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Chapter 1

Opening the window inner small but comfortable office, Lizzy Bennet breathed in the unseasonably warm March air, and put her feet up onto her desk. It looked as if it was going to be a beautiful day, and the stack of papers on her desk were graded. Everything seemed remarkably uncomplicated.

The school where Lizzy taught classics and assisted the drama teacher, Meryton Friends School, within the city of Philadelphia, was in the end of its third quarter, and as the school didn't give third quarter reports, Lizzy was delightedly not busy. The auditions for the spring play weren't for another week, and the Latin IV class that she taught wasn't due for another test for another few weeks. There was absolutely nothing to worry about.

It is inevitable that if one comes to that particular conclusion, something will happen to disturb that state of mind. And something did happen. Lizzy hurriedly removed her feet from her desk as a knock sounded on the door to the office door.

"Come in!" called Lizzy, picking up an already graded paper, and trying to look busy. Then, she noticed who had come into the office, and put it down.

"Headmaster! How nice to see you. Can I help you with anything?"

The tall man smiled. "Yes, in fact, you can help me. I've got a transfer student that I'd like to put in your homeroom."

"Transfer student? In March? Is she as junior or a senior?" asked Lizzy, whose homeroom was a combination of the two grades.

"A junior. Georgiana Darcy is transferring here for reasons her guardian would rather I not disclose. I don't think you'll have nay trouble with her, she's a quiet sort, and her grades are wonderful. She'll be in your Latin IV class."

"Well, then, I'd like to meet her."

"Please do, she's out here in the hall."

Lizzy got up, and went out of the door to the spacious hallway where a pretty girl sat silently upon a bench. They looked at each other for a few moments, taking the other in.

Georgiana Darcy was a pretty girl, as Lizzy had first observed. Her golden-brown hair was somewhat curly, and tied neatly back, and she wore expensive looking clothes, but wore then with such a casual air that they seemed perfectly natural in the empty hall. However, Georgiana seemed rather reserved. Lizzy's questions were answered in few words, and the girl seemed rather uncomfortable in her new surroundings. Lizzy immediately took pity on Georgiana Darcy, and finally said,

"Well, I'm sure you'll fit in fine here at MFS. How about I go introduce you to the kids in my homeroom?"

"Thanks," said Georgiana.

Lizzy's homeroom was in her classroom, a large room lined with bookshelves filled with impressive looking books. Lizzy walked over to the shelves, and pulled down a blue book before introducing Georgiana to the other students who were scattered in little groups about the room, laughing.

"Here's a copy of the Aeneid. It's our main text for the year. There! Now you're ready for class, let me introduce you to my flock."

A bright-eyes brunette about Georgiana Darcy's age had turned around when she heard Lizzy speak.

"Lizzy! You've shown up!"

"Yes, Kitty. And I was all comfortable in my office too... but I've a surprise for you. Kitty, this is Georgiana Darcy, who is transferring here. She'll be in our Latin class, and...", Lizzy scanned the schedule Georgiana held in her hand, "your math and drama class. Will you show her around for a bit?"

"Sure," said Kitty. She jumped down from the desk she had been sitting on, and came over to shake Georgiana's hand.

"Kitty Bennet," said Kitty. "I'm Lizzy's cousin, and it sounds like we'll be in classes together. Nice meeting you."

"You, too. Call me Georgie, though. Georgiana is a bit of a mouthful."

"I'd say! Well, Georgie, let me introduce you to the rest of the folks here." Kitty walked back over to the desk she had been sitting on, and gestured to the occupant of the chair behind it.

"Sam Carter. Sam, meet Georgie." Sam smiled, and nodded. Kitty moved on, introducing Georgie to Sam's friend, Alec Walters, who smiled and winked at her before returning to his conversation with Sam. Georgie smiled a little nervously, and Kitty dragged her off to speak to her other friends. By the end of the remaining fifteen minutes of homeroom, Georgie finally seemed to settled down, and was happily laughing with Kitty and her friends Jen and Arielle. Lizzy smiled, looking at Georgie speak more than two sentences together. Kitty seemed to be more than capable of dealing with the shy, strange, but pretty Georgie Darcy. Lizzy dismissed her homeroom, and returned to her desk, where someone had left a stack of papers in her absence. Grumbling, Lizzy went back to work.

That evening, Lizzy was absorbed in work when her sister, Jane, arrived home at their comfortable, if small, house

"Netherfield hired another lawyer at last," said Jane Bennet to her sister, instead of a greeting.

Lizzy, looked up from the papers scattered all over the table, and asked,

"What?"

"Netherfield has replaced Mr. Abrams at last."

"With who?" asked Lizzy, who put down her work, settling in for a gossip session. She untied her dark brown hair, and looked at Jane interestedly.

"A young lawyer, from New England. Charles Bingley, he's rather handsome."

Elizabeth smiled at her attractive sister, who did seem a little pink in the face.

"Handsome, did you say?" teased Lizzy.

"Quite," said Jane. "He even introduced himself to me. It's rather nice of a lawyer to bother with his office neighbor's secretary."

"When the secretary is as pretty as you, Jane, it isn't much of a surprise. So, what was he like?" asked Lizzy, seeing that Jane was clearly rather taken by the new arrival in the law firm she was a secretary in. Jane put down her bag, and drew out a chair across the small table. Leaning her pretty pink face on one hand, idly combing her fair hair with the other, she said,

"He's very friendly. And not at all shy. He was at ease with everyone, including Mrs. Raymond, whom everyone lives in fear of angering. When the boss, Mr. Pickering, came to show him his office, he smiled at me. It's was rather nice of him."

"Jane, everyone smiles at you. I don't think you've made an enemy of anyone in your entire life."

Jane smiled in remembrance of her afternoon, then continued,

"Well, he did smile at me. Then, Mr. Pickering introduced him to his secretary, Lila, and as my work area is beside hers, he introduced me as well. Don't you think it is kind of Mr. Pickering to learn everyone's name?"

"Very. But continue."

"In the afternoon, after Mr. Bingley had settled in a bit, he then came out of his office again, as I was struggling with the fax machine. It's a wretched thing."

Lizzy smiled, knowing that Jane calling something 'wretched' was about as derogatory as she got. However, Lizzy said nothing, waiting for Jane to continue her story.

"Well, Mr. Bingley was kind enough to help me with it. As we waited for a confirmation that the fax reached its destination, he introduced himself to me himself. He's from New England, and has two sisters. He moved to Philadelphia only recently, and has a nice place in Society Hill that his sister is helping him to decorate. She's an arts journalist with an interest in interior design."

"Sounds nice enough," said Lizzy. "I assume that you'll talk again tomorrow?"

"I hope!" said Jane blushing. She looked at the clock, and said, changing the subject,

"Six ten! I wonder where Charlotte is."

Jane and Lizzy Bennet, sisters in their late twenties, shared a small but comfortable house in the University City part of Philly, near the University of Pennsylvania campus. With them roomed a friend, Charlotte Lucas, who taught at the same school as Lizzy. Charlotte, who was a few years older than the Bennet sisters, was a science teacher for the middle school part of the K to 12 institution. Charlotte was still at the school, grading lab practicals, but was expected home soon.

Lizzy looked at her watch. "Charlotte should be home by now. Sixth grade handwriting isn't that illegible!"

Jane shrugged her shoulders, and opened the refrigerator to take out a head of lettuce, some green apples and an onion, and began preparing a salad. Lizzy sighed, and tucked away the seventh grade tests she had been grading. While it was a wonderful experience to give students their first experiences with Latin, she much preferred teacher her high school students, like Kitty and her friends. Lizzy then reached into a cupboard, and set the table. This done, she collapsed into her chair again, as Jane took a glass pan with chicken she had prepared before work, and put it into the oven.

Watching Jane work, Lizzy said,

"You've told me out your new arrival, I'll tell you about mine."

"New arrival? Schools don't usually hire in the spring, do they?"

"No, it isn't a teacher. I've got a transfer student."

"Transferring at this time of year? And you only teach high school students!"

"It is odd, but she didn't elaborate on her reasons for changing. I did gather that her guardian decided to permanently move to Philly, after years of traveling about. The Headmaster said that the guardian didn't want her reasons for switching schools to be made known, but she's a bright girl, pretty and polite, if quiet. She's seventeen, a junior, and a wonderful Latin student. She's in my Latin IV class, and also in one of the drama classes that I help out with. Her name is Georgiana Darcy."

"Not related to Fitzwilliam Darcy, is she?" asked Jane, setting a timer for the chicken.

"I don't know. Who's he?"

"A rather eligible man. Haven't you read your Most Eligible Bachelor lists? He has a fortune. And a younger sister, who he is supposed to be devoted to. Handsome, too. I can't believe you've never heard of him. He does own a house in Philadelphia. On Pemberley Avenue, one of those renovated Victorian homes."

"Sounds wonderful," said Lizzy, truthfully. "But I have no idea if she is the sister or not. But I made Kitty her sponsor, and she'll be showing her about. They seemed to get along very well."

"How is Kitty?" asked Jane, sitting down at the table.

