Racing their horses across the field, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy halted in sight of Netherfield Park.

"It is a fair prospect," said Bingley to his friend, "though nothing to Pemberley I know. But I must settle somewhere."

Darcy looked at the house and thought about it. Compared to his own home of Pemberley, it was rather dull, and the company around it, from what he had seen on his journey, wasn't worth speaking about either.

"Do I have your approval?" asked Bingley.

Mr. Charles Bingley was like that - he never did anything without his friend's approval. Bingley was easily led and unsure of himself. Because of this trait, Darcy took it upon himself to take care of his friend, even to the extent of ordering his life for him.

"You will find the local company somewhat savage," said Darcy.

"Country manners? I think they're charming."

Apart from being easily led, Bingley had an openness of character and easiness in manner that Darcy envied sometimes. Bingley was determined to be pleased with everything and everyone he saw.

"Then you better take it."

"Thank you. I shall."

The recess over, the race continued. Darcy was first distracted by the fleeting sight of someone standing on the hill watching them, but thought little of it and soon pulled ahead of his friend.

Arriving at the entrance to Netherfield House, they were met by a Mr. Morris, who had shown them the surrounding area that morning, and was now to be their guide for the house.

Darcy was forced to admit that Netherfield was quite a handsome house. The rooms, if rather small, were done up quite nicely and the grounds were acceptable, though he would choose Pemberley over them any time.

After half an hour, Bingley said, "Mr. Morris, I am extremely pleased with Netherfield. I think I shall take it. What say you, Darcy?"

Darcy looked away from the window and back at Bingley.

"If your mind is made up, I think you will do very well."

"And how long will you be renting it for, sir?" asked Mr. Morris.

"Oh, I don't know. I have no fixed plans. But I hope I will stay for quite a while."

"Very good sir."

They left Netherfield and Hertfordshire that evening for London, to inform Bingley's sisters and brother-in-law of their success.

Bingley seemed extremely pleased, and talked of nothing but his hopes for good neighbours, pleasing acquaintances and generally happiness for his time at Netherfield.

Darcy took all this in. His thoughts were on a very different topic, however.

He did not look forward to returning to Pemberley that autumn. No matter how beautiful it was and the company of his sister most delightful, he still felt rather alone. Since Georgiana's near fiasco at Ramsgate, Darcy had become aware, that when Georgiana did marry and leave him, he would be all alone.

Darcy knew that something was missing from his life, but knew not what it was.

"Darcy, would you like to stay with me at Netherfield for a while?" asked Bingley, disturbing his thoughts, "My sisters will be there, as will Hurst."

This invitation was welcome - company, even though Miss Bingley, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst weren't the best companions in the country, would be a relief to the loneliness, that was never far from his heart.

"Thank you - I accept your invitation."

"So what do you think?" asked Bingley.

"Of what?"

"Of my future neighbours. Mr. Morris told us all about the prominent families in the area, do you not remember?"

"Remind me one at a time."

"There are two main families, the Lucases and the Bennets. The Lucases reside at Lucas Lodge. The head of the family was made a knight and lives there with his lady and children. The eldest, a daughter by the name of Charlotte Lucas, is twenty seven, rather plain but practical and intelligent. There is another daughter, Maria, pretty but rather empty headed, according to Mr. Morris. There are various other children which he did not talk about."

"And the parents?"

Sir William Lucas is a gentleman, always sees the best in everyone and lavish in his praises. Lady Lucas, said Mr. Morris, is not clever, but I believe she will be as likable as her husband."

I doubt that, thought Darcy, but unwilling to return to the melancholy of his mind, continued the subject. "And the Bennet family?"

"Mr. Morris could not be silent on the subject of this family, so the information he gave is quite extensive."

"And what is so extraordinary about them?"

"The Bennets live at Longbourn, which is about three miles from Netherfield. Mr. Bennet is a man of wit and intelligence and enjoys a good book. Mrs. Bennet has a problem with her nerves; whenever she is rather stressed, she takes to her bed. But she has a good heart and loves her family very much."

"And the children? How many sons and daughters?"

"The Longbourn estate is entailed onto a male relative, which is unfortunate, for the family consists of five daughters. They are reputed to be the jewels of Hertfordshire as they are all very handsome."

"An over exaggeration, no doubt."

"Come man, there has to be some truth in it. Well, the youngest girl, Miss Lydia is a tall fifteen-year old, pretty and good-humoured. Kitty, seventeen, is similar to Lydia to a lesser extent. The third child, Mary is the most accomplished, she studies books, plays the piano and sings."

"Accomplished by country standards, no doubt."

"Elizabeth, age twenty," continued Bingley, ignoring the remark, "is the second most beautiful, dark haired and dark eyed. She has a lively, playful disposition and a very good conversationalist, but can be rather taciturn when in deep thought. Rather like you," said Bingley, looking at his companion.

Darcy ignored this. "And the eldest Miss Bennet?"

"Miss Jane Bennet is the beauty of the family, in form and spirit. She has apparently a sweet and mild disposition and sees good in everyone."

"Much like you, Bingley."

