Friends Before Lovers Read online

  "Miss Bennet, how are you enjoying this evening's festivities?" Col. Waldegrave asked as they took their places among the other couples.

  "It has been simply wonderful, Colonel." Elizabeth responded with a smile.

  "Hmmm, then I will have my work cut out for me to improve upon it. It will certainly be a challenge to top 'wonderful'." He said with a thoughtful look.

  Elizabeth laughed at this bit of silliness before they proceeded to dance. As always, Elizabeth and the Colonel maintained an easy conversation throughout the dance and then at dinner. Much to Col. Waldegrave's chagrin and Elizabeth's entertainment, Tom Bertram was seated with them at dinner. His eagerness for information about Amelia would not be deterred, despite the fact that his partner was not amused and the Colonel did everything allowable in polite society to dissuade Bertram from pursuing Amelia.

  At the end of the evening, Amelia and her brother once again approached the Bingley party to wish them a good night and say farewell to Elizabeth.

  "Oh, Elizabeth! How I will miss you!" Amelia exclaimed as she embraced her new friend.

  "I expect faithful correspondence from you as I have said. Perhaps we will meet again." Elizabeth said as she released Amelia from their hug.

  Amelia cast a quick glance to her brother before saying, "Yes, perhaps we will. Take care, my friend."

  Amelia stepped aside to allow her brother to speak with Elizabeth. Col. Waldegrave smiled and said, "It has been a pleasure making your acquaintance this season, Miss Bennet. I shall miss your stimulating conversation at the next event that Amelia's drags me to."

  Elizabeth laughed lightly and responded, "The pleasure has been mine, Colonel. I hope that you find the remainder of the season equally as enjoyable."

  The Colonel looked serious for a moment before bowing over Elizabeth's hand and placing a quick kiss on it before straightening and saying, "Unlikely. Safe travels, Miss Bennet."

  Before Elizabeth could respond, the Colonel and Amelia were gone. Elizabeth's mind was swirling as she tried to analyze the differing friendships she had developed during this trip. As she settled into the carriage, Elizabeth was brought out of her thoughts by Caroline's voice.

  "Well, that was a slightly dull ball to complete your visit with, Eliza. Fear not, I have ensured that I am available to entertain you all of tomorrow!" Caroline added with excitement.

  Elizabeth glanced at Jane and Charles, who were both attempting to keep their laughter at bay, before turning to Caroline and saying, "How wonderful, Caroline."

  Chapter 11

  Elizabeth could hardly believe it but she absolutely longed to be home, even with her mother's badgering. Anything would be better than what she was now enduring.

  "Eliza! Eliza? Are you even listening to me?" Caroline shouted as she continued to sift through Elizabeth's trunk.

  "I apologize, Caroline, but I was distracted by thinking of how hard poor Mary worked this morning to pack that trunk." Elizabeth said in an accusing voice.

  Caroline rolled her eyes before returning to her task.

  "Yes, well, I hardly care for the trials of your maid. I might remind you that it is her duty to pack your trunk. Besides, she will have ample opportunity to repack it during our dinner with the Darcy's this evening."

  At this comment, Elizabeth perked up and enquired, "The Darcy's are to dine with us?"

  Caroline was looking at one of Elizabeth's older morning dresses in disgust but then glanced at Elizabeth and replied, "Well, yes, they are. Perhaps Jane and Charles intended it to be a surprise? No matter, we really must address the most pressing issue of the day…do you truly intend to return home with this, Eliza?"

  Caroline held the offending article of clothing out with an exasperated look to Elizabeth.

  "Of course, that happens to be one of my favorite dresses, even if it is not from this season." Elizabeth defended.

  "Oh, you are impossible!" Caroline exclaimed. "I know that you have purchased several lovely new dresses during your stay, yet, you would return home with this?"

  When Elizabeth did not reply, Caroline continued with a false smile plastered on her face.

  "Now, sister, I have reviewed the contents of your trunk and believe that these dresses are appropriate for you to keep. However, this group," Caroline indicated with the wave of her hand, "is more appropriate to be donated to the poor."

  Elizabeth was past her patience with her brother's sister and just wanted the rest of her afternoon to relax with Jane. She looked over the pile that Caroline had shunned and thought it a small price to pay to be done with this fiasco of a 'favor'.

  "Fine, Caroline, if they will be donated then I will agree. However, I am keeping the blue morning dress." Elizabeth added as she removed her favorite dress from the donate pile.

  Before Caroline could speak, Elizabeth continued with a false smile of her own, "Now, sister, I must ask that you excuse me. I wish to speak with Jane before I dress for the meal tonight."

  Caroline rose, feeling triumphant, saying, "Of course, of course, I only hope that your time here helped to improve your eye for the finer things."

  Then with a slight smirk, Caroline added, "I noticed that Col. Waldegrave was highly attentive to you last night. Mrs. Bennet would be well-pleased to find the son of an Earl as her daughter's suitor, I think. Even if he is a second son."

  "Enough, Caroline! The Colonel has been very kind to me but he is certainly not my suitor." Elizabeth responded impatiently.

  "Hmmm, yes, well, there is always next year, Eliza."

