Chapter Four: Mr Darcy

The day had been an utter disaster.

I had come here today with a fresh outlook ready to accept the Bennet's for who they were and try to find some way of getting along with them for my friends sake. How disappointed he will be. Despite my best efforts, I could find nothing in their family to be envious of. There was no decorum throughout, each daughter was as bad as the other and with a mother like that to learn from who could expect anything different. Even the father whose 'anything for a quiet life' attitude had meant they had gone unchecked for so long, could not be excluded from the bad example they had set out today.

All but her.

Damn she was getting to me. She had a way of getting under your skin and staying there.

The denim skirt she wore hugged her tiny waist where as her loose fitting shirt hid her ample assets well. Her chestnut locks blew wildly around her face failing to catch up with her head as it constantly turned one way and then the other, chasing the conversations around her. Brightly coloured toes were displayed by her choice in footwear. She was the epitome of a natural beauty. She hadn't wasted hours in front of the mirror, her face was void of make-up and her clothes looked like they had been chosen more for ease and comfort than by fashion and design. She was … not to be thought of in this way.

I chastised myself and looked away. The sooner I could be away from these … distractions the better.

It was very well she was so far displaced from my social circle as to warrant any sort of danger. No matter how attractive she may be, she was not for me. She was an employee. There couldn't be a future for us so I didn't have to worry about it.

"I believe I can guess you thoughts at this moment." Caroline's voice purrs in my ear as she sidles upside of me. Her closeness verging on inappropriate.

"I doubt it."

Caroline's expensive perfume clouds my mind as she remains at my side, as always. I manage to forget Elizabeth long enough to observe my friend and what had caught her eye. She watched Charlie following Jane around the lawn like some sort of puppy and huffed in frustration before turning on her heel and heading in the opposite direction. Keen to have a reason to not look at Elizabeth, I followed. All the while being wary of Caroline's real intentions to get me alone. We stood behind Mr Bennet's garage out of sight from the rest of the guests and our hosts. Caroline kicked at a few discarded plant pots and perched on a pile of paving slabs.

She looks around her anxiously and then exhales loudly. "Oh my God, Charles cannot be serious! I don't care how gorgeous little miss dream boat is, she's related to that rabble and over my dead body will I be!" the exasperation present in her voice. It was as if she had been waiting to say that all day and now we were alone and out of ear shot of anyone, she could finally purge herself of her thoughts.

I chuckled, I knew Caroline would be of the same opinion as me of our new friends.

"I don't know what he's playing at. Involving himself with these ... People. I mean have you seen the mother for God's sake? The father's no better. He lets it happen around him without a care for what they look like or what reputations they are creating." She picked at her dress, I let my eyes sweep over her appearance unnoticed. She was a beautiful woman. There was no doubt. In stark contrast to Elizabeth, she was never anything but immaculately attired, her makeup and hair were always flawless and I was sure if I paid enough attention, I would realise she never wore the same thing twice. She was as sharp in the courtroom as in her choice of suits and had had the same education as me. The Bingley's had money behind them, although not as great as myself, they were not in need of careers and therefore I respected Caroline for still wanting one. She could have been happy in just shopping all day and spa treatments, but instead she studied and became one of the best legal minds we had at Rosings.

I knew there members of our joint acquaintance who would like nothing more than for us to be more than friends, Caroline herself most of all, but I couldn't see past the idea of her being more than a sister. We flirted, but that was as far as it went, she was aware of the fact. In the courtroom she could debate and argue her case quite eloquently, when we talked she became insipid and placid, someone who simply agreed with everything I said. I couldn't have that in a relationship. I needed someone who would argue back and most of all someone I could respect in all aspects. Although Caroline had that in bounds when it came to the office, outside of it was a different matter.

"They're the type of family you see on these god awful talk shows where the mother advises them all to sleep with a football player and video it so they can blackmail him later, or worse, get herself pregnant so then they're set for life."

I looked back over at the bottom of the garden where Jane and Charlie had spent most of the day, she was quiet, a lot quieter than her sisters. It had been increasingly hard to judge her intentions. If Caroline was to believed, all Jane cared about was tying Charles down. I still wasn't completely sure. It was obvious to all that it was her mother's wish for her to be with Charlie but I still couldn't help but think her heart just wasn't in it. That didn't mean he was safe from her.

"And that second one … Bennet bimbo number two. What's her name? Eliza?"

"Lizzie." I correct her automatically, regretting it instantly. Luckily for me Caroline is already talking over me.

She shakes her head. "Whatever, just looking at the assemble she had on today I couldn't possibly guess why she's still single." She says sarcastically. "I had heard from Charles that some of the locals around here consider her a famous natural beauty. Can you believe that?"

I laughed dryly. "I do not, it seems as probable as getting an intelligent word out of Mrs Bennet."

Caroline laughed. "And people say I'm the cruel one."

I smile to hide my distaste, instantly regretting what I had implied. I open my mouth to take back my words and inform Caroline that's yes, on closer inspection I could easily see what so many had done before me. Elizabeth was stunning. I think better of it and shut my mouth once more. What was the point? It would only give Caroline more reason to hate Elizabeth and no doubt she would increase her infatuation with me even more. We sit silently for a few minutes before the quiet is broken by Charles. "Nick? Caz? Where are you?" Charlie walks around the side of the house, frowning when he finds us. "There you are. What are you both doing skulking around here? You are neglecting our hosts." He looks up at the sun and claps his hands together. "What a splendid day it has been."

