Good morning! I hope everyone has had a lovely November and that you are all looking forward to a joyous holiday season. This chapter is what you've been waiting for: Elizabeth meets Darcy!

When Elizabeth came off the floor she found Jane in conversation with one of her dear friends, Charlotte Lucas.

Charlotte was a slim, dark haired girl eight years older than Elizabeth. Her father, Sir William Lucas, had an important position representing British business interests in the French court, and consequently he and Mr. Gardiner often spent time together. Lady Lucas and Mrs. Gardiner were likewise on intimate terms. Over time this had led to many meetings between Charlotte and the two sisters, and the three had become fast friends in Paris. Despite their age difference, Charlotte was closer to Elizabeth than to Jane.

At eight and twenty years of age Charlotte was a confirmed spinster. It was regrettable that her rather plain looks had led to her remaining single, for Elizabeth felt strongly that her friend had more perception and good sense than many women considered much more eligible.

"My dearest Lizzy, what a conquest you have made!" Charlotte exclaimed, after she and Elizabeth had greeted each other affectionately. "I congratulate you. Mr. Wickham is one of the handsomest men here tonight! And so very charming as well."

"I am surprised that he asked me to dance, when there are so many other women here," Elizabeth answered, both pleased and puzzled by his marked attention. "Whatever could he mean by it? He has never sought me out in such a way before."

"Why should he not seek your company?" Jane countered, always ready to defend her sister. "Lizzy, he could hardly look away from you. If only we knew more of his circumstances. I think he is quite taken with you!"

Elizabeth shrugged. "It would not matter anyway. He is not in a position to support a wife."

"Perhaps. But you are still the envy of the room," Charlotte told her, nodding significantly to several clusters of women who were covertly studying Elizabeth. "Were it not for the presence of the two new gentlemen here tonight, you would be the only subject of conversation this evening."

Elizabeth glanced about curiously. "What new gentlemen?"

"Over there." Elizabeth followed Charlotte's gaze to two men dressed in English style who were standing by the door, surveying the room. "The younger, lighter haired gentleman is Mr. Bingley, and the taller man next to him is Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy has an estate in Derbyshire, and my father says he has an income of ten thousand pounds." Charlotte waited to see the look of surprise on both their faces, and was not disappointed. "Mr. Bingley has five thousand pounds. They are both held to be very fine gentlemen. Do you not think them handsome?"

"They could have half that amount and be counted at least tolerable," Elizabeth countered. "But I do think they are handsome. What do you think, Jane?"

"They are excessively handsome," Jane agreed. "My aunt mentioned their names to me while you were dancing with Mr. Wickham. They have business concerns with our uncle, so very likely we shall be introduced."

Elizabeth studied the two gentlemen, momentarily forgetting about Wickham. Bingley had an easy, open countenance and was looking all around him as if he were delighted by everything he saw. It was clear that he was determined to please others and to be pleased in return. His friend, however, was not so congenial. Darcy's lips were curled in disdain and although he had just entered the room, he already looked bored. None of the activity swirling around him- the music, the couples, the decorations in the room- appeared to catch his interest.

It was not long before the Gardiners crossed the room to the newcomers. Their immediate reception and familiar way of speaking confirmed that they were acquainted with the gentlemen, and a few minutes after that the Gardiners brought Bingley and Darcy to meet their nieces, along with Charlotte.

"We are pleased to make your acquaintance," Bingley said, bowing to the three ladies in their turn, after introductions had been made. "Your uncle has told me so many things about you, Miss Bennet, and about you, Miss Elizabeth, that I half feel as though I know you already."

"Then you have us at a disadvantage," Elizabeth answered, deciding she would like this gentleman. "How are you acquainted with my uncle?"

"My family owns a business making inks and dyes, and Darcy here is a principal investor. Your uncle was kind enough to invite us to Paris in order to conclude certain transactions in person."

"Once they said they were coming, of course I had to meet them for myself, so I procured an invitation for them tonight," Mrs. Gardiner finished the narrative.

"For which we are extremely grateful. Isn't that so, Darcy?" Bingley urged the other man.

"He has my thanks, although social activities are not my forte." Darcy spoke the words as briefly as possible. He gave Mrs. Gardiner the barest hint of a nod and then looked away again.

The others in the small group looked at each other uncomfortably. "You must not mind my friend here," Bingley said, after an awkward pause. "Darcy would probably rather spend the evening reading a book, but I told him that he had to come out with me this one evening, and he finally allowed me to convince him to come along."

"And we are quite glad that you did," Mrs. Gardiner answered, smoothing the moment over. "It is always a pleasure to meet my husband's friends." She included both Bingley and Darcy in her comment, and was rewarded with a small nod from Darcy and a rather larger one from Bingley.

"We English stick together here in Paris," her husband added, "now more than ever before. You will be invited to dinners, dances and so forth, and I hope you will be able to attend them all."

"We will be very happy to do so," Bingley answered, smiling agreeably. Then he turned to Jane. "Miss Bennet, would you do me the great honor of allowing me to escort you into the next set?"

Jane had stood by quietly during this whole exchange, but she had not been a disinterested observer. Her eyes had rested more frequently on Bingley than on anyone else, and Elizabeth guessed that she would accept hiss request without hesitation. Jane proved her right when she blushed prettily and looked to her uncle for his approval, which was promptly given. Bingley offered her his arm and they walked away together.