"Kitty wrote a somewhat brilliant paper on "Divine Intervention Ruining Dido's Chances of Happiness". No, but she seems to be enjoying herself. Did you know what she's been dating Sam Carter?"

"No, who is he?"

"Another of my students. Rather cute, actually, in a 17-year old way. He's the one who fancies himself a bit of a poet. The one you called 'marvelously conceited' when you read his poems in the literary magazine."

"Gracious! Did I say that?" asked Jane, appalled that she might have said anything of the sort.

"It was the poem about swimming being like being in a coma."

"Right!" said Jane. "He did seem a bit too self-satisfied, and I didn't think he knew his subject, as he had never been in a coma before. I didn't say 'marvelously conceited', though"

Lizzy smiled, and made to speak when she heard the sound of the front door. Charlotte soon came into the room, and collapsed into a third chair.

"I don't know why I do it!" she announced. "Twenty five horrible reports on ice cubes. Why did I ever become a teacher?"

"I don't know," said Lizzy, laughing. "You were the one that convinced me that I would be happy as a classics teacher, though."

"Are you?" asked Charlotte.

"Quite. I was just telling Jane about my new student."

"Yes, you said something about it at lunch."

"Well, her name is Georgiana Darcy, and she's a lovely girl. Just rather reserved, but she and Kitty got along quite well."

"Good! Jane, is that chicken?" asked Charlotte.

Jane affirmed that it was, and within another ten minutes the chicken was fished from the oven and set upon the table. Jane told Charlotte about Netherfield's new occupant, and Charlotte, too, laughed.

"You sound suited to each other," observed Charlotte, as Jane talked about Mr. Bingley's charming and sweet disposition. Jane blushed.

Before classes the next morning, as Lizzy sat gathering herself together, she heard a gentle knock on the door of her office. Georgie timidly appeared, dressed immaculately and smiling, shyly.

"Georgie! How nice to see you, can I help you?"

The slender girl nodded. "The headmaster said I should see you about the Latin AP. I understand that you don't have classified AP courses here, as 'the school is rigorously academic, and all classes are AP courses'. Instead, I think, you can just get extra review and take the test?"

"Yes. Sit down. You want to take the AP exam in May?"

"Yes. I was doing Virgil before... I came here."

"From observing you in yesterday's class I would say that you certainly are comfortable with the text. Can you come to a Wednesday recess review session? There are about six other people who are taking the test, and we'd love to have you join us. Kitty is in it."

Georgie paused a moment, and said, "I'd like that. Do you have a syllabus or anything so I can see what you've done so far?"

"Yes." Lizzy fished a piece of paper from her desk, and handed it to her student.

"Thanks. It shouldn't be very difficult for me to catch up."

"No problem. Glad to have you join us. And I have a question for you."

"What?" asked Georgie, her eyes not meeting her young teacher's inquiring and expressive ones.

"It's not a personal question, don't worry." Georgie gave a little sigh, and relaxed. "It's that you are in the drama III class, and we are having auditions for the spring musical coming up. I'd like you to audition, if you wouldn't mind. A play is a good way to get to know the other students who are interested in the same things you are."

"Yes... all right. What is the play?"

It was Lizzy's turn to look a little embarrassed. "Gypsy," she said, not meeting Georgie's eyes.

Georgie laughed. "Gypsy! They let you put that on here?"

"Yes. We are moderate about the play, though. It's a good musical, and frankly it has a lot of female roles in it. It's our chance to let our girls really lead a play. There are so many male oriented musicals, and we have so many talented female singers here. Do you sing?"

"Yes. I'm rather fond of music, actually. I'd like to audition... only, don't make me do Ethel Merman's bit!"

"Rose? No, you don't have to audition for Rose. And as you haven't been here long, you might not feel comfortable auditioning as Louise, who has vaguely burlesque numbers at the end of the play. Would you consider being June, Louise's talented sister? The older June has a number of songs. Basically what happens to her is that she is a child star in the family vaudeville act, and she is so oppressed by her mother that she runs away with one of the young men in the troupe."

"I could probably manage that," said Georgie.

"Please audition, I think you'd like it. We're having students come in at Tuesday lunch and on Thursday afternoon, in the largest theater. I'm assistant director."

"I'll try to come. It might be interesting. And thank you for the AP stuff."

"Pleased to be of assistance. If you need any help, don't hesitate to come talk to me. Some of the students find it easier to talk to a younger teacher."

"I'll remember that." Georgie gave a little wave as a bell sounded. Lizzy picked up her books, and walked over to her class room.

Chapter 2

Wednesday night Jane came home smiling brightly. Glowing delightedly, she turned to Lizzy and Charlotte, who were playing chess on the floor of the living room, and announced brightly,

"Charles has invited me as his date to a party on Friday!"

Lizzy looked up, and said,

"Congrats, Jane! You do look rather pleased."

"Pleased? Lizzy, I've never been happier in my life!"

"I'm delighted that this party will make you so happy," teased Lizzy. "Where is it, the Ritz?"

"No, no," said Jane, sitting down beside Charlotte, and kicking off her shoes. "It's just a party being given by one of Charles's friends. In fact, we were hoping you would come along, as well."

"Me? Why ever?" asked Lizzy, taking one of Charlotte's knights off the board.

"Well... three reasons. First, I won't know anyone but Charles there... and I do want you to meet him."

"What's the third reason? You've flattered me by wanting my company and by your request that I meet your newest man, what do you need me to do?"

"Don't be mad at me," began Jane, as Lizzy groaned at the prophetic words, "but we were hoping you'd go along, and meet a friend of Charles's."

"You're setting me up?" asked Lizzy. Charlotte took advantage of Lizzy's surprised silence to take a particularly frustrating rook of Lizzy's. Lizzy snapped back into attention, and moved a bishop, before turning back to her sister. Seeing the pleading look in Jane's eyes, Lizzy sighed, and said,

"Who is he?"

"I didn't catch his last name, but his first name is William. He's just permanently moved to Philly. We thought it might be nice for you two to meet each other. Charles says that his sister Caroline thinks William is very handsome."

"Then why don't you set Caroline up with this William?"

Jane paused. "I don't know," she admitted. "But we thought you might like to meet him. I told Charles how you were between dates right now."

"What a flattering statement," drawled Charlotte. "And Lizzy, I think you are in check." Lizzy hastily moved her king, and said,

"Fine, I'll go to the party."

"Thank you!" said Jane, smiling. "I'll go make some popcorn, then, shall I?"

"Yes, that'd be nice. Char, your turn."

"Check mate!" announced Charlotte happily, and Lizzy chucked the board at her.

On Friday night, Charlotte waved to her two friends leaving for the party in the bitter cold that had set in rather unreasonably. Lizzy was in a foul mood, feeling embarrassed that her sister would be trying to set her up with a stranger. However, Lizzy did look lovely in her black shirt with three-quarter length sleeves, and the slim knee length skirt of shiny material. She shook hands with Charles Bingley, and settled into the backseat of his car, impressed by its elegance.

From her vantage point, Lizzy smiled and found herself becoming more cheerful as she saw Jane being so happy. Jane was dressed in pleasant pastels, and her cheeks were as pink as the shirt she wore. Charles Bingley's cheeks were also rather pink, and Lizzy laughed, thinking how well the two suited each other.

Charles Bingley was a pleasant man, who was extremely polite, pleasant, and cheerful. Lizzy was rather impressed when he sat through fifteen minutes of horrible traffic without tapping the wheel, cursing or otherwise becoming angry. The only other person who could endure traffic so happily was Jane. Deciding that the two mirrored each other in good nature, happiness and temperament, Lizzy smiled at the pair. She approved of Charles, and she approved of his car.

The house that the party was held at was rather grand and impressive. Lizzy began to feel uncomfortable again, sure that she and Jane were out of their circle of friends. The cars parked in the drive all spoke of money, and the name plate beside the door of the house confirmed it. The Henderson-Mayfields were a rather well off family indeed, who had sent one of their three daughters to Meryton Friends. The girl, Helen, had been before Lizzy's time, but the older teachers still spoke fondly of her, and of the generous gifts the girl was giving the school for her ten year reunion that would be later this year. Not only was the girl before Lizzy's time, but she was as old as Lizzy herself. The friend who was giving the party must be Helen's older brother, whom Lizzy had only heard of through the society parts of the paper.

Charles was welcomed warmly by the man who opened the door, and the Bennet sisters were greeted with a smile. Confirming Lizzy's guess, Charles introduced the host as Robert Henderson- Mayfield. Next, Charles introduced Jane.

"This is Jane Bennet, who works close to me at Netherfield. And this," said Charles, gesturing to Lizzy, "is Elizabeth, her sister, who is a teacher at Meryton friends School."

"MFS?" asked Robert H-M, delighted. "My sister went there for high school. Nice place, and much more liberal than that wretched academy I went to. Come in! Come meet the rest of my guests. Charles, help me, we must let everyone meet these two beautiful ladies." Charles blushed a bit, then caught sight of a tall woman approaching him. He smiled weakly, and taking hold of Jane's arm protectively said,

"Caroline, I'd like you to meet Jane Bennet."

Caroline stopped, and stared at Jane for a few minutes. Then she said in an arrogant voice, "Bennet? Whoever are they?"

