A/N: I know I know, you were wondering where I had gotten to. My sincerest apologises for the delay with this next chapter but life does get in the way at times. A big thanks to my Beta for standing by me!
Enjoy my next chapter as this story is getting close to the end, I'd love to hear suggestions for the sequel!
Chapter Eighteen- Common and Indifferent Acquaintances
Lizzy felt exhilarated as she galloped her horse through the field towards Jane, who was riding in front of her. Her bonnet tugged at her hair but was tied tightly enough to stay as she increased her horse's pace to catch up with her sister. Both sisters laughed as they slowed their horses down upon reaching a narrow bridge. Jane led the way over the bridge that went over a small creek that went through Longbourne estate.
"Is there any feeling in the world superior to this one?" Jane said breathlessly as she stopped her horse to look back at Lizzy.
Lizzy slowed her horse down and pat the white mare affectionately. "I still prefer to run myself, but it's not quite as socially acceptable," she answered with a laugh.
"Yes, at least if we return home disheveled after riding we can be forgiven," Jane agreed and they rode slowly beside each other. "I do not know why we don't ride more often."
"We might have to as long as Mr. Bingley is at Netherfield; it appears to be one of the few options we have for avoiding our mother."
Mr. Bingley had arrived yesterday and to Mrs. Bennet's disbelief he did not pay a visit. She spent the morning pleading with her husband to make the first move but Mr. Bennet refused. "I won't be sent on a fool's errand again," he had informed his wife as she insisted that this was their only chance for Jane. The eldest daughters had been forbidden to leave the house and as Lydia was still under strict house confinement, the atmosphere had been most unpleasant. But this morning when no visit had been made Jane and Lizzy insisted on fresh air and decided to go riding for a change. Lizzy had originally made the suggestion of heading west, which was the direction of the Netherfield estate but Jane refused.
"Are you still trying to insist that Mr. Bingley's return has not affected you at all?" Lizzy asked after Jane was silent for a few minutes as they walked their horses.
"Yes, Lizzy," Jane insisted with a sigh. "I dread other people's remarks," she added, her beautiful face etched in worry and embarrassment. "I know Mama means well but…"
"You do not need to explain your feelings about Mama," Lizzy answered. "Your patience is outstanding, and you need not worry about remarks from me as I shall venture none." With a smile Lizzy added, "However sorely I am tempted."
"Lizzy," Jane scolded in annoyance. "Please, if you will not share your feelings about Mr. Darcy then do not expect such considerations from me."
"What?" Lizzy interrupted in shock. "Jane…"
Jane smiled at her sister. "Perhaps we are both protecting our hearts, Lizzy. Sometimes to speak of something only brings more pain to it. On subjects such as these it is better to be silent. But I know from the moment you returned that something has changed between yourself and Mr. Darcy."
"It has Jane," Lizzy conceded, too surprised by her sister's statement to deny it. "But I'm too late."
"Lizzy, he has proposed to you once. Do you think he could fall out of love with you so easily?"
"So it is acceptable to discuss the matters of my heart but not yours?" Lizzy asked cheekily.
"If I see Mr. Bingley I will look at him as a common and indifferent acquaintance," she insisted again and Lizzy sighed. She loved her sister too much to be cross about the double standards she was exhibiting.
"Just take care, Jane," Lizzy said quietly and the ladies ended their conversation at that.
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Another day went by without a sign of the gentleman in question. Mrs. Bennet continued to rant about his manners and blamed her husband openly for their lack of attention. Lizzy avoided being in the same room as her mother for too long and found herself often in her bedroom overlooking the front drive of their home, against her better judgment waiting for a carriage to appear.
Four days since Mr. Bingley had returned to Netherfield and Lizzy sat at her writing desk beginning a letter to write to Georgiana Darcy. She missed the young lady's company, but would it be prudent for her to send a letter? She didn't want Georgiana to feel that Lizzy was in any way insincere so she decided to go with her instinct and write the letter. It was modest, she relayed returning to Longbourne and the Gardiner's returning to London. Remembering that the story Georgiana had been told for their swift departure was that her niece had been ill, Lizzy made sure to include the little girl had made a full recovery. She included that she missed Georgiana dearly and hoped that she would see her again. In truth, Lizzy doubted that she ever would and this made her sad, as she worried the young lady was lonely at times.
