Will dressed in his black formal attire and waited impatiently for his wife to appear at the top of the stairs. His mouth dropped open when Elizabeth appeared. She was wearing the red and black dress he had bought her while they were on their honeymoon in Paris. Elizabeth had her hair up in a soft arrangement with curls framing her face and bouncing free in back so that they touched her neck.

He watched as she glided down the stairs to meet him. When she arrived at his side, he ran his fingers over the side of her face, "You look lovely this evening." His kissed her on the side of the mouth and he whispered, "Do you remember the last time you wore this dress?"

Elizabeth glanced up at him with a light shining in her eyes, "I was wearing this when I seduced you on our honeymoon."

A growl of desire escaped from Will as he pulled his wife to him, "I love the way you say that." He picked her up into his arms, "It makes me think that we should go right back upstairs."

Georgie appeared above them on the stairs, "Will Darcy, you put Elizabeth down this instant or we're going to be late for the Charity Ball." She peeked at the clock, "Neal should be here any minute."

Will reluctantly set his wife back onto her feet and the doorbell rang as if on cue. Richard who was also dressed formally answered the door. Neal was standing at the door looking very awkward in his ill-fitting rented formal wear. Georgie didn't seem to notice as she rushed to his side, "You look wonderful, thank you for accompanying me."

"You're very welcome and thank you for inviting me." Neal answered stiffly as he looked around slightly embarrassed.

It had been decided that Richard would accompany the party inside during the ball and the other two men were to be stationed at the doors of the event.

Elizabeth appraised her husband in his tuxedo and whistled with appreciation as she ran her fingers down his chest, "You look good enough to eat." Elizabeth smiled with satisfaction as she saw the flames of desire leap in her husband's eyes.

Will slid his arm around her waist and pulled Elizabeth toward him as he ran his hand down her curvy behind.

Georgie scowled at the two of them, "That is enough. There will be no more of this fooling around until after the Ball."

Will's eyes were wide with surprise as his sister chastised them like they were misbehaving children and he couldn't help but grin, "Yes, Mother." He mock saluted as his eyes danced with delight.

The large party divided into two cars with Will, Elizabeth and Richard in one while Neal, Georgie and the other two body guards followed behind.

God, I hate these things. Will thought as he stood at the entrance to the loud noisy party with his wife and Richard standing on either side of him. "Do we really have to go in?"

"Charles told me that this would happen and his answer was a resounding, 'Yes'". Elizabeth answered with a giggle as Will glanced at her sharply with a frown on his face.

Richard discretely moved away from the couple so that they could talk in private.

Elizabeth saw the hard tense lines of her husband's face and sighed. I only thought I would use this as a last resort. She stepped toward Will and wound her arms around his waist. She could feel the pounding of his heart as her body melted into his. Elizabeth hands found the small of his back under his tuxedo jacket and lowered them as she ran her hands along his backside and pressed her body into his as she moved against him in a sensual way.

She felt his body relax as he looked down into her eyes while he bent down and gathered her into his arms with a smoldering kiss. When his lips released hers, Elizabeth said, "I've seen you in crowds before and you'll be fine." Her face lit up in an encouraging smile, "You can do this and I'll be at your side the whole time."

"I just hate these things." Will said between clenched teeth.

"But I've never been with you before." Elizabeth reminded him with a smile, "I will do my best to keep you distracted with other things."

Will kissed the top of her head as he pressed his fingers into the hair at the back of her neck, "I love when you distract me."

"I know." Elizabeth giggled, "Now let's go in before the party is over."

Will kept one arm around her waist as they entered through the doors. Will and Elizabeth quickly found Georgie and Neal and took their seats just in time as the speaker was being introduced.

"It is my great privilege to introduce tonight's speaker, Charlotte Lucas." There was a large round of applause as the woman walked to the podium. She carried herself with an air of confidence and self-assured poise.

The room quieted down as the woman began to speak, "I know many of you women out there think that it is impossible to extricate yourself from a bad situation." She paused for effect, "But it can be done." She took a deep breath, "I was married to a man who wanted to control every aspect of my life. He told me when to eat, drink and how I should set my table. He dictated my clothes, my friends and I was subject to punishment for any transgression no matter how slight." She lifted her head with pride, "It took me a long time to stand up to him but I did and now I've got a life that makes me proud."

Charlotte Lucas shared the details of her marriage with the room and finished with, "In closing I would like to note that I received a call from my ex-husband who praised me on my new found strength of character and asked me out for dinner." She smiled and winked, "He has said that he wants me back as the woman I am today." Her tone grew serious, "I'm sure that he thinks that he can charm his way back into my life and things will go back to the way they were." She lifted her shoulders, "What he doesn't seem to understand is that I have found my own strength, my own pride and my own voice so that I don't need him anymore." She glanced around the room, "To any of you who think that you are not strong enough to cope with the demons in your life, let me leave you with this, you are wrong." Her voice was strong as she made her point, "Stand up for yourself, don't take 'no' for an answer and take charge of life. It is yours after all."

The applause rocked the room as Charlotte Lucas thanked the audience and left the stage.

After dinner, Will and Elizabeth circulated through the room, greeting and talking with people. Every once in a while Elizabeth would see Will's eyes glaze over and his posture go rigid. When that would happen, she would stand on her toes and reach up to kiss him.