Lizzy, hearing the conversation from a few feet away, turned away from Robert and his lovely wife Eileen, and said flatly,

"We are 'they'. I'd suppose you'd like a recitation of our pedigree?"

Charles was amazed, he had never had the courage to speak back to his sister, but he knew that his sister had insulted Jane. He was angry, but far too polite to say so. Therefore, he was pleased as well when Caroline was temporarily rendered speechless. Lizzy took advantage of the silence to press on. Summoning up her best teaching voice, she stood straight, and recited,

"One Edmund Bennett, third sonne of Edward Bennett of Longbourn House in Hertfordshire, emigrated to the new United States of America in 1792. With him came his wife, formerly Miss Catherine Renault, only child of Sir Henry Renault, knight. They settled in Boston, Massachusetts, where Edmund became a banker. Two sonnes were born unto him and his wife, and a daughter. The younger sonne was wed to Miss Hudson of Boston, daughter of an attorney, unto them was born two daughters and a sonne. The sonne, Nicholas, purchased a plantation in Virginia, and moved his family there, two sonnes were born unto him, the younger which studied at the new University which was built in the city of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania..."

Lizzy opened her eyes, and surveyed her audience. Caroline was silent, in a combination of shock and scorn. Charles was listening interestedly, Jane was smiling gently, and a few of the other guests had gathered.

"Well, basically, after a few more generations they settle around Philly permanently, the land all goes to the older sons, and the rest work honestly for their livings, and are happy and reasonably prosperous."

"Bravo!" applauded a tall, and reservedly beautiful, woman who had gathered to hear the recitation. "We must ask Caroline to recite her pedigree some day soon," she drawled in addition. Caroline humphed and turned on her heel towards the other end of the room.

A handsome and smiling man appeared beside the woman who had spoken, and turned to Charles.

"Well done, Charles! You've brought a guest whose rebuttals live up to Anne's standards. Please introduce us."

Charles smiled a little, and said, "My pleasure. I know that Caroline spoke wrongly to my guests, I do not understand why she would do such a thing. Perhaps her new job is fatiguing her... Ah. Richard, this is Jane Bennet, and her sister Elizabeth. Jane, dear, this is Richard Fitzwilliam, he's an architect, you may have heard of him. And this," Charles said, motioning towards the woman who had spoken, " is Anne De Bourgh Fitzwilliam, his wife. She plays the flute with the Philadelphia Orchestra."

Everyone said "pleased to meet you", and Charles left with Jane to find something to drink. Lizzy, left on her own, was addressed by Anne.

"Thank you for showing Caroline that she shouldn't insult everyone who hasn't hit the society section. She's a bore at best, but one can't seem to get rid of her. Your recitation was priceless. Is it true?"

"Most of it," said Lizzy. "I never recall parts of it, I'm rather glad that I didn't have to go on, it's terribly dull afterwards, just names and professions."

"Caroline would like to believe that her family had a knight and an estate owner in the bloodlines somewhere, but it simply isn't true. Her pedigree takes about a minute to recite. I'm not snobbish about bloodlines, but really, her family has always been, as they used to put it, 'in trade'. Her father was an excellent man, though, I understand. All of Charles's and Caroline's money comes from him."

"Charles?"

"Caroline is Charles's sister, didn't you know? Well, the less you have to do with the woman, the better. She's here as a social climber, she's spent enough of her inheritance to want to find a wealthy socialite husband."

"Gracious! I thought those sorts of women only existed in novels..."

"Lucy Steele, Mary Crawford or Isabella Thorpe?"

"Exactly," said Lizzy, and before they could happily elaborate, Richard cut in.

"Elizabeth, you haven't met many people yet, Anne, shall we go introduce her to everyone?"

"Why not?" asked Anne, who took custody of Elizabeth. On catching sight of a man standing alone behind a table of drinks, Richard nodded and they Lizzy over to him.

"Fitz! I want to introduce you to my new friend," Anne said. "Elizabeth, this is Rich's cousin, Fitz, being terribly unsociable."

Lizzy stopped to look at the man, taking him in. Certainly, he belonged at this party. His clothing was immaculate and expensive, his bearing spoke of great pride. He was also undeniably handsome, in the dark and moody style. Lizzy furtively stole a glance at his excellent build, and was impressed. If the man Jane was trying to set her up with was half as handsome as Fitz, she would be quite happy indeed.

Anne said, "Fitz, this is Elizabeth Bennet, who is the sister of Charles's date. And who single handedly convinced Caroline Bingley to leave her company, humiliated."

"That must have been something," said Fitz. He took another sip of his drink. Looking at the young woman in front of him, he realized that if she had come with Charles and the woman he had brought, then this must be the sister that they were trying to set him up with. Fitz groaned a little to himself, annoyed that everyone seemed to either be interested in him, or interested in setting him up with someone. It all came down to the same thing, he had to deal with women he was not interested in.

He was in too foul a mood to appreciate Lizzy's dark curls, merry eyes and admirable figure. He added to his earlier statement,

"I haven't seen Charles all evening."

"He's out on the dance floor with Jane Bennet," said Richard.

"Bennet?" asked Fitz, thoughtfully, not meaning to be reminiscent of Caroline at all, but making Lizzy's blood boil in the same way.

"Yes, Bennet. The Bennets of Philadelphia, and generations before that Virginia, before that Boston, before that of the English gentry... what is it with everyone here and names? Do you judge everyone by what their name is? What about Caroline? She's got money, and her family is making a name for themselves, but is she one of you? Do you people prefer pleasant people without 'the name', or rude ones with it? I'm sick of it."

Fitz said nothing, but he disliked it when people questioned the society he had lived in all of his life.

"Does it matter?" he asked. Lizzy shrugged hopelessly, and turned to leave. Anne followed her.

Richard turned to Fitz. "What's eating you, Darcy? We go and introduce you to a very lively and clever, if not to say beautiful, young woman, and you somehow manage to offend her."

"I resent the assumption that I couldn't find a girlfriend on my own."

"Ah, Darce, we all know that you'd have no problem getting a girlfriend on your own. Only, it wouldn't be the lively, smart variety. Any fortune hunter in the world would love you, but with your pride, you'll disregard all the pleasant girls without money."

"You married money, Rich."

"I married the woman I love. You don't love anyone but yourself and your sister. There's difference."

"You didn't grow up in the house next door to Catherine De Bourgh, who is convinced that all women are fortune hunters if they aren't rich."

"I didn't," said Rich. "And I'm glad of it. Growing up with a snob like my mother-in-law always around would be enough to make anyone go mad, as clearly you are. Well, all right, I won't try to set you up with anyone else. Just stop being so stiff! Why don't you go and dance?"

"Will you leave me alone? This party was a mistake, I'm not in the mood to celebrate. I should be home, taking care of Georgie."

Richard's attitude softened. "I know you've been through a hard time with her. Just relax, and everything will turn out fine."

"Thanks," said Fitz Darcy.

Meanwhile, Anne had found Elizabeth sitting by herself to the side of the room.

"Elizabeth, what made you so angry?"

Lizzy looked at her new friend, and said, "I'm just touchy. Jane and I are rather out of our element, and I feel it acutely. Anyone who looks at Charles and Jane together knows that they are perfect together, but I can't stand everyone hinting that she's 'beneath' him. She's my sister, the only one I have, and I'm rather devoted to her. I didn't mean to go freak at your friend, but just the way he said, 'Bennet', made me think of Caroline. I don't belong here, in this posh house with everyone calling each other by nicknames. Some of the clothes people are wearing here would cost a month's salary, and I don't really know anyone here."

"Elizabeth, ... can I call you something else? It's a bit of a mouthful."

Lizzy smiled, remembering Georgie Darcy saying something similar. This was the sort of party Georgie's guardians would likely go to. Maybe by understanding where they came from Lizzy could better understand Georgie. With a goal in mind, Lizzy cheered.

"Call me Lizzy."

"Lizzy, then. I grew up in a house where my mother was always very social and proper, and when I went to University and then when I was studying my music, I realized how snobbish everyone really was. Rich's immediate family has a social name, but no money, so everyone looked down on him for marrying me, supposedly marrying for my money. We look down on anyone we can, it lets us feel important ourselves. We're all frightfully touchy, and get nervous around new people. We have to assert our social prowess... it gets messy."

"I'm beginning to understand. All you socialites get touchy, and act snobbish, and poor little girls like me get offended in the process. I'm not so offended now, especially because I don't think your friend meant to insult me."

"Will? I don't think he did."

"Will? I thought his name was Fitz."

"Fitzwilliam. Known as Fitz, or Will, or William, most of the time."

Lizzy paused. "Not the William Jane and Charles wanted to set me up with?" she hazarded.

"I think," said Anne, "that he is that one."

"Ah," said Lizzy, feeling an utter idiot.

Charles stopped dancing at last, and on going to fetch another drink for Jane, and ran into his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy.

"Darce! How splendid to see you!"

"Greetings."

"I say, I had wanted to meet someone..."

"Elizabeth Bennet?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"We met."

"How?"

"Anne and Richard. But she lost her temper at me. Charles, will you stop trying to find me a date? I can manage."

