Chapter Four

16 October, 1811

"Jane! Have you seen that necklace with small pearls that you wore to Mrs Long's dinner party?" Lydia's voice permeated through Lizzy and Jane's closed door. Lizzy looked at her elder sister, exasperated by the constant interruptions. Gosh, was this how an evening of preparation went with three extra sisters? She'd gladly trade them for the one sister she had before if this was the level of chaos that she had to bear.

Jane's serene face had taken on a slightly irritated expression too, which, if 1811-Jane was anything like modern-Jane was quite a rarity. Hastily dumping the pile of ribbons on her bed, Jane unlocked the door.

"Yes, Lydia, I do have the pearl necklace. However, Lizzy will be the one wearing it tonight, since her dress matches it very well. You may ask Mama for another accessory." Lizzy had no idea that she'd be wearing it but understood from Jane's firm voice that it was mainly to dissuade Lydia from getting whatever she wanted. That girl needed to learn the meaning of respect and constraint. If it were Lizzy, she'd have complied immediately, but of course, Lydia wouldn't let go of the issue without creating a scene.

After her concern about Lizzy fainting had faded, Lydia's true character had been revealed to Lizzy. She was vapid, vain, selfish and an overall airhead. But unlike Kitty, who actually meant well, in spite of her ignorance, Lydia was mean and spiteful too. She'd been driving Lizzy up the wall by constantly asking if everything was alright with her with fake sympathy and then loudly exclaiming that, "Of course you are unwell! You will be heading to Bedlam in a few weeks, after all."

What irritated Lizzy more than the youngest Bennet's behaviour was her parent's attitude towards it. Mama did nothing to stop Lydia and doted upon her as if she was a three-year-old kid. Papa rarely ever left his study, even when Lydia and Kitty were at their most obnoxious and seemed uncaring of all of his children, except Elizabeth. And his affection for Elizabeth too was because of the fact that she took an avid interest in his books. Otherwise, Lizzy could bet ten bucks that he'd have dismissed her to be a silly female just like he did for the rest. Sometimes, this world's men's blatant disregard for the opposite gender disgusted her.

"No," Lydia answered, stubbornness resonating within that one syllable. Barging past Jane roughly, she made her way towards the dresser, where Lizzy sat. Without even asking, Lydia began rummaging through their drawers.

Lizzy's temper was this close to snapping. "Lydia. You heard Jane. I shall be the one wearing the necklace today. Respect her words." Her voice was deadly calm, just an indication of how much she was struggling to reign her anger in.

"I don't see any reason why I shouldn't be wearing it. After all, I'm the youngest, and the prettiest, saving Jane." She looked over her shoulder and sneered at Lizzy. "They'll certainly suit my features better than your plain ones."

Lizzy could feel her temper boiling over. Was it alright to chastise such a spoilt brat in this stupid 'polite society'? She certainly hoped so. If it wasn't proper, Lizzy didn't care. Lydia deserved a good hard slap, not a scolding, so Lizzy felt quite generous when she uttered her next words. "Lydia, stop acting like a spoilt brat! You are not entitled to receive everything you desire, nor are you allowed to speak your mind on everything. We are your elder sisters, so don't you think that we deserve your respect occasionally? You have been coddled, spoiled and indulged far too much. Being the youngest and the prettiest does not warrant an automatic right over everything you want." Lizzy took a deep breath. "Keep that necklace in its place and leave." Lydia opened her mouth to protest, an indignant expression on her face. "Now!"

Lydia gaped at her elder sister, before slowly placing the necklace on the dresser and scurrying out of the room. Lizzy was sure she could hear a small sob as she left, but her regret was minimal. She only hoped that the silly girl would come to her senses after this.

She collapsed onto the tiny stool before the dresser. Great. Not only was she in a different century, with five sisters, but also was acting the part of a stern babysitter. Just what she wanted.

"Lizzy?" Jane's voice was merely a whisper and she stiffened. Oh dear… How could she have forgotten Jane? What must she think of her now? Old Lizzy surely must have been much more restrained than this.

She sighed deeply, rubbing her forehead. "I am sorry for speaking so harshly, Jane,"— no, actually, she wasn't — "But Lydia needed to realise her errors. Perhaps I could have dealt with it better… But—but I just lost my temper." Jane's blue eyes showed confusion, concern and was that… fear? No, Lizzy was imagining things. "You—you don't hate me for what I did, do you?"

