Elizabeth's misgivings were confirmed within moments as her bumbling partner proceeded to steer her at odds with the other dancers, collide with nearby couples, and step repeatedly on her toes.

"Oh! Do excuse me, cousin Elizabeth!" Mr. Collins exclaimed as he trod heavily upon her slippered foot yet again.

Elizabeth winced, biting back a sharp retort. "It is no matter, sir."

"I am not accustomed to these lively country dances," he confessed with a self-deprecating chuckle. "The stately minuets we practice at Rosings Park suit me much better. But when in Meryton, one must do as the Merytonians do!"

"Indeed," Elizabeth muttered under her breath. Aloud, she said, "Perhaps it would be better to sit out the remainder of this set, Mr. Collins, before we create an even larger commotion."

"Nonsense, I insist on completing my obligation to you as promised," he replied with pompous dignity. "We have a duty to entertain our hosts and company."

Trapped, Elizabeth could only brace herself as Mr. Collins launched into another series of ill-timed bows, skips and kicks that sent dancers scattering in all directions.

"Do take care, Mr. Collins!" she cried through gritted teeth.

Face burning with embarrassment, Elizabeth smiled weakly at Charlotte as they circled past. Her friend returned an commiserating look, having the fortune to sit out the dance.

As the pattern brought her down the line of ladies, she caught sight of Mr. Darcy standing behind the dancers, a faint smirk upon his lips. Elizabeth felt a flare of indignation at his obvious amusement over her predicament.

The mortifying dance finally ended, freeing Elizabeth of Mr. Collins' inept ministrations. She curtsied hastily and moved to withdraw from the floor, before Mr. Collins could try to claim her for another set.

Elizabeth slipped away into the crowd as quickly as she could, seeking refuge from her ridiculous partner. She found Charlotte standing alone by the punch bowl.

Charlotte gave Elizabeth a look of sympathy. "Your cousin seems most...attentive today," she said delicately.

Elizabeth groaned. "Attentive does not begin to describe it. Mortifying, appalling, tactless - those are more apt terms for Mr. Collins' behavior this evening."

Charlotte smiled in commiseration. "At least you survived with all your toes intact, from the looks of it."

"Barely," Elizabeth said ruefully, glancing down at her trampled slippers. "Though I suppose I must be grateful he did not cause a larger disaster."

Her eyes inadvertently strayed across the room to where Mr. Darcy stood, now conversing with Mr. Bingley. A frown still lingered on his face, and she wondered if he was continuing to pass judgement on her evident lack of dancing skill. She felt another spark of irritation that this prideful man should look down upon her so.

Charlotte followed her gaze and smiled knowingly. "It seems you made quite an impression on another gentleman this evening as well."

Elizabeth shook her head with a scornful laugh. "The only impression I have made on Mr. Darcy is that of a clumsy provincial with poor choice in dance partners. I can assure you, the sentiment behind that frown is not admiration."

Charlotte's smile only deepened, as if she knew better. But she kept her opinions to herself, for which Elizabeth was grateful. The last thing she needed was another matchmaker promoting the ridiculous notion of her capturing Mr. Darcy's fancy.

Charlotte's gaze shifted over Elizabeth's shoulder, and her smile faded. "I believe your mother is trying to gain your attention, Lizzy."

Elizabeth tensed, keeping her back determinedly turned. "I have no wish to speak with her at present. She is intent on seeing me make a fool of myself this evening, and I will not oblige her further."

Charlotte gave her a sympathetic pat on the arm. "I understand, but she will not be deterred. Might as well face her now - the longer you avoid her, the more persistently she will chase you down."

Elizabeth sighed, knowing Charlotte spoke the truth. "Very well. But you must rescue me swiftly if her nonsense becomes too much to bear."

Just then, a commotion arose across the room, near where Mr. Darcy had been standing. Elizabeth peered over to see Mr. Darcy angrily stalk out of the ballroom, his face stormy.

