Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief as she quit the card table at her aunt Mrs. Philip's card party, and being Mr. Collins whist partner, to get a drink and then take a seat. Her respite was short-lived, however, as a moment later Mr. Wickham approached with a smile and bow. "Miss Elizabeth, if I may join you?"

Though surprised, Elizabeth nodded acquiescence. Mr. Wickham had such an open, amiable manner that she found herself intrigued to know him better. She dared hope she would have her curiosity over that afternoon's tense encounter with Mr. Darcy explained.

Mr. Wickham leaned in close so they would not be overheard, his countenance turning solemn. "I must confess I have an ulterior motive in seeking you out, Miss Elizabeth. I thought it only fair to warn you against certain gentlemen in the neighborhood."

Elizabeth's eyes widened, sure it could not be this easy. "If you mean my cousin Mr. Collins, you need not warn me. I have no intention of attaching myself to him."

He chuckled. "No, I do not mean your cousin, foolish as he may be. I refer to Mr. Darcy of Pemberley." When Elizabeth looked inquisitive, he continued in a low voice, "Though he may be handsome and charming when he pleases, Mr. Darcy is not the kind and upstanding gentleman he pretends. I know him better than most, for my own father worked as the steward for old Mr. Darcy for many years, and we grew up together as youths. But when his father died, Mr. Darcy refused to honor the agreement to provide for my education, and abandoned me to live in poverty."

Elizabeth could scarcely believe what she was hearing. But looking at the sorrow and sincerity in Mr. Wickham's countenance, she found she did not doubt his account. Her opinion of Mr. Darcy, already so low, now sank into the depths. What manner of man would treat the son of his own father's steward so unjustly?

"Thank you for warning me," she said softly. "I shall not soon forget your words."

Mr. Wickham inclined his head. "That is all I could hope for, Miss Elizabeth."

Lydia, wild with high spirits and more than a little wine, bounded up to the pianoforte where Mary sat. "Mary, do stop that dreary dirge and play something we can dance to! The night is still young. Mr. Wickham, you must join us for another dance!"

Mr. Wickham gave Elizabeth a quick smile before allowing himself to be tugged away by the exuberant Lydia.

As Elizabeth sat relishing in being alone and watching with amusement as Lydia coaxed yet another tune from Mary, she suddenly found herself accosted by her mother.

"Lizzy, do not pay Mr. Wickham any mind," Mrs. Bennet whispered loudly, with a nod and wink as if she were imparting some juicy secret. "He has not enough substantial means. You must save your smiles and dances for your cousin, Mr. Collins!"

"Mama!" Elizabeth cried, casting a nervous glance around to ensure no one had overheard. Lowering her voice, she fixed her mother with an impatient look. "I have told you already I have no desire to attach myself to Mr. Collins. As for Mr. Wickham, I see no reason not to enjoy conversing with an agreeable young man, whether or not he has 'substantial means.'" Then with annoyance Elizabeth said, "Besides, I thought you wanted me to marry Mr. Darcy?"

Mrs. Bennet reproached, "Of course, but he is not here tonight, is he? Your father's estate is entailed away, and you shall have little enough to recommend you if you do not make a prudent match. Mr. Collins would secure your future and keep Longbourn in the family!"

"Mama, please, your exclamations are drawing attention," Elizabeth hissed under her breath. With an exasperated sigh, she strode away toward the punch bowl.

As Elizabeth ladled herself a cup of punch, she overheard one of the officers mentioning an invitation to the Netherfield ball. Her spirits lifted at the prospect of dancing with the charming Mr. Wickham.

Elizabeth smiled as she caught snatches of excited chatter from her sisters as they rode back to Longbourn after the evening out. Even the prospect of the odious Mr. Collins could not dampen the delight at the thought of the ball tomorrow.

Lydia and Kitty were whispering and giggling, no doubt planning which officers they hoped to dance with.

"Lizzy, you mustn't keep Mr. Wickham to yourself all evening!" Lydia teased. "We all wish to dance with the charming Mr. Wickham, you know."

