Hello dear readers! This chapter is short, but the conversation it contains is longer than it originally was, so it was too long to include in the next chapter. Thus, I made it into a short chapter. Enjoy!
"I have excellent news my dear sister!" John came up behind Elizabeth and playfully tugged a curl. Elizabeth laughed but made know response. "Do you not want to know what the news is?" he asked disappointedly.
"On the contrary," Elizabeth replied. "I'm very curious to hear your good news; however, I fear that it might not bring such glad tidings when heard by my own ears."
"I assure you it has nothing to do with anymore permanent arrivals at Netherfield for the present time." John answered with much less enthusiasm.
"Then I am happy to listen." Elizabeth smiled softly at her brother.
"We are to hold a ball at Netherfield in a fortnight's time."
"And how large shall this party be?" Elizabeth questioned skeptically.
"It is not to be too large a ball my dear sister although George does ask for plenty of woman so that he won't have the time to dance with your clumsy feet." John laughed.
"Well you can tell Dear Wickham that my clumsy feet don't wish to dance with his ungraceful movements."
John laughed heartily at his sister's retort. "I'll be glad to send the message on to him. I am hoping that you will go to the homes of the Lucases and the Darcys to present them the invitation personally."
"I think you should join me so that you might properly meet them."
"That is what the ball is for Lizzy." John laughed. "Besides, I have some business here to attend to."
"Very well"
Fitzwilliam sat alone in the parlor room in Longbourn reading over some letters. He had just begun to reply to one of these letters when Hill, the housemaid, entered the room. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet," she introduced.
Darcy stood quickly as the young woman with dark brown hair and sparkling brown eyes entered the room. "Mr. Darcy," she gave a small, polite curtsy.
"Miss Elizabeth," Darcy a slight bow as he said her name.
"I think I owe you an apology Mr. Darcy" she smiled.
Darcy couldn't help, but to think of how pleasant her smile was and was pleased to be the recipient of it. "Whatever for Miss Bennet?"
"It has been too long since I last saw you Mr. Darcy. You must forgive me between my brother's arrival, the arrival of a distant cousin, and the coldness of the air I am afraid I have been forced to remain inside in the mornings."
Darcy, realizing that she was referring to the abrupt end to their morning walks, replied, "There is no need to apologize Miss Bennet."
"You are very kind Mr. Darcy. I hope you and Georgiana are in good health."
"We are very well indeed and I hope to hear the same for those at Netherfield."
"We are all well." Elizabeth smiled
"I'm glad to hear it." Darcy commented. Then remembering his manners he spoke. "Would you please sit Miss Bennet? Do you care for any tea?"
"Thank you," she said taking a seat. "Tea is not necessary, but how many times must I ask you to call me Miss Elizabeth. Miss Bennet is my sister."
"At least one more time Miss Bennet." was all Darcy could come up with in reply. The pair became silent.
Finally Elizabeth broke the silence. "It seems that conversation is so much more difficult with the confines of appropriate behavior."
Darcy laughed, "So it would seem."
"Well we should try our best to improve our public relationship or people shall think we dislike one another, which I believe would be an incorrect assumption, at least from my end."
"It would be exceedingly incorrect from my end as well Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth smiled, "I'm sorry if I have disturbed you. I did not expect to find you alone. I thought Georgiana would be present, as well."
"She walked to Meryton. You see,, my cousin is a member of the regiment that is currently stationed there. She went to visit him."
"And perhaps to acquire a husband?"
"I certainly hope not," Darcy laughed. "I am afraid that I am quite selfish and am not quite ready to let her go yet."
"Well I wish she had left later so that I might join her. My mother is of the opinion that I am in desperate need of a husband."
"And you are under the impression that you should find one in the militia."
"No, you are quite right. At least, I could not find one that would be deemed suitable."
"Georgiana left some time ago though I believe that she should be back any moment." Darcy changed the subject. "However, if you have a previous engagement that prevents you from waiting I will gladly pass on any message you should wish me to deliver."
"It is actually an invitation for you both. I just hoped to be able to partake in her reaction to it."
"If I promise to describe in detail to you later her response, will you tell me now?"
"Well my brother has convinced my mother to hold a small ball in honor of his arrival to be held in a fortnight and he has asked me to come and invited both you and Georgiana and of course your cousin is most welcome to attend. I should very much like to meet him."
"We should be honored to except the invitation Miss Elizabeth." Darcy replied with a small smile.
After his response, Elizabeth stood. "I expect a full report upon our next meeting Mr. Darcy."
Darcy reciprocated her actions. "It has been a pleasure seeing you again Miss Elizabeth."
Elizabeth smiled, "And you Mr. Darcy." They each bowed their heads politely and Elizabeth then exited the room.
Turning back to his letter he found that he could not keep his mind on his work. He picked up a book that lay on the writing table; however, he could not bring himself to focus on the passages. Finally, giving up, he paced the room until Georgiana returned.
"Fitzwilliam, are you well?" Georgiana asked alarmed to find him pacing in such a manner.
"I am quite alright," He said stopping. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet came to deliver an invitation while you were out."
"An invitation?"
"To a ball at Netherfield?"
Georgiana entered a very excited state, speaking to him very quickly about what she might wear. Darcy smiled, making certain to remember the details and finding himself eager to tell Elizabeth Bennet because it would require him to see her once again.