Disclaimer: I own nothing. Please keep in mind I have changed setting and tweaked things like the Bennet's social status. Therefore there will be a difference in some interactions. In addition this is set before Ramsgate. This story was inspired by the songs Facade and Bitch Bitch Bitch from the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde musical (never heard of it? find the soundtrack. be amazed.)
Elizabeth Bennet watched in the mirror as her maid inserted the final decorative pin into her elaborate pile of hair.
"Thank you, Claire, that will be quite all," she said briskly, yet not unkindly. Claire curtseyed and scurried out of the room, leaving Elizabeth to sigh and study her reflection briefly. She was not usually so brusque with her maid, she was merely late—a fashion she found rude and impertinent and therefore tried to avoid.
She sighed and abruptly stood, her satin gown twisting to accommodate her movements. Her deep green skirt hung heavily with an abundance of fine cloth and her bodice fitted her light figure pleasantly. Elizabeth nervously fingered her emerald pendant that hung from a fine silver chain and matched her brilliant eyes. It was her favorite necklace, completed by the emerald drops that dangled from her ears. Gifted to her the day she came out and joined society in her first season, she made a point of wearing it the first day of every season. People expected it of her now.
With another sigh she exited her dressing room and descended to the foyer. Her green eyes flickered to her father, standing serenely by the door as his wife bustled about Jane. Miss Bennet was draped in a gown identical to her sister's, with a jewelry set to match. There was one exception: hers was a sapphire blue to her match her eyes. This tradition was one that actually puzzled the ton. Why would two eligible women of formidable status and wealth opt to wear the same thing? Surely they would wish to dress separately to gain their own individual attention? And in such simple and understated styles as well!
Jane Bennet was the beauty of society. When down, her golden hair floated along behind her, light waves adorning it. Her blue eyes were soft and kind and her skin of a pleasing complexion. Her straight nose and plump lips were delicate, her slender face matching her slender body. Elizabeth was also considered quite the beauty, though never to surpass her sister. Her wild curly mane and shorter, yet more dramatically curvy, figure made her more exotic though, and truly more appealing to some.
As the eldest and the more beautiful of the two, all expected Jane to marry first. For this reason Mrs. Bennet focused mostly on her before any social gathering. All expected her to be snatched up during her first season, as well. However, here she was, beginning her sixth season. There was much speculation as to why. Gossip was of course the primary occupation of all in the ton. Surely she had been made numerous offers. Mr. Laxington made his quite public, in fact. She refused every single opportunity and it certainly was not because of the mother. On the contrary, the Bennet household had seen many nervous breakdowns post-refusal. No, the answer that everyone was looking for was a pact made behind closed doors.
Jane and Elizabeth Bennet would only marry for the deepest, most passionate, true and irreversible love. One that was returned, of course. While Mr. Laxington was a perfectly kind man and one of a comfortable means as well and he claimed to have the most ardent feelings for Miss Bennet, she had none for him.
It was with these requirements that the two eldest Bennet sisters entered each season, and each season the ton was a disappointment for the girls. Perhaps, they thought, this year would be different.
It was with this in mind that they stepped out of their grand front door and into their carriage. The first ball of the season was to be hosted by Lady Matlock. It was not one to be missed.
The glowing golden light emanating from the chandelier made those crowding into ballroom shine, the young ladies who were emerging for their first season especially radiant.
Elizabeth and Jane swept into the glamorous hall and surveyed the room, deflating as they failed to find any people of moral decency.
They glided through the crowds, catching unfortunate snippets of conversation. The old, the young, the beautiful, the ugly…the gossip overwhelmed all.
"Have you seen Lady Grunder? Absolute mess of a dress. That lace! Was it made by her five year old grandson?"
"Mr. Bridges is so unfortunately shaped. It must be his posture. Perhaps he's trying to model after his name?"
"Did you hear? We are to be joined his season by the Bingleys! Fortune from trade, I believe. I suppose we must all be gracious to the neveau riche."
"The man, Mr. Bingley. I've heard he's a dear. An absolute best friend and confidante to Mr. Darcy. His sister though. Heard she's a mean old thing."
"Five and twenty and no suitors. Not surprised. Lord Fringe tells me she acts far above herself. Her sister settled for a man, yet she refuses to speak to a man that is not Mr. Darcy. Too far above her, I dare say."
"Mrs. Dringon's gotten fat, hasn't she?"
"Lady Gragon has no fashion sense whatsoever!"
"Mr. Lalion is just pathetic, isn't he?"
"Mr. Bingley! Moderately wealthy and such a handsome face!"
"Mr. Bingley seems so wonderfully agreeable!"
"What a wonderful countenance that Mr. Bingley has!"
The girls halted as Jane turned to her sister. "Lizzy, who on earth is this Mr. Bingley everyone raves of?"
