "It cannot be more than twenty miles from Pemberley. Imagine we could be so close if he will sell to me! Jane and I could live close to you. I have thought on what it would be like to stay at Netherfield—as much as I approve of the land and neighborhood—it might prove challenging being so closely situated to Longbourn."

Darcy nodded and thought on it for a moment. It was a pleasant thought having little Darcys and Bingleys grow up playing often together. "It is more likely closer to fourty miles, if it is centrally located in Cheshire. I would encourage you to look over the land and housing before purchasing. You will certainly not find Elizabeth or myself displeased if you choose to do so." He paused then asked again, "Why has he considered selling?"

Bingley waved away the inquiry, "I am not certain. I must disagree on the distance though, since I understand the estate to be located in the East. I do not believe it is financial hardship that prompts him to sell. He said something about going to the Americas to meet with his Uncle who practices the law."

Darcy frowned and puzzled over the information. "Is he moving to America?" At Bingley's wide-eyed look he continued, "What does he want with your sister?"

Bingley began explaining the content of the conversation that he had with Mr. Monroe. The man was attracted to his sister, however would not commit to proposing since he was dealing with many business matters that affected his future. He was intrigued by Miss Bingley's enthusiasm for adventure and her manners. All that aside, Bingley had been interested most in Mr. Monroe's admission that he was conferring with his solicitor about listing his estate for sale while his steward aimed to ready the estate.

Darcy pursed his lips considering all his friend had said. His face twisted with his skepticism of Miss Bingley's 'adventurous spirit' and 'pleasing manners' without comment on the gentleman's opinion. Making an effort to steer the conversation back to the topic of a match, he questioned, "That is all? Did he give you a timeline?"

Bingley shook his head. "Not at first. I told him that I was actively seeking candidates to marry my sister, because of my own marriage. I told him of her dowry and that I had a few possible candidates to introduce Caroline to."

When Bingley paused, Darcy impatiently pressed, "What was his reply?"

That is when Bingley smiled again and raised a brow. Sometimes it was too easy to rile his friend. "He said he would consider the information!" He laughed, "Darcy, all the stress and worry of the last couple weeks have been for naught. I am optimistic that he will marry her. I told him that I would gladly endorse a license so they might marry soon."

Darcy shook his head in exasperation and wonder. Standing he said, "I wish you luck, my friend, and pray that the situation is resolved with little exertion on your part—for all our sakes. Let us join the ladies and return to the Gardiners. The hour is growing late."

P&P

After an enjoyable dinner and evening with Darcy, Bingley and their family, Jane and Elizabeth approached their beds with delight and relief at another day gone.

Jane smiled at Elizabeth's exaggerated sigh, "Imagine Lizzy, only a few short days and we shall be in bed at Longbourn once again." To her surprise, her sister did not smile at the thought of her own bed at home; instead she frowned, eliciting Jane's concern and inquiry about her feelings on the matter.

"It is nothing, dear Jane, I am only thinking about our parents and the fact that Longbourn is not where I long to be. Do you think of it as home still? I consider it as a place that I shall remember fondly, having grown up there and holding memories from childhood. I have this vague feeling of 'home' now. It is not the same as it once was." Elizabeth said looking at the rough texture on the ceiling above.

"I see. I agree with you in a way, though I still think of Longbourn as home." Elizabeth nodded and attempted to smile. Uncharacteristically, Elizabeth's disconcerting mood prompted Jane to press her sister farther. "What is really the matter, Lizzy, that has you so out of sorts? I have noticed it all day. You have been wavering in you moods."

At that Elizabeth did smile and turned to her sister, "You are too observant, Jane." Not willing to be distracted, Jane waited patiently without blinking, though she was sorely tempted to begin tapping her fingers and toes at her sister's introspection of late. The wait soon paid off as Elizabeth blurted, "What kind of mother could I possibly be?"

Jane's astonishment was so great that she sat up with a huff. "You cannot be serious?" Elizabeth was, indeed, seriously in earnest. "Lizzy, you love children. Our young nieces and nephews adore you. You are quite well suited to be a mother. I am certain that Darcy has even noticed. Is this about earlier this morning?"

"Yes. No. Jane, the reason Mama and I do not get on is obvious; we have qualities in common. How can I possibly guide my own children when my own mother did not? I have been thinking on it for a while, off and on, and yet I am no closer to an answer."

Ignoring the slight on Mrs. Bennet's parenting style, Jane's exasperation showed in the angle of her chin when she emphatically replied, "Lizzy, you are not our mother. As much as I respect her, you are quite different in temperament and intelligence. Did Mr. Darcy not help you overcome your melancholy earlier?"

That elicited a smile and a blush, "He did indeed and very thoroughly, too. You are right. He does notice everything." Jane asked her sister if Mr. Darcy had said something about their mother, hoping he had. "Yea, he said that I was not to let her hurt me or shake my confidence. In fact, he forbids me to listen to any negativity."

Jane giggled shortly, "Then you best guard your negative thoughts, or I shall tell on you."

Elizabeth tossed the closest pillow at her confidant. "Do not dare."

Jane calmed herself and crawled beneath the bedclothes before tossing her sister's pillow back across the room. "You feel better, Lizzy?"

Elizabeth nodded, thoughtful once more. The few candles were soon extinguished as the sisters continued to share other thoughts on the day, concurrently moving from the topic. They speculated on Miss Bingley's future and her view of Mr. Monroe. They wondered about the estate in Cheshire that Mr. Bingley was so passionate about learning about, excited at the prospect of being so closely situated. Elizabeth also described the ring Darcy put on her finger and marveled at her own fairy tale.

When the stillness of the night stretched out, Elizabeth closed her eyes thanking God for her Mr. Darcy and thought over her hopes for the future. Before dreams claimed her, she smiled hearing Jane's quiet statement, "I think we shall find great contentment in marriage and motherhood."

AN: I know this was a shorter chapter. Trying to end that LONG day! Thank you so much for your continued support and your patience while I was ill and out of town so much recently.

I love to read your reviews and thoughts. What do you think about Miss Bingley's love interest and Mr. Monroe? What do you think the next day has in store?