Hello my dears! I have good news along with this chapter for you - I finally made some progress! Thank you to God and my dear fellow JAFF writer Melissa Anne who suggested a writing sprint on Monday night. I managed to get over TWO THOUSAND words written, which is a really big deal when I haven't been able to write a word for going on two months. I did not get more done yesterday, but after posting, I plan to get back to work!

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for all your patience and support and encouragement. I have sorely needed it, and now your prayers and good vibes are starting to pay off.


Chapter Twenty-One


Darcy paused a moment to study the façade of Netherfield as the coachman came around from the back of the carriage to open the door and lower the step.

"It is a fair prospect, is it not, brother?" said Georgiana softly.

He glanced over at her and smiled. "It is indeed."

After stepping out at last, Darcy turned and extended a hand to Georgiana to help her do the same. He glanced back at the house and wondered why Bingley wasn't bounding outside to greet them—he certainly was the sort who would.

Offering his arm, he led her up one set of stairs and tapped the knocker against the plate. A few moments later it was answered by an older woman who was vaguely familiar to him.

"May I help you, sir?"

Her identity clicked in his mind, and Darcy offered a polite smile. "Mrs. Nicholls, I believe," said he.

Her eyes narrowed, then widened. "Oh, Mr. Darcy!" she cried softly, before curtseying. "A very great pleasure it is to see you again, sir! I never thanked you rightly for recommending me to Mr. Bingley."

Mrs. Nicholls had been some years in service with the family of a friend who had been forced by necessity to give up their country estate to a relative. Her housekeeper, according to that friend, was not fond of the new mistress of the estate—Darcy knew the lady as well and understood, as there were few who were fond of her—and had expressed a desire to seek another position. Her former mistress had asked Darcy if he knew of anyone in need of a housekeeper, and he had immediately thought of the Bingleys.

Darcy inclined his head at her words. "No thanks are necessary, Mrs. Nicholls, so long as you and the Bingleys are pleased. Pray, is your master at home? He and his sister are expecting us."

"He is, yes—that is, you are expected, sir," said the housekeeper as she stepped back and opened the door wider to allow them across the threshold. "But you were not expected until tomorrow. My master and mistress are out making calls."

He turned to her after he and Georgiana had stepped into the entry hall. "My business in town was concluded early, so Miss Darcy and I elected not to wait until then. I do hope our unexpected arrival does not inconvenience you."

"Oh no, not at all, sir!" the housekeeper cried. "I already know which rooms are to be yours and will have a couple of the girls go to open and air them for you while your trunks are brought in, if you would care to wait in one of the drawing rooms."

Darcy nodded. "That will do, madam. Our servants should be along with the luggage in but half an hour, at most, I believe—we departed ahead of them."

"Very good, sir," said Mrs. Nicholls. "Shall I have some tea prepared while you wait?"

A glance at Georgiana told him that tea would be welcome, so he inclined his head. Mrs. Nicholls led them to a drawing room done mainly in shades of blue, with some splashes of green and yellow in the window dressings. Darcy sighed after the lady had gone to order their tea; he had not expected the Bingleys to be out.

That is what you get for assuming, Fitzwilliam, he chided himself. You know how outgoing Bingley is.

"I… I feel so awkward, being here without our hosts in attendance," Georgiana muttered.

"Do not make yourself uneasy, dearest," Darcy assured her. "I do not imagine Mr. Bingley and Miss Elizabeth will be long. Remember, they did not expect us until tomorrow."

"So, they will not think it an impertinence that we have come early?" his sister asked.

Darcy shook his head and smiled. "Not at all, I am sure. Mr. Bingley is my friend, and Miss Elizabeth is yours," said he.

Georgiana frowned slightly. "Is… Is Elizabeth not your friend also, Fitzwilliam?"

The feelings that he had been fighting almost from the moment of meeting Eliabeth Bingley coursed through him, and Darcy had to swallow past a sudden lump in this throat at the thought that he wished her to be more.

