Ooops or Consequence & Consequences Chapter 19, a pride and prejudice fanfic

Thank you to all you lovely people for your support.

AC, I could not have put it better myself.

Now, about the story. I have to admit that I was writing a whole bunch of snippets for the ball, but at the moment they are not quite in the proper sequence. Sorry about that. I hope you enjoy them anyway.

To the guest who thought they missed dinner with the Carltons. Yes, you did, because I got stuck and skipped it for the moment. I will have to write it eventually when I'm finalising the story.

Tinuviel3, thanks for your suggestion. It was too good to resist. It will be in the next chapter.

I hope you continue to enjoy.

~~~o0o~~~

Jane felt overwhelmed. The previous year she had been the acknowledged beauty in Meryton. Now gentlemen, from Viscounts to Dukes, lined up to dance with her. Admittedly, hardly anyone below those ranks had been invited. Even a house as large as theirs had limits.

Lady Sophia had warned her to expect this, but the reality of experiencing such popularity was intimidating to her. The gentlemen, if they were single, set out to be charming to her. It was exciting, and yet she knew that the gentlemen were enamoured with her position and her dowry, rather than her person. She commented on that fact to the ladies in their party during a brief interval when they were together without any guests in the immediate vicinity.

The Duchess laughed. 'Enjoy your popularity, but do not take them seriously. Just ensure that you stay away from balconies and such.'

'But it is exhausting to always having to be on my guard.'

Elizabeth smiled even though she huffed, 'I admit that today I envy you, Jane. You only have to deal with minor fortune-hunters, and you have Lord Hillford to provide you with some relief, whereas I have to deal with the serious social climbers.'

Jane acknowledged the statement, as the said gentleman arrived to hand her a glass of lemonade. The ladies all made a point of abstaining from alcohol, except for a small amount of wine with supper.

Lord Brandon asked solicitously, 'how are you finding the ton?'

'Exhausting.'

This reply occasioned a quiet chuckle from the gentleman. 'I know precisely how you feel.'

~~~o0o~~~

The Duchess was in her element. She had been a renowned hostess at Longbourn, but at Barrington House, at least for this ball, there had been no constraints on her spending. Only the best of everything was served to her guest, and the decorations were exquisite.

Other than during her one dance with her husband, Lady Sophia stayed by her side the whole evening and helped guide the conversation with the ladies of the ton.

Lady Matlock was also a staunch supporter. She had found the Duchess to be pleasant company, yet she seemed to be quite unpretentious. Although Lady Susan had an ulterior motive, because she had noticed her son's interest in Lady Elizabeth.

'They do make a striking couple,' Lady Susan commented to her hostess during the supper dance.

'I quite agree, Lady Susan. But then, when dancing, Elizabeth can make any gentleman look good.' The Duchess laughed quietly. 'Although I admit to a certain bias.'

'Where my sons are concerned, perhaps I too am not completely objective. But seeing them like this, I do hope they will get to know each other better.'

'I suppose we will have to wait and see; it is after all up to them.' The Duchess was amused that the Countess was trying to promote a match. It was definitely a pleasure to see her daughters being assiduously courted by so many eligible gentlemen, instead of having to make themselves agreeable.

~~~o0o~~~

The Duke too was enjoying himself. He had deliberately invited the Bingleys to watch the fireworks, since he had been angry with the man for causing pain to his oldest daughter. While he had blamed Miss Bingley for most of the situation, he objected to the man being too spineless.

He had provided Miss Bingley with an opportunity to show her true colours, and she had grabbed it both hands. It was a painful lesson for Jane, but he thought it worthwhile in the long run.

Although, when he was being honest with himself, he was grateful how the situation had turned out. While Bingley was a nice enough chap, the Duke felt that Lord Brandon was much better suited to his lovely Jane. At least that man had a spine and would protect his daughter.

The Duke appreciated that the young man had insisted on Jane having a season in Town, to give her a chance to find someone perfectly suited to her. Although the Duke was convinced that Hillford hoped it would be himself.

He turned his attention to Elizabeth. His plan of obfuscation had worked. That arrogant puppy had remained unaware of Elizabeth's status until he came face to face with her. It had been amusing to watch the man go from elation to consternation as he discovered the extent of his folly. He was curious to see how Darcy would deal with the changed situation.

~~~o0o~~~

Bingley was not the only one to leave early. Soon after his dance with Lady Elizabeth, Darcy too quit the field, and walked back to his house, where he locked himself in his study.

He had much to think about, consider and ponder.

Darcy had gone to the ball to appease his aunt. The last thing he expected was to come face to face with the woman he loved.

Her presence had driven all else from his mind. She was correct when she had said that Darcy had not paid proper attention to the introduction. He had been so happy to see her, that nothing else had mattered.

When he had thought at all, he thought how fortunate he was that as the second daughter of a Duke she would be the perfect match for him. Since women counted as less important, the second daughter of a Duke although theoretically ranked higher than an Earl, had few rights or privileges, therefore making marriage to the grandson of an Earl a very acceptable proposition.

No one in society could have an issue with their marriage. That excitement had carried him through until their dance.

But then Lady Elizabeth had shattered his euphoria in two ways. She pointed out that she was the heir to the Dukedom. She would be the next Duchess, not as the wife of a Duke, but suo jure. Which meant that even now she already outranked his uncle, the Earl of Matlock.

As a future Duchess, she would also have duties which she could not abdicate. And with a rank of her own, her properties would remain her own. She would be too busy to be Mistress of Pemberley.

If she should even want that position.

He had been taken aback when she mentioned that they had agreed to be friends. He remembered that conversation.

At the time, Darcy had been heartbroken at the bravery she displayed when she agreed that he had to marry within his own circle. That she would not stand in his way.

Now those words took on a new meaning.

Had she known about her position? Had she agreed with him, not because she thought herself too lowly for him, but the reverse. That he was too lowly for her. Had she played him for a fool?

He started to pace, as he always did when he was agitated.

All his adult life, Darcy was used to being of consequence. When he had gone to balls, he had been reluctant to dance with unattached young ladies, because by dancing with him they gained in consequence.

It had always been thus. Even though he did not have a title, he was the one to give consequence to lesser mortals.

Or so he had always thought.

For the first time in his life he had met a woman who was his superior in rank and power.

If he was honest with himself, it galled him to be the inferior.

It was confusing and it was vexing.

But one other thing was certain. He was in love.

He was impatient to see Lady Elizabeth in the morning, to have the conversation he had hoped to have earlier. Although now he needed to discover if he had been a fool to have wasted his feelings on a woman who had toyed with his affections.

~~~o0o~~~