A/N- Dear readers, if it is not too much of a trouble, can I have a few more reviews? In the recent chapters, I have had only three or four, and its kinda disappointing. If you are still reading the story, I am sure you realize that my writing is by no means perfect, and I would like to know if any of you can help out with making it better. Thank you.

The next day, true to her word, Elizabeth dropped by to visit Charlotte, right after breakfast when her Mary decided to practice her playing and her other sisters all needed to buy a new bonnet. As she approached the house she was so familiar with, Lizzy grinned to herself.

Charlotte Lucas was a plain unattractive girl of twenty seven. She had two younger sisters and a brother who her family doted on. She and Elizabeth had been friends for ever since either girl could remember, and were always running over to talk about something or the other.

Though she was a sensible girl, Charlotte had very little imagination. If she had ever, like Mary, yearned to be loved by her Prince Charming, she never showed it, and her Prince certainly never showed up. It is hard luck for plain women to be ignored all their life, simply because they aren't stunning. If a man would ever care to speak to them, he might find a sensitive and beautiful young woman under the ordinary exterior, but alas, only the pretty or rich women are ever noticed, unfortunately for both men and women.

The first few years of her coming out had passed, and she fully realized that she was nothing extraordinary. She now only desired to marry a respectable man who would look after her, if not love her. The Bennet sisters' beauty sometimes troubled her, for it is natural to be jealous, but she tried to stifle it. She could never have the admiration they received at every social gathering, but she had their friendship and meant to keep it. Young Ms Lucas was good at accepting things she could not change, which is a trait seldom seen in the young, but admirable nevertheless.

The Bennets and the Lucases would almost always meet up to discuss every ball and assembly that they happened to attend, and over the years the families had become very close friends. Lady Lucas was an excellent source of information to Mrs Bennet and Charlotte was great friends with Lizzy.

Lizzy was led into the parlor where Charlotte jumped with joy to see her and welcomed her with a hug.

'Lizzy! How wonderful it is to see you!'

'Oh yes, I missed you Lottie. I wanted to see you ever since the ball.'

'But you couldn't since you were visiting the charming Mr Bennet?'

Bitterness had crept into her voice as she spoke, and she found it hard to hide.

'He is so fond of Jane, my dear. Surely you aren't upset that he does not admire you?', asked Lizzy in a gentle tone.

'Oh no!', cried Charlotte indignantly.

'I can see that he thinks well of you, and though your temperaments do not match, he does find you a sensible young lady. Count upon it, there are men who would love you as much as Mr Bingley does Jane.', said her friend reassuringly.

Charlotte laughed it off, and merely said,

'I will be glad to find such a man, but I should satisfy myself with one who is willing to support me. I have no romantic notions like yours, Lizzy, and I certainly can't afford to entertain them. But that's enough of talking about what both of us know. Why don't you tell me about the dreadful Mr Darcy instead? I have heard he is quite proud and disagreeable. However did you stand him for a whole week?'

'Lottie! This is getting annoying! Mr Darcy is a good natured respectable gentleman and you are simply not willing to accept that not everyone is as social as you!'

'Relax, Lizzy. No need to blow up at me. I am merely saying what I observed. He spoke to nobody but the Hursts, the Bingleys, his mother, his sister and you, and I overheard him say that the youngest Bennet girls were acting like fools.'

Lizzy's face heated up.

'Oh my! Lydia and Kitty must have been behaving in their usual flirtatious manner! Will they never learn to be proper?', she wailed.

Charlotte's eyes widened as she heard this. Lizzy was normally so protective of her family. Why ever was she siding with the obnoxious Mr Darcy? Could her romantic friend be interested in him?

'Lizzy, I hope you realize that he is far above your station. You should not develop an affection for him.'

Lizzy blushed.

'Lottie, will you never understand that love is not something that one plans? I have no intentions of attempting to fall in love with him, but I honestly don't know whether or not I will.'

Charlotte grinned at her friend's matter of factly tone.

'One can always learn to love another. And in case of a wealthy handsome gentleman, it is so easy to fall in love. Especially if he is attentive to you.'

'That's not the proper sort of love, and I don't intend to try it.', was the decided answer.

'Anyhow, he is far above your station. The society would never accept an engagement between you two.'

'I am a gentleman's daughter, and he a gentleman. In this respect we are equal. I do not intend to marry for the pleasure of the society! And as for an alliance between us, things have not gone that far yet.'

Charlotte gave her friend a knowing smile that infuriated Lizzy to a great extent. However, the friends changed the topic, and talked of many other things with much pleasure for the rest of the visit.

A/N- Once more, please review. Only Raina guessed the right couple so far. Hey Raina, what sort of one shot would you like me to write for you. It does not have to be limited to Pride and Prejudice. Oh, and I should mention that this chapter is dedicated to Blazewithin for her birthday. Go wish her some love!