A/N- Thank you all of you who reviewed. I really wanted to update early last month but there was simply no time. Its surprising where all those hours vanish!

The evening of Netherfield ball approached at long last, and all the residents of Longbourn were very glad. Kitty and Lydia had been longing for some amusement, and a chance to dance with Mr Wickham, as well as many other officers was very appealing to them. Mary, secretly delighted and very hopeful with Mr Collins' attentions, was very eager to dance the first two dances with him. Jane, though she refused to admit it even to herself, was eager to meet Mr Bingley again, but pretended that all this excitement was merely because she so wanted to see his sisters, her close friends again. Lizzy, who had been unable to enjoy her usual rambles due to continuous rains, was very glad of the distraction.

In fact, though Lizzy was yet to become aware of this, she would like to meet Mr Darcy again. And though he was unwilling to confess it, even to himself, William desired her company too. Caroline was not oblivious to the growing affection, but unsure of what to do, having failed to separate Charles from Jane yet. If only Lady Anne liked her half as much as she did that impertinent countryside nobody. Caroline knew better to affront her in any way, and so tried to avoid her altogether. After all, she did have some odd idea for someone who was born and brought up in such style.

At any rate, many young ladies and gentleman had been looking forward to the ball and were hardly capable of waiting for so long. However, Tuesday night did arrive, despite dismal moans that it seemed to be an eternity away. The Longbourn party was at long last ready, and arrived earlier than most others. They were all delighted to be received so cordially, and as the younger two went off to find their friends and catch up on the latest gossip, Mr Collins claimed Mary's, and Mr Bingley claimed Jane's hand to dance.

Delighted to meet Lizzy again, Mr Darcy asked her for a dance or two, if she did not mind it, and Lizzy agreed gladly, for she dearly loved dancing. It was during this dance that the two in question had a very fascinating conversation. Lizzy was wondering how to mention Wickham without offending her partner when he broke the silence.

'Ms Elizabeth, I hope you shall not think me too impertinent if I pry into what appears to be none of my business.'

'I was unaware that you could do anything that would be deemed rude, sir.'

'Oh but I can! And I am afraid I must now, by asking you if your sister is in love with Bingley.'

'As I have four sisters, you shall have to be specific, Mr Darcy. Though how could you think that I would break any of my sister's confidence is beyond my comprehension.', said Elizabeth teasingly.

'I beg your pardon for offending you, but I am afraid it is rather necessary I do ask it of you. Though I find it hard to believe that you are not teasing me when you say you know not which sister I mean.'

'Very well then, Mr Darcy, I admit to teasing you, and agree to break Jane's trust if you tell me of the urgent need you have to know.'

'I would rather not.'

'Then we can let the subject drop.'

'That will not do.'

'No, indeed. You have ignited my curiosity and must satisfy it now.'

'If you promise not to be offended, I shall.'

'I am too curios to not agree.'

'Well, you are acquainted with Bingley's tendency to see the best in everyone. I am afraid this has let him fall in love with many a indifferent women. Thankfully, the attachments have never been too serious. This time though, I believe him to be truly in love with your eldest sister, and I am certain that she is not quite indifferent. But knowing her own disposition, I feel that perhaps it is only because she is too polite to show him her true feelings. I would not want my dearest friend to be deeply disappointed, and thus enquired of you if he may hope.'

'I am very glad, sir, that you chose to ask me. You are right in supposing that Jane does not let her feelings be visible. If she did, you would not have doubted her attachment.'

'I thank you for confiding in me, and assure you that no one shall ever know, but the two of us, and I will do my best to help our friends overcome any obstacles that may arise. And of course I beg your pardon for being impertinent.'

'I am glad you were, Mr Darcy, because now I feel that you would have no right to think ill of me if I ask a similar question, though only to satisfy my own curiosity.'

'Indeed I would not dare to think ill of you, whatever you may ask.'

'It is about a gentleman named Mr Wickham.'

'Of course, you wish to know the reason of our recent cool exchange?'

'He did tell me, sir, but I am afraid I could not quite believe it.'

Elizabeth then related what she had been told.

'I wish I could say that this is not true, but I am afraid it is. I confess that I am not proud of my conduct in losing my temper so easily, but believe me when I say that I truly received no telegram. If I had, I would not have hesitated in rushing to my childhood friend's side.'

'Then why did you never apologize?'

'I was scared to.'

Elizabeth looked at him in astonishment.

'But why?'

'I thought that I had driven Wickham away forever with my lack of restraint, and never had the courage to look for him again. I thought it was best left forgotten.'

'I would not have thought it of you sir. I would have thought you would have the courage to face the consequences of your actions, and would do so without delay.'

'I have every intention to, as soon as I can, tonight itself if the opportunity arises. I am afraid I am quite a coward when it comes to those I love.'

Elizabeth could not disagree with his last statement, and smiled at him as he escorted her out of the ballroom.

A/N- Thanks for reading! Don't forget to review. I and blazewithin have started writing a fanfic called To Be A Hero, published under her account. I'd eternally appreciate it if you just had a look at it. But I must warn you, its anime because she is a bit of a kid.