A/N: super short but I found a really natural stop. If you read chapter on before August 17th, it's second half was revised so give that a read first. Let me know what you think!
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Bingley took as little notice of the details of his friend's departure as he had those of the introduction Elizabeth had performed. He had Jane on one arm and the reigns of his horse in his other hand ready to spend the walk to Longborn in conversation. Kitty and Lydia attached themselves to Denny and Wickham respectively, much to the former girl's chagrin. Elizabeth attempted to coral their loud conversation but was side tracked by the interaction of the two dark-haired gentlemen who had such a history as to produce such palpable tension and such expressiveness even from the unreadable Mr. Darcy. If he looked at her to find fault, he seemed to do so to Wickham with not only success in that very endevour but a history full of what he considered express proof of egregious flaws.
She recalled their conversation at Netherfeild. Convinced as she was that she had no thought or care for Mr. Darcy's opinion of her person, beyond that which she knew of his view that she lacked any beauty, she was confident she would never garner such wrath justly from that quarter. Indeed she could not see how anyone could have. She was quite lost to what Mr. Wickham was replying to Lydia's decreasingly polite questions and topics of conversation.
They reached Longborn and the men were entreated to come refresh themselves inside, which was easily done as they were all eager for such an invitation. The day was rather warm for the time of year and the company pleasing. Mrs. Bennet was within the morning room the group repaired to, and after introductions were made, fell inline with the discourse of her younger daughter, giggling as if she were a girl and not a matron of her own house with five daughters out.
Had not the visit produced the opportunity for Jane and Mr. Bingley to have private conversation outside the influence of his superior sisters and proud friend, with the added benefit of novel connections distracting Elizabeth's own sisters or mother from interrupting, it would have still been enjoyable as Elizabeth was much more likely to enjoy Lydia's folly in the privacy of her own home. As it was, she had a pleasant time due to both amusement as well as gratification of Jane's current happiness and the hope for further felicity in that corner solidifying, and Mr. Wickham's quick wit and merry, warm eyes. After the quarter hour passed, the gentlemen departed in high spirits. The ladies left within were no less pleased and Mrs. Bennet especially so, for although Mr. Wickham had been her focus for conversation, she was periferally aware of Jane's visitor and her eldest daughter's success during the visit.