Previously: Georgiana and Elizabeth run into Wickham outside of Meryton.

"What Reason weaves, by Passion is undone."

-Alexander Pope

Georgiana and Elizabeth were strolling about Netherfield's gardens when Georgiana brought up the subject of the Haye Park ball that was to occur the following night.

"Lizzy, what color dress will you be wearing tomorrow night?"

"White, with a dark green ribbon… Why do you ask?"

"Simple curiosity. I am very sad I'm not attending. Even though I'm not very comfortable in large gatherings, I would love to go. You'll have to tell me everything that happens."

"When will you be coming out into society?"

Georgiana smiled at the opportunity to talk about her brother to Elizabeth. "Fitzwilliam never really likes to talk about it, but I believe that if he finds a wife soon he would feel a lot more at ease when I do come out."

"Why is that?"

"Having a close female relative during that time would lessen my anxiety at the thought of talking to a room full of strangers. Going through that experience would be less daunting with someone at my side, and we both know Fitzwilliam is not the best person to socialize with. I'm encouraging him to find a wife before the next season. I think he already has a woman in mind."

Elizabeth was surprised at how much that bothered her, even though she was unable to figure out exactly why.

"Oh well that's…" Elizabeth let her sentence trail off, not quite sure where she meant to go with it.

"I hope him and Miss Bingley are happy together."

"Lizzy! You really must stop teasing me about my brother marrying Miss Bingley. It's quite harrowing. Besides, that's not who I was talking about."

"Oh?" Lizzy questioned, trying to keep her curiosity out of her voice. "And who were you talking about?"

Georgiana looked down and smiled slyly as if she held a big secret. "Oh, I couldn't possibly betray Fitzwilliam's trust. I will just say that it's someone you know really well, and I would be very content with her as my sister."

Lizzy had to fight her intense desire to know who she was talking about and replied with relative calm. "Well… I hope you succeed in your endeavors."

"Me too, Lizzy."

"Higgins!" Georgiana called to her brother's valet as he exited the kitchen.

"Yes, Miss Darcy?" Higgins replied.

"I need you to persuade Fitzwilliam to wear his dark green tailcoat to the ball at Haye Park tomorrow. It's very important."

"I will try my best." Higgins confusion was evident as Georgiana never took an interest in the appearance of her brother, but he did not question her.

Longbourn was in chaos the day of the Haye Park ball. Dresses and hair ornaments were scattered across Lydia and Kitty's room, and Elizabeth winced in pain in her bedchambers down the hall as Kitty and Lydia's screams echoed throughout the corridor.

"That's my ribbon, Lydia!"

"It is not, Kitty! It looks much better with my complexion anyways."

Kitty stomped her foot and yelled, "Mama!" the same time as Lydia.

Elizabeth sighed and rubbed her temples in frustration, praying that this ball would be worth the trouble it took to prepare. She had been futilely trying to make her curls behave, and almost exclaimed with joy when she finally managed to finagle one in its place, only to have it pop out again. Elizabeth groaned and started carefully placing pearls in her hair, ignoring the fact that her coiffure was not as carefully arranged as Jane's. It's not as if I'm trying to impress anyone. Elizabeth froze as an image of Mr. Darcy appeared in her mind. She then shook her head to get rid of that thought. That notion is simply ridiculous.

Nevertheless, Elizabeth dressed with more care than usual and was pleasantly surprised when her family arrived on time (considering the number of women in the house, this was considered a great feat). They entered Haye Park and waited in line to greet the host and hostess, who arrived the previous day. Mr. Hastings greeted Elizabeth with the great warmth, exclaiming about how joyous he was to see her. Mrs. Bennet looked on with great satisfaction as he paid special attention to her second eldest, not bothering to discern that Hastings was speaking with a tone more suitable for a friend than a suitor.

