Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Inuyasha or the plot of Pride and Prejudice
"Miss Sango, Miss Kagome, allow me to introduce my sisters; Miss Kikyo and Mrs Naraku," said Miroku.
"We're very pleased to meet you," said Kagome, cheerily as Sango nodded. "How do you like Hertfordshire?"
"Very well, thank you," replied Miss Kikyo, with a graceful but genuine smile.
Her sister stayed silent, a look of haughty indifference distorting her features. As Kagome and Kikyo continued to talk they found that they had many similar opinions and very much enjoyed each other's society. The rest of the group drifted away as they became excluded from the conversation of the fast friends. Miroku and Sango drifted away to talk together, Inuyasha sat unwillingly next to Mr Naraku, who was knocking back the drinks and sneering at the whole assembly, and Mrs Naraku walked over to Sesshoumaru.
"It is quite tedious to spend an evening in such tedious company, don't you agree?" said she to him.
"Certainly," answered Sesshoumaru, concealing his distaste for this woman's company.
"Will you not then dance with me and dispel our mutual…agony?" she proposed, in a highly improper manner.
"Return to your husband, Kagura," replied Sesshoumaru, turning his head away in disgust.
Kagura glared at him and stalked away.
Kagome spotted Aoyame at a loose end and introduced her to Kikyo, whereon they all proceeded to some empty chairs on the edge of the dance floor near the fireplace that Sesshoumaru was standing in front of. They entered into a deep conversation in urgent whispers in which Kikyo told Kagome and Aoyame all about her brother and his friends including some hints about the unsavoury activities of Miroku and Inuyasha.
"But they both seemed so gentlemanly!" exclaimed Kagome, causing the other two to gesture frantically for her to keep her voice down.
"Yes, I'm afraid my brother is very talented at appearing everything charming to young ladies," replied Kikyo, with an affectionate sigh of exasperation.
"I wonder, should I then warn Sango of this?" said Kagome in a voice full of concern.
"My brother is not capable of deceit of any considerable duration, so you need not worry on that score," reassured Kikyo. "No doubt she will discover his true character soon enough."
Kagome sat back, still troubled, but then her thoughts were distracted by the sight of Mr Miroku and Mr Inuyasha approaching Lord Sesshoumaru together. They had not noticed that the three of them were sitting at a short distance, and she could hear their conversation quite plainly.
"I really must have you dance, Sesshoumaru," insisted Miroku, laughing. "I hate to see you standing about in this stupid manner."
"I certainly shall not," he replied sternly, eyes narrowed.
"Can I not tempt you with my own partner, the delectable Miss Sango?" teased Miroku, to which Sesshoumaru made no reply.
Kagome was highly affronted by his manner of mentioning Sango, but was not now surprised considering the account she had just heard of him. She was, however, far more shocked at what was said next.
"You must really be frigid if even that saucy wench can't tempt you," sneered Inuyasha.
"MR INUYASHA!" exploded Kagome, jumping to her feet.
She strode up to him, eyes livid with fury.
"I beg that you would not use such foul, disgraceful language in reference to my most respectable sister, sir!" she said with restrained anger pronounced in every syllable.
Sesshoumaru walked away from the scene that people were starting to stare at, his eyes cold as ever but a small curl to his lips betraying his amusement. Miroku was openly amused and having to prevent himself from laughing at Inuyasha's shocked face.
"And what gives you the right to tell me what I should and shouldn't say?!" he retorted, angrily.
"What is the matter here? What's wrong Kagome?" asked Sango as she walked over to stand next to Miroku.
"How dare you say such a thing about Miss Sango, Inuyasha?!" he exclaimed in pretended indignation as she approached.
He stood by her protectively and his hand slipped unconsciously to hold her behind.
"UNHAND ME, SIR!" ordered Sango immediately, causing the whole room to turn and observe the spectacle.
The furious Kagome took the hand of the even more enraged and red-faced Sango and they stormed off towards some empty chairs at the very end of the room, leaving Miroku mortified and Inuyasha torn between resentment, guilt and concern. Kikyo and Aoyame exchanged looks of astonishment and concern and followed after the sisters, but not before shooting icy glares at the publicly disgraced gentlemen.