"No, no, of course not, Lizzy," Jane hastened to reassure her. The blonde bit her lips frown on her face. "Lydia… has not been taught well and she definitely needed to be chastised. You weren't particularly harsh either." Jane took a fortifying breath. "No, Lizzy, you were correct. You handled the situation perfectly. Something has… changed, Lizzy. You are different, more courageous." Lizzy gulped. "However, I am not disappointed. I am proud of you, Elizabeth." Jane smiled at her.

Lizzy blinked once, processing Jane's words. She was proud of her. How long had it been since Lizzy had heard someone utter those words to her? She felt happiness swelling within her.

In the past two days, Jane had shown how deeply her and Lizzy's bond ran. She could feel it, even though she was somewhat detached from her affection. Jane was calm, serene, but still resilient, firm and courageous. Most people disregarded that aspect since it was only around Lizzy that she spoke freely, and unleashed her mild, yet enjoyable humour. Jane and Lizzy spent more than half of their days together, and while Jane was still hesitant around her, there was no doubt that she was loved by her elder sister.

And today, Lizzy could say that she wholeheartedly returned her affection.

Elizabeth beamed at her sister of two days. For the first time since she woke up in 1811, Lizzy felt… accepted.

"Come, now. You must assist me with my hair. You know I'm rather hopeless at the art, while your beautifully arranged hair shows that you excel at it. What do you think will look best with my outfit—more specifically with the pearls? They are hard won, so I must look my best to ensure that my victory is not in vain." Lizzy smiled mischievously as she turned to face the mirror and Jane's gentle fingers threaded through her locks, her gentle reprimand lost amidst laughter.

Three words to describe the assembly: stuffy, uncomfortable and terrifying.

Why was it terrifying, you ask?

Because Lizzy had no idea how to dance.

When she first entered the hall, she was brimming with confidence and hope. She had felt closer to Jane, Lydia had shut her mouth and Mrs Bennet seemed to be too engrossed in consoling her baby to scold Lizzy all that much. All in one evening. If she could achieve that, how bad would an assembly be?

Of course, fate was out to ridicule her, wasn't it?

When the dancing had started, Mr George Lucas—the Lucases' eldest son, a pleasant lad—had asked for her hand to 'dance the next set'.

That's when the panic had set in.

Oh well, Lizzy had thought. Won't be too bad, will it? After all, it's technically only been three months since those ballroom dancing classes for Janie's wedding. And if I can retain Old-Lizzy's etiquette, surely, the same applies to dancing.

Guess what? Dancing was a total and utter disaster.

She messed up the hand movements first, giving her left hand when she was supposed to give her right and then the complicated leg movements—what was that all about. She'd surreptitiously tried to follow Jane's dancing in an effort to perform the proper steps. Nope, hadn't worked. So when they reached the middle of the set (with poor Mr Lucas looking bewildered at her apparent inability to dance), she decided that bowing out of dancing for the evening was the only option.

She didn't even have to try to stop dancing, it happened all on its own. When Jane's partner extended his hand to exchange positions with her, she promptly tripped and fell over his feet… flat on her face.

All she could think as she lay with her cheek against the cold wood was, Where are the YouTube tutorials when you need them?

Jane immediately cried out and helped Lizzy to her feet, along with George Lucas. She asked whether Lizzy was alright—of course, she wasn't! She'd fallen so embarrassingly, did she expect her to be alright?

Lizzy nodded and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine." Yeah, no. "I… just felt very faint."

"Oh, Lizzy! Your injury must be affecting you. I apologise for not paying attention. Come, sit." Jane, bless her soul, actually looked like she blamed herself for Lizzy's Most Embarrassing and Tragic Fall.

Lizzy fanned her cheeks to cool them, knowing that they were as red as cherries. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, judging her, pitying her. Blinking back the wetness in her eyes, she said, "Jane, it was no fault of yours. It was merely my own ignorance and negligence to take my medicine." Lizzy sighed, rubbing her slightly bruised cheek (and her very bruised ego). "Do not distress yourself on my account. Your partner is waiting for you." Lizzy smiled at Jane and urged her to go back to the dance with the poor gentleman who looked very embarrassed to have been the cause of her fall.

