A/N: That took MUCH longer than I hoped to post! I'm afraid that I have not had much time to write (or read), so I am splitting this chapter in two to at least post somewhat sooner! I'll try to finish up the day and then we have a competition and the first 'date.':) Enjoy! And thank you SO much to all of you who reviewed! I really appreciate all of your input!


"Wake Up girls!" Ruth called into the girls' room. She walked straight to the window; behind her, a film crew flooding into the room. As the girls groaned, she threw open the curtains to let the bright sun in.

"God, I miss London gloom," Charlotte groaned. A cameraman shuffled over to her as she tucked more into the bed.

"It is seven o'clock, girls," Ruth stated sternly. "Breakfast is in an hour downstairs." She started to leave the room and turned around. "Also, Lord Darcy has decided to join the group for breakfast."

Beth groaned and sunk as far as possible into the bed. Her cheeks grew pink as she thought about how she got lost yesterday. No doubt that Darcy was coming to breakfast just to embarrass her. She frowned at herself. No, why would he come to torture a contestant like that? Ruth must have begged him for better TV. She rolled her eyes, but feeling better, threw off the duvet.

"Come on, girls! Rise and shine!" Beth sang out. Jane smiled, but didn't move. Charlotte was grumpier.

"Since you're up, why don't you shower and let us all rest!" Beth stuck out her tongue and went to the shower. When she got out, Jane had moved to the window and left straight away for her shower. Charlotte was looking through her clothes.

"What do you think they want us to wear for breakfast?" she asked.

"I have no idea. I guess something 'ladylike.'" Charlotte rolled her eyes.

"That doesn't help much," she mumbled. Beth went over to her and looked at her clothes.

"Why don't you wear that dress? It's pretty."

Charlotte sighed. "I guess. What else are we doing today?"

Beth picked up the schedule they were given before they left for Pemberley. "Today we have breakfast at eight, exercise/free time from ten until noon, a lesson at noon – "How to eat a meal properly," and then we prepare for the ball tonight." Just then, Jane walked out of the shower and Charlotte took her spot. Jane took the schedule from Beth.

"We meet the escorts tonight, right?" Jane asked. She walked to her closet and pulled out a cream skirt and floral blouse.

"I think so," Beth changed quickly into grey trousers and a maroon blouse. She walked to the mirror to style her hair. "Do you think they'll be nice?"

"I'm sure they will be. Why would they be here otherwise?" Beth snorted. "Really, Beth. They are taking time from their own lives for- really- what reason?" Beth didn't know what to say. She started to put on some make-up. Jane came over to the mirror to style her own hair. "So, where did you go last night?"

Beth stared at Jane as she felt her cheeks turn pink. "I tried to find my way outside for a walk," she replied quickly.

"Did you find it?" Jane asked innocently. Beth stared at Jane.

"Jane! You heard me, didn't you!"

Jane laughed, "Well, I woke and saw that you weren't there. I was about to leave when I heard you and a certain man outside the door." She gave a wicked smile. "So, how is William?"

"You are so evil!" Beth squealed. Then she sighed. "I don't know about him at all. He was rather cold, really. He is polite, but I don't think I like him that much."

"I think he was very kind to escort you back to the room."

"Well – I sort of asked him. I was completely lost. And he was very forward in saying how he was not a fan of this whole competition in his home and for our incident to not happen again." Beth's face grew warm again in embarrassment. With this new information, Jane's face fell a bit. Instantly, she brightened again.

"But, he asked you to call him William, right?" Beth nodded. "Plus, he is now coming to breakfast with us. Do you think that he decided to give us a chance?"

Beth laughed. "I doubt it. I'm sure that Ruth begged him to join us for better TV."

"Hmmm, do you really think so? William doesn't seem like the type of person who would give in so easily." Before Beth could respond, Charlotte came out of the shower and paused dramatically.

"Ok, tomorrow I either get the bath first, or we need to wake up earlier. Someone has stolen all the hot water!"


