A/N: the Phillips' card party happens the same as in cannon just wothout the awkward presence of Mr. Collins. Elizabeth believes Wickham's telling of his misfortunes and Mr. Darcy's infliction. I didn't think rewritting it would be entertaining for me or reading it for anyone else.
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The Bennet family received their invitation to the Netherfield Ball with joy, but the rain between it's delivery and the event itself put Elizabeth quite out of sorts. With only those of her immediate household for company she was soon bored, and woefully without the respite of her near daily walks. The days stretched on, but inevitably the hour to depart for the ball arrived and then passed by nearly a quarter hour, for as Mrs. Bennet claimed it was fashionable to be slightly late but they did not wish to miss greeting their hosts before the evening of dancing commenced. Her father handed Jane and Lizzy out of the carriage and the two sisters ascended the steps towards Netherfields well-lit windows. After they had been received by the host and hostess they proceeded to the ballroom on the arm of the former, much to the latter's distaste. Mr. Darcy was not near so this distinction given to Eliza truly had no benefit to Caroline.
Upon entry into the large room, Jane was taken to line up for the first dance and Elizabeth sought out her friends. She had no luck locating Mr. Wickham but it did not occur to her to doubt his attendance. Approaching Charlotte with a smile, the two greeted each other and entered into a pleasant but routine conversation. After the first dance, when Charlotte noted Mr. Bingley had chosen to sit out to continue in Jane's presence, their discourse shifted in that direction. Before much could be said on the subject, Denny joined their circle with compliments and Mr. Wickham's apology by proxy. Elizabeth was expounding her feelings on the subject, Charlotte hushed her in time to receive the unexpected application of Mr. Darcy for the next set. She unfortunately had not the time to concoct a reason to decline that would not preclude her from the rest of the night of dancing.
The dance was as unpleasant as she expected, and could only have been made worse if Mr. Darcy had gone in the wrong direction or trod on her toes. As it was, he was an excellent dancer and they argued, both ending the dance incensed. Elizabeth threw to the wind the warnings she had been given both by Mr. Darcy and then Caroline regarding Mr. Wickham's temperament and guilt respectively. Another ridiculous piece of advice issued from Charlotte, who proscribed how she thought Jane should go about her interactions with Mr. Bingley. At dinner and the dancing thereafter, Elizabeth's family embarrassed themselves despite her attempting to hush her mother or otherwise intervene. Her three younger sisters were then disgraced by their own actions or those of their father in Mary's unfortunate case.
The next morning, Jane received a letter from Caroline explaining the whole party had left for London and her own hopes of staying there that winter. Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet were united in mind on the subject, a rare occurrence, both assuring Jane this could not be so. Three days thence, another missive arrived confirming the Netherfield party's plans for the Season. The house was not quiet as Lydia, Kitty, and Mary were inmates of it, but the mood of the eldest sisters and their parents was considerably dampened until Mr. Bennet announced to the family to expect a guest on Monday by four in the afternoon and read the letter Mr. Collins wrote to him over a month ago.
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Micro-chapter setting the stage. Reviews welcome. Thank you.