Thank you everyone who volunteered to beta for me! Sorry I coudn't pick all of you...

And thanx to my new betas MAB35 and ladyamadaun for all their help and suggestions! Alright, not finally back to the story!

Chapter 4

It was a perfect September evening, the weather being neither too hot, or too cold. Outside the Plaza Hotel, one by one, New York's elite climbed out of their limousines decked out in designer clothes to enter the beautiful building. Inside, waiters in crisp uniforms, circled the room holding trays of champagne and canapes. The room buzzed with conversation and laughter as guests milled about entertaining themselves. There was one man, however, refraining form the merrymakers. Will stood alone with a glass of champagne, surveying the room with a bored expression, ignoring the appreciative looks thrown in his direction. Clad in his favorite Armani , Will was the very definition of debonair. He hated these parties and was counting the hours before he could make a polite exit.

"Hey, there you are" Charles Bingley joined his friend holding two glasses of champagne. "When did you get here?" Will glanced at his watch before answering him.

"About 20 minutes ago."

Charles chuckled, "Wow, and you're bored already! That's gotta be some sort of record, even for YOU!" Will made a face at him but didn't contradict him. He silently offered Will the second glass he carried but his friend declined, showing his own glass which was still half full. Charlie looked at the 2 drinks in his hand and glanced around for somewhere to dispose of one but he couldn't find a passing waiter. He sighed and took a sip from his drink.

"Oh, before I forget, thanks for your help today at that meeting. You totally saved my ass. If it wasn't for you, I think Sean would have chewed me out." Charles was a jovial young man and was unfailingly polite and had a smile for everyone. However he didn't have much of a backbone and would have had a hard time standing up to the more severe members of the board.

"Don't worry about it Chuck, it was an honest mistake, could have happened to anybody." Will, always uncomfortable being the subject of praise, brushed his friend off.

"Where's Richard?" Sensing Will's discomfort, Charles changed the subject.

"Have no fear boys, I'm right here," Richard strode up to them with a grin on his face and swiftly took the second glass from Charles's hand. "I didn't miss anything did I? Apart from Will's boredom I mean."

"Nope," Charles laughed out loud, causing a few heads to turn in their direction.

"Ahh, then we're right on schedule" Richard slapped his cousin on the back then took a sip of his drink. Will glared at them both.

"Don't you guys have anything better to do?. Like helping Chuck find the next love of his life?" He neatly changed the subject.

"Hey I'm not that bad!" Charles protested.

"Uhhh, yes you are my friend" Richard retorted "You fall for practically every blonde who smiles at you. And that's not a small number. For some reason they seem drawn to you and your pretty boy looks"

"You're just jealous that I get all the women" Charles winked at him.

"Dude, you look like you belong in a boy band. Any woman who wants that isn't my type." Charles was tall and lanky with curly blonde hair and blue eyes. "Besides," Richard continued. "Need I remind you that I already have an amazing woman? If anyone's jealous, it's Will. Sure when women see him they swoon but then he opens his mouth and they run away"

"Okay, first of all, I'm not jealous. Chuck and I don't exactly go for the same type of women. And secondly, there is nothing wrong with having high standards. When I find my perfect woman, you guys will be drooling with envy" Will defended himself. Richard snorted,

"More like IF you find your perfect woman. I mean, does she even exist- uh-oh heads up heads up, Billy Anderson is walking in this direction. Quick, act like we're have a serious discussion so he won't join us." Richard hissed quickly schooling his expression. Charles and Will also began to frown and Richard started to go on about random information, in an attempt at faking a boring conversation. Billy, a short, somewhat round young man with greasy hair and an annoying personality, saw this and quickly made a beeline towards the other clusters of people who were more animated than the three angry men.

"Whew, that was close" Richard spoke up as soon as he was sure that they were safe from Billy. "Now, where were we? Oh yeah, Will's standards."

"You know Will, Caroline's still available and interested." Charles suggested with a twinkle in his eye. Caroline was Charles's sister and she had been after Will since the first time she laid eyes on him. Charles had met Will at college where the two roomed together and they had been best friends ever since. The friendship between the two was an interesting one, Charles depended heavily on Will's advice but at the same time, was always the one to get him to loosen up a little. As far as Caroline was concerned, he was her ticket to fame and his close friendship with her brother meant she had first dibs on him. He had everything she was looking for in a man: money, connections and looks. Caroline was the definition of social climber and would do anything to move in New York's upper circles. However, she was mean, vindictive, spoiled and arrogant. All the things Will hated, all balled up together to form this woman who he couldn't stand but made an effort to tolerate because of his friendship with Charles. Despite Will's aloof behavior and Charles many blunt attempts and dissuading her, Caroline would not give up.

