- Chapter Two
Darcy watched the back of the retreating woman as she walked through the doors with an equal mix of shock and curiosity. The way she stood up to Lady Catherine (who presented a formidable enough front without having the "pleasure" of knowing her) hinted at a spirited personality beneath the elegance of her evening wear. His aunt was saying something next to him that was no doubt very rude to the girl in question, but he paid her no attention as a grin spread over his face. When she turned briefly to look at him and reciprocated his smile, he was struck once more by her. It was not only her beauty, which was extraordinary even if it was in more of an earthy sense, but the intelligence and spark in her eyes made her so completely different to most of the women he was forced to socialise with. He did not take his eyes off her as Richard walked up to stand beside him.

"Who was that and where can I get one?" Seeing that Darcy's attention was no longer with her, Lacy Catherine walked away in a huff, hoping that the Bingley's would provide a more sympathetic ear to her grumblings.
"I don't know, but I intend to find out." Darcy craned his neck, hoping for a last glimpse of the striking figure in red.
"Oh, spiked your attention has she?" Richard elbowed his cousin in the ribs. "Remind me to shake her hand for luring the elusive Will Darcy out of his shell."
Darcy turned to face his cousin, giving him a stern look. "You enjoy that Handshake, Rich, with any luck it will be the only physical contact that you ever have with her.
"Wow, she's really made an impression." Richard winked at Darcy who shot a glare back at him. "Relax, I'll back off. But you should definitely go for it. Just think of how happy it will make Lady C." He chuckled and walked away, leaving Darcy to scowl after his retreating back. Sighing, he looked around and saw Caroline making her way over to him, her simpering smile plastered in place. Luckily, he managed to duck through the doors before she could sink her claws into him. He did not have the energy to try to be polite to Caroline tonight.
Darcy began his rounds of the room, stopping to shake hands and make small talk with important people, all of whom addressed him respectfully before trying to pull him into a discussion about politics, finances or some new scheme. Darcy made his excuses before these conversations became too serious, claiming that he wanted to enjoy one night without having to worry about business. He amused himself that even hospitals where people were supposed to want to work out of a deep seated desire to help people had more than their fair share of fortune hunters and people desperate to share in the influence that his name held.

It was when Darcy was enjoying a brief respite, leaning against one of the pillars that framed the room that Bingley caught up to him.
"Having fun?" He asked.
"Yes, am having the most splendid evening. You know me, I just love these events. All the schmoozing and leering faces really make for the most wonderful evening." Darcy turned to Bingley with a sarcastic grimace plastered across his face. "And all the women here are just so riveting."
"Come now, I saw the way you looked after that girl in red. Maybe this night won't be as bad as all the others." Bingley replied.
"Shut up."
"Or perhaps you would more enjoy the company of Caroline; you know she lives to make you happy. You really should give her a chance, you know." Darcy stared at Bingley with and incredulous look on his face. Charles started laughing as he took in the expression his friend wore.
"Idiot!" Darcy scowled at Bingley. "Don't you dare say something like that again. Bloody hyena."
Charles immediately stopped laughing and glared at Will. "Dick. You know, Willy, I think I see Caro coming over here now." With that, Charles sent him and evil smirk and pushed Will in the direction of his sister before disappearing into the throng of people.
"Twat…"

"Willy! There you are, darling, I've been looking everywhere for you." Darcy turned to face the oncoming storm that was Caroline Bingley. She must have once been a rather beautiful lady, but now, thanks to the Botox, the only two expressions that ever graced her face were sickly sweet or disgusted, both of which left him feeling mildly (or largely) nauseated. And all he could think of as he looked at her now was 'snake'. The figure-hugging, sequined green dress resembled scales and her red hair looked like she was trying to warn that she was poisonous.
"Isn't this the dreariest party? All anyone wants to talk about is cancer or surgeries or money!"
"Caroline, it's a hospital charity ball, there are going to be doctors around and people who are interested in their work and who want to help by donating. That's the idea." Will said in a monotone. Caroline Bingley could turn a conversation about anything into the most tedious five minutes of anyone's life; if you had the good-fortune to only be subjected to her for five minutes.
"Of course, dear. How silly of me. You are so clever, Will. I'm sure that the board is simply honoured to have you here."
"I come here every year, I'm sure that they're used to it by now." Will scanned the ballroom searching for an escape of any kind. "Caroline, please excuse me, I see Dr Branson over there and I really must speak to him." Will walked away before she could respond or offer to come with him, not caring how rude he seemed.

