Had she not been so used to such displays, the sight of her four sisters would have made Lizzy laugh. Two of the aforementioned sisters were fighting to see through the key hole, one was trying to separate the two and the fourth simply looked on and rolled her eyes enough to make anyone's head spin, all this was of course in relative silence so as not to alert the parents. Lydia, Kitty, Jane and Mary – in that specific order – were trying to discern the cause of their Mothers excitement. In fact, their Mothers voice was growing louder by the second. Snippets of her ramblings could be heard – "millionaire!" … "Netherfield" … "our girls!"…"insufferable man!" The deep rumble of laughter that followed surprised no one, humour had long become James Bennet's coping mechanism for his wife's eccentricities.
What did surprise the girls was the sound of their fathers voices addressing them. "Daughters! Do join us! I'm sure you'll be much better equipped to hear the conversation on this side of the door than that, perhaps you may even help fight your mothers case! Well," he added with more laughter, "the younger ones will at least!". Lizzy winced slightly at his remark before entering
Ever the peace keeper, Jane broke the tense silence in the room.
"we could hear raised voices", understating things Jane, "is everything Okay?"
"oh Jane!" cried Fanny "dearest Jane! It is the most wonderful news! We are going to have new Neighbours!". This was followed by a beat of silence until Lydia bluntly asked the question on everyone's mind.
"if it's so wonderful, why the Hell are you crying?"
"Our new neighbours are the Bingleys. The millionaires!"
"And this upsets you?" questioned Lizzy, earning an annoyed glance from Fanny.
"Don't be ridiculous child. Why would that upset me? No no that is the wonderful part! But wait! It gets better, they have a son! A son in his late teens! Oh how lucky we are!"
"and pray tell them, Mrs Bennet, why you think this classes us as 'lucky'" interjected James.
"Well obviously" she started, with her own eye roll "he will date one of them and we will be connected with the Bingleys!" Lizzy decided for diplomacy's sake to ignore the real zinger there and go with the safe path of repeating the earlier question.
"So why did all of this make you cry?"
"Hmpf" was her mother's petulant response. " They arrive next week and your father, the insufferable man that he is, is refusing to visit them! If he doesn't call on them how will their son get to know one of you girls?"
"I of course suggested you visit them yourselves" their father stated, to which Fannys response was vehement.
"James! These are millionaires. It would be totally improper for them to meet unless their father introduced them, we have to make a good first impression". At this, much to their mothers ire, the daughters all fell about the place laughing, only Jane managed to keep her composure somewhat. Lizzy clutched the back of a chair.
"Mother! She exclaimed, "these people may be wealthy but they're not early nineteenth century landed gentry. Impropriety doesn't exist to that extent anymore. If you want to meet them just go yourself, but" she added in a more serious tone "do not try and set the son up on a date with one of us." Her mother's response was as predictable as it was painful.
"Well Lizzy, I'm sure if he was to date someone it wouldn't be you. Jane is simply beautiful and Lydia is so much more friendly." She began to build up steam "Perhaps if you changed a few things you could be pretty. I wish you would get some highlights or cut your hair like Kittys. And your nose is always stuck in a book! How many times must I tell you Lizzy? Men are intimidated by women who are smarter than them! Honestly its just not attractive. Sometimes I wonder if you'll ever catch a man, it's like you're not even trying!"
When the much anticipated arrival of the Bingley family did take place, Fanny Bennet had no choice but make the acquaintance herself. And that she did. The family had not been settled for 24 hours when she arrived on their doorstep with a plate of "homemade" brownies to welcome them.
She arrived home to regale the family with tales of the charming Louisa and Hurst Bingley, how they had welcomed her into their new home and introduced their son and daughter Charles and Caroline, Twins in fact. And oh! How handsome Charles was, and so well mannered! And the sophistication of Caroline! So stylish!
The entire scenario left Lizzy in no doubt that her Mother had, as usual embarrassed herself and her family. However, the delights of Fanny Bennet didn't stop there. On her way home she had stopped by the Forsters house and simply suggested they host a party for the neighbourhood the following weekend. The excuse she gave was to "kick start the summer". In reality it was an ideal opportunity to showcase her daughters to the young Bingley boy.
The atmosphere in the Forsters home was wonderful, everyone was really enjoying themselves. The effects of the champagne were becoming apparent and on the tip of everyone's tongue was the name "Bingley".
