(Author Note: Decided to go ahead and post another chapter today my way of saying thanks to such a great community. Hope everyone has a great weekend see you next Friday with another chapters. janie MJ

Chapter 11: A Picnic Dinner

Elizabeth made her way back up to the house; she found Jane and Charles sitting together on the terrace. Her sister never looked so happy as she did when she was with Charles. She pulled out her camera and got several shots of the two of them before they realized she was there. She let out a small sigh and placed her camera back in her bag. Elizabeth smiled, seeing her sister so happy and obviously in love made her think that it might not be that long before the two announced their engagement. She was just about to retreat and leave the two of them alone when Jane glanced up and caught sight of her.

"Oh Lizzy, there you are. We were wondering where you had gone," she remarked.

Elizabeth smiled, "I've been slaving away trying to get the best photo possible of your new home, Charles."

"Well, I trust you completely Elizabeth," he told her. "I've seen the way you captured my Jane's beauty in her photographs, so I know you will do justice to Netherfield."

Elizabeth walked over, and sat down on the sofa, "So what are the two of you up to?"

"We were just saying how fun it would be to take the horses out for a ride and have a look around the estate. I have asked Thomas to have a picnic set up for us down by the river. We will have a lovely dinner there," Charles explained.

"Then I will wish you well on your endeavor, while I find a quiet corner to proof my work," Elizabeth told them.

"Oh Lizzy, please come with us?" she pleaded with her.

Elizabeth was just about to decline when Caroline and Louisa came into the room followed by Darcy. Her eyes met his for a moment before he turned away. "Well, Bingley are we going to go riding or not?" Darcy asked his friend. He had to admit he was looking forward to riding again, with his schedule being so busy he didn't have the opportunities to go as often as he would like.

Charles got to his feet and pulled Jane along behind him. "We were just trying to persuade Elizabeth that she should come along too."

"I do need to spend some time working on my photos," she told them. "But that should not stop you from going, in fact, I insist that you go."

"I understand, but please remember to stop working long enough to get something to eat for dinner," Jane said disappointed that Elizabeth would not be joining them.

"Miss Eliza is a real work alcoholic. She's always working and never desires to relax and enjoy herself in the company of others. What a shame your sister will miss the pleasure of your company," Caroline said sarcastically.

"No that's not it at all Caroline. Lizzy has never really cared much for horse riding, and she did warn me she would have to make this a working weekend." Jane defended her sister.

Caroline turned to Elizabeth, "That's a shame, Eliza, that you don't like riding. We all enjoy it very much and go as often as we can. I don't like to brag, but I've been told I'm a very accomplished rider. If you change your mind about coming I would be happy to give you some tips that might make the experience more enjoyable for you," she told her with a hint of superiority in her voice.

"Thank you," she told her. "That's very kind of you, but it's not that I have trouble riding I just..."

"It would be such a shame for you to spend the entire afternoon here just because you are afraid of feeling that your riding skills are inadequate to any of ours," Caroline interrupted her. "I do promise you that we would never hold it against you, or think less of you for it. After all, not everyone can have the luxury of taking riding lessons as we have had."

Elizabeth tried again to explain. "It's not that I can't..." she began to say when Louisa interrupted her again.

"You really should consider Caroline's offer to help you. She's a very experienced rider and could provide some great pointers for you. You never know you may end up enjoying yourself,"

Louisa told her. "It's understandable that someone like yourself might not have had the same opportunities as we did to take lessons as a child. You could benefit from our experience. Both Caroline and I would be happy to help you."

Caroline glanced over at Darcy then back to Elizabeth and said, "Truly Miss Eliza, don't allow your pride to keep you from enjoying the afternoon with your sister and the rest of us." She was determined to get her to come along, this way she could show off her riding skills to Mr. Darcy, whom she knew to be an avid horse rider.

Elizabeth chewed her bottom lip and said. "I will be very happy to come along with you all."

"Are you sure Lizzy?" Jane asked her.

Elizabeth nodded her head. "Yes, I can work later," was all she said as they headed up to the stables. The staff had the horses ready for them when they arrived. Elizabeth couldn't help but admire the surrounding landscape. Netherfield really was a beautiful estate. They rode along at a snail's pace for the first hour. The countryside was lovely, and Elizabeth took note of different spots that she wanted to come back to later with her camera. After a while, Caroline's constant comments about her riding prompted her to nudge the horse into a faster pace. "If we keep going like this it will be morning before we get to our picnic dinner," Elizabeth told them as she urged the horse forward at a quicker pace and then finally into a full gallop.