"Yeah sure I'll give her a call" Will replied sarcastically as he drained the last of his champagne. The men laughed together. Will looked up and suddenly met the eyes of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She looked vaguely familiar, with dark, shiny curls cascading down her back. The one shoulder, blue gown was a perfect fit, clinging to her in all the right places. She was not fat but not overly thin either. Her eyes twinkled as she smiled coyly at him and he could have sworn she winked at him. Who was this bold woman? He found himself more intrigued by this woman than he had ever been by any other before. There was just something about her, he couldn't put his finger on . His cousin's voice broke through his trance.

"Speaking of Caroline, where is she tonight? This is one of those shindigs she's always dying to attend" Richard asked Charles curiously. Will blinked a few times and tried to concentrate on the conversation on hand.

"Uhh, she couldn't make it. She had other plans." Charles looked into his empty glass as he answered Richard's question, refusing to make eye contact. Richard stared at him for a minute.

"You didn't tell her about it did you?"

"Nope," Charles admitted lightly. Richard whistled. "Bold move man."

"I know, she's going to kill me" Charles sighed. "Anyway, where's Michael? Shouldn't he be here by now?" Will shrugged.

"He probably is. We haven't exactly been keeping track of everyone have we?"

"So what's Lizzy like? Is she cute?" Charles asked.

"Forget it man, she's not blonde and besides, she's too young for you" Will snapped back quickly. Richard smirked.

"Plus you're not her type" he told Charles, "Will's more her kind of guy"

"How do you know that?" Charles asked. Will groaned.

"Richard drop it. I mean it" he threatened. His cousin ignored him.

"She had the biggest crush on him for years. She didn't do anything about it, just sort of hero worshipped him. It was really cute. Will was all embarrassed." Charles laughed.

"Was she annoying about it?"

Richard shook his head.

"No way man, she's a great kid. Really sweet and funny. Always a good sport, no matter how much we teased her."

"We?" Will raised an eyebrow, "I never teased her, that was all you. For some twisted reason you loved annoying her" Richard chuckled reminiscently,

"Yeah...what can I say, I know an easy target when I see one. Lizzy's like the sister I never had. I'd trade Andrew for her any day" Richard made a face as he referred to his older brother who was a plastic surgeon living in LA.

"Hasn't really grown out of his jerkiness yet, has he?" Will inquired lightly. Richard shook his head with a fierce gleam in his eye.

"Last Christmas he told Jessi he could give her a nose job that would do wonders for her." Charles and Will winced.

"Ouch…What did Jessi do? It's not like her to take shit like that" Charles remarked.

"She's not...let's just say Andrew's lucky I managed to get her away before she was able to inflict any bodily harm, particularly to the area God only meant to be treated nicely!" The three men laughed at this.

"I dunno man," Charlie continued, "if I were you I'd…" He broke off mid-sentence, staring at someone in the distance, his mouth slightly open.

"Dude, what the hell is wrong with you?" Richard asked in confusion. He glanced around trying to see what it was that made Charlie react so strongly. Will shook his head slowly not bothering to do even that much.

"Looks like our boy Chuck has found his next leading lady. I wonder how long this one will last" he muttered in a rueful voice.

"Shut up Will. Damn she is amazing! Who is she?"

"Who are you looking at?" Richard craned his head, almost frantically trying to see who could catch Charlie's attention so completely. "Oh hey, there's Lizzy. Wow, she grew up good!" Richard raised his eyebrows in surprise. William turned around to look at where Richard was gazing. His jaw dropped in astonishment and his stomach did a flip. Walking towards him was the gorgeous brunette he had noticed before. Will couldn't help but stare as she slowly walked towards them. 'That was Lizzy?' Charlie's puzzled voice broke through his reverie,

"Huh? THAT'S Lizzy? I thought you said she wasn't blonde."

"What are you talking about, she's not-ohhh I see your blonde now. No, Lizzy is the brunette walking with her. Now stop drooling, they're coming over here," Richard murmured, careful not to let his voice carry. Sure enough, the two women slowly made their way over. As they drew closer, William noticed that Lizzy was even more breathtaking up close. Her smooth skin was so translucent it seemed to glow, her beautiful eyes, bright and full of humor brought to mind the ocean near Hawaii, and her long smooth throat was adorned by a simple, yet tasteful diamond necklace that matched the diamond studs in her ears and her tennis bracelet. Will swallowed hard and tried to look away, not wanting anyone to notice his discomposure.

"Lizzy!" Richard stepped forward as the women reached them and enveloped her into a bear hug, lifting her off the ground for a minute. She laughed good-naturedly.

"Good to see you too, Richard!" Lizzy stepped away from him with a huge smile on her face and turned towards Will.