"Yes, like me," said Bingley, smiling.

"Are they all out?"

"I believe so."

"That is quite singular. The eldest are not married and yet the younger sisters are already out."

"Come now Darcy, just because their elder sisters are not married does not mean that the younger girls cannot enjoy society as well."

Darcy made no answer but thought over this information. Despite all of the praises he had heard of the Miss Bennets, he thought the information was exaggerated and not worth his attention.

All too soon, they arrived at London. Bingley was to return to Hertfordshire in a few days to oversee preparations for his guests, and then return to London to escort the party to Netherfield.

As Darcy and Bingley gave their hats and coats to the servant, Miss Bingley came in to greet them.

This lady was tall, quite handsome and well accomplished. She and her sister were eager to forget that their fortune had been acquired by trade, and in order to rise still higher in the social ladder and to burn all bridges between her and her past, Miss Caroline Bingley was trying to win Darcy's affections and become his wife.

Darcy sighed inwardly when she entered. She was nothing more to him than the sister of his best friend, and he had no intention of bringing the relationship any further. But no matter how skillfully or politely he deflected all her attempts at securing his attentions, she never took the hint.

Darcy knew that she was not the woman for him. He did not know who was, but he knew without a doubt that it was not Caroline Bingley.

"And how did you find Netherfield, brother?" began Miss Bingley smoothly.

"I found it beyond my expectations. In fact, I was so taken with it, I have agreed to rent it and I hope you will all stay there with me for some time," said Bingley happily.

Miss Bingley's eyes narrowed. "Mr. Darcy, how long did it take for Charles to make up his mind?"

Darcy was a truthful man and though he wanted to spare his friend from one of his sister's lectures, he could not lie about it either.

"I believe it was half an hour."

"Half and hour? Brother, do you remember what I have said about hasty decisions?"

Still caught up in his pleasure of finding such an agreeable house, Bingley said, "Yes, sister dear, I do remember. But I think that Netherfield is stunning, and I know that you will love it."

"Stunning?" repeated Miss Bingley as they walked into the drawing room, "Mr. Darcy, how is it in comparison to Pemberley? I doubt Weatherfield surpasses the beauty of that place."

"Netherfield, Miss Bingley," replied Darcy indifferently. "And though it is nothing to Pemberley, I still admit that it is quite a delightful place."

"Well then," said Miss Bingley with a self-satisfied smile, "If it is as you say so, Mr. Darcy, then I believe that Netherfield must be so."

Darcy did not answer. Miss Bingley's ploys, agreeing with him, pretending to share his interests and such were all too transparent.

Bingley returned to Netherfield some days later. The servants had already settled in and Mr. Bingley and his guest were to follow before Michaelmas.

Bingley's absence left Darcy to the company of the sisters. Mrs. Hurst was similar to Miss Bingley in character, while Mr. Hurst was an indolent man, who lived only to eat, drink, and play at cards.

In order to have some respite from such company, Darcy often went into town, buying gifts for his sister. Various pieces of music by composers such as Haydn and Mozart which were in vogue at the moment were some of Georgiana's favourites. For himself, he often went in search of books to add to his library.

When Mr. Bingley returned on September 25, he was full of news.

"Darcy, I have met some of the people. Remember Sir Lucas who I told you about? He came to see me and expressed his delight in seeing someone in possession of Netherfield again. And there is to be a ball soon after our arrival, and we are all invited."

"A ball, given by those country people?" inquired Miss Bingley distastefully, "It cannot be anything of importance in comparison to the ones we have been to here in town."

Darcy met the news with some alarm. He was not easy in company, and had not the pleasure of conversing easily with those he had never met before. And to be in a room full of strangers, who were below his station and he would have no idea as to how he should deal with such people, was rather intimidating. But by the look in Bingley's face, there was no way he could escape the ball. And so he would deal with the situation as he usually did.

In truth, Darcy was rather shy of those he had never met before and did not know. He usually hid this under a veneer of coldness and aloofness, as protection from any embarrassment.

"I also had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Mr. Bennet."

"Mr. Bennet?" asked Miss Bingley, "you seem pleased. Why were you so happy that you have met him?"

"His five daughters are the most beautiful girls in Hertfordshire. I was eager to se them, but I could only see the father. But it matters not - no doubt we shall meet them at the Meryton assembly."

Darcy fervently hoped Bingley would not fall in love with any of the famous Miss Bennets. Bingley fell in and out of love very quickly - one day he would declare he could not live without a sight of a Miss so-and-so, and he would have forgotten her by next week. Bingley continually formed attachments, but never any serious ones, and when the lady in question had lost his affections, she usually ended up most unhappy. Darcy hoped, for the sake of the ladies that Bingley would not form any designs on any of them.

"I somehow doubt, brother, that these Miss Bennets will be as beautiful as any of the London ladies, or surpass the lovely Miss Darcy," said Miss Bingley.

(Another of Miss Bingley's ploys was to continuosly praise his sister.)

Darcy ignored the remark and walked over to the window, and stared at the people passing below.

"Well," said Bingley looking around the room, "shall we leave tomorrow?"