Ooops or Consequence & Consequences Chapter 17, a pride and prejudice fanfic

Again, thanks for all your comments and encouragement.

Sorry about the confusion regarding the chapters. Yesterday, when I posted the previous chapter, it registered as 17, but when I deleted the note, it became chapter 16 instead.

Now you are getting the official chapter 17.

I should point out that that people are allowed to think whatever they wish, since usually nobody else is privy to one's thoughts… JA never wrote what Darcy was thinking along the way. Right now, Darcy is still in pre-Hunsford mode…

Although I expect he will wake up soon…

Enjoy.

~~~o0o~~~

The butler announced, 'The Earl and the Countess of Matlock, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy.' The Fitzwilliams had picked up Darcy on the way, to ensure that their nephew attended the ball.

Darcy, after his disappointment the previous day, was in no mood to attend, but he had given his word. There was nothing for it, he would have to endure.

At the start of the receiving line stood Lord Carlton, who knew everyone in town, to introduce the new Duke, who in turn introduced his wife and daughters.

Richard, who had entered behind his parents with Darcy, noticed the daughters first. 'Look at those ladies, Darcy,' he quietly enthused to his cousin. 'Especially the one with the chocolate curls. Have you ever seen such flashing eyes?'

Darcy did look and thought that he must be going mad. She had haunted his dreams and now he even thought he could see her in the Duke's daughter. Yet there must be hundreds of women with chocolate curls and sparkling eyes. But the resemblance was perfect.

Darcy hung back while his family was introduced, captivated yet again. He tore his eyes away as, before long, Lord Carlton was introducing him to the Duke of Barrington, who also looked remarkably familiar.

'Mr Darcy, what a delight to see you again. You remember my wife and daughters?' Lord Thomas Bennet, the Duke of Barrington asked with a challenging smirk. 'Lady Jane Bennet and Lady Elizabeth Bennet, Marchioness Southwell.'

The indolent and relaxed Mr Bennet was gone. Now the Duke of Barrington, was looking remarkably focused and smart. That change, while great and shocking, due to its implications on Darcy's future happiness, was not as great as the shock he was about to receive from his hostess. It was so great in fact that he missed the full title of Lady Elizabeth, as he looked at Mrs Bennet, now the Duchess of Barrington, and nearly lost his countenance.

'Your Grace, it is a surprise to see you here, since you never mentioned the connection. But of course, I remember the ladies. They are unforgettable.' Darcy's manners reasserted themselves, and he was able to answer the Duke civilly.

He turned to the Duchess. Gone was the shrill woman wearing too much lace. In her stead he saw an elegant lady, who greeted him graciously, although her words carried a sting.

'Mr Darcy. I am excessively pleased to see you again. You left us much too suddenly. I hope you have been tolerably well?'

'Your Grace, I am overcome with pleasure to have the opportunity to see you again. I have indeed been well, although I am even better now, to be again in your delightful company.' He thought he could hear someone mutter 'I bet you are'. 'I am sorry that I left so precipitately, but I had become anxious to see my sister again.'

Darcy was doing his best to cover his complete and utter disbelief. How had he been so mistaken in her character? She acted genteel and gracious, but she too wore the same subtly challenging look as her husband.

'Of course, Mr Darcy. I quite understand the desire to be with family. I hope you enjoy our little soiree.'

'Thank you, Your Grace.' Darcy moved on to greet the daughters. With an effort he remembered not to address the ladies by their former names. He greeted Lady Jane politely, albeit distractedly.

His heart was beating faster. He was not going mad. Elizabeth was truly here, and best of all, as, not only a distant relation, but the younger daughter of a Duke, she was of sufficient rank for him to court her. Society could have no objection to him paying court to the younger daughter of a Duke. That she probably had a good dowry was irrelevant to himself, but would look good in the eyes of the ton.

Darcy beamed when he addressed Elizabeth. 'Lady Elizabeth, I am delighted to see you again. I have often thought of you and hoped to have the opportunity to be again in your charming company.'

'Mr Darcy, I too am all delight to encounter an old friend,' replied Elizabeth with a tight smile. She had wondered what Darcy's reaction was going to be when he found out about her new status. It seemed that since she was no longer the penniless daughter of a minor gentleman, he was suddenly discovering an interest in her, if his wide smile was anything to go by.

'I wonder, Lady Elizabeth, do you still have a set available tonight? The first set? Or maybe the supper set?' Darcy asked hopefully. He wanted to stake his claim by standing up with her for one or possibly two of the significant sets, before anyone else had a chance. Now that she had the rank, Elizabeth did not have to deny herself from accepting his suit. He could already envision her at his side at Pemberley. In his dreams over the last few months, that scenario had played out night after night, but his rational mind had fought against it.

His hopes were partly dashed when Elizabeth told him, 'I am sorry, Mr Darcy. Those sets are already spoken for. I still have the fourth set available…' she offered him her dance-card.

As he entered his name on the card, he noticed that Richard had claimed the supper set. He thought he could prevail upon his cousin to switch dances with him.

Since the next guests were starting to queue behind him, he reluctantly moved on.

