CHAPTER 3

"Ah, there you are Mr. Darcy," Caroline said, her voice held the sweetness of an overripe strawberry, "I was beginning to think you had changed your mind and decided not to come at all."

Darcy gave a bow to Miss Bingley.

"But I know you would never abandon Charles, Mr. Darcy, you are too much the gentleman," Caroline said. Then, leaning closer to him she whispered, "I have already heard that there are many a young lady in this area that would wish to ensnare my brother. We must be vigilant you and I, Mr. Darcy, to make sure he does not get taken in."

"Though your brother is agreeable and friendly I am sure he will be prudent in the friendships he makes while he is here." Mr. Darcy stated. Though he secretly agreed that Bingley would need to be watched he was not eager to be in any sort of alliance with Caroline Bingley. He would much prefer to keep on eye on Bingley on his own.

"Mr. Darcy, I never took you for someone to trusting. Surely you must know as well as I that Charles is far too open and naive. These country girls have a way about them; they may seem silly and inconsequential but their distance from society turns them into vipers whenever a suitable man comes around. You must agree with me there."

Darcy said nothing but instead offered his arm to Caroline to escort her to dinner. This did not daunt Caroline from her present task of enlisting Mr. Darcy in the aid of protecting her brother. She took his arm and continued.

"To be sure, Mr. Darcy, I heard the servants mention that Charles had already been invited to numerous houses to dine."

"Could this not be attributed to the politeness of the neighborhood?"

"Oh, Mr. Darcy, how gracious you are to these people. You know as well as I that if my brother had not £5,000 a year he would not have received half so many visitors."

Darcy once again chose to remain silent at this comment. True, there had been many a young lady who in the past attempted to secure Bingley's heart and thereby his fortune, but he could not believe that every girl in the country could be after him. Was it truly the den if vipers Caroline made it out to be?

"But I do insist Mr. Darcy, you must agree to assist me in looking after my brother."

"I promise to do all that I deem necessary to secure your brother's happiness," Darcy replied. He felt that this was an appropriate reply since whether there were troublesome ladies or not it would still be kept, with or without Caroline.

Caroline either took this reply as assurance enough or was not brave enough to pursue the subject as the entered the dining room. Bingley was there, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. He was greeted by Louisa with warmth, and by Mr. Hurst with a sort of grunt.

Dinner and the rest of the evening passed with little difficulty. Mr. Hurst was too busy with his meal to say much, but the rest of the party mingled in pleasant conversation. Mr. Bingley spoke of his pleasure of being together in the country, Louisa talked of her dress for the ball, and Caroline changed her opinions to match that of Mr. Darcy's throughout the course of the evening. The evening whittled away with such pleasantries graced with a few grunts and snores from Mr. Hurst. Though it had been easy enough, Darcy was relieved when he could return to his room.

Darcy was once again greeted by Solomon as he entered his room. Solomon had left a few candles glowing by Darcy's bed which cast a sleepy warm glow across the room.

"Good evening, sir. Would Mr. Darcy like to retire?" Solomon asked.

"No, Slade, not yet, thank you. I think I will write to Ms. Georgianna."

"Very well, sir, call for me when you are ready," Solomon said as he slipped back into the dressing room where Solomon's own personal room was attached.

Darcy realized the strangeness of writing a letter so late, but he would not neglect Georgiana. She would want to know that he arrived safely at Netherfield - he should have already written her that afternoon. This way he could send the letter off first thing in the morning.

Darcy felt guilt sweep inside of him as he wrote his sister's name in dark ink; perhaps he shouldn't have left Georgiana. It had been over a year since the event with Wickham, Georgiana had grown so much in that year since the encounter, but he still felt that she was haunted by it.

For Georgiana, who even at 15 was more sensible than most grown women, to have been almost seduced by Wickham was still shocking to Darcy himself. How dare he attempt to disgrace his sister thus! He gripped his pen tighter in his hand.

He hated the man.

No, not hate. As much as Darcy wished he could hate Wickham, as much as he distrusted and disrespected the man, hate was till not an emotion he harbored for Wickham.

What was it that kept him from that hate?

Was is their history?

Darcy shook his head and sighed down at his letter. His writing there stated nothing but "Dear Georgiana." Darcy suddenly felt tired, but would not abandon his duty.

Dear Georgiana,

Mr. Bingley and I have made it safely to Netherfield. I will write more when I have more news to tell. Ms. Bingley sens her well wishes, and I send my love. More to come.

Fitzwilliam

It was a waste of paper, Darcy knew, but it would do. Georgiana would know he was safe and that was his current task at hand. He rang for Solomon. He would write her again after the ball.

The ball.

Darcy let out a sigh as he thought once again of the party he would have to attend the following evening. The last ball he had been attended had been tolerable, but it had been a private ball. What was more was he had more acquaintances there, the Bingleys, Ms. Wycliff.

Ms. Wycliff. At the last ball, Ms. Wycliff had expressed her own dislike of balls, though she admitted they were necessary.

"Are you ready for bed, sir?" Solomon asked, interrupting Darcy's thoughts as he came out of his room.

Darcy nodded, turning any forming thoughts of Ms. Wycliff away.

"Anything else I can do for you sir?" Solomon asked once he finished helping Darcy preparing for bed.

"No, that will be all, thank you, Solomon." Darcy said as he climbed into bed. Solomon blew out the last candle and Darcy was left in darkness.