Chapter 12:

Mr. Darcy would have been as uncomfortable as ever were it not for the pleasure of having Miss Elizabeth Bennet beside him. Their announcement would not be published till the next day, but they were not hiding their engagement either. Announcement or not, he had every intention of scowling at any gentleman that got near his Elizabeth and planned to monopolize her time.

Lizzy, for her part, could not wait to dance with Mr. Darcy. Oh how things had changed since their last dance! She dressed with care and could tell from his reaction at first seeing her that he deemed her beautiful.

The ball was as grand as to be expected when society such as Mr. Darcy and Viscount Crawley are invited. The two couples and Lady Mary Crawley entered the room at a fashionable time and mostly stayed to themselves. The Viscount wasted not time in dancing with his beloved, leaving his sister with Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth.

A shrilly voice interrupted their tete-a-tete.

"Good evening, Mr. Darcy" said Miss Bingley, battling her eyelashes at him. He looked as handsome as ever and she hoped, he would notice her tonight. Though she had heard her brother was still upset with Mr. Darcy, she had no reason to believe that he would not be interested in dancing with her tonight. He had singled her out in Hertfordshire and danced with her—she had every hope that he would renew his attentions.

Lady Mary raised an eyebrow in appraisal. She could smell the newness of Miss Bingley's situation, from the gaudy dress to the overdone jewels, her entire presence was offensive.

"Hello, Miss Bingley" he said coldly, though not rudely. "Is your brother in attendance?"

"He is not Mr. Darcy, he is still not himself, though I hope he will realize that we only had the best of intentions" she said, smiling widely at him. She loved seeing the two of them as a team, as a we. Unfortunately for her, her entire fallacy was about to collapse.

"You remember my intended, Miss Elizabeth Bennet?" he said, "And this is Lady Mary Crawley." The smirk on Lady Mary's face was lost on Miss Bingley who looked as if he had splashed a bucket of cold water on her.

Caroline's eyes bulged making her look as unattractive to who she really was. She quickly recovered.

"Surely you are jesting Mr. Darcy!" said Caroline, forcing a laugh. "Her, the mistress of Pemberley? Do you not remember her family? Her lack of connection? For goodness, her mother?!" her voice was raising and she was struggling to keep her voice down, "Did you not say that Miss Elizabeth's was not a beauty and that you would sooner call her mother a wit?!"

"Miss Bingley, you forget yourself!" he said sternly, not wanting to bring attention to themselves. "It has been many months since I have considered her the handsomest woman of my acquaintance and there are many things I said in Hertfordshire that I now deeply regret" he added, looking at Elizabeth apologetically. Before either of them could say anything further, it was Lady Mary who rose to their defend.

"And all of this coming from you?" interceded Lady Mary, "You have no title, no estate, and come from trade! How dare you insult my sister Elizabeth?!" Her commanding figure left Miss Bingley shaken.

"Your sister?" Caroline asked confused, looking from one lady to the other.

"Jane is marrying my brother thereby making Elizabeth my sister. And us Crawleys stick together, no offense Mr. Darcy, I know she will technically be a Darcy" said Lady Mary, throwing him an enchanting smile.

"None taken" he said, an amused smile on his face.

Lizzy looked at Lady Mary in a new light. She was sarcastic and witty but fiercely loyal, with her family and Downton. Her sarcastic tone earlier and since their acquaintance was understood in a different way.

"You are dismissed" finished Lady Mary when she noticed Caroline was still standing there in shock. Miss Bingley barely curtsied and scurried off, much to their satisfaction.

The Viscount appeared shortly after, noticing he had missed something for there seemed to be a degree of comrade among Darcy, Elizabeth and Mary.

"May I have the next dance, Miss Elizabeth?" he asked, reaching for her hand. Mr. Darcy immediately tensed up and looked solemnly at Lord Crawley. "Do not worry Darcy, she is like a sister to me. I give you permission to dance with Jane."

Mr. Darcy nodded reluctantly, watching his beloved join the dance floor.

"May I have this dance, Miss Bennet?" he asked Jane, who smiled and gave him her hand.

"Of course" she said.

"Do not worry about me" teased Lady Mary, "I shall fend for myself"

"Would not think otherwise" teased Jane, winking at her new sister in law. Lady Mary smiled in return.

"Happiness suits you, Miss Bennet" said Mr. Darcy to Jane, in a loving and brotherly way.

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I could say the same for you" said Jane, joining the others for the set. The music began and so did their dance.

"Miss Bennet, I am glad to have the chance to apologize in person. Though the subject matter seems at rest, I am truly sorry. I should not have interceded in Mr. Bingley's nor your affairs" he said in a hurried manner, unsure of how she would respond. He had seen Mr. Bingley's reaction and thought Jane was happily engaged, he did not know how attached Jane had once been to Charles.

"Thank you Mr. Darcy" responded Jane, surprised but appreciative of his apology, "I understand that your advice was not personal and you were looking out for your friend" she said, after a hesitation she added "I do wish him happiness Mr. Darcy, he is an amiable young man who perhaps will learn from this to be more assertive."

"I believe he will" he said, relieved she had accepted his apology but realizing he should have not expected anything less.

PNPNPNPNP

The next morning brought along an announcement in the papers as well as sad goodbyes from our two couples. The Viscount dreaded saying farewell to his bride, knowing he would not see her till the wedding, in a few weeks time. Jane returned the sentiment but knew she would be kept busy with the preparations and was looking forward to sharing the celebration with her family. After all, as a dutiful daughter, she knew this would bring them much happiness.

Mr. Darcy likewise planned to see Elizabeth at the wedding, where he hoped to speak to her father to settle the matter. They had not set a date and he had no reason to suppose they would anytime soon. They had gotten engaged or at least, he had announced it to Mr. Collins for the purpose of saving her reputation after Lady Catherine's disastrous visit. He still understood that they were courting and Elizabeth would not marry unless she was in love—and that, he was eager to achieve.

"Your aunt and uncle told me they had plans of visiting Derbyshire after Jane's wedding and that you would be going with them" he said, in the few moments of solitude given to them to say their farewells.

"Yes, I am looking forward to it" she said.

"It would make me very happy if you would visit Pemberley during your stay" he said, "I have some business to attend to in Pemberley after your sister's wedding and would love to see you there."

"That would be lovely" said Elizabeth, looking forward to seeing his ancestral home.

"I shall miss you, Elizabeth" he said, reaching for her hands. She smiled and looked into his eyes, feeling the attraction and pull that was palpable between them. "I do hope you grow to love me soon, for it was my dearest wish to marry you"

"I believe it is growing" she said, answering honestly. He smiled, reminding her how handsome he looked whenever he smiled and leaned in closer to her.

"May I kiss you?" he asked, inches away from her lips.

"Yes" she said, in a soft whisper. He leaned in, reached for her hand and kissed it tenderly. They both felt more at that moment than couples felt being even closer. Elizabeth felt as if she melting into his arms, and leaving both parties convinced that a long engagement would not do.

"Thank you" she said, making him blush.

"At your service" he responded, a dimple on his cheek. "I look forward to seeing you soon" he said, bowing slightly and taking a step back. They were soon joined by the others who politely ignored the prominent blush on both of their faces.