Edited: 9.3.2012 - thanks to CherryBlossoms016 :) for pointing a few things out :)
Disclaimer: All Pride and Prejudice belongs to Jane Austen.
Prologue.
The ball at Netherfield Park was in full swing when the music suddenly stopped and the dancers paused mid step. Three handsome creatures appeared at the other end of the room from where Elizabeth Bennett stood.
She knew one of the three. A year and a half prior, when she had just turned twenty, she had spent some time with her favourite Aunt and Uncle Gardner in London. When she had resided in the capital for some time she met a man of her Uncle's acquaintance. Little did she know that this man would be the key to her heart.
Sir William Lucas led the three new arrivals up the middle of the sea of dancers, which parted like rapids in a river, skirting the outside of rocks peaking above water. The three magnificent specimens of manhood walked up the aisle of parted dancers, soaking in the envy at their elegance and grace.
The young gentleman at front of his party had light ginger hair and a warm smile on his full lips, his blue eyes sparkling as he took in the scene around him. The lady whom stood to the left of him, possibly his sister, was very pretty indeed though her facial expression ruined her looks. She had darker ginger hair, compared to her brother's bright. Her eyes were cold and disinterested, her face a mask of boredom, not paying any attention to anything around her except straight ahead.
As they passed her party, Lizzy felt eyes on her and looked up to meet a pair of coal black ones.
She felt her heart beat faster, and butterflies dance in her stomach. As her eyes locked with his she felt longing, and saw for a brief second that he felt the same, until he looked quickly away so as not to draw attention to each other.
They'd been in a secret courtship for just over one year and only a few select, well trusted people knew the nature of their relationship and how close they truly were. Her father was the most recent confidant - she had indulged her happy news with. He was upset at first that she hadn't told him about this before. She explained with the one word 'mother' and he understood her reasons for not telling her family about her new path in life after she told him about Darcy. Just before her supposed trip to her aunts and uncles in London. Jane hadn't come with her the first time she went because she had fallen ill and was told to rest.
When Sir William Lucas led the new arrivals to a raised dais, she watched as they turned around to face the crowd before them. She was amazed at how quickly the music started and sounded throughout the room once more, as a wave of cheers echoed around the room as the dancers regained their step on the dance floor.
Lizzy turned to find her sister Jane's twinkling eyes resting upon her with a knowing look and controlling a smile. For once Lizzy welcomed her mother's over-energetic excited self as she captured her and Jane's hands after she'd rounded up their three younger sisters: Kitty, Lydia and Mary. She rushed them up to keep up with her father whom was already talking to Sir William and the ginger haired man who she guessed to be Mr Bingley.
Lizzy watched, trying to hide her amusement as their mother lined them up and then giggled her way excitedly over to her husband.
"My dear Mr Bennet?" She gushed, trying and failing miserably at whispering. Her father turned his head slightly as if just realising her presence.
"Ah, yes." He paused. Lizzy felt her lip twitch with amusement and shared a knowing look with Jane.
"Mr Bingley!" Her father, bowed slightly, before straightening up.
"Please allow me to introduce to you my wife, Mrs Bennet, my eldest daughters Miss Elizabeth and Miss Jane Bennet, my youngest three daughters: Mary, Lydia and Kitty Bennet." With each name called out, they all curtsied and rose gracefully, or as gracefully as the two giggling youngest sisters could. Lizzy suspected they were high on punch or wine they'd persuaded some poor soul to get them.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance," said Mr. Bingley, all smiles, as he took them all in, his eyes rested on her a little longer than her sisters, before drifting back to her father. Darcy must havespoken of her to him
"I have never met so many pretty young ladies at once."
That was the end and all for Kitty and Lydia whom burst into giggling fits, she couldn't help the eye roll and then almost as if she expected it her father's voice calling her name as a command.
"Elizabeth."
She looked up and found his eyes resting upon her, a silent plea to bring her sisters under control.
