Chapter 7

Thank you Dizzy Lizzy.60, CrazyPPgirl, AmberS76, anedrew and the two guests for your comments and thoughts – I love to know what your iopinions are, and I'm glad you like giving them

Like always, it's very much appreciated :D

This one is for you guys:

The Meaning of Courtesy

A grimacing Lizzy stared at her coffee in distaste, before finally deciding to throw it out. She had stayed up the night before to finish some paperwork a Historical Adventure book, apparently the acquisitions editor, Harriet Crowley, was unable to perform the task due to sickness.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the though – sickness? I heard Carter bragging about her at a party – how lovely she was, and how drunk!

Elizabeth sighed as she went over the deal, for the 100th time, before walking up to Forster's office to submit it. As she passed offices on the way there, Mr. Collins hastily approached her.

"Elizabeth!," Bill called, "Wait!2

Damnit! Lizzy gritted her teeth before facing Bill Collins, not even bothering to face him. His injured expression at her open hostility made her mentally scoff. On Tuesday, the day after her phone went missing, he had approached her with it, heroically stating that he had been the one 'to save her dignity by taking it under' his 'care'! Lizzy had attempted to call her phone several times but had been always automatically greeted by her answering machine. When she had confronted him on why he had not given it to her straight ahead, seeing as she was in the office, he had the audacity to state that he felt it was his right to gain some information of her contacts, at his leisure. She had been furious.

"Hello Lizzy," Bill Collins said with a frown, and worriedly rubbed his hands together, "Are you still on that?"

"No, Bill," Lizzy smiled sweetly, "Any obstruction of privacy and human rights has no value to incompetent female minds such as mine.

"Oh," Bill smiled unsurely, probably not noticing her tone, "Well I wanted to ask you if your sister got my message seeing as…"

Walking away, Lizzy let him trail off before indignantly gasping an walking away. Her fists were clenched as she knocked on Forster's door, her colleague had no idea how much will-power it took not to throttle him.

In an attempt to dismantle he anger, Lizzy smiled at the welcoming Mr. Forster, who was slightly hesitant in his greeting.

"Here is the deal," Lizzy stated as she set it on his desk, "I was thinking was she go over the possibility of future manuscript deals for the author, and I also wanted to address the program I had in mind for the Hou-"

"Miss Bennet," Forster interrupted, exhaustingly rubbing his temples while wincing. "I am unable to go over any future deals or possible products for the company-"

"But-"

He held up a hand, interrupting her, "I understand what your intentions are, but there are other changes that are going underway right now – to take up the changes you are suggesting with your second proposal would only cause more uproar," Elizabeth's shoulder's sagged slightly, her smiles falling, "And I myself cannot see it happening."

When he didn't say anything else, and took up the manuscript, she took it as her dismissal. With deflated spirits, she walked to the door, but before she left, she thought she heard him apologize.

Elizabeth was hammering on her keyboard a while afterwards, a frown gracing her face and the tension of her hands providing enormous strength.

She was, however, interrupted again by a knock on her door.

"What?" Lizzy demanded as she turned to face the intruder.

She rolled her eyes at the sight of Mr. Collins before facing her computer screen again and continuing with her rejection letters.

"I understand," Mr. Collins began after he had seated himself, "That you are angered with me."

Elizabeth raised an eyes brow at that.

"Really, I do," Bill frowned at the annoyance evident on her face, "but I come in peace, bearing the gift of hopefully positive news."

Her interest had been peaked, so letting go of her pride she faced him with level eyes.

"Well?"

"I heard," Bill bent forward as he continued, making Lizzy try her best not to recoil, "that there will be a new executive acquisitions editor… among one of us."

Breathing in deeply, Lizzy thought over it, "Are there any ideas on who it could be?"

"That's the thing, "Bill Collins licked his lips before whispering, "Carter heard Forster talk about you yesterday on the phone… most people are guessing it will be you."

Scene 2: Lizzy meets up with Charlotte and Jane before Netherfield soiree.

"Lizzy? Liiiizzzy!" Charlotte called while waving a hand in front of her eyes, while calling her name.

"Huh?" Lizzy had been lost in thought, thinking of her talk with Collins the day before.

"You've been out of it for a very long time, are you okay?" Jane worriedly asked while soothingly rubbing her sister's exposed arm.

She was wearing a strapless, emerald cocktail dress which suited her perfectly. It had taken five shopping trips, one without Lizzy, to finally find her a dress. Turns out the only thing they needed to find a dress was not Lizzy.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Lizzy smiled at them, "Just thinking."

"Well," Charlotte stated as she glanced out of the taxi window, "Looks like we're almost there!"

Sure enough, the taxi stopped shortly after Charlotte's statement, leaving them at the entrance of a magnificent Hotel. All three girls were mesmerized, but it was Charlotte who brought them out of their haze by dragging them inside.

