Thanks to everyone for all of your reviews :) I would just like to say that you all really motivate me to write more.
Karen1220: Thanks for the suggestion :)
Dizzy Lizzy.60: I'm not actually sure that I will pair Henry and Charlotte; I may just have them as friends.
BookieRookie12: I do not particularly love the name Henry; however I did research some Regency names, and Henry came up as one of the preferred ones (as many royals were called Henry), which is why I decided to use it. I might consider changing it when I revise this story but for now, I will keep it the same, simply to prevent confusion. I know that Henry does not legally get anything, but like how George Darcy's will said that the Kympton Living would go to Wickham, he informally told Fitzwilliam and Henry that they should share the estates. Of course, they are all still in Fitzwilliam Darcy's name, meaning that if anything happened between the brothers that caused them to fall out, everything would go to Darcy. As for the two being very different; Wickham and Darcy grew up together and still turned out very different. And the reason for their differences will be fully revealed later on.
Meanwhile, Jane and Mr Bingley had danced together and made conversation for about three sets. Mr Bingley was soon ignored over the two Darcy's, leaving him to bask in Miss Bennet's soft chatter and blushes for the better part of the assembly. For what else was a young man to do, at such an assembly? Truthfully, Mr Bingley could not remember a time when he enjoyed not being fawned over, so his delight in Jane's attentions was a pleasant surprise for both the lady and gentleman. He took in her lovely features; she truly was the gem of Hertfordshire, nay, all of England. Bingley gently took her hand in his and led her towards the dining area. He pulled out her chair before taking his own seat in the one next to her.
Henry appeared in the chair on his other side.
"Bingley, your sister is chasing me!" He whispered with great urgency. Bingley laughed.
"Does she think you are Fitz?"
"Obviously!" Henry grimaced as Caroline sat down next to him.
"Oh, brother dear! I did not expect to see you mingling with the country... folk." A sickly sweet voice drawled. Bingley winced; why did his sister love so dearly to offend people? Why could his sister not be more like Fitz's and Henry's? Georgiana was perfectly sweet with a little cheekiness, yet he had to have a far too orange older sister who refused to listen to a word he said. What had he done wrong?
"Caroline, I think you will find that many of the country folk are far better company than we find in town! Might I introduce you to Miss Bennet?"
"No, brother, I disagree entirely." She turned to address Jane. "Miss Bennet, do you not find the company in such a small town rather... constricting." Jane turned away, blushing. Bingley threw a glare at his sister, whilst Henry concentrated very hard on his plate in front of.
"Mr Darcy agrees with me, do you not?" Caroline asked, fluttering her lashes at him.
"No," Henry said simply, causing Caroline to look at him, rather confused.
"Jane, there you are!" Lizzy exclaimed, taking the seat that Fitzwilliam Darcy had pulled out for her. He sat in the chair next to her, a smile pulled his face. His twin and friend both eyed him carefully, before looking towards Elizabeth.
"So, brother mine, did you enjoy your dance?" Henry asked, smirking. Fitzwilliam rolled his eyes and noticed who his brother was seated next to, and replied with a smirk of his own.
"Yes, Darce, I did. Are you enjoying the company of your dinner partner?" Caroline thought of this as an opportunity to join their conversation, and said,
"Mr Darcy, we were just discussing how constricted the company of such small towns are! Do you not agree? I much prefer town; there are far more diversions."
"No, I do not agree," Fitzwilliam said, turning to plate. Henry decided to elaborate.
"Miss Bingley, you have addressed that question to two men who you know spend very time in town; if you spoke to your brother, you would know that the only diversions of town for the Darcy's is the theatre, and even that is not enough to keep us away from Pemberley when we do not need to be away." Fitzwilliam eyed his brother from across the table, and Henry shook his head slightly, causing Fitzwilliam to have to disguise his snort in a cough. Elizabeth looked at him in concern, but he waved her away. Meanwhile, Caroline stared at the twins in shock, before continuing on a new spiel.
