3. Chapter 3

III.

Elizabeth passed the chief of the night in her sister's room, and in the morning had the pleasure of being able to send a tolerable answer to the inquiries which she very early received from Mr. Bingley by a housemaid, and some time afterwards from the two ladies who waited on his sisters. In spite of her pronouncement, however, she requested to have the apothecary visit and provide his own judgement of Jane's situation and ensure that Elizabeth was utilising every method possible to further Jane's recovery. The note was immediately dispatched, and its contents as quickly complied with.

While Mr. Jones agreed that Miss Bennet's illness was not alarming, he did not agree to Elizabeth's proposal of having Jane carried home, as he did not think it at all advisable to move Jane at this stage of her recovery. While this was disappointing to Elizabeth, who longed to be back home, she nonetheless sent a note to her mother informing her of their situation and reconciled herself to more time spent in the company of those she disliked and feeling an intruder in Mr. Bingley's home. She reminded herself that she would use the time effectively by continuing her study of Mr. Bingley's character and attachment to Jane. If some small voice in her mind noted that by staying she would also be given more chances to observe and speculate on Mr. Darcy's character and strange interest in her, she did not pay it any mind.

ooOOoo

Before leaving, Mr. Jones gave Jane a sleeping draught to aid her body in resting. Once Elizabeth was satisfied that Jane was resting comfortably, she set off to find the library. This time, armed with Mr. Bingley's prior assurances that she may peruse any book to her liking, she did manage to locate her intended destination without any unexpected delays.

However, she was surprised to find Mr. Bingley present in the room and looking out the window. She smiled to herself slightly at the thought that this seemed behaviour more like Mr. Darcy than Mr. Bingley. He appeared to have abandoned attempts to work at a desk nearby. There were crumpled papers and a small blot of spilled ink on the well-worn desk. He must have become distracted by his thoughts as he was still holding a quill in one hand that seemed all but forgotten. Elizabeth, not wanting to be rude and startle him, announced her entrance by knocking gently and then greeting Mr. Bingley. She politely hid her surprise at finding him thus engaged but could not but wonder if he might be thinking of Jane. If she were honest with herself, she very much hoped his distraction was a result of tender feelings for her sister.

In fact, Charles was relieved to see Miss Elizabeth as this allowed him to inquire directly regarding the health of Miss Bennet, who had indeed been the subject of his distraction. Elizabeth smiled at his sincerity and informed him that Jane was resting comfortably, thanks to the apothecary's draught. Mr. Bingley seemed slightly relieved to hear Miss Bennet was comfortable, but remained still weary in the eyes and tense about his shoulders. Indeed, he was all but lost in his own thoughts for a few moments while Miss Elizabeth browsed the books nearest her. Remembering his manners with a suddenness and therefore over-exuberance that surprised them both, he asked Miss Elizabeth if there was anything he could do for her.

While initially Elizabeth had intended to select a book and return directly to Jane, she paused realizing that this was perhaps a unique opportunity she would not have again. "You are very kind, Mr. Bingley. I came in search of a book to make the time pass more quickly, but," here she paused again, still unsure whether or not to broach the delicate subject; she apparently found some encouragement or strength from within, so she courageously continued, "I wonder perhaps if you and I could speak plainly on a matter of importance?" She knew that this course was highly improper, but she saw no other way to prevent disappointment from touching dear Jane.

Although Mr. Bingley was surprised, he had the good manners to right his countenance before agreeing that he would gladly speak with Miss Elizabeth about whatever she wished. Elizabeth was glad of his easy manners and began cautiously, not wishing to offend and thus inadvertently be the very cause of the unhappiness she was attempting to prevent.

"Mr. Bingley, first, I must admit to and apologize for an action on my part that was inappropriate." Here, Bingley made a motion to protest, but Elizabeth held her hand up, "Please allow me to continue. Unbeknownst to yourself and the others in your party, I happened to overhear some of the conversation following dinner... on Wednesday."

Bingley's countenance displayed a mixture of confusion and concern, likely due to not being sure to which conversation exactly Elizabeth was referencing. She prompted his recollections: "There were concerns expressed over my family's connections and how this may affect our marital prospects." She blushed slightly and lowered her eyes at having to express such a thing; she also chose not to inform him of any other subjects of discourse she had unintentionally heard at the same time as she felt these were not relevant and would only serve to create further discomfort.

Mr. Bingley cringed and coloured, clearly chagrined at Miss Elizabeth having overheard so indelicate a conversation and by his sisters, while she was a guest in his home, no less! He wished to make amends and began, "Miss Elizabeth, I would -" but he was prevented yet again by Elizabeth, whose resolve had not wavered, despite the discomfort inherent in such a topic.

"Mr. Bingley, there is no need for you to apologize. The essentials of what was said are true: we do have relatives in trade, as well as possessing modest dowries, and these may affect our choice of possible partners." Bingley was speechless and unsure as to how he should respond, but Elizabeth boldly continued, "However, I do not think this would justify ill use of our feelings, as I am sure you would agree." She was pleased to see his vigorous nodding at this and continued, "As such, I would like to inquire of you, if I may, about your intentions related to my sister Jane? I realize that this is an unusual sort of inquiry, from a sister in particular, but as we have no brother... and truly, not many know Jane as I do. While she may seem calm and impassive, she has the kindest, gentlest nature. I fear that she would be very injured if she were to find that a man she had developed an attachment to was merely enjoying her company before seeking a partner with better connections elsewhere." Elizabeth trailed off here, realizing that she had perhaps said too much. She took a deep breath and continued, "It is, therefore, out of love and concern for my sister's well being that I beg you would overlook my impertinence in asking and grant me the favour of answering without artifice."

