"Don't they just look so sweet together?" Maddie spoke admiringly of Jane and Charles who made a gorgeous pair on the dance floor. Jane was radiant in a flowing lilac gown, baring her delicate arms and shoulders, and Charles looked dapper in a well-fitted grey tuxedo.

"They do. They are perfect for each other," Elizabeth sighed contentedly, delighted that her dearest sister had met the man for her.

"Soon it will be your turn to find a nice gentleman."

"I suspect mine is lost in transit…"

"He may be closer than you think. He could just be around the corner, waiting in the wings…"

"Hmm. Maybe…"

"Lizzy, your uncle and I will be doing one quick round to say goodbye to some friends then we should be heading home. Are you going to be okay here?" Maddie smiled at her niece.

"Yes, I will be fine, aunt. Thank you so much for the ticket," Elizabeth replied.

"Don't mention it. Besides, even if we did not get you a ticket, I am pretty certain that someone else would take care of your invite," Maddie answered knowingly. "Enjoy the rest of your evening, Lizzy. And try to get something to eat later. Even just a light snack."

"I will. But wait, aunt, I think… Charles is… look!"

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

"Are you alright, Charles? You seem distracted," Jane frowned.

"I'm alright. Umm… yes, I'm okay," he sounded anxious.

"Why do you keep checking the time?"

"Oh, ahhh… nothing. What time is it?"

"It is almost half past. Are you waiting for something? Or someone?" Jane wondered why her boyfriend had been quite inattentive.

"No, erm… actually… yes… but…"

"You look a bit pale. Are you feeling sick? Come, let us sit down first and you can have a drink," Jane suggested.

"No! No, I am not ill. It's just that… oh, dang it! I cannot stand this anymore!" Charles blurted out while his hands fidgeted around in his pockets.

"Charles, what is the matter? You are making me nervous."

"Sorry, Jane. I wanted to wait for the perfect time, but I can no longer wait."

"What are you talking about, Charles?"

Like the legend of the phoenix… (dance music playing)

"Roses are red,

Violets are blue…"

All ends with beginnings…

"Your hair is blonde,

Your eyes are blue… too…"

What keeps the planet spinning…

"Your dress is kind of violet…

And I love you!"

The force from the beginning, hmm, look…

"We've come this far,

To give up who we are.

So let's raise the bar,

And our cups to the stars."

"Huh?" Jane studied his face, wondering if he had had too much to drink.

Then, going down on one knee, Charles held out a small velvet box to her.

"Will you marry me?"

For a few moments, Jane just continued to stare at the besotted man as the crowd turned to watch the unfolding scene.

"Y-you are proposing?"

"Ahhh… y-yes?"

"That was awful," she murmured.

"Oh."

"Not you proposing… I meant the poem," she clarified.

"Oh."

"You did not like it? Shall I try again? I have another one prepared…"

"No, please don't…"

"Oh."

"Are you going to open the box?"

"Does your answer depend on the ring?"

"No. But I would still like to see it. Now, do it properly. People are watching," she whispered, but smiled at him encouragingly.

"I love you with all my heart, Jane," he declared with feeling. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes! Yes, I will! I love you too," she sobbed while Charles slowly placed the ring on her finger then showered her hands with kisses.

Claps, cheers, and whistles arose from the gleeful audience.

"Go on! Give her a real kiss!" a man hollered, and the couple shyly obliged, resulting in louder raves. Soon after, they were surrounded by well-wishing family members and friends, a few of whom teased Charles about his song accompaniment, 'Get Lucky' by Daft Punk.

"I did ask the band to play Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect' at quarter to midnight, but my nerves got the better of me…" Charles confessed.

"Someone pass the smelling salts!" And everyone laughed.

She's up all night 'til the sun

I'm up all night to get some

She's up all night for good fun

I'm up all night to get lucky

We're up all night 'til the sun

We're up all night to get some

We're up all night for good fun

We're up all night to get lucky…

"And did someone get lucky tonight!"

The newly engaged twosome could not stop beaming and took all the banter in good humour.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

Just as Maddie and Ed were getting ready to go, they noticed Georgiana and Richard approaching and used this opportunity to congratulate them for the success of the gala. After a brief conversation, the Gardiners took their leave, hoping they would make it home before midnight.

"What an eventful evening, eh? Charles and Jane getting engaged! And those two have been inseparable tonight," Richard remarked while observing Anne and George arm in arm in a quiet corner of the ballroom.

"Mmm. Anne looks happy with George," Georgiana noted.

"I would not be surprised if they… ahem… continue talking all night. You do have separate rooms, right?" Richard asked.

"Yes, Anne and I have a smaller suite, but it would still be awkward…"

"You are welcome to share ours, Georgiana. After all, Jane would be with Charles, and my aunt and uncle will not be staying overnight, so I have a massive place just to myself," Elizabeth offered.

"Are you sure, Elizabeth? I would not want to impose. I am sure Richard would have a spare bedspace in his suite—" Georgiana hesitated as she did not want to disturb Elizabeth's rest.

"I already have Darcy bunking in with me. How am I going to have some privacy with you two around?"

"Privacy? What do you mean? You don't have a girlfriend."

"Well, you never know, I might meet some special lady tonight."

"There is one in a gold dress…" Georgiana craned her neck to locate the said woman.

"Not my type, sorry," he replied curtly, and Georgiana giggled.

"Well, if you need a room, I would very much appreciate some company, Georgiana," Elizabeth repeated.

"Thank you, Elizabeth. I might take you up on your offer."