George Lucas asked if she was well, and such slightly pushy questions, before excusing himself to bring them both some 'refreshments'. She was grateful that he left. At least now she could mourn her fall from grace (both literal and figurative) without people fussing over her.

Hiding her head in her hands, she let a few tears escape. So much for positivity. Just showed that all this was happening just to ruin her life.

Suddenly, the chattering masses went quiet again and Lizzy looked up. Oh no. Had she done something wrong again? No, no, please, no.

But fortunately, the sudden silence wasn't because of something Lizzy had done. No, it was because Mr Bingley and Co had pulled off a cinematic entrance and arrived fashionably late. Lizzy breathed a sigh of relief. Good. Now, most of the evening would be spent picking at the 'fresh meat', so to speak and her mishap would (hopefully) be ignored.

Mr Bingley, of course, was all smiles and courtesy and delight. He was the typical happy-go-lucky guy and predictably, the happy-go-lucky handsome guy goes for the most kindhearted beautiful woman. Meaning, Mr Bingley was staring at Jane and would probably ask her for a dance as soon as he got the chance to. How precious.

Beside him was a redheaded woman who resembled him a lot, except for her expression which looked like she had a bad smell under her nose. Snob, Lizzy dismissed her. Some stupid woman who thought too much of herself. Obviously a Miss Bingley… or maybe she was married. To Mr Darcy, maybe? She felt somewhat… disappointed thinking that. But a pair of gossips quickly refuted her thoughts saying that Mr Darcy was single, rich and of course, eligible for one of their vapid daughters maybe.

The last two of their party was obviously a married couple. The woman had red hair too, not quite as vibrant as her siblings' hair but recognisable all the same. The man reminded her of a sloth, lazy, slow and rather detached from everything.

The whispers picked up again, speculations of their wealth, clothes, blah blah blah. Why did she care? All she needed to know was that her arrival had distracted everyone from the gossip building around her.

Of course, Mrs Bennet had to ruin it all.

"Lizzy! Oh, what were you thinking, embarrassing us like that? Now, come, we must be introduced to the Bingleys! Pray, do try not to fall in that unladylike manner again!"

Sure, yell it a bit louder. I don't think the people in China heard it! Lizzy thought sarcastically. She stole a quick glance at the Bingley party to see if they'd noticed. If she had to judge by Miss Bingley's raised eyebrow, then yes, yes they had heard.

Lizzy wished that she could just sink into the floor, right then and there.

Mr Bennet asked her if she was better in a whispered voice and Lizzy gave him a weak smile in return. Nodding and chuckling a bit, Mr Bennet began, "Mr Bingley, Miss Bingley, Mr Darcy, may I introduce you to my wife and my eldest daughters—Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

A flurry of curtsies and bows ensued before Mr Bingley blurted out, "I did have the pleasure of making Miss Elizabeth's acquaintance in the morrow. We—Darcy and I—happened upon her during our ride to Netherfield."

Elizabeth met Mr Bingley's smile with one of her own and turned to offer it to Mr Darcy, but he turned away with a disdainful expression on his face. What was his problem?

Lizzy tried to speak, but Mama beat her to it. "Oh yes! Lizzy does insist on taking walks across the countryside every morning. I tell her not to, but she never pays any heed to my words."

Lizzy blushed. Even she knew that such speeches were unseemly in public. Hell, it wasn't done to talk badly about someone's family in public even in the 21st-century! Jane quickly diverted the conversation towards something mundane as Lizzy stared at her shoes.

"… I would be delighted if you would dance the next set with me, Miss Bennet. And perhaps, Miss Elizabeth might consent to dance the set after that with me?" Mr Bingley's kind and open expression made Lizzy wish that she could accept.

She sighed. "Unfortunately, Mr Bingley, I suffered a… mishap earlier this evening, and thus, am obliged to sit through the dances. Please forgive me."

Miss Bingley expressed her (fake) concern for her health with a smirk hidden under her ostentatious fan, Mr Bingley (genuinely) hoped that she would recover soon and Mr Darcy remained as stoic and silent as ever.

Hoping that her duty was done, Lizzy took her leave and set off on her own, wandering aimlessly, hoping to find a familiar face. Jane, of course, had been swept up by Mr Bingley for a dance. They looked cute together. If Lizzy had been in her world, she would already be posting pictures of them with the caption 'OTP' or something sappy like that.

