Chapter Five

Darcy sat at the dining hall table enjoying the peace in Netherfield since Caroline's departure for London. His spirits were so high that he couldn't stop himself from smiling. Not only had Caroline left, taking her abusive comments with her, but he would be in Elizabeth's company in a few short hours. The amazing feeling of pure happiness spread through him.

Elizabeth. She was slowly warming to him, he was gaining her trust. That is the only explanation for her openly posing the question of Wickham's character to him. Darcy would do everything in his power to nurture that trust and see that it grew deeper and deeper every day. Until she no longer hesitated in turning to him.

Darcy tried to think of was discussion he could use to provoke her into a battle of wits this day and the chuckled realizing that if his Elizabeth was in the mood to challenge him even the most mundane comment would be enough. That was one of the qualities he truly loved about her. She did not fear forcing him to defend his thoughts, opinions or feelings.

Bingley came in at that moment and stared curiously at his friend. "You seem to be in happy spirits this morning, Darcy!"

Darcy continued smiling pleasently, "Indeed I am, Bingley, Indeed I am."

As Bingley sat down with a sigh, he wondered if it was merely his sister's absence that had put Darcy in this mood. But upon a second more thought, he realized that Caroline's power to influence his friend's mood was not strong enough to withstand any amount of distance. No, for her to have any effect on Darcy's mood she would have to be in the same room as him. And it would rarely affect Darcy in a positive way. "And what, pray tell, has caused this joyful mood?"

Darcy looked at Bingley with a small smile still on his face. He had not shared his private discourse with Elizabeth. Choosing instead to keep it to himself, like a hidden talisman. Still not wishing to tell Bingley about it he decided he had better guide his friend in the notion of calling on the Bennetts rather than saying it was what he already planned. "It is a fine day and I was just thinking of how I would love to be out and enjoy it."

Bingley glanced out the open windows of the hall absently. It looked to be warm enough but he couldn't bring himself to have any enthusiasm for yet another tour of his estate. "I had hoped to call on Miss Bennett today, but I suppose, if you prefer, we can check on the progress of the repairs being made."

Darcy let out an exaggerated sigh, causing Bingley to look at him in confusion. Trying to hide another smile Darcy said, "I said I would like to enjoy the day, Bingley."

"I understand you value a strong work ethic, Darcy, but-"

Darcy could not stop a laugh from erupting at Bingley's outburst. Bingley was never at his best in the mornings and had obviously mistaken the meaning of Darcy's teasing remark. "Calm yourself, man. I am in agreement with you! I would find spending the day in the company of the Miss Bennett's preferable to riding around your property to inspect half completed repairs."

Bingley looked momentarily surprised and then began to chuckle along with Darcy. "You have the advantage in this conversation, Darcy, as you likely rose with the sun and have had sufficient time to clear the sleep from your mind. While, I have not even broken my fast or had the smallest amount of coffee. You can expect me to keep up in my condition."

Darcy signaled the servant by the door with a smile, "Please bring poor Mr. Bingley some coffee and breakfast or he shall continue to be useless to us all." Then he addressed Bingley again. "Besides, the sooner you feel adequately recovered from your sleep, the sooner we can be in the company of the Miss Bennetts."

In the confusion after receiving Caroline Bingley's letter, Elizabeth had forgotten to tell Jane what Mr. Darcy had revealed to her about Mr. Wickham's character. But when she did remember she thought it best to leave the subject alone.

Elizabeth had spent a great deal of the night in quiet contemplation of all the events of yesterday. Mr. Darcy's story about Mr. Wickham, Caroline Bingley's warnings about both Mr. Darcy and her own brother. Though Elizabeth did not particularly trust someone as self-glorifying as Caroline Bingley. She still felt that caution was needed in this situation. Not just for herself, but in Jane's case as well. If there was even a grain of truth to that letter then it could not be ignored simply because of Elizabeth's feeling toward the author.

Elizabeth looked at Jane thinking that she hoped Caroline's letter was wrong about Mr. Bingley's attentions, or perhaps that Jane could be the one to hold his interests, where others could not. Or Jane's heart would break.

Jane seemed to sense Elizabeth's gaze and sent her a brave, half smile. They had talked a good deal once the rest of the house had slipped into sleep. While Jane wanted to give the benefit of the doubt to both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley she had agreed to temper her desire to put her full trust into the men.

Elizabeth's stomach lurched when Hill entered the drawing room and announced the arrival of Mr. Darcy and Bingley. It dawned on Elizabeth that she had completely forgotten that along with the discussion of Mr. Wickham, Mr. Darcy had said that he would be visiting today. She, again, looked at Jane, in order to gauge her sister's reaction.

Jane's face had grown pale and her eyes had taken over her face. She was quite visibly nervous.

When Darcy entered the room his eyes instantly found Elizabeth. It had only been a day since he had seen her last. But the vision of her now, showed him how violently he had missed her in that short amount of time.

