Sorry it took so long to update, but I have been very busy. My word-processor broke so I had to download a new one and rewrite all of the work I already had, but here it is. :-) :-)

Darcy and Elizabeth remained silent as neither could think of anything to say. Elizabeth was wondering why he still had not replied to her remark. Did he find it offensive? She was puzzled by his behavior. He had acted haughty and proud all night, but when she when to talk to him he had been teasing and had smiled. She did not know what to make of him.

Darcy knew that he should say something, but what? He was having trouble breathing at the moment and could not form a coherent sentence. How could being in a woman's presence do that to him? He heard the musicians start up and an idea popped into his head. His mind began an inner debate at the sensibility of this idea.

'No! We shall not ask her to dance. Do you really want to give everyone here the impression that you are going to marry her?'
'Why not? She is beautiful, witty, charming, graceful and so much more. What would be so bad in marrying her?'
'Her family's lack of connections, fortune, and ,for some of them, lack of propriety.'
'As to connections and fortune why does that matter? I have more than enough for the two of us. As to her families lack of propriety, I wont be marrying her family will I? I will be marrying her.'
'Even so, we should not get her hopes up and the hopes of everyone here until we are absolutely decided.'
'I agree.'

As this internal struggle ended Darcy knew there was only one thing to do.

"Miss Elizabeth, may I have this dance?"

'Traitor! You promised.'
'You said we shouldn't raise their hopes until we are absolutely decided. Well I am decided. I love her.'

Elizabeth stared at the man before her uncomprehending. Did he just ask her to dance? She had to be dreaming. He had stalked around the room thinking himself better than everyone here and never dancing, so why was he asking her. He continued to look at her awaiting her answer. She finally decided there was only one answer she could give.

"You may."

Darcy held out his hand and she, after a moments hesitation, put hers into his. He led her to the dance floor and they began their dance.

Darcy was ecstatic and thoroughly disgusted with himself at the same time. He was ecstatic at the opportunity to touch and be close to Elizabeth. The disgust came from his reaction every time they touched. His heart rate accelerated and he had to work hard to keep from shaking. The ecstatic feeling won out however and by the end of the dance his mind was in total agreement. He loved her. Now all that was left was to make her feel the same. He wanted it to be perfect, so though he wanted nothing more than to propose to her that night, he felt that he would need to be patient. He would subtly woo and court Elizabeth, his Lizzy. If Bingley decided to get close to her sister, which it seem he did, it would make his job all the easier.

Darcy paused that train of thought and realized how far he had come in a matter of hours. He no longer cared that Elizabeth had no fortune or connections. He stopped even caring that most of her relatives were a disgrace to him. All that mattered was his Lizzy.

After the assembly ball, Meryton was alive with rumors and gossip. The behavior of the two rich gentlemen had been noticed and very much remarked on. The news that Bingley had asked Jane to dance twice would have been foremost in everyone's thoughts and lips had it not been for the shocking display of Darcy. Not ten minutes after the gentleman in question had arrived, his character had been fixed by everyone present as most disagreeable. He walked around the assembly room with his nose in the air never even noticing anyone present as they were not good enough for him. The inhabitants of Meryton were shocked then to find that Darcy asked Miss Elizabeth Bennet to dance and continued attentions to her throughout the night. People were sure of his affection for Elizabeth. Now the only question on the inhabitant's minds was will Elizabeth accept him?

Sorry it's so sort but I was running out of ideas to continue the chapter. Hopefully the next chapter will be up soon, because it's spring break!!!!!!!!!!!!!