WELCOME

[Jane Bennet]

The invitation had been issued and the date of the luncheon had been set. Jane couldn’t sleep a wink the night before and rather paced the length of the room for most of the night. After finally falling asleep Jane awoke early and with the singular object of finding a gown that might succeed in capturing Mr. Bingley’s attentions again. Jane missed breakfast because she could not possibly choose from her modest collection of gowns. Well the pink gown was out, Mr. Bingley had already seen her in that and she would not start repeating outfits till she had absolutely no choice. While that decision narrowed her choices it by no means made it easier. She took out her lilac gown, it was pretty and emphasized her fair coloring and pink hue to her skin but her blue gown on the other hand brought out the blue in her eyes. Her white gown accomplished both but since Mr. Bingley had hinted upon exploring the grounds she didn’t wish to get it dirty.

So standing in her dressing gown in front of the long mirror she held the lilac gown up to her first and then her blue gown. After biting her lip she settled on the blue gown, her eyes were her most attractive feature she thought and she should highlight that for Mr. Bingley to see. The Bennet family’s maid Mary was sent up to do Jane’s hair, Mrs. Bennet was treating this as if it was a ball and it was declared that Jane must look her best. While Jane usually protested at such frivolities being done to her she could not find it in her to protest this time. She wanted to look her best, she wanted Mr. Bingley to think she was beautiful more than she could possibly explain. That night at the ball was different, she couldn’t remember the last time she was more loathe to see the night coming to a close. She could barely contain her excitement the next morning when she received a formal letter from Caroline Bingley inviting Lizzie and herself to join herself and her brother at Netherfield Park in three days time for lunch.

Mrs. Bennet had even gone as far as letting the girls take the carriage to the Bingley residence but needed the horses back to work the farm for the rest of the day so the girls would have to walk home or preferably in her mind prey on Mr. Bingley’s growing regard for Jane and see if he would offer them his carriage to take them home or even better let them stay the night. Jane was committed to walking home with Lizzie she had no desire to prey on Mr. Bingley’s kindness at such an early stage and had no adversity to walking. They knew the way well enough and it would be an adventure getting home after dark. Jane and Lizzie had boarded the carriage and set off towards Mr. Bingley’s home with at least one very nervous Bennet girl.

Jane remained silent during most of the carriage ride, twisting her hands nervously. As she saw Netherfield Park looming over the horizon line she looked at her sister nervously. “ Do you truly think he likes me Lizzie?” she asked pensively brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face nervously. “ I want him to like me so very badly.” she murmured more to herself than her sister as the carriage jostled along. “ I am sorry that you will have to deal with Mr. Darcy, that was most unkind.” she said frowning. “ I must apologize for being a selfish elder sister and subjecting you to talking to him for an afternoon. I shall do my best to keep you included in the conversation between myself and Mr. Bingley” she said stricken with guilt. Perhaps this was not the best idea, she wished to protect her sister from impolite men such as Mr. Darcy not subject her to an afternoon of misery.

As the carriage rolled to a halt in front of Netherfield Hall Jane took her sisters hands in her own for a brief second. “ Thank you Lizzie.” she said honestly, simply, she could not image how she could possibly pay her sister back for her kindness. The door opened and Jane exited the carriage first being helped down by the footman. Knowing that Lizzie was on her heels she gestured towards the house. “ Isn’t it just breathtaking Lizzie?” having grown up in Meryton all their lives this was the grandest house either of them had seen and Jane honestly thought it was the most beautiful place she had ever seen.

[Elizabeth Bennet]

