I'm so excited with the positive response I've gotten on this so far, and I hope you enjoy this chapter too. Mrs. Bennet is her usual effusive self here :)

Chapter 1:

The Netherfield ball was in full swing. A sea of guests in colorful gowns and tailored coats swirled with laughter as they stepped and twirled on the dance floor. The ballroom's grandeur surpassed Elizabeth's expectations, and certainly those of her mother, who had pointed and gasped at everything from the marble floors to the exquisite glassware and the glittering chandeliers. Elizabeth, standing at the edge of the dance floor, also found herself swept up in the excitement as ladies in their elegant gowns and gentlemen in dashing suits mingled, laughter and gossip filling the air.

"Jane, my dear," Elizabeth teased, her eyes scanning the room, "Be cautious lest Mr. Collins has his sights set on you next. He has all the virtues of an overly verbose peacock, twirling about!"

"Lizzy!" replied Jane, attempting to suppress a giggle and failing, "I am sure any lady would be flattered if it were not so difficult to tell whether he is dancing or merely attempting to avoid collisions with the other gentlemen."

"Collisions! Such collisions indeed!" exclaimed Mrs. Bennet, joining their conversation with her usual flourish. "Observe, my dears, how Mr. Bingley's gaze never strays from our sweet Jane!"

"Mother," protested Jane, brushing at an invisible speck of dust on her gown.

"Oh, do not fret, my dear," Mrs. Bennet assured her eldest daughter, patting her hand. "I am certain Mr. Bingley will make you an offer before the night is through!"

Jane's cheeks went bright red, and she averted her gaze, but Elizabeth noticed a small smile playing at the corners of her sister's lips.

"And what of you, Lizzy?" asked Mrs. Bennet. "There is no doubt your esteemed cousin, Mr. Collins, has his eye on you."

Elizabeth was also certain that was the case and had done all in her power to avoid her cousin's attentions. Even so, Mr. Collins had laid claim to two dances. The only thing preventing the rumors of an incipient proposal was their familial relationship as cousins and that Mr. Collins' manners were frankly ridiculous.

"And there is our dear host now!" Mrs. Bennet proclaimed loudly enough to draw the attention of several nearby guests. Her expression soured. "And with him, of course, Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth followed her mother's gaze to where Charles Bingley was standing with his sister, Miss Caroline Bingley, and Mr. Darcy. The latter was a tall man with dark hair and brooding eyes, his handsome features marred by a perpetual look of scorn.

"I do not know why Mr. Bingley insists on associating with such an ill-mannered man," huffed Mrs. Bennet. "Mr. Darcy looks down upon us all as if we are mere commoners!"

"Mama!" Jane said, her tone low and kind. "A certain reserve does not always speak of disdain. Perhaps Mr. Darcy is merely shy."

"Shy?" scoffed Mrs. Bennet. "After the insult he gave your sister! And I have never seen him speak more than two words to anyone at these balls! He is simply too proud to mingle with the rest of us."

Elizabeth hated to agree with her mother, but she could not deny the truth in her words. Mr. Darcy had been nothing but rude and arrogant since his arrival in Hertfordshire, and she grew more irritated by his presence with each passing day. And yet, there was something about him that intrigued her.

After another minute, as the musicians began again to tune their instruments, to Mrs. Bennet's audible delight, Mr. Bingley stepped away from his sister and friend.

"He means to ask for a dance," Mrs. Bennet said. "And he means to ask Jane's hand!"

"Mama!" Jane hissed, but again Elizabeth saw the hope in her sister's eyes.

Mr. Bingley approached with a warm smile and a polite bow. "Good evening, ladies," he said cheerfully.

"Oh, Mr. Bingley," Mrs. Bennet gushed, "what a wonderful ball this is! I have never seen such splendor!" She continued with increasing embellishment, "And the music is so lovely! And the refreshments! I declare it is the finest ball I have ever attended!"

"You are too kind, madam," replied Mr. Bingley, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "And Miss Bennet? I hope everything has been to your comfort."

Jane gave Mr. Bingley a brief nod, her cheeks pinking slightly as her fingers fluttered over her gown. It was a subtle display, and one Elizabeth feared might be too subtle. She wished Jane would be more forthright about her affections for Mr. Bingley.

Mrs. Bennet, however, was not so reserved. "Oh, yes, my dear Jane has been most comfortable, and I am sure she is looking forward to dancing with you."

While Jane and Mr. Bingley made pleasantries, and Mrs. Bennet interjected with occasional unpleasantries, Elizabeth's gaze drifted to Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley, who seemed engaged in an animated conversation. Miss Bingley's expression was one of smug satisfaction as she spoke to the brooding Mr. Darcy, whose countenance remained inscrutable.

If Elizabeth had to hazard a guess, she would say Mr. Darcy seemed bored, and perhaps a bit irritated, though Elizabeth doubted she could discern annoyance from his usual countenance. Then he turned his gaze to her, and a jolt of electricity shot through her body as their gazes locked. His dark eyes widened, and for a moment, she thought she saw something akin to admiration in his expression. But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. His features hardened once more, and he turned away, giving Miss Bingley his full attention.

Elizabeth felt a strange mixture of disappointment and relief. She did not want to admit it, but there was something about Mr. Darcy that intrigued her, despite his arrogant demeanor.

