With the events from three weeks ago in the past, Darcy decided to take time to catch up on all his work. Nothing was particularly hard, but most tasks were tedious and time consuming. For once, the Netherfield house was quiet, and Darcy reveled in it. Bing was upstairs, talking on the phone with Jane; while Caroline was out shopping, which as she described was an "all day event." However, Darcy couldn't stop thinking about Lizzie Bennet.

What was she doing now? Probably in school, or studying. But was she thinking about him? Most likely not. Darcy found himself thinking back to the wedding, replaying all the possible scenarios that could of transpired, but didn't. Maybe if Caroline wasn't there, he would have talked to her; he almost convinced himself for a split second. But Darcy knew that the problem rested in him. He was horrible at making conversation, and couldn't ever bring himself to say what was on his mind, especially when it came to romantic endeavors. When it came to those, he had no experience at all. Darcy convinced himself the next time he saw her, if he did indeed see her again, he would be more sociable.

Soon enough, Caroline waltzed through the door, holding at least a dozen bags and snapped him out of his reverie.

"It's such a beautiful day outside, Darcy. You should have come out with me," Caroline said cheerily. She was always in the best of moods after a shopping escapade.

"Well that would have been pointless, Caroline. The thing about malls is that the stores are inside," he said, snickering.

"Oh, you know what I mean," she said joining him on the couch, rather closely, peering at the documents on his computer. "What are you reading?"

"Business reports, nothing that would interest you."

"God, don't you ever do anything for fun? Hang out, meet people? Life isn't all about projections and figures."

Darcy put down his laptop and looked at Caroline. "What is life about, then, Caroline? Please enlighten me," he remarked sarcastically.

"Friends, of course. And family. And love," she said emphasizing the last part with a smile.

Before Darcy even had time to think of a response, Bing bounced down the stairs hurriedly. He grinned happily. "I was just on the phone with Jane," he started as Caroline whispered no surprise, "and I've been thinking. We've been talking for a few weeks now, and she hasn't been over, so I thought it would be nice to invite her to dinner here tomorrow, if you don't mind."

Darcy shrugged, uninterested. "It's your house."

Caroline on the other hand seemed flustered. "What! No, Bing. She can't come over. The house is a mess!"

"The house is spotless, Caroline," Bing replied.

"Not Darcy's room!" Caroline said fishing for any reason the girl shouldn't come over.

Darcy looked up, a little taken aback. "You've been in my room?"

"I was looking for something!"

"For what!?" he asked, not sure what she would need from him.

"It doesn't matter! Back to the bigger picture. As much as I love Jane, and you know I do, it just wouldn't be fair to me or Darcy at dinner with you only talking to her. We'd be all alone," Caroline added a small frown for emphasis.

Darcy thought about the situation for a moment, and chimed in. "Bing, Caroline is right."

"Thank you Darcy!"

"It would be unfair to us if you only invited Jane, I'm sure you can understand. Of course, you could always invite Lizzie and Charlotte, and then we'd all have someone to talk to."

Caroline looked at him sternly. "We're not running a YMCA, Darcy. Seriously, you don't even know them. Why would you even want them here?!"

"Well, as you so eloquently stated, I need to make more friends. And inviting them would be a perfect opportunity, no?"

Bing gave Darcy a thumbs up, "Yes! Like always, you are a lifesaver, man. I'll call Jane right now to tell her to bring them here tomorrow night."

Caroline frowned. For once, she didn't get what she wanted. She looked at Darcy, who continued his work with a small smile. Giving up, Caroline rushed upstairs.

Darcy laughed and smiled softly to himself. This time, he would make actual conversation with Lizzie Bennet. He would be prepared and as charming as ever, and make a lasting impression.

One of the worst things about being under the same roof as Caroline Lee was how she acted under stress. And tonight was no different. It was half an hour until the Bennet sisters and Charlotte Lu would arrive for dinner, and everything was perfect. The chef was finishing preparing the meal, the housekeepers had finished the day's work, and the three were dressed and ready to entertain their guests. But, Caroline managed to still flail like a chicken without a head.

Caroline insisted on having every moment of the evening planned out: from where they would sit, to what they should talk about and when their guests would leave. Bing, who had been brimming with nerves even seemed more collected than his sister.

"Caroline, will you please calm down? I'm sure the girls won't care if we use the silver or gold tableware," Bing said, periodically looking at the clock.

"Well, of course they won't," Caroline mumbled only loud enough for Darcy to hear, "but I don't want to look like an uncultured swine."

"Hmm," Bing questioned.

"Nothing, I was just asking Darcy if we should have red or white wine," Caroline said, covering up her statement flawlessly.

Soon enough, the doorbell rang and Bing got up to answer it, brimming with excitement. Darcy peered at the door from his seat. Butterflies rose as he saw Lizzie enter the house graciously, with Jane by her side. Caroline scurried in from the kitchen to greet the guests, but by the time she had reached the door a confused look formed on her face. Darcy rose from his seat and made his way over to the door. Standing disjointed from Lizzie and Jane was none other than their mother and Lydia.

"Oh-em-gee, Bing! Your house is so adorbs! I bet it's great for parties, am I right?" Lydia rambled, peering into the house.

Caroline stared at the group judgingly, and mumbled something inaudible. Oppositely, Bing held his composure, even if he was caught somewhat off guard.

"Lydia, Mrs. Bennet, how nice of you to drop off Jane and Lizzie. I was hoping to see you again, actually. Jane was talking about how she'd like me to come over. Maybe we could plan something for the upcoming week."

