Chapter 3

E ach time the Netherfield Park party—which was always late—were in company with the Bennets, Bingley found his way to his new angel's side. At a dinner at the Gouldings' Haye Park, Elizabeth had been standing and smiling as she looked at Jane and how she displayed the subtle signs she welcomed Mr Bingley's attentions.

This evening, they were invited to Lucas Lodge where, according to Charlotte, Mr Bingley and the other residents of Netherfield Park would be in attendance. Thoughts of them, and especially a tall, dark, and exceptionally handsome man from Derbyshire, reminded Elizabeth of a conversation she had with Mr Darcy at Haye Park

Elizabeth had noted how Mr Darcy had removed Miss Bingley's hand from his arm. He had bent over and said something only she could hear, and from the pinched look it produced on the supercilious woman's face, she had not appreciated what had been related to her.

She had not been sure where Mr Darcy had gone, as she had turned to look at Jane and Mr Bingley sitting together on a settee. They maintained a proper distance one from the other—Janey would never breach propriety—but their heads were close so they had been able to converse easily. Both wore wide smiles; Elizabeth had easily seen the glow around Janey's person which had confirmed her suspicion that her sister was falling in love with Mr Bingley.

She had shaken her head as she thought how smug Mama would be if Janey became engaged to Mr Bingley. It was with that thought she had detected the smell of a man's cologne, specifically sandalwood and spice. She knew who wore that particular scent.

"Mr Darcy," she had greeted and given a half curtsy.

"Miss Elizabeth," he had responded. He had not spoken for some moments, rather he had stared at his friend and Jane intently, as if trying to solve some great puzzle. It was not the same way he stared at herself. She had opined it was to find fault, but her dearest sister had pointed out the fallacy in her logic. "May I ask you something with regards to your sister? If you choose not to answer, I will not push you."

As she could not imagine what the man had wanted to enquire about one of her sisters, Elizabeth's native curiosity had won out. "Please do," she had allowed. "However, if it is something which requires me to break a confidence, or it is too personal, I will not reply."

"That is fair," he had averred. "I am sure one as observant as you has not missed the amount of attention Bingley pays to Miss Bennet, or that she seems to receive his attentions willingly." Elizabeth had allowed that it was so. "I have seen Bingley fall in love many times with his latest angel, only to fall out of love as speedily as he started."

"Are you telling me your friend is a rake?" she had asked concernedly.

"No, not at all. He is young and in the past has been somewhat fickle. In the last number of months he has matured, and his spine has stiffened. In the years I have been his friend, never have I seen an attachment like the one he seems to have to Miss Bennet. My question stems from the fact that I know my friend, but I know not your sister. I see her smiles, but I have seen the same smiles directed to other men. My worry for my friend is that in his na?veté he would accept one whom he loves but may not love him in return." He had looked over at Mrs Bennet. "One who would be following the dictates of her mother and not her heart. When I am asked for my opinion, as I will be, I do not want to base my advice on a faulty premise. As I have observed how close you and Miss Bennet are, I am certain you know her far better than I do."

At first Elizabeth had wanted to respond with asperity, but she had thought about how Janey would have reacted. Her older sister would have truly listened to the words and Mr Darcy's intent. When she did, Elizabeth understood the genesis of his questions.

"I will not breach my sister's trust. That being said, I must tell you that Jane and I swore long ago we would only marry for the deepest love and respect. Jane is of age, so no one is able to force her into a marriage she does not desire. Regardless of my mother's wishes, and no matter how loudly she proclaims them, my father would support any of us if we chose not to accept a proposal from a man we do not love. A good friend of ours has opined that if a man shows preference to a lady, she needs to show more than she feels to encourage the man. Jane would never do that. She will stick to propriety at all times, as it should be." Elizabeth had looked across the room at a fuming Miss Bingley. "She would not, and neither would I, try to force her attentions on a man, grab onto his arm possessively, or stalk a man like he is a stag being hunted. We know until a man speaks, there is nothing we can do. Jane has not told me how she feels about your friend, so all I can do, if you would like, is tell you what I observe." Mr Darcy had nodded his head in response. Elizabeth then added, "I have never seen Janey receive a man's attentions with as much pleasure as she does your friend's."

"I thank you Miss Elizabeth. If, no when, he asks for my advice, I will put what you have told me to good use." With that Mr Darcy had bowed to her and walked away.

Elizabeth was snapped out of her reverie by the shrill sounds of her mother's voice calling them down stairs so they could depart for Lucas Lodge.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Ever since the dinner at Haye Park, when, in no uncertain terms, Darcy had expressed his displeasure at Miss Bingley attaching herself to his arm when he had not offered it to her, she had been in a snit. It seemed she was punishing him by not speaking to him, but rather sniffing disdainfully each time she saw him. If the woman had had even the slightest inkling how happy her ignoring him made him feel, she would have been even unhappier than she was currently.

