Author's Notes: Thank you all so much for your continued readership! I really appreciate all the feed back so much. This chapter is a bit on the shorter side, but I think you will enjoy the plot progression.

I am posting this chapter unedited as of right now. I have submitted it to my beta Pipsicle, and will repost when I receive her edits. My work keeps me extremely busy through out the holiday season, and I know everyone else's lives get busy too. I figured I'd submit now to keep my creative ball rolling and the fine tuning can come when it's ready. Hope you all enjoy! For those who celebrate, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

The acting mistress of Netherfield made a charming picture at the breakfast table of her country estate the morning after the storm. It was a picture that had been meticulously crafted by the skills of an excellent lady's maid following the vision of her intelligent and ambitious mistress. Her morning dress was high quality and in the latest fashion, her hair arranged becomingly, her eyes bright, clear, her cheeks tinged with just the faintest blush. The Bingley family was originally from the north of England, but Caroline spent her formative years and the majority of her time being out in society living in a city, whether London or Bath. It was no small feat for a spoiled girl used to living in the rhythms of town hours to arise every country morning and greet her party at the break fast table as prettily as she did. In fact, the longer she endured country living, the more she found that she rather detested it. Yet she was keeping house for her brother, who aimed to raise the family respectability by becoming a country gentleman. More importantly still, she was the hostess of perhaps one of the most eligible country gentlemen bachelors in the whole of England. Whatever personal feelings Miss Bingley may have had toward Netherfield and Hertfordshire were inconsequential when considering what Mr. Darcy might expect in the future mistress of Pemberly, his own country estate.

So every day, Caroline rose without fail, and every day her brother and all their guests met her smiling face when they arrived to break their fast. Unfortunately, the lady in question did not extend her meticulous efforts in her presentation toward the worst tendencies of her personality. Perhaps if Miss Bingley had in some way been warned that Mr. Darcy cared for London manners even less than he did for London hours, she might have managed to temper her nature somewhat in his presence. However, unaware as she was, her wit was free flowing, even on display. Her guest found that to be more unattractive to him than any of her other Town habits, but his good breeding would not allow him to display his distaste.

It was her ignorance and vanity which lead her to begin her dialogue with that gentleman as soon as the dining room had been vacated by any save their own party.

"Is Netherfield to be invaded by every Collins relation in the county, do you think?" She addressed him, a wry smirk on her lips.

Her sister, Mrs. Hurst, tittered in her typical fashion, while her husband attended his meal with thoughtless vigor. Her brother sputtered, his good nature not allowing him to find any joke in the situation at hand, while his friend frowned slightly, a look of deep concentration on his face.

"I should hope that you would come to care for me if I were ill, Caroline." Bingley replied, in as reproachful a manner as he could attempt to muster.

Caroline laughed with every seminary girl's practiced air of effortless charm. "Oh Charles! You are too cruel to doubt me! Of course I would rush to attend you if you ever have need of me. I only wonder at the nature and hour of such attention from the Collins family."

"Quite right, my dear." Mrs. Hurst interjected, "To walk all the way, at such an hour, unescorted, and in all this mud! The threat of rain still upon us all! I hope you saw their petticoats, Caroline. Six inches deep in mud, I dare say."

Mr. Darcy, feeling a very real concern for the well being of the invalid under the care of his hosts, felt he should intercede, but knew not how. "It will be some time before the roads are passable for any carriages." He said, with some stiffness.

Miss Bingley immediately turned toward the object of her hopes, balancing her amusement with contrived compassion. "Indeed sir, but not nearly so terrible for a messenger on horse! I fear the Collins family must doubt our capabilities as nurses to have come to us so swiftly. I had hoped that my note would have conveyed there was no need to make such an exertion - at least not yet!"

The master of Netherfield squirmed uncomfortably in his seat, looking around the table at his friend and family with heightened color. "Well, I think it shows an affection for their relation that is very pleasing!"

"Oh Charles!" Caroline snapped with exasperation, "Mrs. Collins and Miss Bennet's affection for poor Mr. Collins is not in question. Really, it is a matter of the propriety of their visit! It is only natural that they should want to be with their ill relation, but surely you would not want Louisa or myself to traipse about the country side on a cold, wet day, unescorted, to attend you! I am sure that Mr. Darcy would be adamantly against dear Georgianna attempting such a journey!"