"Then go out and find one. You've been miserable for over a month now, find someone to cheer you up."

"I understand that you have now found someone."

"I have. Jane Bennet, she's an angel... . You need to be as happy as I am."

"I'll never be as happy as you. You are insufferably cheerful."

Charles did not know what to say to this, so he said, "Why don't you dance? You haven't danced all evening."

"Charles, you've been dancing with the only attractive woman in the room."

"I know!" Charles got a dreamy look in his eyes, but at Darcy's unbelieving stare, he said, "Lizzy Bennet is rather pretty, too."

"Certainly, she is more attractive than some of the other women in the room, but scarcely handsome enough for me to stand up with."

Bingley shook his head, there was no understanding Fitzwilliam Darcy. He may be one of America's Most Eligible Bachelors, but it looked like he would stay that way for the rest of his life.

Chapter 3

Lizzy wanted nothing more than to forget the humiliations of the party the night before, while Jane wanted nothing more than to relive the night of happiness. Charles had been so attentive, so pleasant, how could anything be nicer? And Charles was going to take her to dinner tonight.

While Lizzy was pleased for her sister, and glad that she had met Anne D.B. Fitzwilliam, she was quite upset that she had been rude in front of Charles's friends, and that he had been unbearably snobbish towards her. She was angry that he had belittled her, because her family was not high society. Caroline had also angered her, but here Lizzy remembered her triumph in belittling Caroline unintentionally. The recitation of the Bennet family lineage had won her a friend in Anne, and Lizzy was pleased. Anne, while being frightfully rich and well connected, had married a man she loved, and worked, although clearly work was not a necessity in her life. Also, Anne was able to distance herself from her class a little, and able to see that they were an absurd group.

After Jane had described her evening to Charlotte, in great detail, Jane remembered that there had been other guests at the party.

"And Charlotte, we met Charles's sister, Caroline. I didn't see very much of her, but she seems pleasant, though a little bold, and perhaps insecure. She's an independent arts journalist, and she's finding dealing with many magazines and papers is harder than being an on staff contributor. Charles says she works very hard."

"I'm sure," said Charlotte, who was mirthful, comparing Jane's understanding speech and Lizzy's mere, "wretched and insulting... woman".

"Caroline is quite into family lineage's, I understand. She knows almost everything about all the top families in Philadelphia. Lizzy graciously recited part of ours."

"How nice," said Charlotte, recalling that Lizzy had said something along the lines of "the insufferable venefica, looked at us, as if he's found us in the gutter, and asked who the Bennets were in a horribly voice", to which Charlotte had merely calmly said, "please, I never took Latin".

"I also met Charles's friends, although I'm afraid our attempts to match Lizzy and William didn't work out."

Now, Charlotte was interested, as Lizzy had not said a word about that affair. Lizzy blushed a little, as Jane said,

"Apparently they didn't get along. William is such a nice man, though I did hear him say that Lizzy wasn't pretty enough to dance with. I imagine he wasn't feeling well, for no one would say anything that rude if they were in their right mind."

"That's our Lizzy!" said Charlotte. "We know you're beautiful. But what was William like, Liz?"

"Handsome, to be sure."

"And you insulted him?"

"Rather, I found him insulting, though, of course, maybe he ate something wretched and it was all a tummy ache." Charlotte knew that Lizzy believed nothing of the sort, instead she thought that William was an insufferably rude socialite. Being caught between Lizzy's scorn and Jane's flattering excuses, Charlotte sighed.

"Well, describe him to me anyway. I always like to hear about a handsome man."

Lizzy, who still thought William very handsome, was as angry at herself for losing any chance of talking pleasantly with him as she was at him for being so unpleasant. She, however, complied with Charlotte's request, and described him.

"He was wonderfully built, and I'm sure his jacket cost a fortune, but it was well worth it, because it suited him. He radiated a sort of powerful pride and elegance, which would have been charming if he wasn't inclined to be rude. Dark hair, dark eyes, tall, moody... he'd fit into any romance novel hero description. He just didn't seem inclined to be set up that evening."

"Were you?" asked Charlotte, genuinely curious.

"If he had been pleasant, I would have been very inclined," owned Lizzy. "But I am quite angry at him for offending me, despite the fact that it was not all intended, and I shouldn't want to see more of him."

"Ah," said Charlotte. "Next time, better luck."

"Definitely," said Lizzy. "Now, since I've already gushed over Anne the nicest person I met all evening, and Jane is silent for once, what shall we do today?"

"Apart from Jane's dinner engagement, none of us are busy," said Charlotte, glancing at the household calendar.

"And I don't feel like going anywhere. Shall we find another game to play?"

"Don't you have something to grade?" asked Charlotte, who had a pile of sixth grade report cards to write.

"No. Seventh grade doesn't get report cards third quarter, thank Heaven. Neither do the eighth and eleventh grades, so I'm free. Are you off grading?"

"I'd better, but if you want to stick a movie in while I do it, that'd be nice."

"I'll go over my Gypsy script again. The set budget needs to be approved by Friday, so I'd better get busy listing all the costs from my design."

They settled in with their work, and Jane stuck The Princess Bride into the VCR, declaring that she wanted to watch, "Something happy and pleasant". The others, who liked the movie as well, were soon laughing along with it, and Charlotte had to fight not to include quotes from the film from her student comments, despite the improbability that any of these quotes could have anything to do with a summary of the experiments the sixth grade had undergone in the lab.

Jane was carrying a second pot of tea into the living room when the doorbell rang. She set down the tray, and went to answer the door.

Kitty was standing there, bag in hand, smiling.

"Hey, Jane! Is Lizzy in?"

"Yes, come on in. We're in the middle of The Princess Bride."

"Oh!" said Kitty. "Then I'll certainly come through. Is that the apple tea I smell?" she added, knowing how to weasel herself into comfort in her cousins' home.

"Yes. And as long as you are here, why don't I make some toast? Go on in, Lizzy and Char are curled up with their work."

"Great!" said Kitty.

Lizzy looked up as Kitty bounced into the room.

"What's up, Kitty? Why'd you come over?"

"To see my excellent cousins, of course! And partake of their wonderful cooking, and mooch off of their superior knowledge..."

"You want help with your Latin homework?"

"Yes. You assigned us this terribly long passage, and then you want us to identify the conditions in it? Wretched woman!"

"I'll help you with the translations, but not the conditions."

"Fair enough. Besides, I just really needed to get out of the house... Mother invited aunt Long and Lydia over."

Lizzy shuddered. Lydia Long was another cousin of the Bennet family, and while just a year younger than Kitty, was nothing like her. Lydia was a wild child, energetic, flirty, and stupid. She was an excellent dancer, and loved clothes and guys. She was very friendly, but also a trifle vulgar and rather insipid, with no tact to speak of. And while often a well-intentioned teen, Lydia was a terror to deal with, and best avoided at all costs. Lizzy was glad that the girl took French instead of Latin, and that she only had to see her in drama classes. Lydia's dream was to go to Hollywood, and her conservative but indulgent parents were no help.

Kitty curled up with her Latin book and Lizzy's rather superior Latin dictionary, and began to translate with Lizzy's occasional help. Charlotte continued to plow through her stack of reports, and Jane appeared with the pot of tea and a heaping plate of buttered toast. The four fell to eating, and happily whiled away the afternoon.

Much later, Charlotte excitedly bounced up off the couch and announced that she was done her reports. Lizzy, who had long since been done her accounting for the costs of constructing the Gypsy set, was rewinding the tape in the VCR, which had finished, and Lizzy was looking to replay her favorite parts. Soon Kitty was done her assignment, and she and Jane became occupied in going through spring catalogs and criticizing and admiring the new fashions.

As Kitty turned to a page of party clothes, she asked,

"So, how was the party?"

"Where did you learn about the party?" asked Lizzy, a little sharply.

"Jane told your mother that she was seeing someone, and Aunt Fanny told Mother. You went too, Lizzy, didn't you?"

"Yes. It was frightfully posh."

"Wow. The parties I go to are scarcely posh. There're all just wild and reckless..."

"Which is good, too. Kitty, I'm not a posh person, and I was amazingly uncomfortable there."

"I'd still have loved it. Everyone all dressed up, and the house beautiful and everyone drinking champagne and vintage wines..."

"It was interesting in its own way, but half the people at the party were snobbish."

"Poor Lizzy, humble classicist set loose among the ton. There must have been someone terribly good looking among them, though?"

"Certainly. The man who Jane tried to set me up with, and who insulted me when Jane was within hearing range."

"Poor darling! Were you hurt dreadfully?"

"I didn't know he didn't think me pretty enough to dance with until Jane told me today. I was angry at him for making me feel insignificant and unimportant, though."

"I could never be angry at a gorgeous man for long, though," Kitty cut in.

"Wait till you meet Mr. William Fitz."

"Never heard of him. Are you sure that was his name?"

"I assumed it was, since everyone called him Fitz, and his name was William. You know, English public school nomenclature, 'Hey Briggs', and that sort of thing."

"Definitely," agreed Kitty. "I was just hoping it would be someone marvelous that I could tell everyone you had met. Did you know that Georgie had met the President?"

