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To the dismay of nearly everyone in the vicinity, the heavy rain persisted right up until dawn the day of the ball.

Only the heartiest of servants left either Netherfield or Longbourn, and that only if there was a list of essential items that needed purchased or important tasks that needed completed.

Darcy and Bingley were forced to stay away; the roads were nearly impassable during such heavy and prolonged rains.

During those three or four days of deluge, Longbourn’s heir apparent was remarkably quiet. Lydia was the first to remark on it about halfway through the second day.

“Mr. Collins has been oddly silent, do you not think?”

“Shh, Lydia.” Elizabeth shot a look at the door. “Keep your voice down; he will hear you!”

“La! What do I care? He is strange on a good day, but since Lady Catherine was here, he has been behaving more strangely than usual.” Lydia shivered. “Not that I am complaining about the quiet. I would rather he were that than to preach at us.”

“I agree with Lydia.” Kitty looked up from her watercolors. “His manner has been quite different the last few days. I cannot make him out.”

“Yes, he is behaving in quite the unusual manner.” Mary paused in her writing.

“I do not like his usual comportment. It is not right for a clergyman to think so highly of himself. His humility is a false one. I find I much prefer his new behavior.” She looked up to find her sisters staring at her. “What?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “Sometimes your insights take me by surprise, Sister. I am only taken aback.”

“Oh.” Mary looked around at the other three girls. She shrugged, made a face, and then turned her attention back to her extracts.

Jane cleared her throat. “Mr. Collins may have things on his mind. We should not judge him without knowing all the facts.”

“Oh, Jane.” Lydia sighed as she flounced from the window to a chair. “I knew you would say something like that.”

Elizabeth turned her head toward her book in an effort to hide the smirk that twisted her lips.

“You sound like Lizzy,” Kitty cried.

