Elizabeth came back home happy. The interview with the owner of the housing estate she was writing about went well. Now she just had to write her article. However, her happiness was soon dampened when she opened the door to a very tense Mrs Bennet.
"Oh Elizabeth why are you so late!" Mrs Bennet shrieked as Elizabeth finally came home. "Don't you know today is the ball where Jane will get to meet Mr. Bingley!" Jane blushed.
Elizabeth sighed, "Mum I was interviewing the owner of the housing estate, Mr. Jone, don't you remember?"
"Well unless the rich man is willing to marry you then whatever else you say will not calm my nerves! Go get dressed now."
Elizabeth sighed again, "Oh mother you're so old fashioned." She ran up the stairs and jumped in the shower letting the warm water drizzle over her cold body. After her short shower, she went to her room and opened the wardrobe she and Jane shared looking for a dress from her small variety. As she was thinking about which dress she had worn the least Jane came in. Elizabeth gasped at the beauty of her favourite sister. She wore a light blue dress, which flowed, down her body whilst complimenting her eyes and accenting her waist. Her hair hung down in beautiful loose curls. With a small rose clip in her hair. Elizabeth gave her a hug, "You look magnificent Jane."
"Oh thank you Lizzy, I was worried I didn't look very pretty." Then she looked at Lizzy. "Lizzy, Mama will throw a fit if she saw you wearing that dress for the fourth time. Borrow one of mine."
"You are so silly Jane. And what's wrong with this dress?"
"You've worn it too many times and its becoming dirty." She pulled out a dress from her side of the wardrobe, "Here wear this green looks so good on you."
It was a very pretty dress, also floor length, with a V- shaped neckline and an accessory on the waist. "Oh thank you Jane."
When they both came down the stairs their mum gasped at the sight of Jane giving her a hug. Then she turned to Elizabeth and said, "I suppose you look ok Lizzy but I wish you would have spent longer on your hair." Elizabeth tried to beg again, "Mum do I really have to go I could be doing finishing off my work and –
"No lizzy! It's not just Jane who should be looking to secure a man you should be too. Now get in the car."
The atmosphere was thrilling as everyone danced. There was not an unhappy face in sight. Elizabeth danced mainly with her best friend Charlotte Lucas whilst watching Jane dance with Mr Bingley. She was not surprised that Mr Bingley was attracted to Jane. Her mother's response wasn't very surprising either. But she managed to distract the very excited Mrs. Bennet by telling her that Mrs Lucas was calling her.
"Oh don't they look so happy together Charlotte?" Elizabeth said.
"They do…let's hope it turns into something good."
"Oh Charlotte you're starting to sound like mother!"
As they laughed suddenly, the atmosphere quietened. A hush fell over everyone as everyone made their way to the side clearly making way for someone. Elizabeth tiptoed trying to look over everyone to see who it was that caused everyone to stop dancing. A tall man stood towering over everyone with what looked like his sister. Bingley walked over to the man with Caroline, his sister, and patted his shoulder, "Darcy, Miss Darcy I'm glad you came."
Slowly conversations started again and soon everyone started dancing again. Elizabeth watched as Bingley introduced Jane to Mr Darcy and Miss Darcy. Miss Darcy politely shook hands with Jane but appeared shy however, Mr Darcy was the total opposite. He looked at Jane and then raised his eyebrows at Bingley causing her sister to feel uncomfortable. Elizabeth quickly hurried to her sister's side trying to save her from her awkwardness, "Jane. There's a good song on shall we dance?"
"Oh you're Elizabeth, Jane's sister right?"
" Yes pleased to meet you Mr Bingley." She said shaking his hand.
"Unfortunately your sisters agreed to dance this dance with me but Darcy likes to dance as well." He turned to Darcy, "Go on Darcy." Lizzy looked at Darcy while he eyed her.
Then he said "No I'm afraid I can't...I have business to attend to." He said and left abruptly. Lizzy shuddered. Mr Bingley sighed, "I'm sorry about that Elizabeth. Mr Darcy is very addicted to his work."
Elizabeth laughed, "Don't worry now get dancing before the song ends."