Mr. Bingley's face had coloured upon realizing Elizabeth had overheard their dinner conversation and then drained of colour during her request. He now seemed almost unable to speak, but somehow managed to find words: "Miss Elizabeth, first and foremost, please allow me to apologize for the unforgivably rude statements that were made against your family. I am deeply embarrassed by them, not only because you overheard them, but because I do not share the sentiments of my sisters or Darcy on this count. It is not my custom to judge the worth of another by status or material interests." Following this, he seemed to wish to continue, but stopped himself briefly. He recognized the inherent slight of both Darcy and his sisters in his statement, but felt it was unavoidable without further insulting Miss Elizabeth and her family. His eyebrows pulled together and a slight frown brought his lips closed. Internally, Charles was struggling to maintain proper decorum in his responses, but also fighting his urge to confess all to Miss Elizabeth. He wondered if his prior observations of her intelligence and honesty were sufficient evidence with which to judge her worthy of his trust.

For her part, Elizabeth was pleased but not altogether satisfied with his response. While he had been more than within his rights to refuse her request entirely, this denial felt but half complete. Still, she needed a moment to collect her thoughts and so she did not speak.

Surprising her, Mr. Bingley resumed his speech rather soon, although he seemed significantly more cautious now: "Miss Elizabeth, if I may, I would like to express further..." he weighed the next word carefully, "...thoughts on this subject, but I do not wish to cause offence nor incite... expectations within you. May I be so bold as to speak as plainly as you did in asking your question?"

At Elizabeth's nod, he gave a half smile and continued: "I thank you for your indulgence. Indeed, I am pleased to have a confidant with whom I can share some of these thoughts. In response to your inquiry, while our acquaintance has been brief, I believe your sister to be one of the most beautiful and amiable ladies of my acquaintance. I should never wish to impose upon her in any way and I should like very much to have the opportunity to get to know her better. I intend only what is proper with regards to Miss Bennet." By the end his smile had grown, largely due to his pleasure with the balanced tone he had achieved: he felt it was forthright but also cautiously optimistic. After all, he certainly did not wish to create a situation where Miss Elizabeth would feel he had declared specific intentions toward her sister that he may not be prepared to give, particularly while he still knew so little of her, but he also did not want to lose the ability to continue to become better acquainted with the lovely Miss Jane Bennet since he privately felt that he might very well wish to pay certain addresses to her in the future.

Elizabeth had relaxed at Mr. Bingley's words and expressed her appreciation for his candour: "Mr. Bingley, I thank you most profusely for putting my fears to rest. I could not be at ease unless I was certain that no terrible disappointment would befall my dearest sister." In her pleasure, Miss Elizabeth again revealed more than she had intended.

Mr. Bingley found his curiosity piqued by Elizabeth's words and desired to ask a question of his own: "Miss Elizabeth, I am immensely glad of anything I can do to put you at ease. I wonder though, since we are speaking plainly, if I may perhaps inquire something of you in regards to Miss Bennet?"

Elizabeth was not entirely comfortable and realized that perhaps her last words were not as neutral as she may have preferred, but felt she could not refuse, given his tolerance of her rudeness and rationed that he had just expressed an affection for her sister, so she inclined her head to indicate that he may ask.

"While I would not wish to be indelicate nor to violate confidential communications between sisters, I do wish to ask – that is to say – I find your sister to be somewhat... puzzling at times. I do not always know how to decipher how she is feeling or what she is thinking." He found himself struggling for words more than he normally did and recognized correctly that his desire for a particular answer was driving him to near distraction. He persevered: "As you say, her nature is so accommodating that I fear she would give no sign if I were to – well, I would not want to make her uncomfortable with unwanted attention." Here he paused, looking uncomfortable but silently pleading with Elizabeth to understand him before taking a breath and asking, "May I be so arrogant as to presume that you would not ask such questions of me if she were disgusted or entirely indifferent to me, that I have no hope of a mutually enjoyed deeper acquaintance?"

Elizabeth smiled. This was not a question she was unwilling to answer, particularly as the question itself revealed more clearly than anything else how attached Mr. Bingley truly was. She therefore decided that it would not do Jane any ill to encourage Mr. Bingley and may even help: "Sir, you have no need for fear on that count. I do believe my sister has been partial to you since early in your first meeting. Although Jane is somewhat reserved in her display of her feelings publicly, you are quite correct to assume that I would not have so imposed upon you were I to believe she were indifferent to you. Quite the opposite in fact, commensurate with the level of acquaintance you have developed, I believe your attentions to Jane are welcomed." She teasingly added as an afterthought, "And I cannot imagine there is any woman that would find your attentions to be disgusting, even one who would be indifferent to you as you are always the perfect and amiable gentleman!"

At this, Bingley laughed wholeheartedly and let out a breath in relief. "Well, Miss Elizabeth, I appreciate your candour, as well as the great compliment. I hope you and I will continue to be friends who can speak as plainly as we have done today. I find it is most refreshing!"

"Nothing would please me more, Mr. Bingley." And with that, Elizabeth and Mr. Bingley parted ways; he to resume his work and she with a book to her sister's room, both in high spirits.

A/N: So we're starting to diverge from the original here, but you'll still see some of the classic E/D Netherfield interactions coming up... although perhaps not quite in the same light! My goal is to be putting out about a chapter a week, but as I'm still a new writer, I cannot make absolute promises on timing except to say I'll do my best.

As always, reviews – constructive and supportive alike – are SO appreciated! Also, thanks to all those who added this story to alerts and favorites! It makes me happier than I can possibly express :)