"Dearest Jane, I know not but come! Let's find out!" With a girlish giggle, Elizabeth grabbed her sister's hand and dragged her until her path was suddenly blocked by a wall of solid black.
Tapping the man's shoulder, she looked up and requested he move slightly to the side.
"Of course, Madame. I beg your pardon."
"There is no pardon to beg for!" She flashed the man her most beautiful and societal smile. The man stood, slightly dazed by this wild beauty. He guessed she was the type only to be tamed within a ballroom. Just staring at her smile he wished there was a nice soul—a merciful soul—who would kindly introduce them.
It wasn't for another moment that he noticed Jane.
Another true beauty, he thought, yet not this spirited woman in front of me.
As the man stepped aside Elizabeth and Jane continued to make their way to the refreshment table. They tactfully held their tongues until then, however their merry laughter followed them.
"Oh, my dear Lizzy! You must find someone to introduce you to him!"
Feigning ignorance, Elizabeth replied, "Jane, I simply cannot comprehend your meaning."
"Oh please, Elizabeth."
"What!"
"Surely you noticed!"
"Noticed what, Jane?"
"How terribly handsome he was!"
"Was, Jane? I was under the impression he remained alive after our departure," Elizabeth smirked.
"Oh, Lizzy! Was, is…either way he's extraordinarily handsome! Do you not agree?" Jane asked slyly.
"Oh, I agree wholeheartedly, sister. He was a most handsome man."
It just so happened that this handsome man's best friend was as the other end of the table. He stood in awe of the wondrous creature he found before him. Quietly he nudged the man to his left.
"Mr. Lalion?" The older man looked up at the offender. "Do you happen to know that astounding woman?"
Mr. Lalion looked in the direction the man's finger was pointing before answering, "Ah yes. Miss Bennet."
"Well, sir…would…would you mind introducing me to her?"
Mr. Lalion looked at his companion with a knowing eye and beckoned him to follow. As they approached the ladies, the younger man became increasingly nervous. How was he to know how she would react? He was, after all, not the best catch in the room. Not bad, by any means, but no. Not the best. Before his worrying went too far, the two gentlemen arrived.
Mr. Lalion cleared his throat. The two women looked up from their conversation and smiled at the gentlemen. "Ladies, may I introduce Mr. Charles Bingley? Mr. Bingley, this is Miss Jane Bennet, the eldest Bennet daughter, and Miss Elizabeth Bennet, her sister."
The young men raised his hand to run it through his red hair, but quickly dropped it and bowed. "Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. Pleased to make your acquaintance." The two girls dropped into a quick curtsy and smiled at this new man. Elizabeth looked at her sister. This man was surely handsome, though hardly held a candle to the gentleman before. A quick glance at Jane told her she thought otherwise. She decided to open her mouth when Jane clearly would not.
"Mr. Bingley! We've heard so much about you!"
"None good, I'm sure!" he countered good naturedly.
"On the contrary, sir! You sell yourself short! It has only been about how amiable you are!"
A light blush graced his cheeks. "Well I've heard about the Bennet Beauty's. Your reputations proceed you." Both ladies blushed and Bingley couldn't help but notice how pretty Miss Bennet looked when her cheeks were a nice rosy shade.
"I was wondering, Miss Bennet, if you had been already asked for the first dance?"
"I have not been."
"Then may I ask for it?"
"You may."
"And your answer?"
"Of course you may have it."
"I thank you. I shall find you when the dance begins."
"I shall be looking forward to it, Mr. Bingley." She curtseyed and he bowed before he turned and rushed away, his face a brighter shade than his hair. Normally he would not be so nervous he knew! But such a lady was surely used to such attentions from far superior names and much larger bank accounts. He quickly found his one good friend in the ballroom and decided to take his refuge.
Back with the ladies, the teasing seemed to have turned in the other direction.
"Why, Jane! You never dance the first dance of the season! Something about bad luck for the rest of it?" Elizabeth giggled.
"Oh, Elizabeth!" Jane blushed, elbowing her sister lightly.
"Oh, Jane!" Elizabeth elbowed back.
"One day, Lizzy, a man will catch your attention and you will have to reconsider your decided opinion of me!"
Elizabeth merely chuckled, yet surreptitiously glanced back at where that other gentleman had stood. He was no longer there.
"Bingley!"
The redheaded was greeted warmly by his friend, a veteran of the ballroom. "Hello, my good man! I have recently secured the first dance!" he crowed proudly.
"Oh have you? With whom?"
"That ravishing beauty over there." He subtly pointed to where the Bennet's still stood.
"Which one?" he asked slowly, almost afraid of being jealous because of a woman he knew not the name of.