"And you feel wildly envious, poor girl? By the way, how is Georgie doing?"

"Fine. She said she would go to the Gypsy audition. It's a week from Monday, right?"

"Yes. You're coming?"

"Yes. I'm ready to rock that play."

"Louise?"

"Definitely. We couldn't let Lydia get the part, could we?" Lizzy paused a moment, and came to the conclusion that one should not let Lydia Long play the part of Gypsy Rose Lee.

"Is Georgie coming out for June?"

"Yes. That's why it could be so much fun. We could hang out on stage a lot, since you've decided that teen Louise can be played by the second Act Louise. Any idea who will play the guy June runs off with?"

"Tulsa? No. I've got an encouraging list, though. Alec Walters was very good in Brigadoon last year."

"Ah, Brigadoon!" reminisced Kitty. "I was Jean, and had three lines and any number of dances. And Ruben Lee was Charlie, and he had to kiss me on stage. The girls were really envious."

"And now Ruben is off at college, and that leaves you with Sam?"

"Yes, rather! Sam's a sweetie. When he's not writing morbid poetry, that is. I told him he should be lighter in his style, but he insists that it isn't natural."

"Oh well. But you're happy?"

"Definitely. That's why I'm so keen on finding someone for Georgie."

"I knew you were a match maker!" announced Lizzy triumphantly, confirming a theory she'd nursed for some time. Charlotte began humming from Fiddler on the roof, and laughed. Kitty bore through it, and said,

"Do you have any suggestions for someone for Georgie?"

"You should be asking if she has any suggestions for someone for her. How long has it been since you broke up with Larry?" asked Charlotte maliciously.

"I can't believe you dated someone named Larry," Kitty laughed. "Too outdated. Now the nickname for Lawrence is Laurie. Or Larr."

"I give up with names. It doesn't matter, they're just something you are called by."

"But you admit that you don't know of anyone you'd like to see?" asked Kitty. "That's a more exciting challenge than Georgie. Especially because many of the guys in my acquaintance think she's pretty. But I wanted to find someone who'll be calm and sweet, especially as she's only settling in now. I don't think she needs a whirlwind affair. She'll need something supportive and long lasting."

"Custom designed match making? Sounds great, Kitty," said Lizzy.

"See, that's why I'm so interested in who'll be Tulsa. I don't want anyone who might offend Georgie while they are on stage. You said Alec is auditioning?" Kitty asked.

"You have your eye on him for Georgie? He's certainly a nice guy, and not dating anyone right now. Kitty, you are marvelous for keeping me informed off all the student gossip."

"Nice to know someone appreciates me!" laughed Kitty. "But now I need to find someone for you. I'm sure if you were happier you'd be nicer in the grade book."

"Who do you have in mind?" asked Lizzy.

"I'm thinking about Georgie's brother. I've only seen him once, but he's gorgeous, and Georgie says he's lonely. What could be better?"

"Kitty, I don't need to be set up with a student's brother. It could get embarrassing."

"Ick. I didn't think about that. Oh well, I'll find someone else for you."

"How about the English seminar teachers?" cut in Charlotte from the couch, where she was examining the catalog Kitty had abandoned. Every year for the fourth quarter of the year, MFS stopped regular English classes for the year and had all of the students take different seminars on different subjects in interest. There were film courses, poetry courses, courses on particular authors and cultures, and half of these courses involved having outside teachers come to the school to teach. With the increase in new teachers each spring, there was bound to be someone who was young, unattached and decent looking. But this year there wasn't.

Lizzy, who had met a number of these teachers already, shuddered. "That awful Wilfred Collins who is teaching a course on religious texts. I'm dreading having him around at MFS. With ten extra teachers at school, one of them should be perfect, but the only young and unattached one is Wilfred. And he's more in need of a shower than being handsome."

Kitty recalled the assembly where all of the seminar teachers had been introduced, and shuddered. "My neighbor, Mary Phillips is taking that course. I'd hate to be in a class with the guy!"

"Try sharing the copy room with him. Ick!"

They were saved having to think of the horrible man any more when the doorbell rang again. Kitty noticed that it was dark outside, and Lizzy noticed that Jane had left the room, and was now descending from the second floor, dressed to go out. Lizzy laughed, thinking of how she had spent her whole day lounging about. She went to answer the door.

"Charles! How nice to see you again. Jane will be down in a moment."

On cue, Jane came through the door into the hall, and smiled at Charles, who could only stare at her. Jane had certainly dressed with care tonight, and clearly Charles admired the effect. Kitty came through the hall, book bag on her shoulder again.

"This is our cousin Kitty, Charles," said Jane. "Kitty, this is Charles."

"Pleased to meet you," said Charles, smiling. Then the couple left, and Kitty turned to Lizzy.

"He's a keeper," she said. "Does he have any friends, if he does, I need look no further for your date."

"Oh, he has friends," agreed Lizzy, remembering the handsome and haughty Fitz, with a feeling very like regret.

Chapter 4

It was at some point on his way home from the Henderson-Mayfield party that Fitzwilliam Darcy's foul mood cleared, and he realized how attractive Lizzy had been. Before, while in her company, all he had done was make her angry, and later he had insulted her, convinced that she was no more handsome than half the women in the room. However, alone in his car, driving home on the fairly empty expressway back towards Mt. Airy, the part of the city in which he lived, he remembered the angry Lizzy. Elizabeth Bennet was one woman whom anger suited. She was lovely when calm and lively when happy, but when enraged her eyes caught an extra gleam, and all of her energy was focused around her passion. Recalling the frustrated woman who had stormed away from him, Darcy began to feel ashamed that he had not been kinder.

It had been some time since Fitzwilliam Darcy had not shunned a woman, as he had been rather disgusted by the creatures who hurled themselves at him, not the least of whom was Caroline Bingley. Fortune hunters, they used to call those women, and the term suited them exactly. They could be as ruthless as pirates if they thought they had a chance. Some of them were remarkably dull witted, and only half were handsome. They had all wanted him, and he had not desired them. Now, for the first time in years, he had met a woman who did not want him, and he began to admire her. The fortune hunting harpies could learn something from backwards psychology, perhaps.

But he had been rude to Elizabeth Bennet, and she had been rude back. However, as he thought back to the encounter, he recalled how she had spat her family history at him, more sure of it than any of the women who claimed to be proud of their ancestry. And there was the matter of her having been able to make Caroline Bingley go away...

Recalling Caroline soon led to recalling Charles. Perhaps Charles would give him a second chance to meet Lizzy, under conditions where she was not so clearly out of her circle... Darcy shook the thought form his mind. He had to either stop admiring Lizzy or stop criticizing her. Determined to talk to Charles in the morning, Darcy turned onto his exit, and made towards his house on Pemberley Avenue, where his sister Georgie should be asleep.

The next morning Darcy called upon Charles Bingley. There had been an invitation extended for some time earlier, as Charles had only recently moved to Philadelphia for his new job, and was eager to show his new apartment to his friends. Darcy made sure of the address, and went off in search of his friend.

Charles Bingley was bright and merry despite the fact that it was before noon on a Saturday. Darcy rather sourly observed to himself that Charles was likely merry from he moment he awoke. Some people have all the luck.

Darcy managed to admire the apartment, which was still in the process of being decorated. On asking about a half-finished study, Charles answered,

"Yes, I've been having help here. Caroline has been good enough to help out. In fact, she'll likely drop by a bit later. She's determined to put a good library in here, like yours at your house on Pemberley Ave. She's determined to make a copy of your gigantic room in this little fiddly one, and there is nothing i can say about it. I don't even use a study very often, but she thinks that every 'gentleman' ought to have one. She's even ordered me a smoking jacket and red carpet slippers. I drew the line at the pipe. I don't smoke, and I'd look an awful fool looking like Sherlock Holmes."

"That you would. Your sister has some rather strange ideas." Such as the idea that I'd marry her some day. Not likely!

"Caro is rather determined, though. Well, now you've seen all of the place, there isn't so much to it, but it suits me. Have you breakfasted?"

"A little. Let's see what you have about."

"Not so much, as the place is still new, but I'm sure we can dig up something." Charles led the way into a comfortable kitchen with a table over by a floor to ceiling window overlooking a small park. Darcy amused himself by watching the people scurrying about while Charles examined the cabinets.

Charles's head was deep inside a low cabinet when the doorbell to the apartment rang. Charles banged his head, did not curse, and jumped up to answer the door. Darcy wandered over to the cupboard as Bingley was opening the door, and ducked down to see what had been so fascinating in there. He pulled out a plastic container filled with muffins, and smiled. He wondered who had made them, as Charles was a rather unreliable cook most of the time.

Bingley returned to the room, followed by a tall dark haired figure in a rather shocking green dress.

"Darcy! How marvelous to see you here!" Caroline Bingley gushed. Darcy quickly stuffed a piece of muffin in his mouth, and chewed slowly. No talking while his mouth was full... and he was in no hurry to speak to the vision in lime.

"Muffins! Charles, what a lovely impromptu breakfast. Let me make you some coffee."

"Don't need any coffee," said Charles. "Lord, I'm wide awake. Never been happier."

