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In the parlour at Netherfield, with polished but dated furniture, Fitzwilliam Darcy observed his friend speak with his older sister and watched Louisa Hurst grow excited when she understood her brother’s request.

“Do you intend to host a ball? Here at Netherfield?” asked Mrs Hurst while Miss Bingley’s face grew sour.

“Yes, I believe we have the appropriately sized room for dancing, and we shall speak with Mrs Hobbes about plate, silver, and glassware. I shall not buy such items because I am only leasing the estate. Those items can get mixed with the owner’s belongings while I am here.

But we can have food and wine sent up from London.

We shall have champagne if the merchants have brought any in despite the embargo. ”

‘Champagne? Charles takes a chance with the drink,’ Darcy thought to himself. ‘I know the prime minister does not serve champagne because of the embargo, but most of the nobility drinks it on occasion still. And no one has much left in their cellars after all these years of war.’

While Charles and Louisa waited for Mrs Hobbes to join them, Darcy continued his observations.

‘Miss Bingley is disturbed by this announcement. Does she think a ball inappropriate for the gentry hereabout? Or will she regret not acting as hostess to arrange the ball to her liking? It will be interesting to watch Miss Bingley attempt to manipulate Mrs Hurst for the next weeks.’

Considering the state of Netherfield, Darcy had another thought, ‘The ploughing is well underway, and the food stores in the tenant farms are sufficient for the winter. I shall suggest to Charles that he provide a harvest home for the tenants before the ball. Some music and food in one of the larger barns will win much approval from the tenants.’

Then Darcy wondered at his friend’s motives.

Considering Bingley’s character and history, Fitzwilliam realised, ‘Charles is smitten with Miss Bennet. Without question, he intends to court Miss Bennet. Will he announce an engagement at the ball? No, it has not been long enough, but a ball will allow him to declare his interest in Jane Bennet.’

The image of Elizabeth Bennet appeared in his mind. Her lovely eyes sparkled with intelligence when they argued about the news from the continent or the meaning in some book. Her lips were pink and full, and Fitzwilliam Darcy wondered how they would taste if he kissed her.

‘Kiss her?’ he thought suddenly. ‘I should very much like to kiss her, but that can never be.’

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly to regain control, he wondered, ‘How did I allow myself to be distracted by her lovely face and form? And her mind is equal to my own in many ways.’

Turning his head to stare out a window for a moment, he made a promise, ‘I shall dance with her. Charles will allow me to select my partner for the first dance, and it will be Miss Elizabeth Bennet, for all the gossip it will enjoin.’

He smirked and concluded his thoughts, ‘Mr and Mrs Bennet will see nothing except for Charles leading Jane through the steps of the first dance, and they will not notice Elizabeth dancing with me. I could steal a kiss without anyone noticing.’

Darcy listened as Charles and Louisa created the guest list without heeding Miss Bingley’s opinions. While Caroline had the best penmanship of all the siblings, Louisa declared she would write the invitations and address the envelopes herself.

“And you, Charles Bingley, shall deliver each one in person,” Louisa declared.

~~~

Indulging his interest in Miss Elizabeth’s animated conversations, Fitzwilliam Darcy imagined discussing Gilbert White's book with the young woman.

He imagined she would consume the pages eagerly and approach their discussion with that sparkle in her eyes, perhaps a glow to her cheeks.

They could argue about the proposition that the volcanos in Iceland caused poor summer weather in 1783.

He could argue either side of the notion–he would argue the opposite of Miss Elizabeth to see the flash in her eyes that ignited a fire in his belly each time they spoke.

Without speaking to the others in the room, Darcy rose from his chair and walked about the gardens around Netherfield to cool his mind.

He told himself repeatedly, ‘How can a young woman without fortune or a good family name have captured my attention so completely? Her laughter and smile shall not seduce me.’

~~~

Despite his strongest resolution, Darcy wrote to Mr Freemont, the bookshop proprietor at Mayfair Bibliothèque, before retiring that evening.

In the letter dispatched the next morning, he requested a copy of Gilbert White’s The Natural History of Selborne, provided the direction for the shipment of the book, and asked that the costs be added to his account.

The book arrived only a few mornings after he mailed the letter to London, and he dithered about delivery to Mr Bennet.

On the morning Louisa provided Charles with the invitations to the ball that would occur two weeks from that same day, Bingley confirmed he would deliver each invitation himself.

This declaration gave Darcy the idea that his friend would be the perfect instrument to deliver the book to Mr Bennet.

Mr Darcy waited until they were in the estate office, a comfortable room that appeared to have been a library at one time, judging by the number of empty shelves lining the walls.

Netherfield did not have a library, something the two men had already discussed.

In the room with desks and chairs, Charles read the journals that recorded the tasks and harvests in past years and met with the steward concerning wood cutting, continuing the autumn ploughing, and plans for the spring.

Here, Bingley and Darcy wrote their letters with directions for business managers, stewards, bankers, and lawyers.

During a quiet moment, without any servant or other family member present in the office, Darcy approached the desk where Bingley sat and said, “Charles, I have noticed your growing attachment to Miss Jane Bennet.”

Looking up from a letter he was writing, Bingley returned to his letter before he replied, “As you have mentioned twice. And I have heard the hints that such an attraction would be detrimental to my future.”

Charles laid aside his quill and turned to catch Darcy’s eye before continuing, “Your interference in the matter is so unlike your usual behaviours that it has made me examine my feelings.”

Placing the book on the desk for the moment, Darcy sat across from Bingley and asked, “What are your conclusions?”

Maintaining his serious expression, Charles stated, “Miss Jane Bennet is the kindest, most generous lady I have ever met. She speaks gently to everyone, understands managing a home, and cares greatly for her family.”

Darcy admitted, “Those are admirable qualities in a young lady.”