Darcy watched as Elizabeth rode off in front of them. She handled her horse beautifully; it was obvious that she had lessons at some point in her life. He found himself feeling attracted to her spirit and determined personality. "I believe Miss Bennett is right. At this pace, we will not arrive for our dinner until well after breakfast," he repeated Elizabeth's words and then took off after her.

Jane laughed, as she and Charles urged their horses forward as well. Soon it was just Caroline and her sister that remained. "Why that little…" Caroline made some unkind remarks about Elizabeth and chased off after everyone with her sister not far behind her.

Elizabeth was the first to arrive at the site chosen for their picnic. She got down off her horse and ran her hand through his mane and scratched his neck. "That was a good run fella," she whispered softly. She tied the reins to a nearby tree and walked over toward the stream that made its way through the meadow. It was a beautiful spot with lush green grass and two huge trees that provided some much-needed shade. She wished she would have brought her camera with her. As she turned back around, she saw Darcy coming up the hill. He handled his horse quite well, and to her surprise she found herself admiring him as he rode up. It was the sound of her cell phone ringing that interrupted her thoughts. "Hello?"

"Elizabeth, it's Michael...did you get those proofs I emailed you?" her assistant asked.

"I did, thank you very much," she told him. "You did a fantastic job."

"Are you sure they were what you wanted?" he asked her.

"They were perfect. I couldn't have done a better job myself. You saved me a ton of work. I was worried about accepting this new job for the magazine, but you came to my rescue. Thanks for giving up your weekend and finishing up for me," she told him.

"It's not a problem. I was glad to help. Besides with Sara visiting her mother, I was on my own this weekend anyway," he told her.

"How is Sara feeling these days?" she asked. "I bet she's getting so excited for the baby to arrive?"

"Yes, she is. She said that she's looking forward to seeing her feet again," he laughed. "She told me to tell you to stop by soon and keep some time open because she wants you to take the baby's first photos."

Darcy rode up and saw her on the phone. He got off his horse and tied him to the tree near hers. He tried not to intrude on her conversation but couldn't help overhearing her as she said goodbye to whomever she was speaking with.

"I will do that, I promise," she said just before ending her call. "Looks as if we are the first to arrive," Elizabeth told Darcy as she put away her phone.

"I believe Charles and your sister aren't too far behind," he told her. "I didn't mean to listen in, was it a business call?"

"Yes. This is kind of a working weekend for me as well," she admitted. "My assistant was just sending me some proofs that he went over."

"Sometimes it's hard to break away," he said checking over his messages before the others arrived.

"It can be," she agreed. "It was a lovely ride though. I'm glad I came along. Charles was right to suggest it. I think I would like to come back with my camera and get some more pictures before we leave Netherfield. I think this would be an amazing early morning shot," Elizabeth said trying to make small talk and calm her nerves.

Before Darcy could respond both Jane and Charles arrived; with Louisa and Caroline just behind them. Elizabeth laughed at the sight of Caroline Bingley. She looked very annoyed and a bit disheveled. "Looks like we will all get to have dinner after all," she said to Jane and Charles.

Caroline dismounted her horse and handed the reigns over to Charles to take care of for her. "I must say, Eliza, you were far too modest back at the house about your riding skills. Louisa and I were saying you seem to do very well for someone who has trouble with riding."

Elizabeth smiled, "I never said I had difficulty riding. Jane said that I didn't enjoy riding; not that I lack the skill to ride," she told her.

Caroline huffed, "I see, my mistake in misunderstanding," she feigned a smile.

Elizabeth shook her head and shrugged her shoulders, "No harm done."

Caroline walked over and stood near Darcy. "It's a shame though, that someone who has such obvious ability for riding would dislike it so much. Why is it that you don't care for riding Miss Eliza?"

Elizabeth knew Caroline didn't care what the reasons were for her not wanting to go riding with them, so the question was confusing to her. Before she could even respond Caroline turned to Darcy and asked, "I only ask because we all enjoy riding so much. Isn't that right Darcy, I know both you and Georgiana enjoy riding?"