The siblings both turned their attention to Darcy, and he immediately tensed, feeling that his opinion on the subject would be granted an undue amount of weight. "Miss Darcy is not permitted past Pemberly's gardens without a chaperone." He cautiously began. "I would certainly not be pleased if she attempted such a display."

Miss Bingley sent her brother a significant look, and Charles responded with an incredulous bark of laughter. "Come man! Surely if you were as ill as Collins you would want to see Georgianna above anyone!"

"Indeed, I would." The elder of the pair answered, "Yet I would be consumed with worry for her and how she must be feeling, rather than my own injury." He paused, and then continued with some thoughtfulness. "I imagine I should not attempt to compare Mrs. Collins, a wife and a care-taker, with a young girl not yet out in society. If Georgianna was the one to have taken ill, and a carriage could not take me to her side, I would use whatever resource necessary to reach her."

Darcy watched the pair of them react to his words. His friend looked rather triumphant, and Darcy imagined only his age and good breeding prevented the younger man from sticking his tongue out at his sister in victory. Miss Bingley was growing more cross by the moment, though she did her best to mask her displeasure behind a practiced smile. Perhaps it would have been more to his strategic advantage to placate his hostess, instead of the host. Some weeks spent in Miss Bingley's home had acquainted him with how tedious her company could become when she was in an ill humor. He felt rather more like a father than a friend to the pair in the moment, settling their childish squabble.

For all their sakes, Darcy decided to be diplomatic. "I must commend you, Miss Bingley, on how delicately you handled the situation at hand. It was very good of you to provide Mrs. Collins and Miss Bennet with a change of dress, and to invite them to stay the night."

The words had their intended effect on the target. She modestly demurred from the compliment, as her seminary had taught her to, all the while looking very well pleased with the praise. The party was able to continue their breakfast in some degree of peace.

For his own part, Darcy was well pleased with his words. He could not credit Miss Bingley with much in the way of warmth or kindness, but she was a consummate hostess that played her part well. His compliment was an honest one. It may have unnerved even the most experienced hostess to have such a bedraggled pair of ladies announced in her parlor, well past the normal calling hours. Miss Bingley had taken it in stride, seeing that the pair was attended to properly, and never once gave away her personal feelings on the matter. At least, not in their company. If she had been able to temper her nature in the more intimate Netherfield party, he might have been able to think well of her for more than being his closest friend's sister. However, she was unguarded, and Darcy was grateful for it.

Equally unguarded, was Miss Bingley's brother, though the nature of his thoughts were entirely different from his sister's. Bingley was a good man, with the sort of warm and kind disposition that was naturally disposed to think well of everyone and be pleased with those he met. He was also young and idealistic. Though intelligent, he was too soft-hearted to see that the motivations of others were not always as benevolent as his own. Darcy had moved enough in the world to be constantly wary of it. While Mrs. Collins' concern for her step-son appeared genuine, why was it necessary to bring Miss Bennet to attend him as well? Darcy was convinced that her motive was entirely fixed on securing his friend for her sister, though neither party seemed particularly inclined toward one another.

In fact, if Bingley's inclination lay anywhere, Darcy was becoming worried that it may be toward Mrs. Collins herself. Even a blind man could not be immune to Mrs. Collin's beauty, powerful as it was. Her reputation had proceeded her when they had arrived in Hertfordshire, and been confirmed upon meeting her at the Meryton Assembly. Darcy had lost his heart too sincerely and thoroughly in the past to be in any danger, and had viewed the vision of her loveliness with the same sort of dispassionate admiration that one may view a fine piece of art. However, Bingley had never felt that deep sort of passion which made other women pale in comparison - and in Hertfordshire society, confined and unvarying as it was, Mrs. Collins' exquisite beauty stood out as all the more remarkable.