"Father." She curtsied before turning and grabbing her sister's arms and dragging them away from public embarrassment. She felt Darcy's eyes on her all the way to the other end of the room where she found a quiet corner. A little harshly, to wake them up, she threw both Kitty and Lydia into the corner where they met the wall with a quiet thump.
"How did you get the alcohol?" She decided not to beat around the bush.
Both of their eyes widened." We haven't had " - giggle - "any alcohol, Izzy."
Lizzy arched an eye brow at Lydia's slurred words. Nobody called her Izzy. It was further proof of how intoxicated they were. Lydia and Kitty were gigglers by nature but their characters were too over the top for those that knew them well. Only their mother, always too blind to see through their acts, wouldn't have been able to tell of their current intoxicated states.
"Kitty?" she said firmly.
Kitty just giggled with a little burp and held her hand to her mouth, eyes wide and bright, that just made things worse for Lydia whom burst into fits of giggles due to the un-lady like sound that escaped her lips.
"I'm not going to get anywhere with you both like this and I refuse to allow you to embarrass father around new acquaintances..." She paused, and smirked. "I think it's best to take you both home," she said. That sobered them up. Immediately they lunged at her, pleading not to take them home, they were having so much fun dancing with officers and anyone who would dance with them.
Ah - she thought, that's how they got the alcoholic beverages. She'd got her answer, but still didn't feel they were capable of behaving.
"Well, let's see what father says," was all she said, before grabbing their hands and dragging them back up to the top of the room, where their party still stood with the Bingley party. Mother had her feet firmly planted - Lizzy knew this, she and Jane knew her mother's antics very well. She caught several giggles from Kitty and Lydia and they were all but half way up the hall when she heard Lydia gush.
"Oh Mr. Denny, Mr. Denny please save us," she giggled.
Lizzy felt her eyes flash in annoyance and she knew she'd have to turn around.
"I came for you as promised, Miss Lydia." She heard him pause. "You did promise me the next dance.."
Lizzy turned around, shoving her sisters behind her, due to still having hold of their hands. She heard them stumble but couldn't find it in her to care. She curtsied, and gave the young gentleman a hard look, daring him to challenge her next words or persuade her otherwise.
"I apologise sir, but my younger sisters are engaged elsewhere this evening with our party and are needed elsewhere before my mother panics due to their long absence..." When she said their word 'younger' the officer paled slightly and his eyes widened a little. She arched an eyebrow at this new discovery and realised Lydia and Kitty had been up to their old tricks.
"Forgive me madam." He bowed and left. Lizzy turned to look at her sisters her eyes hard and filled with warning. She knew they'd sobered up and had heard her converse with the young officer.
"I believe that will be the end of the evening for you both." She said, tight lipped. Their eyes widened and they begged her again but she played no attention to it and simply said: "Keep your tongues in check around mother." She warned, knowing her mother would be over the moon if her daughters caught the eye of any gentlemen in the room. Her greatest goal in life was to see her daughters married to a military man or a man with good fortune, hence the reason Lizzie had not indulged her family with the knowledge of the romance between herself and Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Thankfully her younger sisters seemed to realise even in their intoxicated state that they were in serious trouble and remained silent as she walked, and led them, up the side aisle of dancers back to their party. She briefly met Darcy's eyes, knowing he'd been keeping a close eye on her and her sisters before the ginger lady stole his attentions. Lizzy noticed him stiffen at her intrusion as clearly he didn't want to communicate with her, he said all but one or two words before ignoring even those within his own party.
When Lizzy reached the top dais she curtsied and asked after her father who bowed slightly to Mr Bingley before approaching the group. Their mother bustled over in all her glory skirts swishing side to side, and Lizzy held back a groan as her mother screeched.
"What is the meaning of this? Kitty, Lydia?" She couldn't control the eye roll this time. Luckily her mother was too busy fussing over her youngest two daughters who put on an act as only Lydia and Kitty could do. Lizzy kept hold of their hands.
