Fitzwilliam Darcy…

The woman could be downright infuriating! That's all there was to it! She could make him fume with no more than a simple comment. Most men would have fired her by now for her lack of decorum and her disrespect, but he couldn't seem to let her go. Something about her manner intrigued him, made him go back for more despite this incessant need to pummel her as well. Where did they grow women like her? For that matter, what did they feed women like her? He shook his head as he made his way toward the car so that he could drive himself to the restaurant. He had worked late and thus planned to meet everyone there. He looked at his watch.

"I hear you invited Stephanie Edgemont to dine with us tonight?" Charles asked suddenly from behind him, startling him as his pale face appeared next to Darcy at the car. Charles shrugged before placing his hands inside the pockets of his dress pants. The movement made him appear younger than his twenty-nine years.

"I figured I'd ride over with you. We've haven't talked much lately." Charles remarked simply before shrugging again. Darcy just nodded before unlocking the car and climbing in, waiting until Charles scooted into the passenger seat before turning the key in the ignition. Charles peered at him in the dark.

"So, Stephanie Edgemont, huh?" Charles asked again as Darcy sighed. The gossip mill was turning. It was an inevitable thing, especially with Stephanie involved. It seemed funny to him that he had spent an hour or so alone dancing with Elizabeth Bennet and only a few people seemed to realize the spark between them while he had consumed one meal with Stephanie and the entire company knew. Darcy shook his head as he drove.

"Seems an impulsive decision bringing her back into my life, I know. But, I felt like I needed that right now." Darcy replied as Charles sat perfectly still on his side of the car. When he did speak, it was strained.

"Do you even have feelings for her, Will?" Charles asked as Darcy tried very hard not to roll his eyes. For a man, Charles was a very romantic sort of person.

"Sometimes relationships aren't about having feelings, Charles. Those types of feelings get in the way. Sometimes it's about what is the most important decision for your lifestyle and for your family." Darcy answered helpfully as Charles coughed.

"Seems like such a cold way to look at a relationship, isn't it, mate?" Bingley asked yet again as Darcy sighed. This wasn't about Darcy. Will should be glad that it wasn't about him, that Bingley hadn't become aware of the strain between Lizzie and himself, but he couldn't help but feel strange about this conversation as well.

"This is about Jane, isn't it?" Darcy asked, daring to look at the other man from the corner of his eye as he drove. They were nearing the restaurant now. It was only a few blocks away. Bingley tried to school his features in order to deny it, but he failed.

"It's that obvious?" Charles asked as Darcy nodded. He really couldn't fault the man. Darcy had his own problems, but unlike Charles, he was fighting his own impulses. Charles never fought emotion for practicality.

"And you think I'm wrong to even consider it." Charles stated simply. He didn't ask Darcy. He just stated it because he knew how Darcy thought. Will shrugged.

"It's not practical, Charles. She may have money and prestige, but she's been involved in enough scandal and public ridicule that she will do nothing but taint your name." Darcy commented as Charles let out a long breath.

"Maybe I don't care about those things." Charles remarked off-handedly as Darcy laughed. Yes, laughed.

"Don't kid yourself, Charles. At heart, you are as practical as I am. One word would be uttered about her or you'd find yourself embarrassed by her impromptu nature, and eventually the two of you would end up divorced. Is that what you want, Charles? A broken heart and a broken marriage?" Darcy asked carefully as Charles turned toward him in the dark.

"You really are cynical, aren't you, Darcy?" Charles asked in return as he looked out the car window at the now looming restaurant. Darcy tried not to be offended by that statement but failed.

"Maybe I am." Darcy admitted sullenly as Charles sighed.

"And yet, you're probably right." Charles admitted to the evening air as they both finally exited the car. Darcy looked at his watch. The women would already be here. His aunt would be angry that they were late. All in all, Darcy couldn't decide if the thought of being here sobered him or caused his pulse to race.