Elizabeth turned back to find her mother had witnessed the display as well, her eyes alight with speculation. "Did you see that, Lizzy? I told you Mr. Darcy could not keep his eyes off you! Why, he must have been in such a jealous rage watching you dance with Mr. Collins that he simply could not contain himself."

Elizabeth stared at her mother in disbelief. "Mama, you cannot truly believe Mr. Darcy's exit had anything to do with me. We have hardly spoken two words together this evening, and not once did he give any indication of particular regard or admiration."

"You are too blind to see what is directly before you!" Mrs. Bennet insisted. "Mark my words, that man is besotted with you. I am certain his dramatic exit was meant to catch your notice and elicit your concern. And now he expects you to hurry after him, to soothe his wounded pride and assure him of your favor."

She gave Elizabeth an encouraging nudge towards the door Mr. Darcy had disappeared through. But Elizabeth stood firm, refusing to indulge her nonsense.

"I will do no such thing, Mama. Even if your outlandish speculations were true, I have no intention of chasing after any man, least of all one so haughty and ungentlemanly as to storm out of an assembly without a word."

"Ungrateful, headstrong girl!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed in dismay. "You pass up a prime opportunity to win the heart of 10,000 pounds per annum, and to save Longbourn and for what purpose? I give you the perfect opening to secure such an eligible match, and yet you thwart me at every turn through your obstinacy!"

"Mr. Darcy and I do not suit, Mama," Elizabeth insisted wearily. "His wealth means little to me if our temperaments are so wholly incompatible. Now please excuse me I have a headache."

She did not wait for her mother's leave before walking away, intent on escaping her fruitless matchmaking schemes. Let Mr. Darcy think and act how he pleased - she wanted no part of such drama or speculation.

Elizabeth strode away from her mother as quickly as she could without running, intent on escaping the ballroom. But Mrs. Bennet followed close behind, calling after her in protest. "Lizzy, come back here this instant! Do not walk away when I am speaking to you about such important matters."

Elizabeth did not slow her pace, turning down hallways in an attempt to lose her mother's pursuit. But Mrs. Bennet was not so easily deterred, following after with surprising speed given her usual indolence.

"You must go to Mr. Darcy at once and assure him of your interest before some other lady snatches up his fortune. Lizzy, are you attending me? This may be your last chance!"

Her mother's shrill voice echoed off the walls as Elizabeth darted around another corner, finding herself in a long corridor with no egress in sight. In desperation, she yanked open the first door she came across and slipped inside, pressing back against the door as she caught her breath.

Mrs. Bennet tried the handle. "Lizzy, let me in at once! You do not have a headache. You need to secure your future before it is too late."

"Please, Mama, leave me in peace," Elizabeth called through the door, eyes still closed as she willed her pounding heart to slow.

A sudden cough startled her eyes open - and she glimpsed a sight that made her promptly avert her gaze with a gasp.

Mr. Darcy stood but a few feet away, his breeches stained with what appeared to be wine and in the midst of undoing them. Elizabeth had clearly intruded at an awkward moment.

"Forgive me, I did not realize this room was occupied," she stammered, keeping her eyes turned away. Her face burned with mortification.

Mrs. Bennet's insistent pounding at the door broke the stillness. "Lizzy? I was not done speaking with you! Let me in at once!"

Elizabeth's face flamed as she turned back to face the closed door, with her mother on the other side. There could be no escape from humiliation this night.

She opened the door a crack, hissing, "Mama, I am not alone - please leave me in peace!" Before her startled mother could question her further, Elizabeth shut the door once more, letting out a groan.

The awkward silence in the room continued. Elizabeth could hear Mr. Darcy hastily finishing making himself decent, his movements clipped. At last he spoke, his tone icy. "That was...ill-advised, Miss Elizabeth. Now your reputation may come under suspicion as well as mine."

