Chapter
"Elizabeth ..." Charlotte whispered. "Lizzy? Are you awake?"
Elizabeth opened her eyes and looked around. The light from the hallway drifted in. In the darkness, her focus became clearer. Oh, it's Charlotte.
"What time is it?" Lizzy squinted at her alarm.
"It's 10:30... Do you still want to go out?" Charlotte was concerned for her roommate. Jane had called her at work to let her know that Lizzy had come home sick that day. She did not want to wake her, but Lizzy had been looking forward to Tuesday's "Alternative Night" for days. It was her duty as a friend to make sure Lizzy had an opportunity to go.
Gathering her senses, Lizzy sat up in the bed and turned on her lamp. She contemplated the decision for a moment before announcing, "I think I do... I am feeling much better." She jerked the blankets off as she went to her closet in search of an outfit.
As their car drew nearer to Netherfields, Lizzy silently reassured herself that she had made the right decision to accompany her friends. Though it was not the logical choice, as she had missed work that day, she felt drawn to their familiar nightspot. Her energy was returning. Just get me to the dance floor she mused.
Lizzy had only 2 more months before she would be 21. Her roommates would reach that coveted age a few weeks before and after her. Tuesdays were one of the few days during the week when they could get in at a club. "Alternative Night" was affectionately referred to as "Kids and Squids Night" by the locals, indicating that underage, under 21 'kids' could get in and that the Navy 'Squids' would be flocking in to take advantage of it.
Tonight was no exception. Some of the naval officers and cadets were actually in their uniforms. Lizzy laughed with her friends. Unlike some of their acquaintance, Lizzy and her roommates had no desire to ever form an attachment to a Navy man. Lizzy often cringed when her friends, Lydia and Kitty would throw themselves at Officers in hopes of finding a husband. Lydia often would boast of her exploits with little realization that the Officers were not yet in search of a wife.
No, Lizzy told herself, I will NEVER be one of them . The sound of her name being called ended her reverie. Jane and Charlotte had come to dance and had chosen that moment to pull Lizzy onto the dance floor.
The three friends had developed a fondness for dancing and made every attempt to entertain themselves in this manner. It mattered not if they were accompanied by members of the other sex. Often, they would perform offensive, blocking - type, dance maneuvers in order to discourage others from encroaching on their circle. Tonight, however, would be different.
Lizzy first found herself dancing with a very tall agreeable looking man. But by the end of the first song, she decided she had enough of his probing looks. And although she dressed to be admired, she felt as though this partner was mentally undressing her. "I'm Sorry," she shouted over the music. "I need some water." Without waiting for an acknowledgement or reply, she turned on her heal and headed for the bar.
After watching her partner wander off in search of other prey, Lizzy re-joined her friends. It was in their company alone that she spent the next 45 minutes.
On the balcony above, Darcy stood stiffly nursing his coke. He had intended tonight, not to find Miss Right, but to find Miss Right Now. Despite his dashing good looks, his pursuit was not going well. He had indeed acquired a phone number or two... from very pretty girls. However, he had not managed to secure a partner for the evening.
As a Naval Academy Midshipmen, Darcy had been constantly reminded that he was among the elite... the crème of the crop. The Naval Academy propaganda in addition to his handsome face and physique gave him a confidence that bordered on having too much pride.
Scanning the dance floor, Darcy noticed a cluster of girls that were dancing by themselves... not with dates. They must have just arrived, Darcy concluded. He watched them as they danced. He found them each fair enough to look at. The blond had a classic look to her, with German features, an elegance about her. The red head was somewhat plain looking, but had passion in her dancing. The brunette...
Darcy's eyes fixed on her. She looked stunning in her black square neck halter-top and jeans shorts, revealing just enough to be enticing, but remaining within the bounds of decency. He watched as she tossed her long dark curls to and fro. I should go down their before someone else does.
In an instant, she looked up, and with amazing alacrity, his feet, seemingly with a will of their own, began to carry him to her side.
Lizzy had learned to ignore those who simply sat along side or wandered in the balcony watching the dancers mingle. Rarely did she turn her attention from the feeling of her body moving as if one with the music. Something distracted her tonight and she turned her eyes upward. It seemed only a second before her gaze locked on to the movement above. He's in a hurry, Lizzy rolled her eyes as she watched his figure move through the crowd and disappear.
"Mind if I join you?" Startled, Lizzy brought her gaze to the man beside her.
"Sure." Lizzy remarked indifferently. She was comforted by his manner. Unlike her previous partner, this gentleman looked into her eyes as he danced, not at her figure. Something was familiar about him... Oh My! Lizzy's eyes widened as the realization dawned on her that this was the same man she had seen only moments before on the balcony.