Netherfield part I

Also, thanks so much mvnlaredo for your comments! I hope others are enjoying it too

Chapter starts 1 March 2024!

Will Darcy stood in front of Charles' home looking at the sign that said Netherfield, it had been an affectation of the past to name houses. He knew that this manor was an old one and Charles' had it refurbished. He stood their hand lingering over the house bell for a few minutes and then he gently pressed it. He heard laughter inside, and wondered if they were entertainin, which would mean he was gatecrashing. Maybe he should just leave? He turned around slowly seeing the drizzle that had started as he entered Meryton become more sleet like, and then heard a muffled door opening. He turned around and saw the object of his curiosity standing there in all her glory. Arms crossed in front of her the gleam of annoyance obvious in her eyes, "Mr. Darcy, good evening. What can we do for you?"

"Who is it, Liz?" Charles walked to the door and looked at Will in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Will tried to be disarming and smiled, "sorry to come by like this. But there's only so much I can do with myself in my time off. Can I come in?"

"Yes, yes come out of the rain, Will," said Jane from behind her husband and sister.

Lizzy turned around and looked at her sister with teeth clenched trying to whisper, "yes, why don't we ask everyone on the street to just come in. This is Maria's last sleepover. She's already had Braxton hicks this week, Olivia will be here next week, I guarantee it. It'll never be the same and now you want to invite outsiders?"

Jane rolled her eyes, "yes, because you've communed with her, so you know this somehow?"

Lizzy was mock affronted, "I might've. You don't know what I do."

Jane laughed at her antics, it was clear she didn't want Will here. But she knew Will could get going soon.

Will had overheard part of this conversation and almost laughed. But knowing if he did that she would probably lash out. His best bet was to watch her and maybe have a few conversations with her and see what she would reveal. He couldn't deny that he was curious about this woman who he knew so little about and who was keeping Georgie safe. Will then saw Charles in his home with his sisters in law and wondered how little he knew about his friend anymore. He used to be like a puppy following Will around when they were in Cambridge. He would agonize over every decision and call Will before he made an investment. But now he had this confidence that Will had never seen. And while endearing it was a little odd to see Charles without that puppy like behaviour. Will eventually had to tell him part of the truth, "I didn't mean to barge into a family night. It's just. This vacation isn't sitting well with me, but Harriet won't let me back into the office."

Charles was trying hard not to laugh that Harriet Reynolds could boss him around like that. He sobered realizing that Will was here to find out about Georgie.

The bell rang again as Charles went to answer the door. "Must be pizza," he said loudly.

Lizzy heard muffled voices and recognized who it belonged to. Loudly, she asked, "what are you doing here, Caro?"

"What? I just came to see my brother and sister. Can I come in out of the snow?"

Kitty held her hand to soothe her, knowing that mount Liz was likely going to erupt at any moment. Kitty understood why Lizzy was so upset. This was their night, and these interlopers shouldn't be here. This was for Mary and Maria, but it was snowing now and they were taught to be polite.

Charles had taken it on himself to intercept both Will and Caroline taking them away from the sisters. He would not want to face Lizzy's wrath tonight. He'd give them both a drink, give them half hour to cool it off, some pizza, and send them on their way. He hoped that the snow would clear by then. He hoped that Lizzy was too engrossed in the game for the next hour. If Caroline's disparagement got too much he would leave her to Lizzy and not be upset about it.

Caroline spoke snidely, "oh Charles, how quaint. A game night. I didn't know people did that anymore."

He retorted, "people in the world do things that make them happy. You should try it sometime."

Will said nothing, watching Elizabeth's strategy in Catan. She was clever, and she knew exactly what she was doing. The corners of his lips turned up at her next move. He caught the tail end of the conversation with Charles asking her why she was here in Meryton of all places when she rarely deigned to leave London. "Darling Jane told me that you were having a family night, so I thought I'd join."

Will snorted slightly but covered it with a cough. Charles was upset, "yes, we were having a family night till the two of you came by. You can have one drink and some pizza if you wish and then it's out with you."

