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“Lizzy, he is a wonderful man,” Jane declared when they were alone in their room. She spun about in joy before settling on the edge of the bed.

“I should hope so with all the time you spent in his company. If he were not, I would have to question your judgment.”

Jane ignored her remark. “He is all one could ask for in a man. Sensible, cheerful, and likes to dance,” she replied, raising a finger as she listed his positive attributes.

“You mean husband, and did you notice he was handsome as well?” Elizabeth teased, raising another of Jane’s fingers, making her blush.

“He has perfect good breeding.”

“Goodness Jane, you make him to be a thoroughbred. Are you looking for a horse or a husband?”

“You know perfectly well what I meant.” Jane sniffed in annoyance.

Elizabeth laughed. “I am only teasing, and you may as well lift that thumb of yours as he is also wealthy to boot.”

“Money is not everything.”

“True, and I heartily agree with that sentiment, but it certainly helps.”

“What did you think of his friend?” Jane asked, wanting to change the subject.

“He is tolerable.”

“You did not find him handsome?”

“I just admitted he was tolerable,” she replied with a grin.

“Mr Bingley says he rarely dances and usually only with those ladies he is well acquainted.”

“Then I shall consider myself fortunate that my toes are intact. He danced rather well for one that does not do so often.”

“Can you never take things seriously?”

“I will once you get me out of this corset,” she declared as she turned for Jane to help her undress.

“What did you discuss? And do not deny it. I saw you talking.”

“Why would I deny it?” Relieved as the ties were loosened. “We talked about many things.”

“As in?”

“Mostly, it was about his wards.”

Jane nodded as she had heard about them from Mr Bingley. “That is a sad story. Those poor little things having no mother.”

“We also compared notes on plays we had seen in town.”

“At least you did not discuss books.”

“We did, after the plays, the subject of books did come up. I was surprised by some of the ones he has read. He said he had to before he would let his sister read them in case they were inappropriate.” She said with a laugh.

“Please tell me you did not tease him about them.”

“I did not. I was tempted, but I refrained as I knew you would disapprove,” she said, laughing again.

“If only we had an older brother. Not to read our books, but at least we would not have to worry about the entail,” Jane replied.

“If all goes as momma plans, we shall no longer have to worry about the entail. You will marry, and I will teach your children.”

“We only just met.”

“A few more nights spent in Mr Bingley’s company, and mother shall have her wish.”

“Oh, Lizzy, you already have me married with children. You should think of your own happiness.”

“I shall be content watching your children and teaching them bad habits.”

“What about Mr Darcy.”

“Mr Darcy?”

“Other than the ladies from his party, you were the only one he danced with. To single you out, must say something.”

“It says he wanted to escape Miss Bingley’s company. I just happened to be conveniently nearby.”

“Lizzy Bennet, you say the most ridiculous things.”

“This night was about you. I think Mr Bingley is already smitten. As I said, a few more times in his company, and you shall be as good as married.”

“You can be silly at times.”

“I only say out loud what you are thinking inside. Now that we have approved of him, what are your thoughts on his sisters?”

“I liked them well enough. They were pleasant company.”

While Elizabeth carried a different perspective from her observations, she did not reveal her thoughts. She also did not tell her about chance encounter with Mr Darcy on the balcony as she did not know what to make of it. They both fell asleep content with how the night had gone.

As was their custom after a ball, the ladies of Lucas Lodge arrived at Longbourn to discuss the assembly and any new gossip they might have heard the previous night. While longtime friends, Mrs Bennet and Lady Lucas, were competing to outshine the other. Dinner parties, tea parties, and most importantly, to have the first daughter wed. Being five years older, Charlotte Lucas had long been favored to win. The years had come and gone, and now, at nearing twenty-seven, she was considered by most to be on the shelf. When Jane came of age, Mrs Bennet believed she would win shortly after. To her dismay, several suitors had come and gone, and it was looking bleak in the neighborhood of finding a suitable match. The leasing of Netherfield was the answer to many prayers.

“What an honor for Mr Bingley to single you out for the first dance, Charlotte,” Mrs Bennet said with a false smile.

“Yes, I was most fortunate,” she replied, knowing the honor was given because of her father’s position in the local society. While Mr Bingley engaged her in conversation, he would occasionally ask a question about the one that had caught his interest. “But I must admit, he favored his second.”

“He did appear to take a liking to Jane,” she replied, nodding in agreement. “To dance with her twice was an honor as well.”

“Why he danced with that freckled-faced Mary King and not me, I shall always wonder,” Lydia declared, still annoyed that she had not been asked. Maria Lucas sitting beside her, had danced with him.

“If you had not filled your card so early, you might have.” Her sister Mary said.

“Unlike you, I did not want to be stuck watching everyone dancing and having fun,” Lydia replied.

Charlotte turned to Elizabeth. “Tell us about your dance with Mr Darcy.”

“There is nothing to say other than he was a good dancer.”

“Then he should have danced more with so many ladies waiting on the side for an opportunity.” Mrs Bennet huffed. “To think having ten thousand a year and being so disagreeable.”

“Mother, that is unfair. He is coming out of a mourning period.”

“Still, with so many ladies in want of a partner, he could have made an effort. He did not speak much either,” sniffed Mrs Bennet. “Sitting next to Mrs Long, he never once opened his mouth.”

“I saw him talking to her,” Kitty said.

“Only because she asked him a question.”

The ladies then discussed Bingley’s sisters and their dresses, leading to an even longer discussion of dresses. Finally, James Lucas, who had been forced to attend, could take it no longer.

“Why must you always talk of dancing and dresses,” he complained from his seat as he sat sulking at having to be in a room full of girls.

“What would you have us discuss?” Mrs Bennet asked politely.

“Fox hunting and fishing,” he declared, sitting up in anticipation of a change in topic. To his dismay, they ignored his suggestion.