"Of course, dearest," he managed at last. "I am certain our friends will be delighted to see us."

About a quarter of an hour later, as the tea tray was being taken away by a maid, Bingley swept into the room with Elizabeth beside him.

"Darcy!" cried Bingley cheerfully. "How pleased Elizabeth and I were to hear that you had decided to join us a day early."

Darcy bowed, his gaze lingering on Elizabeth's welcoming expression. "With my business matters concluded, Georgiana and I agreed we did not wish to remain in the city any longer than necessary."

"I-I hope you do not mind our coming early," said Georgiana.

Elizabeth moved across the room and took Georgiana's hands in hers. "Not at all," she said firmly. "We are delighted to have your company! Only two at table makes for a very lonely meal."

Her expression brightened. "Come, my dear friend, I have something to show you."

Elizabeth looped Georgiana's arm through hers and started toward a second door that led to another part of the house. Darcy watched them go as his sister asked,

"What is it, Elizabeth?'

As they were passing through the door, Elizabeth leaned closer and said, "A pianoforte! Not nearly so beautiful an instrument as yours, of course…"

Her voice trailed off, and Darcy—who had just taken a step to follow—found himself stopped by Bingley's hand on his arm.

"Darcy, a moment if you please," said his friend.

Nodding, he said, "Of course, Bingley. What is it?"

The younger man looked suddenly nervous as he reached up to rub the back of his neck with one hand. "I… I feel rather uncomfortable addressing the subject but am compelled to do so for Lizzy's sake—though if she knew I was speaking to you, she would probably murder me."

Darcy frowned. "I do not understand you, Bingley. Whatever is the matter? Is Elizabeth in some kind of trouble?"

Bingley's head snapped up when he heard his sister's name without the proper address, and Darcy silently cursed himself for the slip.

"Not trouble, exactly," Bingley replied. "It's just… I think Hiddleston has made clear his interest in Elizabeth, but she does not share his regard."

The most powerful feeling of relief washed over Darcy on hearing those words. Elizabeth did not care for Hiddleston, which meant that her affections were not engaged.

The fact that she does not desire Hiddleston for a husband does not mean she has not feelings for another, said his inner voice.

"Then I am sorry for Hiddleston," said he at length. "I do not doubt he will be disappointed."

Bingley chuckled. "Perhaps not for long. Believe it or not, we have met a few of our neighbours—well, two families, thus far—and among them are some very pretty daughters," said he.

Darcy lifted an eyebrow. "Is that so?" he asked, already suspecting that one of those pretty girls had caught Bingley's eye.

"Yes," Bingley replied. "Hiddleston will have his pick, I am sure, if he wishes it… Um, the reason I broach the subject is, um… Well, I wanted you to know that her feelings are not yet engaged."

"Why should I care?" Darcy started to say, though he stopped himself in mid-sentence when Bingley crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows toward his mop of red curls.

A soft groan escaped him, and he moved to lower himself once more onto the sofa. "You noticed," he said. It was not a question.

"I did," said Bingley quietly. He moved to sit on the other end of the sofa. "Pray forgive my boldness, Darcy, for I by no means wish to be presumptuous or make you uncomfortable. But one of my greatest desires will always be to see my sisters happy, and Elizabeth is such a good girl."

"She deserves every happiness," Darcy heard himself say.

"That she does," agreed his friend. "And I suspect that you could make her very happy indeed."

Unable to stop himself, Darcy looked at Bingley and asked, "Do you really think so?"

Bingley nodded. "I do. Elizabeth admires you, Darcy—as a gentleman, as a brother. She admires your kindness to your servants, your willingness to be of help to your friends…"

Darcy scoffed. "That does not mean she will love me."

Good God, had he really said that? he thought as the first strains of a Beethoven sonata began to sound from further away. Darcy wondered if it was Elizabeth or Georgiana who played.