Elizabeth turned around, anger overcoming her mortification. "And whose fault is that, sir? I sought only a moment's respite, with no thought of encountering anyone unchaperoned - least of all yourself!"

Mr. Darcy's eyes flashed. "You overstep yourself, madam. This predicament is of your own reckless making."

"As is your habit, you make accusations where none are deserved and pass judgement without cause," Elizabeth shot back. Her cheeks were hot, but no longer from embarrassment alone.

With that she grasped the handle of the door, flinging it open to find not just her mother waiting outside - but also a man who must be Mr. Darcy's valet, holding a fresh pair of breeches, as well as a confused Miss Bingley.

Mrs. Bennet stood speechless for a heartbeat before her face lit up with excitement. "Why, Lizzy, Mr. Darcy! This is...well, this changes everything!"

Miss Bingley's haughty countenance turned pale.

Elizabeth stared at her mother in dismay. "Mama, no - it is not as you suppose!"

But Mrs. Bennet was not to be deterred. "There is no need to conceal the truth from me, Lizzy. You and Mr. Darcy now must marry posthaste!" She clapped her hands together in delight. "And Longbourn shall be saved, thanks to your most fortunate entanglement this evening!"

Elizabeth felt her own mortification rise. "Mama, please keep your voice down! It was all merely a mistake, I assure you my purpose was only to find an empty room! My reputation remains intact."

"Mr...Mr. Darcy?" Miss Bingley's eyes widened at the sight of him emerging from the room where Elizabeth stood. Her lips pursed as she regarded Elizabeth with a mixture of censure and unwilling curiosity. "I apologize for the interruption, sir. I merely followed your valet to relay an urgent message for my brother."

Her gaze darted between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, taking in their discomposure and the empty room beyond. To Elizabeth's eye, her forced smile did not reach those watchful eyes, their serene curiosity belying the sharpness of Miss Bingley's discernment.

Mr. Darcy rubbed at his temples with a grimace. "Your message will have to wait, I'm afraid. There have been… misunderstandings here in need of clarifying."

Mrs. Bennet clasped her hands in delight, oblivious to Miss Bingley's indignation. "Oh, do not trouble yourself, Mr. Darcy! I shall go directly to inform Mr. Bennet of the happy news."

Mr. Darcy himself emerged, his gaze wary. "There is nothing untoward between Miss Elizabeth and myself. I ask you to curb your imaginings." His eyes hardened as he turned to Elizabeth. "May I speak with you in private, madam?"

Miss Bingley paled. "Happy news? What can you mean, sir?"

Mr. Darcy scowled. "There is no happy news. As I have repeatedly said, there has been no compromising behavior between us." His accusing stare turned on Elizabeth. "It was not my own carelessness but another's which led to spilled wine upon my person. I sought only to await my valet's return." His eyes flashed with anger. "Since you refuse me a private audience, I must address you here. I overheard your mother's claims, madam - that you followed and compromised me intentionally to save Longbourn."

Elizabeth gaped in outrage. "How dare you! I harbor no designs on you, nor wish for any alliance. I entered that room by accident alone." Her voice was heated with resentment of his unjust condemnation.

Mrs. Bennet clasped her hands anxiously. "Lizzy! Come, we must find your father at once." She grasped Elizabeth's arm, pulling her down the hallway.

Elizabeth stared aghast at her mother's hasty exit. She turned back to find Mr. Darcy regarding her with unconcealed suspicion and anger.

As they rushed to the ballroom, Mrs. Bennet whispered loudly, "Lizzy, you must hold your tongue! You shall anger Mr. Darcy and drive him from your side." Her eyes gleamed in the candlelight as she added meaningfully, "Remember the inheritance clause!"

Elizabeth glanced around anxiously, hoping her mother's ill-whispered warnings had gone unheard. But in the wake of rumor and speculation on the night's events, nothing was beyond the grasp of prying ears and wagging tongues.