Elizabeth admired her room. It was a lot grander than hers and Jane's room. The bed, which she was sleeping in, now would have taken up most of her room back home. It was big enough to fit three people in. It was covered with velvet sheets and a blanket made out of the same soft material. She put her hairpins and jewellery in a small dressing table beside her bed. On the opposite side of the room was a small sofa and next to it to Lizzy's surprise was a Tv! Elizabeth wondered if this really was a guest room. The guest room at her house consisted of just a small bed and an equally small wardrobe. The room was not painted in a rosy red, with an exotic rug to match or equipped with TV's and sofas.
However even with all the luxuries, Elizabeth felt surprising lonely in such a grand room and missed the comfort of her own room. Nevertheless, she was very grateful to be able to stay with Jane for another day.
Elizabeth woke up the next morning to a high-pitched squeal most likely coming from either Kitty or mother. She got up immediately and refreshed herself trying to get downstairs as soon as possible. She went to the room she had most commonly used to find her mother and three sisters seated there, admiring the living room and its furnishings.
"My what a lovely house this is Mr Bingley," Mrs Bennet said, "I do hope you plan to stay here."
"Oh yes Mrs Bennet. I find this town splendid." Mr Bingley turned to Mr Darcy who was standing next to him, "Don't you Darcy?"
Mr Darcy spoke for the first time that morning only offering a short answer, "I find it perfectly adequate." Lizzie resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
Lydia looked very excited as she asked Mr Bingley, "Mr Bingley is it true you are going to hold a ball. I do hope you will!"
"A ball?"
"Oh yes please do. It'll be a perfect way to make new friends." Kitty chipped in.
Mr Bingley smiled, "When your sister is feeling better you shall name the date." The two sisters squealed in delight each talking about the dresses they were going to wear while Lizzy, sitting on the opposite sofa, fidgeted playing with her hands. Thankfully Jane emerged soon after and declared she was ready to go home thanking the Bingleys enormously for letting her stay and for looking after her. Mr Bingley was pleased and told her to come again the next time she felt the least bit poorly and then had called for a taxi. When they were just about to leave Jane first said goodbye to Mr Darcy who merely nodded and then to Mr Bingley. Her goodbye to Mr Bingley was very long. When Elizabeth was just about to head out the door Mr Darcy said, "I hope you have a safe journey Miss Elizabeth."
Elizabeth turned quickly. She was surprised that Mr Darcy had spoken to her after her recent remarks. "Thank you Mr Darcy" She said briskly and then left.
Elizabeth could barely bear it in the taxi with her mother prattling on about how she could foresee Mr Bingley asking Jane to be his girlfriend and then later on asking her to marry him. Jane blushed trying to calm her mother down but didn't succeed. Lydia and kitty talked of the men they may meet at the ball whilst Mary commented on a ball being a bad way to make friends.
When they arrived back home Jane hid her surprise well when she saw Mr Collins dining with them. Mrs Bennet was going on and on to Mr Bennet about how well Mr Bignley and her Jane went together while Elizabeth shot frantic looks at her older sister every time Mr Collins flirted with her. Jane couldn't ask her sister about Mr Collins that night because they were so tired they went to sleep almost immediately. However, the next day when all the sisters went to town, with Mrs Bennet and with Lizzy's best friend Charlotte, Elizabeth had plenty to say to Jane and Charlotte about Mr Collins.
Elizabeth walked in-between both of them letting Mother walk past them.
As soon as mother walked past Jane immediately asked, "Lizzy who is that man staying at our house who was staring at you yesterday at dinner?"
"Ooh Lizzy tell about this admirer."Charlotte said nudging Elizabeth. Lizzy scowled, "He is a dreadful man. He is Papa's cousin and can throw us out whenever he wants."
"Why?" Jane asked exasperated.
"Because the estate belongs to him and not us. Even my piano stool belongs to Mr Collins. Mama is trying to set me up with him no doubt so that we can keep the house. But he is absolutely dreadful!"
Jane smiled, "I'm afraid I'll have to agree with you. He talks with is mouth wide open. You can see the food he's eating and sometimes it comes out of his mouth."
"Urgh!" Charlotte groaned.
Lizzy admired the jewellery in the shop. They were beautiful with different gems in each one. As she turned she bumped into someone almost falling to the floor. Thankfully, the man caught hold of her just in time. He crouched down and picked something up handing it to Elizabeth. It was her scarf, "Yours I believe," He said. His voice was light and smooth, he was very handsome, and Lizzy caught herself involuntarily admiring him. She took the scarf, "Thank you."
Kitty and Lydia ran up behind her. Lydia said, "Oh Lizzy did Mr Wickham pick up your scarf as well? Isn't he just perfect?"
"Mr Wickham is a lieutenant." Kitty added gazing at him.
Mr Wickham looked directly at Elizabeth, "A dazzled lieutenant." Lizzy blushed.
Lydia tugged at Elizabeth's arms, "Come one lets go look at some scarves. They look amazing."
"Shall we go look for some scarves together?" Mr Wickham suggested. Kitty and Lydia squealed in delight running ahead of them to the scarves section while Mr Wickham let Elizabeth go in front of him. As they got to the scarves Mr Wickham said, "I shouldn't even look. I have very bad taste in scarves."
Elizabeth smiled, "Only a man truly confident of himself will admit to that."
"Well it's true and belts. When it comes to belts I have very poor tastes."
Lizzy laughed, "You must be the laughing stock of the army. What do your superiors do with you?"
"They just ignore me. I am worthless so it's easy to do that."
Elizabeth smiled in pity but they were soon interrupted by Lydia who asked her, "Can you lend me some money dear sister." Elizabeth knew her sister wanted something when she was overly kind. She shook her head, "Absolutely not you already owe me a fortune Lydia."
Mr Wickham smiled, "Allow me," He said reaching into his pockets.
"Oh no Mr Wickham..."
"No really it's my pleasure." He said handing Lydia a note.
Elizabeth smiled breaking into another conversation with him. Lizzy liked him; he was very easy to talk to. They stayed together for the rest of the shopping trip and he showered her with many compliments. What kind of a girl didn't like that?
Please review! I really want to know what you think of it.
Thanks for reading.