The families had been meeting with some frequency since their introduction to Hertfordshire society, and though nothing untoward had occurred, the intimacy of Bingley's connection with Mrs. Collins only increased with time. The attractions of her person were only heightened with the knowledge that she was also elegant, affable, intelligent, and possessed a gentle nature. He had first become suspicious of Bingley's partiality when the family came to call only the day prior. There had been something just a shade beyond his usual warmth in the effusive greeting he had given the Collins family, and his words and looks had been primarily directed toward the young matriarch in particular. After the two ladies had unceremoniously arrived at their door step, his defense of their actions seemed to come from a place deeper than the general congeniality of his character.

There was a part of Darcy that almost wished to encourage his friend's attachment to an unattainable woman, as it would prevent him from aligning himself with any unsuitable country bride. Bingley's place in society was tenuous, and any misstep from him could prove disastrous for his sister's own chance in society. It had been that very same fear that had prevented Darcy from forming any serious design on the woman he loved for many months of their acquaintance. Only the strongest passion had induced him to make any move that could compromise Georgianna's standing, and he had made an utter botch of it. The Darcy family was a line almost as old as England itself, and capable of weathering the scandal of an unsuitable love match. His wealth would have brought some respectability to that marriage, if nothing else could have. Bingley would need to take much greater care with his own name, and the people he attached to it.

However restrained and impassive Darcy appeared to the world, he was not without sensitivity. While there was some sense in encouraging Bingley to keep his attention on a woman who could not hurt his marriage prospects, there was a far greater risk in that she could, and would, most assuredly damage his heart. It was not unlike Bingley to lose his head over a pretty face, and Darcy had seen Bingley fall in and out of so-called love with every season they had stood together as friends. Bingley had a romantic, sensitive soul, and whether knowingly or not, Mrs. Collins could potentially hurt him. It was yet another reason that Darcy had to keep a vigilant eye on the mysterious family of Longbourne.

Now, that beautiful, pleasant, and calculating lady resided under Bingley's roof, and evidently at his breakfast table. For as Darcy's musings on the mysterious Collins family wound about his mind, the pair of ladies in question were admitted to the dining room.

The gentlemen rose with alacrity, even Hurst, loathe as he was to pause in his enjoyment of the meal. Bingley immediately addressed them with a grave sort of eagerness. "Good morning to you, Mrs. Collins, Miss Bennet. Pray tell me, how do you find the patient this morning?"

The ladies dipped their curtsies, and stood primly by the door way. Mrs. Collins' hands wrung together with worry, and the two attractive young women appeared wan and bleary-eyed before them. "I would so like to give you a good report, Mr. Bingley." Mrs. Collins answered, her voice thick with emotion, "However, I have no glad tidings for you. My step-son suffers from a great deal of pain from his injuries, and I am afraid that the small fever he developed yesterday afternoon has only taken a stronger hold on him through the night."

The Netherfield party immediately gave the Collins family their regrets and condolences, but Bingley took the matter to heart and moved to treat his guests with conciliatory kindness that far exceeded what good manners required. He sat the pair of sisters at his table, and began to fix them plates himself, instructing his sister to see to their beverage choices like a fretful mother hen. Darcy watched the exchange with a concern that was slowly increasing with each passing remark.

"You have all been so very kind to us." The elder of the sisters began once they were seated and settled, "I am loathe to trespass upon your kindness any further after all you have done for my family, but I am afraid that I must beg it of you. William is far too ill to be moved at present."

"Moved?" Bingley repeated, full of incredulous emotion, "I shall not hear of it! In fact, I would most vehemently, expressly forbid it." A subtle tilt of his head toward his sister had the Netherfield hostess echoing her brother's sentiment.

"Indeed Mrs. Collins, we would not dream of distressing poor Mr. Collins in any such manner."

"You are all goodness and kindness." She replied, with a small dip of lace capped honey curls.

This basic politeness did not satisfy the master of Netherfield. He continued onward, full of warmth. "And furthermore, Miss Bennet and yourself must stay as along as you desire to attend Mr. Collins. I would not have you traveling back and forth between our estates when I can host you both quite comfortably here."

