The room at Rosings Park was as it always was, big, extravagant, and filled with the sound of Lady Catherine de Bourghs' commanding voice, which with each syllable demanded attention, and she was in possession of every persons' in the room.
"Come and play for us," Her voice rang out, demanding as usual, Elizabeth straightened her form and replied in the negative, it would not do to embarrass her cousin, she though prudently. But when Lady Catherine boasted about her love for music and insisted on her playing for their 'enjoyment' she realized she was not allowed, or expected to refuse.
She was interrupted in her attempt to politely decline again by Mr Collins, no less.
"Come come, Lizzy," She stared at him, shocked that he would ignore her wishes so completely, "Her Ladyship demands it." She realized that this was a losing battle, there would be no point arguing the point any further. She slowly made her way across the fine room to the piano forte and sat gracefully on the small stool. She looked through the sheet music that Lady Catherine owned as she felt Her Ladyships' gaze on her, and after a few moments of looking she started to play one of the few songs she knew by heart.
The conversation continued on the subject of music with Lady Catherine enquiring after Mr Darcy's sister.
"I hope Georgiana practices," Lady Catherine spoke to Mr Darcy, "no excellence can be acquired without constant practice, I've told Mrs Collins this," at this she shifted her focus. "Though you have no instrument of your own, you're very welcome to come to Rosings and play on the piano forte in the housekeeper's room, you'll be in nobody's way in that part of the house." Elizabeth thought of this as a rude comment disguised as a kind gesture, but kept her mouth shut. Mr Collins however, was overjoyed at His Ladyships' kind gesture.
It was at that moment that Mr Darcy made his way over with Colonel Fitzwilliam, she thought coming to Rosings would help her take this proud man out of her mind,in fact it did just the opposite. However it did seem a little unreasonable that her attempt at solace from him was his own Aunt's house. They spoke about nothing in particular however the subtext, if you could read it, was saying everything. It was just at that moment however that Lady Catherine's loud forceful voice rang out.
"Fitzwilliam, I need you!" Mr Darcy felt rather defensive over his previous actions; why he needed to justify himself to the Lady in front of him, he did not know. Elizabeth, however, was using this conversation to test his character and to understand him better. She attempted this via teasing. She found that one's true manner, and more deeply, their character could be measured through their reactions.
The rest of the night passed as one could imagine a night at Rosings would; Lady Catherine gave her opinion, Mr Collins agreed, the Colonel laughed, Darcy brooded, and the Hertfordshire women were silent. Elizabeth took comfort and strength from the presence of her best friend Charlotte. Almost every day she thought about the day she would no longer see Charlotte. Their lives were going to be separate, she knew that was what happened when a woman got married and she knew it was coming sooner than she'd wished. As the night drew to a close she noticed that a certain gentleman was staring at her with an intensity that she had not seen on his face before. There was something in his eyes, anger, resolution and something she couldn't quite place. Could it be sadness? She couldn't understand why she could excited such emotions from him.
As they were leaving the house Mr Darcy bent into a low bow and bid them farewell.
"Mr Collins," he paused finally looking at Elizabeth, "Mrs Collins." She gave him a small curtsy and turned away, her emotions all meddle into a confusing concoction in her mind, so much so that she was unsure of what was happening. She barely even registered him saying, "Miss Lucas," as Mr Collins took her arm and led her out of the large house.