"But of course you would prefer Pemberley! Your noble family estate is, of course, the most wonderful country estate England has ever seen. Charles, when you build your house, I wish it may be half as delightful as Pemberley."
"I wish it may."
"But I would really advise you to make your purchase in that neighbourhood and take Pemberley for a kind of model. There is not a finer county in England than Derbyshire."
"With all my heart; I will buy Pemberley itself if Darcy will sell it."
"I am speaking of possibilities, Charles."
"Upon my word, Caroline, I should think it more possible to get Pemberley by purchase than by imitation."
Henry sniggered. "That would never happen."
Fitzwilliam laughed. "I shall never sell Pemberley; not even to you, Charles."
"I am glad, Darcy! I could hardly deal with the business that comes with it! I hardly know how you manage it!" Elizabeth was now following the men's conversation with rapt attention.
"Charles, it truly is not so much when you split it into two," Henry told him.
"Well, I could hardly split the accounts with Caroline!" Bingley said, causing everyone but the woman herself to laugh, for she was frozen with the shock of her brother's ridiculous suggestion.
"Miss Elizabeth? Might I have the next set with you?" Henry asked, pleased when Elizabeth responded in the positive. He took her hand and led her towards the dance floor, noting the annoyed look crossing his twin brother's face.
"Thank you for dancing with my brother, Miss Elizabeth."
"It was my pleasure, Mr Darcy." She said with a smile in Fitzwilliam's direction.
"My brother... He does not often converse with people whom he is not well acquainted with. I am most apologetic if he bored you."
"I enjoyed the little conversation that we had, it was not so sparse."
"But rather forced, I assume?" Lizzy smirked.
"Perhaps a little." Henry chuckled.
"My brother prefers to stare out of windows than dance."
"Really? I had thought that he preferred to dance with his shoes than women." Lizzy quipped, her voice full of sarcasm. Henry laughed.
"Perhaps that may be the case. It would explain why he chooses his shoes with such great care!" They laughed, before being separated in their dance.
"Brother!" Fitzwilliam called after his brother and his partner as they left the dance floor. Fitzwilliam paced towards his brother, Caroline trailing behind him. Henry turned to his brother, who had drifted towards Elizabeth. "Brother, Caroline has requested your assistance." Caroline regarded the two Darcy's, confused. She could never tell which was which. Henry looked at her expectantly, but she said nothing.
"Darce, will you escort Miss Elizabeth back to her father for me?" Henry asked his twin.
"Of course!" Fitzwilliam replied, his mouth twitching. He looked at Elizabeth, his cheeks colouring very slightly, noticeable only to Henry. "Miss Elizabeth?" Lizzy exchanged a glance with Henry as Fitzwilliam refused to meet her eyes. She took his arm, as he led her towards Mr Bennet. "Miss Elizabeth, would you do me the honour of the last set, if you do not already have a partner?" His warm breath in her ear sent a shiver down her spine, and his deep voice sent tremors through her arms. She dearly hoped he could not tell. He could not, for he was distracted by her close proximity. He could smell her brown curls, they smelt of lavender, his now favourite scent. Why had he bent so close? And why could he not pull himself away?
"Of course, Mr Darcy." She nodded and noticed he was biting his lip. Was he truly so nervous? "My mother would have my throat if I did not!" She said with a laugh. Whilst Fitzwilliam thought he would normally be repulsed by such a comment, he found her open and easy nature far too entrancing to stop talking and tried to imagine what Richard or Henry might say in response.
"Well, then it good that she would do so, else I would not have the pleasure of dancing with such a beautiful woman…" he said, his awkwardness taking over as he reached the end of his sentence, which trailed off into nothingness. Elizabeth found him puzzling; why would he start with such charm only to turn shy at the end? Nevertheless, she heard his words and let out an appreciative laugh, the same genuine ripples of laughter. He felt as appreciated as he was by Georgie, hearing such a laugh. For little Georgie was the only woman who would laugh at him so genuinely. Otherwise, all both Mr Darcys heard was the fake cackling of the ladies of the ton. And quite honestly, Darcy was sick of the sound that seemed to resemble an untuned violin.
