Greetings readers :) I hope you are having a great Friday. Here is the next chapter.

Chapter 15: Late Night Chats

It was late in the evening before they all came together again for dinner. Charles decided to have a party and couldn't wait to share his plans with them all. "So, I was talking with Jane and Elizabeth, and we came up with the wonderful idea for me to get to know our new neighbors."

Darcy looked over at his friend, "Oh and what that might be?"

"I'm going to have a party for some of the families I have met as a way of getting to know them better. I'm very excited about this. I like the area and think it would be a marvelous way to get to know everyone. Jane has agreed to help me plan and host the party," he told them.

Caroline didn't like the idea of having a party. She didn't want her brother and this woman hosting parties together. "Charles, do you really think it's necessary?" she asked trying not to sound too discouraging. "I mean with Jane's busy schedule wouldn't the worry of having a large party to plan be unfair to ask of her?"

Jane smiled, "I don't mind," she said. She was just as enthusiastic as Charles was.

"Of course you don't mind Jane, you are such a sweetheart. But really Charles, this was terribly thoughtless of you to even consider imposing on Jane in such a way," Caroline said scolding him. "Didn't Jane say yesterday that the summer months are some of her busiest for modeling jobs?"

Elizabeth could see that both Jane and Charles were unsure of what to say next. "It's true Jane is usually very busy during the summer months. But as luck would have it, Charles mentioned wanting to have this party in the next few weeks, and things don't get going until later in July. I think it is a marvelous idea. I'm looking forward to it. I believe many of the neighbors will love the idea."

Charles smiled, a look of relief washed over his face. "That's right, we will have the party before Jane is busy with work," he repeated what Elizabeth said. "I think it's a marvelous idea. It won't be anything too extravagant, and it's a fantastic way for me to get better acquainted with everyone here in Meryton," he told Caroline. He looked over at Darcy, "You think it's a good idea, don't you Darcy?" he asked his friend looking for support.

Darcy looked up at his friend and could see this was important to him. "Yes, I think it's a very good idea," he told him. "Let me know when you plan to have it and I will be here."

Caroline was frustrated. She had to think of a way to salvage this. "If you really want to have the party Charles at least let me help, so we don't impose on poor Jane. Even if her busier schedule isn't until later in July, we should not impose. It would be unfair to ask so much of her when it is the two of us who should be doing the work. It's your party after all," she told him. She hated the idea of hosting a party, but she didn't want her brother's name linked to the Bennet family any more than it already was.

Elizabeth was determined not to let Caroline cut her sister out of the picture. "Caroline, I'm sure you can understand why Charles would want Jane's help with the planning of the party, she knows the families in the area. She knows the caterers, and since she's willing to give her time and help, I can see no reason why she shouldn't do this. Unless you have some other reason to object?"

Caroline shook her head, what more could she say. Unless she came out and voiced her objections to Jane herself, she would have to relent. "Of course you're right," she said trying to hide her frustration. "I will just offer you my services should you need them, Jane," she smiled. She sat fuming and listened as Jane and Charles carried on about their upcoming party.

Elizabeth smiled, she could see Caroline wasn't happy about the way the conversation went. She imagined she was used to getting her way with her brother. Caroline was older than Charles, and it was clear she liked controlling and manipulating him. For her part, Elizabeth was glad to be able to help her sister. She did wonder though at how quiet Mr. Darcy had been all evening. It wasn't long before he excused himself and left to go upstairs for the night. It was clear something was on his mind. She wasn't sure why she was so concerned about him, but she was.

Caroline waited until everyone said their goodnight before she pulled her sister back to talk. She waited as the others left the room and made sure they were out of hearing range before she began her rant about Elizabeth Bennet. "Can you believe the way that little witch talked to me. I swear to you Louisa, Charles marrying into that family will only mean trouble for us."

Louisa was used to her younger sister's tantrums, so she chose her words carefully, "So what do you propose we do about it?"

"We have to find a way of breaking them up," she snapped at her.

"Caroline, I know you said the family was terrible, but honestly Jane is not that bad," Louisa said.