Beth, Jane and Charlotte were not the first to arrive to breakfast. In fact, they were the last people, minus Lord Darcy. Ruth jumped up as they arrived and ushered them to a table with two empty chairs. Beth noticed that each of the groups of girls were at table with empty chairs.

"Are more people coming?" Beth asked. Ruth nodded, but didn't offer more information. She waiting for all the girls to sit down and went to the door. Beth heard her talking to someone, but didn't catch the words. Ruth came back into the room and sat down next to Mary Ronai. Mary, Lydia and Catherine stared back at Ruth until another door opened and servants came into the room carrying plates of food. Lydia squeaked in delight – earning a disapproving look from Ruth – and eagerly looked for her plate.

Beth was pleased to find that the breakfasts were a mix of items that included fruit, bread, jam, toast, sliced meats and eggs. Eating fried foods in the morning was fine, but not when one was going to be who knows what later on. Sighing with contentment, she picked up her knife to get some jam. Then, the door opened and a group paused at the door.

It was if someone had paused time. Every girl stopped mid-action what they were doing to look at the new arrivals. Beth could see that Jane had stopped mid-way through taking a sip of tea. The group at the door looked a bit uncomfortable at this reaction as Ruth stood and came over to them.

"I am very happy to see you this morning!" she exclaimed, shaking Lady Darcy's hand and giving her a kiss on the check. "Please join us! I have left open spots at each table for you."

"Thank you, Ruth." Lady Darcy replied. She stepped forward to the group. "Good morning, ladies. I hope you slept very well last night." She paused as the girls nodded. Lady Darcy looked around the group, until she came to Beth. She gave a small smile before continuing. "I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine who was able to join us for Breakfast." A striking young woman stepped forward to Lard Dary's side. "This is Lady Anja Baker. She is visiting us for our local summer holidays and has volunteered to help judge and offer advice as well. I'm sure you'll find that she is a valuable lady to know." Anja and Georgiana smiled to each other and walked forward to sit at the table with Anne Bourgh and Caroline Bingley.

Next, everyone looked at the two gentlemen. Darcy cleared his throat and stepped forward. "I'm afraid that only two of us escorts will join you this morning. This is my close friend, Mr. Charles Bingley. Matthew Fitzwilliam will join us this evening for the ball and sends his regrets that he could not be here this morning." Darcy stopped and abruptly walked to sit next to Beth. Charles, after a moment, dashed after him to sit next to Jane with a brilliant smile to her. Jane blushed and looked at her plate shyly. Both Beth and Darcy looked at the couple in surprise. Charlotte cleared her throat.

"So, Mr. Bingley; when did you arrive?" Charlotte asked.

"Late last night. I was afraid to wake up everyone, but William was still up when I arrived." He turned to Darcy. "What were you doing that late at night, William?"

Beth's face felt warm as Darcy replied. "I couldn't sleep. I tried to take a walk, but it didn't help so I waited for your arrival." Bingley laughed.

"Well, I'm glad you did!" He turned to Jane. "I was waiting outside in the wind for about a half hour until he heard I was there."

"Oh! I hope you will not catch a cold," Jane exclaimed. Beth raised an eyebrow.

"Oh no; I should be very well," He smiled at Jane again who smiled back. Bingley then looked back and forth between Darcy and Beth, who were both staring at him and Jane with forks midway to their mouths. "Is there something wrong?" Darcy and Beth looked at each other and quickly finished eating. For the entirety of the meal, the conversation was primarily between Jane, Charles and Charlotte. Beth and William mostly keep to themselves, outside occasional comments. As the plates were taken away, William turned to Beth.

"I understand that there is some free time before your next lesson," William said.

Rather surprised, Beth responded, "Yes." She looked to Charlotte and back to William. "I believe we are to use the time to 'exercise.'" William nodded.

"If you are so inclined, I recommend that you walk around the south part of the park. It is rather lovely this time of year." Beth looked at him, surprised and nodded her thanks. William pushed his chair back and stood up. "Excuse us ladies." Charles sent an apologetic look to Jane and stood up as well. They both took their leave straight away after a nod to the entire group.

