"Love is friendship set on fire." - Jeremy Taylor

Chapter 1

Darcy entered his club with a feeling of anticipation. After months of being tormented with melancholy and regret, he finally felt as if Georgiana was on the mend. It had been too long for him to remember the last time he spent an afternoon pursuing his own interests or conversing with a friend without the constant worry lingering in the back of his mind. His musings were cut short by a welcome voice.

"Darcy, old man! How good it is to see you again!"

Darcy smiled as he stood to greet his friend.

"Bingley, it has been too long."

The friends sat down and, for once, Darcy was quick to continue speaking before his friend.

"May I congratulate you once again on your marriage. I greatly regret that I was unable to attend the ceremony."

If possible, Charles Bingley's smile grew wider.

"Your kind letter was sufficient but thank you. You certainly were missed; however, I understand familial obligations. How is Georgiana?"

Even though he knew that Bingley was under the impression that his sister was recovering from an illness, Darcy stiffened only slightly before responding.

"She is much improved, thank you. I believe that the time spend with our Matlock relatives was beneficial for us both. Their home is much more lively than our own."

"Yes, I can imagine that it would be with Colonel Fitzwilliam home. Did Richard travel with you to Town?"

"No, he had other obligations that kept him from joining us; however, he will arrive at the end of the month to partake in some of the amusements to be found. How is Mrs. Bingley enjoying London? I believe that you mentioned she never had a Season before?"

Bingley's brow furrowed at his friend's slightly condescending tone but chose to ignore it.

"Jane has thoroughly enjoyed our time here thus far. I believe the theatre is a great favorite for her. She has settled seamlessly into my life yet improved it immeasurably. I do hope that you will be able to join us at Netherfield after the Season. I am quite content there; although, I am sure that you could assist me in identifying some improvements that could be made."

"If your bride is not adverse to the idea, then I would be glad to visit your estate."

"Fear not, Jane is quite anxious to meet you. She was thrilled with your wedding present. She dotes on that gelding almost as much as she dotes on me." Charles said with a laugh.

"I am glad that the horse was well-received."

"Jane is quite the horsewoman. It is a pity that she was unable to ride more prior to our marriage. I believe that having her own horse is a dream come true and you beat me to it, my friend. She is most eager to meet you."

"As I am to meet her."

"Wonderful. Could I persuade you to return with me today? I am anxious for you two to become acquainted."

"I would be glad to return with you. That is, after you are thoroughly defeated at the chessboard. We have delayed this game long enough."

"Ah, and there is my modest friend! Let us commence with the trouncing. It cannot be said that I have spent my time devoted to furthering my skill at the chessboard. I will not deny that my days have been otherwise engaged of late."

Darcy smirked as he responded, "Yes, I am sure they have."

Later, as the two friends traveled to Bingley's townhouse, Darcy could not help but observe the obvious look of contentment upon his friend's face. He had been concerned when Bingley first wrote of his latest infatuation when he let the Netherfield estate in Hertfordshire; however, Darcy was preoccupied with Georgiana. His alarm grew when he received the invitation for Bingley's wedding last November but there was nothing to be done at that point.

As they arrived, Darcy prepared himself to meet the woman who captured Bingley's heart and said a silent prayer that she was worthy of his kind-hearted friend.

When they entered the townhouse, Charles noticed that the doors to the front parlor were closed and commented to Darcy.

"It appears that my angel is entertaining. Perhaps you would be good enough to join me in my study before meeting her? I can show you the crop estimates for Netherfield that my steward just sent to me."

"Certainly," Darcy replied as he followed his friend into the study.

Darcy resisted rolling his eyes at his unorganized friend as Bingley sifted through the papers scattered across his desk.

"Darce, I believe I left the papers on my writing desk in my private rooms. Help yourself to a drink and I will return in a moment."

Darcy had just relaxed into his chair when the door was opened and closed gently yet quickly by an unknown woman. At a glance, he knew that this was not the fair-haired angel that Bingley constantly praised and married. Although he could not see her face since she was still clutching the door handle, this woman had dark hair and a slight figure. As he was rising from his seat to make his presence known, the woman began to speak but it was obvious she was not expecting an audience.

"Oh, the audacity of that dreadful woman! Sisters, indeed."

She whirled around and immediately her eyes landed on Darcy. He noticed they were blazing with anger and quite fine; however, her face contorted into one of shock then pure mortification as she realized the room was occupied.

"Sir, I do apologize. I mistakenly believed this room to be empty."

Before Darcy could stand and introduce himself, the young lady bobbed a quick curtsy and said, 'Good day to you." before escaping out the door again.

A/N: Welcome! I hope that you enjoy Friendship Afire. After completing my first P&P Fanfiction (An Unwanted Engagement), I am hooked. I love Austen's characters and it's great playing with them. I can't wait to hear what you think of this new story so hit Review and let me know. Thanks! ~ Jessi