  Caroline finally departed. With a sigh of relief, Elizabeth left her room to find Jane and, hopefully, spend a few enjoyable hours before the Darcy's arrived.

  Dinner that evening was festive and intimate consisting of only Charles, Jane, Elizabeth, the Hurst's, and the Darcy's. Jane and Elizabeth had earlier agreed to keep their emotions in check and do their utmost to enjoy the final night of Elizabeth's visit. Their smiles and laughter were infectious and caused even the usually reserved Darcy siblings to relax and join in the conversations.

  Jane had just shared a tale of Elizabeth getting into trouble several years ago for scaring her younger sisters on All Hallow's Eve by using a spooky voice. The group laughed when Elizabeth provided a sample of the terrifying voice. As the laughter started to die down, Darcy was shocked when his shy sister spoke up and told their friends about his talent for using different animal voices while telling a story to her as a child.

  "Oh ho! Why is this the first I have heard of this talent, Darce?" Charles bellowed as he laughed.

  "Yes, Mr. Darcy, it would appear that we were both blessed with incredible story-telling abilities." Elizabeth teased.

  Although he was a little red about the ears, Darcy just smirked and replied, "Perhaps we could take our act on the road, Miss Bennet."

  "Hmmm…I would not feel comfortable making such a life-altering decision, sir, without first hearing a example of your work?" Elizabeth challenged.

  "Oh yes, Will! Do the voice of the Papa Bear! That was always my favorite one because you would growl after speaking." Georgiana added.

  This caused another round of laughter amongst the group before Elizabeth once again goaded the good gentleman from Derbyshire.

  "Truly? The austere Mr. Darcy…growled? I must hear this."

  Before Darcy could reply, Caroline spoke up.

  "Enough of this nonsense, Eliza. Mr. Darcy is a gentleman. He does not growl." She said with authority.

  Mr. Darcy did naught but bow towards Caroline before he stated that it was time for him and Georgiana to depart. As the party moved from the parlor to the front hall, Elizabeth passed Mr. Darcy and heard a soft noise by her ear that could only be described as a growl. She quickly turned her head to look back at him with a questioning glance. Although he did not make eye contact, his mouth was slightly raised about the corners. A soft smile graced Elizabeth's face as she walked forward to say farewell to Georgiana.

  The two young women embraced bri
efly and exchanged promises to continue their friendship through the post. When Georgiana finally relinquished Elizabeth and turned to take her leave from the Bingley's and Hurst's, Darcy stepped forward to Elizabeth.

  "It has been a pleasure, Miss Bennet." Darcy said as he took her hand and bowed.

  "For me, as well, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth smiled.

  "I wish you a comfortable trip home, my friend." The gentleman said before bowing once again and giving her hand a gentle squeeze. He then turned and escorted Georgiana to the carriage.

  Once the Hurst's were gone and she said goodnight to Charles, Jane and Caroline, Elizabeth was finally alone in her room. As she prepared for bed, she could not help but think back on the evening with fondness. She had formed many friendships during her visit as well as attended grand balls and the theatre; however, her last thoughts before she succumbed to her slumber were of a gentle pressure on her hand and a soft growl in her ear.

  Chapter 12

  Elizabeth's arrival at Longbourn was met with little fanfare. Though her father and Mary gave her a warm embrace and welcomed her home, Kitty and Lydia barely allowed her to step onto the porch before begging for all of the details from her trip.

  "Did you attend many balls?" asked Kitty.

  "Is Jane in raptures with all of her pin money?" Lydia asked with a look of envy.

  "What were the dresses like, Lizzy?" Kitty continued before Lydia cut her off.

  "Did you find a beau in London?" Lydia asked with a laugh.

  Before Elizabeth could respond to any of these rapid fire questions, Mrs. Bennet yelled from within the house.

  "Beaus? What would Miss Lizzy need a beau for? She has made it quite clear that she is intent on becoming an old maid!"

  Elizabeth looked at her father and rolled her eyes as he chuckled.

  "As you see, Lizzy, Longbourn is just as it was when you departed."

  Mr. Bennet continued to laugh as he placed a kiss upon his daughter's head and stepped back into the house with his progeny following behind him.

  Ever the devoted sister, Elizabeth did her best to answer her younger sisters' questions…that is, she responded to the least silly inquiries. When she presented the various gifts she had bought for each of her family members, she was surprised to receive the most sincere hug from Lydia that she could remember in recent years. Likewise, Elizabeth was pleased to find that her mother's ire lessened considerably after Mrs. Bennet tried on the new shawl that was purchased from Bond Street.

  Settling in for her first night back at home, Elizabeth became slightly melancholy as she regarded the empty space that Jane used to occupy. However, she knew that her sister had married a good man who loved her dearly and this thought could only warm her heart.

  The days passed slowly as Elizabeth became reacquainted with the countryside that she so loved. Her rambles through the surrounding wood were peaceful which had been sorely missed during her time in London. Although there was still a bite in the air, evidence of springtime was slowly appearing in the form of some green leaves here or a small pink blossom there. Elizabeth could not help but feel invigorated as she wandered amongst budding new life.

