Hello! I hope you will enjoy this chapter ;)

A lot of thanks to Jen as always ;)

Chapter Eleven

Darcy

Darcy was nervously walking around Netherfield's drawing room, looking out of the windows every other minute. Just a few moments and Beth will be here.

"Darcy!" Bingley jovially hollered when he barged through the door. "I think everything is spectacular, my sister's labour has brought excellent fruit."

"Hm, oh yes, Charles, Miss Bingley worked hard on this ball, my compliments to her." Darcy replied absentmindedly, not really in the mood for talking.

Bingley flung himself onto the sofa, lighting up his cigar. "You will stand with us in a waiting line, of course, so do not think you can make yourself disappear." He inhaled too strongly and started coughing.

"Charles, I do not think that you should smoke before the dance, the crowd is going to be unpleasant enough. You do not need to add to it." Darcy finally turned from the window and pinned Bingley with a fatherly stare.

Bingley just laughed merrily and saluted. "As you wish, Captain." Then he looked closer at Darcy. "You are already dressed. I should probably go upstairs—my valet does not like it when I rush him." He jumped up in a hurry and turned towards the door. While he was turning the knob, he threw one last look at Darcy and commented. "I really hope you will enjoy yourself tonight, my friend, this is the last calm dance you are going to attend as the ton is already preparing for you.

"Do not remind me." Darcy actually groaned while he ran his hands into his hair.

"Do not fear, your Prince of Charming Charles is ready to defend you, I will not let the harpies catch you." Bingley's laughter could be heard even after he closed the door.

Darcy shook his head fondly. Charles is like the younger brother I never had. Mischievous and careless, but he means well. He just needs guidance. His sister, on the other hand... Darcy closed his eyes, rubbing his forehead tiredly, trying to delete the latest incident with Mrs Robbins. If there was something positive about leaving Hertfordshire and Elizabeth behind, it was the fact that he would no longer be sleeping under the same roof as that woman.

As usual, his train of thought led to Elizabeth. He was starting to worry about her. She seemed very quiet and morose the last time he called on her. She could not meet his eyes and when he asked if something was bothering her, she put on a fake smile and replied that everything was all right and that she was just a bit tired.

Maybe her anticipation of my removal from Netherfield has put her into a pensive mood. Though we will see each other in London, I will certainly miss her and it seems that she will miss me too. Darcy allowed a small but proud smile to grace his lips. I should not be so selfish. I want her to be happy. However, I rejoice that it seems I am important – and dare I think – dear to her... He sighed and darted towards the window again, impatiently tapping at his pocket watch, as if to make the time to go faster.

Beth, Beth, Beth, where is she? Darcy's fingers were twitching and he fought the urge to start tapping his foot impatiently while he put on his Darcy mask and greeted the guests politely. He could hear Bingley's enthusiasm at the beginning of the line, loud in his effusions. Bingley thrived on people, crowds and attention. While he was irresponsible and often needed Darcy to rein him in, Darcy also needed to loosen up sometimes and have a good laugh, and Bingley was perfect company for that.

"Oh, Mr and Mrs Bennet, I am so…" Darcy heard Bingley exclaim just before he lost the power over all of his senses. When he spied Beth behind her parents, Bingley's greetings blurred into a nonsensical string of noises. She is a vision, she looks like an angel. He caught Elizabeth's mischievous smile as she laughed at some comment her father whispered behind his wife's back, she was so sweet. He could not resist sweeping his eyes a bit lower, admiring her simple, yet tempting gown which did not reveal much but hinted at lot... He hastily corrected his first impression. Devil in disguise, a seductress who will make me embarrass myself.

He was not aware if he even greeted the rest of her family when suddenly, she was in front of him. Beautiful. "Miss Elizabeth, I am very happy that you have arrived. And your whole family, of course," He quickly amended. "You look very lovely today." Lovely? That is the only word I could come up with. What is wrong with me?

Elizabeth grinned at him impishly, her former sadness either gone or pushed temporarily away, he could not read her expression clearly. "Mr Darcy, how lovely to see you. Your valet did a lovely job with you too."

Is she flirting with me? I think she is. Oh that sly smile again. Darcy was giddy with anticipation of the evening, never so excited about a social action before. I have a feeling this is going to be a wonderful night.

An hour later, Darcy could be found leaning on the column in the ballroom, nursing his drink and scowling at the dance floor. This is going to be wonderful night. Darcy scoffed derisively. Famous last words, this is the worst night.

Elizabeth seemed to be enjoying the dance very much, too much. She was in high demand and did not sit once. First Mr Collins, then Mr Lucas and now some young buck Darcy did not know. Since Darcy did not even manage to catch her in between sets with so many people moving towards her, he had to satisfy himself for admiring her from afar.

Darcy surveyed all of his rivals. Fortunately, Mr Collins seemed to be more interested in Miss Mary. He left Elizabeth after their first dance and stayed glued to Mary's side all evening. Darcy pursed his lips. To each their own. How anybody could prefer Miss Mary to her older sister is a mystery, but at least he is not eating Beth with his eyes, like the rest of them. He diplomatically forgot to include himself in the group although he was certainly one of the most persistent observers. He threw a particularly hard look at Mr John Lucas when the young man dared to make Elizabeth laugh during their set. She is mine.

When the anticipated moment came, he found out his own hands were shaking from nervousness. Pull yourself together. He mentally berated himself. You are the master of your own estate and this little woman brings you to your knees.

"Mr Darcy, we must have a conversation." Elizabeth started decidedly. She accompanied her statement with playful wink so he was assured that she was only teasing.

