A/N Guys! Guys! We're finally here! Woohoo!

Chapter 7 - The Assembly

1811 (Jane 22; Lizzy 20; Mary 19; Kitty 17; Lydia 15)

Jane had spent the 4 long years since she came out as she had expected. There had been no offers of marriage and she could only see that it was because she had simply not been able to meet decent gentlemen. The war, she felt, was to blame - the conflict on the continent had been going on as long as she could remember and so many young men had been lost to it. Meryton was off the main road north, so it was somewhat of a backwater, and this probably didn't help either. No one eligible came here.

She had visited her aunt and uncle in London from time to time, but Uncle Gardiner was in trade, so the men he knew, although obviously dazzled by her, were below her sphere and weren't really suitable. Not that Jane was that snobbish, but a man in trade wouldn't be the right husband for Longbourn, whether or not he was the right husband for her. Jane was not downcast by this. She didn't actually need to marry, unlike most of her peers - she would always have Longbourn, and as long as one of her sisters married so there was eventually an heir, that would be sufficient. She was two and twenty, and her youngest sister was fifteen. There was absolutely no rush and no need to worry. Although, she sighed, she would like to meet a charming gentleman.

Fanny Bennet, on the other hand, was of the opposite school of thought. Why, why, why, she wondered were none of her daughters married yet? She was sure it was because Jane had waited too long to come out, and then insisted that none of her sisters needed to come out until they were eighteen either. It annoyed Fanny that Thomas would listen to Jane and agree to almost anything she said. Yes, yes, Jane was the heiress and eventually Longbourn would be hers, but that didn't mean she shouldn't marry! A woman needed a man. A mother knows these things. So now she had only 3 daughters out, although Mary had insisted on waiting until she was nineteen of all things, and even now didn't seem to enjoy the local assemblies, when everyone knew that if a girl was to catch a husband she needed to be out and looking at fifteen! It had worked for her - she had married at but seventeen! None of her girls were even out at seventeen!

But now she had hope - Mrs Long had told her that Netherfield Park was let at last, and to a handsome young man of five thousand a year! She had convinced Thomas to visit without too much trouble, although sometimes she suspected he said things just to tease her and would have gone anyway. And a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife, she was sure. So perhaps at the upcoming assembly this young man would like one of her girls? Jane, she hoped. Her Jane could not be so beautiful for nothing. But if he preferred either of the other girls, Mrs Bennet would not object. If only her Lydia was out! She was so lively. Any man would be delighted to marry her! But Jane said it wasn't suitable for one gently born to be out so young and Mrs Piper agreed with Jane, saying that neither Kitty nor Lydia were anywhere near ready. Fanny tried not to think of that and instead think positive thoughts about what would happen at the assembly. The local assemblies were always a pleasant affair, and one that included new young men could only be better.

Fanny Bennet was not a nervous or worried woman. Her future was, she knew, secure. When the awful day came that she lost her husband, her dear Jane would look after her, she need not worry at all. But a mother did want to see her children married!

Thomas Bennet had gone to see his new neighbour with only a modest amount of teasing of his wife. He had come back with good reports, which his wife was pleased to hear. Bingley seemed to be a sensible young man, his staff was properly installed at Netherfield and he talked of a larger party of family and friends to start him off at his new estate. Thomas thought he seemed a nice young man, and wondered if he knew about the Norfolk four field system. Thomas could tell him about it if he didn't! But apparently one of the friends he was expecting was an experienced hand at estate management and was going to come for a couple of months to get him started. He had high hopes for young Bingley - perhaps one of the girls would like him. He agreed with Jane that the girls had no actual need to marry, but it had been a while since they had heard the patter of little feet at Longbourn, and he did so enjoy having small children around, with their innocent questions.

~~ HoL ~~

The day of the next assembly came, and the ladies were dressing.

Lydia picked up Jane's freshly pressed dress with a dreamy look on her face, held it against her and danced around the room. Jane smiled indulgently. "I should like to go to the assembly," Lydia said, "Must I really wait another three whole years before I may?"

"Yes, little Lydia" replied Jane smiling, "we must be proper, and no young lady should be out at just fifteen"

"Mamma was" contradicted Lydia.

"And was mamma gently born?"

Lydia sighed. "No, she was not"

"We" instructed Jane, "have higher standards than mamma knew as a girl. Our father is a gentleman and certain standards of behaviour go with that".

Lydia pouted and lost interest in the dress. "I don't think I should be 'little Lydia' anymore. I am the tallest of us".

"But you still have so much growth in things other than your body to come, so many things to learn, my little Lydia" Jane still smiled at her naive sister, "now leave me to get dressed" she suggested.

Mary came in. "Can I borrow some hair pins?" she said, "I can't seem to find enough" Jane handed her some. Mary smiled and left the room.

The lady's maid came in and assisted Jane. Presently she was primped and perfect, ready for the ball. She felt a little like Cinderella!

Mrs Bennet called from downstairs "Girls? Are you ready?"

"Coming mamma" was the combined call.

The ladies climbed into the carriage and went out for an evening's amusement at the assembly.

~~ HoL ~~

The Bennet party entered the assembly hall, the girls following their mother in order of age. "We look like 3 ducklings following the mother duck!" Elizabeth whispered to Jane. Jane had to laugh at the image that came to mind, and flicked Elizabeth lightly with her fan.

