Author's Note: thanks for all the reviews, it was all the encouragement I needed to continue, I will try and post more chapters quicker.
Disclaimer: Like always don't own the original characters, only the new.
Chapter One
He couldn't believe that he had been roped into going to this country dance. Bingley had insisted that it wouldn't be so bad and he needed someone to take at least some of the ladies off his hands. He only could handle so many. Darcy had chuckled when Bingley jokingly stated that, knowing Bingley it was probably true. Since he was very agreeable, and not to mention rich he was quite popular in London, of course so was Mr. Darcy.
That was the problem Darcy was having, he didn't like all the young woman goggling at him, Bingley's sister was enough, let alone woman in this questionable society. Looking out into the night sky, he could here Caroline calling his name, it was now or never he thought.
Stepping into the assembly room, Darcy knew this had been a bad idea. Everyone was staring and it was complete silence. He could hear some of the women whispering about how handsome he or Bingley was, and not to mention the fact that they both had money. Darcy was very uncomfortable to say the least, he wished he could hide, or better yet be back in London with his society.
Bingley had been talking to an older man, for a while but they were headed over to a group of girls. Darcy sighed and rolled his eyes, Bingley was not wasting any time in getting introduced to the prettiest girls at the dance. Darcy not wanting to be left with Ms. Bingley followed.
"Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Bingley has expressed a wish to become acquainted with you and your daughters."
"Oh sir, that is very kind. This is Jane my eldest, and Elizabeth, and lastly Rachel." Mrs. Bennet proudly related, "I have one more, my son, but he is at home, for he is too young to be out."
"It is a pleasure to meet you all and is Ms. Bennet is not otherwise engaged," Looking over at Jane with great admiration, "may I be so bold as to claim the next two dances."
"I am not engaged sir" Jane blushed shyly, and looked to the floor.
"Mr. Bingley" Mrs. Bennet continued to address him very pleased with his request to dance with Jane, "Would you be so kind as to introduce us to your friend." She could tell Lizzy was becoming a little anxious and wanted a partner too.
"Why yes of course, this is my friend Mr. Darcy" At being addressed he turned slightly so he was facing them fully, and gave a short bow, keeping his serious face plastered on.
"Mr. Darcy," Mrs. Bennet thought a moment for the name was very familiar to her ", is that Fitzwilliam Darcy?"
Surprised that she knew his surname, all he could manage was a nod. Mrs. Bennet smiled and continued. "I don't think you remember me, but my father was good friends with your father. I remember when you were just a boy you would come to my house and play. You were such a darling lad. I am so sorry to hear about you departed father, the late Mr. Darcy was the best of men."
If he was surprised before, he was shocked now. How could this country nobody knows his family, perhaps country people weren't as savage as he believes, perhaps he was mistaken.
"Yes my father was the very best of men, I am sorry but I do not remember you, I must have been very small."
"Wilcox, Henry Wilcox is my father, you must know of him"
This was happy news indeed for Mr. Darcy; a small grin appeared on his face. Lizzy who had been silent thru all of this exchange felt her stomach flip flop; the small grin had made him even more pleasing to look upon, and made her heart flutter.
"Indeed I do madam; I have been invited on many occasions to dine with your father. He has spoken of his only daughter living in the country but I would never have presumed that she would live here. It is a really pleasure to have met you."
As their conversation presumed Bingley led Jane out to the dance floor and Rachel left to talk to Maria Lucas. After a while Darcy relaxed a bit and decided that spending time with this particular family wasn't bad at all. They were very agreeable; all he needed was an opportunity to ask Ms Bennet for a dance. Mrs. Bennet soon provided that opportunity by suggesting it, which both readily agreed.
The next set began, Darcy .ed her to the dance floor, very gracefully. Lizzy took a deep breath to get a control of her fluttering heart. During the conversation between her mother, she found Mr. Darcy to be very pleasing. Not only very handsome but he seemed very cordial and kind She could tell that he was shy; at first she thought that maybe he was a little proud but her mother soon broke down his barriers that he kept so high
"What a coincidence for you, Mr. Darcy, to find someone you know out here in Hertfordshire." Began Elizabeth, hoping that he couldn't tell her flustered state.
"Indeed it is which I am rightly glad of, for it allowed me to see that the country is not all that bad."
"Oh really, and what did you expect to find in the country" Elizabeth's pervious thought of pride coming back into view, perhaps, she thought he is still a little proud.