"Maybe not, but her family is, and that sister of hers, Miss Eliza Bennett," Caroline made a face that showed her dislike, "I could just rip her hair out! Do you know that Darcy likes her?"

"Are you sure?" she asked. "I haven't noticed him pay her any kind of special attention."

"Yes, I'm sure!" she told her as she paced about the room. "When we went out riding the other day after we all finished with dinner," she began to say, "Darcy was over by the stream. So I went over to join him. I commented on how disheveled Elizabeth looked after taking off on her horse and riding ahead of everyone as she did. He said he thought the excitement of the ride brought color to her cheeks and made her soft brown eyes sparkle in a way that he found rather appealing." She bit out each word with frustration. "Can you imagine he finds her attractive!"

"Caroline don't read too much into a silly compliment. We both know a man like Darcy would never stoop to a woman of Elizabeth Bennet's standing. His family name and position would never allow it." Louisa said to her.

"Our brother is considering marrying Jane Bennett, why should Darcy be any different?" Caroline asked her.

"Because Darcy is old school money. His family ties go very far back, unlike ours. There are certain expectations for someone like Darcy to marry from the right circle of society. Do you think his aunt, Lady Catherine would ever agree or support him marrying a woman who is working for him?" Louisa laughed. "You have nothing to worry about. Let him give a compliment to her, let him have his fun. In the end, he will see that you are the better choice when it comes to marriage. You have the background and the social standing that Elizabeth doesn't have. Trust me, one day you will be living at Pemberley with all the perks that go along with being a Darcy."

Caroline thought about what her sister said. "Darcy has always been one to follow traditions. Especially ones that are important to his family. Still, we must persuade him to help us make Charles see he has to end things with Jane!"

"We will," she promised her as they headed upstairs for the night.

Elizabeth was sitting at her computer when she heard someone knocking at her door. She opened it to find Jane eager to talk with her. "Are you terribly busy with your work?"

"No, I'm all done," Elizabeth said as she invited her in and the two sat down on the bed.

Jane pulled one of the pillows into her lap "Oh Lizzy, I can't believe that the weekend has gone by so fast. I have enjoyed getting to spend this time with Charles and his sisters."

Elizabeth smiled, "I will agree that it has been nice to spend time getting to know Charles, but his sisters are another matter altogether."

"Oh, Lizzy you must not be too critical of them. They have been raised differently than you and me," Jane scolded her.

Elizabeth laughed, "Yes they have been given everything they ever wanted and are spoiled completely because of it."

Jane shook her head, "Lizzy, please don't say such things. I'm really trying very hard to like his sisters, and it has not been easy."

Elizabeth smiled and patted her sister on the hand. "I may tease now. But I promise you that when you and Charles get married, I will embrace Caroline Bingley as if she were my sister for your sake. Family gatherings and functions will be completely blissful, and we will all get along famously."

Jane lowered her gaze, "Lizzy, now you sound like Mum. Charles and I have only been dating for a few months. Neither one of us has expressed the kind of feelings that would lead one to believe a proposal was about to happen."

Elizabeth teased her sister, "But he did call you 'his' Jane before, and I think he's in love with you even if he has not said so yet."

Jane smiled, "I wish I could be sure. I do believe I have fallen completely in love with him. I can see myself spending the rest of my life with him, having children, and growing old together."

"Oh, Jane you must not be so doubtful. Of course, he loves you. Anyone who saw the way he looks at you can see it," Elizabeth told her.

Jane grew quiet for a moment then said. "Lizzy, about the party that Charles wants me to help him with. I'm sure many of his friends from London will come too."

Elizabeth looked over at her sister, "It does make sense that he would invite them. He wants to show off his new home and his beautiful girlfriend all on one occasion."

Elizabeth knew that was one reason Caroline objected as strongly as she did to Jane helping host the party with Charles.

"I was thinking about Mum," Jane said, "and Mary, Lydia, and Kitty. I don't want Charles to be uncomfortable. I don't mean to say anything unkind, but you know people that have known us for a long time have become used to overlooking certain things. But what will Charles's friends think of Mum?"