As she read back over the letter she wondered if the deliberate absence of Mr. Darcy's name was strange in a letter addressed to his sister. Lizzy knew it was deliberate but she didn't want Georgiana to read it in that way. Still she was unaware what information Mr. Darcy had given Georgiana so could not mention him in case of giving the wrong information. Perhaps writing this letter was not such a good idea.
Lizzy put the letter in her writing desk drawer and decided to postpone sending the letter until she'd given the topic more thought. She heard shrieks coming from the front room. "He is here!" Kitty cried excitedly and Mrs. Bennet called out loudly for Jane.
Lizzy ran downstairs to the main sitting room she knew her family would have gathered. The room was in chaos and the ladies of the house hastily adjusted their appearance, Mrs. Bennet standing in front of a seated Jane who was pale and nervous. "Thank goodness you are wearing one of your most flattering gowns," she said breathlessly as she adjusted Jane's hair. Jane appeared not to have noticed, but just looked at Lizzy in concern. Lizzy walked over to Jane and grasped her hand.
"Oh there is someone with him," Kitty commented in a calmer tone as she watched from the window.
"It's Mr. Darcy!" Lydia exclaimed in surprise as she saw him. "Oh dear, I'd hoped I would never have to see him again!" Lydia turned to look at Lizzy in concern.
Lizzy smiled reassuringly at Lydia who looked uncharacteristically nervous and sat down on the window seat beside Kitty.
"Any friend of Mr. Bingley's will always be welcome here to be sure," Mrs. Bennett said firmly as she checked her appearance in the mirror. "But I must say I hate the sight of him."
Lizzy felt conflicting emotions and she swallowed a lump in her throat and tried to look calm as she squeezed her sister's hand and sat down beside her. Within moments their maid opened the door to the sitting room. "Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy," she said timidly and curtsied to Mrs. Bennet who had stood along with her daughters.
Her face light up with a smile instinctively as the gentlemen entered the room, her attention immediately drawn to Mr. Darcy. His dark blue riding jacket brought out the colour in the tall gentleman's eyes as he surveyed the room, meeting Lizzy's momentarily and she felt her breath get caught in her throat. He quickly shifted his gaze to look nonchalantly at Mrs. Bennet who was greeting them warmly.
"Mr. Bingley you are very welcome," she exclaimed happily. "It has been too long since you have been in the country."
Mr. Bingley looked cheerful but nervous as he smiled at Lizzy's mother. "Indeed Mrs. Bennet, I..."
"And I see you have brought Mr. Darcy," she added with noticeably less enthusiasm. "You are welcome too. Are you enjoying your stay Mr. Bingley? Has your hunting been satisfactory?"
The young gentleman was finally granted speech and he replied adamantly, "The hunting has been very satisfactory so far, the weather has been ideal, thank you Mrs. Bennet."
"Well when you have killed all your own birds I invite you to come and shoot as many as you want on Mr. Bennet's land, we'd be happy to oblige." Mrs. Bennet said, her eager attitude making all her daughters flush with embarrassment.
Elizabeth took the moment of silence to jump at the chance of speaking. "Are you well, Mr. Darcy?" she asked with a more composed expression than her mother.
He looked at surprised but serious and answered shortly but pleasantly. "Yes very well, thank you."
Lizzy felt sadness wash over her at his indifferent attitude towards her.
Mr. Bingley was looking nervously at Jane for a moment, and then addressed Mrs. Bennet. "I have come extend an invitation for your family to dine with me at Netherfield. My sisters are still in town and I am eager for varied company," he glanced again at Jane and Lizzy forgot her disappointment as she saw the significant glances the two were exchanging.
"That would be splendid," Mrs. Bennet exclaimed happily. "We would be thrilled."
"Would tomorrow evening be convenient?" Mr. Bingley asked relieved that his invitation was accepted.
