Elizabeth coloured at her mother's continuous attempts to better her eldest daughter's so called conquest of Mr Bingley, and silently willed herself away from Netherfield as the minutes passed away just as slowly as snow melts during the winter. How Mrs Bennet managed to have the carriage placed in such a way that would take more than a few minutes to fetch - and thus rendering them the last party to leave - she will never know. Despite her best attempts, Elizabeth barely managed to hide her shame and derision at such a manoeuvre as she did her best to seat herself as far away from her mother's maniacal attempts at conversation, and Mr Collins' overbearing speeches, as possible. As such, Elizabeth found herself by the large window overlooking the front steps. Her position allowed her a satisfactory vantage point to witness the carriage's arrival, whilst also being able to monitor her family's activity.
Mrs Bennet - and subsequently Mr Bennet - was situated across from Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst, who were decidedly opposed to conversing, and were only remaining due to societal expectations and a sense of propriety. Both sisters looked exhausted; whether that was from the evening's festivities or Mrs Bennet's prattling, Elizabeth could not tell from such a distance. She found herself, strange though it may be, feeling rather sorry for the sisters, and wishing that her mother were a more capable role model to her younger sisters. Her father's own expression of amusement only hurt her more. Elizabeth scowled and continued to scan the room. Mary, Kitty and Lydia were each seated by the fire, the latter two slowly sinking into very unladylike positions, though Elizabeth was thankful for the fact that, despite the odd yawn and exclamations of exhaustion, the youngest sisters had forgotten their appalling behaviour, and had some hint of decorum in their presentation and manners. Perhaps there was some hope for redemption. Looking behind the trio, Elizabeth's features softened as she caught sight of Mr Bingley and Jane quietly conversing, seemingly oblivious to anything but each other. At least, she thought, they are unaffected. A small smile crept onto her face as she observed the couple. The change did not go unnoticed.
Mr Darcy, since the group's retirement to the front room, had found himself unable to keep his eyes away from the second eldest Bennet, his usual scowl replaced by a softer look of curiosity towards the woman who was having a most peculiar effect on him. When she moved toward the window, Darcy could not help but observe her figure as she walked in front of the fire, as uncouth as the action was. The light revealed the length of her legs as she strode, causing a faint blush to creep onto her observer's cheeks. Since their dance but a few hours ago, he was unable to ignore the way in which she moved; the way she studied everything around her, both with her eyes and her actions. He had not been insensible to her lingering touch during their performance, though he had since put it down to the distraction of their abrupt conversation, and not to any form of regard. He knew she had a decided dislike for him, one, he figured, was the result of a certain gentleman, and, although his pride forbid him from admitting it, the way in which he had behaved since first arriving in Hertfordshire. Though he did not mean to come off as haughty, he did know and value his place in society, which is decidedly far above many, if not all, of those who resided in this part of the country. Even thus, he found himself inexplicably drawn to the woman who had managed to match him in wit, and defied his common experience of flattery and false attentions. With his curiosity piqued, and a certainty that Miss Elizabeth paid him no heed, Darcy studied his object from the seat closest to the bookshelves, strategically placed opposite to the fireplace, without reserve, taking particular notice of the way in which her faced changed as she moved from each member of her family. At seeing her dismay at the behaviour of her mother and cousin (which too made him wince at the lack of civility), Darcy couldn't help but wonder just how much she, for lack of better word, resented her family's general manner. He deduced from the way that she blushed and slightly scowled at her mother's entreaties that, if she had it her way, she would quickly bring those of her family up to a higher standard of conduct. His own regard for her improved upon this deduction. It is a shame, he thought, frowning slightly.
As Elizabeth's gaze moved towards her sister, Darcy couldn't help but look at the couple in wonderment. Certainly this is the hardest he had seen Bingley fall for a woman, though of Miss Bennet's feelings he was quite uncertain. Though she received his attentions with pleasure, her countenance betrayed no certain sway of her feelings for him. Glancing back at her sister, however, and the soft smile she projected, he began to speculate whether or not there is more to the eldest Bennet than just a pretty face.
Once satisfied that her sister had no intention of removing herself from her host's society, Elizabeth turned to once again to look out of the window and into the courtyard below. A light drizzle had begun to fall, and claps of distant thunder betraying the chance of a storm the following day. A soft clearing of the throat brought her back to the present, and she found herself most astonishingly joined by Mr Darcy, who stood no more than a foot away from her, looking down with the calmest expression she had ever seen him wear. She looked up at him and though somewhat bewildered, she invited him to take the seat across from herself after he enquired whether she would be open to company. This rare act of civility took her quite by surprise, though thankfully it went unnoticed by the eyes of a particular young lady.
The two sat in silence, both contemplating their partner's silence. Although she had sworn to hate him for all eternity, Elizabeth found Mr Darcy's quiet company unnervingly comforting. Every now and then she would glance at him from he corner of her eye, and each time she noted that he too was becoming more comfortable in her presence. On several occasions had she caught him looking at her, and couldn't help but blush under his observation. She was more than a little confused at the turn of events, all the while barely five minutes had passed since their entering the room. Darcy was the first to break the silence.
"I hope, Miss Bennet, that I do not overstep when I ask if tonight's festivities have proved a satisfactory event."
"Indeed, sir, they have been most enjoyable. Though with a host like Mr Bingley, I find it hard to believe anyone would find it otherwise." At this, Elizabeth gave a small smile, and unconsciously glanced to her sister, who had moved closer to the fire, still in deep conversation.
"I think you may be right," Darcy chuckled slightly, finding her smile delighted him to a degree he didn't know was possible, "he certainly is most attentive, though tonight more than usual." Elizabeth hid a sly smile.
"I take it you enjoyed yourself then, despite your friend's lack of attention?" She queried after a moment of contemplation. This gained her the quirk of an eyebrow. She liked it immensely.
"Thoroughly I assure you."
"Forgive me, but I should have thought that such a country assembly would be rather tedious for one who attends those illustrious parties in town, even if the host was a dear friend." The amused look on Miss Bennet's face, paired with the glint in her eye prevented Mr Darcy from being provoked, taking the hint that she spoke in jest. He simply chuckled in return, which both satisfied and surprised Elizabeth immensely. Knowing that he had at least some sense of humour certainly had some affect on her opinion of him. Not to mention that it was a most pleasant sound. She too let out a small laugh, which sent Darcy sky high.
Unfortunately, the pair's good luck of going unnoticed thus far had run out, as the end of their exchange gained the notice of several of the room's occupants. The announcement of the Bennet's carriage was the only thing that saved the two from interruption and an awkward moment of removing themselves from each other's company, and that of Miss Bingley who had found a small burst of energy that no doubt would have placed her as close to Darcy as possible.
The family was escorted out by both Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy, with the former accompanying Jane at the front of the party, whilst the latter followed up the rear with Elizabeth. Neither Mr Darcy nor Elizabeth was at ease, though they couldn't find it within themselves to move away from one another. Much to her surprise, Elizabeth was helped into the carriage by her companion. She made sure to allow her hand to linger a little longer than usually expected (though not long enough to be noticed by anyone but him), and let go with a squeeze and a small smile as a way of silently thanking him for his attentions, which had saved her much unnecessary scrutinisation of her family. He blushed slightly, which she noted, as he treated her with an equally warm smile of his own. The expression quite became him, and Elizabeth's heart began to flutter. As the last goodbyes were said, and the carriage pulled off, both were left oddly satisfied with the night's end, despite former prejudices and follies.