"Mr Bennet, your daughter," Fitzwilliam said, passing Mr Bennet Elizabeth's arm.
"Mr Darcy, I feel like I have seen only your face with my Lizzy this whole night." Mr Bennet joked.
"It was not only I who she danced with, Sir. T'was also my brother and Mr Bingley."
"Ah yes, your brother. How could I not have known. Thank you Mr Darcy. And you Lizzy, shall remain by my side for the rest of the night, for I am in great need of some company." Darcy shifted on his feet slightly; what about the last set? Elizabeth caught his eyes, and he could see the pleading look in them. Of course, she would prefer to stay with her father, than him, possibly the most awkward man she had ever met. However, Elizabeth's thoughts were entirely the opposite. She wanted him to tell her father; for she did not wish to offend her father by breaking their tradition to dance the last set together. If she brought it up herself, her astute father would certainly realise her intrigue in Mr Darcy. And though they were close, she would prefer to get to know Mr Darcy in a situation where her father's eyes would constantly be following her about the room. Besides, he probably did not want to give her any consequence; for what man of £10,000, a year would wish to talk to some country maiden such as herself for longer than he was forced to? So with both feeling slightly dejected, Mr Darcy chose to sit down by Mr Bennet. At least he could still listen to Miss Elizabeth converse in the lovely way that she did.
"Father, have you enjoyed the assembly?" Lizzy addressed in an attempt to ignore the feeling of Mr Darcy's eyes on her.
"Not as much as your mother, Lizzy. I do so wish your uncle would come sooner… he certainly can deal with your mother better than I."
"I do so hope Mr Gardiner tells us more about his business, father. I have told you many times; you ought to have business in trade!" Lizzy told her father quietly. Lizzy had always found trade fascinating.
"Elizabeth here is not the place to discuss such things."
"Of course." She looked reproachful, remembering that Mr Darcy was seated so very close to her.
"However, I was planning on speaking to him on his upcoming visit." Lizzy's eyes lit up; her father was finally listening to her!
"Mr Gardiner is your uncle?" Mr Darcy suddenly interjected for he had been processing their words rather slowly. Lizzy nodded. "I know a Mr Gardiner. He lives on Gracechurch Street."
"That is our uncle," Lizzy said with slight reluctance. Would he even want to associate with her once he realised she had relatives in trade? However, his face split into a wide smile.
"Mr and Mrs Gardiners children are most wonderful, are they not?" He asked her, thinking back to the wonderful little girl who he had once read to. The same girl refused to let him leave and sat on his shoe to prevent him from doing so. Fitzwilliam Darcy loved children; so innocent, sweet and unassuming. They simply wanted a little attention, and their thirst for knowledge could never be quenched.
"You know the Gardiner children?" Mr Bennet asked, regarding the other gentleman with interest.
"My father knew Mr Gardiner. Of course, now I do too, and my brother, sister and I have dined with them a few times." Darcy felt it appropriate to leave out their business association; he did not yet know if he could trust Mr Bennet.
"They have never told us…" Lizzy commented.
"And why should they?" Mr Bennet told her.
"I stay with my aunt and uncle often, Mr Darcy. Why have I never seen you?" Lizzy enquired.
"We do not meet so often, Miss Elizabeth. And when I call on them, it is often when Mrs Gardiner's two nieces are out shopping or walking, or at a museum. Might I assume that you and Miss Bennet are the nieces?" Lizzy nodded, impressed by his perceptiveness.
"Darce, Miss Bingley wishes to leave. I am afraid we all have to leave." Henry said, suddenly standing in front of his brother, his expression leaving no allowance for argument, not that Fitzwilliam thought to argue with his twin. Fitzwilliam stood up, and both Mr Darcys took the leave of Elizabeth and her father, before walking out of the assembly hall, speaking in hushed whispers, leaving the residents of Meryton to wonder what had caused the early leaving of the Netherfield party.