Elizabeth watched her sister go with Bingley to the dance area, happy for the turn of events. In her rich silk dress Jane looked more than unusually pretty tonight and Elizabeth was not surprised that she had attracted Bingley's interest. But she hoped Bingley would also be charmed by Jane's sweet disposition and the general goodness of her character. She deserved to find happiness with a worthy young man.

An older, widowed Englishman approached Charlotte and asked her to dance. Charlotte hesitated for a moment before accepting his hand and letting him guide her to the floor. At the same time the Gardiners saw another couple they knew and drifted over to speak with them. This left Elizabeth more or less alone with the silent Mr. Darcy, who was gazing impassively out over the assembly with a glass of wine in one hand. Elizabeth wished desperately that Wickham would return to ask her for another dance but doubted that would happen. He would need to attend to ladies of rank, and there were clearly more ladies than gentlemen in the room. She would have to make the best of the situation.

"Is this your first time in Paris, Mr. Darcy, or have you been to the city before?"

Darcy seemed startled at hearing himself addressed. He glanced quickly at her, then away again, resuming his bored expression. "I was here briefly on my grand tour, but I have not been back since."

"There have likely been some changes to the city since then."

"Very likely."

There was a pause while Elizabeth waited for him to say more. When he did not she tried again.

"It is a pity you are visiting during such unsettled times. The architecture of the city is well worth seeing, but it is not as easy to enjoy these days."

Darcy took a sip from the glass in his hand. "Architecture does not interest me."

"Then perhaps some more natural pursuits," Elizabeth suggested. "The Luxembourg gardens are not to be missed, although they are not at their best this time of year. Are you fond of gardens?"

"There is too much disturbance on the streets to take in any sights, and most gardens are much alike. Seeing one is nearly as good as seeing them all." He took another sip and turned away again.

Elizabeth felt her annoyance rise. "So you are not fond of architecture, gardens do not amuse you, and social activities are not your forte. Some would wonder why you bothered to come to Paris at all."

Her saucy statement seemed to catch his attention. Darcy turned and looked at her for a moment, one eyebrow raised. "I am here solely to assist my friend in completing his business with your uncle. I have little time for anything else. Forgive me, please, for not being a more pleasant companion." He gave a stately bow and walked away. Elizabeth watched him go without regret.

As the evening wore on Elizabeth hoped, for a while, that Wickham might return to ask her for a second dance; but it was not to be. Look wherever she might, Wickham was not in the room. He must have left the assembly shortly after finishing their dance together, and now he had utterly vanished. She was standing by herself, watching the dancers nearby, when she became aware of Bingley and Darcy a little ways away.

"You must ask somebody to dance, Darcy," Bingley was saying. "I cannot have you standing about in this stupid manner."

"With whom do you suggest? There is hardly a woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment for me to stand up with."

"Oh come, Darcy! You cannot possibly be so fastidious! I had the pleasure of dancing with Miss Jane Bennet earlier, and she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But you know she has a sister whom you have already met, and who is very pretty, very pretty indeed. She is sitting just behind you. You should go and ask her now."

"Certainly not. She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me. And as you know I am here in Paris only to forward your business interests; I have no interest in anything else. Go back to your partner and enjoy her smiles; you are wasting your time with me."

Bingley followed his advice. Darcy likewise walked away. Elizabeth was left to reflect on what she had heard and to be astonished. But although she had no warm feelings towards Darcy after hearing his insult, she was able to laugh it off when Jane and Charlotte eventually rejoined her. She replayed the conversation with humor, and they listened to her story with different degrees of indignation.

"My poor Lizzy!" Jane exclaimed. "I do not know why Mr. Darcy was so hurtful. He must not have known you could hear him."

"Is that supposed to make me excuse his lack of manners? A gentleman should not be politely merely because he might be overheard. How is it possible that Darcy and Bingley should be such close associates? They are nothing alike."

Charlotte looked thoughtful. "Appearances may be deceiving. If Mr. Bingley is friends with Mr. Darcy there must be good qualities in him that we do not yet see."

Mrs. Gardiner had a similar response when she came to check on Elizabeth some time later. "My dear, I hope you did not take his words to heart. Mr. Darcy was quite rude," she admitted, frowning, "but I think such rudeness must be out of character for him. Your uncle thinks highly of him, and you know your uncle is rarely wrong in his assessment of people."

"Is it possible that my uncle could be wrong in this instance?"

"It is possible," her aunt replied with a smile, "though I doubt it. More likely Mr. Darcy had other reasons for speaking the way he did, and you will come to understand him better in time. In the meantime, try not to judge him. Maybe he will improve upon acquaintance."

"Perhaps." Elizabeth was doubtful. "But it will take more than ten thousand a year for him to win my good opinion."

So there you have it! Where do Darcy and Elizabeth go from here? The plot only gets more intriguing as we go along. I hope you'll comment and let me know what you think of this chapter- I adore reading your feedback!

Also, just a heads up that many of my books will be going on sale during the month of December. You can check on Amazon or else message me to get the details. Thank you and I hope to see you again soon! -Elaine