The suggestion was of course accepted by Mrs. Bennet, who thanked him with too much enthusiasm. Lizzy watched as Jane remained calm but she could see her sister on the verge of shaking with nerves. The gentlemen then left, with a polite farewell and promise of meeting tomorrow evening. Lizzy had watched Mr. Darcy leave with the resolve that what had happened had not created any bond between them, but at least might bring Jane and Mr. Bingley together once again.
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The dinner at Netherfield could not come soon enough for Mrs. Bennet, who had the house and occupants in a state for the next four and twenty hours getting themselves prepared for the evening. When they arrived, Lizzy was grateful to find the dinner an intimate affair with the Bennets and the Lucas' the only guests. As Charlotte was now married, Mrs. Bennet had no objection to the addition number as the Lucas' no longer had any daughters old enough to be in competition with Mrs. Bennet's.
Lizzy spent the time before dinner engaging in conversation quite happily, but not finding the chance to approach Mr. Darcy. She would glance at him from time to time, often finding his eyes on hers. But he did not approach her, and she did not approach him. She could not think of a reason or of a conversation that would be appropriate to interrupt conversation he was having with others.
Lizzy felt his eyes once again when they were called to dinner, watching her as she moved around the grand dining room on her father's arm.
"Your mother is positively tactless," Mr. Bennet remarked quietly which caused her to smirk as she looked across the room, beaming happily at Mr. Bingley and Jane who were sitting opposite each other.
"Fortunately for you, you are rarely a victim of it," she murmured back.
"Yes, but I am forced to listen constantly; that is punishment enough," he answered and she laughed outright. "But what of you, Lizzy? Since Mr. Collins left such torture has not been inflicted on you." They stopped when they'd reached her designated seat. Her father looked at her thoughtfully. "But your mind as been otherwise engaged of late and I wonder if you left your heart behind at Brighton, to some young officer perhaps."
Lizzy smiled immediately and replied, "That is not the case I assure you; your youngest daughter took up all my time."
Mr. Bennet did not look convinced and he looked at Lizzy. "Perhaps," he murmured before smiling and walking away to take this seat.
When the guests were seated and the first course of dinner was served,
Lizzy was nervous about being placed beside Mr. Darcy, uncharacteristically unsure of herself and how to behave. It was important that they conceal any familiarity which would be deemed inappropriate, not to mention odd by her relations. But, she thought with disdain, Mr. Darcy had no problem behaving as though nothing had occurred between them so she was anxious to behave in a manner that suited his.
"Are you settled back at home, Miss Bennet?" he asked suddenly and quietly during the main course.
"Yes, thank you Mr. Darcy," Lizzy answered automatically with surprise. "I'm happy to be home; although after travelling Longbourne is comparatively unvarying."
"I hope you will not be unsatisfied staying at home," he asked and they gazed at each other for a moment.
Lizzy wanted so desperately to speak to him on a friendlier level, but she knew she couldn't. "Was your business in London successful?" she asked politely.
"I achieved what I set out to, but only time will tell if it was successful," he answered cryptically.
Lizzy smiled mischievously, "That is very mysterious, Mr. Darcy."
He immediately smiled back for a moment and her heart skipped a beat. His face became neutral once again when Mrs. Bennet's voice overpowered all others.
The Bennets did not stay late after dinner, Mr. Bennet anxious to get home and Mr. Bingley openly feared without his sisters, his hospitality was limited. Lizzy watched with a smile as Mr. Bingley specifically paid Jane a pleasant goodnight and helped her into the carriage after Lizzy. Mr. Darcy watched respectfully from the stone steps, his face more relaxed than usual. During the journey home, Lizzy ignored her mother's loud voice as she focused her thoughts on memorizing Mr. Darcy's face.
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Mrs. Bennet had declared the night a triumph the following morning over a late breakfast. The two eldest Miss Bennets had slept very little but had not discussed the evening's events to each other. Lizzy replayed last night's conversation with Mr. Darcy over and over in her mind, wondering what it meant.
She felt hope that she'd never dared to hope before that Mr. Darcy still loved her and was intending to propose. But there was still the cynical part of her that was adamant that it was all too good to be true.
