A/N: Right, I have chapters further down, but am now having a hard time getting there! (Plus, I'm afraid my personal life got rather busy for a few weeks. 3 weddings and my mom came to visit me!) Anyways, I still feel a bit off my story, so please offer suggestions:) I think I'm going to try to have a bit more of Caroline to make things interesting. Do you agree?
Opening Ball
Warm sounds of a string quartet drifted towards the girls as they made their way to the main dinning room. At the entrance, they joined the rest of the girls and Ruth. Lydia and Catherine seemed particularly anxious to enter the ball and were giggling and whispering excitedly. Caroline spent her time between glaring in disgust at the two girls and trying to look as though she did this all the time.
"Girls," Ruth commanded, "Please gather round for a moment." She waited as the group came in closer and quieted down. "Tonight, is the opening ball, but also an elimination round." Lydia and Catherine gasped. "Our judges – and guests – will judge you tonight on how well you learned your lesson this afternoon, your poise, your conversation and overall manner. Please be sure to talk with every judge and escort by the end of the night." She paused as a camera zoomed in on a paler-than-usual looking Anne. She clasped her hands and smiled. "But, please don't forget to enjoy yourself! Now, enter the room and – with poise – find your place card and sit down. Do NOT trade cards or you will be automatically eliminated." She warned, glaring at Lydia. Lydia blushed, giggled and nodded. Ruth waved to her assistant and the doors to the dinning hall opened.
Ruth led the girls to the large table in the middle of the room where Lord and Lady Darcy, Lady Baker, Mr. Bingley and another guest was sitting. Hung on the walls were portraits of the Darcy family from different ages. Over the grand fireplace, and the focus of the room, was a dignified impression of the current Lord and Lady Darcy. Beth found herself intrigued by the pensive expression on Lord Darcy's face as his sister smiled brightly next to him. Then, Jane took her arm and led them towards the far end of the table.
Thankfully, Beth noticed that William Darcy's was not near to their seats, but at the end of the opposite end of the table. With further satisfaction – to both her and Caroline – she saw that Caroline earned the seat directly next to Will. Beth smirked. Although Will rose and acknowledge Caroline with a kiss on the cheek, he didn't look pleased at all. Caroline, on the other hand, was ecstatic. She spoke to Will with great energy, while looking down at the other girls. Lydia looked green with envy and shoot Caroline death stares.
Next to Will were Charles Bingley and the new gentleman who Beth figured must be Matthew Fitzwilliam. Matthew was well dressed gentleman who, in the setting, really just looked average. As he glanced around at the girls, he leaned towards Charles and shared a joke. Charles and him laughed uproariously, and even Will cracked a smile.
Georgiana Darcy and Anja Baker were seated at the middle of the table. Close to them were Anne, Lydia and Catherine and then Ester Armato and Paul Hanson, who was also next to Charlotte. Once seated, Ruth tapped on her water glass and stood up. Everyone stopped talking and looked up.
"Good evening and welcome to our first elimination event. Tonight, we will see how well you learned from Ester's lessons and well as how well you can use your own charms in conversation with our judges, escorts and fellow contestants. You will notice than our final escort, Matthew Fitzwilliam, has arrived to join us tonight." Matthew smiled and nodded in acknowledgement. "Royal correspondent Paul Hanson is joining us as well and please remember that he is one of the judges. Now, please enjoy tonight's meal, company and dancing!"
"So," Georgiana began, "How are you ladies getting along with lessons?" She smiled to the always timid Anne next to her. "Are you enjoying your time here?"
"Yes ma'am," Anne answered quietly. Before she could continue, Lydia chimed in.
"Oh, Lady Darcy, we are having such a fantastic time!" Catherine nodded enthusiastically next to her. "I'm not sure if I'm getting the hang of the lessons, but Kitty and I took at walk outside today and we are so amazed by the estate! I can't believe that you really live here!" As Lydia finished, Beth noticed that Ester looked a bit surprised at Lydia's conversation, but didn't say anything. Just then, door opened and servers came in to serve a course of asparagus soup.
"Yes, the estate does seem rather large for just my brother and me. To be fair, this estate has been within our family for several generations of Lords and Ladies and for entertaining purposes, it is still a bit cozier than some people would prefer." Lydia gasped in surprise.
"Really? Who do you host – the queen?" Lydia joked.
"Why, yes. Although not recently," Georgiana replied.
Further up the table, Anja Baker addressed Jane. "Jane, I noticed that you seem to be learning very quickly from these lessons! I'm really glad; after breakfast, Charles couldn't stop talking about what a lovely person you are."
Jane blushed and looked at her bowl modestly. "Well, Mr. Bingley is probably the kindest gentlemen I have met yet and I'm very glad that I have earned his good opinion."
"Yes, Charles is good and really likes most people." Jane face froze a moment. "But, I trust his opinion and since he only talked about you from the girls, I think that you have made a very good impression."