When they when past the bouncer – Lizzy raised a brow at the thought – they entered a glorious ballroom which seemed to be out of the Roccoco era.

Before they could fully immerse themselves in the splendor around them, they were greeted by a handsome, grinning redhead.

"Hello, Miss Lucas," The redhead grinned at the petite brunette, "You look splendid! And who are these two beautiful ladies?"

"This is Jane and Elizabeth Bennet," She gestured at each sister individually, "The setting is absolutely fabulous!"

Bingley smiled at Charlotte, though his gaze was rapt on Jane. "It's lovely to have you here, my sister wanted to hold the soiree at Hilton, but I lean more toward historically connected environs… there is something to be said about the gallantry of old days."

Lizzy secretly smiled before gazing at a glowing Jane. Her sister was a history freak, and against their mother's views, had studied and now taught history.

"I absolutely agree with you! The etiquette is so elegant and genteel, the manners so proper!" Jane eagerly grinned at Charles, who matched her look. "I believe it is what we are missing in our current society."

"Absolutely!" Charles exclaimed gaily before adding, "sometimes I wished I had studied history, but I was quite conflicted…"

"Well," Jane softly smiled at him, "the work you do now is completely admirable, and is the reason we have history – moving forward is part of human kind's nature. It is, however, the values of history which are important to remember, and your job can reflect these values."

Charles grin impossibly widened, "I quite agree, Miss Bennet!"

Charlotte and Elizabeth excused themselves, and when Jane made to go with them, they quickly convinced her to stay with Charles.

"They are perfect for each other!" Lizzy happily sighed as she ordered herself a cocktail.

"I agree," Charlotte leaned on the bar before adding, "Hopefully his sister won't pose a problem…"

After a short while, though, the duo was greeted by none other than the very Bingley sister they had worried over.

"Hello, Charlotte!" The redhead enthusiastically exclaimed, though her eyes stayed icy cold, "I can't say I didn't expect to see you here!"

Lizzy suspected she wasn't talking about the ball.

"Yes," Charlotte stated gesturing at an empty par stool next to them. "It is good to see you as well would you have a seat?"

"No thank you," Caroline declined with a sugar sweet smile, "I have to go out and socialize…"

Lizzy had met many people, none of which she actually knew, in the course of the first 20 minutes. But by then she excused herself to the restroom.

When she was rechecking her makeup, a familiar woman stepped out of a bathroom stall.

It was Mrs. Louisa.

They stood, staring at each other for a while before the redhead finally scowled at the brunette.

"What are you doing here?"

"Enjoying a soiree," Lizzy raised a brow at the insolent woman, "and you?"

"I'm supporting my brother," She smirked at Lizzy, "And you?"

"Ah! So you're Charles' other sister!," She smiled, holding out her hand, "It's lovely to make your acquaintance. Louisa merely sneered at it.

When Lizzy was on her way back to Charlotte, she accidently bumped into Charles.

"Oh! Hello Miss Elizabeth," Bingley grinned at her, "are you alright?"

"Yes," Elizabeth smiled politely, "perfectly fine. Do you know where my sister is?"

"She said she needed to check up on Charlotte, and maybe get a refreshment," He blushed, "I do hope, however, she will be willing to dance the first song with me."

"I'm sure she will," Lizzy's smile brightened, "if you'll excuse me-"

"Wait, Elizabeth!" Charles exclaimed, stopping her mid-step with a hand on her elbow. "I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Mr. Darcy."

Lizzy turned to notice a dark haired, imposing figure turn around at the mention of his name. She inwardly gasped.

Extra:

Darcy POV

The night had been dreadful so far, simpering females and bigoted fat cats prowled what would have been a beautiful room.

Darcy mentally sighed when conversing with a few business owners Charles was planning on making having relations with. His aforementioned best friend had abruptly turned away from him when an appealing brunette bumped into him. Why does Bingley have all the luck? He doesn't even like brunettes!

William reminded himself that he was in fact lucky the woman had not crossed paths with him; he wouldn't be able to stand another simpering female.

When he however, heard Charles call his name, her excused himself from the conversation and turned to face a pair of brilliant green eyes.

A/N: Here is the newest chapter! I'm limiting updates to every 2-3 days since I actually should be studying for exams, and I'm supposed to be moving to a different continent in less than a month, and I haven't started packing… but really, Elizabeth and Darcy are way too tempting, I blame them!

I hope you guys liked this chapter, I might have stopped on a really important event, but I will make it up to you next time :D Also, I'm sorry if there are any major typos and problems, I haven't had time going over the chapter – please forgive me! However, when all of the chapters are down, I will go over them :)

So, who do you dislike more, Caroline, Louisa or Collins? I know it's a tough question, but I'm really interesting, and it would help me come up with ideas for future scenes and problems :)

Don't forget to review :D