"What is your verdict dear?" Her father asked her quietly whilst their mother fussed and Kitty and Lydia gushed complaints, clearly unable to do as they'd been asked by their elder sister.
"Intoxicated: it appears they've been up to their old tricks." She watched her father raise an eyebrow.
"Ah." His eyes drifted over her shoulder to his two younger daughters and his wife.
"Elizabeth Bennet! How could you?" Their mother shrieked.
Lizzy kept her face blank the whole time, her eyes locked onto her father's.
"Taking them away from potential possible future husbands; and officers too."
"That will do madam." Her father said in a firm voice but her mother was too far gone and rattled on.
Lizzy rolled her eyes.
"Mrs Bennet, I said that will do. Lizzy will be taking Lydia and Kitty home, for their wrong doings." He spoke loud and clear. That stopped her.
"What wrong doings? Surely you can't believe everything Elizabeth says sir. You always favour her above the others, except perhaps Jane. What's wrong with dancing with a few officers? Surely you want to see your daughters married to good men sir?"
"Indeed I do madam, but not in this case. I value my daughters' purity and reputations. Lydia and Kitty will be going home, and Lizzy will take them."
"But sir Longbourn is all but 3 miles away," she cried.
Lizzy was surprised when Darcy stepped in, having not been introduced publicly to each other yet.
"If I may, I can escort the ladies home in my carriage?"
"But Mr Darcy - you'll miss the party and ruin your own evening?" Her mother gushed.
"I do not care for public events Mrs Bennet. I only came out of respect for my good friend Mr Bingley." His voice was neutral, with a hint of annoyance.
"But sir, a young man such as you surely is in search of a wife? You'll miss a perfect opportunity tonight if you escort my daughters home because of my daughter's tattle-telling, and what of Jane my eldest, for she is the prettiest!" she cried.
"Mrs Bennet." Her father said, finally having enough.
"Mr Darcy has offered to escort our daughters home and the assistance of a carriage. It is my final decision, not Lizzy's so stop ruining her good name with your petty attempts at persuasion, for your youngest daughter's wrong doings I've been aware of all evening."
He then turned to Mr. Darcy and said, "I apologise for my wife's behaviour sir,but please allow me to introduce my other daughters. Jane, my eldest, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Lydia my youngest." he introduced. Lizzy was impressed.
Nobody would know that she and Fitzwilliam already knew each other and were well acquainted too. She was pleased she could fully trust her father; and Jane - her own friend and confident outside the family: Charlotte Lucas who Darcy's letters were delivered to instead of her own home; and her aunt and uncle Gardner. She briefly wondered where Jane was as she was nowhere to be seen and neither was Mr Bingley. Only his sour faced sister remained in company.
She curtsied, as did her two sisters, somewhat clumsily.
"Now we are all introduced, I would like to make haste, before my friend can persuade me otherwise." Lizzy had to control a smirk, and her eyes twinkled with amusement.
"Do you not care to dance Mr Darcy?" She asked him.
"Not with those I'm unfamiliar with Miss Bennet." He responded sharply and bluntly with disinterest, as he had with others, treating her no differently - but she knew better. This was all just an act in front of strangers, behind the mask, he was a perfect gentleman.
"Mr. Darcy, Lizzy. I hate to interrupt but whilst the girls are quiet, I suggest you take Lydia and Kitty back to Longbourn now, before my wife can intervene further, for she is distracted for the moment," her father said.
Lizzy followed her father's gaze, and saw her mother's facial expression, then followed her gaze to find Jane and Mr Bingley dancing. Lizzy had to bite her lip to stop herself from chuckling. Knowing exactly what was on her mother's mind, he turned her head back to face her father, her eyes twinkling with amusement and a smirk playing on her lips which she could no longer control.
"Good luck, father." She said.
He looked back to her, amusement clear in his eyes." I trust my daughter's safety this night with you Mr. Darcy." He said, taking Elizabeth's hand.
