The following day Elizabeth and Jane called on the Gardners, Mrs Bennet decided to stay behind.
Mrs Bennet knocked and entered the study when bade to do so. Darcy enquired how he could be of service. Mrs Bennet seemed nervous to him but she always seemed so.
"Mr Darcy, forgive the intrusion, I just wanted to enquire if all is well?"
"All is fine, I don't understand your concern, madam."
"Well, I know what a trial my second daughter cam be and I just wanted to be sure she was being all she should be."
*Mrs Bennet, your daughter is everything she ought to be and more, I assure you all is well."
"Excellent! I am very glad to hear that. Mr Darcy I want to assure you if there is anything she is unwilling to do, you need only tell me and I will perform it in her stead."
"I don't understand your meaning."
"Lizzy can be very stubborn and if she is unwilling to do anything, I am saying that, you can be assured, I will."
"What tasks are you referring to, Mrs Bennet?"
"Mr Darcy, I am an experienced woman, although my husband hasn't had any need of me in more than a decade, i can assure you I am quite capable, more than capable, I dare say."
"Mrs Bennet, are you honestly suggesting what I think you are?"
"Sir, I don't wish to offend, I am simply offering any service you may require."
"Can we please end this discussion."
"As you wish, sir, my apologies."
"There is no need for apologies, Mrs Bennet, I will see you at dinner."
Darcy could not believe his ears. Are all the Bennet women like this, for heavens sake, he thought. He had to admit she is still very beautiful, until her mouth opens and the silliness spews forth that is.
Before dinner Darcy snuck into Elizabeth's room, where he found her and Jane, both getting dressed for dinner. He marveled at their different yet distinct beauties and enjoyed that they were in different states of undress.
"Must you be so brazen with your ogling, sir?" Elizabeth teased.
"I am afraid I must when so much beauty is before me."
Elizabeth smiled, "tell us, sir, with all honesty, are we really as beautiful as you portend?"
"I'm afraid I could not find words to do your beauties justice, even if I had a lifetime to express it. The words that spring to mind are exquisite, breathtaking and perfection and yet they seem insufficient."
Jane and Elizabeth looked to him then to one another.
Elizabeth went to him and kissed him tenderly.
"Well, sir, I then encourage you to ogle all you wish."
Darcy proceeded to tell them of the unusual meeting with their mother. Both were shocked, at first. Elizabeth was a bit angry but Jane tried to calm her.
"Dear sister, perhaps she is just looking for a little adventure, she did say it has been over ten long years since she has been touched." Jane entreated.
"Yes, ten years seems very harsh but to impose herself on her own daughter's betrothed?"
"I agree it is ill conceived but you know our mother is not always the most sensible and you also know that she would mean no slight or harm. Perhaps she truly believes she is helping."
"Leave it to you, Jane, to once again find the good in a situation without any."
Elizabeth smiled, Jane's words did make her feel better. Now an idea was forming.
"Perhaps we should take pity on her and give her what she desires."
It was Mr Darcy's turn to be shocked. "Please tell me you aren't expecting me to have relations with your mother?"
Elizabeth laughed, "no sir, I am concerned for you, as it is, with the two of us to keep contented."
"You doubt me, madam?"
Elizabeth kept laughing, "do not dare use that word with me, sir, lest we be late for dinner. I do not doubt your abilities nor your determination, but I think even the great Fitzwilliam Darcy can admit that we are quite the handful. I would imagine you would like to get some sleep and work done. Or am I mistaken?"
"I concede the point."
Elizabeth continued, "we need a substitute."
"Colonel Fitzwilliam!" Jane said much too quickly and with too much enthusiasm.
Elizabeth and Darcy looked to her and then gave each other a knowing look.
"I see we are going to have a discussion soon about the possibility of adding the colonel to Jane's stable of gentlemen."
"And your stable, my love?" Darcy asked.
"My dear sir, there is only one stallion ever needed in my stable. I chose him quite specifically."
Darcy smiled, "I thank you."
"But, Jane is right. The colonel is perfect. We need only convince him and set it so my mother thinks it is you."
