Reflecting back on her stay at Netherfield in the weeks that followed Elizabeth was continuously surprised at how little had changed and yet how everything seemed so different. She occasionally wondered if she and her dear sister were the same two girls who had only recently stood up together in the assembly room of Meryton when there were not enough partners to be had and laughed themselves to sleep imagining with unbounded fancies and flight of mind the handsome men who would someday win their hearts.
Mr. Bingley was by now established as a regular, and excessively welcome, addition to the family party. He came as often as his schedule, and his true family, would allow. Miss Bennet blossomed under the attention, and her composed manner and gentle disposition were not always sufficient to keep her from periodically betraying signs of particular regard.
Mr. Darcy occasionally accompanied his friend, and on those occasions Miss Bingley almost always followed. Elizabeth was vaguely aware that he looked at her often, and appeared to be about to approach her on a number of occasions. But the relaxed and open conversation he engaged in at Netherfield Park was not to be had at Longbourn, and Elizabeth had to remind herself that it was a relief not to have to enter into a discussion with the disagreeable man. In spite of herself, she found increasing dissatisfaction with these visits and was determined to think of Mr. Darcy as little as possible in between them. She seemed unable to think of anything else during.
The minute details of each visit from their new neighbors were pored over and analyzed by Mrs. Bennet, and she was - on the whole - satisfied with the progress being made. There was no doubt that Bingley was in love, and with each visit the expectation of an offer grew. She was less sure of her second eldest's prospects and was convinced that if Lizzy would just make more of an effort to be pleasing she would soon also find herself nearly engaged. Still, she concluded that the prize was worth the wait and that a marriage between Jane and Bingley would be just the motivation Lizzy would need to set her sights upon the wealthy, aloof gentleman.
Fortunately for Jane and Elizabeth there were sufficient distractions in the neighborhood to keep their mother thoughts frequently occupied, not least of all being a visit from a distant cousin of their father who would one day inherit Longbourn. Mrs. Bennet could see no reason why the odious man should be allowed to set a toe on the grounds of Longbourn until the day it was rightfully his, and nothing anyone could say to explain the history of the entail or the law could bring her to terms with the idea that the day would inevitably come. Mr. Collins, himself, was the only person able to provide comfort to Mrs. Bennet's poor nerves.
"I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologize for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends, - but of this hereafter..." Mr. Bennet read to the family from Mr. Collins' letter the evening before his anticipated arrival.
Mrs. Bennet set herself to discovering the manner and variety of amends that Mr. Collins could possibly have to offer, and though her sense and wit were not always up to the task, in this instance she was able to conclude that there was only one reasonable explanation.
Mr. Collins arrived and quickly disappointed the hopes of the younger ladies in the house. Lacking in both appearance and ease of manners, Lydia and Kitty promptly turned their thoughts from the recently arrived guest to more welcome ideas, chiefly - one can presume - dresses, officers, and admiration. Mary turned to the pianoforte while keenly observing that the gentleman's apparent interest in her older sister. Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Collins were quickly occupied in a tête-à-tête and not long after declaring, as subtly as she was capable, that she thought her two eldest would soon be engaged, did his attentions turn towards the younger daughters.
"Handsome is as handsome does; he is, therefore, a very ill-looking man," Elizabeth later affirmed to Charlotte while strolling in the gardens with her friend, "But mama is determined that one of us shall have him, and I fear the task shall fall on Kitty or Mary. My poor mother has more ambitious plans for Jane and me, some having merit, others less so," she sighed with a wink at her friend. "I believe she would prefer to see Lydia settled as the future mistress of Longbourn, but I am convinced that they would not suit. And I am certain Lydia would not have him."
The next morning Lydia and Kitty devised a plan to escape to Meryton and leave their fawning houseguest to their mother and elder sisters. Alas, their plan was thwarted by their very own scheming mother who had determined that Mr. Collins, having already declared himself an excellent walker, should join them. The three older sisters were content to stay behind and anticipate other visitors; or, in Mary's case, the solitude of a drawing room free of the gossip, giggling, and frenzy that followed wherever her youngest sister led. Her desire for peaceful reflection was soon met when the two older sisters were persuaded to venture out on a walk accompanied by Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy.
"How fortuitous that we should have found you still at home on such a lovely morning," Mr. Bingley declared to the sisters as they headed out of the estate, "we passed your two younger sisters headed towards Meryton and thought we may have missed you already."
The gentleman and ladies continued in easy conversation until reaching a narrowing in the path that caused the group to separate into couples. For the first time since leaving Netherfield, Elizabeth found herself a captive audience to the perplexing Mr. Darcy.