"Do you want her to?" Bingley queried softly.

With a sigh, Darcy dropped his head into his hands. What did he want? Were these feelings he had been unable to conquer, feelings for a woman he had known barely a month, strong enough to withstand the scrutiny of the ton? And who was he really concerned for, Elizabeth or himself?

Elizabeth. The immediate answer to his thought brought his head up, and Darcy's posture straightened as he realized with sudden, unwavering clarity that his own reputation, his own standing, did not matter to him as much as hers did. He would face censure, certainly, but she would be hated and despised for daring to step out of her rank.

"I must be candid with you, Bingley," he began at last. "I do not yet know what I will do. I admire your sister—you have apparently already seen the evidence of that—but I confess I have yet to determine if I am selfish enough to pull such a magnificent creature any further into the quagmire of snobbery and ugliness and too-often cruelty of the first circle of society. Elizabeth deserves better."

For a moment, Bingley only stared. Then he inclined his head once and sighed, then stood before saying, "I thank you for your honesty, Darcy. But as one of the very few people that knows Elizabeth well, I must say that I think it is for her to decide if she wishes to brave the maelstrom of the first circle. What you must decide is whether you are brave enough to withstand their foolishness at her side, rather than giving her up because you think she can't … or because you are unwilling."

With a perfunctory bow, Bingley strode from the room, leaving Darcy to contemplate the truth of his words.

After several minutes he heaved a sigh and stood with the intention of joining the others in the music room. He had reached no conclusion as yet regarding his feelings for Elizabeth, but civility required that he attend his host and hostess. Perhaps, Darcy thought, being in the lady's presence might help him figure out what to do about those feelings. He only knew for certain that he was immensely relieved her heart was not already attached to another. He knew also that he wanted her, had decided he did not care what others would think of his choice. Her kindness in helping Georgiana overcome her melancholy, her wit and vivacity—they all served to bring home one material point in his mind:

She was perfect.

Not a perfect person, mind—nobody was. But she was perfect for him. He hesitated now only because he would hate to see her light dimmed by how meanly she would be regarded by members of the ton with whom he had long associated.

Following the sound of the pianoforte, Darcy quickly found the music room. Georgiana played, with Elizabeth turning the pages. Bingley sat in a chair observing the pair with his usual cheerful smile in place.

Elizabeth looked up as he entered, a smile gracing her lips as she said, "Mr. Darcy, you finally decided to join us."

"Forgive my tardiness, Miss Elizabeth," he replied as he crossed the room to take a seat next to Bingley. "There was something that required my attention."

Georgiana looked up then. "I hope all is well, brother?"

He nodded. "Of course, dearest. I imagine that our servants will arrive shortly."

"Speaking of arrivals," said Elizabeth, "I will have callers tomorrow after breakfast—two young ladies we first met the day we toured the house. Their fathers called on us yesterday, and Charles and I returned both calls today. Miss Lucas and Miss Bennet are very lovely girls whom I am eager to know better."

She turned her smiling visage to Georgiana. "My dear friend, we will need your help, I am sure—Miss Lucas and Miss Bennet are to come and help me go through the house and settle on décor for each room. Charles and I have leave to redecorate as we like, and upon my word, some of these rooms are in desperate need of improvement!"

Bingley laughed. "She's not wrong, Darcy—even I can tell that Netherfield hasn't been redecorated in many years."

"I think even Mr. Darcy would be able to tell, Charles, and he is a confessed failure at dressing a room," quipped Elizabeth with a grin.

Darcy laughed. "Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I think."

After Georgiana had finished her song, she insisted that Elizabeth play; their hostess agreed, then said that afterward, she and her brother would take them on a tour of the house.

At this, Bingley quipped, "Do not worry, Darcy, there is a billiard room for us gentlemen to enjoy."

