Hello everyone!

Please excuse the extra time I took to sort out a few things.

In particular, I revamped chapter 9 where Wickham makes his entrance (and exit) and changed quite a bit. I noticed it did not reflect my reasoning for Mrs Bennet's actions sufficiently and also, my doubts about Lizzy being overly passiv would not rest. Basically, for those who do not wish to read it again, I focused more on the aspect of Mrs Bennet defending her daughter, rather than Mr Darcy.

A little update just now: I fixed Darcy's reaction at the news of someone importuning Lizzy. Thanks to J.W.Garrett who pointed it out. I wanted to change that earlier and forgot it, the reminder was very welcome.

Now, here finally comes another chapter. Enjoy!

Nevertheless, as her siblings lost themselves in their gleeful recitation, Caroline could not help herself. Their good humour was addictive. She almost felt sorry that they would have guests again the next evening.

The next day, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam were eagerly expected at Netherfield. Caroline had prepared everything perfectly. The rooms were aired, the beds were well freshly made up and Caroline had even laid out a few books in Mr Darcy's chambers.

She had personally gone to the bookshop in Meryton this morning, since she knew that Mr Darcy had visited it before, and had acquired the books based the shop owner's recommendation. If Mr Darcy did not appreciate this initiative from her, she would be damned.

Now she was awaiting him eagerly, lined up with her brother and sister on Netherfield's front steps as the Darcy carriage pulled up. When the carriage door opened and a hand grasped the handle at its side, Caroline gave her most brilliant welcoming smile. Meeting her smile, however, was another man whom she had never met before, as he alighted from the carriage first. Drat. For a moment, she had forgotten that Mr Darcy was bringing his cousin.

Next to her, her brother cried out, reaching out his hands "Colonel! It is so good of you to come! Welcome to Netherfield. May I introduce you to my family?"

And thus, Caroline gritted her teeth as she was roped into smiling and curtsying at the colonel, who bowed over her hand gallantly, while Mr Darcy climbed out of the carriage behind him. Her brother really could have timed this better.

That evening, Caroline was slowly growing frustrated.

The Colonel insisted on monopolising her attention. While it was all very flattering and she certainly needed to make a good impression, he was not Mr Darcy, and he kept her from conversing with him! And her brother was most unhelpful as well. Instead of taking some of the Colonel's attention on himself, he was chatting with Hurst and Mr Darcy at the other end of the table.

When the dinner bell rang, Colonel Fitzwilliam offered her his arm and she could hardly refuse it. Her only hope was that he wanted to sit near his cousin. Turning to him, to suggest just that, she paused as she caught him winking at Mr Darcy. The latter grinned back at the Colonel, not looking at her at all! Suddenly, Caroline could not feel quite so flattered anymore.

Swallowing her rising anger with difficulty, she reminded herself that her dinner partner was Mr Darcy's cousin and the son of an earl to boot. Oh well. She would rally. If the Colonel insisted on teasing Mr Darcy by keeping her attention on himself, she would view this as a good sign and make the best of it. She knew the cousins were close, so befriending Colonel Fitzwilliam could only pose an advantage. Thus, she decided, she would charm the Darcy's cousin today.

Later that night, Bingley retired to his study with Darcy and Fitzwilliam for some port and conversation.

"Now Bingley, how have you been? Darcy told me you had a new angel? And one that actually seems to deserve the title both in character and looks this time? Tell me about her and her family!"

The younger man did not need to be asked twice. While he noticed Fitzwilliam's amusement at his rhapsody, he did not mind. After a while however, when he had been steered away from expounding on Jane's loveliness for the third time in a row, Bingley noticed that Fitzwilliam asked a great many questions about the Bennets, and Miss Elizabeth in particular. He grinned. "Now, now, Colonel! What did Darcy tell you about Miss Elizabeth that has you this enamoured already?"

Fitzwilliam blinked at him innocently. "Me! Enamoured? I do not know what you mean."

Bingley leaned forward, clasping his hands in anticipation. "In that case, I take it that you found out what happened between the Bennets and Darcy? Miss Bennet and I figured out that Miss Elizabeth was involved, but I have not heard the whole story yet."

Bingley was well aware of Fitzwilliam's penchant for dramatics and storytelling and knew that the tale would be infinitely more entertaining if he got Fitzwilliam to tell it. Who knows when he would manage to pry it from his taciturn friend! Excited, he refilled the Colonels glas and shoved it back at him. "Do tell!"

Darcy groaned with resignation as his cousin cast him a sly sideways glance. Then, with great enthusiasm, Fitzwilliam launched straight into the story. "Imagine Darcy here, not in the mood for socialising and mien sour as a lemon, waiting for you at Longbourn's gates..."

A while later, Darcy had sunk into his seat with his hands covering his face, while Bingley was laughing tears.

"Now I can see why you were so curious about the Bennets!", he gasped and gathered himself with difficulty. "I have to warn you though, you may not stand much of a chance." Bingley grinned. "Mrs Bennet herself is, of course, married. And rumour has it that she sent some poor sod running with his tail tucked good after he tried to importune Miss Elizabeth recently. Good luck braving that!"

At that, Darcy abruptly sat up and moved his hands from his face. "What? Who!" Glancing sideways at his friend, Bingley answered more seriously "I don't know. It seems that Mrs Bennet had it well in hand though." When Darcy did not react to that and only stared silently, the younger man added "Rumour also has it that Mrs Bennet defended you against the chap quite fiercely, Darcy, after he tried to badmouth you."

Seeing his friend's obvious shock at this, Bingley grinned again. Animatedly he opened his arms and declared "I propose we call on Longbourn first thing tomorrow to find out more."

In response, Fitzwilliam raised his glass to Bingley and in his most pompous voice said "Hear, hear!"

Suddenly, Bingley started snickering to himself. "Do you think I should tell Caroline that Mrs Bennet offered to go with her to visit Netherfield's tenant wives to help with introductions?"

Imagining that scene, even Darcy could not maintain his aloof composure. Soon all three were laughing and jesting.

Later, Fitzwilliam was sitting in Bingley's study alone, staring at the fire in contemplation. Darcy and Bingley had gone to bed at some point, but something was itching in the back of the his own brain.

Some 'poor sod' who was importuning young women and badmouthing Darcy? The other two had apparently assumed it was some essentially harmless local chap. However, doubts gnawed at the Colonel. Of course his cousin seemingly had behaved in a manner that invited censure. But such a random attack when he was absent for a while?

It all reminded him way too much of Wickham, that bastard. He really would like to get his hands on him, break his pretty nose at the least. Then again, it seemed his charms had not saved him for once.

Fitzwilliam stopped himself. Really, what were the chances that it actually was Wickham in that rumour? He would find out more tomorrow. With a sigh, he grabbed some papers stacked on the desk. Trying to find something to divert himself from his musings, but not in the mind to get up just yet, he glanced over them.

It seemed to be a letter from a gentleman he vaguely remembered from a military function in London lately, whom he found exceedingly ridiculous. Curious, Fitzwilliam perused its content. It turned out, he could not have chosen something better for getting his mind off of Wickham. Shortly afterwards, he was cackling. Who knew Miss Bingley was capable of such entertaining and malicious yet insightful commentary!

The Colonel pulled some more of the mail towards himself, shamelessly indulging himself in other people's affairs.