Bingley and Jane walked behind at a slower pace than Darcy and Elizabeth, and soon they were several paces behind, and deeply engaged in conversation. Elizabeth slowed her pace enough so that the couples remained in sight of one another and Darcy smiled at the caution and propriety that she was taking for both her sister and herself. He was reminded that there were other ladies who would not be so careful to protect reputations if given the chance to wander off alone with him.
"Have you had an opportunity to finish the book you were reading at Netherfield?" he asked.
"I have, and I enjoyed it immensely" she replied archly, "but please do not breathe a word to Miss Bingley."
"I hadn't imagined that Miss Bingley's high opinion held so much value to you, but of course, your secret is safe with me."
The two continued to talk of books that they had each recently read, debating with zeal the novels, literature and philosophers that they turned to for amusement and instruction. With each subject, Mr. Darcy was struck by the energy, intelligence and power of discrimination that his companion displayed. As the conversation revealed a mutual love of poetry each expressed their surprise. "I confess, Miss Elizabeth, I had always imagined your to prefer the comedies."
Elizabeth reddened slightly at the idea that he considered the direction of her tastes at all. "It is true that I prefer the ridiculous, the inconsistencies, of this life, but I hope you will not be surprised that I am capable of also loving that which is beautiful, tender and epic. I suppose that I take great delight in discovering the many ways in which the great writers can stir my passion." Elizabeth stopped herself, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "You are correct, though, I do love to laugh. I am not made for sorrow, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth found her breath quickening and her heart racing, "but you strike me as a practical and serious man, I am surprised at your appreciation for the sentimentality of verse."
"I cannot deny that I am both serious by nature and practical by necessity, but it does not strictly follow that such a man does not also experience a depth of feeling," Darcy replied, belatedly adding in a low, deep tone, "or passion."
The two continued in silence until at last Jane and Bingley began to close in on them, soon bridging the distance. Darcy was for the first time becoming truly aware of the danger he was in and was much alarmed at how little he seemed to be inclined to escape it. He steered his observations to more neutral topics as their companions joined them for the final stretch of path towards Longbourn, commenting on the weather and the scenery, his mind occupied with new revelations and his concern deepening.
When in view of the house he surprised all three companions by declaring his intent of leaving the very next day. "I'm very glad that Mr. Bingley and I had an opportunity to visit today for I will be returning to London tomorrow and am not sure when I will be able to return. It would have been a pity to have left without an opportunity to say my goodbyes." Turning towards Elizabeth, he searched her eyes for any signs of disappointment and added, "I find little pleasure in leaving new friends so unexpectedly, except in knowing that I will soon be with my dearest sister."
Elizabeth noticed a softening in his expression at this and closed her eyes briefly to compose herself before responding with animation, "There is nothing you will lose in leaving Hertfordshire, I'm sure, that you will not gain back tenfold in being reunited with your sister. And though I should not presume to know Miss Darcy's mind, I imagine she will be delighted by the return of her favorite brother!"
"I am her only brother," Darcy replied dryly, "but even so, I do hope she will be glad to see me." With a tinge of regret at the thought of all that he would be leaving behind, Darcy bowed to the ladies before mounting his horse and returning to Netherfield Park.
Lydia, Kitty, and Mr. Collins passed the gentleman for the second time on their way home. Lydia and Kitty returned with ribbons and plaiting lace and visions of a handsome, charming new officer in the regiment. Mr. Collins' mind was filled with little besides thoughts of his lively and pretty, if young, cousin.
As they readied for bed, Jane and Elizabeth met to divulge and discuss the many events of the day. After recounting the whole of her conversation with Mr. Bingley to her favorite sister, Jane ended with a sigh, "Oh, my dear Lizzy, the more I talk of him, the warmer my feelings for him become."
Elizabeth was in earnest in her happiness for her sister. "I give you leave to like him as well as you choose. We both know him to be a gentleman. His situation in life, his character, his amiable mind, his good habits; all that you know so well to value, speak highly in his favor." Jane smiled her deepest appreciation as her sister continued, "Yes, Jane, Bingley will do very well for you. And I believe our little guest room at Netherfield Park will need only a few alterations to suit me in me into my old age."
"But Lizzy, tell me honestly, Mr. Darcy's manner towards you has improved significantly. Do you not like him at all?"
"Sweet Jane, there may have been hope for him, but with his removal to Town our indifference will soon be mutual, I'm sure. Unless his regard, which appeared to spring from knowing very little of me at first, is best supported by never seeing me again."