  Elizabeth found that she had never spent so much time attending to correspondence as she now did. Soon after her arrival at Longbourn, she received letters from Jane, Georgiana and Amelia. Mrs. Bennet was quick to demand more information on these new friends and was most happy to find that Amelia was the daughter of an Earl.

  "You see! I knew that dear Jane would be sure to throw her sisters into the paths of rich gentlemen!" She said gleefully. Then, turning towards Elizabeth, she continued, "I hope that you appreciate all that your sister has done for you. Good daughters do what is best for their family. Were you able to meet the Earl? Or, perhaps, the heir while you were in Town?"

  Elizabeth was very glad to be able to truthfully answer in the negative to both of these questions. She thought that the inquisition would stop at that but then her mother continued.

  "Now, Miss Darcy must be the sister to dear Charles' friend who was unable to attend the wedding, correct? His gift to Jane was very generous. Were you able to spend much time with Mr. Darcy, Lizzy?" Her mother asked hopefully.

  Knowing that she would never rest should her mother find out how often she was in the company of such a rich gentleman, Elizabeth was as vague as possible in her response.

  "Mr. Darcy escorted his sister to the townhouse occasionally. Miss Darcy is a very talented and lovely girl. It was she who suggested that I purchase that shawl for you, momma."

  Mrs. Bennet's face lit up with this bit of news and it was sufficient to redirect the conversation from wealthy elder brothers to the current fashions of younger sisters.

  In addition to the correspondence from London, there were also letters from Kent. Elizabeth's best friend, Charlotte Collins nee Lucas, had maintained a steady stream of missives since she had married Mr. Bennet's odious cousin. Charlotte stated that she was quite content in her new situation and had even extended an invitation for Elizabeth to visit following the Easter holiday if she could be spared so soon after returning to Longbourn. Mrs. Bennet held a list of grievances against Charlotte, not the least of which was the charge of conniving to steal Longbourn from the Bennet family. Unfortunately, when Elizabeth made the invitation known to her parents, Mrs. Bennet immediately railed against her for losing such a catch as Mr. Collins. However, after some thought, Mrs. Bennet's burning curiosity regarding the Collins' true living situation in Kent paved the way to consent to the scheme.

  A few days before Easter, Elizabeth rose earlier than normal and decided to go for a walk before breakfast since her family would not be up for some time. Having no destination in mind, she simply ambled alongside the stream that ran along the back of her father's property. It was still quiet among the trees but for the sounds of the water gently flowing over the rocks. Elizabeth sat upon a large rock and listened with her eyes closed and her face warming by the rays of the rising sun. Suddenly, her eyes flew open when the sound of an approaching horse broke through the serenity.

  Before Elizabeth could rise from her seat and depart, the horse and its rider were stopped at the stream in front of her. Great was her surprise when she recognized the horseman.

  "Mr. Darcy! Whatever are you doing here?" she exclaimed.

  The gentleman dismounted with a laugh and then bowed.

  "Thank you for that warm welcome, Miss Bennet. I have missed your outbursts in recent weeks."

  Elizabeth colored but was still not over her shock. She quickly curtsied before replying.

  "Forgive me, sir, but I am all astonishment at meeting you here. Also, I believe that we have a previous agreement that allows me to speak freely when in your company. Or have you forgotten so soon that I am aware of how to retaliate should you choose to oust my bad manners?"

  "No, no, Miss Bennet, I have not forgotten so soon. I would not wish you to tattle to my housekeepers."

  They both laughed at this nonsense.

  "Actually, Miss Bennet, I believe that my fate is in your hands at this moment."

  "Whatever do you mean, sir?"

  "Well, it appears that I have now ruined a surprise that our sisters have worked very hard at concealing from you."

  A look of elation overcame Elizabeth's face as she asked, "Jane! And, Miss Darcy, are they here too?"

  At his nod, she exclaimed, "How wonderful!"

  "Yes, I believe that the beautiful look upon your face at this moment is what they will be hoping to see this afternoon. I will not pretend that I am not grateful to be its recipient; however, I fear that you must be able to reproduce it for them or it will be my head."

  "Oh dear, I do not know if it will be possible, sir. You know that I am not giving to dramatics." Elizabeth said in mock seriousness.

  Remembering their first encounter, Darcy could not contain his laughter.

  "Thankfully, Miss Bennet, I have every confidence that you will perform admirably."

&n
bsp; Elizabeth smiled at this before he continued.

  "Now, I believe that I must return to Netherfield before the others awaken and become aware of my unintended subterfuge. Since I have already ruined the surprise, I might request that you make yourself available in the early afternoon. I believe that you will be called upon by some eager visitors."

  "I look forward to it, sir." Elizabeth replied.

  Darcy took her hand and bowed before saying, "Until then, Miss Bennet."

  Chapter 13

  "Jane! Georgiana! What a wonderful surprise this is!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she embraced her sister and her friend in the parlor at Longbourn. A quick glance at Mr. Darcy and she had to immediately avert her gaze for fear of laughing. That gentleman stood stoically behind his sister, looking uncomfortable with the squealing of Elizabeth's mother and sisters.