A/N- Thanks a lot to all the reviewers once more. JeanB, I agree that the first chapter is mildly rushed, with everyone making connections at first sight, but I so like the idea of our characters having a smooth sail without much prejudice to hamper them while they search for happiness. I'm trying to make this a sort of fairy tale version of Pride and Prejudice, because I think its fun to read one of those occasionally.
It had been a fortnight since the assembly at Meryton, and Mrs Bennet was growing desperate. By now, she should have thought there would be a visit from at least one of the admirable gentlemen interested in her daughters. But no, Mr Bingley had not called, and his extremely wealthy friend most definitely hadn't. If a gentleman is interested in a gentlewoman, he usually does call soon enough, and Mrs Bennet was alarmed at the thought that Jane's beauty and Lizzy's quickness would be for vain and they would die old maids. If only the girls were not so adamant about marrying for love and love alone. In Mrs Bennet's opinion, marriage had little to do with love, though of course it helped if you were fond of the person you were to spend the remainder of your life with.
She sat in the parlor, in a particularly disagreeable mood, and was brooding over this very thought. Somehow, in her disappointment, she managed to be bad tempered to almost everyone, even sweet Jane, and Lizzy was the worst victim of the unpleasantness, for Mrs Bennet suspected that she had upset Miss Bingley quite badly and that she would discourage her brother from pursuing Jane. It would not have been such a loss if only Elizabeth could capture Mr Darcy, for then Jane's beauty would have fetched her many more admirers, but with Lizzy's sheer stubbornness even that was beginning to look unlikely.
'Lizzy!', cried the afflicted mother as she saw her second child enter the house, her dress a bit muddy.
'Yes Mama?', said Elizabeth politely, mentally cursing her ill luck at being caught. She had hoped to sneak off to her room and change her clothes before she was seen and reprimanded for her unladylike behavior.
'Why, I have never seen such an ungrateful child as you! How many times have I asked you to behave like the gentlewoman you were born to be in the last week alone! And do you listen? Oh no! How could Miss Elizabeth behave appropriately all of a sudden? She has to go on long walks all the time and make a spectacle of herself before all the neighbors! What do you think people would say? You may not care what people think of you, Miss, but you would do well to remember that you have four unmarried sisters who might never be wed if it gets around that they live in the same house as a madwoman!'
Elizabeth was shocked. It was unusual to hear such an outburst from her mother, for though she would often grumble, Fanny Bennet seldom shouted.
'I'm sorry Mama.', said she, deciding to be meek and humble.
'You should be! Now go and change out of that disgraceful outfit.'
'Yes Mama.'
And Elizabeth scampered up the stairs that led to her room, rather startled by the sudden outburst. Behind her, Mrs Bennet wasn't done yet, and it was Kitty who was now being scolded for being careless with her bonnets.
Quarter of an hour later, when Eliza returned, her mother was still angry at all creation.
'And now she descends.', said she, upon seeing Elizabeth., who wisely kept silent.
'Don't you think that being silent is going to help now. The damage is done now. It is you who is to be blamed if all your sisters die on the streets.'
Elizabeth thought that this was highly unfair and said so.
'Now you try to be impertinent. Why, let me tell you..'
What Mrs Bennet wanted to tell her second born remained a mystery for she was interrupted by the parlor maid.
'Madam, a Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy would like audience...'
Mrs Bennet squealed.
'Mr Bingley! Mr Darcy! Why, send them right in! No, wait a minute. Kitty, pick up that bit of sewing. Jane dear, do put on your new ribbon. Lizzy, sit there...'
After a minute's hurried preparation, the two gentlemen were led into the parlor, where they found everything to be so very tranquil that no one would have dreamed of the frantic hurrying in the room only moments ago.
'What a pleasure, Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy.', said Mrs Bennet.
'As it is for us, Mrs Bennet. I am afraid we cannot stay for long, since Louisa would be expecting us, but we desired to personally deliver the invitation.', said Mr Bingley.
'An invitation?', asked Kitty.
'Oh I know! You are holding a ball, are you not Mr Bingley?', asked Lydia excitedly while Mary tried to shush her.
'I am, Miss Lydia. I hope you will attend?'
'Of course we will.', said Jane and Mr Bingley beamed.
'That is excellent! Then I hope I can ask for the first dance, Miss Bennet?'
Jane consented with a blush.
'And now we must leave. I shall look forward to seeing all of you.'
Mr Bingley rose, and so did all the occupants of the room. Before they could depart however, Darcy stopped for a moment and said,
'I hope you will save me a dance, Miss Elizabeth?'
'Of course I will', said Lizzy with a smile, and Mrs Bennet was left happier than anyone else that day.
A/N- My most author's notes at the end of the chapter ask for reviews, and this won't be an exception. Do tell me what you think of this chapter. I think it might be a bit hurried but I'll leave you to judge. Reviews?
