A/N: Part two of the Netherfield Ball

With the recommencement of dancing Elizabeth rose to her feet and took the proffered arm of Mr Darcy. They walked, an awkward silence between them until she felt him lean down and whisper into her ear.

'You are a beautiful, exceptional woman Miss Elizabeth. Nothing will change that truth.'

Elizabeth did not know how to reply. Was this the encouragement of a friend or a goodbye from some unattainable hope?

Her uncharacteristic reticence bothered Darcy but as Elizabeth's next partner stepped forward to claim her, she lifted her chin and smiled brightly, her recent mood hidden from view. She obviously knew this other gentleman well, enquiring politely after his grandmother. 'And dear Martha, is she well too? Did she come tonight or is it too close to her confinement?'

Darcy relaxed and felt a surge of goodwill toward this man who proudly stated that his wife was indeed present but not in a condition for dancing. 'If you have opportunity, I am sure she would love to see you once our dance is over.'

'Of course I will,' she said with her ready smile. 'Mr Goulding, do you know Mr Darcy?' she asked, turning to look at him for the first time since they had left the supper table.

'We briefly met at Lucas Lodge a few weeks back,' Mr Goulding replied and the two gentlemen nodded to one another. 'Excuse us Mr Darcy,' he added, 'Miss Bennet and I should probably be making our way to the set.'

Elizabeth accepted the proffered arm of her current partner and smiled reservedly back at Darcy. 'Thank you, sir, for the dance and supper.'

Darcy nodded, trying to read what was behind her eyes before she turned and accompanied Mr Goulding to where couples were lining up. The inexplicable feeling that she was slipping away from his grasp kept him immobile. Something had shifted and he could not place what it was. She still smiled, her countenance bright, but he felt shut out somehow in a way he had never felt from her before. For the first time, her manners appeared as a façade of cheerfulness. He watched her go, feeling bereft; watched as she chatted to this other male friend. Could this long-time acquaintance discern there was something amiss. Or was Darcy just imagining it, arrogantly assuming that he knew her better despite their relatively short friendship?

Darcy's eyes followed Elizabeth for a few minutes more, hoping she would look back, give him that silent reassuring smile that always managed to bridge whatever distance was between them. He only saw her profile in pleasant conversation with others. He felt strangely isolated from her and the sensation was unnerving.

His eyes fell briefly to his feet as though looking for direction. Turning away from the quadrille dancers that were now weaving amongst one another, he calmly but resolutely made his way through the crowd toward the ballroom doors. A few greeted him by name. He nodded with what he hoped was a polite smile but his heart could not be attentive at present. The stairs he took two at a time, briskly walking the passageways until he reached his apartment. Only here, in the one room he knew he would be safe from interruption did he feel his shoulders drop, realising for the first time just how much tension he was carrying. He closed his eyes as he finally allowed himself to feel fully.

He knew Elizabeth had been embarrassed by the events of the evening. It was indeed quite the spectacle. Yet through it all he had only wanted to hold her hand, kiss her fingers, rivet her eyes on him so her focus would be on the compelling bond between them. But her eyes had been restless, sad, then almost lost.

Darcy paced the floor. He had wished for more knowledge of her family. Now he had clear images to add to his equations but they were conspiring to make this process as hard as it could be. Pausing, he shook his head. The giant of Derbyshire someone had once called him, yet he felt the mockery of every inch of wealth and height he possessed. Hands on head he indulged in a groan of frustration before taking a couple of deep long breaths. Almost defiantly he vowed as he stood alone in the silent room. 'I still want us, Elizabeth.'

The reply of his inner conscience met his challenge. Then don't give up – find a way.

Hands dropping to his side, he took to pacing again. He just had to see his way forward. Perhaps it was time to confide in his cousin, the strategizing clear thinking Colonel. And maybe even Georgiana. If he could set before them both all that he knew, felt, and believed, there would be an opportunity for testing his reasoning. If they could affirm his rationales he would no longer hesitate. The more he thought about this course of action, the surer he became. He could leave tomorrow. Surprise Georgiana. He did not truly expect resistance from her. In fact, as soon as he confessed his feelings about Elizabeth, he was sure his sister would be nothing but supportive. Yet as she may be effected by the ramifications of this union, it would at least be a show of courtesy. In contrast, his cousin would probably interrogate him for a day or two, but that was exactly what Darcy was looking for – someone to analyse his opinions and convictions thoughtfully.