~~~o0o~~~

Darcy joined his astounded family. 'Did I just see you smile at a lady?' asked Richard in surprise.

'That is what it looked like, although I can hardly credit it.' Lord Matlock mused with a smirk.

'I do not know of anyone in town who has ever met them before, yet you appeared to be acquainted with the Duke and his family.' Lady Matlock too was curious.

'I met them when I was staying with Bingley in Hertfordshire last year. They were his neighbours.' Darcy explained trying to appear casual.

'Bingley's neighbours in Hertfordshire?' The Colonel was remembering something Darcy told him after his precipitate return to town. He looked closely at Lady Jane and noted that her appearance corresponded to the type of angel to whom Bingley was drawn. 'I certainly hope Lady Jane is not the mercenary angel you warned Bingley against.'

Judging by Darcy's reaction, Richard surmised that he had hit a bull's eye.

'Oh no,' groaned Darcy. 'But I was concerned that she did not care for him. It had nothing to do with her family.' He defended his actions.

'From what you told me about how Miss Bingley denigrated the lady and her family, it would be amusing to be present when she finds out that the potential bride she despised and looked down on, was the daughter of a Duke.' Richard's chuckle revived Darcy's spirit. Another thought occurred to him. 'If Lady Jane was Bingley's lady love, then Lady Elizabeth must be the lady you argued with at Netherfield.'

'Not argued. Debated. Which reminds me, would you mind swapping dances with me? I saw that Lady Elizabeth has granted you her supper set, so I was only able to secure the fourth set with her.'

'Sorry, Darcy. I shall enjoy having an intelligent supper partner for once.'

'But I need an opportunity to speak to her. When I was at Netherfield, the lady was most understanding when I explained my situation. She did not blame me for not being able to offer for a penniless daughter of a minor country gentleman. But that is not an impediment any longer. I can now relieve her mind as to my intentions, and I wish to do so at the earliest opportunity, but a dancefloor is not the best place for such a conversation.'

Colonel Fitzwilliam was speechless for a moment. Had his cousin truly just told him that he had made a huge fool of himself, telling the daughter of a Duke, or at least the daughter of a Duke's heir, that she was too lowly for Darcy to consider as a potential wife. He thought that supper was not the time for Darcy to find out the error of his ways. 'Sorry, Cousin, I believe my service to the crown entitles me to have one supper with a lady who can discuss something other than gossip. While I may be better at putting on a pleasant front, I dislike all those social butterflies as much as you.'

Since Richard was not to be moved, Darcy had to be content to look forward to the fourth set, and anticipated his pleasure at dancing with the most wonderful woman in all of England.

Lady Matlock quietly listened to the exchange between her son and her nephew, wondering why the ladies had not mentioned the acquaintance, particularly since they must have known that Georgiana was Darcy's sister. When she heard the balderdash that Darcy was spouting, she despaired since she saw a glimmer of the reason for their reluctance.

