Chapter 1 Spellbound
Meryton Assembly Hall, Hertfordshire
Elizabeth
Goodness, he is devastatingly handsome.
Tall and imposing, he exuded a noble air that demanded attention.
His robust physique and confident bearing affirmed his stature in life.
His strong jawline hinted at self-assurance, while his deep brown eyes, clear yet enigmatic, reflected intelligence and dependability.
His meticulously arranged dark hair alluded to an underlying boyish charm concealed beneath his reserved demeanour.
Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet was not one to succumb to mere superficial charm.
Endowed with keen intelligence and perception, she always tried to delve beyond outward appearances, seeking to discern the essence of an individual's character.
Every adult from her modest neighbourhood of four and twenty families had been the subject of her scrutiny at one time or another.
She had encountered many handsome gentlemen before, both in Meryton and during her visits to her uncle and aunt in London.
However, she had never experienced such an intense attraction to anyone as she did at that moment.
There was something about this particular gentleman, something indescribable, that irresistibly drew her towards him.
Why can I not avert my gaze? Oh! This is most disconcerting.
As her gaze remained fixed on the object of her fascination, whispers of "Mr. Darcy" and "Ten Thousand Pounds" began to circulate through the hall. She observed the man grimace and close his eyes.
Darcy
Darcy closed his eyes in resignation and sighed.
There goes my hope of no one recognizing me here. Bingley, how could you subject me to this? How did I allow myself into such a predicament?
Being someone never at ease around strangers and always cautious of them, Darcy detested public balls in general.
Ever since he had assumed the role of the master of Pemberley six years prior, Darcy had been regarded as a prized matrimonial catch.
Wherever he went, he inevitably became the target of numerous fortune hunters and matchmaking mothers.
Initially, he endured all this attention with gritted teeth.
As days went by, he learned to evade such notice by adopting an air of aloofness and pride.
This, combined with his natural reserve and shyness, led many to perceive him as arrogant, haughty, and unsociable.
Darcy was content with this perception, as it dissuaded many weak-spirited society mothers and their daughters.
Time to get on the act then.
He was in Hertfordshire to assist his friend, Charles Bingley, who was venturing into estate management by leasing Netherfield, a moderately sized and well-kept property situated roughly four miles from the town of Meryton.
Their original plan had been to arrive at Netherfield a week earlier.
Yet, an urgent matter at his own estate, Pemberley, altered Darcy's plans. He journeyed to Pemberley while Bingley travelled here alone. Upon returning to London, Darcy reluctantly accompanied Bingley’s sisters and brother-in-law to Netherfield.
They arrived just this afternoon, only to discover that Bingley had accepted an invitation to attend a local assembly for the very evening.
Darcy, fatigued to his very core and suffering from a persistent headache, attempted to withdraw from the engagement, but Bingley remained steadfast.
Despite his proficiency in dancing, Darcy usually refrained from participating unless he was acquainted with the lady.
He also tended to abstain from dancing the first and supper sets and never danced twice with the same lady to avoid raising expectations.
Thankfully, the ball was already in full swing, alleviating his concern about the first dance for the evening.
He had Miss Caroline Bingley, Bingley’s youngest sister, to thank for this as she delayed everyone so that she could arrive 'fashionably late'.
Darcy was acutely conscious of his duty as a gentleman to participate in the evening's dancing. The assembly had an abundance of ladies in comparison to the gentlemen, and several ladies were sitting out without partners. Furthermore, he had no intention to offend his friend’s sisters by not dancing with them.
Ever since their arrival in the hall, Miss Bingley had been persistently circling around him in a desperate attempt to capture his attention.
One dance each with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst then. God help me through them.
Just as he prepared to solicit Miss Bingley for the ensuing dance, Bingley approached, accompanied by a charming blonde lady on his right.
Ah, has to be Bingley’s latest angel.
On Bingley’s left, there was a much older, plump yet handsome woman who bore the appearance of a matron. And this 'matron' was dragging another young lady, who did not appear particularly pleased about being coerced against her will. Darcy knew this drill well.
Yet another mother attempting to foist her daughter upon me. My headache is about to worsen. Good Lord, how young is that girl?