you are a great deal too apt to like people

ALL THE WORLD ARE GOOD AND AGREEABLE IN YOUR EYES

On most occasions, Lizzie would not have given a great deal of thought to her apparel. This was because most of her time was spent at home or nearby, for she had up till now been something of a homebody - not out of choice but circumstance - whose only adventures had been in books. She had never been to a particularly exquisite house or ball and so had never been prompted to wear a particularly exquisite dress. Nevermind the fact that her family could hardly afford such frivolities, with five girls surviving on their father's rather meager two thousand. So, in the rare event that they were expected to dress nicely, there was quite the decision to be made. Lizzie supposed her mother desired her to wear whatever she had that was best, and on such occasions, whenever they occurred, Lizzie typically obliged her mother (again, not out of choice as much as circumstance), for the sake of making a favorable impression - most especially on any wealthy, handsome gentlemen who might be in the vicinity. This particular occasion, however, called for less of Lizzie's obedience and more of her intelligence. She must make a pleasing impression, not for herself but her sister. She had no gentleman to please - that was Jane's duty today. So she chose a green dress which was nice but rather drab and altogether unable to draw attention to herself, in the hope that all eyes would be lovingly bestowed upon Jane. Her only reason to be good was for Jane's sake, in the way of family connections. This, then, made her decision; and all of this reasoning over only a simple dress! How ridiculous! Just because few or none of her sisters would agree with her in such a matter did not make it any less true in her own mind. But no matter. Everything she did this day was for Jane’s sake, and so she would suffer through the most menial tasks: picking out a dress, styling her hair or styling Jane’s if it was not already, and other things which every other girl had to do. There should have been some comfort in the commonality of her trials, but Lizzie felt little. So, after all of these things had been decided, and they had begun their short sojourn to Netherfield, they were settled nicely in the carriage only a moment it seemed before the nervous conversation had begun. It was rather in Jane’s character to be so humble about things as to be nervous about what people thought of her, but the majority of the time she was so painfully modest that she hardly spoke of her own feelings, even to Elizabeth her own sister, with such candor. To hear her say outright that she wished for Mr. Bingley to like her… well, that was something very unusual indeed. She must truly like him, Elizabeth thought with growing glee. She could only hope the feeling was returned – but she was certain it was! She had seen them together, and today his actions would only confirm her hopes. "Oh, Jane, do not be so ridiculous," she admonished, half-heartedly. “You have seen the way he acts around you. Could he make it any more obvious? Truly, I should think someone so modest as yourself should be able to understand so kindred a spirit as his." For that was what they were, happily enough, it seemed. Even if they had not gotten along so well, Elizabeth supposed that Jane would have loved him still – just as she seemed to feel great affection, completely undeserved, for his sisters. “You are the most unselfish creature I know," she insisted, though she had to admit secretly that she was quite apprehensive about seeing Mr. Darcy again. No – she would not allow him to have such peculiar power over her. She would go where she pleased, and this was about Jane, not her. She could tolerate Mr. Darcy’s presence for a day; she could ignore him entirely, if she so chose. She had a feeling she would be quite busy observing the interaction between Jane and Bingley. And she had determined that she would be perfectly civil, even to Mr. Darcy. Especially to him. He could not have the satisfaction of intimidating her, even though he seemed to hold it over everyone else. "You are one of the few people I know who could find Mr. Bingley’s sisters so agreeable," Lizzie continued with a soft laugh, "even if the man himself quite makes up for their temperaments. I shall do my best to make sure that he has a favorable impression of your family, since you seem to have already done quite well for yourself on that account.” She smiled gently at herself, reassuringly, for her sister still seemed rather nervous. And she shouldn’t be – Jane had already been whispered of in town, by many girls green with envy regarding Mr. Bingley’s early-shown favor of her. "I will be all right, dear sister. And so will you. Mr. Darcy means nothing to me, and Mr. Bingley everything to you – and I suspect you to him." Satisfied with this response and expecting that Jane was secretly pleased with it as well, Elizabeth let herself relax for a moment, but only a brief one, for soon the carriage halted to signal their arrival. “Oh, yes, it is,” she agreed. And soon it might all be Jane’s… she thought, rather greedily. When directed, they both entered the house to meet their host. [[OOC: The quote I thought was from Lizzie that I’ve been using in my template is actually Mary’s… FAIL. Oh well, at least this quote fits the setting here ]]

[Charles Bingley]

All young ladies are accomplished...
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Without knowing the true time of day and only having a very rough estimate at his disposal, Charles Bingley had turned around his horse, having cantered her across one side of Netherfield park in a half-attempt to become more familiarized with the grounds that he was now in control of. He had ventured out alone earlier, before just walking and then trotting around the perimeter to make better time. The chestnut mare had done her day's work, and was rewarded with a slower walk on the way back. She was a smooth ride, and held her own among the other horses that lingered at the stables, and Charles preferred her simply for her beauty and well-tempered mannerisms, which he was accustomed to.

Nearing the stables from which he had departed earlier, he dismounted as the horse slowed to a crawl and, when his feet touched the ground, a stop. That was his favorite thing about this horse. When she felt the rider slipping she'd slow and eventually stop, waiting until balance was regained. He smiled at his pride and joy and pat her neck once with his riding-glove covered hand before handing the reins off to the man who had run out to take them.