"You're going to dinner with that Bennet girl tonight, aren't you?"

Darcy started, and then remembered that Charles was seeing a Jane Bennet, and not Elizabeth of the lively and beautiful eyes.

"Yes," said Charles. "I'll be leaving at about five, so if you could be done whatever you're doing by four-thirty, I'd appreciate it."

"Charles, I don't see what you see in the girl. She's frightfully common."

"She's an angel," began Charles, but Caroline cut in.

"Who is her family? What does she do for a living?"

"She's a secretary at Netherfield, I told you."

"A secretary ? asked Caroline, incredulous. "Charles, really!"

"My life is my affair," argued Charles.

"Since when?" asked Darcy under his breath. Charles Bingley had gone to law school at his mother's insistence, and mostly dated girls that Caroline and his other sister Louisa thought were good for him. Accepting the Netherfield position had been mostly influenced by the fact that Caroline was living in Philadelphia, and that he, Darcy, was moving there. Dating Jane Bennet seemed to be the first independent decision the man had made in ages. Certainly Jane Bennet was beautiful, but Darcy was wary of all women except his sister, and his long time friend Anne.

While Darcy was reflecting upon Charles' sad history of dependence upon others, Caroline seemed to have suddenly changed her viewpoint, and was determined to meet up with Jane to shop and chat. Surprised at Caroline's sudden change, and a little wary, Charles agreed to suggest the appointment with Jane when he saw her tonight. Caroline beamed, and settled down to making coffee, until she noticed that Darcy did not want any. Discovering that they intended to sit about, she pouted, and gathered up the bags of materials she had brought with her, and she went into the study to continue her work.

"Well, Darce," said Charles, when Caroline was gone, and the table had been cleared, "How did you enjoy the party last night?" He asked the question more out of hope that Darcy had changed his mind than out of real curiosity. Darcy had made it rather clear that he had not been enjoying himself.

Will paused before answering. "Mostly I was frustrated with the tedium. But I did think it interesting how Anne took to Elizabeth Bennet in the way she did."

"Elizabeth seemed nice," said Charles, who had paid far more attention to Jane than her sister. "Did Anne take to her?"

"Yes, she was rather protective of the girl. I suppose the Bennets were out of their element."

"Do you think," asked Bingley, "that I made Jane uncomfortable?" He looked horrified.

"No, no," assured Darcy. "Jane looked happy. Elizabeth seemed nervy, though. Anne was pleased with her wit."

"I must admit that I didn't notice it. I did appreciate her recitation of the Bennet family history, though. It was fascinating... you didn't hear it, did you?"

"I'm afraid that I missed the honor. Anne hinted at it, though."

"Caroline asked about the name Bennet, and Elizabeth shot off a history immediately. She just knew it on the top of her head. Smart girl, I understand that she's a teacher. Some Friends school or other. Doesn't Georgie go to one of those Quaker places?"

"Yes, Meryton Friends. She seems happy enough."

"Meryton did you say? It might have been that."

"Elizabeth Bennet teaching at Georgie's school? It would be a small world."

"They always are. Caroline seemed uncomfortable with all of the names though, walked off. Pity Caro doesn't remember much except the calendar."

"Someone has to," said Darcy, still intrigued by the idea that Elizabeth Bennet might know Georgie. Georgie needed someone lively and energetic, with passion and intelligence. Elizabeth Bennet seemed an ideal mentor for the quiet girl.

They chatted about various things for some time, and then Darcy took his leave, he had a lunch appointment with Richard Fitzwilliam and Anne.

One week later Caroline Bingley had a lunch-and-shopping appointment with Jane Bennet. Having assumed her most expensive "casual" outfit, Caroline set out for the designated cafe, and sat down at her table, waiting for Jane to arrive.

As the reader might have suspected, Caroline did not merely want to dine with Miss Bennet out of the goodness of her soul, but rather much more out of the curiosity that filled her. Caroline was always anxious to learn as much as possible from everyone she met... learn about their families, connection, financial situations, vacationing spots, eligible men in their families, etc. Thus, remembering the knight and the estate owner from Eliza Bennet's recitation, Caroline was eager to determine whether Jane was worth knowing or not worth knowing.

Jane showed up to the appointment with no other feelings than great happiness that Charles's sister was interested in knowing her. They sat down together with the greatest air of good will and friendship, and ordered the same tuna wraps and salads. All the while, Caroline was eager to pump Jane on the Bennet family's situation.

"I met your sister, but are you the only two children in your family?"

"Yes, in the immediate family. However, my extended family is close, and we are rather good friends with a number of my cousins. I've grown up with my cousins Kitty and Lydia as younger sisters."

"Four, then? How monstrous, you must have lacked all attention."

"No, not really," said Jane, surprised. "I've always had attention, and so has Lizzy. Kitty and Lydia are only children, so their parents dote on them enough."

"Tell me about your parents. Where do they live?"

"Mama and Father live outside Philly now, on a farmish bit in Bucks County. It's small, but ever so sweet. Ducks and cows, and everything."

"Your mother must find them frightfully tiresome."

"She does," owned Jane, "But there are the Hills, who help out. And Mama has great acquaintance there, she entertained twenty four different families last year."

"How nice. Do they come to town often?"

"Sometimes. To see my Aunt Jessie, my aunt Phillips, that would be, and my Aunt Kathleen. That's Kitty's mother. Both Kitty and Lydia are frightfully young. They both attend the school Lizzy teaches at."

"Where would that be?"

"Meryton Friends School." Caroline almost coughed her drink up, in surprise. That was the school Will Darcy had just sent Georgiana to. Caroline knew all about the place, in hopes to impress Will with her superior knowledge of the institution.

"But that costs thousands of dollars!"

"It's affordable, though. My uncle Phillips is a lawyer, and that pays for Lydia. Kitty has a partial scholarship, and my uncle Bennet owns his own import shop, that it doing quite well."

"Where does the lawyer work?" asked Caroline, well up to date with the most illustrious firms in the city.

"Cole and Robertson. He's been there for about twelve years, I guess."

Caroline mentally crossed the Phillips family off her list. The firm wasn't half as well known or glamorous as Netherfield. The Bennet uncle's family also seemed unworthy of notice. Jane's parents had two servants, Jane had said, but they lived on a farm. How mundane! That left Jane herself and her sister Elizabeth, who had been so rude.

"So your sister is a teacher at Meryton Friends. What does she teach?"

"Classics. And she helps in the drama program."

Classics? Whoever spoke Latin these days except the Pope? Caroline would have brushed Elizabeth away if not for the second position.

"Drama assistant? How quaint! You know, I write arts reviews. The plays must be terribly cute."

"Actually many of them are rather decent. There are three full scale productions a year."

Caroline, who had been thinking more along the lines of one musical a year, checked her comment, and merely asked,

"Which plays?"

"Well, this year it was Othello, and The Cherry Orchard. Next is Gypsy."

"Gracious! Those hardly seem like material for high school students!"

"Lizzy and the main director, Roberta Golding, have worked miracles. If you're in town, I'll have Lizzy send you tickets for Gypsy. She's getting quite excited, and they haven't even had auditions yet."

"By all means have her send a ticket," said Caroline sweetly, recalling that Georgie enjoyed performing in plays. Perhaps Will would be there, and certainly he would know no one else in the audience...

Quite pleased with her plan, Caroline said, "Talking of your sister Eliza, I had a question. That whole history the other night... is it true?"

"Well, I do know that the Bennetts, as they were then, came from the family that owned a small estate called Longbourn, and were Landed Gentry... but it is much more Lizzy's thing. I think the knight was right too, and the fellow in Virginia. I never paid much attention to family history. Lizzy could have made up most of it, though, for all I know."

Ah! thought Caroline. Eliza Bennet was just calling attention to herself! The family is otherwise quite common. Eliza is merely a teacher and an assistant, and Jane is no more than a secretary. I should tell my brother to look elsewhere.

Jane took advantage of her companion's silence to examine the dessert menu.

The evening after Caroline had pumped Jane for her family history and situation, Darcy found himself dealing with his own family situation. Having been orphaned some years ago after a terrible plane crash that had deprived him of both parents, Darcy had become head of the Darcy family, and thus given all of the family problems to settle. His cousins, especially his boyhood friend Richard, had been marvelously supportive, and he had a second mother in the doting Mrs. Reynolds who looked after the Darcy household. William's family owned a number of houses, one in Vermont, one in Boston, a beach house in the Bahamas, an apartment in New York City and the Philadelphia house on Pemberley Avenue. George Darcy, William's father, had loved the Philadelphia house, and William had spent many of his childhood years in the house. However, after his parents were killed, he had stayed away from the house, and lived in Boston and New York. Georgie had been enrolled in a boarding school in Boston for some years, until a singularly unfortunate accident had occurred, and he had removed her from the area. Now, it seemed, she was happily settling into her new school, and enjoying her new town.

Georgie Darcy was curled up in a ball on the sofa reading when Will came home from a day at his office, where he managed his father's publishing company. It was fortunate that the company had recently decided to open a Philadelphia branch, so that he had a ready job and ready home both waiting for him when he made his move. It was so pleasant to come home to a house where Georgie was, and to know that she was safe and happy.