Mrs. Collin's sapphire eyes brightened considerably at the invitation. Her younger sister grasped her hand, looking earnestly between the pair. "Are you quite certain, Mr. Bingley?" She asked, unable to conceal all her hopes and anxieties in her voice, "We have no wise to impose upon your hospitality. You have already done so much for us."

"Impose? Certainly not! I quite insist upon your remaining here. I am sure I am not alone in this sentiment. Do you not agree that Mrs. Collins and her sister must remain, Caroline?"

Once again over the course of morning Darcy was forced to concede that Miss Bingley did her duties as a hostess well. Only a practiced observer such as himself could have detected the flash of irritation in Miss Bingley's eyes as she bid the pair of interlopers to stay indefinitely.

"We can send for Mr. Jones again as well, if it is your desire." The master of Netherfield continued, unabashedly.

Darcy finally felt himself compelled to once again join the fray of conversation. "That will not be necessary at this time, Charles. I sent a request for my physician to attend us here yesterday by express. I received word back that he will be in Hertfordshire before night fall today only just before entering the break fast room."

The whole of the room turned to look at him with varying degrees of astonishment. Inwardly Darcy squirmed at all the scrutiny directed toward himself, always uncomfortable to be at the center of attention in any room. However, he bore their attention as best he could. It was Mrs. Collins' heartfelt thanks, her resplendent beauty positively angelic when over-full with gratitude that tore at him the most. He had sent more than one express to London when the rain had stopped yesterday afternoon, and received more than on reply. A London physician was indeed coming to Netherfield, and he would be attended by a London assistant. An assistant from Bow Street.

Darcy was determined to unravel the mystery of the Collins family, and uncover the truth of the Reverend Collins' injuries. And he was going to do so with some professional assistance. After all, he was simply a country gentleman with a keen eye, not a sleuth. Where he could not pry with success, he had the resources to employ men who made it their living to find out information.

The morning repast continued with some degree of equanimity. It was not a particularly cheerful gathering, but a quiet and comfortable one. Bingley engaged Mrs. Collins and Miss Bennet in quiet conversation, attending to their comforts, Hurst and Darcy attended their meals in silence, and Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley poured over the recently arrived newspaper.

Just as Darcy was rising from his seat, Mrs. Hurst's voice cut through the room. "Oh dear, such a loss for England!"

The attention of the room turned toward the lady, who shook her head sympathetically. Seeing that they had caught the interest of the group, Caroline added, "The famed Benito Forelli has passed away. He was quite an old man at this point, but it is still a loss for the country, all the same."

Darcy's mind instantly turned toward the woman he loved, imaging her alone with her grief in London. He had not known their whole history together, but he knew that Adelaide had been devoted to the elderly Italian with a strength that had been truly touching. "A great loss indeed." Darcy commented, "I was somewhat acquainted with him, and he was a truly talented man, as well as a kind one."

"More interestingly," Mrs. Hurst continued, "he has left the entirety of his fortune to his muse, that actress Adelaide Bernard."

"Signore Forelli lived comfortably, from what I recall. That is very fortunate for her." Darcy replied, somewhat tersely.

"There is another interesting mention here," Caroline added, skimming the article. "There is some confusion as to the legality of her inheritance. Adelaide Bernard is a stage name, and reportedly this has created complications. How shocking!"

"I thought the common report was that Miss Bernard was his natural daughter. Perhaps instead she was his mistress. If he has family, that could create quite the headache for her."

The pair of sisters laughed lightly, diving into other pieces of gossip with relish. Darcy gave his bow to the room, his mind reeling with the information that he had just gleaned. He would request a copy of the paper be sent to him in the privacy of his own room. As he rose, he could not stop his eyes from falling on the pair of sisters whom he felt must be connected in some way to the news that had just been shared. Mrs. Collins appeared entirely unaffected. Either she was more calculating than even he could give credit for, or his supposition about Miss Bernard's origins was entirely incorrect.

Miss Bennet however, was not unmoved. She presented a serene and lady-like facade, but those cold, intelligent eyes could not be stifled by a pleasant mask. There where wheels turning behind those eyes, wheels turning that had been still before Mrs. Hurst had shared her gossip with the room.

Bow Street could not arrive in Hertfordshire quickly enough for his liking.