"Funny, Charles. I'm family, aren't I? Of course, I'll stay here. I'm sure Jane can whip up something with low carbs for me, you know I don't eat pizza."

Charles stood up to her, "no. You haven't been invited. Jane isn't cooking tonight. If you want something feel free to make it yourself."

Caroline was taken aback by the intensity of his saying no, "how droll. Will and I can play some cards and join in the fun. I'm sure I can whip up an omelette, it's very easy."

He laughed, "I'd love to see you try. I'm warning you, Caro. If you do anything or say anything I won't stop Lizzy from cutting you into tiny little pieces as you know full well she will."

"No worries, I know how to take out the trash," said Caro to will softly so that Charles wouldn't hear.

Will knew this was a bad place to be, between Scylla and Charybdis. But he also knew where his loyalties lay. He needed to be on Elizabeth's good side, Caroline could go to hell for all he cared. "I'd be careful Caroline. I believe Charles means it."

Caroline was surprised, "so what, I'll show Lizzy Bennet whose boss. This is my brother's home. I have every right to be here."

Will reminded her, "and this is her sister's home, a night for them. We're the outsiders here and they've let us in. I'm going to leave as soon as I'm done. I think you should do the same." He pointed to his glass, which was now water suddenly embarrassed at having turned up now that Caroline was here too.

Lizzy had tried to block out all the sound from the other conversation. Focus on the music in the background, the game in front of her and her sisters. She'd gotten very good at doing that in law school when people were always rather loud in her dorms. She appreciated Kit trying to soothe her and Jane watching her carefully. She knew that when she was younger, she had a bit of a temper, she'd gotten better at it now. She rarely raised her voice. Though she never minded a carefully crafted remark or two that cut the other person a few inches down. She had a feeling that despite their encounter a few weeks ago, Will was probably still feeling some effects of that meeting. There was no other reason that he hadn't called about G yet. Caro should know better than to do this given some major set downs she'd given her in law school and at Charles and Jane's wedding. But she decided to be patient, her turn would come.

Lizzy noticed that despite her utmost concentration on the game a part of her had been watching the three of them converse as their expressions changed. Charles' mostly light expressions turned into something darker as he shuffled away. She knew that Caroline was barely a part of Charles' life anymore. She remembered the day he realized that Caroline had mostly just used him for his money and his contacts, that she never really loved him. That realization had come about when he saw what family did for each other after he and Jane had just gotten engaged. It wasn't surprising that there was a dark expression on his face talking to her. But she couldn't figure Darcy out. She knew why he was here, everyone in the room did. He didn't know that they were all aware of it. For him to come here unannounced was out of character for him or out of the character she'd built for him in her mind. And again, with all the staring. She didn't understand it – didn't understand him. Was it just looking at her to find fault? She knew what he really thought of her, a non-tempting two-bit lawyer indeed. She knew that sometimes she held too much anger, it wasn't healthy and she knew she couldn't control other people. So she tried to just concentrate on what was in front of her, and the pleasure of being with some of her favourite people in the world. It was difficult. A few years ago, the same situation would've irked her to the point that she'd have lashed out by now. But she'd come a long way in therapy and though it wasn't very easy, she knew she could do it by focussing on what was really important.

Lizzy won the game by default because Maria was hungry and the pizza arrived. She caught Darcy in one of his stares. Their eyes met for a moment, neither of them turning away. Caroline saw the shared glance and didn't understand it. Had they met more than the twice she had known about, once at work and once at Charles' party?

Still looking at her, Will put down his glass and decided it was time to head out. He broke eye contact, looked at Charles and said, "I'll head home now. Thanks for the drink."

Jane responded, "are you sure you don't want pizza?"

"Thank you, Jane." He took a slice.