Neither of us comment.

"Have you ever seen such a beautiful woman as Jane? She is good and kind and intelligent and everything any one could wish."

"Be careful Charles. You sound a little too smitten there. Remember you only met her yesterday." I warn.

"Is that all it has been, one day?" Charlie gazes out into space a vacant look on his face. Caroline rolls her eyes. Charlie catches her and turns to address me. "What about you Nick, have you not seen anyone who has taken your fancy?"

I snort. "I doubt there is anyone in the whole of Meryton who would be suitable for Rosings." Elizabeth is already meant for Rosings so she is excluded from this observation.

"I meant socially." He interrupts. Caroline pulls a face. "Look around there is an abundance of pretty ladies here today I'm sure there is one you could be persuaded to at least talk to. Jane's sister Lizzie seems very nice. I have it on good authority she's single." He bounces back and forth on his heels smiling like he had just done me the world's biggest favour. Throwing her into my life further would only complicate an already highly complicated situation. She was going to be working for me, therefore I could not even think of her in that way.

The trouble was no matter how many times I repeated it, something inside me had a returning argument in her defence.

I grunted. "I have no doubt." Although the more I thought about it I couldn't understand why she was single. You would have thought someone at her University would have noticed her. Maybe she had and she just hadn't told anyone about him. If I was her, and I had that family, I wouldn't want to share my private life with them either. It was Charlie's turn to pull a face. I heaved a sigh before admitting the obvious. "I can see a certain attraction, but it's not enough to tempt me, she's barely tolerable." I lie. Caroline sniggered as I continued. "You seem to have bagged the only beauty amongst them. I find the sister second best and I don't settle for second best. No, she will be of no consequence to me." I shrug trying to remain nonchalant and simultaneously hiding the disgust in myself. What was I saying?

I was lying to them and myself.

There was a rustle in the bushes beside me and I turned towards the noise poised to investigate when Caroline's phone beeped. She looked at the screen and swore.

"What's the matter Caroline?"

She looks up at me scowling before answering. "Nothing it's just Louisa. Letting me know she's back from honeymoon and ready to show me the photographs."

"How is the newly Mrs Hurst?" I ask, not interested in the slightest. Louisa Bingley, now Hurst had been nothing but Caroline's shadow as long as I knew her, with no opinion of her own or abilities to even hold a conversation without Caroline's constant presence. In all honesty I had been amazed she had manged to meet and marry any one at all. In fact she had landed herself a wealthy business tycoon who worked in investments spending most of his time at some club or the other, or on the golf course making deals. I couldn't understand what attraction he had seen in her or she in him, but who was I to judge?

"She's as loved up as ever. She doesn't see what a miscreant she married." Caz sneers. "She will."

"Oh Caroline," Charlie hisses. "Hurst is fine enough. Just because the man likes a drink or two and enjoys his sport doesn't make him a miscreant." He looked at me for support but he was on his own with this one. I couldn't stand Hurst and made sure to be aware whenever they were due a visit at Charlie's to ensure I wasn't present. "More importantly Louisa loves him and that's what it is all about right?" Charlie answers Caroline while glaring at me.

We both look at him in disbelief. If only it was that simple. In our world it never was.

For my part there were obligations and responsibilities. We might be in the twenty-first century but old traditions and expectations still wore on. It had been easier when I was younger. I had enjoyed a few years when I was at University and my father was still alive. I wasn't caring for Georgiana, so I didn't have to worry about staying out all night or enjoying the company of a nice girl I had met. My father had encouraged me to sow my wild oats then. He already knew that once I left law school my partying days -as few as they were- would be well and truly over. The nephew of the great Lady Catherine could not be seen as a playboy. Subsequently all my previous relationships had been short, most over in a few days. I had never introduced any of them to my family, I didn't even let them see Pemberley until I truly believed it was really me and not my wealth they wanted.

Consequently I had never shown anyone Pemberley.

The last few years had passed me by so fast, the past three in particular, my sole purpose was the care of Georgiana and making Rosings a success, I had forgone a love life altogether. I was still only twenty eight and had years in which to worry about that later. Right now I had more important things in my life. I knew it would have to be addressed at some point. The Darcy name had to continue. If I didn't have children, it would be up to Georgiana and after everything that happened she didn't need that kind of pressure.

As was my normal fall back in these moments of self-doubt I looked to Caroline. I knew if there was ever a worst case scenario she would be willing to help me out, quite willing, but I couldn't use her like that. For Caroline I expect she fully intended settling down –if ever- only with someone who had something that could enhance her already perfect life and because of that, it would take her a long time to find it.

I casually looked at my watch and told myself we had escaped long enough as much as I didn't condone the way the Bennet's conducted themselves socially, it was plain bad manners to have been this long away from the party. I looked at Charlie who was also bursting to be back. Caroline was still mumbling to herself about what a terrible day it had been and how she hated the countryside, except for Derbyshire of course, she would rather be back in London. I gently coerced her into standing and returning to bid our hosts thanks and farewell.

Caroline's heels clack on the drive as we move away. "Come on let's get out of this hell hole and back to the real world. Our world and our people." She mumbles.

Had I had been paying more attention, I would have seen her.