As the musicians finished tuning their instruments, Mr. Bingley turned to Jane with a hopeful smile. "Miss Bennet, would you do me the honor of this dance?"

Jane nodded demurely, and Elizabeth watched as Jane took Mr. Bingley's arm and they started together towards the dance floor.

Mrs. Bennet looked on with pride, beaming at her daughters. "Oh, Lizzy! Do you see? I knew Mr. Bingley would ask for Jane's hand in a dance!"

"Yes, Mama," said Elizabeth, trying to keep the exasperation from her voice.

Mr. Collins approached with an exaggerated bow. "Cousin Elizabeth," he said in a loud voice that was certain to draw attention. "I believe it is time for our dance."

"Indeed," Elizabeth said, swallowing a sigh.

Mr. Collins was lighter on his feet, embellishing each movement of body and conversation. His greatest enthusiasm came as he spoke at length about the superiority of his patroness. "Lady Catherine de Bourgh says that dancing is an excellent way to improve one's posture," he declared as they stepped in time to the music.

"I am sure she is right, Mr. Collins," Elizabeth said dryly.

"And Lady Catherine de Bourgh says that proper dancing posture will ensure a long life and good health!" Mr. Collins continued, oblivious to Elizabeth's sarcasm. "Why Lady Catherine's posture is so perfect, her housekeeper proclaims the lady has hardly suffered from a day's illness since she was born!"

"Indeed," Elizabeth returned.

"It is a pity you do not have such a fine patroness as Lady Catherine de Bourgh," Mr. Collins continued. "I am sure she could advise you on how best to care for your own posture." He blinked, and perhaps realizing his error, added, "That is, I am sure you are doing the very best you can. Your posture is not bad at all, truly, but in all ways, we must endeavor to improve."

Elizabeth bit her tongue, trying not to laugh at Mr. Collins's clumsy attempts at flattery. "Thank you, Mr. Collins," she said with mock sincerity.

"You are most welcome. It is to your credit that you recognize the value of such advice, Miss Elizabeth..."

Elizabeth endured Mr. Collins' endless chatter, doing her best to feign interest, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Mr. Darcy and his strange expression. Surely, he had no tender feelings towards her, a lady he had proclaimed "not handsome enough to dance with" mere weeks ago. One whose accomplishments were not of the depth or breadth to meet his standards.

Between a step, spin, and turn, Elizabeth again glimpsed Mr. Darcy. He, Miss Bingley, and Mrs. Hurst stood at the edge of the dance floor. Both ladies slowly waved ostrich feather fans over their faces and neck as Mr. Hurst approached, carrying four drinks on a small tray.

Miss Bingley stepped away from the group and, snapping her fan closed, took two of the drinks with an expansive display of concern. Elizabeth turned and spun again, returning to her place in time to see Miss Bingley stumble, her fingers fluttering over the mouth of the glass.

Odd. Elizabeth frowned. It almost appeared Miss Bingley had dropped something into one of the pair of drinks. But why?

Mr. Collins said, "Miss Elizabeth? Is something amiss?"

Elizabeth blinked. "No, I am well."

"I trust you know I meant no insult earlier. I am certain Lady Catherine would be most impressed with your dancing abilities. You are adept for one who does not practice daily."

Elizabeth smiled tightly, tempering her response to a simple, "Indeed."

Mr. Collins continued in a similar vein, but Elizabeth could not help but watch Miss Bingley as she returned to her companions. She handed a glass to Mr. Darcy, who took it with a polite nod.

Perhaps Miss Bingley had dosed Mr. Darcy's drink with spirits? Gin? It seemed unlikely. More likely, anything Elizabeth had seen was a trick of movement and candlelight.

Finally, the song ended, and Elizabeth curtsied to Mr. Collins.

"As cousins, it is not improper for us to have a third dance," Mr. Collins suggested. "Dancing itself is-."

As Elizabeth opened her mouth to claim overexertion and an immediate need to visit the lady's parlor to relieve herself, she saw Mr. Darcy striding towards them both.

"I believe that's Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth commented, inclining her chin towards the esteemed Lady Catherine's also esteemed nephew.

"Mr. Darcy?" Mr. Collins, as expected, turned immediately, dropping into an overly formal and wholly unnecessary bow.

Elizabeth, more out of habit than necessity, fell into a curtsy. A wholly unnecessary curtsy. Her cousin's manners were catching. Elizabeth wrinkled her nose at the thought. "I assume you gentleman have business," she said.

But to Elizabeth's surprise, Mr. Darcy gave Mr. Collins no sign of acknowledgement at all. Instead, his gaze focused on her. "Miss Elizabeth," he said, his deep voice sending a shiver of mingled nerves and delight through her. "I believe you promised me this dance."

Elizabeth stared at him in confusion, her heart pounding. "Did I?"

She knew she ought to protest as she had done no such thing, but she found herself strangely unable to form the words.

"Indeed," said Mr. Darcy, offering her his arm with a look of intense determination. "I insist."

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment before taking Mr. Darcy's arm and allowing him to lead her back onto the dance floor.

THANK YOU FOR READING! The response and interest in this story has been remarkable! FFNet hasn't delivered me any updates or reviews since yesterday, but I can see they exist even if I can't read them all right now. I have high hopes I will be able to soon though, so definitely keep the comments coming! Working on Chapter 2 tomorrow, and plan to have it up Sunday or Monday!