She considered warning Darcy about his attitude, but like her son, thought it best not to interfere. While she hoped her nephew would make a good match, she was even more eager for her son to do so. Lady Matlock had recognised the immediate interest Richard displayed in Marchioness Southwell, and felt that the second son of an Earl would make a perfect consort for a future Duchess.

~~~o0o~~~

Miss Bingley planned to make a big entrance at the Barrington Ball. She had been thrilled when her brother had received the invitation. Bingley did not even have to pester Darcy on her behalf to get an invitation.

To her it was the crowning glory for her family to be invited to the ball of this elusive Duke. She was achieving her ambition, to be recognised by the first circles as the accomplished and desirable lady that she was. It only confirmed to her that she had been wise to discourage her brother from his attachment to that unsuitable and unsophisticated country bumpkin, Jane Bennet.

Miss Bingley took prodigious care with her appearance. She did not even mind the headache which was caused by the exceedingly tight bandeau, a tightness which was required to hold no less than five ostrich feathers in place.

At last, she was ready for her brother to escort her to the ball. As usual on such occasions, Bingley was pacing in the foyer, relieved when his sister finally came down the stairs. He hurriedly ushered her into their carriage.

Miss Bingley, who had planned to be fashionably late, discovered to her horror that she was unfashionably late. Her hosts had given up waiting for the overdue guests to arrive, and the dancing had already commenced. Instead of making a triumphant entrance, the only one to observe her arrival was the butler.

In a fit of pique, Miss Bingley accused her brother of getting the time wrong. The long-suffering Mr Bingley simply excused himself to find some refreshments, leaving Miss Bingley to make her own way into the ballroom.

~~~o0o~~~

Once Mr Bingley had finished his drink, he had overcome most of his irritation with his sister, and took an interest in the guests. The first set was just coming to an end, when he spied a very familiar and welcome face amongst the dancers. Miss Bennet had been dancing with a very elegant looking gentleman, who now escorted her to join her family.

Bingley intercepted them. 'Good evening, Miss Bennet. It is a delightful surprise to encounter you. May I beg the pleasure of your next available set?'

Jane gave him a frosty look. 'Good evening, Mr Bingley. A surprise you say? Surely your sister informed you of my presence in town after I called on her last week, when she informed me that you are much too busy calling on old friends. Be that as it may, I am afraid that my dance-card is already full. I hope you enjoy the ball.' She turned back to her escort with a smile. 'Please forgive the interruption, Lord Hillford. You were telling me about the horses at your estate. Pray continue.'

As they walked away, Lord Hillford asked quietly, 'I gather that was the young fool who would be dictated to by his sisters and friends.'

The young fool watched the pair walk away in despair. Maybe Darcy had been correct. Miss Bennet did not act like a young lady in love. He had never seen her act so cold towards anyone in all the weeks that he had known her. But she said that she had called on Caroline. He wondered if part of the coldness was occasioned by insults from his sister.

