Late in the summer, Mr Darcy travelled to Hertfordshire for Bingley's wedding to Miss Jane Bennet, daughter of Thomas Bennet of Longbourn, Hertfordshire. Caroline had been most disappointed that her dear Georgiana wasn't attending. On this point Darcy was adamant. Georgiana was not out in society, and since she barely knew Mr Bingley and had never met the bride, it was not appropriate for her to attend. Besides, he had just hired her a companion now that she was becoming a young lady, and was eager to see how Mrs Younge would perform her duties without his constant presence.
Caroline was stung at the lack of familiarity between their families. Surely Mr Darcy thought enough of their family to want his sister to participate in the festivities? But Mr Darcy would not be swayed.
Mr Darcy arrived at Netherfield the eve of the wedding, and planned to leave the day following. This was another blow to Caroline. Surely he'd wish to stay and visit for longer? Mr Darcy expressed his regrets, but his business dealings prevented more than a few days leave.
From what he had seen, Hertfordshire seemed like quaint countryside, and the estate of Netherfield was impressive, even by Darcy's impossibly high standards. Darcy was most pleased for his friend. Bingley beamed at Darcy's approval. He only hoped for the same reaction to his bride.
The wedding day dawned bright and sunny, and Charles and Jane Bingley were proclaimed as the most handsome couple, and were joined for life. Darcy had to concede that Bingley had indeed found himself a beautiful bride. He preferred dark hair himself, but there was no denying that Jane Bennet no, Jane Bingley, was a very handsome woman.
As the couple exited the church, Darcy looked past the flower petals and rice filling the air and saw her.
The most beautiful girl he'd ever seen.
He involuntarily sucked in his breath, and time stood still.
She was wearing yellow, and her cheeks were flushed pink with happiness. Her dark eyes twinkled and shone, her dark hair framed her face perfectly. She was laughing, and her graceful hand slowly reached up and released a handful of petals.
A few landed on Darcy.
She must have sensed him, for her eyes looked up. Dark eyes met pale blue, and neither person could move. For what seemed like an eternity, the pair remained locked in an intense gaze that said volumes; even though they'd never spoken, while the world continued around them.
Darcy's breath became ragged and he was suddenly aware his knees were weak.
Without removing her eyes from his face, the girl curtseyed slightly. Darcy dipped his head solemnly, not willing to tear his eyes from her beautiful face.
All too quickly she ran off, and Darcy fell out of his trance. He watched her with an intense gaze as she rushed after the couple, sensing this was no ordinary girl.
What had just happened? Darcy had seen and admired pretty girls before, but never had a young lady been able to pierce his heart and soul with just a glance. Never had anyone caused his heart to pound and leave him breathless... Until now.
As Darcy followed the procession to Longbourn for the wedding breakfast he had one thought on his mind.
Who is that girl?

Elizabeth practically ran after her sister and new brother, thoroughly unnerved by the tall gentleman outside the church. His gaze had been so piercing, as if he could see into her very soul. Elizabeth had felt the blood rushing in her ears, and the fluttering feeling in her stomach. The hair stood up on the back of her neck, and she knew that who ever he was, he was still watching her. A brief glance backwards saw the man, his blue eyes still locked upon her, his face unreadable.

Who was that man, with his tall opposing figure, staring so intensely at her?

Back at Longbourn, Elizabeth helped her mother settle the wedding guests, and direct people to the refreshments table. In the rush of people, she had lost sight of the tall man, and breathed a sigh of relief. She was not sure she welcomed the feelings brought on by that man.

Mr Bennet had been nearby and heard Elizabeth's sigh.

"Too much fuss for you, Lizzy? Are you not yet ready to become Miss Bennet? Or are you pining after your own lover wishing it was you in Jane's position?" Mr Bennet never gave up an opportunity to tease.

Elizabeth merely smiled at her father. "Fear not, papa. I have not any inclination to marry. Only the deepest love would induce me to, and thus far the only two men with a claim on my heart each have the name Bennet!"

Mr Bennet chuckled, as Elizabeth pecked him on the cheek.

"But dear Lizzy! You seem unnerved. Whatever is the matter?"

