A/N: Sorry for how long it's been since the last post, I've had a very busy few weeks. Hopefully this make it up to you, it's my longest chapter so far :) As always I want to say a big thank you to all those who have added this to their favourites/ reviewed it really makes my day when I hear that people are enjoying the story.
The wedding of Miss Jane Bennet to Mr Bingley of Netherfield went as weddings usually go: the bride blushed prettily and everyone announced how well the young couple looked together. Lovely as the ceremony was, most of the guests were more excited about the wedding breakfast and the ball to be held afterwards which, with Mr Bingley's £5000 a year, was sure to be a grand affair. Though not the usual custom the wedding breakfast was to be held at Netherfield, Mrs Bennet insisted this was for practicality reasons due to the large number of guests, but all her daughters knew she just wanted another opportunity to show it off to the neighbours.
After the wedding breakfast had been consumed there was a short break before the dancing was to begin. This time was passed in a pleasant manner with many of the guests taking this time to give their congratulations to the happy couple and catching up with friends. It was during this time that Mrs Bennet, Elizabeth and Charlotte Lucas sat together talking. "How well my Jane looks, just think she is mistress of all this now" and excited Mrs Bennet said looking round the room taking in the grandness of it all.
"Yes she does look happy doesn't she" Elizabeth replied looking over towards her sister and Mr Bingley smiling happily to herself when Mr Darcy walks passed them with a sullen look on his face. "But I do wish Mr Darcy would stop sulking, indeed his dark looks are spoiling the mood, really I don't understand him"
"I'm sure he is just worried about his sister Lizzie" Charlotte Lucas chided
"Worried about his sister indeed, people do not die of trifling little colds and the Dr. has said that her leg will be just fine in time. His brooding will not help her recover it just puts others in a foul mood!" Mrs Bennet interjected. Lizzie looked thoughtfully at the man in question, surely this shows an affection for his sister; but in that case would he not feel better at her bedside? At this thought Mr Darcy happened to look up at her with that haughty look of disapproval on his face prompting her to say, "No, Mr Darcy is angry because his sisters accident prevents him from leaving, I believe Mr Darcy can think of nothing worse than spending more time in the society of those he believes are far beneath him"
"I think you misjudge Mr Darcy Lizzie, I do not believe he thinks us all bad. He looks at you a good deal"
"I cannot think why, whenever he looks at me he always seems displeased. I feel quite sorry for Miss Darcy having such a disagreeable brother, for she seems like such a sweet girl I would not mind knowing her better"
Across the other side of the room Darcy was sulking, he knew it was childish but he was actually rather bored, he was worried about his sister and would really rather be attending her. He had upon returning from church gone directly up to his sister's room only to be shooed away, well as much as one can be shooed by a girl who cannot move from her bed. Georgiana had insisted that she needed rest and could not settle with him moping about in the room and so he was sent away to enjoy the festivities downstairs, though he felt far from festive. He was incredibly protective of his little sister and felt he needed to be even more so after the Ramsgate incident earlier in the summer. He had watched his little sister retreat into herself a great deal since then and it pained him to see her so affected by the mention of anything even remotely linked to George Wickham. Georgiana had refused to tell him what was said the other night that had affected her so badly, but he could only assume it had something to do with that scoundrel. He had since learnt from Bingley that Wickham had indeed been in the area recently but had disappeared after compromising a local young lady, sadly this tale did not surprise Darcy and he could only be grateful that they had not arrived sooner than they did. During Darcy's private musings the dancing had started and he was startled to suddenly find Charles at his side, his face jolly and slightly pink it was obvious he had already danced several dances. "Come Darcy, I must have you dance. I hate to see you moping about in this stupid manner. Miss Darcy is well taken care of, I'm sure she would rather you were dancing"
"I certainly shall not. Your sisters are both engaged at present and I am not well enough acquainted with any of the other ladies to make it a pleasant experience"
"Well I now have four more sisters for you to choose from, look there is Miss Elizabeth sitting down who is very pretty and I'm sure you would find her very agreeable" Darcy looked over at Elizabeth, she was indeed very pretty and was just about to say that he would go ask her to dance when Miss Lydia Bennet ran out in front of him squealing with delight and shouting over her shoulder to one of the officers something that sounded like "You'll have to catch me if you want it back." Darcy stared mortified at this un-ladylike display and firmly decided against dancing with any of the Miss Bennets. Realising that Bingley was still at his side waiting for a reply he thought of an excuse that would not offend Charles on his choice of in-laws. "I truly am in a terrible mood Bingley, I'm sure I would not be a very agreeable partner to anybody right now. You had better return to your wife and enjoy her pretty smiles; you are wasting your time with me." With that final comment Darcy bowed and quickly left the room desiring some peace he headed for the library.
Although she was seated too far away to hear what was being said Elizabeth had watched the little interaction between her new brother and Mr Darcy with interest. How such a charming agreeable man could be friends with the proud and brooding Mr Darcy was beyond her. She had not missed how he looked over at her almost contemplating something, nor had she missed Lydia's embarrassing display and the mortified look on Mr Darcy's face when he beheld it. Once again Elizabeth's family where making a spectacle of themselves, at least now though Jane was safe, she was now happily married to Mr Bingley.