In the afternoon while returning from a long walk she'd taken to clear her head, she came towards the edge of the grounds and saw two horses in a nest of trees. She moved hastily behind a tree when she saw two tall gentlemen standing near them. Mr. Bingley was passing back and forth while Mr. Darcy stood by his horse. The two gentlemen were deep in conversation, although Lizzy was too far away to hear the words. Mr. Bingley was obviously distressed and Mr. Darcy appeared calm and sensible.
Lizzy was greatly intrigued by this sight, particular because they were on Longbourne's estate. The only explanation that they were on route to visit the Bennets. With this in mind, Lizzy quickly left them to their discussion and hastily continued her path home. She was inside the house within fifteen minutes and removing her coat and bonnet. Jane appeared from the sitting room looking happier than Lizzy had seen in a long while.
"You have been gone a long time, Lizzy," she commented.
"I needed a longer walk," Lizzy answered, deciding not to mention what she saw in case the gentlemen changed their mind and didn't visit.
"I suspect you miss travelling," Jane observed as the two of them returned to the sitting room together.
"Yes," Lizzy agreed. "It's strange but as much as I wouldn't choose the situations I found myself in, now I've returned to the comparative sanity of Longbourne I find myself restless without an occupation."
Jane hugged her and replied, "Well, I'm glad you are home."
They entered the sitting room just as Mrs. Bennet cried out from the window. "He is coming, he is coming!" She swiftly turned to Jane and said, "My dear, Mr. Bingley has returned to visit us! So soon, it missed be a good sign!"
Lizzy walked over to the window and saw that Mr. Bingley was riding his horse up the gravel path to their house alone.
"Jane and I will visit with him," Mrs. Bennet declared. "Girls, go upstairs until he leaves."
Jane grasped Lizzy's hand firmly. "Mama, that is not necessary," she insisted. "They have just as much a right to visit as me."
"Jane," Mrs. Bennet said firmly. "I insist that your sisters go upstairs."
"Mama, that is ridiculous," Lizzy said in defense. "At least allow me to stay with Jane as to not completely embarrass this family."
"Very well," Mrs. Bennet cried out in defeat, looking through the window. "He is here, there's no time to argue. Lydia, Kitty, Mary upstairs now!" she snapped the girls hastily exited the room.
Jane was nearly inflicting pain as she clung to Lizzy who guided her to the sofa that faced the door. They were only seated for a moment, Mrs. Bennet frantically fixing cushions in the room.
"Why is he alone?" Lizzy pondered aloud softly.
"Alone?" Jane whispered back.
"Yes...I—" Lizzy was unable to tell Jane what she'd seen because the door opened and they stood to greet Mr. Bingley, who looked alert and determined as he entered the room.
"Mr. Bingley," Mrs. Bennet exclaimed happily after they had curtsied to him. "How kind of you to visit us."
"Thank you for seeing me, Mrs. Bennet," he answered quickly but politely. "Forgive this presumption, but may I ask to see Miss Bennett for a moment, alone."
Lizzy glanced at Jane, who was pale and swallowed nervously as she gazed at Mr. Bingley. For the first time in months, Lizzy saw what she thought was hope.
"Of course, Mr. Bingley," Mrs. Bennet was virtually trembling with anticipation and excitement and she passed Jane and beckoned to Lizzy, who reluctantly stood. "Come, Lizzy," she said, her eyes moving frantically between Jane and Mr. Bingley until they had left the room. Once the door was closed, Mrs. Bennet pressed her ear against it which made Lizzy smile and roll her eyes. Her other sisters appeared from the kitchen, Lydia and Kitty giggling as they ran to them.
"Shhhhh," Mrs. Bennet hushed angrily, keeping her ear to the door.
Lizzy moved through the now crowd of bodies and walk out the front door, grinning with happiness and hoping dearly that Jane would get everything she hoped for.
A/N : Sorry again for the wait, the end of the year is such a busy time. Here's a hint for the next chapter, I hope you enjoy scenes with Lady Catherine!
Thanks to everyone staying loyal and I hope you are still enjoying my story. Please let me know what you think!