If she was aware he was developing tender feelings for one Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy had no doubt the shrew would expire from an apoplexy.

Caroline Bingley was at her wits' end. After Mr Darcy had been so rude to her at that speck of an estate the Gouldings owned, she had been sure her refusing to speak to him and share her pearls of wisdom with him would have caused him to apologise to her. But he had not.

Rather than be upset being denied her much sought after company, he seemed sanguine with it. She was sure he was only increasing her anticipation, and would soon offer for her, as she had planned since the day Charles had introduced her to the friend he had met while at the University of Cambridge. As it seemed ignoring him was not having the desired effect, she would try something new at the Lucas' hovel. If only Charles would not accept every invitation from the country nobodies who lived in this benighted, backwater part of the realm, then she would have more time at Netherfield Park to convince Mr Darcy of her worth as his ideal wife.

When she had bemoaned the situation to her older sister, Louisa had assured Caroline it was only a matter of time before Mr Darcy offered for her. As far as the things he had said which could be construed as negative, Louisa had agreed it was his bad mood at being stuck with all of the lowborn people in the area, and was not aimed at her younger sister.

They had discussed the problem of Charles paying so much attention to Jane Bennet. They agreed she was a sweet girl, but as Caroline had decided only Miss Darcy would do as her brother's wife, it had been resolved the sisters would discover as much negative information about the Bennets as possible, to make sure Charles left this angel behind as he had all of the previous ones.

Having heard Mr Darcy's opinion on arriving fashionably late, Caroline made sure she was ready to depart at the time her brother had told her.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

When those from Netherfield Park arrived directly behind the Bennet carriage, given how late they had been at past events, it caused no little surprise among the Bennets.

Jane felt pleasure as it meant she would have more time in Mr Bingley's company. The two arriving parties greeted their hosts and then as was their wont to do, Jane and Bingley found somewhere to sit where they could converse.

Elizabeth made her way to Charlotte who was standing close to some men in regimentals. She cringed when she heard Lydia squeal as soon as she spied the officers. "Who are the officers?" she asked her good friend. "I was not aware Sir William had friends in the army."

"They are not connected to us in that fashion." Charlotte cocked her head towards the eldest looking of the four men. "That is Colonel Forster who is in command of a regiment of the Derbyshire Militia. They are scouting for an area which will be suitable for an encampment, as the regiment will take up quarters in Meryton before the end of October."

"And the captains and lieutenant?" Elizabeth enquired.

"The one closest to the Colonel is Captain Carter, next to him is Captain Saunderson, and the Lieutenant is Mr Denny," Charlotte revealed. "Would you like to be introduced?"

"Please, before Lydia exposes herself. I want them to know there are some Bennets who behave with decorum," Elizabeth declared .

Charlotte made the introductions. Soon enough, the Colonel asked what the best way to meet the leading families would be, to which Elizabeth suggested a dinner for the men, and later a ball. Colonel Forster took the suggestions under advisement. As the conversation was completed, Lydia, dragging Kitty, and Maria—the youngest Lucas—behind her came to make herself known to the officers. It was not long before Lieutenant Denny was being pulled with them to go meet some other locals.

Having noted Mr Darcy was close by while she had spoken to the Colonel, Elizabeth decided to tease the man based on his aversion to dancing. "Did you not think, Mr Darcy, that I expressed myself exceedingly well when I suggested the regiment have a ball when they arrive in Meryton?"

"Indeed you did, Miss Elizabeth," Darcy acknowledged, "Then again, ladies are always animated when there is talk of a ball."

The last thing she had expected was the dour man to tease her back. "You are very severe on my sex," Elizabeth riposted with mock severity. "How will we have to punish you for this infraction?"

Across the room, the Bingley sisters had their heads together. "Louisa! Mr Darcy gives that Eliza Bennet chit far too much consequence. What am I to do?" Miss Bingley whined.

"When he is alone go speak to him and dazzle him with your education and class," Mrs Hurst suggested. Miss Bingley nodded her agreement. The Bingley sisters watched as Miss Lucas joined the conversation between Mr Darcy and the impertinent Eliza Bennet.

"It is your turn to be teased now, Eliza," Charlotte claimed, "it is time for me to open the instrument and for you to exhibit."

"Some friend you are, always pushing me to play and sing, especially before such company who, I am sure, are used to hearing the best society has to offer. As you know my talents are mediocre at best. You know how I fudge my way through some of the more complex fingering. It will be a trial for them to hear me after listening to such paragons of talent in Town," Elizabeth claimed.

