Disclaimer: Jane Austen's, not mine :(

Ch 8

Darcy sat at the Netherfield's breakfast table with his friend. Usually Darcy was up long before Charles, but after the vast amount of business he had to take care of last night, Darcy only fell asleep right before dawn. He was looking forward to a quiet day and possibly trying to start anew with Elizabeth.

"How do you feel about a ride this morning my friend?" asked Bingley.

"Let me guess," replied Darcy "Towards the direction of Longbourn?"

Charles smirked at this, "What? I just thought you'd want to see your intended today."

"I do think we got off on the wrong foot. Perhaps visiting would help us understand better each other's character. Perhaps..."

"CHARLES EMERSON BINGLEY!"

"Oh look Darcy! I think my sister is here. I wonder if she read the paper yesterday" joked Bingley.

Just as he said this, Caroline Bingley came storming into the dining room, her hat askew with it's feather bent.

"Oh! forgive me Charles dear. I didn't realize Mr. Darcy was with you" simpered Caroline.

"Caroline, aren't you going to congratulate Mr. Darcy?" smirked Bingley leaning back in his chair.

"But of course," said Caroline clenching her jaw, "I must say I was rather surprised when I read it, but I insisted on rushing here to be the first to wish you joy"

"I'm sure you did" murmured Charles.

As good of friend as Darcy was with Charles, it definitely had its downside. Caroline being the biggest one.

No one even noticed the Hursts had entered the room, filled their plates, sat down and were eating.

"Sorry we can't stay to chat Caroline, but Darcy me are on our way to visit his betrothed as we speak," said Bingley.

"That's perfect," replied Caroline "Since we just arrived, the coach is already prepared. I would just love to meet your new neighbors Charles."

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

The ride to Longbourn was anything but pleasant.

Darcy and Bingley sat next to each other in silence as Caroline talked relentlessly about what was new in London. All the while arching her back, so her figure would appear at it's best advantage. She was now sitting basically on the edge of the seat.

"... and of course orange is the last fashion choice this season..."

"Caroline enough!" cried Bingley "We only left London a few days ago! I hardly doubt the fashion has changed since we left. "

Darcy smirked at this comment while Caroline pouted. Suddenly, the carriage hit a divot on the road. Had Caroline been seat normally it would not have mattered but being as she was, this event sent her tumbling to the floor.

Righting herself quickly before the gentlemen could assist, she murmured something about how awful country roads were, but ended her speech on what they were missing in London.

'Yes' thought Darcy 'I'm finding more about Hertfordshire I like every day.'

"Oh! I forgot to tell you this morning Charles, I sent word for my cousin Richard to bring Georgiana here. They are staying at my house in London and should arrive in a few short days," said Darcy

"Oh dear Georgiana! How I long to see her. She is such a favorite of mine," gushed Caroline.

"Yes, she um ... fells the same way I'm sure" hedged Darcy.

"And of course she's also a favorite with Charles." Caroline continued in a suggesting speech.

This caused both Darcy and Bingley to roll their eyes. Georgiana was just like a sister to Charles and everyone knew it and neither wished for more. But in Caroline's head the more Darcy/Bingley connections the better.

As they pulled up in front of Longbourn, Caroline commented as she sneered, "Oh! isn't it quaint. Just like a fairy tale. The poor little girl falls for the handsome prince."

Darcy's anger was soon getting to him. But, for fearing he would say something that would hurt his friend he chose to remain silent.

Upon being shown into the sitting room, Darcy got himself first view of the woman his fiancée had avoided him meeting until now.

"OH MY WORD! IF IT ISN`T MY FUTURE SON IN LAW!" Boomed a voice from across the room.

Darcy cringed as the round woman made her way across, not waiting to be formally introduced. Darcy quickly found Elizabeth whose eyes were closed in total mortification.

"Yes madam. Please allow me to introduce my friend Mr. Charles Bingley of Netherfield and his sister Miss Caroline Bingley." spoke Darcy.

"Oh! Welcome! Welcome! What a fine dress you have Miss Bingley, and Mr. Bingley I believe you know my Jane. Come sit by her." beamed Mrs Bennet. "My other daughters have walked to Meryton this morning. They will be so sad they missed meeting our new neighbor for they are also unattached."

Darcy could hardly stand it, another matchmaking mother. He would have to save his friend yet again.

He also couldn't stand the fact the Caroline had not released his arm since they exited the carriage.

"How wonderful for young men such as yourselves to have too many pretty girls in town. I am surprised, Mr Darcy, that you chose Lizzy. My Lydia is so much more enjoyable to be around and far prettier then her, but I guess Lizzy is acceptable if you fancy that kind of girl," blathered Mrs Bennet having not taken a breath yet.

Darcy couldn't believe what he had just heard. Of course Elizabeth was a somewhat head strong with a bit of a temper, but she seemed just as beautiful as most women of his acquaintance and far more intelligent. The words Mr. Bennet spoke just the day before were echoing in his head.