Mrs. Bennet
Mrs. Frances 'Fanny' Bennet is certain of two things in life. First, a single man of large fortune must be in want of a wife. Second, there is not a young woman in the country who could rival Jane, her eldest, and Lydia, her youngest.
Now that Mr. Bingley is showing marked attention to Jane. Lydia can try for Mr. Darcy. Who can resist my lively Lydia, after all?
As Mr. Bingley performed the introductions, she was convinced that Mr. Darcy would invite Lydia to dance.
Yet, that did not come to pass. Instead, Mr. Darcy acknowledged the introduction and just stood there, saying nothing.
Never one to accept defeat, she smoothly withdrew her right hand from Mr. Bingley's arm and took hold of Mr. Darcy's hand, all the while guiding Lydia with her left.
Then, she gazed up and addressed Mr. Darcy directly.
“Mr. Darcy, my Lydia is the darling of this ball. Her dance card is always full, but the next is open. Why not ask her to dance?”
Why is he looking at me like that?
Darcy
Ever since he started attending social events, Darcy had witnessed much.
He was familiar with a great many charades attempted by the matchmaking mamas to make him notice their daughters.
However, this surpassed anything he had experienced before.
It was as if the "matron" was ordering him to dance with that girl.
What is the girl doing here anyway? Shouldn't she be in the nursery?
While his gaze remained upon the 'matron,' Darcy also took note of three other particulars. First, the blonde woman by Bingley's side lowered her head in mortification.
So one person in the family realizes the impropriety of all this. What did Bingley say her name was? Jane?
Second, from what the matron said, the girl is only available for the next dance; her dance card is full afterward. Third, Miss Bingley, still circling in her imaginary orbit, happened to be directly behind Mrs. Bennet at that moment, squarely in his line of sight. Darcy saw his chance.
“Mrs. Bennet, I apologise. I am supposed to dance next with Miss Bingley. And she is waiting for me. Next time, Miss Lydia. Enjoy the ball.”
With those words, Darcy left them in his wake and went straight to Miss Bingley.
Caroline
Miss Caroline Bingley was livid when her brother decided to lease an estate in this godforsaken place.
She always expected their new estate to be in London, or even better, in Derbyshire.
Naturally, she was reluctant to accompany her brother here.
However, her brother’s casual mention of Mr. Darcy joining them for a three-month stay settled the matter then and there.
There was simply no way she would forgo the opportunity of being in Mr. Darcy’s company for a substantial three-month period, particularly in such a secluded setting where there would be no competition for his affections.
She was introduced to Mr. Darcy at the age of fifteen.
Possessing a lifelong ambition to rise in society, she astutely recognized the opportunity that was presented to her.
Being a tradesman's daughter, she was destined to remain a perpetual outsider among the illustrious families of London.
Even her family's considerable fortune and her substantial dowry did little to alter this social standing.
The only way to move up in society was by marrying well.
That's where Mr. Darcy came in. Through her brother's association, she strategically positioned herself within Mr. Darcy's immediate circle, firmly convinced that her attributes would inevitably capture his interest and lead to a proposal.
However, at the present moment, her primary concern had nothing to do with securing a proposal from Mr. Darcy.
Why doesn't he ask me to dance? I have been walking for so long. Had I walked straight, I would be in London by now. Yet, there he stands, talking with inconsequential rustics. Oh, what is that woman doing? Why is she dragging Mr. Darcy?
Just then, she saw Mr. Darcy awkwardly shrugging free from that woman and approaching her. Her desire was fulfilled at last.
Elizabeth
What is Mama up to? Why is she dragging Mr. Darcy? Oh no! Jane is red from head to toe. Surely mama hasn’t offended him.
Elizabeth, waiting for her dance with Mr. John Lucas, observed Mr. Darcy extricating himself free from her mother's clutches and soliciting a dance from Miss Bingley. She could tell an escape when she saw one.
Goodness, Mama is going to scare away yet another gentleman, isn’t she? I sympathize with you, Jane. I can see you like Mr. Bingley. I would like to know more about Mr. Darcy too.
The behaviour of her mother and younger sisters was a perpetual source of embarrassment for Elizabeth and Jane. Yet, on this occasion, the prevailing emotion she felt was not mortification, but sadness.
Darcy