He looked around for the clump of orange feathers towering above the crowd. He was going to find out what Caroline had said, and perhaps he could make things right with Miss Bennet. Since coming back to town, the lady had never been far from his thoughts, and once he knew how bad things were, maybe there was a chance the he could get back into her good graces.

~~~o0o~~~

While he was waiting for his dances with Elizabeth, Darcy watched her family as well as the lady. He was amazed at the changed behaviour of Mrs Bennet. The Duchess of Barrington, he corrected himself. While the lady still seemed a little excitable, she never went beyond the bounds of propriety. She was smiling and obviously enjoying herself, watching her daughters dance with all those exceedingly eligible gentlemen.

He also noticed a set of bright orange feathers waving above the crowd. His height allowed him to see that it was indeed Miss Bingley who was attached to those feathers. Consequently he was able to ensure he stayed away from that distinctive headdress.

Eventually, his patience was rewarded. It was time for his dance with Elizabeth.

After a few minutes of exchanging pleasantries, Elizabeth remarked, 'I have noticed you observing my family most closely. Is there aught amiss?'

Darcy smiled. 'No, Lady Elizabeth, quite the contrary. I cannot remember seeing your mother acting with as much restraint as she does tonight. Please forgive me if I say that I found the change quite astounding.'

'It is amazing what the feeling of security will do, to alter a person. While my mother would still like my sisters and myself happily settled with men we can love, the urgency of ensuring our survival has gone, since we will be comfortable whether we marry or not.'

'Your mother was hoping to have you marry men whom you could love?'

'Of course, Mr Darcy. Naturally, she hoped that those men would be able to provide well for us, rather than just basics, but wealth was a secondary consideration. After all, you are much richer than Mr Bingley, but she was not promoting any matches with you.'

Darcy suddenly felt a chill run up his spine. He had never considered the fact that despite Mrs Bennet's determined matchmaking between Bingley and Miss Bennet, she had not pushed any of her daughters towards himself. Was it possible that he had given bad advice to Bingley?

The dance separated them, but when they came back together, he simply had to know. 'Lady Elizabeth, this is a most impertinent question, but could you… would you tell me if your sister cared for my friend? You see, I could not detect any preference, and told him so when he asked me.'

'My sister does not display her feelings for the world to see and snigger at, Mr Darcy. Especially not, if a man has not declared serious intentions. It would be most improper,' Elizabeth explained with an eyebrow raised in challenge.

Since he could not help Bingley, at the next opportunity Darcy decided to pursue his own happiness. 'Lady Elizabeth, would you allow me to call on you tomorrow? Perhaps, if the weather is fine, we could take a walk in Hyde Park?'

'I am always happy to go for walks with friends. Especially if they can keep up with my pace.'

'I had not planned to call just as a friend…'

'But, Mr Darcy, we agreed months ago that we could only ever be friends,' Elizabeth interrupted him.

'Lady Elizabeth, the situation is changed now. The previous impediment has been removed.'

Elizabeth looked around before she answered. 'Mr Darcy, the dancefloor at a ball is not the place to discuss serious matters. Perhaps tomorrow might be a more appropriate time.'

Darcy reluctantly agreed, although he felt confused. He had expected Elizabeth to be pleased that he wished to call on her, instead she seemed to be standoffish. The confusion vanished as he realised that she was quite correct. It would not do to discuss emotionally charged subjects on a dancefloor. It was simply bad form to display excessive feelings in public, even joyous ones.

When the next opportunity to speak presented itself, he changed the subject. 'Lady Elizabeth, was Mr Collins too busy to attend this ball? I would have thought he would be pleased to share this introduction to society,' he enquired, although he was just as pleased not to be bothered by the pompous fool.

'I do not know Mr Collins' schedule, but since there was no reason for him to attend, he was not invited.'

'But I would have thought that as your father's heir, your family would include him.'

Elizabeth smirked. 'Mr Darcy, please forgive me for pointing out that you seemed a little distracted during my father's introduction…' When Darcy looked puzzled, she added, 'you apparently missed my full title… Marchioness Southwell. Mr Collins is the heir presumptive to Longbourn. I am the acknowledged heir apparent to the Duke of Barrington.'

Luckily for Darcy the music stopped, since he could not have found the presence of mind to dance. Elizabeth was not only the daughter of the Duke, she was the heir apparent to the Dukedom? She would be the next Duchess… suo jure?

His mind froze as he looked at her.

Lady Elizabeth smiled and curtsied politely. 'Thank you for this dance, Mr Darcy. I have greatly enjoyed it. Shall I look forward to a walk in Hyde Park?'

Darcy managed to gather his scattered thoughts enough to answer. 'Thank you, Lady Elizabeth. I would be honoured to escort you on your walk. What time shall I call on you?'

'Shall we say at ten o'clock? I prefer to avoid fashionable hours.' Elizabeth suggested. She was pleased at the stunned reaction. Yes, it was petty, but oh so satisfying.

'I look forward to seeing you then.' Darcy managed to say, as her next partner appeared at her side to claim their dance.

~~~o0o~~~