In the ballroom, Charlotte Lucas watched as Elizabeth farewelled her second dance partner since supper, the brightness in her countenance dimming as soon as he moved away. Within moments, Elizabeth's eyes were surreptitiously scanning the room, her demeanour uncharacteristically grave. Something was off. Aware her own brow was probably making those furrowed lines her mother was often remarking on, Charlotte consciously relaxed her face before making her way toward her friend. Approaching from the side she could see the unmasked emotions.

'Elizabeth, you are restless this evening,' she tendered while casually linking her arm in Lizzy's. They watched the crowds rather than each other as Charlotte asked casually, 'What is bothering you?

Elizabeth's arm tensed. There was a long pause before an answer was offered. 'He is gone, Charlotte,' Elizabeth said quietly. 'He was here dancing and engaging with everyone before supper, and now he has left without a word.'

Charlotte suspected she knew who "he" was but was surprised that it seemed to be of some concern to her friend. 'Lizzy,' said Charlotte in her calmest voice, 'why don't we find ourselves somewhere private to talk. Have you time?'

At Elizabeth's nod they walked through the crowd, beyond the refreshment stand until they found a relatively quiet nook beside a tall window overlooking the grounds currently shrouded in darkness.

'Now Eliza, tell me what is bothering you. Am I correct in presuming that you are concerned for the whereabouts of Mr Darcy?'

In evident frustration Lizzy replied with a contradictory 'Yes and no.'

'Shall we be more specific? Is Mr Darcy the person that is no longer here?'

Lizzy nodded. 'I have not seen him since supper ended,' she added.

'Does his possible absence surprise or worry you?

'Neither and both,' said Elizabeth. Seeing Charlotte's raised eyebrows Elizabeth became more forthcoming. 'We had such a lovely dance together Charlotte; easy silence, easy conversation. He and I have become genuinely good friends in the past few weeks. It is not only the lack of friction that had flavoured our earlier interactions; we were able to laugh at ourselves as well as trust one another – the sort of friendship where you feel safe to share nearly anything.' Elizabeth smiled to herself. 'So much so, that I confess I was beginning to fall a little in love with him,' and she laughed. Seeing Charlotte's anticipatory expression, Elizabeth promptly set her straight. 'Nothing can come of it Charlotte, he has other obligations in that regard, but the friendship has come to mean a great deal to me. Then during supper my family proceeded to present such mortifying behaviour I could barely look at him. I wasn't intentionally rude, but I was so acutely embarrassed I could not meet his eyes. He was actually very polite, kind even, but I could not bear to know what he was thinking. I left to dance with Stephen Goulding and that was the last time I saw him. I know not if I should be surprised but I cannot help but worry that it bodes ill. The old Darcy may have turned heel and distanced himself from me, but the one I have come to know would not leave without at least saying goodnight.'

'Perhaps he has just stepped out for a walk, or is with the other gentlemen in the card room?'

'That was my first reasoning too but I checked the other rooms, and it has been more than an hour. If he stepped outside he would surely be back by now.'

'Eliza, you are not the overprotective type. What is truly your concern?'

Elizabeth sighed. 'My family. Or rather what he thinks of them. Or perhaps what I think he thinks of them. Charlotte you saw it all. What a display! Perfect fodder for a modern satire, yes, but utterly humiliating in reality.'

'You sound like you fear losing him?'

'Well, I do.'

'But you said there was never the chance for more than a friendship.'

'I know, I know. But that knowledge is more bearable when the cause is his family's extensive matrimonial expectations rather than the mortifying unsuitability of my own relations' conduct. The first I can accept quite readily. The latter leaves me drowning in shame.'

