A/N - first attempt at modern PnP. Probably my only attempt. I am trying to keep it canon. Feel free to point out errors. I have written this story and will be updating quickly. Its not as well edited as my last lot of stories so forgive me any errors. if it makes you feel better point them out and I will edit as I go. Thanks for reading

Chapter 2 egotism and intolerance

When she emerged, Jane was waiting for her

"They are over there, she said waving across the room. He's very cute isn't he?" Jane was smiling. Of course, that wasn't unusual for Jane.

"Yes, but remind me to tell you what I overheard his friend saying" Jane looked at her concerned and Elizabeth waved it away "another time. Let's just enjoy meeting a new person!"

They made their way over to the table on the other side of the room. Bingley jumped up as they approached "hello again. We've got a table and ordered a bottle of wine. The waitress will be back soon to take our food order." Elizabeth and Jane took their seats "Darcy can I introduce Jane and Elizabeth Bennet, ladies this is my good friend William Darcy. What brings you here this evening?"

Elizabeth didn't think he was going to pause for breath. When he did Jane told him they always tried to go out one night a week. Else they would sometimes not see each other for weeks. When they were asked the same question Charles launched in to an explanation

"We are celebrating. I've just successfully negotiated to expand my business to New York."

"Congratulations!" Jane sounded so enthusiastic and Bingley beamed at her

"Thank you. My father and I created the company and he had hoped to expand but we never managed to until now. Darcy here was a big help. He is a lawyer but also owns his own company which has a base in America, amongst other places." He clapped his friend over the shoulder but Darcy didn't lift his eyes from the menu, a brief frown flickered across Bingley's face before the happy smile settled back "and what do you two do?"

Elizabeth would have answered but the question, as with most of the conversation, was addressed to Jane so she let her answer "I work for the vetanary charity pdsa. I am a nurse at some of their clinics and hospitals, I vary."

"That's amazing." Lizzie rolled her eyes again at the enthusiasm unfortunately she flicked her eyes to Darcy and saw he was looking at her over his menu, she raised one eyebrow at him and he quickly looked down. She shook her head a little and focused on the menu again. When the waitress came back she ordered a burger, Jane had a Jamaican chicken salad, Bingley ordered the same. She had to cough to cover a laugh. Darcy ordered steak.

"Lizzie was going to go to study law but changed her mind to philosophy and psychology."

Darcy finally spoke up "what made you change your mind?"

Elizabeth looked right at him "I found I don't really like lawyers" she turned back to the others ignoring his look of surprise "mostly I found the combination philosophy and psychology interesting. Study of human though both past and present and how you can apply both to understand the people around you better. It's a big help in my job. I found I can read people pretty well and so I can figure out how to sell them something too."

"So you are in sales?" Elizabeth almost jumped at the sound of his voice, so far they had spent almost forty five minutes with him not saying anything, now two questions in as many minutes?

"No, I am in advertising" she was quite proud of her job and having been promoted to area manager recently she had good reason to think herself good at it "I am just starting as head of department. We are moving offices this week and I've been helping out. That's why I looked like a wreck when I first got here" she was looking at Jane as she said it but saw Darcy blanch at the expression. She also saw Bingley shoot him a look.

Luckily their food arrived and everyone tucked in.

Lizzie was the first to finish, many people commented that she inhaled her food, but she couldn't change that.

"Bingley, you said something about sisters? Were they supposed to be here tonight?"

"Hmm yes, but Caroline and Louisa are notoriously unreliable. I don't think I told them Darcy would be here. They would never miss that!" He shot a grin at his friend who grimaced in response. "Do you have any other siblings? Other than Jane of course" he grinned his grin at her. Elizabeth was glad Bingley had shown interest in Jane and not her. He seemed nice but there was no way she could handle this much smiling.

"Yes, we have two other sisters. Mary and Lydia. And a dog Kitty" both gentlemen looked at her in surprise

"It was ironic! She's a very loyal, quiet old retriever and she follows Lydia around wherever she goes. She's practically one of us!" They all laughed.

"Four sisters in one house. I don't know whether to envy or fear your father! Although if they are all as lovely as you two he had no trouble I am sure!"

Lizzie and Jane exchange glances "well, uh. We are all quite different! Mary is studying religious studies and morality at university. She's quite opinionated on, well everything. Lydia is only 15 and is" Lizzie had to pause while thinking about her sister

"Energetic?" Jane supplied the kindest word, she did always think the best.

Lizzie laughed "yes energetic, I think my father was quite shocked when she hit teenager years. Jane here was always this lovely, I think I tested my mother more than my father, Mary was too devout to be any trouble. Lydia is making up for it all I think!" The sisters shared a laugh

Music started and the open area between the tables and the bar became a dance floor. Bingley immediately dragged Jane on to the floor sending Darcy a meaningful glance at Elizabeth. Lizzy just watched them walk away sighing, "foolishness and curiosity"

"I beg your pardon"

Elizabeth had once again forgotten there was a fourth at the table, or at least forgotten there was one who would talk. "Oh nothing!" He continued looking at her, with his deep blue eyes, she had only just noticed that having assumed dark eyes. "Just a quote about the first rush of love that it's nothing but foolishness and curiosity"

"George Bernard Shaw!"

Elizabeth looked at him quizzically "the very same." If she hadn't spent most of the night sat at the table trying to make conversation with this man she would now have something else to say. Instead she decided to leave well enough alone. She had had enough humiliation at his hands today. Darcy looked like he wanted to say something more and just opened his mouth when his phone rang. He snatched it up and said hello and was walking away before Elizabeth could blink. She actually laughed at the look of relief on his face.

Bingley and Jane popped back not long after and seeing her alone offered to sit with her. She declined suggesting they enjoy themselves, claiming fatigue, she started home.