"Hi!" She reached for him. Will managed to smile and quickly embraced her, enjoying the lightly floral perfume she wore.

"It's been way too long Lizzy" Will said, still smiling at her.

"I know, I know, I keep hearing that from everyone!" Lizzy stepped back and grinned up at him.

"Seriously Squirt, why the self imposed exile? Did you piss off the Mafia or something?" Lizzy made a face at Richard.

"Very funny Ritchie. What choice did I have? My dad was always traveling around the holidays, so if he got a chance he would just stop by in France. It's not like you guys were ever around for the holidays. Did you expect me to join you at Lady C's ?"

Richard shuddered, "Point taken, wouldn't wish that on anyone" Lizzy laughed again, this time joined by Will and Charlie. Having , met William and Richard's overbearing aunt, Lady Catherine they knew that spending any time in her presence was definitely not something one volunteered for. Only Jane was left out of the loop as she stood politely smiling, waiting for her friend to make the introductions. Thankfully Lizzy remembered her manners right away.

"Oh sorry, Jane. I completely forgot. These are my friends William Darcy and his cousin Richard Fitzwilliam. They work with my Dad. Guys, this is my best friend and now roommate, Jane Lafontaine. She just moved here to start her first job as a model." Jane politely shook each of their hands as Lizzy pointed them out and turned towards Charlie with an expectant look on her face.

William turned towards him as well and spoke up, "This is Charles Bingley, a friend and co-worker. Chuck this is Lizzy Bennet, Michael's daughter." Charlie shook their hands but seemed unable to tear his eyes away from Jane, who blushed at this attention.

"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Lizzy answered, her voice wavering with suppressed laughter.

"Charlie, stop staring, you're embarrassing the poor girl" Richard interrupted with a roll of his eyes. Jane turned even redder at this and Charlie smiled sheepishly at the rest of them. Lizzy laughed and Will tried to ignore the way his stomach flipped at the melodious sound.

"Don't worry, Charlie; she's used to it by now. It's no wonder Victoria's Secret snapped her up right away" She gave Jane a quick wink.

"Hush Lizzy!" Jane cried out before Lizzy could continue. Luckily Michael walked up right then,

"Ahh, Lizzy, I see you've met up with the 3 stooges." The men snickered. "Now, gentlemen…and lady," he bowed his head towards Jane before continuing, "If you'll excuse us, Lizzy needs to make the rounds." He put his arm around his daughter's waist and led her away to her social obligations. Lizzy made a face at everyone before walking away.

"Ha, Ha!" mocked Richard in a sing song voice, "You can't hide in the corner anymore! Have fun." Lizzy turned back with a pathetic look on her face and mouthed the words: 'save me!' Will and Richard chuckled at this before turning back to see Jane and Charlie making their way to the dance floor. Richard smirked at Will. Well, looks like he didn't waste anytime did he?"

"Never does" Will remarked, not surprised by his friend's actions. The pair stood quietly and watched as more and more couples made their way to the dance floor.

"Wonder where my parents are" Richard muttered quietly, almost to himself.

"Mmmh" Will wasn't really paying any attention. He looked around the room slowly, not admitting even to himself what he was looking for. His eyes stopped when he spotted Lizzy standing with her father and talking to another long time friend, George Knightley. He watched as the trio spoke animatedly together and he couldn't help but notice with a smile that Lizzy's eyes sparkled when she was happy. Will shook his head a little as if to clear his thoughts. He wasn't used to feeling like this and it made him uncomfortable.

"What's up" Richard noticed his cousin's actions. Will looked away from Lizzy quickly, and towards Richard,

"What do you mean?" he asked innocently.

"Why are you shaking your head?"

"I'm not."

"Right, and I'm guessing you weren't staring at Lizzy and smiling to yourself either," Richard smirked. Will looked away, hoping his cousin wouldn't notice the red tinge creeping onto his face.

"What the hell are you talking about?" He tried to sound detached but failed miserably

"Come on man, I'm not blind. You couldn't look away. It was Charlie and Jane all over again"

"Shut up Richard, you're delusional" He snapped back.

"Relax Will, she's not a kid. She's 21 and she's beautiful. I can understand the attraction"

"I was looking at George and remembering something he told me earlier, alright?" Will glared at Richard, who shrugged in return.

"Sure man, keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better."

"Why would I be staring at Lizzy? She's a kid, probably a spoiled one with nothing to do but shop and spend daddy's money like all the other girls her age we meet!" Will growled, letting his anger get the better of him. What neither of them noticed was that Lizzy was within hearing range and caught the last part of their conversation. They also missed the hurt and anger on her face as she walked away, resolved to keep her distance for the rest of the night.