The family Bennet sans Mr Bennet the elder soon waited on those of Netherfield. The visit was soon returned in due form. All in all, it was a chore Eleazar would greatly be freed from.

Jane's pleasing manners grew on the goodwill of Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley; and though their mother was found to be intolerable, and the youngest sisters not worth speaking to, a wish of being better acquainted with the eldest two was quickly expressed. By Jane this attention was received with the greatest pleasure, but Eleazar still saw superciliousness in their treatment of everybody, hardly excepting even her sister. And wasn't that the biggest offence they could commit.

Eleazar could not like, nor accept them to be friendly. Though they showed a certain kindness to Jane, it was clear this came from the admiration their brother had for her. They wanted to know more about the woman that let their brother be swayed from their influences, the one that had caught his admiration.

And hadn't she done it, with every visit it became more clear that Mr Bingley had a certain preference to spend his time in Jane's company. A way that for the trained eye was clearly in a loving way, but Eleazar didn't fear others would come to that same conclusion as fast as he had.

Jane was so very careful in her expressions of joy, she would never show the outside world how much in love she was. No, only Eleazar and in time Mr Bingley would be privy to that information. He was happy about that and shared his findings with Charlotte.

"It may be pleasant," replied Charlotte, "to be able to impose on the public in such a case; but sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded. If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him; and it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in the dark."

Eleazar wanted to interrupt Charlotte at that point, but with a wave of her hand his tongue stayed silent.

"There is so much gratitude or vanity in almost every attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all begin freely - a slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. In nine cases out of ten a woman had better show more affection than she feels."

It was a reminder to Eleazar too, if you want an advantageous marriage; show more than you're feeling.

"Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on."

And wasn't that just the one thing Jane would never do.

Eleazar wanted to object to state that Jane was already so very obvious in her love. Say that any man who couldn't see that was a fool, but steered away from that path. It was useless to tell Charlotte what she already knew.

Jane would never fake a connection with someone when she wasn't feeling one. It didn't matter that someone had to marry for money, and that that person would be Jane or Eleazar.

Jane would never be able to ensnare someone the same way their mother had done.

No, that job would have to fall to himself or Mary. Plain Mary who knew she would very likely have to marry someone that hadn't fallen in love with her for her outside. And was too sober to think a gentleman would get her to know well enough to fall in love with her insides.

-

Eleazar had noticed Mr Darcy's wandering eyes.

They were at a party in Lucas Lodge, the residents of Netherfield and the military joining them in their festivities. And Mr Darcy hadn't kept his eyes to himself, it wasn't inappropriate, but for a man who had said 'Eleazar wasn't someone that could tempt him', it was strange.

"What does Mr Darcy mean," said he to Charlotte, "by listening to my conversation with Colonel Forster?"

"That is a question which Mr Darcy only can answer."

"But if he does it any more I shall certainly let him know that I see what he is about. He has a very satirical eye, and if I do not begin by being impertinent myself, I shall soon grow afraid of him."

It might have been said in a joking matter, but when Mr Darcy once more wandered closer to their near vicinity did he indeed act on it. Not in the least encouraged by a smiling Charlotte, she was as much of an instigator as Eleazar was.

"Did you not think, Mr Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?"

Please, do not speak to me. Just leave me alone and let our acquaintanceship die in peace.

"With great energy; but it is always a subject which makes an unmarried youngster energetic."

But alas, Eleazar wasn't given that, instead a poorly disguised insult was spoken to him.

"You are severe on us."

As far as Eleazar could guess, and he was quite professed in this area, he didn't give Mr Darcy many years on Charlotte. But before he could give Mr Darcy his deserved counter, the man in question had already walked away from the conversation, leaving Eleazar only in Charlotte's, at the moment, questionable company.

"It will be your turn to be teased soon," said Miss Lucas, "I am going to open the instrument, Eli, and you know what follows."

Public humiliation, that was what would follow, from what source was yet to be determined; but Eleazar knew better than to have faith in his family to keep themselves composed.

And though Eleazar showed the expected grumbling at being made to sing, did he not worry too much about it. It certainly wasn't the end of the world afterall.

Before long last, Mary would take her place to show off her accomplishments, leaving Eleazar some peace and quiet once more. Mary's voice and act might not be admired as much as his own, but Eleazar knew that despite Mary's attempts to stand out, she did enjoy playing the instrument. Showing off was just part of her act to appear more interesting, and she had a thick enough skin, from living with the family Bennet for so long, that the critiques didn't bother her anymore.

Once the actual concert was over did Mary happily oblique her younger sisters' requests for dancing music. Scotch and Irish airs filled the room and the younger people eagerly started to dance.

Eleazar was happily watching his younger sisters, and Jane, dancing around the room with the men of their choice. It soothed his soul to know despite the fact they had no reassurances of their life in the future, in this moment they could be happy.

He was so absorbed by his own thoughts, that he didn't notice he was walking in the vague direction Mr Darcy was conversing with Sir Lucas.

Sir Lucas who, as many others before him, had run out of conversation topics called out to him.

"My dear Mr Eli, why are you not dancing? Mr Darcy, you must allow me to present this young gentleman to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure when so much beauty is before you."

He was doomed; it only got worse when Sir Lucas' hand captured his own and attempted to give it to Mr Darcy, when Eleazar quickly retreated. He had no reason to want to dance in general, let alone with someone who could not stand his presence.

"Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner."

If Sir Lucas needed to be saved from the silence of Mr Darcy's company, he could surely find another victim or way to do it. But there was no way Eleazar would subject to a half an hour torture which would be yielding to Sir Lucas' request.

No, instead Eleazar excused himself as fast as he could and spent the rest of the evening hiding in an alcove in the company of Charlotte, who herself also wasn't too interested to be used as entertainment.