I don't really understand what is confusing, but I will explain who everyone is.
In previous stories I have used Matlock as the title of Darcy's titled aunt and uncle. However, Matlock is also an actual city in England. I did not want this all to take place there, so I changed their name. It never says in canon what the name is, so it does not matter what people make up in fanfic.
Lord Barlow (Anderson Fitzwilliam, Viscount Barlow) is Lord and Lady Melbridge's son and heir, but as he is also a viscount so he is also given the title of lord.
"Mrs. Collins, Miss Bennet, Miss Collins," came voice from behind the three ladies. They turned, each with a smile, and saw Lord Barlow dismounting his horse.
"I was headed towards town so I might give this to you, but I see am glad to have found you out walking." Lord Barlow presented Jane with a formal invitation to the upcoming ball.
"We thank you, my lord." Jane bestowed a sincere smile upon Lord Barlow and asked if he would like to join them in their walk, if he was so inclined.
He accepted and began to ask after the rest of their family, how Mrs. Collins and Miss Bennet liked Derbyshire, and for the duration of their stay. Their family was well, according to the last letter they had received. Derbyshire was a very beautiful region of the country that they could find no fault with. It was very likely that they would remain in the area for at least a month, if not longer.
"My aunt and uncle were meaning to take me on a tour of the Lake District later this summer, but now it seems that my uncle's business will prevent him from going so far," said Elizabeth. "They are now considering either the Kent Downs or the Peak District. As I am already here, it would only make sense for me to remain and then return with them."
"As our aunt is from Lambton originally, it is very likely that the Peaks shall win out," said Jane with a smile.
"Lambton!" exclaimed Lord Barlow. "That is but five miles from Pemberley, Darcy's estate."
"Is it really? I did think the name Pemberley familiar when I first heard the name of Mr. Darcy's home, but I could not place where I had heard it," said Jane. "I believe that must be it, then. Our aunt must have mentioned it to me at some point."
"I shall have to tell Darcy how close you shall be to his home later this summer. Dear Miss Darcy could use more female companions."
"Oh, pray, do not request of him an invitation on my behalf," said Elizabeth with a blush. "I think Miss Darcy a very fine young lady and would so like to know her better, but I should not like the Darcys to think me to be presuming on such a slight acquaintance."
"They will think nothing of the sort!" declared Lord Barlow. "I am certain of it."
Elizabeth again tried to dissuade him, but he was convinced that Elizabeth would make a fine friend for his cousin. Elizabeth did not discern his other intention, but she could not help but think Mr. Darcy must wish for finer friends for his sister than she. They walked a little while longer together, but then Lord Barlow had to be off. He had several more invitations that he intended to deliver personally and could not tarry.
"What do you think it means, Lord Barlow giving you the invitation himself instead of having a servant deliver it?" asked Miss Collins.
"I do not know," said Elizabeth. "I can only suppose that the rich can sometimes be eccentric in their ways. We certainly do not merit such attention from ones such as they. I cannot think that anyone else lacking a title would have their invitation delivered in such a manner."
"I have an idea of what it means," whispered Jane, so only Elizabeth could hear. Elizabeth looked at her sister quizzically, for she did not take her meaning at all. The implication was that his lordship had a fancy for Elizabeth, but they had met only once before and spoken so slightly that such a thing was impossible.
This meeting was not the only one Elizabeth had with the members of Mr. Darcy's family in the days between their meeting in Eastburn and the ball the next week. Nearly every day Elizabeth would walk out in the country with her sister, another member of the family, or just a servant, and nearly every time she walked out, she happened upon Mr. Darcy. He was frequently in the presence of one of his cousins, and on one occasion was also accompanied by his sister.
He kept his words limited to the most basic pleasantries as they strolled, rarely saying more. He spoke in a steady, methodical manner, inquiring about the weather, inquiring after her family, and perhaps mentioning some detail about the upcoming ball. Lord Barlow and Colonel Fitzwilliam always made for more agreeable walking companions than their cousin. Lord Barlow, in particular, strove to include Mr. Darcy in the conversation, but often to little use. Mr. Darcy would answer his cousin's inquiries, but would say but a few words and would make no inquiries of his own.
Elizabeth attempted to be fair in her assessment of the gentleman, for she was reminded of his statement regarding his reserve. It was possible that he was better at disguising his shyness than his sister, who looked terrified every time someone addressed her, even if the words were said in the softest and most considerate way.
It was not a feeling of reserve or shyness holding Darcy back from speaking, however. He was still frightened of what he might say if he spoke too much to Miss Bennet. He was determined not to cause her any more offense and, at the same time, did not want to risk any further humiliation by expressing his feelings of love to a woman who seemed to not have any fondness for him. He also did not want to impede the connection that was evidently forming between Lord Barlow and Miss Bennet.
