"Mama, do you think papa will now allow me to attend the ball?" Lydia asked.
"He should. You have remained in the house for a week, and we have also not spoken of ribbons and laces in his presence. That is a quite a feat," Mrs Bennet replied in support of her favourite daughter.
"I have already planned what I am going to wear. Mary, could you play a reel so Kitty and I can practise our steps?" Lydia instructed.
"You still have the rest of today and tomorrow to show father that you can behave. He might not let you go if he is bothered by the noise," Kitty cautioned her sister.
"There is nothing else to do!" Lydia complained and pouted her lips. "I hope Mr Wickham comes back in time for the ball."
At this time, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy arrived for a call. A walk was soon proposed after pleasantries had been exchanged. Mrs Bennet suggested that Mr Collins and Elizabeth accompany Mr Bingley and Jane. When Mr Darcy expressed his interest in joining the party, Mrs Bennet urged Mary to go as well.
"How are your sisters, Mr Bingley?" Mr Collins enquired.
"They are well and very busy with the preparations for the ball," Mr Bingley reported.
"Ah, yes. I have not seen Colonel Forster since we were at Netherfield," the parson remarked, hoping to discover more about the colonel and Miss Bingley.
"He and the officers will be sure to attend the ball tomorrow," Mr Bingley answered, his smile dropping when he remembered that Caroline had not been showing encouraging behaviour whenever she was with the colonel.
"Miss Bennet, would you tell us more about Oakham Mount? Your mother mentioned it being worth a visit," Mr Bingley remarked.
"It is a local beauty spot. I do not frequent it myself but Lizzy does," Jane said.
"I do enjoy walking there. It is nice and peaceful, with impressive views of the landscape. To me, it is an ideal place for reading and contemplation, though a bit of a distance," Elizabeth explained.
"The weather is perfect for a stroll. I do not have any reservations about taking a longer walk today," Mr Bingley replied.
Mr Collins was not fond of walking on sloping ground, and he was already starting to feel some discomfort. "Are we nearly there?" he blurted out after some time.
"We are nearly halfway," Elizabeth said, continuing to walk at a steady pace while Mr Collins found it difficult to keep up.
"We are not even halfway!" he gasped.
"Are you well, sir? Would you like to stop?"
Mr Collins considered the scenery before him and did not wish to walk further uphill and then cover the distance again on their return.
"If you do not mind, I think I might head back to Longbourn. I would like to save my energy for an evening of dancing tomorrow."
Mary quickly decided to walk back too, claiming that she was feeling tired.
With this development, Mr Darcy was glad that he could now have the chance to walk with Elizabeth. He offered his arm which Elizabeth shyly accepted. The pair watched Charles and Jane walk ahead and afforded them some privacy.
"Are you looking forward to the ball, Miss Elizabeth?"
"I have yet to meet a woman who does not feel even a small measure of excitement about an upcoming ball, Mr Darcy," replied Elizabeth. "Young ladies would love to dance the entire night, if they could."
"I will not catch you with a book in your hand then," Mr Darcy teased.
"Not tomorrow, sir," Elizabeth smiled. "I am afraid that we would disturb the peace at Netherfield once more with our presence."
"Your company was never an inconvenience to me. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations."
"I hope you do not intend to merely engage in conversations at the ball."
"No, I have already secured a dance with a lovely lady, and I hope she has not forgotten," he turned to her with a meaningful look.
"If anyone asks me for the supper dance, I am afraid that has been taken," she replied in a soft tone as she returned his gaze.
Dancing with Elizabeth was the one thing that made going to the ball appealing to Mr Darcy. Since her return to Longbourn, he had missed her pretty face, her charming manners, her quick wit and warm sensibility.
"Have you any news about your cousin, the good colonel?" Elizabeth suddenly remembered herself, embarrassed to be staring at the handsome gentleman so.
"He is due to arrive tomorrow with Mr Wickham, but he would be returning to London the following day," Darcy cleared his throat before responding.
"So soon?"
"Yes, he has to see to some matters before he is called for duty again so he cannot stay long."
"Will he be attending the ball then?"
"I do not think he will decline the opportunity," Darcy wondered if Elizabeth was interested in his cousin.
"Have you heard more about Mr Wickham? Has he recovered his memory?"
"I believe he has, mostly," Darcy now hoped Elizabeth did not fancy Wickham.
Darcy noticed that Elizabeth wore a contented smile and he followed her line of sight. He realised that she had been observing her sister and Bingley, and that was likely the reason why she looked so pleased.
"I think they will do very well together. They have the similar temperaments and have such gentle, happy manners," she mused.