"Well, thank you." Jane replied. There was a moment of silence as they took at sip from their bowls. "I am very glad that you could join us for this competition. You must think that we are a bunch of silly girls for trying to do this kind of reality show, but it means a lot to me that you have taken the time to be with us."
"Jane, you are very sweet! It is really no problem at all. I always come here in summer for the local events. I am currently in university for public administration and the Will is a great tutor in how to be successful in that regard."
"Oh, I'm sure. Which university are you at? I attend the London School of Economics…" their conversation veered off very cheerfully. Beth and Charlotte had been listening to the conversations when Charlotte remarked, "Mr. Darcy has been looked at you quite often this evening, Beth."
Beth looked up and caught glances with Will. After a moment he turned away towards Charles and whispered something. Beth turned to Charlotte, noticing that Paul Hanson had been looked between Will and her as well. She smiled. "I'm sure that any distraction from Caroline would be a welcome one to him. Besides, he may just as well be looking at you!"
Charlotte laughed. "I doubt it. But, I think everyone looks very handsome tonight."
"Yes, there is no doubt about that." Beth found herself struggling to not say what she really thought, especially since Paul was so close to them. "Mr. Hanson, thank you so much for taking the time to judge this competition. I hope that we will be as entertaining as the royal family."
Paul smiled. "The royal family certainly has their moments, but I anticipate that the girls here will offer more gossip than I would ever get from the royals." He nodded towards Lydia, still in animated conversation with Kitty and a tired Georgiana. "This young lady seems to be one of particular interest to the cameras and probably the audience."
"Lydia?" Beth laughed, "Yes, her and Catherine seem to be a thick as a pack of thieves, although their roommate Mary is a bit quieter." Beth nodded towards Mary, who was on the other side of Paul and listening to Georgiana.
"Ah, yes, Mary is bit quieter. But not as quiet as Anne." They looked at Anne for a moment. "She won't last long if she keeps their behaviour up."
"She is rather shy among the girls. I don't think that it helps that she shares a room with Caroline. But, no one is willing to change rooms."
"Hmm, its Caroline that cold?" Paul asked innocently.
"Now Paul," Charlotte exclaimed, "You don't expect us to gossip about our competition do you?"
"Of course," Paul took a bite of their currently course, roast lamb. "Or at least an objective view."
"Well, if I can be objective – yes, Caroline is rather cold. Plus, she says that she is in the competition as a special favour to Lord Darcy." She looked at Paul in surprise as he snorted. "What?"
"I highly doubt that Caroline was asked here by Lord Darcy. She has been trying to attach herself to William through her brother Charles for several years now. It has, unfortunately, caused William to become more withdrawn while in public society. He is an extremely eligible bachelor, but Caroline's behaviour makes him weary of new company. Don't get me wrong – William could cut of Caroline, however he values his friendship with Charles much higher than the annoyances that Caroline brings."
"If you would all join us now in the ballroom for some after dinner entertainment…" Ruth gestured towards the now open doors at the end of the hall. The company slowly rose and walked into the ballroom. Paul, Charlotte and Beth continued talking, although they now were comparing opinions of different estates around the country. Jane joined them as Anja Baker stood with Georgiana. Lydia was trying to attract the attention of the escorts and stood almost directly in front of Lord Darcy. Caroline took his arm possessively, however Will walked away from her to stand by his sister. Caroline glared at Lydia when she giggled. Lydia looked ready to respond when a quartet entered the room. The guests took at seat and enjoyed a half-hour of music.
At its finale, the quartet was joined by several more members and took to a corner. There, some waltz' began to play for the guests. Anne and Catherine looked a bit panicked when they realized they would have to dance. To start, Georgiana and Charles, Ester and Paul, William and Anja, and Matthew and Ruth danced before the group. Beth noticed that Caroline was glaring the entire time, even though there was cameras near-by her. Caroline fidgeted until the dance was over and then watched at William left Anja and walked towards… Elizabeth!
"Elizabeth, do you know how to waltz?" Will asked a very surprised Beth.
"Why- I – A little," Beth feebly replied. Will held out his arm and Beth stared a moment before taking it. They walked to the dance floor, passing by a whispering Lydia and Kitty. As they took their position, Charles and Jane joined them as well as Matthew and Georgiana. The waltz began and Beth thanked the heavens that she hadn't stepped on Will's toes yet.
Although the melody was enjoyable, Beth's mind was running with possible conversation topics. After several failed attempts to begin, Beth finally asked, "Thank you again for recommending the walk along the river. Charlotte and I really admired your gardens. I don't think I have ever seen such a beautifully situated estate." Will nodded and continued to dance. Beth raised an eyebrow, starting again to get annoyed.
"I hope that we are not disrupting your normal summer schedule too much. It is incredibility generous for us to use your estate. I think to my friend, Jane, this is an especially particular dream come true."