He was unstrapping his riding gloves as he entered through one of the back doors of the home, almost running straight into another of the men that had come to grab the door for him. He gave a short smile and glanced at an old grandfather clock in the corner of the room before allowing himself a frown. "Johnathan, is that clock wrong, by chance?" He couldn't fathom having been out that long, but for some reason this clock was telling him that he was. It was confirmed by the Yes, sir of the almost ever-present man barely three feet away.

Charles muttered quietly under his breath, keeping it completely under his breath to the point he could barely hear it himself. He turned and picked up his pace, taking the stairs rather quickly and sometimes two at a time. At the top he turned and opened his own door, getting the attention of a housemaid and politely asking for a wet cloth to wipe down his face, having little to absolutely no time.

By the time he was returning down the stairs he had changed his riding breeches into something far more presentable, and had removed all traces of the riding gloves. He appeared, in fact, more at home than he had when he had woken up in the morning. But perhaps that was only because he was slightly cleaner. He straightened the cuff of his jacket as he made the last step, just in time to hear the hooves of a horse outside on the flagstone, impatient and ready to go.

Without a minute to spare he retreated into the drawing room in hopes of finding his sisters and Darcy. The first for the.. well, he had no idea. But the the latter was mainly for moral support and something to fall back on in case he completely slipped in everything he would try to accomplish, which was hardly much, but held plenty at stake.

"I quite believe that the Bennet sisters have arrived." He didn't care if he was speaking to no one, and even if he had he would have blamed it on the fact that he was confirming it for his conscious mind. Though he found he wasn't exactly speaking to no one. His statement as well was confirmed by the vague and slightly distanced sound of an opening and closing door. Bingley didn't bother sitting, but found himself placed slightly nearer to a window, as though he was trying to make himself appear that he had not been doing nothing, and had not lost track of time.

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La-La-Lia.credit
Blehh. I don'tt want to powerplay and place someone there that isn't there xD. /vague post.notes

[Fitzwilliam Darcy]

Darcy wasn’t overly elated when he learned that the Bennett’s would be visiting Netherfield for lunch and conversation. He knew that Charles only meant well, and that the young man was charmed by the beauty and poise of the eldest Bennet sister (she was a very charming young woman indeed) but she and her family were far below the ilk that Bingley should be spending his time and effort upon. So it was that Darcy dressed for the event without much care or expectation.

He was certain that Jane would bring a chaperon, another sister, perhaps if not her mother. He hoped that she would choose anyone other than her mother for her companion, as it would be cruel to force the woman upon anyone at Netherfield, but other than that he had no preference to who she would bring along.

Much like he had been dressed on the night of the ball (if one could even call the savage gathering such a thing) he was dressed for the lunch. His stockings were white, though, instead of the coal that they had been, and he had opted for a pair of dark emerald green breeches and matching jacket. The color suited well against his skin and dark hair, bringing out his eyes, adding to their cold and calculating feeling. He might not be looking forward to the gathering, but that was no excuse for poor grooming.

As the time for the Bennet’s arrival drew nearer, Darcy found himself in the drawing room at Netherfield, Miss Bingley and Misses Hurts speaking to one another as Fitzwilliam himself gazed out the large glass window, vision roaming over the well tended grounds. Netherfield was a beautiful place, it was true, a perfect estate for the sports of shooting and riding, and even though they had only arrived recently, already much of the grounds had been covered by his stallion’s hooves.

Charles’ arrival drew his attention away from the window and his musings, his friend the bearer of bad news. Yes, now that his attention was back in the present he too could hear the sounds of arrival, of the servants running to their stations, of the front door opening and closing again as the guests were escorted inside. “So it seems.” Darcy responded, turning to face his friend, and the door, waiting for the inevitable, his hands clasped behind his back.



ooc: it's short and lame and I blame the cold. Feel free to place Darcy anytime you like

[Jane Bennet]

Jane although admitting she had wanted quite desperately for Mr. Bingley to like her she had not told anyone how she got butterflies in her stomach whenever someone mentioned his name. He was truly one of the most charming natured men she had ever met and was really quite taken with him since the first night they had laid eyes on each other. She had waited by the window every day since the night of the ball for that invitation to be delivered to her so she might know when she would get to see him again. These feelings were honestly quite foreign to her, although she had suitors in the past she had never felt more than affection for any of them since Devlin. Mr. Bingley was the first since she had had her heart broken that she actually wanted to pursue a courtship with. It was refreshing to get up in the morning and actually have something that was all her own. She often gave up so much, letting her sisters have the spotlight, borrowing her things, she never minded but she was glad that Mr. Bingley seemed to have developed some kind of regard for her.