On nearly every occasion that Darcy would walk or ride to town, Lord Barlow would offer to accompany him. Miss Bennet was regularly found out on her strolls, a fact which was well known to Darcy, who visited that area so often for that very purpose. The two of them would alight from their horses and accompany the lady on a stroll. Miss Bennet and her cousin conversed effortlessly and freely while Darcy was left to simply listen.
"Miss Bennet," said Lord Barlow on the day before the ball. "I was wondering if you have the third set free at my parents' ball. I have promised to dance the first two with Miss Darcy, but I should like to dance also with you."
"Certainly, my lord. I do have the third set free. I should be glad to reserve it for you," Miss Bennet answered.
"I cannot attend the dance, for I am not out yet," said Miss Collins. Such an explanation was obviously not needed, for even the most liberal of families would not allow such a young child out of the schoolroom.
"'Tis a pity, Miss Collins," said Lord Barlow. "Otherwise, I should have liked to secure a set from you as well. Mayhap in a few years when you are out." Spotting a butterfly that held her attention, Miss Collins moved ahead of Elizabeth and Darcy by a few paces, with Lord Barlow following suit.
"Miss Bennet, might I also secure a set on your dance card?" asked Darcy.
"Of course, sir," said Elizabeth. "The first, second, and third set and the set after supper are taken, but all others are free."
"I would ask, then, for the fourth."
"It is yours, sir."
The smile Elizabeth gave him was full of warmth and his heart felt a sudden leap of joy. Despite understanding that it may not have been the wisest decision to dance with Miss Bennet again, he found himself unable to resist the temptation. He was aware that she did not have any feelings for him. He also would never attempt to woo a woman his cousin clearly had a liking for. He was thus no longer in any danger of proposing marriage to Miss Bennet, but that did not mean his heart was safe from her.
For those who were not involved in the preparation of the ball, the day seemed to last an eternity. While Lady Melbridge was at sixes and sevens, Elizabeth found herself quite dull. She already walked out that morning, but no one met her and Jane on their ramble. She was perplexed as to why this had caused her disappointment. Lord Barlow was certainly personable and likeable, but she had no romantic feelings towards him. She was certain that a titled gentleman would never even entertain the thought of a relationship with her, as it was likely that he would seek someone of a similar standing. It did not help that the afternoon was showery, with rain coming and going in short, frequent bursts. Even though the rain was not too strong to make the roads hazardous, it was still enough to make the day dreary and dark.
Finally, in late afternoon, they began to prepare for the ball. Elizabeth dressed with great care, for she had no notion of what the other ladies would wear. Certainly those acquainted with the nobility would look very fine, and Elizabeth had no wish to look countrified. Her white ballgown, made over in the latest fashion, looked very fine on Elizabeth, particularly when paired with a few of Jane's jewelled hairpins and a necklace of glass pearls that she hoped looked real.
Jane, by comparison, spent little time in preparation but looked as if she were an angel. It was of some assistance that Jane had the figure and colouring that was currently fashionable, so the best and newest styles of gowns looked exquisite on her. The ice blue of her gown matched her eyes and made Jane look like an angel come to life. Mr. Collins made a comment about his good fortune in marrying such a beautiful woman and kissed Jane on the cheek before stating that they should be going, lest they arrive after the dancing was already begun.
The journey to Brawnstead, the family seat of the Melbridges, was quite short and the roads were well-tended. Even with the rain of the day, there was no trouble travelling thither. It made Elizabeth wonder if the Melbridges had sent our servants to add gravel to the roads in case of just such an occurrence or if the roads were always so well-maintained. In either case, she had no doubt it was the Melbridges who were responsible for the upkeep, which was made ever clearer when Brawnstead came into view.
Elizabeth was not entirely certain what she had been expecting, but it certainly was not the castle before her. That was no exaggeration, for there was an actual moat and drawbridge surrounding the estate. Brawnstead was an enchanting sight, the kind of place one would expect to find in a fairy-tale. An endless line of footmen and stable hands waited to help guests alight from their carriages and care for their horses. Elizabeth's gaze was drawn to the other guests, garbed in exquisite finery. If this were a fairy-tale, then Elizabeth was decidedly not the princess. Compared to the other ladies, she looked like a paid companion here to supervise a young charge.
Jane must have been intimidated as well, for she heard her sister draw in a deep breath before squaring her shoulders and taking her husband's arm. Mr. Collins offered his other arm to Elizabeth, which she accepted. They went forward to the receiving line, where they were kindly greeted by the Melbridges and their sons, before entering the grand ballroom.