Finally, she found Mary, watching the proceedings with a forlorn expression. Feeling a pang of solidarity with the younger girl, Lizzy took the seat next to hers.

"Mary," she said. Her sister looked at her, nodded and looked away. Lizzy frowned. Didn't Mary use to talk to the Old Lizzy?

After a few minutes of silence, Mary said, "That was quite a fall. I do hope that you did not get injured further."

"No, thank you. I am well. I only regret that I cannot dance again."

"Are you sure you could dance again?" Mary asked, looking at her shrewdly. Lizzy's heart stopped. "You did seem to be struggling with the steps. I noticed. In the past few days, Lizzie, you have been acting very strange."

Lizzy's heart beat fast. She could do two things—lie and pretend that it was all because she was feeling faint or lie and pretend that she was losing memories. Either way, she had to lie to Mary. Tell the truth? Ha, not a chance.

She had to make a decision.

Maybe… maybe Mary could help her. If she believed that she was losing knowledge and memories, she might offer to help.

Right?

"I… yes. I will not deny it, Mary. I could not remember the steps. How much ever I tried, I could not remember them." Mary seemed to be passive, not detecting that she was lying, so Lizzy continued. "And so many memories too…" She trailed off, not wanting to deceive Mary too much.

Call my bluff, call my bluff, please do.

"I have heard of such conditions. It can be caused due to an injury to your head. It is called amnesia by the doctors, I believe. Mr Shaw—the apothecary informed me that one of the tenant children suffers from it after he fell from a horse." Mary was perceptive. And resourceful. Why hadn't Lizzy noticed that before?

They remained silent, for a while, watching the dancers laugh and twirl and keep time to the music. Lizzy's eyes found Jane, flushed with pleasure and exertion, being admired by her partner, who looked as if he'd seen an angel from heaven. So cute, really.

"I can help you… if you would like that." Mary's voice was small, barely audible over the loud music.

Lizzy looked at her hopefully, waiting for her to continue. Mary took a deep breath. "I do not enjoy dancing, not particularly. However, I do have the technical proficiency to teach you. I can help you remember… all that you have forgotten. I can help you," she repeated.

Lizzy beamed at Mary and she blinked. "Thank you! I'd love… I mean… I would like that." Mary offered her a small, shy smile in return.

"Alright, then."

A few more minutes of silence, but this time, it was rather peaceful and relieved. Suddenly a thought came to her mind. "Mary? Did I play the piano?"

Mary looked incredulous and then shook her head. "Lord, you really have lost your memories." She chuckled. "You have a lot to learn, Elizabeth Bennet."

Lizzy groaned and leaned back in her chair.

Yep, fate was definitely cackling at her.

Yay! I love some Lizzy and Mary sister moments. To be honest, I always felt that Mary was a great character who is neglected. So I decided to give a more significant role for her. Also, the whole 'Assembly insult' moment happens in the next chapter, so don't be disappointed. The chapter seemed too long, so I cut it short at this scene. :)

I have edited the previous chapter. It's not something very important that might change the plot, but I have added more length to Lizzy's encounter with Bingley and Darcy. You can check it out if you'd like.

Also, if you didn't notice, I kind of hate Lydia. The reason I wrote the scene where Lizzy puts that girl in her place is because Lizzy has been accustomed to speaking her mind, what with our world being freer, more feminist and whatnot. Also, this is a reflection of a stronger, more experience character that Lizzy possesses. Remember, she was already 25 when she travelled through time. Those extra five years of age give plenty of experience, cynicism and perception skills to Lizzy.

Please review and tell me what you think of the story! Thank you to all those who have favourited, followed and reviewed this story, you are all so amazing!

Review Responses:

Guest - (First review for chap 4) No, it's most definitely not her boss. Her boss is more like the reincarnation of Lady Catherine. :P You can say it was a modern Wickham, yes. You just have to keep reading to find out. ;) I'm so glad that you find the story fascinating! Thank you!

Lizzie - Thank you! :D Lizzy was bound to be awkward with her surroundings. Just think about it, strong independent millennial woman in the 19th century? Well, that spells awkward in capital letters. Her intelligence will definitely surprise everyone and cut them dead. (The Lizzy/Caroline interactions. *rubs hands gleefully*) I hope this update is soon enough! :D

- Lynn