"Friendship is the sheltering tree." - Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Chapter 11

Elizabeth could hardly believe it but she absolutely longed to be home, even with her mother's badgering. Anything would be better than what she was now enduring.

"Eliza! Eliza? Are you even listening to me?" Caroline shouted as she continued to sift through Elizabeth's trunk.

"I apologize, Caroline, but I was distracted by thinking of how hard poor Mary worked this morning to pack that trunk." Elizabeth said in an accusing voice.

Caroline rolled her eyes before returning to her task.

"Yes, well, I hardly care for the trials of your maid. I might remind you that it is her duty to pack your trunk. Besides, she will have ample opportunity to repack it during our dinner with the Darcy's this evening."

At this comment, Elizabeth perked up and enquired, "The Darcy's are to dine with us?"

Caroline was looking at one of Elizabeth's older morning dresses in disgust but then glanced at Elizabeth and replied, "Well, yes, they are. Perhaps Jane and Charles intended it to be a surprise? No matter, we really must address the most pressing issue of the day…do you truly intend to return home with this, Eliza?"

Caroline held the offending article of clothing out with an exasperated look to Elizabeth.

"Of course, that happens to be one of my favorite dresses, even if it is not from this season." Elizabeth defended.

"Oh, you are impossible!" Caroline exclaimed. "I know that you have purchased several lovely new dresses during your stay, yet, you would return home with this?"

When Elizabeth did not reply, Caroline continued with a false smile plastered on her face.

"Now, sister, I have reviewed the contents of your trunk and believe that these dresses are appropriate for you to keep. However, this group," Caroline indicated with the wave of her hand, "is more appropriate to be donated to the poor."

Elizabeth was past her patience with her brother's sister and just wanted the rest of her afternoon to relax with Jane. She looked over the pile that Caroline had shunned and thought it a small price to pay to be done with this fiasco of a 'favor'.

"Fine, Caroline, if they will be donated then I will agree. However, I am keeping the blue morning dress." Elizabeth added as she removed her favorite dress from the donate pile.

Before Caroline could speak, Elizabeth continued with a false smile of her own, "Now, sister, I must ask that you excuse me. I wish to speak with Jane before I dress for the meal tonight."

Caroline rose, feeling triumphant, saying, "Of course, of course, I only hope that your time here helped to improve your eye for the finer things."

Then with a slight smirk, Caroline added, "I noticed that Col. Waldegrave was highly attentive to you last night. Mrs. Bennet would be well-pleased to find the son of an Earle as her daughter's suitor, I think. Even if he is a second son."

"Enough, Caroline! The Colonel has been very kind to me but he is certainly not my suitor." Elizabeth responded impatiently.

"Hmmm, yes, well, there is always next year, Eliza."

Caroline finally departed. With a sigh of relief, Elizabeth left her room to find Jane and, hopefully, spend a few enjoyable hours before the Darcy's arrived.

Dinner that evening was festive and intimate consisting of only Charles, Jane, Elizabeth, the Hurst's, and the Darcy's. Jane and Elizabeth had earlier agreed to keep their emotions in check and do their utmost to enjoy the final night of Elizabeth's visit. Their smiles and laughter were infectious and caused even the usually reserved Darcy siblings to relax and join in the conversations.

Jane had just shared a tale of Elizabeth getting into trouble several years ago for scaring her younger sisters on All Hallow's Eve by using a spooky voice. The group laughed when Elizabeth provided a sample of the terrifying voice. As the laughter started to die down, Darcy was shocked when his shy sister spoke up and told their friends about his talent for using different animal voices while telling a story to her as a child.

"Oh ho! Why is this the first I have heard of this talent, Darce?" Charles bellowed as he laughed.

"Yes, Mr. Darcy, it would appear that we were both blessed with incredible story-telling abilities." Elizabeth teased.

Although he was a little red about the ears, Darcy just smirked and replied, "Perhaps we could take our act on the road, Miss Bennet."

"Hmmm…I would not feel comfortable making such a life-altering decision, sir, without first hearing a example of your work?" Elizabeth challenged.

"Oh yes, Will! Do the voice of the Papa Bear! That was always my favorite one because you would growl after speaking." Georgiana added.

This caused another round of laughter amongst the group before Elizabeth once again goaded the good gentleman from Derbyshire.

"Truly? The austere Mr. Darcy…growled? I must hear this."

Before Darcy could reply, Caroline spoke up.

"Enough of this nonsense, Eliza. Mr. Darcy is a gentleman. He does not growl." She said with authority.

Mr. Darcy did naught but bow towards Caroline before he stated that it was time for him and Georgiana to depart. As the party moved from the parlor to the front hall, Elizabeth passed Mr. Darcy and heard a soft noise by her ear that could only be described as a growl. She quickly turned her head to look back at him with a questioning glance. Although he did not make eye contact, his mouth was slightly raised about the corners. A soft smile graced Elizabeth's face as she walked forward to say farewell to Georgiana.

The two young women embraced briefly and exchanged promises to continue their friendship through the post. When Georgiana finally relinquished Elizabeth and turned to take her leave from the Bingley's and Hurst's, Darcy stepped forward to Elizabeth.

"It has been a pleasure, Miss Bennet." Darcy said as he took her hand and bowed.

"For me, as well, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth smiled.

"I wish you a comfortable trip home, my friend." The gentleman said before bowing once again and giving her hand a gentle squeeze. He then turned and escorted Georgiana to the carriage.

Once the Hurst's were gone and she said goodnight to Charles, Jane and Caroline, Elizabeth was finally alone in her room. As she prepared for bed, she could not help but think back on the evening with fondness. She had formed many friendships during her visit as well as attended grand balls and the theatre; however, her last thoughts before she succumbed to her slumber were of a gentle pressure on her hand and a soft growl in her ear.

A/N: Hooray! I'm back on a posting schedule. I'm blown away by all of the reviews from the last chapter. Thank you all for continuing to follow this story and encourage me with reviews. I hope that the reviewers all enjoyed the little sneak peak of this chapter. I've never done that before but I thought I owed you a little something extra after my long hiatus. Any guesses on how things will be in Hertfordshire?