Elizabeth wanted to help, but she really wasn't sure what could be done. "I will try to talk with dad. But short of not inviting them, I'm not sure what else we can do. Lydia's behavior is out of control. She's flippant and completely disrespectful of others. I don't know why Mum allows her and Kitty to hang out with Denny. He's already twenty years old, and most of his friends are even older."

"Mum spoils Lydia and lets her have her way on everything, that's why. But I do think deep down Denny has a good heart and watches out for Lydia," Jane told her.

"Denny may have a good heart, but he's still a guy," Elizabeth said. "I think the simplest solution is to invite Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield, but maybe not include Denny. That way Lydia won't have anyone there to encourage her out of control behavior at the party."

Jane reached over and hugged her sister, "Thank you, Lizzy, for being here with me. You always have the right answers," she said. Jane stood up and yawned. "Night," she said as she walked over to the door.

"Goodnight Jane," Elizabeth said as she leaned back against her pillow and closed her eyes. She rolled over and pulled the blanket up over her shoulder. Finally, after being unable to fall to sleep, she sat up and adjusted the pillow to get comfortable. When that didn't work, she decided to go down to the library to find a book to read. She quietly made her way downstairs and searched through the shelves of books. Whenever she couldn't sleep, she found that reading helped to relax her. The sound of the library door opening caught her attention and she turned to see Darcy coming into the room.

He stopped suddenly, not sure what to do when he saw her standing there. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude on you," he said feeling very awkward. He took note of her attire. She looked utterly charming in a pair of pajama pants, a comfortable tee-shirt, a hooded sweat jacket, and a pair of warm slippers. He realized he was staring, so he turned his gaze toward the window.

Elizabeth took in a small breath, "It's no trouble, I was just looking for a book. I couldn't sleep," she told him suddenly feeling self-conscious that she was in her pajamas.

"I guess we had the same thought then," he said as he walked over to the bookshelf and began looking through the books. He wanted to apologize to her for the misunderstanding they had that morning but was not sure how to begin. After several minutes of looking, he settled on an old mystery and turned to leave.

Elizabeth found her book too and was just about to leave when she heard Darcy's voice call out to her. She stopped and looked back at him, "Yes?"

Darcy swallowed searching for how to begin, "Charles has informed me that you and your sister will be leaving tomorrow morning."

Elizabeth nodded her head, "Yes, I have more work to do, and Jane has a photo shoot coming up as well."

"I see," he said. "I just wanted to apologize for any misunderstanding that may have occurred this morning when we ran into each other."

"There was no misunderstanding," She told him sounding more irritated than she meant to. "I realize that I wasn't your choice to do Georgiana's photos and that you are not exactly thrilled with the idea, but I can assure you that I take my work very seriously and..."

Darcy lifted his hand to interrupt her, "Please, I wasn't trying to criticize your work. On the contrary. I realize that I may have sounded overly critical this morning and I wanted to apologize for that. Georgiana is very important to me. I can at times be overly protective. It comes with being an older brother I guess," he told her as a way of explanation. "I hope that you can forgive me. I didn't mean to offend you."

Elizabeth was surprised by his apology and found herself taken off guard. She didn't say anything for several seconds not sure what to make of this side of him. "Georgiana is a very wonderful young woman. I can understand that you are looking out for her best interests," she conceded. "It was just a misunderstanding on my part. I have no hard feelings toward you personally."

"I'm glad to hear it," he told her. "Your friendship means a great deal to my sister, and I would feel terrible if anything I had said were to cause any discord between the two of you."

"Please don't worry on that account," Elizabeth told him. "I'm very fond of Georgiana. She has become a very good friend to me as well."

Darcy felt himself feeling very awkward. He didn't know what to say, so he chose only to say goodnight and left the room abruptly. She waited a few minutes before following him back upstairs to her own bedroom. One awkward meeting a night was plenty for her.

Once in her room, she climbed into bed and opened her book. She shook her head to clear her thoughts and tried to focus on the page in front of her, but she felt so confused by his behavior to concentrate. In one moment, he seemed to despise all around him, the next he seemed vulnerable and almost human. She tried again to focus on her book but found her thoughts so puzzled by the encounter that she couldn't read or sleep. Mr. Darcy had completely captivated her mind.