Georgie looked up from the book on her lap as her brother entered the room.

"Hey, Will. Why do you work on Saturdays?"

"Stuff to do," Will countered.

"You don't do much other than work, you know. How's the new office going?"

"It's rather pleasant, actually. The staff is smart, and they seem to understand the market. I'd say it pretty much runs itself."

"Then why do you spend so much time there. You could spend more time at home or having fun."

"I just do," sighed William, wishing that he had someone to make him cheerful, and sociable. He made do with talking to his sister, and asked,

"What are you reading? I thought homework didn't start until Sunday afternoon!"

"It doesn't," said Georgie. "I'm just looking through a script for the spring play. Auditions are a week from Monday, and I want to know more about the characters. Elizabeth thinks I should try out, that it would help me open up a bit."

"Who's Elizabeth?" asked Darcy.

"She's my homeroom teacher. She's very nice, and rather young, too. And it's rather nice to be able to call your teacher's by their first names. None of this 'Miss Morris' junk from Kympton Academy."

"What's the play?" asked William, determined to make Georgie forget about Kympton."

"Gypsy," said Georgie. "No, no!" she cried, seeing the look on Will's face. "I'm not trying out for Louise, she's the dancer you're thinking of... I'm also not trying out for any of the...er... burlesque dancers, like Miss Mazzeppa or Tessie the Texas Twirler."

Will smiled. "Somehow I don't think they're quite your style. If you don't mind my asking, who are you trying out for?"

"June. She's Louise's older sister, and only in the first act. She has a number of songs and dances in the first act, before she decides that her mother is too oppressive and she runs away with one of the young men in the act. He's a rather sweet character, Louise is in love with him."

"Sounds too complicated for me. Well, if you want to try out, and as long as you aren't trying out as a burlesque dancer, all of my good luck."

"Thanks. I'd really like to try this, to be able to get up in front of people again."

"I'm all for it, darling. I'd like to see you able to perform in front of others and work in a team again. Just as long as you don't really run off with this dancer fellow."

"Tulsa. His name is Tulsa. And the actor might be perfectly vile, for all I know. And I might not get the part."

"Never! Georgie, with a pretty voice like yours, you should have no problem. And what about all of those dance classes you wanted?"

"I can do the work, I'm sure I can. I just hope I don't develop stage fright at the audition. Elizabeth is wonderful, but I don't know Roberta, the head director, very well."

"It'll be fine. I hope you do get the part."

"There is one thing," began Georgie, uncertainly.

"What?"

"Many of the rehearsals are at night. Since you don't want me driving on my own at night..."

"I'll come and pick you up. You were saying earlier that I didn't do anything productive. I used to do a bit of tech work back in high school myself. I'd like to see what sort of shape the MFS theaters are in."

"Thanks! Kitty is trying out too, and it would be so much fun if we could hang out at rehearsals together."

"I'm hearing a lot about Kitty. She nice?"

"Yes, very nice. She's very lively, but rather understanding... I told her about my... reasons for leaving Boston."

"You did?" asked Will, sharply.

"I had to, she was being so nice, and not asking that I told her. She was quite understanding, called me a poor dear, and swears that she'll keep it a secret. She will, too. You'll like Kitty when you meet her. She's so friendly and lively, and is really quite smart."

"She sounds like a good friend for you," said Will. "What's her other name?"

"Bennet." Will choked. "Actually," continued Georgie, "she's my teacher Elizabeth's cousin." That settled it, Will would go and meet all of Georgie's teachers as the Headmaster had suggested. Maybe Elizabeth Bennet of the lively eyes would give him a chance to explain his rude behavior, he had been unjust. He would really like to be able to talk about Georgie, and hear what she was like at school. The woman was doing wonders already, shy little Georgie was again becoming the jubilant and happy performer she had been a long time ago, before she had lost her parents. Feeling sad with happiness as he observed the pleasant change, he heard the telephone ring.

"It might be Kitty!" said Georgie, jumping off the couch and grabbing the cordless phone. A moment later she turned to Will. "It's for you. Charles wants you to come to some party his girlfriend's roommate's brother is holding."

Will paused, and untangled the series of relationships. Curious, assuming that if Jane Bennet was asking Charles to bring guests that Jane would bring her sister, he took the phone, and agreed to the scheme. It might be interesting. In any case, as Georgie put it, he should spend more time having fun.

Chapter 5

Luke Lucas was an unfortunately named young man with a large house. Thus, he enjoyed giving parties for his friends, his siblings, and their friends. He prided himself on throwing many parties where his companions found their true loves, and thus was determined to continue in this pattern. He was especially delighted when Charlotte, his older sister, showed up with her friend Elizabeth. Both of them would prove to be excellent targets for his matchmaking parties. Charlotte was not appreciative.

Arriving early at the party with Jane and Lizzy, Charlotte gave her brother a quick hug, and warned him, "You'd better not have 'the perfect man' waiting inside to meet me. The last four were wretched."

"I do my best," protested Luke, with a smile. "But you are so determined to be an old maid."

"I'd like to be married very much, just not to some friend of a friend of a friend that you've only met today."

"All right. I won't try. What about Miss Lizzy, though?"

Lizzy laughed. "I've already had Jane try to set me up with a Mr. Fitz just a week ago. I don't think I'm ready to be set up again, but I'll be happy to enjoy the party."

Luke smiled, and let Lizzy and Charlotte through. Jane ran to Luke's wife, a friend, Judith, who was as sweet tempered and mild as Jane herself. While Jane went into rhapsodies about Charles, Charlotte and Lizzy snuck to the side of the room.

"Luke's at it again!" cried Lizzy. "Between him and Kitty the whole city of Philadelphia should be in couples!"

"Well, don't worry. We can be gloriously independent together here, and look as if we're having the time of our lives."

They were, by the time Charles entered the room. Lizzy had uncovered the pool table in the corner, and the girls had started playing together. They merely nodded a greeting to Charles as Jane brought him over, and they both neglected to see the other two guests Charles had brought along.

The second person William Darcy saw when he entered the room was Elizabeth Bennet. She was laughing in the corner of the room, playing pool with a rather plain but smiling woman. The activity had caused her to remove her sweater, revealing a very fetching set of shoulders, over which her hair fell in enchanting heaps. Last week he had thought her not pretty enough to dance with, too inferior to speak to, but today she was enchanting. Her eyes were merry as she argued a point in the game, bringing up the cue in a mock salute as she was forced to concede.

The first person William Darcy saw was Luke. Now, Luke was really a pleasant person, and one of the nicest people about, but he had one main fault: a keenness for making couples. On seeing William Darcy enter the room, he immediately determined that he would do very well for one of the young ladies in the room who had not brought a date. With a calculating smile, Luke rushed forward, and said,

"May I welcome you to Lucas Lodge? We are very honored to see you here. You would be...?"

"William Darcy," said William, looking at the smiling man, thinking, he smiles too much!.

"And you are Charles Bingley's friend? Any friend of a friend of the Bennet family is a friend to me." He beamed.

"Thank you," said Darcy.

While Luke paused to decide which lady to introduce his guest to, Caroline Bingley came through the door.

"Delighted, I'm sure," she said, coolly, coming up and taking Darcy's arm.

"How pitiful! I hope no one finds out about this party, there certainly isn't anyone here we would know."

Darcy cringed at the use of the word 'we', and bore with surprising patience the hand the groped his arm. "The Bennets are here," he said, for lack of anything else to say.

"The Bennets! I found out everything about their family... no one in our circle, to be sure. You do know that Jane is a secretary, don't you? And that Eliza is just a teacher?"

"So you had informed me."

"Look at Eliza playing pool wildly over there. No manners at all!"

Darcy was delighted by the playfulness in Lizzy's attitude as she argued about the game. She after an excellent shot she crowed happily. Darcy watched her with a smile, and said to Caroline,

"I suppose we ought to acknowledge them."

"If we must," said Caroline, not letting go of William's arm. He sighed, and pulled forward. Jane, who had been watching the game smiled at the pair as they approached.

"Hello Caroline, Hello William."

"Jane, dear! How nice to see you again!" cooed Caroline. Will again pondered Caroline Bingley's duplicity.

Jane made room for Caroline to sit, and she eagerly took the seat. However, she kept one well-manicured hand tucked in William's arm, forcing him to stand beside her. Eventually he decided to lean against the couch the Bingleys and Jane were sitting upon, and turned to watch Lizzy's game.

"Charlotte! The balls have jammed up again!" Lizzy protested, as she bent over the side of the table, discovering that the cue ball had followed the yellow ball into the pocket.

"Get them out yourself," said Charlotte. "Or shall I fetch Luke?"

"Oh, Luke! He doesn't know how to fix it any better than I do. Ought we to scrap the game?"

"Not when I'm winning. Let me see that." Charlotte came over to Lizzy's side of the table, and looked into the pocket. "Something is stuck, to be sure. I guess we'd better mark the positions of the balls on the table, and lift one end of the table."

"Wretched table! Char, why can't your brother have a nicer one?"

"Don't know. Here, help me." Charlotte was drawing a diagram of the ball positions.

