Disclaimer: I own nothing, except my own characters.


Balls were something that Amanda had swiftly realised were a vital part of society.

Austen had written of them as these grand occasions to dance, talk and meet interesting people. In reality, it was hot, crowded and there were no bloody loos.

Five months into her pregnancy and baby was telling her that they really didn't appreciate it.

Intent on getting out of this hellhole, Amanda Darcy, her swelling belly a taut curve under her empire cut dress, set off in search of her husband, only to run into a different type of hell.

"Mrs Darcy," interrupted Caroline Bingley, stepping into her path.

Oh what now? Amanda muttered inwardly, but plastered on a fake smile. Caroline Bingley was not going to get the better of her. "Miss Bingley," she replied, stressing the single status.

"My, how you glow," retaliated the snobby woman insincerely.

Amanda snorted softly, pressing at her side. "Not looking forward to the miraculous miracle down the track." Dropping her voice she spoke to herself. "Wonder if I can pop through the door, give birth in a hospital and then come back with the baby?"

"I'm sorry?" asked the superior woman politely, peering at the pregnant woman over her fan.

"Nothing," said Amanda, finding it hard to believe she'd just blabbed all that in Caroline's presence. "Just wondering if there was an epidural around here." She really needed to keep her mouth shut.

"What is this epidural you speak of?" queried Caroline, her interest piqued.

Not wanting to explain, nausea returning and unknowingly leaving Caroline with thoughts of some unknown female orgy, she excused herself and set off in search of her husband as planned.

Finding him standing solemnly with two other men, she marched up to his conversation without further ado and spoke. "Fitz..." she said informally.

She heard all chattering stop abruptly and the room was deathly silent. She swore that you could have heard a pin drop. Darcy's eyebrow was raised to portray what she knew to be humour, but others might take as censure.

"Oh for heaven's sake," she swore. She was tired, pregnant, hungry, hot and had a sinking feeling she was going to be sick. She did not have time for this.

"Mr Darcy," she posed in a sugary sweet tone to appease the masses. "May I speak with you?"

The fussy masses appeased, Darcy excused himself and smoothly moved them to a balcony unseen before. Happily taking in big gulps of the fresh air, Amanda gripped the stone rail.

The next thing she gripped was her husband's jacket. "Take me home," she begged as she allowed her out-of-sorts self to rest against him.

Darcy held her close briefly before he took action. "We will leave at once."

Caroline Bingley emerged from the shadows, raising a drink to her lips thoughtfully as she watched the couple leave the party.

Hm.


Next Chaper:

Wickham.