Elizabeth could hold her laughter no longer, and soon, her sisters joined her in merriment.

~~~***~~~

Finally, the day of the ball came, and with it the sunshine.

The ladies of Longbourn spent the day readying themselves and their gowns.

Baths were taken, hair was washed, dried, and styled, and final touches were added to their attire.

The entire house was in a fever of excitement.

Private balls were rare in their experience, and none had been thrown at Netherfield in at least two decades, possibly three .

Eventually, day turned into evening and the Bennets set off for the Bingley residence, Bennet and Collins in the gig and the ladies in the carriage.

Darcy and Madison were in a drawing room, watching out the window for the arrival of their ladies.

Madison glanced at his friend. “Would you have believed, when you accepted Bingley’s invitation, that you would find love in Hertfordshire?”

Darcy shook his head before turning to address the other gentleman. “No, I would not have. In fact, I would have laughed at the notion.” He shrugged. “And yet, here I am, waiting for the woman of my dreams to arrive at a ball held largely in our honor.”

Madison chuckled. “Here you are.” He paused. “What would your father have thought of Miss Elizabeth?”

“He would have loved her.” Darcy gave a firm nod of his head but then sighed and looked out the window.

“Eventually, anyway. To be honest, I am uncertain how he would have felt. He made it clear I was to marry for love, but he also seemed to think a woman of the ton would be my choice. Elizabeth is decidedly not.” He turned to his friend.

“What about you? What would your father have thought of Miss Lucas?”

“He would have been delighted with her.” Madison leaned against the frame of the window opposite of where Darcy did the same. “My mother is the daughter of a clergyman, you know.”

Darcy’s brows rose. “I did not know that. Your grandfather did not object?”

“Oh, he did. Most vociferously, as I understand it. However, my father was firm in his desires and would not be moved. Grandfather even threatened to disown him, but he stood his ground and eventually, Grandpapa gave in and allowed the marriage.”

Darcy tilted his head and studied the other man. “How did he treat her after that? And, what about the rest of the family?”

“I guess he was rather cold to her until I was born, at which time she became one of his favorite people.” Madison shook his head and looked down.

“The rest of the family accepted Mama to different degrees. Some became close to her and others did not. She has always said she paid no mind to the opinions of people so wholly unconnected to her.”

Darcy laughed. “Elizabeth has said that, as well.”

“Your Elizabeth reminds me very much of my mother. I think you will do well together.”

Darcy looked down as though embarrassed. “Thank you.” He looked up again. “Did you visit Lucas Lodge the other day?” When his friend nodded, he asked, “What happened?”

Madison looked at his glass as he swirled the red liquid around. “I asked Charlotte for a courtship. She agreed.”

“A courtship?” Darcy’s brows shot up. “Not an offer of marriage?”

“Not yet. It will come, I promise you. I wanted to wait a little bit to propose. If she did not realize I was interested in her, she would not believe my words of love or that an offer of my hand was sincere. I must do a better job of wooing her.” Madison’s lips quirked up at one corner.

Darcy snorted. “I suppose you are correct.” He held out his hand. “Congratulations for making it so far.”

Madison laughed and slapped him on the back. Then, he changed the subject. “Do you think this plan of yours to protect Miss Elizabeth will work?”

“I hope so. I intend to stay close to her the entire night. If I give Collins no opportunity to get near her, I should be able to prevent anything untoward happening.” Darcy shifted his shoulder against the window frame.

“Your offer of support is much appreciated, as is that of Bingley and his brother. I think Hurst is taking great enjoyment in coming up with ways to keep Elizabeth’s cousin away from her. ”

Madison laughed again. “I believe you are correct. Who would have thought he had it in him?”

Darcy grinned but then glanced out the window again.

He suddenly straightened, spun around, and rushed to the door with Madison on his heels.

Though he had to fight his way through the crowd, Darcy soon found himself outside and at the bottom of the steps, face to face with the woman who had captured his heart.

“Elizabeth.” He bowed to her, kissing her gloved hand.

“Good evening, sir.” Elizabeth’s lips twitched as though she wanted to laugh. “I am happy to see you so soon.”

“I have awaited your arrival with bated breath,” Darcy replied.

“I wonder now why that was.” He winked when she burst out laughing.

He bowed to her father, who was standing behind her and listening in with apparent enjoyment, then tucked her hand under his arm and escorted her up the steps and into the house.

“I intend to remain close to you all evening,” he said quietly to her as he helped her with her coat.

Elizabeth smiled up at him. “That is lovely, but should you not dance with some of the other ladies? At least with Mrs. Hurst and Jane?”

Darcy paused. He knew she was correct, and he further was aware that his friends would be watching out for her, as well. “I will dance with my hostess and with each of your sisters, but I will endeavor to be near you even when dancing with others.”

Elizabeth tilted her head, brow creased. “Do you have a concern about me?”

“No, no.” Darcy quickly reassured her. He leaned closer to her ear. “I do not trust your cousin; he does not seem to have given up in his quest for you and I fear he may attempt to harm you or your reputation tonight. It is my desire to protect you from him.”

“Oh.” For a long moment, Elizabeth stared at him with wide eyes. Finally, she relaxed and gave him a tentative smile. “Very well, then. That is a perfectly reasonable explanation and I accept it. Thank you for explaining it to me .”

“Anything for you, my dear.” Darcy kissed her hand. “Go ahead and join your sisters in the other room. I will wait here for you. I am eager to see what slippers you chose to go with your gown.” He laughed at the strange look that passed over his beloved’s face.

“I will be right back.” Elizabeth raised her brows but did not reply, instead slipping into the ladies’ retiring room to remove her pattens and freshen up.

A few minutes later, Darcy led his betrothed through the receiving line.

“I should have had you join us!” Louisa put her hands to her cheeks. “It never occurred to me. Do forgive me!”

“Do not worry,” Elizabeth said. “Mr. Darcy does not like being the center of attention, and I am sure my mother will want to host an evening to honor us a few days before our wedding. We will enjoy simply being guests tonight.” She glanced into the ballroom, which could be seen through the open set of double doors. “You have decorated beautifully.”

“Thank you.” Louisa smiled. “The staff did the work, of course, but I borrowed some of the ideas from other balls I have attended.”

“I never would have guessed! I will have to remember some of them for when Mr. Darcy and I host a ball one day.” Elizabeth giggled when Darcy’s groan filled the air.

“Please, let us marry before we worry about that.” Darcy shook his head at his future wife.

He rolled his eyes when she continued to laugh, then turned to his hostess.

“I agree with Elizabeth; Netherfield has never looked as lovely. You have turned the entire house into an enchanting wonderland.” He bowed.

“I promised my betrothed to dance with you. Do you have a set free?”