Disclaimer: I don't own Pride and Prejudice, or the characters, etc, etc

Summary: Mr Bingley recieves an urgent message the morning after the Netherfield Ball, and departs before Mr Darcy and his sisters can stage their intervention.

Chapter One

Miss Jane Bennet, eldest of five sisters and widely agreed to be the beauty of Hertfordshire, tried to smile politely at the officers who surrounded her.

Had Aunt Phillips invited every Militia Officer not currently on duty? It certainly seemed that way. The four currently competing for her attention had only recently joined the Militia after being discharged from the regulars, according to Mama's gossip and their own accounts.

The Regular Army required it's men to be at the height of fitness, which these gentlemen were... not. One had lost a hand, and another walked with a notable limp, while the third wore an eyepatch and the last was restricted in the use of his shoulder. They were capable of the lighter duties of the militia, particularly on the administrative side or as experienced trainers for the new recruits, but there was no chance of them continuing to serve on the Continent.

It was not as though Jane thought meanly of them for having been injured. To the contrary, she was glad for whatever solace they took in her company. However, they spoke freely - far too freely - of their time on the Continent, and Jane could not be entirely comfortable with the descriptions of battles and the deprivations of encampments.

Normally, Jane would be able to rely on her sister for rescue, but Lizzy was enraptured in conversation with Mr Wickham - Jane could not make out his rank at this distance - whom they had met earlier in the day. Mary was by the pianoforte, Kitty and Lydia surrounded by other officers. Was it worth trying to catch they eye of Aunt Phillips, busy in her role as Hostess?

Fortunately, such a decision became un-necessary with the intrusion of a very welcome voice. "Ah, Miss Bennet, I had hoped to see you tonight."

As a rule, Jane tried not to show an excess of feeling. More than one disappointed suitor had tried to claim that she had shown partiality toward them in an attempt to press his attentions further than desired, before Jane learned to be discreet in her emotions. Even restrained, she was sure her happiness at seeing Mr Bingley showed on her face. "Any evening could not help but being improved by your presence. Mr Bingley, may I introduce Major Winthrop, Captains Rawlins and Barrow, and Lieutenant Brandon?"

Mr Bingley had a wonderful way of befriending everyone he encountered that Jane found very charming, so while the officers did not seem especially pleased to be denied the sole focus of Jane's attention, neither did they seem resentful as they sought new conversation partners. Mr Bingley's amiable smile changed to one that Jane fancied was reserved solely for her as he escorted her to a smaller card table, allowing for more private interaction than might otherwise be afforded. In a room full of witnesses, there could be nothing improper about it.

Mr Bingley dealt the cards for a two-person hand of Commerce. "Forgive my presumption, Miss Bennet, but you appeared in some distress, and I wished to inquire how you were faring since you departed Netherfield."

How considerate of him! Jane tried not to blush as she picked up her cards. "I am quite recovered, thank you, Mr Bingley. It was the subject matter, more than the company, I'm afraid. War can be as grim to listen to as it is to experience."

To her relief, Mr Bingley merely nodded and changed the subject. "Shall we play for pennies, or our usual tokens?"

Jane did her best to be frugal with her allowance, and Mr Bingley was of a similar mindset. The first time they had played cards, he had suggested that each forfeit should be an exchange of knowledge. It was perhaps not entirely proper, but had enabled them to know more of each other than a half-dozen evenings in company would have otherwise achieved. "Our usual, I think. We spent much of my visit to Netherfield mediating."

Lizzy greatly enjoyed a debate, and Miss Bingley was always ready to match her wit, but sometimes she became too caught up in her opinions, and a change of subject was in order. Mr Bingley laughed. "I think Darcy rather enjoyed it. It is rare for him to encounter a young lady who doesn't agree with his every word."

Jane won the first hand, and began to shuffle the cards for the next round. "Is Mr Darcy well? He seemed upset when we saw him earlier, and I note he is not with you tonight."

Mr Bingley's mouth tilted in something that was not quite a contemplative frown. "There is a history between him and Mr Wickham, though I am not certain of what kind, and could not say if I were. He claims to be well, however, merely occupied with correspondence."

That was a relief to hear. Jane did not press further, Mr Darcy seemed rather like Papa, more comfortable in his own company than among Society, though he would accompany Mr Bingley if Mr Hurst could not be relied upon to keep him company with Miss Bingley.

Mr Bingley won the next hand, and leaned back in his chair. "Hmm... I know your Christian name, but have you any others?"

That was an easy question to answer. "Jane Felicity Bennet."

Mama had been rather prophetic in choosing their names. Jane fancied herself good-natured enough to have deserved her name, though she was sure it had been chance. Elizabeth's second name was Rose, a lovely flower whose thorns must be braved in order to properly appreciate it. Mary Ergane (the Greek had been Papa's contribution) worked the hardest of all of the sisters, even if she was not always successful. Catherine Prudence was always the more cautious of the younger two sisters, if only by small degrees, while Lydia Joy was exuberant in everything she did.

Thomas John, the brother who had been born too early between Mary and Kitty, would have also been well-named, had he lived. But he had not, and Mama was past the ability to bear another child; son or daughter. Jane lost the next hand as well. "I know your sister Lydia desires a ball, but do you?"

Jane did enjoy social occasions, if not to the extent that Lydia did. "I would enjoy any opportunity to spend time with you, and perhaps Mr Darcy will be more at ease with a more selective guest list than at an Assembley."

The next hand was closer than the others, but Jane finally triumphed. "Are you happy learning how to run an estate?"

Mr Bingley did her the courtesy of considering the question as it deserved. "I have always liked learning new things, and I believe I should prefer being a gentleman over the ruthlessness required to be a successful businessman. On the other hand, the mills my father and grandfather built are too valuable to discard entirely, but their ambition was for our family to advance. I fear I cannot give a certain answer."

For the next several rounds, they confined themselves to small, safe topics until supper was called, and Mr Bingley offered Jane his arm to walk in, still discussing the final question of temperaments. "It is very easy to be a cynic, I imagine, especially if one's circumstances are unfortunate. Yet I prefer to look for the good in people; it makes for a happier view on life."

Aunt Phillips had been so kind as to seat them next to each other, no doubt encouraged by Mama. "If it were easy to be kind, or generous, or forgiving, those traits would not be counted among the virtues. I believe that it takes strength to see the good in others, especially when the world would rather not."

Mary looked over from her seat next to Major Winthrop, who had begun his studies at a Seminary, before realising that Commissions were easier to come by than Livings. "All of us will eventually stand before a greater judge than each other, and are we not commanded to forgive?"

It was a neat little trick of Mary's, to have a number of quotes or opinions ready for any subject, which prompted whoever she was speaking with to offer their own, and carry the bulk of the conversation with minimal effort on her part. Certainly more so than planting one's-self in a corner, as Papa and certain others were wont to do.

Major Winthrop brightened at a familiar topic, and obligingly launched into what promised to be a lengthy treatise on whether divine forgiveness overwhelmed the need to be conscientious of one's actions. Mary appeared to be taking mental notes of the better-crafted phrases for future conversations.

Mr Bingley reached for a platter of roast meat with a questioning look. Jane smiled and allowed him to fill her plate as well as his own, as a gentleman ought to do, and the rest of the evening passed in good spirits.

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A/N: Right now, my focus is on finishing An Officer and A Gentleman, which will resume posting soon, but don't worry, this one wont be abandoned.

In the meantime, I'd love to hear what you think.

Thanks

Nat