When her eyes finally met his, he could see that she was nervous about something and heartily wished he could take her into his arms and show her that she need never feel that way again. Still looking at only her, he politely bowed. "Good Morning. "

Bingley immediately took a seat near Jane and tried engaging her in a conversation. And of course, Mrs. Bennett's attention would be on him and Jane. She had not yet taken notice of Darcy's affection for Elizabeth or she surely would have pounced on him with unnecessary compliments. This caused Darcy to smile as he took a seat near Elizabeth. He greeted her warmly, "Good morning, Miss Elizabeth."

Elizabeth did not look up from her needle work but quietly answered, "Good morning, sir."

Darcy waited for Elizabeth to say something more than just this polite greeting, when none came he felt himself growing impatient. Surely she must have something more to say to him. "Are you well, Miss Elizabeth?"

"I am quite well, Mr. Darcy, I thank you for your kind inquiry." Elizabeth glanced up at him through her lashes. She couldn't help but see the obvious concern on his face. He was too observant by half. "I am simply suffering from lack of sleep, sir, nothing more."

Darcy looked more closely at her, seeing the small dark smudges under her eyes and her face being paler than was usual caused his concern to grow. His instinct told him there was something more than a restless night sleep to blame for Elizabeth strange mood. "Miss Elizabeth, I hope if there is something troubling you that you feel as though you can tell me what it is…"

Elizabeth raised her eyes to his and realized he would not allow her to conceal her worries for long. She must find some way to explain her sudden lack of spirit to him. A thought came to her. Even if she could not allow herself to admit to fearing his possible falsehood of feeling toward her she may be able to his attention to help Jane. "Perhaps some fresh air will help to return my natural energy. Would you care to take a turn about the garden paths with me?"

Darcy felt his heart leap at this request. If they left the sitting room there would be a greater chance to speak a little more privately. He looked to Bingley and Miss Bennett. "Mr. Bingley, Miss Elizabeth wishes to go out walking. Would you and Miss Bennett like to join us?"

Though he phrased it as a question, he knew that Bingley would not turn the opportunity to walk with Jane down.

Bingley smiled as he answered, "It is a very fine day out and I can think of nothing I would enjoy more. Miss Bennett?"

Jane looked at Bingley the glanced at her sister and nodded mutely. She was having a very difficult time keeping Caroline's warnings to herself. She had never been good at hiding her emotions. Everything she thought showed clearly on her face. Perhaps being outside with more distractions would help. "That is an excellent idea."

When it was clear that no one else would join them, without risking the wrath of Mrs. Bennett, the four set off on a well-worn path. Darcy walked beside Elizabeth, a few paces ahead of Jane and Bingley. It was near enough for the sake of propriety, yet far enough to allow for private conversation.

When Elizabeth was certain that Jane would not over hear her, she looked at Mr. Darcy. "Sir, you expressed your wish that I should tell you if something, is in fact, troubling me, does that wish remain?"

It took all of Darcy's will not to bring her hand to his lips as he said, "It will always be my wish that you tell me everything, Miss Elizabeth, not just what troubles you."

Darcy enjoyed the look of shock that crossed her face. It was a rare thing for him to catch Elizabeth by surprise. It was a wonderful feeling. One he would try to capture as much as possible.

Elizabeth could not miss the obvious flirtatious tone Mr. Darcy used. And was momentarily side tracked from her original intent. "No gentleman wishes to know everything about a lady, Mr. Darcy!"

Darcy was elated that Elizabeth seemed to not only be teasing him, but on the precipice of opening up to him. He knew that if she did not wish to share her troubles she would not have opened up this line of conversation. He looked down at her, with complete sincerity, "I can assure you, madam, I wish to know everything you wish to tell me. At the very least."

Elizabeth searched Mr. Darcy's face, hoping to see some sign that Caroline's letter was just a vile falsehood but all she could see in Mr. Darcy's eyes was warmth and perhaps some degree of affection. So she laughed and tried to hide her discomposure. "We do not have time for me to share everything but I would like to share one thing, which is a little troubling to me."

Darcy noticed her intense gaze and felt his desire to take her into his arms and kiss away all her troubles grow while he stared back. He eyes were absolutely bewitching to him. But he realized the need to be careful and broke the tension of the moment by saying, "It is said that a trouble shared is a trouble halved."

Elizabeth kept her gaze on the path ahead of them as she said, "My elder sister received an express last night."

"And I assume its contents are what the trouble is?"

She nodded silently, "Mr. Bingley's sister, Caroline, wrote to inform Jane of her departure from Netherfield and to…" Elizabeth paused then trying to find the best phrase her veiled question.

Darcy felt his spine stiffen when Elizabeth said Caroline had caused her worry, he knew her absence would not come without a high price. At least now he seemed to have found it. "And to… What, Miss Elizabeth?"

Darcy had tried to sound reassuring but his voice had come out stiff and guarded to even his own ears.