He talked to the Chief of Staff without really paying attention to what he had to say other than to register the fact that the hospital had a new neurosurgeon that was absolutely fantastic. He realised he had forgotten that Dr Branson had a tendency to waffle on without realising it.
"Excuse me, sir, but I'm afraid that I need to steal Mr Darcy away for a moment, there is someone he needs to see." Will turned around to see his cousin standing behind him with an apologetic smile.
"Of course. I need to carry on with the rounds as will."
"I could kiss you right now." Darcy said as the Doctor walked away.
"Yeah? Well don't. Not only is incest illegal but I think it would send the wrong impression."
"Whatever. So, is there someone that I actually need to see, or was that just a brilliant ruse on your part?"
"Well, it was brilliant, but there is actually someone." Richard nodded his head at something behind Darcy's back. Will turned around to see the girl in red talking to a blonde woman in a gold gown. The two were laughing at something and the blonde gave the other a gentle shove who, after a few more words, turned and walked away. She scanned the ballroom, looking for something, but her eyes caught his instead. She gave a small smile before moving towards the bar. Darcy mirrored her actions on the other side of the dance floor, trying to keep her in view between the dancing couples. She disappeared behind a crowd of people and he was so busy looking for here that he nearly crashed into Charles.

"Woah, watch out."
"Sorry mate." Darcy saw the girl appear again, look over at him and give a small laugh before moving on again. "Damn!" He swore.
"Steady on, Don Juan, you can resume you staring competition in a second. Just watch out, Lady C is looking for you and she's got her fangs out tonight."
"Bugger, can't you feed her some story saying I'm discussing a business proposition or something like that?" Darcy asked.
"I'll try, but I don't know how long she'll buy it for. Maybe I'll push her in the direction of the Chief of Staff saying that he is very interested in her ideas for the improvement of the hospital." Charles mused.
"Poor sod, he won't know what's hit him. Thanks mate, I'll catch up with you later." Darcy clapped Bingley on the shoulder and started walking towards the bar.
His pace quickened slightly when he caught a glimpse of her through the crowd. He paused when he was a couple of metres away from her; admiring the way her dress showed off her neck and shoulders. He took a deep breath and walked up slowly behind her.

"Whisky on the rocks , thanks." He said to the bartender before coming to stand next to her. She turned to face him recognition lighting up her face before her eyes moved quickly over the rest of his body. "You know, we haven't been properly introduced, and I would very much like to meet the woman who managed to silence my aunt."
"Elizabeth. Lizzy." She said, holding her hand out to him.
"I'm Will." He shook her hand, perhaps holding onto it for a bit longer than necessary. A blush slowly spread across her cheeks but she kept looking into his face. Once again, he found himself staring into her eyes.
"Miss? Your Bellini and your Black Russian. And your whisky, sir." The bartender interrupted their moment, perhaps for the better. They both turned to the bar and took their respective drinks.
"You're not here with anyone, are you?" Darcy asked, gesturing to the two drinks she had.
"Just my sister. The Russian is mine." He scolded himself for the small thrill that ran over his body. "You?" She asked.
"Not like that." He noticed that her blush deepened a bit, painting her cheeks a lovely rosy colour.
"I should probably deliver this drink." She went to move past him, but he grasped her elbow to stop her. Lizzy turned to face him, their bodies closer than before. Unconsciously, he leaned closer to her and breathed in the scent of her perfume as she looked up into his face.

"Lizzy, have you got that drink?" A voice came from behind Lizzy and she quickly stepped away and turned to it. Darcy frowned at the loss.
"Still having a bad night?" Charlie walked up behind Darcy and looked at the two girls.
"Well, it looked to be improving, but…"
"Don't worry, I'll disappear soon, I just couldn't let you third wheel, could I? And at least you could introduce me to the blonde now, she's stunning!" Darcy rolled his eyes but turned back to face the ladies. Their conversation had stopped and Lizzy had given the other the Bellini.
"Will, this is my sister, Jane. She is the new neurosurgeon here. Jane, this is Will."
Darcy shook Jane's hand. "It's a pleasure. This is my friend, Charles. He doesn't do anything here, he just mooches off my generosity."
"Shut up. That's not true, I donate every year. It's lovely to meet you, ladies." Even though Bingley addressed both women, Darcy could see the way that his eyes singled out Jane. He shook his head at his friend and looked at Lizzy; she was smiling at her sister and Charles, but turned at him when she felt his eyes on her. They looked at each other for a while, tuning back into the other conversation when they heard Charles ask Jane if she wanted to dance. Jane accepted and passed her drink to Lizzy before letting Charles escort her to the dance floor.
Darcy watched the way Lizzy's eyes lit up as she laughed at the retreating couple's backs. She faced him again and Darcy tried to make it look like he hadn't been staring.
"What about you, Will? Do you dance?" She asks
"Usually not if I can help it." He replies and then lowers his voice a little. "But I think I could be brought to make an exception."