Charlotte was quiet for a while before saying, 'I do not know Mr Darcy as well as you do, but he appears a rational honourable gentleman who both recognises and values your innate worth. He does not strike me as the sort of person to be easily swayed in his opinions. I do not mean to be cruel, but if you were secretly hoping for more than friendship, perhaps tonight has been an uncomfortable but fortuitous reminder of what stands between you. However if it is truly friendship you seek, then I think you should give him the benefit of the doubt. Whatever his initial reaction might have been, it is what he chooses to finally believe that defines your friendship. The same goes for you Lizzy. Your initial reaction to avoid knowing his true thoughts on the matter is not necessarily your final choice. Only you can decide if his friendship is something you believe warrants your ultimate doubt or trust.'

Elizabeth sighed. 'You are right Charlotte. If I was shaken by tonight, I cannot expect him to be less so. Our friendship does warrant my full trust. If he needed some processing time, it is because he is diligent in making the most considered choices.' Her voice had softened and she paused, a small smile creeping back to her visage. 'I do feel better now that you have talked sense into me. What would I do without you, dear Charlotte?'

'You would do just fine. You have a good head on your shoulders, Lizzy Bennet. But I am going to call you out on something. You are definitely not just a little bit in love with Mr Darcy, are you?' and she gave her friend a rarely bestowed cheeky grin. Elizabeth just laughed, gave a small shrug, and drew her friend away from the alcove and back into the crowd.

At the close of the evening as the last dancers were leaving the floor, Elizabeth was astonished to find Mr Darcy standing behind her right shoulder, handsome as ever in all his evening finery.

'Miss Elizabeth are you well?' he said, all relaxed composure as he looked down at her.

'You are back!' she said with a broad natural smile that had Darcy's heart alight. 'You disappeared for a while. I feared it was the last we would see of you this evening.'

'I apologise if you felt my absence. You appeared well attended and I fear my stamina for gaiety is not as it should be.' He gave a wry grin. 'I hope I have not given offence.'

'Oh, there were probably a few ladies disappointed by your truancy,' Elizabeth teased, 'but those of us privileged to have shared a dance with you during the first half of the evening will feel all the more distinguished by the rarity of opportunity.'

Darcy laughed. 'Your flattery is in fine form Miss Elizabeth. It is good to see you so happy at the close of the evening.'

'It is also comforting to hear you laugh at the end of an exhausting exercise in social interaction. Did you nap while you were gone, to be in such good humour now?'

'Not at all. But I find the conversation of an engaging woman quite invigorating regardless of the hour.'

'Oh, that gallantry was quite sublime Mr Darcy. I believe I shall record it in my journal when I get home.'

Elated to have their repartee back on track, Darcy almost forgot his other purpose in seeking her out.

'Miss Elizabeth, I also wanted to inform you that I plan to go to London for a short while, leaving sometime tomorrow if the weather holds fine. I should be gone for no more than a week, but I wish to speak to my cousin on a matter and check in on Georgiana. Would you allow me to call by your home to bid you farewell tomorrow before I depart?'

She nodded, her face a sudden mask of surprise. 'Yes, if you like.' A pause was followed by the belated slight upturn of her lips and Darcy was relieved as she continued with gradually increasing animation, 'Just not too early, sir. I hope to gain back a little of the sleep that I have missed this evening. Unlike you I have weathered the entire evening of socialising and may have only starched inane conversation to offer if I am tested too early. I think it must be close to four in the morning.'

'Of course,' Darcy bowed, 'though I would be rather curious to see what constitutes as a starched performance,' he teased. She returned his smile. 'Let me once again confirm for you, I fully intend to come back to Hertfordshire before I have to re-join my family for the Christmas season.'

'Mr Darcy, you do not owe me an explanation,' she assured him. 'I know you have commitments. And though they will eventually take you from our company, your integrity and ability to make carefully informed decisions are traits that I will always admire. I would not want you to be any other way. Whatever you do, wherever you go, I know you will be making the best of all that you have been given. I will be happy knowing that I can trust in that. '

There was a sudden interruption as Mrs Bennet began to bustle around, praising the Bingleys once again for the evening. Darcy caught up Elizabeth's hand and kissed it briefly. 'Thank you' he whispered as he gave it a gentle squeeze, relinquished his contact, and stepped back. She curtsied and though there was a smile on her lips, her eyes were suddenly glassy with emotion. Darcy wanted to reach for her again, to understand her mood but a current of motion swept her into conversation with others and then away from Netherfield.