Chapter 1: Netherfield, Netherfield!

"Darcy," said Bingley, flipping lazily through a stack of catalogues." I think I may have found myself a summer retreat". He held out a detailed colour illustration of an expansive red brick country house.

"Netherfield" read Darcy. "Nestled in the heart of Hertfordshire. Set atop a hill commanding dramatic views of the surrounding countryside. Three miles from the charming town of Meryton. Fifteen bedrooms"

"What do you think?" asked Bingley hopefully

"Hmmm… Hertfordshire. It is a very quiet county. Though I suppose we could visit Berkhamsted Castle…"

"Berkhamsted…?" began Bingley

"Becket, Bingley! Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the one who was murdered. He lived there. "

"Ah…" said Bingley intelligently. "Now I remember"

"There are some old Roman remains I would like to see. But the society might be insipid. Just how large a town is this Meryton"

"It is larger than Lambton!"

"Yes and so we never have interesting company at Pemberley"

"What!" said Bingley. "You find a fault with that noble place!"

"Pemberley is perfect. We were talking of country towns. But all right, we should visit this…" looking down at the paper, "Netherfield"

"It has to be a place the ladies would like" added Bingley delicately. It remained unacknowledged between them, but Bingley had observed his sister test Darcy's patience each year.

Darcy groaned inwardly. This meant a summer with Caroline Bingley.

Bingley liked Netherfield and even Darcy agreed it was well located. There would be good riding and hunting in the meadows around the estate and at that time of the year, fields were full of tiny yellow wildflowers. The problem was of course, a lack of suitable company.

"We have a few notable families in the neighbourhood", said Mr. Marvin, their agent. "The Bennets have five very beautiful young daughters. And then there are the Lucases. Sir William Lucas heads the family" he said grandly, hoping to impress his distinguished clients.

Once outside, Darcy spoke to Bingley. "You will find the society somewhat savage"

"Country manners! I think they are charming"

"You had better take it then!" said Darcy more amused than exasperated with his friend's ductility.

"Thank you! I think I shall"

He sat in the sun lazily. 'What a gorgeous summer', he thought contentedly. The sole irritant was of course Caroline Bingley who was chastising her brother. "Charles", she said sternly. "You should have consulted me and Louisa! Hertfordshire! And that house looks so…plain"

"Hertfordshire", said Bingley "has some historical attractions. Darcy tells me Thomas Becket lived at Berkhamsted Castle".

In the minute it took Caroline to switch from petulance to admiration, Bingley added, "you know, the Archbishop who was murdered!"

"Yes of course" said Caroline, fully in control now. "It is a moving story. Someday I am sure an epic poem will be written about it"

Darcy shut his eyes. 'Not by you woman', he thought nastily.

Chapter 2: Being Sociable

"What do you suppose our country neighbours talk about Mr. Darcy," asked Caroline Bingley staring wearily out of the window.

"Game, cattle, harvest and marriage I expect"

"I don't see what difference it makes Caroline since you won't let me call upon the Bennets," sighed her brother from his corner.

"Look through the Agricultural Digest brother, for one of them is here"

"Mr. Bennet?" asked Bingley eagerly

"Sir William Lucas," announced the footman a few minutes later

"The knight," grumbled Hurst, making a quick exit from the room.

"And where do you suppose he gathered his fortune and the title?" whispered Caroline to Darcy

'Certainly not soldiering,' thought Darcy, observing their guest's flabby form and sloppy gait. 'This man was never a sailor or a soldier.'

"Trade," announced Caroline triumphantly after their guest had departed, detailing his linguistic shortcomings. "And," added Darcy, "he clasps his hands after every sentence"

"I don't see the significance!" said Bingley, pouring himself a glass of wine

"Comes from standing behind a shop counter," explained Caroline in delight.

By the next morning Bingley was in a rebellious mood. "I don't care what Caroline says! I am going to call upon Mr. Bennet," he declared after breakfast.

"He has five unmarried daughters Bingley. He will call," said Darcy wryly. "Wait another day"

"What are you planning to do today?"

"I thought I would go out riding," replied Darcy

Bingley, he noted, looked irrationally pleased. 'He is so transparent,' he chuckled to himself. 'He means to call upon them today.'

Returning later from his ride, he came upon Caroline Bingley walking near the stables. He nodded at her politely as he handed his horse to the groom. "He is here," said Caroline walking up to him. "Mr. Bennet is in the drawing room. I missed him narrowly!"

"How kind of you to warn me," he said relieved warming to her appreciably. She certainly had her uses.