Jane was quite soothed by Elizabeth’s reassurance of Mr. Bingley’s developing regard for her. Lizzie always knew what to say to reassure her. She had hoped that Mr. Bingley would like her but she wasn’t sure. She was so painfully modest that she usually assumed the worst. She wasn’t foolish enough to claim that she had captured Mr. Bingley’s heart, or that he had captured hers. But there was a certain fondness that definitely was most evident. Jane and Lizzie had talked extensively on how to proceed in this area and both had agreed that slowly but surely was the best way to handle this situation, rather than plunging headfirst in as their mother wished. After the night at the Meryton assembly, Mrs. Bennet had already started a plan of action, determining that it would take exactly three months for Mr. Bingley to fall in love with Jane and propose. Jane refused to get her hopes up that this new friendship she had formed would end in marriage. Mr. Bingley was a man of great wealth and connections and it was entirely unlikely that he would ever feel anything but friendship towards her.

Jane had yet to tell Lizzie this but she was relieved that she had accepted Jane’s request to accompany her to Netherfield. For if she had refused Jane would have been forced to bring their mother and any chance of getting to know Mr. Bingley better would be gone. While Jane loved her mother to be sure, it was difficult to get a word in edge wise and most often Mrs. Bennet ended up embarrassing her at these sort of functions. Jane detested being talked about as if she was an object that Mrs. Bennet was trying to sell at auction. After being directed inside to meet their hosts Jane looked around in wonder at the beautifully furnished home. Most of the rooms were light and airy, no doubt decorated under the eye of one or both his sisters who were here at Netherfield with him. The house was quite grand, she imagined this was house most of the homes in London must be like, full of opulence.

Jane could easily imagine Mr. Bingley inhabiting this place, he seemed like a very considerate sort of fellow, allowing his sisters to have full run of the house. She could see glimpses of him walking down the halls or admiring the paintings, easily at home in such lavish surroundings. Netherfield was certainly different than Longbourne where Mr. Bennet’s home had cramp stairs and all the Bennet sisters shared rooms. Jane was not complaining though, she was glad to share a room with Lizzie for she felt it lent to how close they were. When directed by the butler to wait while they were announced Jane seized the opportunity to thank her sister one last time. “ Thank you Lizzie. I am so very thankful you accompanied me. I am forever in your debt.” she whispered in her ear as she embraced her nervously. She placed a bit of a trembling hand to her hair asking her sister silently if it still looked alright.

“ Miss Jane Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth Bennet are here to see you sir…” the deep voice of the butler announced.

Jane bit her lip and walked in executing a dip upon getting in the center of the room. When she straightened herself up she twisted her hands nervously upon noticing that Mr. Bingley’s sisters were no where to be found. She had hoped that they would act at least as a buffer for Lizzie’s sake so she might be forced to converse with Mr. Darcy as little as possible. Had there been any alternative she would have done anything in her power to protect Lizzie from Mr. Darcy’s mean comment. Which she found entirely untrue by the way, if people could consider herself a beauty of the county Lizzie was undoubtedly her superior in both beauty and deportment.

“ It’s so wonderful to see you both again Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy. I trust you remember my sister Miss Elizabeth Bennet?” she said pleasantly trying to immediately include Elizabeth in the conversation, however while she uttered these words her large blue eyes were on Mr. Bingley, nearly disregarding Mr. Darcy. However she remembered her manners before she ignored Mr. Darcy completely. “ My sister and I are sincerely honored by your kindness in inviting us to visit.” she continued, hoping that she sounded appropriately grateful for being invited to such a beautiful home.

[Elizabeth Bennet]