"And what do you wish to talk about? Books?" He suggested, hoping that they could start on familiar ground. Although she was smiling now, he detected sadness around her eyes and he was not sure what to do about it.

"Books?" Elizabeth laughed. "No, unless you are ready to admit defeat and concede that I won our last debate over Shakespeare, I will not start another discussion about literature with you."

"Well, in that case, I have to disappoint you, my lady." Darcy tried to look contrite. "The truth is on my side and you would not win."

Elizabeth rewarded his effort with another peal of laughter. "Hm, since you are not cooperating, we will have to find another topic. Tell me more about Town. Do you know what plays are being performed during the Season?" They spend the rest of their dance by discussing cultural life in Town, planning different visits to museums and galleries where they could spend their time in January.

Elizabeth sat in between her father and Mr Darcy at supper. The three of them made a lively discussion group, causing people around them to listen. The only shadow on their merriness was Mrs Robbins who sat across the table from Darcy and alternately glared at Elizabeth or smiled seductively at Darcy.

Though their set and supper was the highlight of the evening for Darcy, everything went downhill from there. He did not have the opportunity to talk to her again. She was whisked away right after the meal for another dance and Darcy retreated into the shadows again. He did ask Mary for a set though, as revenge on Mr Collins for stealing a dance with his Beth. However, Mr Collins did not seem to mind.

While Darcy was dancing with Mary, he lost sight of Elizabeth. After returning Mary to her sisters, he started looking around for her but he could not find her. She was not on a dance floor, nor by the punch table. Darcy concluded that she needed to catch a breath after such an exhausting evening so he searched for her, hoping for a quick conversation. He was walking down a corridor when he heard a woman's voice. Regrettably, it did not belong to his Beth, but rather to the Bingley sisters. He quickly threw his dignity out of the window and darted behind a heavy curtain in a little alcove.

Unfortunately, the women stopped just a few paces from his hiding place. There seemed to be an argument going on. Louisa Bingley dragged Caroline by her elbow forcefully.

Miss Bingley hissed furiously at her sister. "I asked you not to start a scandal! I cannot afford for Mr Hurst to break the engagement over your stupidity."

"Tsk, you are such a prude." Mrs Robbins snapped. "It was just a little harmless fun."

"Well, then wait with your fun for three more months sister, I would very much like to get married. You know very well that as daughters of tradesman, our position in society is not very stable, Hurst could abandon me if he thinks you will bring embarrassment to his family." She chastised her sister, her eyes flashing with anger.

"I do not see what the problem is here. Nobody saw, nobody knows, except for you." Mrs Robbins waved her fan at her sister bored.

"Nothing?" Miss Bingley was shaking with fury. "Yesterday with Mr Darcy and now I find you with a stable boy? In a music room?" She pointed her finger dangerously close to Caroline's eyes.

Darcy shuddered with disgust, remembering his adventure of the previous night. He had a few drinks with Charles, discussing their removal to Town and what should be done and prepared with the steward before they did so. Lately, they did not have much time to spend time together, so their discussion lasted long into the night. He was exhausted when he finally arrived at his room, and was looking forward to falling into the bed where he could just dream about Beth. Instead, he found himself running away through his dressing room for safety, because there was a decidedly naked and determined Caroline Robbins in his bed. When he encountered Bingley in the hallway, it took one look at Darcy's disgusted face for Charles to march right into Darcy's room and drag Caroline out. Darcy did not stay for the sibling fight which occurred out in the hallway, but locked himself in the library and spent the night on the settee. Because of that, he had no idea who knew what. Well, it seems that at least Miss Bingley was informed.

"Oh, please." Mrs Robbins shut her fan angrily. "Darcy ran like a scared rabbit, I am starting to think that the reason he is so uptight is because he just does not like women at all."

Of course. Darcy scoffed. You disgust me so the fault must be with me and not you.

"What do you mean?" Miss Bingley asked with wide eyes.

"Oh nothing." Mrs Robbins huffed impatiently. "So, the lecture is over? Am I allowed to go?" She asked sarcastically.

"No!" Miss Bingley almost shrieked. "I- I had just walked in on you and a servant doing something inappropriate, whatever you were doing. Let me repeat this." She leaned close to her sister's face. "Do not cause a scandal or I am going to tell the General all about that stable boy and all of the footmen I have caught you with." She then turned on her heal and stalked off, murmuring angrily under her breath. Mrs Robbins stood on the spot for a few moments before she stomped into another direction.

Darcy let out a sigh of relief when he was finally free and headed back to the ballroom. He did not walk more than five steps when he spotted an open door to the balcony where he spied the luscious form of Elizabeth leaning over the railing.

He cleared his throat to alert her to his presence. "Miss Elizabeth, are you all right there?" He asked worriedly.

She spun around quickly, grabbing onto the wall to steady herself. "Of course, thank you for your concern, Mr Darcy. I just needed a bit of fresh air, the ballroom is so crowded." She forced a smile.

Darcy observed her worriedly. She seemed to be listless again. Perhaps she is tired, it was a very busy evening, Darcy reasoned. He opened his mouth to make sure when he was interrupted.

"Miss Lizzy, where are you?" Mrs Bennet was looking for her daughter. "We are leaving." She had not seen them yet, she was standing in the hall but her voice was so loud, it could not be missed.

"I better go." Elizabeth smiled apologetically. "Or she will turn the whole house upside down." She curtsied and turned to leave.

Darcy did not let her go without kissing her hand. "Well then, Miss Elizabeth, farewell, I will see you in London."

"Good bye." She whispered and was gone.

Well, what did you think. Please, leave a review. Pretty pretty please. ;)

See you in two weeks.

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