Pulling his eyes away from Mrs Bennet as she started launching to Miss Bennet's virtues to Bingley, he caught Elizabeth's. The speech had little effect on her. Darcy guessed she had heard similar untrue statements from her mother before. She was however giving him a rather strange look while she looked between him and Caroline Bingley.

Darcy at this point was trying everything is his power to still be a gentleman but get his arm away from Caroline Bingley's grasp. For some reason feeling guilty about still being in her clutches.

Sensing his unease, Bingley quickly intercepted his sister and insisted she tell Mrs Bennet all about the new fashions in London. Caroline paled as he led her to the couch.

Having secured Caroline for the visit while Mrs. Bennet gushed about the fine lace on her gown, Charles suggested that Darcy, Miss Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth accompany him to the orchard.

Clearly Mrs Bennet was too interested in news from town to remember to send any real chaperons or, more then likely, just didn't care.

The couples readily left leaving behind a fuming Caroline Bingley shooting daggers at a petit brunette.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Once reaching the orchard, Jane insisted on showing a new fruit tree that they had just planted. Charles, of course, eagerly followed.

At this, Darcy raised an eyebrow as he looked at Elizabeth. "Your family seems to have planted a lot of new trees."

"Jane is sweet, kind and lovely but one thing she is not is the best at lying," replied Elizabeth

Darcy nodded in reply.

Silence. Oh how he hated awkward moments. How could he think of nothing to say to this woman. They either fought or said nothing. Surely there must be a middle ground. He was after all trying to better their relationship.

A few trees away, Jane and Bingley watched in exasperation.

"Should I have started them out with a topic?" whispered Bingley.

He received a stern Shhhhh from Jane and the pair went back to watching.

"Your friend seems rather attached to you." said Lizzie firmly.

Not picking up her tone Darcy replied "Yes Charles and I have been friends since school. I'm helping to teach him how to run an estate."

Darcy looked at Elizabeth to notice she was giving him a rather perplexed look.

"I meant Miss Bingley," corrected Elizabeth.

"Oh! yes indeed. If she were any more attached I would need a seamstress to remove her once I retired at night" grumbled Darcy.

Elizabeth couldn't help it this time and a small laugh squeaked out. She tried to cover it with a cough but she was sure he heard it.

Blast! thought Elizabeth. Not wanting him to think she found him funny, she quickly changed topics.

"I assume you will be joining my family this Sunday for the first reading of the bans" Elizabeth said emotionlessly.

"Yes, of course, my sister and cousin will be joining me as well." replied Darcy in a similar tone.

"A sister. You never told me you had a sister." Said Lizzie with an edge of enthusiasm in her voice and a smile in her eyes.

"Yes, well you've hardly given me the chance to say much in our entire acquaintance. Even though I doubt you care, she is excited to meet you"

At the coldness of his speech the excited spark that was in Lizzie's eyes quickly vanished and was replaced once again with a glare.

Confounded thought Darcy. Why does it have to be this way? Clearly she was excited about meeting your sister. That's one of the reasons you're doing this. To give Georgiana a sister. So much for starting anew. Why couldn't you have just said something nice. SAY SOMETHING NICE! screamed a voice in his head.

"Um ... your dress is a very nice shade of blue."

Whatever Elizabeth thought Mr Darcy was going to say next, that was definitely not it

"Thank you?" replied Elizabeth with more then a hint of confusion in her voice as her eyebrows drew together.

At this point Bingley sighed and turning to Jane whispered, "Why can't they stop being stubborn and make it easy on themselves?"

Jane nodded in agreement at this.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Elsewhere in Meryton, the rest of the Bennet girls were meeting a new member of the militia.

"Miss Lydia Bennet, Miss Kitty Bennet, and Miss Mary Bennet; allow me to introduce George Wickham. He will be joining our regiment as a lieutenant."

Captain Denny having finished the introductions, Lydia instantly turned to flirt with the new officer.

"Well, Lt Wickham, I must say how fun it is to have such handsome men roaming the streets of Meryton," said Lydia batting her lashes.

'This is definitely not the Bennet I'm searching for,' thought Wickham. 'But this one could be of some use. After all she seems about as bright as a stormy day.'

"Thank you. A compliment from a pretty lady is always appreciated. Your sisters seem as charming. Are these all your siblings?" questioned Wickham.

"Oh no," said Lydia. "I have two more sisters at home, Jane and Lizzy. But they're practically old maids." Laughed Lydia.

'Brilliant!' thought Wickham. 'Yes, this girl will be useful indeed.'

"What fun. We all must meet sometime." Smiled Wickham as Lydia continued to flirt and Wickham continued to scheme.

AN: Hello again everyone. I can't believe I have over 300 reviews! You guys are the best reviewers ever. Thank you so much for taking time to review my story. Thanks again to my beta who continues to put up with me.

So for the story, I hope you all now realized why I had to send Lady Catherine away. If she had read that news article I feel she would have instantly jumped on her broom and flown to Longbourn, buying out the contract for Elizabeth and ending the story quickly and on a definite down note. So I have 3 more chapters written and about 6-7 more to write. I know. I've totally been slacking off finishing this story but at least I have all the future chapters outlined. Thanks again and I'll see you all again next week.