"And a library that, while full of books, allegedly does not compare to that of Pemberley," Elizabeth said, her words leading Darcy to lift an eyebrow and glance at Bingley, who wore a grin. "I must say, sir, that the more my brother praises your home, I may just have to beg you to break your vow of never inviting unmarried ladies to it. After all, how will I know for certain if your estate is superior to ours if I do not see it for myself?"

"Oh yes, you must see Pemberley!" cried Georgiana as Darcy swallowed past the sudden tightening of his throat at the thought of seeing Elizabeth walking through his home. "I shall not make comparisons, as I have not seen much of Netherfield, but our home is so beautiful. The grounds are delightful."

As the two switched places at last, Elizabeth smiled at Georgiana. "Then I shall not rest until I have seen them. Perhaps by the time spring is come, we will have worn your brother down enough that he will invite me."

"Perhaps," Darcy managed, his heart twisting at the idea of Elizabeth being only a guest.

No, he thought. She will be much more than a guest.

-...-

The following morning, after a hearty breakfast was had by all, Elizabeth welcomed her two visitors warmly and introduced them to Georgiana.

"Our brothers are about the place somewhere," she added. "So, we will have almost the entire house to ourselves."

"I confess, Miss Bingley, that my sisters are a little envious of me," said Miss Bennet. "We have none of us been inside this house before and have all of us longed to see its beauty."

"Perhaps one day they shall also see it," said Elizabeth. "I have been thinking since the day we toured the house that Charles and I should throw a ball here. There is an excellent ballroom in the east wing."

"Oh, a ball would be delightful, would it not, Jane?" said Miss Lucas.

"It would, Charlotte," Jane agreed. "Would you also enjoy a ball, Miss Darcy?"

Georgiana colored. "I am not yet out, Miss Bennet," said she quietly. "I do not think my brother would allow me to attend a ball."

"We shall see about that," said Elizabeth with a sly grin. "But until I can convince my brother we must have a ball, let us set ourselves to the task of bringing this beautiful old house into the nineteenth century."

Thus, the four ladies spent the next hour and a half going through each of the rooms on the ground floor, meticulously detailing the changes that they felt were necessary. Jane and Charlotte—Miss Bennet also gave permission to use her Christian name in private—offered many suggestions for window dressings and upholstery and in a few places suggested exchanging pieces of furniture for something more modern. Elizabeth was vastly pleased with their help and insight, even when she did not accept their offered counsel on the grounds that her brother would like something different.

She paid particular attention to Charlotte's suggestions, however, knowing how much Charles had admired her and not above doing everything she could to promote the match if Miss Charlotte Lucas, though four years older than her brother, would make him happy.

They were just sitting down to a light luncheon with the two gentlemen when the butler came in and announced both Mr. Hiddleston and Mr. Gardiner.

"Mr. Gardiner?" queried Jane. "Not, perhaps, my uncle—the one who owns Gardiner's Custom Carriages?"

Elizabeth nodded. "The very same—I commissioned a chaise from his company, and I imagine he is here to deliver it."

The party all rose and went into the entry hall, where the two arrivals were introduced to those they did not know. Elizabeth noticed that Mr. Hiddleston's eyes had widened when they met Jane Bennet's, and his smile was one of great admiration.

He never smiled at me quite like that, Elizabeth thought. She realized she did not mind—it was actually something of a relief that another woman's beauty had drawn his attention from her. It would not make the conversation she must have with him less awkward, but it would make his disappointment less painful.

"As you might have guessed already," Mr. Gardiner said then, "Mr. Hiddleston here brought your carriage horses over as arranged, and I have brought your chaise to you, Miss Bingley."

"You are so very kind, sir," said Elizabeth. "Though really, it would have been no trouble to us to return to London to retrieve it."

"No indeed," agreed Charles. "For your generosity, sir, you must stay and dine with us. We were just sitting down to luncheon."

Mr. Gardiner smiled. "I should be delighted, sir, much obliged I am to you. But first, let me show Miss Bingley what I have brought to her."