"Your daughters are safe in my care sir." Darcy responded.
"Miss Bennet?" He offered her his arm. She curtsied and her father squeezed her hand - Her mother had yanked Kitty and Lydia away from her some time ago. before letting go as she accepted Darcy's arm. She felt at home as soon as her fingers touched the familiar fabric of his long black waist coat.
"Kitty, Lydia." Her father's voice, sharp but quiet so not to gain notice from his wife, gained his daughter's attention.
"You are to follow Mr Darcy and Lizzy to the carriages, and you are not to leave their company until you are home. You are not to disobey your sister." He demanded, in a firm voice. They curtsied.
"Yesss fa-th-er," they slurred. Lizzy grabbed hold of Lydia's hand knowing she was more of the trouble maker and more likely to escape. Mr Darcy bowed to her father and she curtsied wishing her father good night as Lydia grabbed hold of Kitty's hand and Mr Darcy led them through the sea of people out into the courtyard. They walked in silence but she didn't care, she was just happy being with him once more, even under these circumstances.
Fitzwilliam ordered his carriage to be brought around front and, whilst nobody was in view as most guests where inside enjoying the ball and Kitty and Lydia lost within their own intoxicated world, he brought his hand up to hold onto hers that rested upon his arm. She looked up and met his lingering gaze. He leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"I understand your fears of your mother, now I have seen for myself." His voice returned to the normal gentle familiar tone she'd grown familiar with.
"Indeed. Now you may also understand why I said to address your letters to Charlotte, Sir William daughter!" She gave him an 'I told you so' look at which he smirked and replied with an amused "Yes, dear." They heard the sound of a carriage and quickly straightened up.
Kitty and Lydia missed their sister's exchange with the handsome Mr Darcy completely, arguing over the officers and which one was more handsome.
The journey to Longbourn was quiet, Lizzy hoped Fitzwilliam wasn't too annoyed with her sister's arguing. She felt him stiffen at a time when one of her sisters mention a Mr Wickham but chose not to question him this time, instead stored it away to ask him another day.
When the carriage pulled up outside her home, she saw Mr and Mrs Hill come out of the house and approach the carriage. Darcy stepped out and helped Lydia and Kitty down and then herself. He held onto her hand longer than he did Kitty and Lydia.
When the elder couple approached Lizzy gave them instructions after introducing Mr Darcy to them. They took a reluctant Lydia and Kitty into their care whilst she lingered in Fitzwilliam's company a while longer. He seemed to be doing the same as her, and waited until their company was out of sight.
She knew nobody would be able to see them from this distance away from the house, enveloped in darkness. The only source of light coming from the house didn't reach where they stood. He seemed to be thinking along the same lines as her for he took her hand and pulled her into him, bringing her into an embrace, his coal-black eyes boring into her brown ones.
"I need to see you," he whispered. "All this night, I've wanted nothing more than to drag you away and have you to myself as we were at Pemberley." She shivered at the memory of their time alone together - his sister was away visiting an aunt and it had been just them.
Lizzy lifted her hand up and placed it around the back of his neck as she melted into him.
"And I you," she whispered, before his lips met hers in a welcoming kiss. They only pulled away when they needed a moment to regain their breath but they didn't pull apart. He rested his forehead against hers.
"Lizzy..." he breathed. Lizzy glanced towards the house. She knew he was an early riser like herself.
"Meet me half way between Netherfield Park and Longbourn tomorrow morning just before sunrise," she whispered. She needed him just as much as he needed her. Their relationship was more close than anyone ever realised, for she had played her part well, not letting on just how close they were.
He leaned in to capture her lips again and whispered before parting. "I'll be there." He kissed her one more time before, reluctantly, leaving.
A/N: Hehehehe - I've often mused over what things could have been like if Lizzy and Darcy had met before :) What do you all think of this turn of events and your thoughts on Mr. Darcy and Lizzy's secret courtship?