Taken aback by his observance, Elizabeth quickly thought of a reason. She could not very well say that she was rattled by the gaze of a man in a lane way!

"I am merely mourning the loss of my dearest sister, papa. She is firstly Mr Bingley's wife now, and secondly my sister."

"Mmm, yes, it is a tough thing to accept, something I believe I will struggle with myself. Particularly since I must go through it six times. My dear, take my advice. Be happy for your sister, and rejoice in the fact that she only three miles away!"

Elizabeth laughed at this. "Dear papa! I believe you are softening in your advanced age! But your advice is very sound. Yes, I do take comfort in still being able to visit my dear Jane on a regular basis. If she will have me, of course! She might be too well contented with her husband..."

Elizabeth's speech drifted off as she looked to Jane standing with her new husband. But it was not Jane nor Mr Bingley who captured her attention. It was the tall man, talking to the couple.

Mr Bennet mistook Elizabeth's distraction as wistfulness and urged her to spend time with her sister. Elisabeth walked forward without even being aware of her movements. The man had his back to Elizabeth, and even being far away, she could see that underneath his hat he had brown curly hair. So entranced by him was Elizabeth, that she didn't notice Jane move away to greet more well wishers, leaving the man standing alone with Bingley. Elizabeth was now close enough to hear his voice.

"I must congratulate you, Bingley. You have found yourself a beautiful bride, who seems to compliment you very nicely" He had a lovely rich, deep voice, thought Elizabeth with a thrill.

"You know not how much I appreciate your approval, Darcy. Mrs Bingley is an angel to me."

Elizabeth smiled at the heart warming words of love Bingley admitted to his friend about her dear sister. They truly were deeply in love with one another.

Elizabeth suddenly realised who the tall man must be. Fitzwilliam Darcy, of Pemberley. Of whom her brother and aunt Gardiner spoke so highly.

Handsome, rich, polite and charming, thought Elizabeth with a wry smile. Better and better!

Bingley had not yet seen her standing behind Darcy's tall figure. She was about to step around him to greet her new brother and thus be introduced, when she heard his deep voice again.

"Bingley, who is the girl wearing yellow, with dark hair? Very fine eyes?"

Elizabeth practically fainted on the floor, and all of a sudden felt very flushed in the face. He wished to know her! He admired her eyes!

"I do believe Miss Bennet is wearing yellow. Fine eyes, Darcy? Shall I make an introduction?" Bingley smirked at his friend.

Darcy's hopeful expression suddenly hardened.

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet? The girl who practically eloped in London? Thank you, but no, Bingley. Acquaintances with girls of such questionable morals are not desirable to me."

Before Bingley could reply, Darcy heard a sound behind him. He whirled around and found himself looking down into the very same eyes he'd just called fine. Only now they were brimming with tears. She had clapped a hand over her mouth and quickly turned and fled from the room.

Darcy turned back to his friend, regretting having caused pain to a young lady, but congratulating himself on a lucky escape. Had he not known of her scandalous attempted elopement several years back he would be finding himself in danger of becoming enamoured with the girl. Such a shame such a pretty girl had a rotten core. He shook his head in disappointment. At least now the lady knew she had no chance gaining the affection of a gentleman like himself. She would not pursue him any longer. Darcy came out of his reverie and looked to his friend. To his surprise, Bingley was frowning at him.

"Darcy!" He cried, "that was badly done! It is not my place to divulge the particulars about what happened in London but Miss Bennet is a sister to me now, and it grieves me to see her upset by your hand."

"It was done for the best, Bingley. Now go enjoy the smiles of your wife. You're wasting your time here with me."

As Darcy watched Bingley walk off to join his bride, he looked about the room for the first time. He noticed the matchmaker mama, crowing over her success at having a daughter married and settled at Netherfield, with open vulgarity. The father was conspiculously absent. He overheard two young girls discussing their older sister's newfound wealth and turned away at such ill-breeding. It would appear that majority of the Bennet family were distasteful, save the eldest two Bennets. Henry Bennet was quite acceptable, as was Jane Bingley! particularly now that she had married well. The rest of the Bennets were far beneath him, and not worth his time.

Yet despite this decree, Darcy couldn't help but shake the feeling that he'd overlooked something in Miss Elizabeth Bennet.