Lizzy was surprised. She presumed that low brow food like dominos pizza was likely not good enough for him. But he ate it without asking for a fork and knife, at least. He put his plate in the sink and headed for the door. The conditions were bad, he hesitated at the door with sleet and snow falling in front of him. He wasn't sure what to do. Charles walked behind him to the door and saw what it was like outside and groaned knowing this wasn't going to make anyone happy. But it seemed like Darcy and Caroline would be staying. He would have to minimize the damage. He hated it. He wanted to spend time with his family too, he was going to be an uncle soon. But he knew Jane wouldn't let anyone go out in this weather, and he'd have to make sure Will and Caroline just stayed away from everyone else. Luckily, they had enough rooms and bedding for everyone. That was really the least of his concerns. "Looks like you should stay the night, Will. It really doesn't look like it'll get better anytime soon." He took out his phone to confirm that and shook his head at the weather warning that cropped up on his phone about the possible snowstorm.

He walked over to his wife to let her know what was going on. She smiled and shook her head fondly at Lizzy knowing this was going to be uncomfortable but there was nothing to be done about it. Sometimes she wished she could be more like their father and just enjoy the follies of others. She walked over to Lizzy.

For his part Will was frustrated. He knew he shouldn't be here. But he was. Politeness demanded that Charles ask him and Caroline to stay and they were intruding on a family event. He would stay out of everyone's way and hopefully that would be enough. He decided to spend most of the evening in Charles' study out of the way from everyone.

Caroline was annoyed. Why was Will leaving? It was rather annoying that he was being polite. She took out the latest iphone from her Prada bag and saw the snow warning, smirking at her fortune knowing that Charles and Jane would never let them go out. She saw the scene gleefully at the doorway and looked at Jane talking in hushed whispers to Eliza.

Jane was speaking soothingly, "my darling, I know you're going to dislike this. But we can't let Will and Caroline leave. Charles and I will do our best to not let them disrupt our evening."

She sighed and groaned at the same time, Jane never could figure out how she was able to do that simultaneously. "They've already disrupted our evening, Janie. I don't want you and Charlie to miss out on the fun. It'll never be the same again."

"I know, my dear. Changes are part of life. It was fine when Charles joined our little family wasn't it?"

"Yes, of course. But what about you know…"

"I know you're worried about that. Ah look, Will is going to Charles' office and I'm sure Caroline will go too. How about we just do our best to enjoy ourselves tonight?"

Lizzy nodded, kissed Jane on the cheek. They all ate happily and chatted, ignoring the two unwelcome guests who had by now made it to the Charles' office.

Charles saw the pleading looks on Will's face as he took Will and Caroline to his study.

Will took his chance and asked, "won't you stay with us?"

Caroline chimed in, she didn't particularly like how close her brother had gotten to the Bennets but he was a lost cause in her mind. Since Will asked though she had to say yes! "Yes, Charles, you should chat with us, let those Bennets do whatever they were doing."

Charles was once again getting angry, "Caroline, they are my family. You came here uninvited, for who knows what reason since you and I hardly talk unless you need something from me. They taught me what family means. You need to let it go. You're here because Jane would never let you go out in this weather and that's all. Don't come to our home unannounced again, I won't tolerate your hateful behaviour again."

Caroline was affronted now, how'd they gotten him so twisted, "I beg your pardon, Charles. You're acting as if they're your sisters and I'm not."

"Are you really? Because you've shown nothing of that to me." He turned on his heels leaving the two of them together and went to join his family.

"I can't believe he would say that," said Caroline.

"He married Jane. Of course they're his family."

"Hmph," was all he heard.

He took what peace and quiet he could get knowing that she would start up again. Thankfully the one thing that Charles always had on hand was a well-aged scotch. He poured himself a generous glass and went to the window. Watching the snowy pillow form on the ground he realized that despite being on edge during his time off trying to search for Georgie, he felt less stressed. Maybe I should take more vacations. I'll take Georgie places if she'll let me. He mulled over Elizabeth's last words at their first meeting often these days, "she's had a rough time off it lately." What could that mean? He desperately wanted to go outside and figure her out, watch her and see what she was about. But then he heard the groan from behind him. Ugh, what was he going to do with this harpy? He decided to make an exit, "I'm going to bed Caroline, you should too." And with that he walked out of the office hoping to bump into Elizabeth.