"Oh nothing of consequence, boring society, dull."
She arched her eyebrow, "Really, it seems you do not like spending your time in the country, I wonder that you decided to come at all is you dislike the company so much."
Mr. Darcy could tell he offended her with his statement, and quickly added "Oh no, I live in the country, and I love it immensely, it is just that…"
"That you only like your country, where you perhaps have your fine house, but here we are meager, nothing at all compared to you prosperous neighborhood. We I guess might be beneath you." She finished for him, she was getting angry and she couldn't figure out why. He was frustrating, with is air of superiority, and little pride, but he was charming.
He sighed before continuing," I am afraid I have offended you, but you are right, I came here thinking of the low society, and did not even give it a chance, please accept my apology, and allow me to start our conversation again."
She thought for a moment, he did look sincere and rather hopeful, after all, people who are born rich, aren't used to Hertfordshire society. It can be trying sometimes seeing the same people over and over, especially when they are so close, Lizzy sometimes had that problem.
"I accept Mr. Darcy, but don't let it happen again," she said teasingly, he smiled briefly at her playful manner, which once again caused Lizzy to go light in the head.
"Of course it will never happen again" and after that they had a very pleasant conversation. Neither knew what was transpiring around them for the rest of the evening, they talked of books, and music. It was an enjoyable evening for both. Lizzy felt like she was on top of the world, but she tried not to get too carried away with her feelings of only one night of talking with someone. Although Mr. Darcy was handsome, and pleasant, she mustn't forget what he almost confessed during the dance.
He was proud, and thought she and everyone else in town was beneath him. She didn't like that arrogance in a man, and she was sure that if her mother hadn't known his family he wouldn't have talked to anyone but his own party.
Mr. Darcy's thoughts were very agreeable; he was enchanted by her lively nature. She was not afraid to question his options, she challenged him, and she was her own person not some clone that the ton seemed to be. He also must remember his station, and the kind of woman he needed in a wife. Although her mother came from a fine background, she was still below him. And what was required for him was to marry above that. So he will need to keep his feelings in line, which Mr. Darcy prided himself in, always keeping his feelings distant.
As the evening came to a close, Mrs. Bennet was found gazing out into the yard in the nursery, contemplating the events of the night. Jane, it seemed was absolutely smitten with Bingley, and who wouldn't be, and he was so amiable and cheerful, they were perfect for each other. Their demeanor matched each other perfectly. Lizzy and Mr. Darcy seemed to be getting alone wonderfully too. All the couples needed was a little encouragement and she would have two daughters married to fine men, which is what she always dreamed of. Now all she needed was someone for Rachel, but she had some more years until she should start worrying about that.
Turning from the window, she tucked little Robert in she sang him a lullaby, he was a blessing. After having Rachel the doctor said that she would have no more children. Mr. Bennett was so heartbroken, he was afraid that he would never have a son. But almost twelve years later she had her miracle baby. Especially at her age, but now the estate would no longer be entailed away to Mr. Collins, thank goodness. Robert was only five and the pride and joy of the whole family. Life was very good for the Bennet family that day.
Lizzy lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Thinking to herself what an affable person Bingley was, and how happy she was that Jane and he seemed to take a liking to one another. Jane was so good; they were the very best of friends. The only way Lizzy would ever be really happy was to see Jane happy. Of course then there was his friend, Mr. Darcy, her conversations with him were more that pleasant. Just thinking about him brought a slight blush to her checks and a smile to her lips. His smile could completely undo and rational thought, but it seemed that he rarely smiled. She still didn't know if that was a good thing, or not. He was her Mr. Right so to speak, but she knew somehow in her heart that he could never marry her. She wasn't really thinking of marriage so soon, having just met him this evening. She was thinking of the future, knowing that he needed someone with more prestige and money. He was the kind of man that was destined to be great and needed someone with equal greatness at his side. She decided from then on that Mr. Darcy would only be a really good friend; she would not get her heart broken over something she knew she couldn't have. That also didn't mean that I can't continue our conversations, she thought. Smiling as she drifted off into dream land. Content on the decision she had made.
So tell me how the first chapter was, this story will be a lot different than Pride and Prejudice, just a warning. Since we don't have Mrs. Bennet to ruin a lot of things, and since there is a son. Review and tell me what you think.