Elizabeth then turned to greet Miss Hastings and examined her with curiosity. Unknown to Elizabeth, Miss Claire Hastings was also mischievous like her brother, but disguised her personality under a sweet countenance. Claire had dark brown hair and blue eyes that were framed with long eyelashes; her beauty rivaled even Jane's. Her dress conveyed her family's wealth, but was not gaudy like Miss Bingley's attire. After conversing shortly with her, Elizabeth realized that Claire was sensible and good- humored. Elizabeth was excited about Claire's entrance in the neighborhood, and could tell that they were going to be good friends; Jane's feelings were similar to her sister's.

Mrs. Bennet, on the other hand, thought it was very unlucky to have yet another young, eligible woman move into Hertfordshire. Obviously, Miss Hastings was no competition for Lizzy's conquest, but her youngest two daughters had yet to find fitting suitors and Claire, with her wealth and beauty, was a threat to her quest to find husbands for her offspring. Nevertheless, Mrs. Bennet graciously welcomed her to the neighborhood and then went to find comfort with the excellent wine they offered.

The ballroom at Haye Park was aglow with the multitude of candles place around the room, and Elizabeth felt herself relax as she looked at the crowd of familiar faces. Unlike Elizabeth at that moment, Darcy was very unsatisfied with his situation. Caroline was the cause of their tardiness, as usual, and they were one of the last to arrive. They were, in fact, so late that the notes of the first dance could be heard as they entered the ballroom. Mr. Bingley huffed at the fact that he was unable to secure Jane's hand for the first set. Likewise, Darcy's heart dropped as he saw Hastings and Elizabeth lightly laughing together as they danced, oblivious to the rest of the room.

Darcy disengaged his arm from the clutches of Miss Bingley and walked slowly to the punch bowl on the opposite side of the room, trying too hard not to stare at Hastings and Elizabeth in despair. Darcy smiled slightly as imagined what how people would react if he acted on his sudden impulse to pick Elizabeth up and carry her all the way to Gretna Green. He walked past Mrs. Bennet, who was conversing with Lady Lucas, and listening to part of their discussion, surreptitiously stood next to them.

"Oh Lady Lucas, we expect a most advantageous marriage when Elizabeth weds Mr. Hastings. He is perfectly charming and so rich too! Seven thousand a year, and his estate is so close to Longbourn. Her marrying him must throw her sisters in the way of other rich men too! He chose her for the first dance. Oh, how he dotes on her! And Jane is…"

After these statements Darcy moved away to clear his thoughts, and therefore missed Mrs. Bennet's discussing her predictions of Jane's engagement to Mr. Bingley. So, the neighborhood is expecting an engagement now. Soon he will be forced to marry her, if only so people do not think he's playing with her hopes... Why am I not courting her again? Darcy stilled as he recalled the reasons he gave for not marrying Elizabeth. I sound… petty. She rescued Georgiana from Wickham, a feat I was barely able to achieve. Gratitude alone should convince me to marry her!

Darcy futilely attempted to list the advantages and disadvantages of an alliance with Elizabeth Bennet, but found that he was unable to listen to reason when the woman of his affections was currently dancing with a man who could possibly be her future husband. An image of Hastings touching Elizabeth intimately unwillingly entered his thoughts, and anger coursed through him, fast and steady like a dependable friend. Darcy could cope with anger; it was hesitation and doubt that he loathed. Once a decision was made, Darcy followed through with a determination and a fortitude that was admired by all of his acquaintance. Darcy knew that if he decided to pursue a relationship with Elizabeth, rejection was not an option. He also realized that he would be competing with Hastings, who Darcy grudgingly admitted could be charismatic at times. Darcy approached his future courtship of Elizabeth with the deliberation and prudence which was characteristic of him. If Hastings could read thoughts, he would have smiled widely at the images that flooded Darcy's mind.

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy was going to woo Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

Author's Note: The ball continues in the next chapter. Thank you everybody for the awesome reviews. They make my day!