Chapter 1

"Lizzy, I think that repair will suffice for the evening. I am not surprised that Mr. Collins ripped your dress, the way he was dancing. Oh, you must have been mortified!" Jane whispered to her sister as they made their way back to the Netherfield ballroom from the ladies' retiring room.

"Do not remind me, Jane. At least I hope to avoid him asking for a second dance. I would rather dance with Mr. Darcy!" Lizzy laughed as they passed the open doors to the Library.

As they passed, they heard a loud retort from the Library. "Hey, what did you do that for?" It was Mr. Bingley's voice. Jane and Lizzy turned to look into the Library. Mr. Bingley was sitting on the floor holding his jaw. Mr. Darcy was standing over him with a murderous look on his face.

"Mr. Darcy!" yelled Lizzy. "What did you do?"

"He deserved it." Mr. Darcy replied sheepishly, then walked to the other side of the room and stared out the window.

Jane immediately ran over to Mr. Bingley and knelt down next to him. "Are you alright Charles?" she asked as she took out her handkerchief and started gently dabbing at the cut on his lip. The worry in her eyes was unmistakable as she cautiously attended his wound. Neither lady in the room noticed her slip of propriety.

Once Lizzy was assured that Jane was taking care of Mr. Bingley, she stomped over to the window to address Mr. Darcy. "Mr. Darcy, what in the world happened? I thought you two were the best of friends. What could possibly provoke you to take a swing at Mr. Bingley?" He did not answer and would not look at her. "Fighting over a horse? Or a lady?" she said, attempting to lighten the atmosphere. He turned to look at her but she could not discern the look on his face. Was he mad, scared or hopeful?

Figuring that she was getting nowhere with him, she returned to Jane and Mr. Bingley. Jane had helped him up into a chair and was tenderly holding her handkerchief on his cut. "What happened Mr. Bingley?" Lizzy asked him.

"I do not think it is appropriate to discuss this with you ladies. Thank you for your concern, but I think you should return to the ballroom." Mr. Bingley was glaring at Mr. Darcy as he said this.

"No!" Jane said forcefully. Everyone turned to look at her. None of them had heard her raise her voice like that before. "What is going on between you two? You are the best of friends and I can not believe you would behave like this. Mr. Darcy, explain yourself!" The gentlemen had never seen a mad Jane before and it had been a long time since Lizzy had been exposed to it.

Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy looked at each other sheepishly. Mr. Darcy strode across the room and stood in front of Mr. Bingley. Lizzy was afraid that he was going to hit Mr. Bingley again.

"I am sorry, Bingley." said Mr. Darcy sincerely and he extended his hand to his friend. "I should not have reacted so. I should have heard you out. I am sorry."

Bingley shook his hand. "It is alright, Darcy. I think I understand your reaction. I should have prefaced my remark so you would not misconstrue my meaning." Bingley said.

"What is going on here?" Lizzy asked with a puzzled look on her face.

"Um, Bingley, maybe you should explain how this started. Before we make the Miss Bennets think we are a couple of savages." Darcy said.

"You. You are the one they think is a savage, Darcy. Can you blame them? Alright. Let me see if I can explain this without you taking another swing at me." Bingley replied, then said, "Ladies, would you like to take a seat?"