AN: Just a warning - I'm currently on schedule with updates, but playoffs just started and that might slow things down since it occupies about 60% of my brain power right now. I still hope to have new chapters up biweekly, though!


The time passes quickly enough. Jane, at first quite nervous and out of spirits, gradually recovered from the initial shock of Mrs. Bennet's announcement. Elizabeth does all in her power to re-direct her mother's very loud daydreaming and plotting, as well as their father's overdone teasing.

But then it's the day of the ball, and Elizabeth feels nervous on behalf of her sister. While Mr. Bingley might not be in attendance, it is quite likely that the mysterious Caroline Bingley will.

Nearly as soon as they arrive, Lydia and Kitty disappear to find dancing partners. Elizabeth finds it very likely she will see very little of the youngest Miss Bennets for the rest of the evening. It takes Mary more time to drift away, and though Elizabeth would very much like to follow suit, Mrs. Bennet won't let Jane leave her side. Not willing to abandon her sister to both their mother and likely to the still unknown Miss Bingley.

So she endures her mother's comments and constant gossiping. She squeezes Jane's hand in silent support whenever something particularly in poor taste is said. (Their mother's machinations have been embarrassing enough over the years, but they were done in the hopes of securing a marriage. But the firm knowledge that her eldest daughter's soulmate is a man of wealth about to enter their very own neighborhood has lit a fire like none before.

It takes all she can do to calm her mother's rather loud scheming when she sees Mrs Lucas approaching, accompanied by her daughters and two women of fashion. Although the neighborhood has a generous number of families, there can be no doubt to who the newcomers are. Elizabeth hushes her mother and is ready to resort to stomping on her foot if need be.

"Mrs. Bennet, girls, how wonderful to see you. I have recently made the acquaintance of Miss Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Louisa Hurst, whose brother will be letting Netherfield for the foreseeable future. They've arrived before the men in their party to help settle the place." The two women nodded slightly in acknowledgement. "They were quite eager to meet with you, especially when they heard of how delightful the company of both you and your daughters is."

Mrs. Bennet, of course, soaks up the praise. "I dare say we'll all enjoy the mutual acquaintance."

Elizabeth holds her breath and hoped her mother would not immediately start questioning about the "men in their party." The fear turns out to be unfounded. With such an obvious goal in mind, Mrs. Bennet is apparently capable of the necessary tact.

"This is my eldest, Jane, and this here is Elizabeth and Mary. Over there you'll see my two youngest, Kitty and Lydia, dancing with the soldiers." She waits a moment to see if either woman has anything to contribute - neither yet spoken more than two words together - but when they don't she frowns slightly before a bright smile lights her face and she goes on and on about the neighborhood and how lucky their brother is to have found such a fine house with such lively, genteel folk to keep him company.

Throughout the exchange, Elizabeth eyes the two carefully. There had been something that had passed over their expressions when the introductions were made, something that makes Elizabeth take note so that she can mull over it later without the distraction of the festivities around them. When her mother had said Jane's name, a sort of knowing had flashed in their eyes.

In the elder sister's expression there was something akin to curiosity. She looked over Jane with open interest, and seeming to come to some sort of understanding, she settled into something along the lines of resignation.

The other sister, the long dreaded Caroline Bingley on her dear sister's hand, well, there was no doubting her recognition of the name. She eyed Jane with a look that bordered on disdain (though surely those around them would have thought it perhaps boredom or haughtiness).

Between the two sisters' reactions, Elizabeth is quite sure they know the name Jane Bennet. She hopes fiercely that it is because her name rests on their brother's wrist, and not because its match is on Miss Bingley's. Though that she finds hard to believe. It always broke her heart a little to know that there was someone in the world who could dislike, perhaps actively campaign against her dear, sweet Jane. But the idea that Jane would be someone's, anyone's enemy is ridiculous to the extreme.

No, she is quite certain that if the Bingleys know anything of the Bennets, it must be through their brother.

If only that were the only thing of interest from the meeting. Elizabeth remembers quite well their faces when Jane was introduced, but she remembers just as well the way Caroline's obvious aversion to Jane shifted into something equally palpable when her name was uttered. She had schooled her expression almost immediately, but Elizabeth could still feel the heat of her glare.

Curiouser and curiouser, she muses to herself.

The exchange ends rather abruptly when the dance ends. As Lydia and Kitty frolic over - Elizabeth shudders slightly at the impropriety that the shake of Lydia's hips alone manifests - the party breaks apart. The necessary civilities are exchanged, along with an invitation to Longbourn for tea.

"I'm sure it can be rather dull without company," Mrs. Bennet professes sagely. "And Longbourn never lacks for conversation."

Mrs. Hurst offers a polite smile and, though it seems that Caroline would like nothing more than to decline, she graciously accepts. "I believe we would be delighted to visit, perhaps this Thursday."

The plans made, everyone splits off into smaller groups. Elizabeth instantly pulls Charlotte aside. She would love to bring Jane along, but she expects her mother to start some mix of praising, scolding and coaching. With the worst of it behind them, and knowing there is nothing she can do to save her sister, she decides to instead save herself.

"Your mother seems quite interested in the Bingleys," Charlotte prompts after a few moments.

"Yes," Elizabeth sighs before smiling and batting her eyelashes coyly, "But every young gentleman with even half as much fortune would warrant the attention of a mother with five daughters to marry off."

Charlotte is a dear friend, but she had never divulged the information about the Bingleys. It was quite simply Jane's secret, one she had allowed the family to know, but beyond that it was not Elizabeth's place to speak of it. Understanding the deflection, perhaps even accepting it, the topic shifted just shy of what they both would eagerly discuss should propriety have allowed it.

"Caroline Bingley certainly has taken an interest in you, Lizzie. What could that mean?"

A joke that perhaps Caroline thought Elizabeth to be her soulmate is on the tip of her tongue. But instead of being so brazen, she laughs and rolls her eyes. "I can't imagine why, I should think there's very little we have in common."

The elegant cut of the woman's dress, the fashionable cuffs to hide her wrists, and her overall opinion that she was clearly above everything taking place around her left no doubt in Elizabeth's mind that their commonalities were few and far between.

We are both women, she concedes to herself with a half smile.

"Still, Lizzie, I'd caution against making an enemy of her."

She chuckles at the warning, emphasizing the bracelets on her wrists just so. "Caroline Bingley is not a particular concern of mine," she hints vaguely.

"Perhaps not a particular concern, but let's not make her a general one either."

"As always, Charlotte, you are probably right." Grabbing her friend's hands, she pulls her in with a laugh, "Let's see if we can find ourselves dance partners and if not, let's speculate about which guests are secretly soulmates and enemies."

Charlotte, with an amused glint in her eyes even if it doesn't quite make it to a smile, follows where Elizabeth leads.


Cold eyes watch as the two head off in search of merriment. Caroline has no idea what this country girl could possibly offer in the way of rivalry, but she suspects. Oh, does she suspect. She weighs her options carefully. Which threat was greater, which she feared more.

Well, Charles had always been easy to influence. Re-directing him away from Jane Bennet would likely prove to be no problem. Louisa might even help, though she loathes getting involved with such matters. Knowing the girl better might even prove beneficial, especially given how prone to silliness and impropriety her mother and younger sisters seemed to be.

So she would instead focus her intention on Elizabeth Bennet. Her left wrist itches just thinking about the younger woman, and she discreetly rubs the offending area. There must be a reason her name is etched across her skin instead of the sister.

Satisfied for the moment, she smiles wickedly at Louisa before continuing her scornful comments of the assembly before them.