"Your mother is still very attractive, I concede, but I am not sure that is enough to convince the colonel." Darcy stated.
Elizabeth smiled, "and if he thinks it might give him a chance with my exquisite, breathtaking and perfect sister, sir?"
Darcy shook his head, "devil thy name is woman! You never cease to astound me."
Elizabeth gave Darcy her most mischievous look, "I thank you, sir, and since I have yet to hear a protest, dare I say you are amenable to my plan, dear sister?"
They both looked to Jane who was blushing a deep red.
"Enthusiastically amenable, sister."
"And you, sir. Are you willing to share Jane?"
Darcy took his time and gave the whole situation a great deal of thought, he wasn't sure he was willing.
"I am sorry but I am not sure, I promise to keep an open mind. May we speak further after dinner?"
The ladies agreed and finished dressing while Darcy retreated to his study.
Darcy poured himself a brandy and sat in his study. He thought about the proposal and the ramifications carefully and came to his decision.
Dinner was as jovial as ever. Darcy was paying particular attention to Mrs Bennet, making her giggle and blush, which did not go unnoticed by Elizabeth nor Jane.
In the drawing room Elizabeth watched in astonishment as Darcy was obviously flirting with her mother over a glass of port. She could not recall the last time she had seen her mother so happy, giggling like a school girl. Eventually the port did it's occupation and Mrs Bennet needed to retire. Darcy bowed over her hand and kissed it gently, much to Mrs Bennet's delight.
Elizabeth could contain herself no longer. "Well, sir, a more shameless spectacle I have never before witnessed."
"I beg your pardon, my dear, I am sure I don't understand your meaning."
"Oh you understand perfectly, sir. I thought the poor woman was going to jump you where you stood! Does this mean you have a decision to share with us?"
"Indeed I did give it some serious thought and I don't care for the idea of a stable but I believe I could be amenable to sharing now and again."
It was Jane who approached Darcy. "Mr Darcy you needn't share me if it is upsetting to you. Just like my sister I am in your hands and I would never do anything not approved by you."
"In truth, I find those words very comforting. I also would request the sharing be after the wedding, so the first time for 'marital relations' would all be with each other. We could invite the colonel to the seaside on the wedding tour for a fortnight, after we have had a fortnight together."
Elizabeth responded, "that sounds perfect, my love."
Jane added, "that does indeed sound perfect and I echo your thoughts, Mr Darcy."
"I confess, I am no longer totally opposed to being a service to Mrs Bennet, as I once was. Tonight she surprised me with her flirting."
Elizabeth's curiosity was now peaked. "Really, sir, do tell?"
"It wasn't anything she said but rather her demeanor. It's the first time I saw her as a woman and I do pity her situation. If you do not approve, my love, please say so."
"Oh no Fitzwilliam! I do not mind sharing. You know how excited I get when you are selfish. I might even permit a go with Miss Bingley if I would be permitted to watch." Elizabeth said laughing.
"I am sorry to disappoint, my love, but Miss Bingley will never be in my stable."
"Comparing my sister and I to horses, sir? I am shockingly disappointed, Fitzwilliam Darcy!"
"You are nothing of the sort and I am of a mind to take you over my knee this very instant for your impertinence."
"I was a very bad girl, sir," Elizabeth teased.
"Perhaps I should spank Jane in your stead and make you watch. That might be a more fitting punishment."
"Oh Fitzwilliam, you could never be so cruel!"
"You know me too well, my dear. But now that you have mentioned watching, I think there are two particular ladies, I wouldn't mind watching tonight."
"Really, sir, anything in particular you wish to see us doing?"
"Yes indeed and I suggest you relocate your gorgeous backsides to your bedroom before I change my mind."
Elizabeth grabbed Jane by the hand and they ran together from the room giggling.
Darcy found them on Elizabeth's bed waiting for him. They had a chair placed next to the bed. He sat, holding a sniffer of brandy, and anxiously waited.
They removed each other's nightdresses and began kissing, tenderly at first and then more passionately. Jane's breathing became heavier as Elizabeth moved her lips to her neck then chest, she took Jane's nipple into her mouth and sucked gently and played with it with her tongue.