A few moments later, the big screen on stage projected the live TV coverage of the New Year's Eve countdown. Most of the partygoers gathered around to watch the different scenes from across the country, and soon after, the focus was on the capital city of London. Richard's parents and Darcy had managed squeezed into their space near the front, with Elizabeth very conscious of how close Darcy was to her person. She could breathe in his scent and feel the warmth coming from his body. The back of his hand brushed against hers, causing goosebumps to appear on her arms.

"Hi."

"Hi," she returned and reluctantly tore her eyes away from the handsome man.

Bells tolled as the clock struck midnight on Big Ben, and people chanted along with the countdown. The city welcomed the New Year with a unique fireworks display and drone light show lasting for 12 minutes. The highlights included the Lionesses' victory at the Euro, a tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II and a message from His Majesty King Charles III.

After the spectacular show, everyone broke into cheers and joined in the singing of 'Auld Lang Syne'. Thereafter, greetings and hugs were exchanged freely among the merry-makers. When Darcy leaned in to embrace Elizabeth, she could feel his fingers briefly touch the skin on her back.

"Happy New Year, Elizabeth," his breath tickled her ear.

"Happy New Year," her voice sounded shaky.

As people moved about, Darcy and Elizabeth remained where they were standing and watched as other guests sought to refill their drinks or head back to the dance floor.

"Anyone up for some dancing?" Henry asked the group. "Come on, you youngsters should not just be standing here looking so formal. Go and have fun!"

Darcy merely cleared his throat and appeared uncomfortable.

"Elizabeth, did you know that Darcy here can dance?" Richard announced, to Darcy's horror.

Elizabeth giggled at his shocked expression. "I do not think he wants to showcase his talent just yet."

"Well, that is his loss. Elizabeth, would you do me the honour of dancing with me?"

"Oh! Umm… I was not… well… sure, why not?" she stammered, not intending to overexert herself tonight but at the same not wanting to appear rude by declining the request.

Elizabeth liked Richard and his outgoing personality. Although she found him pleasant, good-looking, and charming, and sometimes outright hilarious, she only considered him a good friend. Once they were on the dance floor, Richard could almost sense Darcy's eyes boring through his back.

"Dear, you could ask her to dance the next, you know," his Aunt Emma advised Darcy.

"I will dance with you, Darcy!" Caroline suddenly appeared, grabbed him by the hand and started to lead him away.

"Wait, Caroline. What are you doing?" Darcy asked.

"Dancing with you!" Caroline shouted over the music, making sure everyone heard her.

"But I do not want to dance," Darcy responded, trying to pull away from her discreetly to avoid causing a scene. Despite the woman being exasperating, Darcy did not want to be ungentlemanly and embarrass her in public.

"Oh, come on! Just one dance! This is meant to a party! You do not need to be such a stuffy boss all the time! Have fun with me!" she spoke loudly, sliding her body closer and placing her hands on his broad shoulders.

"Caroline! Stop it!" Darcy removed her hands but Caroline grabbed his and placed them on her waist. The man instantly repelled at the contact and made to go. He could tell that she was a bit tipsy. "Maybe you can find someone else to dance with later."

"Darcy, wait! Okay, okay. If you don't want to dance, fine! But I need to talk to you about something," she said, following him to one side of the ballroom.

"What about?"

"Louisa and HR told me that my contract will not be renewed. There must be some misunderstanding. Can you tell them they have made a mistake?" she moaned and pouted her lips.

"There is no mistake," Darcy simply stated.

"What? What do you mean? I have been an outstanding employee. Is this about what Louisa grilled me about? That ham sandwich that I made? Oh, I mean, it was not me… it was that other girl. What's her name again--"

"So you did make the sandwich for Elizabeth. Did you know that she became ill after eating it?" Darcy could barely contain his anger.

"She is fine! As you can see, she is dancing. What is the fuss about?" Caroline shrugged off her irresponsible actions. "It was only some ham."

"She is not yet fully recovered. She barely ate tonight. Food poisoning can be very serious, Caroline. It can even be fatal," Darcy glared at her.

"She won't be here if she is so sick. I don't understand why you care so much about her. What do you see in her anyway?" she spat jealously.

Darcy shook his head in frustration. "Caroline, I would caution you to stay away from Elizabeth… I… I suggest that you leave now before--"

"But it's still too early. The real party has only just started. I paid for my ticket!" she whined.

"I'll tell Mrs R to give you a refund. Just leave," Darcy walked away to find Charles or Louisa.

"What about the cost of my dress and my hair and everything?" she chased after him.

"I don't really care. Your dress could not have cost that much with so little material," he muttered under his breath.

"And where am I to go? I do not have a room booked for me. Can I stay with you?"

"Not a chance."

"Mr Darcy!" called Mr Holiday who had abruptly reappeared, holding a glass of margarita.

"Arrrrghhhhh!" Caroline groaned as she crashed into Mr Holiday, both collapsing on the floor, with her on top of him.

"Get off me, woman!" Mr Holiday yelled. "I am looking for Mrs de Bourgh! She had asked me to bring her a drink and now it has spilt. She would be angry that I am taking so long to find her!" He unceremoniously pushed Caroline off his person.

"Oh my God! You have ruined my gown!" Caroline screamed, desperately trying to hold the ripped sections of her dress together to avoid exposing herself further.

Caroline was last seen with a gold tablecloth wrapped around her, being escorted by her sister to a waiting Uber. Within a short period of time, pictures and videos of the unfortunate incident emerged on social media.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

I don't know how or why I come up with these weird ideas/scenes… anyway…

One more chapter?

I really should not say that, because whenever I count the number of chapters left, it changes LOL.

Of course, we need D/E HEA.

But if there is any important detail you think I missed or you want to know more about, please let me know.

Thank you all!