He went to the kitchen hoping to get a glass of water and saw all of them sitting around lounging and eating together. The domesticity of it all caught him off guard. The people he socialized with rarely affectionate even with their family, the Fitzwilliams certainly weren't. Three sisters and Charles were sitting and just chatting. He took the glass of water and decided that he wouldn't intrude.

Before he could leave, Jane said, "I can show you a room soon. Why don't you join us for now."

He decided that this was as good a time as any to understand this family, supposing that Charles too was a part of it by his own declaration. He stood with his back turned to the sink, glass of water in his hand silently watching the interaction. The conversation went through a range of topics, the birth of their niece, Kitty's going to Paris in a few months. When the conversation turned to Meryton without thinking too much about it he asked, "so why do you all live in Meryton?"

Jane looked at him a bit surprised at the question, "we grew up here. It's a nice town."

Elizabeth hadn't replied but she arched an eyebrow and looked at Jane rather than him and said more bitterly than she knew why, "that's not what he's asking. He wants to know why, when London is full of opportunities for us, we haven't moved there."

Will flushed slightly at being caught out so obviously surprised his intentions were somehow splayed across his face.

Jane looked at her, "of course. But Lizzy, this isn't a cross examination where every question leads to another. It's polite conversation."

"It might be. But trust me on this," said Lizzy smirking at his expression. Knowing that was a point in her favour in better understanding the confusing man in front of her.

Will no longer knew where to look, hoping that one of them would just put him out of his misery or that he would die of the mortification.

Jane shrugged her shoulders, Kitty laughed. And Charles said, "of course he wants to know that. Well answer him then?"

"Mr. Darcy, we live in Meryton because we grew up here as Jane has already said. London doesn't have charms to pull us there except some opportunities, which neither of us need. Jane goes when she has to. But we like our own beds at night. It's not a long drive." She sighed, knowing that she had nothing to prove but considered that maybe he was just worried about his sister or maybe just morbid curiosity. Just this once, she decided to satisfy it. She wasn't even sure why she was doing this. Having a conversation with this man she could barely stand based on what little she knew about him. He'd be gone tomorrow, and then she could take care of G. Did she want to boast? Was it that two-bit lawyer comment that made her feel like she had to say this? All of this could likely have been found on the internet, but he didn't seem to get it. "Jane as you know is fairly famous. She doesn't need to be in London. And frankly nor do I. Mary has other ties here and Kit will soon go off for a little while, but I doubt she'll stay away for long." She smiled at both her sisters, considering exactly how to continue for she wanted this said and out in the open. She didn't want to boast, but she couldn't exactly help it at that moment. "I'm admitted at Grays Inn, I worked for a while doing contracts law, no doubt I'd have been partner at the firm by now if I wanted – I didn't want that. I decided to try something different and became a judicial assistant for Baroness Hale. I knew her from the Inns, at the time she was the Deputy President of the Supreme Court. I wanted to help people. I almost lost sight of that and just before the pandemic I set up my own legal practice. We're not in London because we don't need to be. What we do need in our lives is support, love, and affection. We can get that here in a way we can't anywhere else. So, we stay. I understand that your priorities are different, and each to their own. You make your choices, and we make ours." That last sentence came out brusquer than she expected it.

He was listening to her talk, not really sure what to say to that. She was right, their priorities were different from his. It wasn't wrong, just different. When she said that last sentence, he could feel the tip of a dagger pierce his chest. Georgie had said this, and Richard and Charles. The only people close to him seemed to see something different than he did. Was he so wrong? What could he say to that. His face fell at the thought of what his beliefs had cost Georgie and that if she hadn't found Elizabeth then something could have gone seriously wrong.

Before it could get worse, or better, depending on who you asked, Charles led him to his room and looked at him almost pityingly that he'd been on the receiving end of one of Lizzy's tirades, though it hadn't been as sharp this time and he was surprised at that. He asked, "is there anything you need, Will?"

"I'm already encroaching on your hospitality far more than I should've. I apologize again for that."