"Do you believe that is the key to a successful marriage?"
"I do not think there is an exact rule. What works for one might not always work for another. But showing respect and being understanding are important. What do you think of their match?" she dared to ask, not entirely confident she will like his next words.
Darcy paused for a moment before sharing his thoughts.
"Never mind my question, sir. You do not need to answer." She sensed his hesitation and interpreted that to mean his disapproval.
"I can see they are both happy. At present," he spoke slowly.
"But you are not inclined to believe that they would be happy in the long term," she stated what she assumed was on his mind.
"I doubt any couple can be perpetually happy."
Elizabeth could not prevent herself from saying more, especially in defence of her dearest sister. "It is natural for relationships to have some ups and downs, but that does not mean they are not happy on the whole."
"Do you want my honest opinion?"
"I would not want it any other way."
"Very well," he sighed. "I do not think they should rush."
"What do you mean?"
"I am not entirely convinced they know each other well enough to commit to an engagement so soon. I have spoken to Bingley, and he explained about the unfortunate incident with Miss Lydia," he admitted.
Elizabeth was taken aback upon hearing this and removed her hand from his arm. "So that is why you think they came to be engaged."
"Is it not the case?"
"Is it not conceivable that they may be a couple in love? Is there good reason to wait longer if they are certain about their feelings?"
"Would it not be perfect if every couple has only love to consider?"
"They were both generous enough to think of my youngest sister. But that does exclude the possibility that they might truly and deeply care for each other," she retorted. "You have a sister too. Is there anything you would not do for her?"
"This has nothing to do with my sister," Darcy reacted defensively.
"Perhaps you are privileged that she does not cause any trouble," she mumbled.
Their heated conversation came to a stop when they realised that Charles and Jane had been waiting for them. The engaged couple were seemingly oblivious to their conflict and that they had been the subject of it. Darcy and Elizabeth managed to remain civil during the remainder of the walk and later parted with heavy hearts.
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Meanwhile, Caroline felt frustrated being surrounded by agreeable people. Everyone appeared to be in good spirits, even the servants who worked tirelessly to follow her direction. It had been a long time since Netherfield hosted such a grand social event and they were glad to witness the perfect match between their kind master and a beloved angel.
"Why is everyone so happy?" she mumbled. She had just given Mrs Nicholls and cook a multitude of commands, and she could not understand why they still wore eager smiles.
"People want to celebrate Charles's engagement. As you can sense, Miss Bennet is highly regarded in the community," Louisa told her irritable sister.
"Bah! She is but a lowly country lass. There are many more beautiful ladies in town. Why did Charles have to choose her?"
"She makes Charles happy, and you should be happy that your brother is happy," Louise simply said.
"Why does he have to spend so much money on the ball? Musicians from town, artists to chalk the dance floor, hundreds of beeswax candles, installing more mirrors… oh, and all the flowers! We have had to hire at least a dozen more servants."
"An engagement is a special event in one's life," Louisa started but paused when the butler appeared to announce a guest.
"Colonel Forster is in the parlour, madam."
"Tell him I am busy!" Caroline abruptly issued the order.
"He said to let you know that he is willing to wait."
"Tell him not to wait. I might be a while -- ouch!" Caroline felt Louisa pinch her.
"Tell the colonel that my sister will be there shortly," Louisa told the confused butler.
"I do not want to see him," Caroline hissed.
"But you will. Show some respect and consideration to the man. He has been calling on you every day and you hardly give him any time."
"I do not want to marry him, Louisa," Caroline whined.
"Do not forget, this all came about due to your own actions. The man only wants to do the honourable thing."
"Is that right? Or maybe he wants to marry me for money and my many charms?"
"Caroline, will you give the poor colonel a chance?"
The young lady finally relented and met her persistent caller with a serious demeanour. The pair went for a stroll in the gardens, with the colonel attempting to engage Caroline in conversation and asked her questions about various topics. However, he only received brief responses, and he could sense her lack of interest.
"Miss Bingley, may I speak in candour?"
"Of course, colonel."
"I can feel that you are not a willing participant in this courtship. I understand the circumstances are not what you desired, but my intentions are good," the colonel remarked, studying her reaction. After a pause, he continued, "If… if you do not wish to enter an engagement with me, you must say so before your brother makes the announcement. Trust that I will hold no ill will against you. I ask that you reflect carefully on this tonight and make your decision soon."
After this speech, the colonel bid goodbye, leaving Caroline in shock.
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I didn't plan for this to happen... but Darcy and Lizzy had other ideas. I intended for them to have a nice walk...