you are a great deal too apt to like people

ALL THE WORLD ARE GOOD AND AGREEABLE IN YOUR EYES

When they first entered the home and were kept waiting there on the threshold for a moment by the butler, Lizzie took a moment to take in her surroundings. Netherfield was quite beautiful, perhaps even breathtaking. The house itself was decorated so exquisitely; she wondered how many servants it had taken to put up all of the paintings and tapestries which graced the walls. She was probably not a very pretty sight to see, standing there slack-jawed as she looked in bewilderment about her. Of course she had taken pains to make sure she looked decent today, and she thought she looked a great deal tidier than normal, though perhaps no better than she had at the ball. However, she realized eventually that if Mr. Bingley were to come upon them at this moment, he would pay less attention to her attire than he would to her expression, which looked to be the epitome of a stupid country girl in a fine house. Well, Mr. Bingley would probably pay her no attention and give it all to Jane, actually, judging by how he had acted at their first meeting, but that was not the point - and Mr. Darcy would certainly not approve of her. Thankfully, both she and Jane were saved from the possibility of mortification when Jane condescended to remove Lizzie from her stupor by leaning over to whisper something to her. Surprised by her sister's impulsive embrace, by the time Lizzie had relaxed into her sister's arms those arms were no longer fastened around her. So she stood there again, looking straight ahead this time in which direction the butler faced. While her eyes looked toward the butler, her mouth spoke to Jane: "You owe me nothing, dear sister. It is about time you had something good for all the good you have done for me and for others." This was said hastily, in case their hosts appeared in a moment, for it would be rude to address someone else in their company. However, Elizabeth hazarded another furtive glance at Jane in order to add, "You look beautiful, Jane - he will be in awe of you again. I think we should be lucky if he manages to speak to you at all." The smirk which had appeared upon her face at this declaration vanished in an instant - their host was coming. They were announced and she walked in just behind Jane, allowing her to be viewed first out of respect, but also assuring Mr. Bingley that they were not so uncouth as to have her there without any chaperon. She was slightly nervous, not for herself but for Jane, who she had noticed also seemed nervous. Oh, don't wring your hands, she thought to herself, futilely, for of course Jane could not hear her. She stared at her sister intently in hopes of getting the message across, but feared that staring would only further decrease Mr. Darcy's opinion of her (if that were even possible!). Oh, what did Mr. Darcy matter, anyway? She was here for Mr. Bingley and Jane. This was evident immediately, because the two of them were all but unable to take their eyes off of each other. Jane was courteous enough to introduce Elizabeth, who for her part uttered a polite, "How do you do" and bobbed a quick curtsy. Jane spoke again and she supposed that meant she also had to say something, so she piped up cheerfully, "Yes, you have a beautiful house, Mr. Bingley. Thank you for letting us see it - I doubt I shall ever see one better." She smiled, a rather forced one, wishing they could have real conversation instead of this drivel. But no, she could not overshadow Jane. Dull discussion it was, at least for the moment. She could hardly resist, though, one comment, an afterthought to her other: "In fact, compared to this, I should declare every other home just tolerable." This time, her smile was not quite so forced. But now she had to let Jane and Mr. Bingley dominate the conversation - she had made her introduction, completed the pleasantries required, and now her part was over.

[Charles Bingley]

All young ladies are accomplished...
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Turning slightly to get a better view of the drawing room door that had been opened for introductions to be made, Charles, hands hanging uselessly at his side, shifted his weight from left foot to right, giving a once more cursory look about the room as though somewhere there was something that was quite oddly out of place. Generally it would not have been his curiosity to worry about such odd ends and trivial things, but for some reason he wanted the house to present itself, if not for other things. He straightened himself out rather quickly and clasped his hands in front of him in order to refrain from making a fool of himself in one way or another.

He watched the servant walk, give his cursory bow, and announce the presence of the guests that had been invited not too long ago, and then he listened to another set of footsteps, and finally a third, each slightly different from the other, yet all sounding together in one noise. He turned his gaze from the male to the two females that entered, each offering a slight curtsy, which he returned with the standard form of hello for a gentleman, a slight bow. "It is wonderful to see you as well, Miss Bennet. And to meet your acquaintance once more, Miss Elizabeth. It is of utmost pleasure for you both to come. We are all quite well, here, are we not, Darcy?" With a quick glance in his friend's direction he offered a smile. "And how are you both? How is the family at home...? I take it your trip was alright?" He had barely acquainted himself with the other three sisters, and had only spoken very little to the parents, and even so these were only civilities and introductions that were to be made. And as to the trip they had taken, it was hardly that far at all, and he had not a clue as to why he asked the question.

"I quite fear that there are far more lovely places in the country, for I have just come from one of the loveliest places I will ever see in my entire life." His eyes flickered briefly to Darcy and then back to the company. "Netherfield is rather dull in comparison, though I do find it quite charming in and of itself." His smile continued on, almost through his sentences, which would have been quite difficult to manage. He shifted his weight once more, mildly berating himself in his mind as he did so.

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I fear this is really short, right now. :/ I have no muse at all. Thenext will be better, promise..notes