“Unlike my own younger sister,” Charles admitted. “And what is more, after this examination, I am determined to press my suit for her hand and make her my wife.”

Surprised by the direction of the conversation, Darcy asked, “Are you engaged?”

Shaking his head, Charles replied, “We are not engaged. Jane said she felt the same for me but wanted us to observe the proper forms. She begged me to wait until the next quarter day to propose. That will give all the neighbours time to view a proper courtship.”

“The next quarter day is Christmas, is it not?” asked Darcy.

“It is. And in the weeks between now and then, I shall court Miss Bennet properly and honour her beauty at the ball I am hosting. After that evening, not even Caroline will doubt my intentions.”

Darcy paused and took a deep breath before admitting, “My interference in your personal matters is the opposite of being a good friend, Charles. I beg your forgiveness.”

“Granted,” Charles said. Then he eyed the book on the desk and asked, “What title have you brought to my attention today? Crop rotation or breeding sheep?”

Darcy fought against a smile for a moment as he remembered the evening Miss Bingley expressed an interest in a pamphlet the two men shared after dinner. Once she learned it dealt with judging the fitness of a bull to breed cows and heifers, Caroline sputtered and left the parlour.

“No, the book is titled The Natural History of Selborne. My bookseller in London had a copy, and I thought to gift it to Mr Bennet,” Darcy explained.

“Mr Bennet?” asked Charles. “I thought Miss Elizabeth spoke of that title several times, not Mr Bennet.”

Blushing, Darcy cleared his throat and admitted, “Yes, Miss Elizabeth. But I cannot provide such a gift to her or her father even without it raising expectations.”

Nodding in agreement, Bingley thought for a long moment before he said, “Darcy, I have a suggestion and a warning.”

“Yes, Charles,” the taller man replied.

“Allow me to loan the book to Mr Bennet for his review and Miss Elizabeth’s reading pleasure. The generous act will engender goodwill for me without linking your figure to the thoughtfulness of procuring the book.”

Disappointed at the notion that Miss Elizabeth would not know the book came from him, Darcy agreed to the subterfuge. Then Charles continued, “Now, let me warn you.”

Darcy listened carefully as Charles said, “If you cause pain for my future sister, Elizabeth Bennet, I shall throw you from my house and end all intercourse with our business ventures. Jane extols the kindness and intelligence of her sister–which I challenge you to deny.”

“No, Miss Elizabeth is undoubtedly one of England's most intelligent, well-read women,” Darcy admitted. “Her arguments and questions have impressed me each time we have met this autumn.”

Leading the discussion forward, Charles added, “Miss Elizabeth is a lovely young woman who could match you for arguments and ideas for your entire life.”

“The family has no connections or wealth,” Darcy objected, recognising the direction of the conversation.

Snorting, Bingley added, “I know you do not seek additional wealth. Several heiresses with vast fortunes have been offered to you in the years since your father passed, and you declined the introduction each time.”

“There were none who could do more than produce an heir and a spare to use the vulgar expression,” Darcy admitted. “None had a mind that could…”

“Where Miss Elizabeth could debate the dons of Oxford on many subjects,” Bingley rushed to conclude.

“But Miss Elizabeth will bring nothing to marriage,” Darcy stated. “The Bennet estate is entailed to that pompous parson who serves my aunt. One uncle is involved in trade in the city, and the other is the local attorney dealing with wills, leases, and deeds.”

“Do you truly believe the two eldest Bennet sisters will enter marriage with nothing? Man, are you blind and dumb?” Charles asked with scorn evident in his tone.

“Miss Elizabeth, like Miss Bennet, comes with a heart that will love her husband all the years of their lives. What more do you expect from your wife, Darcy?”

“Children.”

With a serious expression on his face, Charles replied, “I believe there are five healthy, living children at Longbourn.”

“But no sons.”

Charles muttered, “The last person who cast aside his wife because she did not bear a son was a king who threw the entire kingdom into turmoil. History does not look upon his memory with favour.”

“I am not Henry VIII,” Darcy said.

“So, do you object to the family?” asked Bingley, bringing up a potentially sour subject.

When Darcy grimaced, Charles asked, “Darcy, let us consider both families, shall we?”

“What do you mean?”

“My family is still connected to trade, though Caroline does not acknowledge such. Bingley Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent is mine and earns profits for my accounts. By marrying Jane Bennet, I shall join my name to a respectable landed family name of many generations. And Jane does not care that my father was a tradesman,” Charles confided to his friend.

“She does not concern herself that I have a harridan for a sister except to insist that Caroline does not live with us.”

For Bingley to characterise Caroline Bingley as a shrewish woman offended Darcy’s sensibilities.

Still, Charles pressed ahead, “It may insult you, but I see many similar traits between my sister and your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Is not Lady Catherine dictatorial and impossible to please unless you follow her exact wishes?”

“Yes, but Lady Catherine is the daughter of an earl,” Darcy said.

Frowning darkly, Charles countered, “Does being a member of the nobility excuse ill-mannered behaviour? The paper is filled with stories of liaisons of noblemen with the wives of other men, chambermaids left pregnant by the master of the house, and estates in ruin from gambling on horse racing, cards, and cock fighting.”

The comparison was on point, and there was no defence for his aunt’s well-known dictates among his friends. Bingley continued, “If Miss Elizabeth could overlook Lady Catherine, you should be able to overlook uncles who are a tradesman and an attorney.”

Not willing to concede the argument, Darcy frowned while still harbouring doubts.

Charles regretted when he did not see resolution or happiness on his friend's face, so he turned their attention to the book on his desk.

Bingley ended the conversation, “I shall hand The Natural History of Selborne to Mr Bennet when I deliver the invitation to the ball. Do you care to be there?”

~~~