Chapter 4

With Jane in her favourite blue and Elizabeth in her favourite yellow, their maid had very prettily styled their hair, the younger sisters were in raptures at how well they looked. Mary smiled at both of them "Are you sure you won't come Mary there is still plenty of time to get you ready"

Mary sighed "No I have a new book on botany and it has quite a chapter on Hertfordshire so I see myself very busy in the near future"

"Oh, I will surely take a look at that when you are finished" Elizabeth said

The sound of the carriage pulling up on the gravelled drive alerted them to their Aunt arriving. Mrs Phillips bustled in seeing both nieces ready and with a quick hug to the remaining three bustled the two eldest out of the door with promises to take tea with them on the morrow. Mrs Philips was full of news regarding the new inhabitants of Netherfield Park. Jane and Elizabeth listened politely not interrupting until Mrs Philips ran out of steam. Having heard nothing that they already didn't know Elizabeth told her aunt of her meeting with Mr Darcy.

"Oh, that reminds me when I come tomorrow can I have a jar of the rosehip jam as your uncle has a slight cough and I don't want it to get any worse" Mrs Philips looked at both the girls with a smile.

Moments later the carriage arrived at the assembly hall and they all alighted with the help of the groom. Torches lit the way and Mr Philips was awaiting them. His kindly face wreathed in a huge smile and his whiskers tickled as he bent and kissed their cheeks. Spotting Charlotte with her older brother and a few of their other friends in a group they decided to join them. Mrs Philips left to join Lady Lucas and Mrs Long and Mr Philips left for the card room.

A sudden silence engulfed the room as the Netherfield party arrived. Sir William joined them and his jovial banter seemed louder in the silence. A little noise that sounded distinctly like a small moan emanated from her sister. Mr Bingley was definitely a handsome man. His blonde good looks were definitely a foil for Mr Darcys. Mr Darcy saw Miss Elizabeth and smiled in her direction, seeing this she returned the smile. Darcy excused himself from his party and made his way over to the group.

Elizabeth introduced her friends and Darcy greeted each with a small bow. The ladies and gents bowed and curtsied in return. The musicians struck the chords indicating the dancing was about to start and Darcy looked at Elizabeth and requested a dance if she was not otherwise engaged. Elizabeth smiled and nodded her eyes twinkling as her smile widened. Darcy noticed her eyes and knew he definitely was in trouble.

"You were on time after all" Elizabeth smiled at him.

"Yes, Bingley threatened her that if she wasn't down in time then she would be left at home£ Darcy smiled in return.

The music started and the quadrille started the steps. Every time their hands met they both felt a frisson that startled them both. Elizabeth looked over and saw her sister dancing with Mr Bingley and smiled her eyes then caught Miss Bingley and the sourness of the look she received made her most uncomfortable. The dance ended and partners were swapped. Conversations between sets was light but informative to Darcy. The gentlemen went to retrieve glasses of punch for the ladies and more sets were requested. Darcy danced a reel with Charlotte Lucas and a cotillion with Jane. The waltz was gaining popularity in London but had yet to arrive in Meriton.

Darcy had never enjoyed himself so much as he was this evening. He requested and was granted the final set of the evening with Miss Elizabeth and Bingley again danced with Jane.

The carriage ride home had Miss Bingley disparaging the neighbourhood furious that Darcy had only danced one dance with her. Her sister listened in horror as Caroline got nastier and nastier, when Bingley exploded and said "Pack your stuff and leave, I will release your dowry to you and you can shift for yourself. Take a hotel room as you are not welcome in my townhouse I have had enough, your bills are your own I will be contacting my solicitor, the ladies I met this evening were everything lovely"

Caroline gasped and realised she had now really gone too far why had she run her mouth. She tried to backpedal but her brother wasn't listening. "No Caroline, I have had it with you, nothing will change my mind"

Darcy didn't wait around when they reached Netherfield but wished all a goodnight and removed himself from the tense atmosphere to his room. On the desk he saw his missive to Richard he smiled and picked up his quill.

P.S. I have found her

He smiled as he sealed it and wrote its direction. His valet arrived a few minutes later and prepared his master for bed. Darcy looked amongst the books he had brought with him and picked up his old favourite Hamlet and settled in his chair with a snifter of brandy to read for an hour or two.

As usual Darcy woke early and decided an early morning ride so dressed quickly and going to the stables via the kitchen cook had just put some pastries to cool. She saw Darcy and smiled lifting the teapot she poured him a cup he smiled back at her and grabbed a couple of pastries. He quickly finished his tea and went out munching. Zeus was soon saddled. He mounted quickly and galloped down the drive. He wanted to put enough distance away from Netherfield. He stopped at the end of the drive and looked about him. In the distance he saw a large hill and thought that would be as good a place as any to rest up for a couple of hours. He tethered Zeus to a handy low-lying branch, his horse could still graze but wouldn't be able to go far.

Climbing the hill quickly he looked about him savouring the fresh scents of Autumn just as he reached the top he was joined by Miss Elizabeth. Coming from a different direction. They wished each other a good morning, Miss Elizabeth made herself comfortable on a large rock and Darcy asked if he could join her, she smiled up at him "you may".

They sat in a companiable silence each busy with their own thoughts. Lizzie reached into her pocket and brought out two apples she offered one to Mr Darcy which he took gratefully.

"Did you enjoy our little assembly" she enquired

He looked at her and smiled, "I enjoyed last evening very very much"

Lizzy looked across to the wood on Longbourns land. "I have always loved this view"

Darcy looked around him "Derbyshire is very different, here it's a rolling countryside my home of Pemberely is best described as craggy." A distant look came into his eyes, its wild and untamed beauty" He looked at the lovely lady beside him "I hope one day to show you"

"I have always wanted to travel, My aunt and uncle want to visit the lakes next year and they have suggested I come with them."

"I too love the lakes and have several paintings by local artists, mostly Windermere and then a few of the peaks it truly is an enchanting area and I highly recommend a visit." Darcy wanted to show her and put the idea aside for further perusal later.

Elizabeth looked at her time piece and told the man next to her that she would be leaving now as breakfast would be ready soon. Just as she stood to leave she asked him if he wanted to join them again. Darcy displayed his widest smile and agreed. Elizabeth nearly swooned at the sight of his dimples.