"Why is that?" Will asked. Beth startled that he would ask this.
"Well, Jane is such an innocent, sweet girl and therefore likes these rather elegant settings." Beth tried to find right words, so that Will would not think badly of her dear friend. "I think all women, no matter if they already have a lovely home, enjoy the times where they can move outside their normal roles into something a bit more elegant."
"Perhaps." Will didn't sound convinced. "Or, they simply wish to live like a Lady. Isn't that the point of this show?"
"Right, because 'Lady of Shallot' sounds all so dignified." Beth replied sarcastically. Will looked at her more closely.
"So, why would women, who don't want to be a Lady, come to a show all about being a lady?"
"You forget that there is a different between being a Lady and acting like a lady. While those Lady's such as your sister and Anja truly embody all that is good and have the etiquette to show it, I would consider them ladies even without the title. I admire those behaviours that true ladies possess and felt that this would be a fun way to learn etiquette from true masters."
"I think you give Ester and my sister more credit than may be due to them."
Beth stopped Will and looked at him. "But, I really do believe that your sister has wonderful manners, etiquette and is really a wonderful person!"
At that moment, the dance ended and Will took Beth's hand to escort her back to her seat. However, he continued to escort her out the door. Before a cameraman could follow them, Will closed the door. Beth looked at Will.
"I'm afraid I don't feel comfortable talking bluntly where cameras are around." Will explained to Beth. She nodded and looked at Will quizzically. "Beth, how well do you know Jane?"
"What? I have known Jane practically all my life! Why?"
"My friends and family mean a great deal to me and another concern of this program is that one may fall is love throughout filming. I know that the producers are encouraging it." Will replied, pacing. He stopped and turned towards Beth. "What are Jane's intentions for coming on the show?"
"Are you implying something Lord Darcy?"
"Does she only wish to learn the manners of a lady like you?" Will persisted. Beth stared for a moment, thinking of how to respond.
"No." Will drew out his breath. Beth frantically thought of how to talk. "Jane is the most kind, caring, considerate person I have ever known. She is very quick to see good in everything and everyone and never wants to see people hurt. At the same time, and I think because she is so innocent in a way, she loves fairy tales. This show is a bit like a fairy tale. They told us that we had the change to learn how to be a lady, earn a title and some money. But, that is all they told us! We didn't know anything about 'escorts!' Plus, none of us would ever try to seduce a man just to gain status or money."
"Even if you don't win?" Will asked. Beth glared at him and calmed her reaction to slap him.
"Lord Darcy, I'm sorry that you think so badly of all women. I do not have to defend myself or my intentions to you. If you don't like me, vote me off. I'm not worried. But, this means a lot to Jane- she is such a good person. You can have your opinions, but if you can't see the sincerity of Jane; I think you are blind." Will and Beth stood there, staring at each other until a knock at the door interrupted them. Will broke the stare and opened the door.
"Lord Darcy," Ruth said, "We need to discuss who to eliminate now." Will nodded and closed the door. He turned to Beth.
"Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I hope you and your friends enjoy the rest of the evening." Beth nodded and Will opened the door to come inside. Beth stood there, fuming for a moment before opening the door as well and walking over to Jane and Charlotte.
"Beth!" Jane cried as she came closer. "Where have you been! We have had so much fun!" Charlotte laughed.
"You have had fun; dancing with all of the gentlemen – particularly Mr. Charles Bingley." Charlotte teased as Jane blushed.
"He is amazing, isn't he?" Jane commented as Charlotte nodded. She noticed that Beth wasn't agreeing. "Beth, you don't think so? Is there something wrong?"
Beth forced a smile. "No, I think that Charles is charming. I'm just a bit tired, that's all."
Thankfully, before more questions could be asked, Ruth stepped away from the judges. "Ladies, please set forward. The judges have made their decision." She waited until all girls crowed around her. "Part of being a lady, as you have learned so far, is knowing how to walk, talk, present yourself and eat properly. Tonight, our judges have been talking with you and observing your behaviour. While they agree that all of you have shown already that you take being a lady seriously, we agree that one person has not be as successful as the others in showing her willingness to become a true lady." Ruth paused and looked around the room. "We have decided to ask that one of you leave our competition and return home to your family and friends. Today, that lady is Ms. Anne Bourgh." Anne gasped and turned red in the face. "Ms. Bourgh, please pack your things and leave Pemberley Estate. The rest of you have passed this session and will continue on the competition to "Become A Lady!"
After a moment, Jane walked over to Anne and gave her a hug. The rest of the girls followed to give Anne hugs and wish her the best of luck. Jane and Anne walked out together to put her things together to go. When Beth looked around, the judges and escorts were gone. She looked to Charlotte and they walked out of the ballroom and back to their bedroom. They were in no mood for the gossip that was already starting among the other girls.
Ok, was it worth the wait? I'll try to get another chapter out soon, but please offer suggestions!