Elizabeth felt Mr. Darcy's reserve slipping back into place as soon as Caroline was mentioned. And she didn't miss how his question sounded more like a demand. "To warn Jane that, while Mr. Bingley's attentions may be focused now they will likely not remain so."

Darcy felt the shock of what was obviously implied. That soon gave way to anger. Caroline's venom knew no bounds. Not even her brother was safe.

Bingley walked beside an unusually subdued Jane, constantly trying to draw her into conversation. But nothing seemed to be working. Her responses were polite but still short. With each attempt she seemed to become more and more withdrawn. His anxiety had increased to a point where he could no longer tolerate it, "Miss Bennett, please, I beg of you, tell me what is wrong?"

Jane looked at him, startled by his directness. She knew she wasn't acting as she usually had but couldn't believe he would question her about it.

Jane knew any lie would be easily seen through; she did not have enough guile in her ways to be completely dishonest. So she asked herself, what would Lizzy say? "I have heard that Ms. Bingley has returned to Towne."

Distracted by her quiet response, Bingley smiled, "Why, yes, Ms. Bingley and the Hursts have just recently quit Nether- Wait, how did you come to know of their departure?"

Bingley knew they had not planned on stopping here and no one beyond the house servants knew they had left. This news could not have reached Jane so quickly, so his mind began to wonder how exactly Jane knew of this.

Jane looked at her feet, blushing. "Ms. Bingley sent me a letter last evening before she left. TO say farewell and to beg me to warn Elizabeth about Mr. Darcy."

This admission brought Bingley up short. He stopped walking and turned to face Jane in confusion, "To warn her about Darcy?"

Jane could still not meet his gaze but had also stopped walking. She nodded and then whispered "To warn her about Mr. Darcy's ill use of her, sir."

Bingley looked at Jane incredulously, "What ill use?"

When Jane said nothing he whispered, desperately, "Please, Jane."

The use of her Christian name made her eyes snap to his. "Ms. Bingley informed me that she had means to believe that Mr. Darcy is using my sister as a country diversion until his return to society."

Jane could not believe she had just said that but she felt she had the right to protect her sister and possibly herself. He knew for a fact that what Jane was saying was true, to an extent. What she couldn't see was that Caroline was willfully manipulating her into helping turn Miss Elizabeth away from Mr. Darcy. He could not, would not, tolerate this. Caroline had hurt Jane in some ridiculous plot to somehow try to force Darcy's attention to herself. "Ja-Miss Bennett, I assure you that Mr. Darcy is the most honorable of men, and would never intentionally toy with your sister's affections."

Jane hoped Mr. Bingley was being truthful but feared he would lie to protect his friend. "I hope that is true, sir."

With that Jane began walking after the others.

When Darcy and Bingley returned to Netherfield they were both lost in their own thoughts. It was Bingley who broke the stilted silence, while they were sharing a drink near the fire. He started without preamble. "Darcy, what are you true intentions toward Miss Elizabeth?"

The abrupt question instantly grabbed the whole of Darcy's attention. "My intentions? Why do you ask?"

Bingley sighed, realizing that he sounded untrusting and rude. He tried to soften the need, "Please, just tell me that they are honorable and not selfish in nature."

Darcy wanted, needed to know where this line of questioning had originated but also felt obliged to answer it honestly. Knowing that he wanted to ask Bingley the same about his attention to Jane. "Bingley, while my desires may breach propriety, they are, when viewed in their entirety are utterly honorable."

When Bingley looked up at him, he continued, "Elizabeth has quite suddenly become the center of my world, and I see no revision to this notion ever happening."

Sinking into a chair with relief, Darcy smiled to himself. That was the first time he'd said his feeling aloud. He could see the amazement on his friends face, he decided to take this opportunity to ask, "Is you affection for Miss Bennett temporary?"

Darcy watched Bingley's face change from shock to anger. "Of course not. I feel just as deeply about my Jane as you do about Miss Elizabeth! How can you even-"

Darcy held up his hand to silence Bingley. Darcy understood the momentary anger at having the depth of his feelings questioned but was comforted by the knowledge that Bingley would likely thank him for it soon enough. "I fear that Jane may not be as sure of the permanency of you affections, Charles."

Bingley looked at Darcy, his anger melting to concern, "What do you mean, Darcy?"

"Caroline wrote to Jane before she left and –"

Bingley stood and began to pace in agitation. "I that Caroline wrote to Jane!"

Darcy stilled, "You know?"

Bingley nodded, before looking at Darcy. "To warn Jane that you were using Miss Elizabeth as merely a diversion while here in the country."

Darcy's entire being become suddenly tense, but he calmly said, "It would seem your sister had quite a bit to say before her departure. And that both the ladies chose to some of it, arguable the most import parts of her missive to themselves."

Authors Note: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I promise not to take this long ever again!

Let me know what you think!