The comment drew a smirk from their father, who was seated next to Elizabeth, his eyes twinkling with mild amusement under the brim of his hat.

Mr. Collins, who had been pontificating on some inane topic, suddenly interjected, "Indeed, I shall be honored to stand up with all the Bennet sisters! As your cousin and a man of the cloth, it is only fitting."

Lydia made a face at Elizabeth, who struggled to hide her own grimace. Observing this interaction between her two daughters, Mrs. Bennet tutted reproachfully, clearly misunderstanding its meaning.

"Mr. Collins, are you not concerned for the propriety of dancing with all five of us?" Elizabeth queried archly. "After all, as a parson, would your bishop approve?"

"Oh, my goodness, you are thinking like a parson's wife already!" Mr. Collins exclaimed. "How very admirable. But you need not worry - Lady Catherine has expressly charged me with finding a wife on this visit, and I intend to evaluate all options thoroughly." Turning to Elizabeth, he added, "I insist you reserve the first two dances for me, cousin Elizabeth."

Lydia and Kitty snickered, shooting sidelong glances at their eldest sister. In contrast Mary wore a look of disappointment. Amidst this mingled reaction, Elizabeth's heart sank. She had hoped to secure the first dance with Mr. Wickham. Now she would be stuck, for two whole dances, with the obsequious and ridiculous Mr. Collins stepping on her slippers.

Later that evening, Elizabeth found herself alone with Jane in their shared room. Sitting cross-legged on the feather-filled mattress, "Jane," Elizabeth began, her brows knitting slightly as she chewed on her bottom lip, "Mr. Wickham shared something quite shocking tonight about Mr. Darcy."

Jane looked surprised. "Something concerning Mr. Darcy?" She queried, "-and is it terrible?"

Elizabeth nodded, spreading her hands helplessly for a moment before sharing the unpleasant news.

"Oh, Lizzy, I can scarce believe it," Jane exclaimed. "Mr. Darcy always seemed so genteel and honorable! For him to behave in such a cruel and unjust manner...it is shocking indeed."

Elizabeth nodded grimly. "My sentiments exactly, sister. My opinion of the supposedly noble Mr. Darcy has been quite dashed."

Jane frowned worriedly at this gossip before her expression brightened. "Let us talk of happier things. I can hardly wait for the Netherfield Ball tomorrow night! Oh, Lizzy, how splendid it shall be! Dancing, music and merriment to lift the spirits."

Elizabeth smiled half-heartedly at her sister's enthusiasm. "Perhaps I shall even secure a dance with the charming Mr. Wickham, if only to spite that odious Mr. Darcy."

Jane's brows rose in surprise and concern. "Lizzy, do take care. While Mr. Wickham seems amiable, you have only just met him. And do not forget, you promised the first two dances to Mr. Collins. As our cousin and the heir to Longbourn, it would be unwise to show him disfavor."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes in frustration. "The man will not take 'no' for an answer! He is determined to gain my favor despite my protests to Mama that I shall never marry him."

"I know, Lizzy," Jane sighed. "But you heard Mama, she says if not Mr. Collins, then it must be Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth scowled. "Mr. Darcy! After what we just heard about his poor character, I should sooner marry the chimney sweep!" She threw up her hands. "Must I be doomed to choose between two such unappealing options? There must be more to life than becoming a wife just to break the inheritance!"

Jane gave her sister a sympathetic look. "Do not despair, Lizzy. There are still other eligible gentlemen who may come along. And you must follow your heart. Mama will come around in time once she sees your determination and realizes your happiness is at stake."

Elizabeth shook her head wearily. "For now, all I wish is to avoid Mr. Collins at the ball tomorrow night, lest he mistake any courtesy on my part for encouragement!"

Elizabeth entered the Netherfield ballroom searching the crowd for any sign of Mr. Wickham. However, after scanning the room multiple times, he was nowhere to be found. Her heart sank in disappointment.