Darcy nodded, "Yes, I like to go riding when I have the time. Georgiana goes on occasion, but not as often as she used too. I used to ride a great deal when I was younger and had more free time."

"I used to like riding when I was younger, but I lost the desire for it when others insisted on giving their opinions about how things should and shouldn't be done, it made the whole experience less enjoyable," Elizabeth admitted to him. She knew what Caroline was doing by asking her about riding. Caroline wanted to point out all the things that she had in common with Darcy, like horseback riding. She found it funny that Caroline would try to use her to get Darcy's attention.

Darcy had a feeling Elizabeth might be talking about her mother. He could hear the regret in her voice. He could only imagine how her mother's nagging would take the joy out of the experience for her. "Perhaps one day you will find you like riding again. You are a very capable rider. You handled your horse beautifully."

Elizabeth was surprised by the sudden show of kindness, "Thank you."

Caroline saw her ploy to draw Darcy's attention to herself wasn't working so she changed the subject. "I'm starving Charles what has Susan prepared for dinner?"

"I believe she has some fried chicken as well as several salads and fresh fruit for us," he said as he led Jane over toward the picnic area. Elizabeth watched as Caroline wrapped her arm around Darcy's and the two walked over to join Charles, Jane, and Louisa. She thought for a moment that she saw a flash of annoyance in Darcy's eyes as Caroline rambled on but decided it must have been her imagination.

Elizabeth sat down near a large overgrown tree and watched Charles and Jane together. She knew her sister well enough to know she was completely in love with Charles. She hoped it would work out for the two of them. She liked Charles and thought they made the perfect couple. She could see Jane with a son or daughter that would look just like them both, with curly blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and the sweetest disposition. Elizabeth had to smile; now she was the one imagining things just like her mother always did. She told herself it was easy to picture the two of them married seeing how blissfully happy they were together.

Caroline looked over at Jane and Charles and rolled her eyes. "It's hot here, isn't it?" she commented. "Louisa and I were saying how hot it is here in the country. We both think you should consider spending some free time at the beach where the temperature is more comfortable."

Charles looked over at his sister. "I don't know Caroline. I don't think it's too hot here. Besides I just leased the house, I would like to spend time in it before I head back to the city."

"I will admit Netherfield is a beautiful location, but there is not much else going on around us," she told him. "Meryton is a small town. We are just too far out from the city. Don't you agree, Darcy?"

Darcy knew Caroline was trying to discourage Charles from buying the property. She wanted his support in dissuading her brother from making Netherfield his home, but Darcy wanted what was best for his friend. "I think Netherfield is lovely and has its charms."

Elizabeth looked over at Mr. Darcy. She wondered how he and Charles Bingley became friends. They were both so different. Charles was so friendly and open while Darcy was, what was he she wondered? When they first spoke to one another at the party, he was rude and obnoxious, not just to her, but to everyone there. Then the next morning at his home when she met with Georgiana he was rude, condescending, and bossy. Now here at Netherfield, he seemed to at least be trying to be friendly. It was too bad that he thought so little of her because he was as Charlotte said, very handsome to look at. At that moment Darcy looked up, and their eyes met. She quickly looked away. She felt embarrassed for staring at him. She tried as hard as she could to keep herself from blushing.

Darcy found himself looking over at Elizabeth as she talked with her sister and Charles. He didn't even mind being left out of the conversation; he was surprised to find that he enjoyed just watching her. She was a very intelligent woman, and it was clear she and Jane were close. It was the sound of Caroline's voice that drew him out of his thoughts. He looked over in her direction and realized he didn't hear a word she said to him. "I'm sorry I was thinking about a business deal, what did you say?"

"I was just saying how lovely this part of the estate is, but that it doesn't compare with the areas around Derbyshire," she told him. "If Charles wants to buy, I think you will agree with me Darcy that he should look in that part of the country instead."

Darcy didn't like that Caroline was trying to use him to influence her brother. He didn't like being manipulated by her, and he wasn't about to put Charles on the spot in front of Jane and Elizabeth. "I think Charles knows what his responsibilities and business dealings are and as such will choose the best location to buy when he's ready to do so," he said as his cell phone went off and he excused himself.

Caroline smiled politely and said nothing more. She hoped to get Darcy more on her side in this. She could see her brother was taken with Jane. If she didn't do something soon, she was going to be spending a great deal more time with the entire Bennet family. That was something she didn't want to happen.