"Do not imagine, Eliza Rose Bennet, that I will recede on so flimsy an excuse. We both know your playing is a pleasure to hear. Besides, my father had expressed his wish to hear you play and sing, and you would not want to disappoint him, would you?" Charlotte pushed.

Elizabeth shook her head. Her friend had played the trump card. "Very well, lead the way, dear Charlotte," she capitulated.

Soon enough Charlotte opened the upright pianoforte, and except for the Bennet matron, her two youngest daughters, and the Bingley sisters, the room quieted as the player was accorded the respect of most in the room when she began to play.

Darcy had to agree with her self-assessment. Miss Elizabeth was not the most technically proficient performer he had heard, nothing like Giana. However, due to the way she infused feeling into the music, he had heard nothing which had enchanted him more. As he stood and listened he heard the rustle of skirts next to him and then his hand and arm were grasped possessively. His peace with regards to Miss Bingley was over.

He looked at her hand gripping his arm, and then lifted his eyes to her, and Miss Bingley did not miss the message in the scathing look. She removed her hand from his arm as if it had been scalded by boiling water. To make sure she did not take it again, Darcy placed his arms behind his back, his hands gripped together very firmly.

"It is obvious Miss Eliza has not been trained on the instrument as I have been," Miss Bingley purred close to Darcy's ear.

"Yet, other than my sister, I cannot think of ever enjoying the playing of another more," Darcy stated evenly. He ignored the pinched look Miss Bingley sported at his statement, almost like she was sucking a sour lemon.

Not wanting to give him reason to compliment the chit again, Miss Bingley decided to change tack. "I can guess the subject of your reverie."

"I should imagine not," Darcy replied disinterestedly.

"You are considering how insupportable it is to be here among these people and not with those equal to you in society; and indeed, I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity, and yet the noise, no class, no fashion, and yet the self-importance of all these people! What would I give to hear your strictures on them!" Miss Bingley cooed.

"Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow," Darcy stated knowing how much displeasure his declaration would bring the shrew. "As we previously discussed, we are not at the same level of society. Do I need to remind you of our conversation then?"

Caroline Bingley chose to ignore that which she did not want to hear, and fixated on the first part of what Mr Darcy had said. As she was sure he meant herself, she fixed her eyes on his face. She batted her eyelashes at Mr Darcy as she gave him more time to admire her. "And who has inspired you to look at her in such a way?" she asked.

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet," Darcy averred without delay.

"Miss Eliza Bennet!" repeated Miss Bingley as she turned red with anger, but fought to control herself. "I see no beauty in her, and I am sure my sister would agree with me!"

"Then it is good my opinions and yours are at a variance. I neither asked for, nor do I desire your opinions on the matter." Darcy knew it sounded rude, but he could think of nothing else to convey his message to her.

At least for the present, it proved successful as Miss Bingley stormed off to go seek succour from her sister.

After playing one piece, Miss Elizabeth sung a lively air, and Darcy was further entranced by her. She excelled at singing. He knew not if it was natural ability or the training of a master, but either way, he regretted it when she finished her song and stood to make way for her next younger sister.

Lydia Bennet demanded dance music, which Fanny seconded. Rather than go speak to her calmly, the Bennet matron commanded Mary to play music to which they could dance by yelling over the playing. A rug was rolled back in one corner of the room. A line formed, consisting of the two youngest Bennets and the youngest Lucas, standing opposite the two captains and a lieutenant.

Darcy noted his host had come to stand next to him. Almost at the same moment, Miss Elizabeth crossed the room close to the two men. "Miss Eliza, allow me to present Mr Darcy to you as a partner for a dance," Sir William proposed as he took her hand and offered it to Mr Darcy.

"Do not imagine, Sir William, I walked this way in order to seek a dance partner," Elizabeth responded, "I happen to know Mr Darcy does not seek enjoyment in the refinement of dancing." Elizabeth arched an eyebrow in challenge.

"Refinement? Every savage can dance," Darcy jested. "Miss Elizabeth would you do me the honour of standing up with me for this dance?"

Elizabeth looked at the enigmatic man from Derbyshire and saw sincerity in his looks. As he was not asking just because he felt pressured by Sir William, she accepted him for the dance.

It did not take Elizabeth long to determine Mr Darcy was anything but deficient at the art of dancing .

From where she sat with her sister, Miss Bingley wanted to scream. It became even more critical to uncover anything negative she could about these Bennets. It was not only to separate Charles from Miss Bennet, she needed to be able to prove how unsuitable they were to Mr Darcy.

After chasing him for more than five years, she was not about to quit the field to some country mushroom.