They had barely entered the hall and made their first greetings when they heard a minor commotion behind them - the Netherfield party had arrived. Charlotte Lucas, the girls' dear friend from a nearby estate, confirmed this by whisper to the three girls: "That is Mr Bingley at the front." The sisters saw a man of good height with curly blondish hair, with a large smile on his face, looking around, seeming very pleased with everything he saw. Charlotte continued, "His older sister, Mrs Hurst, is on the right with her husband and that is his younger sister on his left. Miss Bingley is to live with her brother and keep his house." The two ladies were a similar blond to their brother and rather handsome. The gentleman beside the older sister was darker in hair colour but somewhat portly. Charlotte then indicated the third gentleman, "the gentleman behind is a Mr Darcy. I do not know anything about him". Jane thought that Mr Bingley was of very good-looking and gentlemanlike appearance. Elizabeth thought the tall, dark Mr Darcy was very handsome.

Sir William Lucas, the local magistrate and Charlotte's father, liked to act as host at the assemblies and, having already met Mr Bingley, was introduced to the rest of the Netherfield party. Charlotte moved forward at her father's indication and was directly introduced to the Netherfield party. Jane saw them talk and saw Charlotte seem to agree to something - it looked like Charlotte had been asked for the first dance. Jane was pleased by this as she thought Charlotte deserved all the happiness in the world. The girls quickly also found partners for the first dance.

When the first dance ended, Mr Bingley asked his partner if she could introduce him to "that lovely blond lady". Charlotte smiled resignedly and took him to Jane who was just coming off the floor. "Jane," she said, "May I introduce Mr Bingley to you?" Jane agreed and Charlotte continued, "As I am sure you know, Mr Bingley is the new tenant at Netherfield". Jane curtsied and said, "I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, sir". "Mr Bingley," continued Charlotte, "I would like to make known to you Miss Jane Bennet. She is the eldest of the Bennet sisters and my neighbour and dear friend." Mr Bingley smiled and bowed. "Would you be free for the next dance, Miss Bennet?" he enquired. "I am not engaged, sir" she answered shyly. Bingley thanked Charlotte for the dance and the introduction and the offered his arm to Jane. She took it and they crossed to the dance floor. As they joined the line, Jane opened the conversation, "What do you think of the neighbourhood, Mr Bingley?" she asked. "I have only been here a few days," he replied with a smile, "but what I have seen so far is charming, simply charming". He gave her a very direct look. Jane let her eyes sink to the floor but had to look up as the dance had begun. "Where have you come from?" she asked with a smile the next time they came back together. "We have been in London since I finished at Cambridge. Originally, we are from Scarborough, up north. My father was in trade and left me an independence when he passed away some years ago". Jane looked saddened "I am sorry for your loss." Bingley almost stopped in the dance, the young lady's expression was so genuine. She was absolutely the most angelic angel he had ever seen. When the dance finished, he escorted her back to her friends with his hand over her smaller hand on his arm. "May I ask for another dance, Miss Bennet" he asked, unable to pull his eyes from her face. "I still have the fifth free, sir" she replied demurely.

In between the dances, Jane struck up a conversation with Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst. They seemed very elegant in both dress and manners and Jane thought they would make fine neighbours. For their part, they concluded that Jane was a sweet girl of whom they would not object to know more.

When the fifth dance came around, Mr Bingley came to collect Jane. From left and right of her, matrons sharply turned their heads to see the newcomer to the assembly take a second dance with Miss Bennet. The handsome couple walked to the line.

"What brings you to our corner of the empire, Mr Bingley" Jane restarted the conversation. Bingley smiled and phrased a response "Well, my father made his fortune, and wanted to buy an estate. Sadly, as I mentioned, he did not live to do so". A sad expression crossed Jane's face and she nodded to indicate she had not forgotten. "So, I felt compelled to do so on his behalf, and indeed my sisters encourage me to do so."

"But you are only renting Netherfield? You have not purchased?" she asked.

"Ah, now that was Darcy's idea. Darcy has his own estate up in Derbyshire. Inherited it some years ago." Jane left him to skip down the line and her eyes flicked over to where Mr Darcy stood alone as she passed him. Beyond him, she could see Lizzy sitting out a dance. Not enough gentlemen… When she returned to Bingley, she asked "Does your friend not dance?" Bingley looked over to him too and sighed. "He is a good man, but not the most sociable. He doesn't like to dance with strangers. I probably shouldn't have suggested we come tonight as he only arrived today, and I wouldn't leave him alone on his first night in my home. But I did so want to meet more of my neighbours…" She nodded sympathetically. Then it was his turn to go down the line.

When he came back, she prompted him to continue, "So Mr Darcy suggested you rent Netherfield?" "Ah." he responded, "not precisely. He suggested I rent, and a smaller estate, as a trial run for a year or so to ensure I really did want to own an estate and to get my hand in. I found Netherfield myself. He's going to show me whats involved. I'm looking forward to it!" She smiled in approval of his enthusiasm, and they continued to talk as they passed in the dance, both liking what they saw in the other.

When the dance finished, he walked her back to her friends and fetched her a glass of punch. She smiled fetchingly at him. In the background she could make out the sound of her mother discussing marriage prospects with Lady Lucas. Bingley bowed to her, and Jane watched him as he walked away to talk to his friend.

~~ HoL ~~

Eventually the assembly finished. The Bennets left immediately after the final dance - of the sisters, only Jane had danced the last… not enough gentlemen…. She had looked over during the dance to see Elizabeth and Mary talking with Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst. It wouldn't show to the casual onlooker, but Jane could tell that neither of her sisters were impressed. The newcomers seemed proud and conceited. And there was something more in Elizabeth's expression. Jane wondered what the problem was. As they walked to the carriage, Jane eyed Elizabeth worriedly, this was not like her sister. "What is the matter?" she asked sotto voce. Elizabeth glanced left and right at the crowd around them. "I will tell you later," she replied, noting the people around them. Jane watched her with concern as the footman handed her sisters into the carriage.

~~ HoL ~~

~~ HoL ~~