Chapter 2

Elizabeth Bennett was troubled. She had spent the last 10 minutes staring out the window of the carriage as they returned to Longbourn after the ball. While her mother went on and on about how Mr. Bingley was sure to ask for Jane's hand soon, and what a great catch he was, Elizabeth had been thinking over the events of the evening. Her mother and youngest sisters felt that the evening was a grand success, though Lydia was lamenting Mr. Wickam's absence. Elizabeth couldn't help but feel slightly mortified by the entire evening. Lydia and Kitty had, as they normally did, ran around like children, laughed too much, and flirted to often. Mary had occupied the pianoforte, playing very ill indeed, until their father, much to Elizabeth's horror, had publicly asked her to stop. Her mother had frequently and loudly crowed about how she expected an offer from Mr. Bingley for Jane any day now, which would, of course, throw the girls into the paths of other rich men!

As Elizabeth looked across the carriage at Jane, who was gazing serenely out the window, she was reminded of the conversation she had with Charlotte.

"Look how happy she is Charlotte!" she had exclaimed to her friend while watching Jane and Mr. Bingley dance together.

"Lizzy, HE looks happy, but to an outsider, Jane looks as she always does: perfectly content with everything. If she's hoping to receive an offer, she really should show more than she feels!" Charlotte, who was now considered on the shelf by most, felt that had she been more aggressive in showing her feelings, whether she felt them or not, she would have been made an offer. Even if she was considered plain!

"Show more than she feels? Before she knows more about his true character? You can not be serious?" Elizabeth looked at her dear friend with astonishment.

"But of course! Happiness in marriage is entirely up to chance! It is best to know as little about the deficiencies of your partner until after you are married." Charlotte stated this with a tone of finality that would have made most people end the argument, but Elizabeth was not one to back down from a debate. Luckily for Charlotte, Mr. Darcy came to claim Elizabeth for his dance.

Elizabeth sighed as she recounted her memories of that dance. It was so strange! Mr. Darcy's entire countenance seemed to have changed 180 degrees from when he asked her to when he came to claim his dance. His eyes were sad, almost tortured, and he barely spoke a word. Even when she tried to engage him in the banter that she was used to experiencing with him, he gave her a short reply and looked at her with those tortured eyes. What had happened? Actually, why did she care what had happened? Mr. Darcy was a rude, proud, arrogant man that treated those he felt were beneath him like dirt. She did not care if he was sad. She would think on it no more. She had far more pressing concerns. Such as whether her family's terrible behavior would scare off Mr. Bingley. And how she was going to avoid Mr. Collins' inevitable proposal.

Darcy was growing tired of watching poor Bingley struggle to fight off Caroline's arguments for leaving Netherfield for London. Bingley was doing a poor job of defending his wishes, and Caroline seemed to sense that she was close victory. It was time to step in for his friend.

"Miss Bingley, perhaps Miss Bennett is just a sweet, shy young lady that doesn't wish to flirt openly with Bingley. In a town such as Meryton, it does seem prudent to avoid opening ones self up to gossip." Darcy braced himself, as he was sure Caroline was going to turn on him next.

"Mr. Darcy! You can not be serious? I thought you of all people would rejoice in returning to town! These people are so odious to spend time with! And even if Jane does like Charles, he can't still be considering marrying her, not after that display her family put on tonight!"

Caroline had a point, but if Darcy was willing to marry Elizabeth Bennett in spite of her family, he had to be willing to support Bingley in his choice as well.

"Bingley, you are not marrying her family, you don't need any more connections, as you have mine and Mr. Hurst's, and you have enough money that you don't need to gain more through a dowery, especially if you really love her! Perhaps you should give it some more time if you are truly unsure of her feelings for you. However, you need to make a decision soon or you will be harming her reputation, and you will gain one as being a rake!"

"Darcy, you are right. Caroline, we will stay at least another week. If you would like, you can return to London with the Hursts." This last statement was said with the most determination and finality that Darcy had ever heard from Bingley. Caroline exited the room in a flurry of orange taffeta and feathers. Stomping on the stairs could be heard followed by the slamming of her bedroom door.

"Well, I think she handled that rather well, don't you Darcy?" Bingley smiled as he thought of the scene her sister had just caused.

"Yes, I suppose she did. Nothing was thrown at our heads this time."

"Darcy, I'd like to visit Longbourn tomorrow to call on the Miss Bennetts. Would you be willing to join me?" Darcy thought that Bingley looked quite like a puppy eager to please it's master.

Reluctantly, Darcy agreed and then bid his friend good night. He still had much to think about before morning.

Darcy had been pacing his bedchamber for the last twenty minutes. What was he going to do? Elizabeth hated him, and all he wanted to do was put as much distance between them as he could. But he had to stay for Bingley's sake. He thought that Bingley had a chance at happiness with Jane, if he could withstand Caroline's demands long enough to make an offer. If Darcy left, Bingley would not last long in Netherfield on his own.

Tomorrow he would have to face her. And what would he say? Obviously he had offended her somehow, and then Wickham is spreading untrue gossip. That had to be corrected. But how would he bring that up? She had to know! While Elizabeth was too smart to make a foolish alliance, her younger sisters could easily fall prey to someone like Wickham. They needed to be aware of his true nature.

Darcy's true nature made him want to run back to Pemberly now that he knew Elizabeth hated him. He hated being in company of people he didn't know. And the situation with Elizabeth just proved why. He misunderstood others and in turn, they misunderstood him. But in this instance, he was going to resist the urge to run to his comfort zone. His friend needed him, and, like his Aunt Catherine, he was not in the habit of brooking disappointment. He would correct the misunderstandings and if in the end, Elizabeth still didn't love him, it wouldn't be because of George Wickham.