Just then, Lieutenant Denny, an acquaintance of Wickham's, approached Elizabeth with a bow. "Miss Elizabeth, I have come with a message from Mr. Wickham. He asked me to convey his sincerest apologies that he will be unable to attend this evening's ball."

Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise. "Did he say why he could not come, Lieutenant Denny?"

The young officer looked uncomfortable. "Mr. Wickham thought it prudent not to attend, given that certain...other guests would be present."

It did not take much inference to discern that Mr. Wickham had avoided the ball solely to not encounter Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth pressed her lips together angrily, annoyed by this evidence of Mr. Wickham's irresponsibility and cowardice.

Lieutenant Denny bowed again and hastily took his leave. Elizabeth was left standing alone, her previous desire to dance and converse quite dried up. She could not believe Mr. Wickham would make such implications about his history with Mr. Darcy and then fail to show his face.

With a shake of her head, Elizabeth resolved not to waste another thought on the faithless Mr. Wickham that evening and walked towards her good friend Charlotte she just spied in the crowd.

She had not gone two steps before Mr. Collins materialized at her elbow, a jovial smile upon his ruddy face. "Cousin Elizabeth! Do not go far! You did promise me the honor of your hand, you know."

Elizabeth pasted a pleasant smile on her face. "Do not worry, I am going to speak with my good friend Charlotte."

Mr. Collins looked put out. "If you insist, cousin. But I shall expect your hand for the first two sets!" He bowed with pompous dignity before waddling off into the crowd.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Her evening had gone from bad to worse, and the night was still young yet.

"Charlotte, I am so glad to see you!"

Her friend smiled warmly in welcome. "Lizzy, how do you do?" Glancing past Elizabeth to where Mr. Collins stood puffing with consequence, her smile faltered somewhat.

Elizabeth turned with a sigh to Mr. Collins. "Cousin, may I present my friend Miss Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte, this is our cousin Mr. Collins, rector of Hunsford parish."

Mr. Collins bowed with absurd exaggeration upon the introduction. "Delighted to make your acquaintance, Miss Lucas."

Charlotte curtsied politely. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Collins."

Charlotte's even temper and natural complaisance allowed her to weather foolish discourse with equanimity, but Elizabeth doubted even her friend's patience would withstand a lengthy dose of Mr. Collins' particular brand of nonsense.

Mr. Collins beamed at the two ladies, "Yes, yes, I am the rector of the prestigious Lady Catherine de Bourgh's parish. It is a most important position and her ladyship values my counsel exceedingly." He leaned in conspiratorially. "In fact, she recently complimented me on the eloquence of my last sermon. She said it was a model for the clergy far and wide!"

Elizabeth sincerely doubted the veracity of this claim but held her tongue with some difficulty.

He peered about the ballroom, his chest swelling with self-consequence. "I daresay her ladyship's ballroom is the most opulent I have had the honor of attending. The glamour quite exceeds any other entertainment I have witnessed in my time."

"You are clearly well-traveled then, Mr. Collins," Charlotte said gently.

He waved a dismissive hand. "I endeavor to broaden my horizons when I can, though my parish duties must take precedence. Still, Rosings Park affords pleasures enough, as I'm sure you would agree were you fortunate to visit."

He directed a pointed look at Elizabeth with a smarmy smile. Before Elizabeth could protest, the musicians struck up the first notes of the dance, signaling the start of the first sets.

Elizabeth stifled a groan as Mr. Collins led her into the set for their first dance. She had little hope this experience would be any less mortifying than their initial introduction.

What shenanigans will happen next?

Just realized my mounjaro savings card expired, and my insurance won't cover any med because I don't have diabetes. :( My hormone ghrelin doesn't work and I am STARVING 24/7 without the new GLP-1 meds. Canada isn't even selling ozempic to non-Canadians anymore! I just want to not be starving around the clock. It doesn't matter if I eat low carb and my stomach is full, STARVING.

If any of you have tips/tricks on a DIY ghrelin hormone repair let me know! I'm looking into fennel tea for appetite suppression.