Beth let out her breath and looked around the room. Lydia, Catherine and Mary were talking animatedly, with a bored Ruth watching them. Anne continued to look terrified of the company at her table. Caroline, Georgiana and Anja seemed to be keeping up a very comfortable conversation. Georgiana felt Beth's eyes and turned to smile at her. Beth smiled back and turned back to her table.


"Beth!" Charlotte ran to Beth, panting, "Wait up!"

Beth turned to wait for Charlotte to catch up to her. In the end, she did take William's advice and was walking about the south part of the park. She couldn't help but admire the positioning of the gardens and trees to the river. She was trying to decide which path to follow when Charlotte caught up to her.

"Enjoying your walk?" Charlotte asked as she came closer.

"Very much," Beth replied with a smile. "I never thought that an estate could be as comfortable as this one is."

"Yes," Charlotte laughed. "Imagine that! We are here for a competition and I feel a bit like I'm on holiday!" The girls continued on the path for a few minutes in silence. Suddenly, there was a flurry of action and noise as Lydia and Catherine came around the corner. The stopped when they saw Beth and Charlotte.

"Hello," Lydia said.

"Hello Lydia; Hello Catherine," Beth replied. "Enjoying your walk?" This gave Lydia the perfect opportunity to talk.

"Yes! Are you as amazed as we are by the estate! I can not wait until I own one some day; although I would get rid of some of these bushes – they are so annoying, don't you think? I mean, you can't see the river, they don't give flowers – what is the point for them?"

"Maybe they are used to hid wandering lovers," Charlotte said slyly. Lydia thought for a moment and then her face lit up.

"You're right! Oh, Kitty – wouldn't that be a great way to… you know… have fun with the escorts!" Kitty giggled and nodded. Charlotte and Beth exchanged a glace.

"So, where are you going to?" Beth asked.

"Oh – it's almost time for our first lesson! I would have though that you would not want to be late for that! We must, like, prepare for tonight's ball! Wouldn't it be absolutely horrifying to be sitting across from Lord Darcy and use the wrong fork! I would be completely mortified! That is no way to win a duke," she finished seriously.

"You are absolutely correct," Charlotte replied. Lydia looked rather proud. "So, what are you wearing for tonight?"

"Well, I have a few things picked out. It doesn't sound supper formal, but it must be nicer than a cocktail party or something like that."

"I think I'll wear my blue, calf-length dress," Catherine interrupted. Beth and Charlotte looked at her in surprise to hear her talk. "I think it is the perfect dress for a night like tonight."

"Oh, Kitty! You are right – that dress is brilliant on you! Now, what should I wear? I brought so many things, I can't decide! Well, we can look after class."

"Right, what time is it?" Beth asked. Charlotte looked at her watch and replied. The group of girls hurried back toward the estate.


"I never though that eating food would make my head hurt so much!" Beth complained as her, Jane and Charlotte got ready for the ball. The training lunch ended up taking three and a half hours as they learned how to sit properly, drink properly, wait for food properly, choose their silverware properly, cut food properly, eat the food properly, wipe their mouths properly, ask for something properly and stand up properly. Beth thought that they looked like a bunch of idiots, continually standing, sitting, drinking and pondering over their place settings. "At least I know now the difference between a salad fork and desert fork!" She joked.

"I thought that it was very interesting," Jane replied. "I never knew that there was so much involved with eating a meal!"

"Well, we can see how much you really learned at dinner tonight," Charlotte joined in as she pined back her hair into a loose bun. "You shouldn't forget that the escorts will be there," she sang. Jane blushed.

"Beth, are you almost ready?" Jane asked. Beth looked up as she slipped into her heels.

"I am now." She stood up and looked in the mirror. The golden tones of her dress complimented her skin and brown hair. She has decided to just pull a bit of her hair from her face and let the rest curl down her back. The dress complimented her figure as it hugged her curves and ended just at her knees. She smiled and turned to the waiting girls. "Let's meet the boys!"


More coming soon!