- Chapter One
Elizabeth Bennet walked into the foyer of Gibson Hall behind her sister, Jane. As she took in the luxury of the room, she thanked God that she had allowed Jane to talk her into buying this ridiculously expensive red dress. At first she had deemed it as too much, but now, teemed with the ruby necklace and earring set that her parents had given to her for her 21st birthday she felt beautiful and confident as she looked at the other guests. Her eyes wandered to Jane and she almost sighed over her sister's beauty. But she couldn't begrudge Jane her appearance; there had never been a less selfless or vain person in the world and Jane was blatantly unaware of the effect that she had. She was splendid in a long-sleeved gold gown with her blond her pinned to her head. Lizzy smiled at Jane when she turned to make sure that she was still beside her before continuing to study her surroundings. The hospital had chosen a magnificent venue to hold their fundraiser ball; Lizzy was glad that Jane had given the spare ticket to her. At the same time though, she wished that she didn't have to spend her Saturday night in the company of so many self-important people that usually dominated these events.

As they made their way towards the front desk to enter their names, she glanced around when she heard a particularly loud, brassy voice giving someone a verbal lashing. Looking behind her she saw that a party of five had entered shortly after them. It was made up of a man speaking to a woman with red hair who looked as if the sneer she was wearing was permanent; her conversation partner looked condescendingly amused with whatever it was that she had to say. Behind them was another man with red hair who was looking over his shoulder at the conversation that was taking place behind him; if it could be called a conversation. The obnoxious voice belonged to an elderly woman who looked as if she might feel more comfortable luring small children into her house made of gingerbread then in a ballroom. She was addressing the last member of the group; a man who appeared to be in his late twenties who made a striking appearance with his black hair that stopped just short of deep brown eyes. He was dressed in an expensive looking black suit paired with a red silk shirt. It was this shirt that was the cause of the older woman's distress.

"I don't understand why you decided to wear that horribly bright thing, William. I know for a fact that you have a great number of respectable white shirts that you could have worn to this event."
"Aunt Catherine, nothing was specified on the dress code other than the fact that a black suit and tie must be worn. Well, I am wearing a black suit and tie; I have just decided to bring some colour into the equation." The man sent a slight scowl at the lady before catching the eye of the red-headed man and grinning. The elderly lady proceeded to move away and begin a conversation with the other woman of the party.
Elizabeth smirked at the way that the man had held his ground against the woman who she was sure would be quite a tyrant. She continued to watch him across the room. When he looked around and caught her staring at him, she blushed and turned to Jane. She sneaked a look back at him and saw him smiling at her; she smiled back before both of them were pulled into conversations by their companions.

It was a while before Jane and Lizzy made it to the door to the Main Hall. They had intended to arrive fashionably late, but it seemed that the vast majority of guests had decided to do the same. As they stood, waiting their turn to finally make it through the door, Lizzy heard the formidable old lady strike up her argument with the young man once again.
"You know, Will, I could have Carson bring around a freshly pressed shirt in a matter of minutes. You wouldn't enter far behind us."
The man let out an exasperated sigh and Lizzy could tell that her persistent nagging was wearing him down.
"If it makes you happy, Catherine, do what you want." Lizzy heard him mutter something about 'shutting up' under his breath. She didn't know what came over her, perhaps it was the champagne that she and Jane had consumed before arriving (or maybe it was the little nip of something stronger that she had snuck for courage), but she swung around to face the man and his Aunt, studying the pair of them.
"Don't you dare." She said quickly before hurrying through the doors after her sister. When she chanced a glance back she saw the man smiling after her while the lady spluttered something that was no doubt very rude.

If Elizabeth thought that the foyer was gorgeous, it was nothing compared to the Main Hall.
"The Hospital has really stepped up a notch in their venues, Janey." Lizzy said as she smiled at Jane."
"Ha ha, we're trying to build up the reputation of the ball; hopefully we will gain more donations this way." She explained.
The room was lit by large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling which was dominated by glass domes that allowed the guests to see the stars. Marble pillars lined the walls framing a series of archways. It truly made a breathtaking view.
"Come on, Lizzy. I have to circulate for a while." Jane led her sister into the throng of people standing in various clusters around the hall.
"Aah, yes. Dr Bennet, the famous neurosurgeon; the hospital's crown jewel." Lizzy grinned and winked, knowing that Jane would never admit how valuable she was.
"Whatever, Liz B, just don't say that around Dr Branson."
Jane, the man is so enamoured with you, that it doesn't matter what you were saying, he would probably just pass out from the fact that you were talking to him." Lizzy smirked at her sister as she sent a mock glare at her.
"Elizabeth Bennet, you are going to be the death of me!" Jane gave her a light push, being careful of both their outfits. "Just humour me and go find us a drink."
"Yes Dr!" Lizzy turned away in search of the bar.

Lizzy threaded her was through the growing crowd toward the back of the hall. As her eyes wandered across the room, she couldn't help but meet the brown ones staring back at her. She gave him a small smile and continued to move toward the bar. He followed her from across the dancefloor. Lizzy took advantage of a large group of people standing nearby and ducked behind them, using the opportunity to study the intense eyes. As she moved out from behind the crowd she saw their owner mirror her moves from across the room. She watched as the red-headed man from earlier drew him into a conversation, but his eyes continued to dart back to her. She let out a soft laugh and continued over to the bar.