CHAPTER 4-Thoughts about One Another

Netherfield Hall, Dinner time

All we're present in the dining hall; Darcy sits beside Miss Bingley who keeps on looking at him like he was the food. And Charles who tried hard to suppress his laughter from his sister and friend's doings, finally he gives up; throwing a glance on his sister, he said while smiling:

"So Caroline, I think that the food doesn't suit you're taste; that's why you are looking and blushing at Darcy's food, aren't you?"

Caroline looked deadly at her older brother He is so nice! And look at Darcy who did not even notice her brother's remark; because he was busy eating his food. She does find a subject in which he can say something... And thus, she asks him.

"How do you feel, Mr. Darcy when Miss Elizabeth fainted in your arms?" Darcy looked up from his plate to the lady who asks him about the woman he likes.

"I do not expect such a question from you, Miss Bingley; but very well, I'll tell you. I feel warmth when I danced with her and I got worried when she fainted."

"Then she does make an effect on you, Mr. Darcy. What does within her that you do not see in any other woman?"

Liveliness... Darcy thought. But he only cleared his throat and answers the question of Charles' sister.

"It is not such an important thing to ask, Miss Bingley."

"Why, Mr. Darcy! You are keeping a secret to us, don't you?"

"Unfortunately, I was not bound to any secrecy, Miss Bingley. And you must respect my wish of not telling it to you."

After the cold remark of Mr. Darcy, Caroline did nothing but eat her food; She kept asking herself, what does she did that makes her different from me? She knew that she was now jealous of that little country girl who from one night, swept off the man that she wanted more than to give her the love she wants. So when she finishes off her meal, she stood up and addressed her older brother and his friend.

"Excuse me, Charles and Mr. Darcy; I am now retiring on my bed chamber. Goodnight to you, Charles -- and Mr. Darcy."

With her retreating, Darcy kept his eyes on her; finding something he might be able to know, he looked away when Charles spoke in a pleasing tone.

"But I think she would be well, Darcy; Miss Bennet had said that she was a very lively girl and very energetic. Stop worrying over her."

"Who are you pertaining to?" a cold voice was used by Darcy to hide his obvious face when he heard that. But Bingley knew that too much.

Bingley let a soft chuckle and Darcy shot his eyebrows on him and he said in response to his friend's eyebrows. "You really think that I just focus on Jane Bennet aren't you? I also watched you last night; and I think I saw a hint of jealousy when you see her dancing with him; she who wants to be with him and when she is talking to him… And you ask who I am pertaining to, Darcy? Of course, no other than Miss Elizabeth Bennet; I am not that blind, Darcy."

Darcy let out a sigh; of course, he should have known better. Charles Bingley had been his friend when he went to Cambridge and it was for 7 years from now.

And knowing Bingley, he is a person who knows you from head to toe and he even detects if he is lying or hiding something… So when he looked up, he saw Bingley staring challengly at him. Of course, he wants me to admit it to him. O man!

"Alright, Bingley; Yes I find her very pretty indeed. In spite of the bad remark I have said about her."

"Yes, I also want to ask you such question, Darcy. Why did you slight her that way when you feel something for her?"

"You know that if I do that again then I would have her mother chasing me until Derbyshire, you know that's too irritating, Bingley."

"Of course, who wouldn't?" Bingley sipped his wine and smile at his friend. Darcy turns now the question to Bingley.

"Bingley, I also do notice that Miss Bennet or should I say, Miss Jane Bennet is a favorite of yours last night? How are things between you and Miss Bennet?"

"Oh! Yes, she was the mostbeautiful woman I had ever seen! When she danced with me last night, oh I wish the night wouldn't last! And at Miss Elizabeth's room, I found her sleeping next to me in the couch! I am so glad for it, Darcy!"

Darcy laughed at his friend's sarcasm and even corrected him for it.

"Well, I needed to correct you on that, Bingley. She didn't sleep next to you; she is lying on the couch, while you were sitting on it."

"But then, I consider myself lucky for being able to sit really next to her."

Darcy read between the lines and found that he was right; He was lucky enough to be so near to the woman he wants; while he, he who just took a seat not nears enough for him to see if she had been awake or even if her fever is soothing or if she had been murmuring some words... NO! All he did was to see her in that state, though he seemed to be so concerned over her, he didn't show it -- The reason was he did not want Wickham to learn of his regard to Elizabeth. If he isn't there, then I would be the one tending to her, holding her hand and kissing it occasionally and not him! He was snapped out of his thoughts when Charles told him that it has been a night and he wants to rest already. He looked into his pocket watch. 10:50 pm. saying his goodbyes to Bingley he went over to his bed chamber for his own solitary thoughts.

Longbourne Estate, at Elizabeth's room

Jane was seated on a chair near her sister's bed and had been telling her of what had been the exchanges between her and Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth's smiles because she knows that Jane had finally found what have been she looking for and after awhile, Jane felt sleepy and decided to return to her own room to rest.

Elizabeth hugs her elder sister and she tucks herself under the covers of her bed.

She had been closing her eyes when she felt that she was not even sleepy at all.. Her thoughts were alive and she thought about the few exchanges between Jane and herself.

Even two years older than she was, Jane had always been like her twin sister and the very close to her. They always confide each other their most secrets when it comes to love and other things -- They even make a pact that they would only marry for the deepest love and they would get married on the same day. But sadly, she thought. That will never happen; because no one will ever love me like any gentleman that notices Jane.

She admit to herself that she sometimes find herself that she is jealous of Jane. NO! How bad of you, Elizabeth! Jane's too good! And she scolds herself for that, but that was the truth -- no man would ever love her and she will never marrybecause of that; she will die an old spinster. But when Mr. Wickham came, she felt as if she would have to hope; her interest of him was growing.. Could it be possible that I love him now? This is so ridiculous, Lizzy! Stop this! But even this she was not hoping.

But somehow, she wanted a man who would protect her, love her and care for her that no one had ever done. And thus, she fell asleep without realizing it.

Can Darcy fulfill those? What do you think??)