"Will, Elizabeth." A voice called from behind the couple and Richard was instantly at their side.

Elizabeth and Will turned to see Anne making her way toward them with a pretty dark-haired woman in tow.

Elizabeth smiled and took Anne's hands, "Anne how nice to see you again."

Anne smiled at Will, "I see you two are still together. That's too bad but I'd like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Sandy." She turned to the woman, "Sandy this is Will and Elizabeth Darcy." Anne nodded at Elizabeth, "This is the one I was telling you about."

"It's nice to meet you both." Sandy said in a well modulated controlled voice.

"Anne, it's been a long time." Richard said as he hugged Anne.

"Yes it has." Anne had just introduced Richard to Sandy when she saw Charlotte Lucas and waved her over, "Charlotte that was a great speech." Anne said as she motioned to the group, "This is Will and Elizabeth Darcy, Richard Fitzwilliam and you know Sandy."

"It's nice to meet all of you." Charlotte said politely.

"I liked what you said in your speech about taking charge of your life." Elizabeth told the older woman, "I've always had to rely on myself and I know that sometimes all the 'demons' as you called them just seem so overwhelming that you don't think you can get through a situation."

Charlotte appraised Elizabeth for a moment and with insight she asked, "What happened to you?"

Will stood with pride by his wife's side as she explained what had happened to her in her past and the outcome that had changed the way Elizabeth looked at life. Elizabeth shared a few of the details about how she had revenged herself on certain individuals to take back her life. When Elizabeth spoke about Wickham, Will could hear the worry radiate through her.

"Have they caught the man?" Charlotte asked with concern.

"No, he's still eluding capture." Elizabeth admitted and waved at Richard, "We have protection 24/7 but that doesn't stop the fear that sooner or later he will be coming for me or my family."

After Elizabeth had finished, Charlotte Lucas was thoughtful for a few minutes before she spoke again, "My organization could use a woman like you. Would you be interested in speaking or writing a blog about your experiences." She saw the doubt in Elizabeth's eyes, "I think that a great many women, young and old would benefit from what you have to say."

"I don't know why." Elizabeth murmured under her breath.

"Just think about it." Charlotte pulled out a card, "Here's my number, please call me."

Elizabeth glanced at the card before she put it in her bag. She glanced around and saw Georgie pulling Neal out onto the dance floor as the music started.

Will made a formal bow and extended his hand to his beloved, "May I have this dance?"

"I would be delighted." Elizabeth said in an affected accent as she took his hand.

Will drew her hand to his lips with the lightest of kisses as he walked her onto the floor.

He pulled her into his arms and slid across the dance floor with his wife pulled tightly against him.

"Will," Elizabeth whispered, "This isn't a slow dance." She cocked her head to indicate the rock music blaring from the speakers.

"I know," He agreed, "But I don't think that should stop me from holding my wife."

Georgie and Neal danced by the couple, "Come on, you two, show some dignity."

Will just laughed and moved along the floor with Elizabeth and he said in a mock aged voice, "Let's show these whippersnappers how to do it."

He spun Elizabeth away and they launched into a swing dance that moved the two quickly about the floor.

After a couple of dances, Will and Elizabeth walked back to their table and collapsed from exhaustion.

"Water… I need water." Elizabeth moaned as Will flagged the waiter to bring them a couple waters.

"That was fun." Will said as he picked up Elizabeth's hand.

"Yes it was." She smiled up at him and he felt his heart quicken, "You see I told you that I would provide distractions."

"Elizabeth, can I ask you a question?" Will's voice was velvety soft, "Are you wearing panties?"

The waiter picked that moment to bring their water and the look on his face was priceless. Elizabeth laughed as she leaned in and whispered, "Of course I am. I would never show up at a charity event not wearing panties."

Will waggled his eyebrows at her, "I think that would have been very distracting but maybe next time."

Will and Elizabeth danced a few more times before they decided to call it a night and they found Anne talking to Richard.

"So how does that work." Richard was asking Anne as his neck turned red, "I'm just curious."

Anne chuckled as she wrapped her arm around Sandy's waist, "You'll just have to find out for yourself."

Richard sputtered, "But I'm not… I don't have…" His shoulders sagged as he finished, "The right equipment for the job."

Anne and Sandy laughed at Richard's discomfiture as they shrugged.

Elizabeth chastised him with a giggle, "Richard, I'm ashamed of you asking such a question, I can't take you anywhere without you embarrassing me."

She hugged Anne and Sandy goodbye, "We were just leaving but I hope you will both come see us soon."

Will mumbled under his breath, "But you can leave your mom at home"

Sandy lifted her hand to Will for a high-five, "Now you're talking my language."

Anne just shook her head at Elizabeth, "Mother doesn't approve of our relationship and pretty much acts as though Sandy doesn't exist and it's very frustrating."

They found Georgie and Neal as they made their way to the cars. The drive home was uneventful but it was after midnight when they pulled the cars into the garage.

Georgie said goodnight to Neal in the driveway, "I'll call you in the morning."

Will glanced at Richard before he picked Elizabeth up into his arms, "We'll see you in the morning."

Elizabeth fluttered her eyes at Will, "You are such a caveman tonight."

As he jogged up the stairs Will smiled, "I've been wanting to do this ever since you walked downstairs earlier."