The eldest Bennet sisters were even having a great night. Jane had donned a silver blue halter neck that just touched her figure in all the right places and floated elegantly to the knee. Her hair had been curled and piled atop her head with some loose strands cascading down around her face. The entire look had an almost ethereal quality about it, Lizzy thought. Even in impossibly high heels she moved gracefully.
"You look so beautiful tonight Jane" Lizzy told her from the bottom of her heart. She watched as her modest older sister blushed prettily and repeated the sentiments directed at Lizzy this time. Lizzy simply smiled and rolled her eyes at Janes kindness. However Lizzy truly did look beautiful tonight.
An emerald green dress hung on her frame nicely, accentuating her small waist. She had even donned a pair of blood red heels – high enough to satisfy her Mother, Low enough so that she wasn't towering over others – for the occasion. Jane had insisted on letting her do her makeup and had a lot of fun creating a sultry dark eye and blood red lip. All in all Lizzy looked downright sexy.
"She's not lying you know" came a familiar voice. Lizzy turned to see her best friend grinning at her, "Lizzy Bennet you look HOT tonight". Lizzy just laughed and threw her arms around the girls shoulders.
"Charlotte! When did you get back from NYU?"
"Just this morning, I'm beat but how could I miss a chance to catch up with you and meet these new neighbours of ours? It's all I've heard about since I got home"
"HA" was Lizzys reply "trying Listening to Fanny on the topic morning noon and night. It's been driving me and Jane up the walls! I'm so glad you're home Char". Charlotte responded with another hug.
A hush descended within the Forsters home and Lizzy followed everyone's gaze to the front door. The Bingleys had arrived.
After a beat of silence everyone threw themselves back into the party in a bid to seem casual and unaffected by the presence of these much anticipated Millionaires. From her position at the back of the room Lizzy could easily observe the newcomers and did so with much interest. There were five in their party, since four of them had flaming red hair Lizzy deduced that these were the Bingley family and fifth member, a tall dark haired young man, must be a friend or relative.
"Darcy" Charlotte whispered close to her ear, causing goose bumps to form along her arms and neck.
"what?"
"Tall, dark and handsome over there, his name is Darcy. Or so my sources tell me. He's a close friend of Charles Bingley and is spending the summer with them. Owns a crazy amount of property back in England and now he, at 20 is being groomed to take over the family business. Some multi – million multi – national corporation company thing" she giggled "talks about millionaire! This guy blows the Bingley family out of the water all together!"
"England?" Lizzy queried about her main interest of Charlottes Intel.
"Well they're all British, the Bingleys too. You didn't know that?"
Lizzy had hardly time to marvel at Charlottes unwavering ability to have information on everyone around her in such a short time, when she was roughly pulled away from her friend. When she looked to see to whom the hand that was grasping her arm belonged, Lizzy found her mother determinedly dragging her and Jane to the other side of the room.
"Mother! What are you doing?" asked Lizzy, trying to keep her voice down.
"You both must" she panted "come and meet the Bingleys, before all the other girls!" Jane met Lizzys eyes and grimaced. They both gently removed Fanny's hands from their wrists and quietly followed her. The alternative wouldn't be worth the public confrontation and embarrassment that would follow.
All too late Lizzy realised that Fanny was not, as she thought leading them to the Bingley family, but rather directly to the son and his friend. On closer inspection his rather handsome, indeed beautiful but bored, sullen looking friend.
"Charles!" she cried as though she was 20 years old and he her best friend.
Credit must be awarded where credit is due though. Charles turned to her with a bright smile and polite greeting before enquiring about the "two young ladies accompanying her". A combination of charm and a wonderful British accent allowed him the get away with such a statement.
"Oh Charles!" Fanny started "these are my eldest daughters! This is Jane, my eldest. Jane is nineteen, isn't she beautiful? Everyone says she is the most beautiful girl for miles. Can you believe she's still single? And how lucky she's exactly your age! Well now I'll leave you kids to get to know each other!" she winked, oh my god thought Lizzy, she actually winked.
The entire group were left reeling from this spiel. Glancing around at the two beet red faces of her sister and Charles, and the rapid blinking of their other companion, Lizzy knew it was time for her to break the silence.