In a matter of moments, the two uninvited houseguests were out the door, and plans were made for the occupants of Netherfield to visit the Bennets' house sometime soon. Mrs. Bennet was in a tizzy, screaming to Lydia about how she had to get her house ready to receive the Lee's and Darcy.

"I'm so sorry about that," Jane said apologetically when Bing returned to the room, "my mother likes to invite herself places sometimes."

"All the time," Lizzie commented.

"It's alright," Bing said, taking Jane's hand, "I'm just happy you're here."

Jane laughed, "It's good to see you too."

"And how are you, Lizzie?" Darcy chimed in, keeping his voice low not to let his nerves show. He noticed how pretty she looked, in a grey dress that made her blue eyes more prominent, and her hair pulled up; it was hard for him to focus.

"I'm fine," she answered with a small smile. "It was really nice of Bing to invite me and Charlotte along."

"Well, it was actually-"Darcy started to explain how he thought of inviting them, but Caroline cut him off with a nudge.

"It was our pleasure! I wouldn't think of inviting Jane without you, too. And, Charlotte of course. It's so nice to have some girls in the house for once. I've been stuck with these two the whole month."

Charlotte arrived only a few minutes after Lizzie and Jane, and seated herself by her friend.

"Bing, you have great house," she remarked in awe of her surroundings. "I mean, you could fit my whole apartment twelve times in here."

"Well, you're all welcome here anytime you feel," he said, looking mostly to Jane. "The more the merrier, right?"

"Of course," Caroline added with a smile.

Darcy sat directly across the table Lizzie. She paid close attention to her sister and Bing, listening to them speak, but not adding any input.

"So, um, Lizzie," Darcy started nervously, as she looked up, "you said you were studying Mass Communications, right?" Lizzie nodded, waiting for him to continue. "What type of career do you hope to go into?"

"Well, I'm not sure right now. I'd like to do something that makes an impact you know? I want to do something I love, not a job that's 'decent enough,'" Lizzie said with a smirk.

Darcy's stomach churned. She had heard what he had said at the wedding, obviously. He decided not to answer back, to avoid any unpleasant conversation. "And you, Charlotte?"

"Oh, I'd take any job," she said. "Lizzie's a dreamer. I have a more resourceful outlook on life."

"I'm not a dreamer, Char. I just want to work for a company that I'd be proud to represent. Wouldn't you?"

"No, Lizzie," Caroline interjected. "Charlotte is right. Of course we all would like a perfect job like you described. But, don't you have to worry about financial difficulty?" she added in a whisper.

Darcy's head shot up. "Caroline, it's not like you have a job," he murmured, as Lizzie laughed nervously.

Caroline looked apologetic. "I'm sorry if that came out rudely," she remarked feigning concern. "What I meant is that it would be lovely to have both, right?" She added a smile, as Lizzie and Charlotte nodded, not knowing if she was being genuine or not. "What about you, Jane? Do you like your job?"

Jane looked away from Bing for the first time. "Yes. I love it."

"And it pays well?" Caroline pushed.

Jane looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Um, it gets me by," she said happily, "and besides, I'd rather my work make me happy than my salary."

"Of course," Caroline agreed, but turned towards Darcy to raise an eyebrow only he could see.

The dinner went on with everyone making small conversation. Jane and Bing seemed intent on staying close the entire night, even once the meal was done. Once finished, the group moved into the lounge for drinks. Caroline went to sit in a corner chair, while Bing and Jane sat on a loveseat, talking quietly to themselves. Lizzie and Charlotte made themselves comfortable on one of the couches, talking about a project for a professor named Gardiner, and Darcy went to go join them. Before he reached the girls though, Caroline made a small gesture for him to come sit with her.

"Were you about to leave me alone to sit with Lizzie and Charlotte?" she asked, frowning.

Darcy sighed, "Just trying to take your advice, and be friendly. But, you seem intent on not following it yourself."

"Whatever do you mean?" Caroline said innocently.

Darcy raised the pitch of his voice trying to mock Caroline's voice, "Oh Lizzie, Jane. Are you two financially sound?"

Caroline scoffed. "I didn't say that. I was just making conversation."

"Sure you were," Darcy said, looking away from here, almost getting up.

Caroline whimpered quietly and pulled him back down. He looked at her with an agitated expression. "Fine. I had a motive," she muttered, making sure the girls across the room couldn't hear her.

"Which is," he said hesitantly.

"I have a feeling that Jane is getting close to my brother, for…hmm, what's the word…. advantageous reasons."

Darcy raised an eyebrow. "Advantageous?" he questioned.

Caroline nodded. "I know they only just met. But, I can tell, she isn't being genuine with Bing. And her mother, she practically tore off her close in excitement when they two were dancing at the wedding. Such an embarrassment. You can't say I'm wrong."

Darcy thought carefully before phrasing his next sentence. "Her mother seemed rather enthusiastic, but I don't see why that's a bad thing."

"It's not. Unless she told Jane to get with Bing."

Darcy looked perplexed, "Where would you even get a preposterous idea like that?" Caroline just shrugged, discarding his question. Darcy decided not to inquire any further and instead offered to get Caroline another drink. He walked past Charlotte and Lizzie, who were imitating Muppet characters. He raised his eyebrow, but smirked.

"Statler and Waldorf, right?" he said, trying to guess which ones they were emulating. Lizzie started laughing hysterically and Charlotte nodded yes, holding back laughter. Although he had no clue why Lizzie was in uproars, he was pleased in knowing he could make her laugh.