Without knowing quite why, William steps forward, causing Caroline to lose her grip on him, and said,

"Here, let me take a look at that."

"Frustrated at watching incompetent women?" asked Lizzy archly.

He didn't answer, but took Lizzy's cure from her, and put it into the hole, where he maneuvered it for a few moments. Then, he reached into the slot in the side of the table, and inserting a few fingers, gently brought the line of balls rolling into sight. He handed back the cue, and nodded, before stalking back across the room, where he was caught by Luke.

Lizzy, astonished that Mr. Fitz had helped her, quickly opened her mouth, the closed it again when she saw that he had left. Jane was smiling, and Charles said,

"That's Will! Always gallant."

Gallant? wondered Lizzy. I wouldn't have said so after our first meeting. However... well, I simply don't understand him, he's still an unpleasant sort.

Inflamed by frustration, Lizzy made an excellent shot, and salvaged herself in the game. With a brilliant shot the game soon was over, and Lizzy felt victorious. Jubilant, Lizzy made her way towards the tables of food. Charlotte followed.

"I say, Lizzy. If that is your handsome William, I think you're a bloody fool. He's gorgeous! And I remember that face... I don't know where... never mind. But you did play an excellent game. I was sure that I would win after the wretched game you had been playing."

"I don't like being watched," said Lizzy testily.

"I suppose that is why you work with so many plays," said Charlotte, "showing everyone the proper way to do a shimmy or a waltz."

"I like doing plays," said Lizzy. "I do not like being distracted from my game of pool."

"Then let's play snooker next time."

"Charlotte!"

"I'm teasing. You just don't like playing in front of people you don't know. And if that woman in that queer shade of vermilion is Caroline Bingley, then I don't blame you for annoying her."

"It is. I'm surprised that she would come to a party given by someone like Luke."

"From your description, so am I. But I detected a reason, can you not see it? She's clearly in love with your William!"

"He's not my William," declared Lizzy.

"Tell him yourself, dear, here he comes," Charlotte said, stepping away from Lizzy. However, William, though he approached them, did not join them or speak to them. Nor did he sample the snacks. He merely stood, pleased to be away from Luke and from Caroline, and happy to be in such a position to view the lively face of Elizabeth Bennet, and to see the triumph in her lovely dark eyes.

"Well, if he is just going to stand there watching, I think I will talk to him."

"Do," urged Charlotte. "This party is getting far too dull. Luke is never good at sustaining a party. He expects everyone to wander off in couples and to entertain themselves."

Lizzy gathered herself together, and approached William.

"Do you not think that the end of my game was excellent?"

"I have no doubt. If you were winning you likely played very well. Women are always so eager to speak of their victories."

"You are severe on us," protested Lizzy lively.

Charlotte joined them. "Now it is your turn to be teased, Lizzy. For you know that I will open the piano, and then you know what will follow."

"Charlotte! You are a very queer person, almost a relic in some of your ideas. You encouragement with my music would be most valuable had I decided to pursue being a singer, but as I did not, I cannot understand you."

"Sing us something from your musical that is coming up."

"Heavens, what? Half the songs are multiple people..."

"And the other half are sung by burlesque dancers?"

Darcy, who had been lost in this conversation, but still present, was deep in thought. Lizzy appeared to be the Elizabeth who was working wonders with Georgie. How many Elizabeth Bennets were there in Philadelphia who were young and putting on performances of Gypsy?

Charlotte eventually prevailed upon Lizzy to come sing, and perching on the edge of her bench, Charlotte turned the pages to a beat up score for the musical that was in Judith's collection. Happily entertaining those in that half of the room with her versions of "You'll Never Get Away From Me" and "Mr. Goldstone". Darcy listening, intrigued by the lovely voice the woman with the lovely eyes carried.

Perhaps inspired by Lizzy's music, Luke turned on a stereo, and proposed dancing. Jane and Charles were eager to join a few other couples, and danced expertly to the music. Lizzy and Charlotte stood by the side of the room for a time, watching their friends, and the friends of their friends frolicking.

Luke, despite his lacking in some areas of entertainment, made an excellent punch. Everyone was getting quite merry, and the glasses were being passed about. Realizing that she would need to assist the call of nature, Lizzy put down her glass, and went off in search of a bathroom.

On the other side of the room, Luke Lucas was matching his party with mixed feelings. Certainly it was pleasant that so many people were now dancing, but there was such a number of people who were not dancing. Elizabeth Bennet, for one, Luke realized with a frown. Lizzy, who had grown up living near Charlotte and all the Lucases, had always been a merry and sociable girl, and it seemed wrong for her to be sitting out a dance, in Luke's opinion. He was a wretched dancer himself, Judith had told him so, so he must find another man to dance with the lively Lizzy Bennet.

On seeing William Darcy standing alone (Caroline Bingley was currently scowling into a mirror somewhere), Luke was struck by a very gallant thought. He approached Darcy, and said,

"Do you dance, sir?"

"I have been known to dance on occasion."

"Do you enjoy dancing?"

"Not particularly."

"But you must own that it is a necessary trait in high society, being able to dance."

"Yes, but also in every primitive society. Any savage can dance."

"I see," said Luke, flustered. Then, remembering his Gallant Thought, as he saw Elizabeth Bennet cross the room towards them,

"Let me introduce you to Lizzy Bennet, a very desirable dancing partner."

Lizzy halted before Luke and William, and smiled a little. "We are acquainted, Luke."

Darcy went a little red, and assented to that fact.

"Ah, then surely you will want to dance together. It pains me to see such lovely people standing alone."

"I assure you," said Lizzy, "That I did not come this way in order to beg for a partner. I have no intention of dancing."

"Come now! Lizzy, I invite you here to have some fun, and you sit like a lump the whole evening, talking to Charlotte."

"I believe that Miss Bennet did engage in some pool," said Darcy, with a smile.

Lizzy flushed. "Indeed," she murmured.

"And there was some charming music on your piano, as well," Darcy continued.

"Your memory serves you well," said Elizabeth. "But I really must say that I do not mean to dance at present."

"I should be honored to dance with you Miss Bennet."

"How formal, Mr. --"

"Darcy. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Anne didn't introduce us properly."

Lizzy blanched a moment, wondering if William were in any way related to Georgie. There was a certain resemblance in the brow, but Georgie was fair where William was dark. Both were, however, tall. Frightened by the possibility that William was the guardian of her new pupil, Lizzy could say nothing. So she simply said,

"Excuse me," and rushed off towards the bathroom. William saw her destination and laughed. She did not intend to dance just now at all.

On returning from her trip, Lizzy skirted about the room to the other side, and found Charlotte again.

"Charlotte, William's last name is Darcy!"

"It doesn't mean anything to me.. no, wait... I think I remember where I saw his face before -- in a magazine. Not the Fitzwilliam Darcy?"

"Heavens, how many of them can there be?"

"I mean the rich and handsome one. Lizzy, you do pick your people to offend!"

"I meant that Darcy was the same name as my new pupil, Georgiana Darcy. certainly, the same sort of parent would name their son 'Fitzwilliam' as their daughter 'Georgiana'!"

"Both are rather stuffy names, but I think 'Georgiana' rather pretty. I had a friend named 'Georgina', which isn't half as pretty."

"Yes. Now, What are you going to do about your William?"

"My William? I've told you that he is nothing of the sort. Just a fellow I offended that happens to be devilishly handsome, and might be related to a very pleasant new pupil with a pretty name."

"Rather a coincidence your meeting him everywhere, isn't it? Fate."

"You are the last person in the world I would expect to believe in Fate. You're so sensible."

"You are always going on about Fate in the Aeneid. Aren't I allowed to pick up anything?"

"Point granted. But there is nothing between me and Mr. Darcy."

"So you say," said Charlotte. Lizzy was furious, but blushed.

"He's far too proud to bother with a teacher, anyway. So give up the idea now."

"We'll see," said Charlotte. "Offended people always seem to end up lovers."

"Charlotte!" cried Lizzy.

William Darcy had detached himself from his overly hospitable host only to find himself attached to Caroline Bingley.

"My poor dear!" she cooed. "Isn't this party dreadful? The house is appalling. You're staring into space, you're so bored."

"Not at all."

"Then you are thinking. Perhaps about how awful it would be to come to another such party again?"

"No."

"Or about how that peasant girl is stealing Charles's heart?"

"No. My mind was far more agreeably engaged."

"Yes?"

"I was contemplating how lovely a pair of eyes can seem in the face of a lovely woman."

Caroline was rather flattered, and asked sweetly,

"Whose eyes?"

"Elizabeth Bennet's eyes."

Caroline choked on her punch. "I cannot believe it. How long have you fancied her?"

"Who said that I did? Your mind jumps from admiration to fancy, to love, to marriage!"

"You shall have such lovely relations. I'm sure the hordes of cousins will all move in."

But Darcy said nothing, and only watched Lizzy argue with her friend Charlotte in heated matter, occasionally blushing, and often smiling. Her eyes smiled too, and her face seemed lit with radiant energy.

Caroline eventually got bored of waiting for Darcy to reply, and found another glass of punch.

Continued in Next Section