"So" she began "I think my mother might have forgotten to introduce me. I'm Lizzy, 18." She smiled "you're Charles of course, and you are?" she directed her question to the one who had yet to speak.
"Darcy" he muttered quickly as if he suddenly remembered that he was actually with other people, at a party. Charles rolled his eyes as if this was a usual occurrence and answered more fully.
"This is my best friend Will Darcy; he's actually a year older than me. He is going to be staying with my family for this summer." He reiterated Charlotte's sound information.
Jane carried an easy conversation with Charles while Darcy looked away and Lizzy observed him with interest. He was beautiful. That much was clear, and tall, taller than her in her heels even. His strong shoulder line and shirt sleeves, rolled to the elbows, showed a guy who looked after his body, his very nice body, Lizzy could only imagine.
It was his attitude however, that really captured her attention. What was his deal? He had spoken one word and then turned away. He wasn't in the least trying to appear as if he was enjoying himself. Hearing Bingley ask Jane to dance, Lizzy found some excuse to leave too, not wanting to be stuck alone with sullen, silent Darcy.
Standing by herself just outside a patio door, Lizzy took a breather from the chaos of the party. She closed her eyes and tried to tune out the blaring music and chatter behind her when two distinctly British voices floated towards her from inside.
"Will for God's sake have a drink, or a dance, anything! We're at a party for Gods sake!"
"Charles you know I don't find parties enjoyable. Besides, there's no one here that I'm remotely interested in socialising with". Lizzy rolled hers eyes at his snobby remark.
"Oh come on" Charles persisted "the people here are really nice. And there are some seriously gorgeous girls! Jane Bennet is just… She's like an Angel." Lizzy grinned "and what about her sister Lizzy? She is really good looking too. You should at least talk to her." Lizzy started, blushed and leaned in to hear the response.
"Yes" Darcy said after a pause "she is absolutely stunning, even more beautiful than Jane if you don't mind me saying. Regardless I would be willing to bet there's not a lot going on in that pretty head of hers. Even the name; Lizzy. You know I couldn't tolerate spending time with someone so unintelligent." As Charles began to protest, Lizzy moved to sit on a bench further away in the garden.
What was that?! It was the longest speech Lizzy had heard him make for sure. His voice was utterly sensual. Calm and deep and… British and he said she was attractive! More beautiful than Jane even! Lizzy couldn't even begin to comprehend such a statement. She didn't dwell on it too long however, considering his other remarks. How dare he just assume she was unintelligent?! Intelligence was a trait Lizzy really prided herself on and who –
"My apologies, I didn't realise there was anyone out here" Lizzy was startled from her reverie by a voice. That voice. She looked up.
"Darcy?" she asked stupidly and he simply nodded and turned to leave "wait." She said "take a seat. I really don't mind, it's pretty hectic in there". He silently consented and sat beside her.
"Thank you, Elizabeth" Lizzy blinked three times.
"It's Lizzy"
"I prefer Elizabeth" Lizzy arched an eyebrow. So he thought he could intimidate her?
"You prefer Elizabeth?"
"I do"
"And what, may I ask do you gain from choosing a name for me?" He simply shrugged but Lizzy did not let up ""But he that filches from me my good name ,Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed."" His jaw hit quite comically hit the floor and Lizzy moved in for the kill. She leaned in and whispered conspiratorially "It's Shakespeare Darcy, he was actually English, you know" His skin turned puce.
"I recognised the quote Elizabeth, I simply did not expect…"
"A poor unintelligent cretin like myself to be well versed in Shakespeare?" She suggested as he suddenly paled only to turn pink with embarrassment at his candid remark being overheard. She kindly took pity on him and changed the subject. "However, if you insist on calling me by my full name, I suppose should I call you William?"
"It's actually Fitzwilliam, but no. Will is fine."
Lizzy laughed gently and rose to her feet. She moved to stand directly before him. He looked up at her from his seated position, her green eyes staring deep into his grey ones. Seriously who has grey eyes on top of everything else? A small, mischievous smile crept across Lizzys face.
"Goodnight Fitzwilliam" This time he arched one eyebrow, surprised at her.
"Goodnight Elizabeth"
Lizzy turned and walked away. Both were left trying to understand what had just occurred and ignore whatever it was they could feel when the other spoke their full name…