"The tall one. Golden hair? Miss Jane Bennet. A perfect angel of a woman. Clearly the epitome of perfection. Certainly the only one in this ballroom—no, in London!—perhaps in England?—maybe even in the world!" Bingley continued to rave as the man sighed in relief. A realization dawned on him soon after.
"Bingley!" he exclaimed, effectively cutting him off.
"Yes?"
"Could you possibly introduce me to your wonderful partner and her sister?" he asked shyly.
"Oh yes! Yes of course!" He briskly strode back to the table where the women remained, laughing and chatting with each other.
They both looked up as Bingley approached them for the second time.
"Mr. Bingley!"
"Miss Bennet! I just couldn't stay away!" He shot her his most debonair smile.
The girls giggled until Elizabeth caught sight of the man from earlier. And he was coming to stand behind Mr. Bingley!
"Ladies, may I introduce my dear friend Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley?"
Jane glanced at Elizabeth, noticing her gaze locked on this new gentleman. Similarly, she noticed Mr. Darcy just as entranced. The two girls curtseyed to their new acquaintance.
"Mr. Darcy, may I present Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet." He bowed, training his eye on the latter's face.
"So you are Mr. Darcy!" Elizabeth exclaimed. Mr. Darcy's eyebrows shot up.
"You know of me?" he asked.
"Are you not the nephew of Lady Matlock?" she asked worriedly, afraid she had made a terrible mistake.
"Yes, that I am." His expression cleared understanding why his name would have traveled. This was the first time he had made it to his aunts opening ball in more than seven years. Ever since he came back from Cambridge, in fact.
"Your presence has been much anticipated. I believe your aunt was rather excited to see your face back in her ballroom this year."
"You have spoken to my aunt this evening?"
"I have not had yet the pleasure apart from her greeting in the hall, however Lady Gravner has recently called on her and we ran into her at the dress shop, isn't that right Jane?" she looked over to her sister who was engrossed in conversation with Mr. Bingley. She briefly looked up and smiled, nodding her head most emphatically, before turning back to her partner.
"Well, I am glad I was able to assuage your curiosity, Miss Elizabeth." He bowed slightly and she barely restrained a giggled. He was so terribly tall, and so terribly handsome. His brown hair was lightly curled and his brow strong, covering lovely deep brown eyes.
"Tell me, Miss Elizabeth, is your dance card yet full?"
"It is not, Mr. Darcy. In fact, only the first set is yet taken. I ran into Lady Matlock's son, Colonel Fitzwilliam, yesterday. You may have any other spot, if you wish it!"
"My cousin, Richard?" Darcy could feel the jealousy begin to pound through him again.
"Oh, yes! He would be your cousin, that's right! Yes, we met last season and we often run into each other around Town. We have become great friends. I have no brothers, you see, so he gives me the…experience I have lacked," she informed the gentleman, her eyes sparkling with secret mirth.
Relief swelled through Darcy once more. A brother. Perfect. Perhaps now his request would be more welcome. "I was wondering actually if I could perhaps obtain the dinner set? Perhaps then I could spend a lovely meal with a lovely lady telling me about all the society I have missed in the past years?"
Elizabeth's eyes grew wide at his truly bold inquiry. However she blushed and nodded demurely.
"Th-that would be pleasant, sir." She curtseyed to him in consent. "However I am not sure how much I could tell you. I attend the necessary balls and parties that society demands, however I do not listen to much gossip. I prefer to spend my time in my father's library."
Mr. Darcy carefully composed what he could feel would be a shocked expression. "Do you read much?"
"Oh yes, Mr. Darcy. I read a shameful amount. In fact, I have been spending less and less time my father's library lately because I am hard pressed to find a book I have in fact not read. And the weather is so lovely this time of year so I tend to bring my books outside nowadays. Do you read much, Mr. Darcy?" She quickly recovered from her extensive rambling, hoping she had not made him uncomfortable.
"Oh yes, Miss Elizabeth. I enjoy it quite well. The library in Pemberley is one of the finest in the country, I've been told. I care not for how it ranks, though, only how well it supplies me with books." He gave her a disarming smile. Elizabeth laughed lightly and extended her agreement.
The crowd surrounding them looked on in awe as two beautiful couples became better acquainted. Those who knew Mr. Darcy previously watched in further shock as they observed his easiness of manner with the younger Bennet sister. Though not unfriendly, he was often more stoic during these parties—when he actually attended them, that is.
Lady Matlock watched her nephew from afar. She too was well aware of the odd event that just occurred. She knew Miss Elizabeth Bennet and she highly approved of her character. A good family name and strong connections and friendships. Not an awful dowry either. The second of five daughters, she was to inherit twenty thousand pounds. Not as large a sum as some females, however not in any way minimal. She too had other qualities to recommend her, unlike many other pathetic females in the ton.
Yes. This may just be something she'd have to encourage. A splendid match. Lady Matlock had found a seed and was determined to water it until it flourished.