A/N I didn't write the Philips's card party because it happened basically the same as cannon, just without Mr. Collins needing to apologize to the hostess. Wickham still tells Elizabeth his heavily edited version of his and Darcy's shared history. Just in case anyone was confused on that score.
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Jane did in fact attend the party at Lucas Lodge. As she was handed down from the carriage by Mr. Collins, Elizabeth could not but note the difference that had come over her sister in the nearly 3 weeks since the ball. Yes, Jane was still beautiful but now it was with a fragile rather than a glowing quality. Even her dress was slightly loose on her frame. Elizabeth stayed by her side and neither danced once Lydia called for The Bonnie Mode, though Mr. Collins applied for Jane to partner him. She begged a headache and assured him the compliment was felt and honored, if not in the traditional way. Mr. Collin's accepted this without much trouble expressed through a great excess of words.
In all Elizabeth's fret over Jane, she had nearly forgotten her friend Mr. Wickham who was currently dancing, and that she had intended to discuss with him why he had not attended the ball. It had been her understanding prior to that event that he had strongly implied he was looking forward to attending.
In order to give Jane some peace, Elizabeth endeavored to have Mr. Collin's as busy and as far away from her older sister. To that end, she even attempted to arrange it such that he would dance with herself and Charlotte, but it was not to be. In a show of what he believed to be romantic loyalty he refused to dance with anyone but his fair cousin Jane. Charlotte was kind to assist Elizabeth therefore in securing Mr. Collin's attentions otherwise, introducing him to her father. The two men blistered over grand architecture and it's grand expense required.
With Mr. Collin's attention secured for presumably a quarter hour at the least, Elizabeth brought Jane some punch.
"You do not look well Jane. Come let us have the carriage called."
"No, Lizzy. I'm simply a bit tired after the exuberance of the Gardiner's children. I am well enough sitting here."
Jane shooed her away. Mr. Wickham approached then and attempted to make pleasant conversation. His company was welcome but her mind wandered during their interaction. She found he truly said very little of any substance and her in attention was therefore not a hindrance to his apparent enjoyment. He even teased her at one point for not having danced yet, setting her up to receive his invitation should she wish it, but Elizabeth merely agreed with his observation.
