The next few weeks of Elle's life pasted with relative ease. She only had to put up with Nathan Collins unwavering yet unwanted attentions but was able to seek control and structure when rehearsing.

There only a week left until the night of the play and Elle was starting to feel the pressure. Despite everyone performing to a very high standard she continued to feel the stresses of trying to bring the play to an unnecessarily high peak. Elle had gotten so bad that Jane, her beloved sister, was called to calm and reassure a hyperventilating sister.

A source of distraction and an opportunity to vent excess tenses was found in the form of a party being held by the Lucas'. Charlotte's parents hosted many a party but this one was more formal and invitation only guests were permitted entry.

"Jane I think this is a bad idea," Elle locked eyes with her sister in the mirror, "I'm not going to have a very relaxing time if I have to spend the evening in the company of Carol and Will."

Jane walked over to stand beside Elle, with her hands on her younger sisters shoulder and was about to protest.

"Jane it's fine really… I know how much you like Charlie and ant to spend time with him," Elle replied flippantly moving to find her shoes, and missing the shock flash across Jane's face.

"Elle Charlie and me are just friends," Jane refused to look at her sister by applying mascara. Elle finished fastening her black three-inch heels and looked at her sister from her position on the bed.

"Jane even if you and Charlie are… only friends he certainly won't be able to resist you tonight. I am positive you will make him fall in love with you."

Jane did look beautiful tonight in her strapless brown dress. The top half was made of brown silk and the bottom half was a delicate mix of different layers of brown velvet, silk and muslin right to the floor. The outfit complimented her tall, lean figure and hair colour. Her hair was pulled into a French twist, decorated with hair jewels and a few strands were curled to fall softly by her face.

Jane blushed at what Elle had said but tried to hide it. "Elle let me have a look at you," Jane commanded taking her sisters hand.

"What do you think?" Elle asked doing a small turn, "Will I show you up?"

"Oh Elle you look absolutely lovely," Jane stated matter of fact after walking around, taking in every angle.

Elle looked in the mirror and eyed her dress and make-up. She was dressed in a knee length black dress. The under layer of the dress was red and visible at the chest, shoulders and at her knees where the material flared out. The slightly off the shoulder sleeves drew attention to her neck and the fitted material subtly accented her curves.

"I don't know about the make-up," Elle stated, about to touch her eye shadow.

"Don't touch," Jane scolded slapping her hand away. She turned Elle around and pulled the loose brown curls over her shoulder, "The make-up is great. So really don't touch it."

The eye shadow was dark red fading out to her ivory skin. Black eyeliner and mascara were used to finish the look.

"Here put some lip gloss on," Jane handed Elle a pale pink tube. Due to Elle wearing heels and Jane in flats the sisters were almost the same height. "Look Jane I'm catching up," Elle smiled in the mirror.

"You wish shorty," Jane smiled back. Elle faked a hurt look before laughing.

"Ready Jane?" "Ready Elle?" they asked each other while linking arms.

Outside the relaxed atmosphere of the oldest sisters bedroom the scene was chaotic. Mrs Bennet was running around and shouting in a way that would make an army general proud.

Jane and Elle had managed to escape after their designated shower times but the other sisters were not as fortunate. Kitty and Lydia did not seem to mind having their mother fuss over them but the middle sister Mary did. She had to endure her mother's rants until the younger sisters came out.

As soon as Mrs Bennet spotted them she instantly turned her attention from Mary to Jane. "Jane, my dear, let me have a look at you," cried Mrs Bennet.

Thanks to Jane's good-tempered nature she bore the attentions like a saint, smiling and nodding her head when appropriate. "Jane to the rescue," whispered Elle as she descended the stairs and sat on the bottom step with Mary, "Nice dress by the way."

The dress was nice but nothing compared to Elle or Jane. It was a plain dark blue, long sleeved empire line dress. It made her seem a little washed out. Although she was pretty it was hidden by glasses and thick hair pushed forward on her head.

After a few minutes of savoured silence Mrs Bennet's voice was heard once again. "Elle, turn won't you," her voice floated down the stairs in a disguised command. Elle sighed but moved to let the inspection begin.

Mrs Bennet's sharp and slightly condescending eye travelled over Elle at an excruciatingly slow pace. Her eyes started at the manicured toenails, moved up to her tiny waist and finally to the slightly backcombed hair.

"Look nice Elle," was all she could bring herself to say before moving past Mary on the stirs in the direction of Mr Bennet's study.

"My God be sure not to exert yourself with all the compliments your dishing out," Elle replied a loud whisper in her mothers direction.

A few minutes later Mrs Bennet returned plus a Mr Bennet. He moved and gave all three present sisters a kiss on the forehead and commented on how nice they looked.

"Kitty! Lydia! Hurry up we don't want to be late!" Mrs Bennet called up the stairs with a surprisingly high amount of patience. This did not surprise any of the people present. They were all aware of Mrs Bennet's favouritism with regards to Kitty and Lydia.

The two teenagers came running down the stairs in a very unladylike manner. "Sorry but Kitty stole my shoes." "Lydia stole my purse first."

The arguing would have continued but Mrs Bennet spoke up, "Come on or we will be late. We don't want to keep Mr Collins waiting. We don't want him to think Elle has lost interest, after all she may never get another chance at a good marriage-"

"My dear, Elle is still very young to be thinking about marriage. And I would like to think that she will have many more and much better opportunities in the future than Mr Collins."

Mrs Bennet was silent as she entered the white people carrier. Elle caught her father's eye as she pulled the car door open. She mouthed a 'thank you' before smiling and ascending into the vehicle.

"This party is going to be great," screamed an over excited Lydia as the car pulled out of the driveway.

Sorry it has taken me so long to update! And do not worry there will be plenty of Darcy and Collins in the next chapter (will be updated really soon!). Thanks for reading and let me know what you think, reviews will encourage fast updates!  Until next time. Vain