Chapter Four

The morning after Franny heard from one of her village gossips sources that Charles Bingley had apparently left the village on business and wouldn't be returning until the day of the dinner dance. She had been hoping to have a chance meeting with him before then, although, her intended meeting would have been neither by chance or accidental. Franny wanted to know more about him, particularly his appearance. Peter refused to give her any further information, and so with the help of her daughters, they questioned him about Charles Bingley. However, he frustrated them by his series of monosyllabicor vague replies.

Franny would not be thwarted. She made a visit to her neighbour Anne Lucas. Word had it that they had also seen him. Even though Anne's husband had a fondness for talking that could more than equally Franny's, her curiosity had to be sated before she left for home. She learned that Charles Bingley is a silent business partner in an estate agency, that they had a very favourable opinion of him and described him as, very handsome. Also, they informed her that both his sisters, brother in law and business partner would be attending the dinner dance. This information sent her into gossip frenzy. So, eager was she to pass on this news that minute she returned home, her phone was practically attached to her ear as she spread the Lucas's news throughout the village, whether there were interested or not.

When the evening of the charity dinner dance finally arrived, all eyes were on Charles Bingley's party on entering the Meryton golf and country club. Franny, all but leapt up from her chair when she saw them. She elbowed both Lizzy and Peter and hissed, "He's here." The room fell silent for a moment. Both Lizzy and Jane rolled their eyes.

Charles was indeed a very handsome man, tall, athletic with gold-blond hair. His sisters Caroline and Louisa Hurst stood beside him. They looked more alike than their younger brother. Both were shorter and had a darker shade of hair colour than their brother. They lacked his cheery disposition. Unlike their brother, they wore an expression of apathy. Mr Hurst appeared to have a little more interest than his wife. This was directed towards the bar. However, these three did not draw the attention that Charles's business partner, William Darcy, garnered. The handsome dark-haired man with a cold, hard gaze found himself under scrutiny. From the minute he walked into the room, he exuded an air of arrogant confidence.

Once the party had been seated at their table and food started to arrive the attention was diverted elsewhere, although this didn't stop the gossip. Soon enough everyone knew who William Darcy was.

Lizzy lifted her soup spoon to her mouth when her mother said in a low voice, "Swop places with Jane her back's to him. He can see her so much better in your seat."

She took a sip of the lobster bisque from her spoon and returned it to the bowl before replying, "Whatever you are plotting I am not interested." Lizzy then took another spoonful. "This soup is delicious." Lizzy then felt a sharp blow on her ankle. She gritted her teeth. "Did you just kick me, Mother?"

Franny dabbed the side of her mouth with her napkin. "Why don't you change places with your sister."

Peter opened his mouth to speak before he could do so Lizzy said, "Don't bother, Dad. If it makes her stop fussing I'll move. Jane, move over here."

Jane sighed and did as she was asked. "Happy now?"

"Why all the fuss? I am doing it for you, my dear," replied her mother.

"Whatever," muttered Lizzy, as she carefully changed soup dishes with Jane and then continued to eat.

After dinner, the band began to play a selection of old and new songs. The guests began to mingle. Peter whisked Franny away to dance, much to the delight of his daughters. Charles Bingley introduced himself to many people in the room. Mr Hurst headed for the bar again, leaving his wife and sister in law at the table with William Darcy. Charlotte Lucas joined Lizzy at their table. They were best friends at school but hadn't spent much time together since she became what Lizzy called a professional student. She'd spent four years at university studying psychology and law with a two-year gap. Charlotte, who would rather be known as Charlie, had just returned from backpacking in Australia for six months.

Lizzy held open her arms and greeted her friend with, "Hello stranger. Did you get tired of kolas and kangaroos?"

"No, one can never tire of those." She returned Lizzy's hug and kissed her on her cheek. "You are looking very lady-like today. Your perfume smells nice too."

Lizzy stared down at her sapphire blue, sequined shift dress. "Jane chose this for me. I hate wearing dresses they make my bum and my hips look fat."

"There's nothing wrong with the way you look. You look beautiful. Jane, you look gorgeous as always. You would look good in a bin bag. "

Jane wore a silver taffeta and black lace evening gown. "Thank you."

" Charlie, did you eat any bush tucker on your travels?" asked Lizzy.

She contorted her face in disgust. "Eww. No. I did some pole dancing though. It isn't the first time I had to do it to help my finances." She winked, "Don't tell your mum, will you? Don't tell my mum and dad either."

Lizzy snorted. "Dear Charlie my lips are sealed. I'm sure Mum would rather eat bush tucker than pole dance. Tell me all about your trip. I want to know every sordid detail."

Charlie and Lizzy became so engrossed in their conversation they barely noticed Charles Bingley approaching Jane and asking her to dance with him. However, this wasn't the case with Franny. Peter had to keep a firm grip on her to stop her from rushing over in excitement.

Later in the evening Lizzy went to the bar to order drinks and found herself the subject of William Darcy's cold gaze as she brushed passed him. Louisa had left William at the bar with her inebriated husband as she wished to join in the dancing with Caroline. As Lizzy waited to be served she overheard William talking to Charles.

"Will, are you coming to dance with us, or are you going to prop up the bar with John for the rest of the evening?"

"No. You know how much I hate dancing. Particularly with people I don't know."

"Go and talk to people then. There are some very attractive girls here."

"The only attractive girl here is dancing with you, Charles. Don't think I haven't got eyes in my head. I can see for myself."

"She is very attractive, inside and out. Look that's her sisters there at the bar. Why don't you introduce yourself?"

"No thanks, Mr Matchmaker. I gave up double dating when I was a teenager. Besides, she is definitely not my type."

"Do you have a type? You find fault with every woman. Please yourself."

Lizzy paid for her drinks, picked up the glasses and turned around. William Darcy still fixed his gaze on her. Biting the inside of her cheek in an attempt to hide her smirk, she glided past the bar customers and returned to the table as fast as she could.

Charlie howled with laughter at her imitation of his: "Besides, she is definitely not my type."