Chapter Text
Lizzie sighed as she walked into the assembly hall. She wished that tonight would be a fun night with dancing laughter, family and friends but she knew that was not in the cards. It was going to be a night full of trying to keep everyone in line. She had to keep an eye on her younger sisters and make sure that her dear Jane could relax. She always worried too much about what Mrs Bennet was going to say after these events. Lizzie knew that at the end of the evening she would be scolded no matter what happened but she had to put in an effort. Jane always became so silent and drawn back when Lizzie was scolded. Squaring her shoulders back she prepared herself for the evening.
The evening was pleasant for a bit until their new neighbour and his party entered, fashionably late. Mrs Bennet immediately started looking for her daughters so they could be introduced but Mary had hidden away somewhere and Kitty and Lydia were dancing on the other side of the room. She complained that her children never could behave while looking at Lizzie. She knew this was her hint to find her sisters and collect them but Sir Lucas already approached with the new people in tow and it would be rude to leave. They were introduced to the party and Lizzie smiled as she saw that one of them was completely taken by Jane. After the man asked Jane to dance, Lizzie had to excuse herself from the party. Apparently her younger sisters were no longer content with simply dancing and had stolen John Lucas’ watch. They were running around and screaming in delight. In short they were making quite the scene. Lizzie quickly intercepted them and retrieved the watch. “Lydia, Kitty. Please behave. This evening could be quite important for our futures.” She said, glancing at Jane now contently conversing with one of the men. “We need to make a good first impression with the new neighbour.” She hated how it sounded she was pleading with them but she knew that discipline was useless with these two. “You should not involve yourself where you are not wanted.” Lydia responded. “I would hate to tell mamma how you tried to forbid us from having fun. She would not be happy.” Lizzie sighed “I wish you to have all the fun I was just hoping that it might be a bit more reserved.” Lydia and Kitty looked at each other, gave her a grin and ran off to Mrs Bennet. Lizzie knew there was going to be trouble later tonight but the damage was already done. She walked over to return the watch and apologise for her sisters.
After talking to John Lucas she moved around the room trying to keep an eye on all her sisters. The youngest were giggling at the side of the dancefloor. Jane was contentedly dancing with the new man. Lizzie had been distracted during the introduction so she couldn’t remember the exact names. Mary had come out of hiding and was sitting and staring at the pianoforte. Lizzie went to check on her. She knew that Mary was probably uncomfortable at the assembly. She took a seat next to her sister. “How do you find the musicians this evening? Any thoughts on their technique?” Most of the time speaking of her interests was the best way to draw Mary out of her shell and between moralising and music the latter seemed more appropriate for the occasion. “Mmmgh” Mary responded. “I hardly think this music is appropriate. It is way too lively and it invites people to express their more basic impulses. This inevitably leads to sin.” Lizzie repressed a sigh she knew where this was going. Every conversation with Mary went there as soon as sin was included. “We have to be careful. Sin is everywhere and allowing it around us could taint the soul. We must not forget that we carry the sin of our father. Some more than others.” The last thing was said while looking pointedly at Lizzie. The speech was familiar by now, she had heard it many times. It had not always been like this. Lizzie missed the time that she and Mary had been close. Spending days together practising music or reading together and debating about the themes. It had been years though since that had come to an end. After Mary was done talking she turned to face her. “Dear Mary, I know your opinion on the terrible burden of our parents’ sins. I would though ask of you to consider that a person can do nothing to change the sins they were born with but only strive to do enough in their lives to redeem themselves and that God would judge them favourably when their time comes. Until that moment please be not too harsh on people that are trying to redeem themselves in the eyes of God.” This was the most pointedly Lizzie had defended herself in years but she was already tired from the first part of the evening and she had barely danced a set because she was busy trying to make everything run smoothly. Mary looked at her surprised and mumbled something about having to tend to mother. She walked away leaving Lizzie alone to wonder whether she made things worse.
The evening did not improve from that point forward. She danced a few dances but was soon distracted again by one of her sisters running around. Then when she was sitting out her dance she heard the two new men talking about her and was less than pleased about what the dark haired man had to say about her. Though she did not know if he meant to be heard by her it was a clear insult. After that she walked to her dear friend Charlotte to complain about the evening. Even that little bit of relief did not last long. For shortly after starting with the conversation they were joined by the very man that had just called her merely tolerable. The man that for the whole evening had not deigned to offer his presence to any of the common country folk at the assembly and had only conversed with his party had decided to add insult to injury (or maybe it was the other way around). At first he did not say anything and was just staring at her while she and Charlotte were talking but after a little while he interrupted Charlotte just as she was talking about Jane’s wonderful dress. “I’m sorry miss you have a very unusual hair colour.” Lizzie looked at him and lifted an eyebrow. “Sorry what was your name again?” She hoped that her displeasure at the impertinent question was obvious with the reminder that they did not know each other. Instead he looked offended. “This is Mr Darcy '' Charlotte said, filling the uncomfortable silence. “I am here as a guest to Bingley.” Mr Darcy said. “ I was just wondering whether you dyed your hair? The ladies of the ton often try to imitate the ladies portrayed in the works of the Venetian masters. Foolish and vain of course to think that they can imitate such art. Though your shade is a bit dark for the fashionable venetian blonde.” Lizzie couldn’t believe the gall of this man. First insulting ladies for changing their appearance and then calling her shade of hair unfashionable. “I have to say I seldom heard a man have such interest in ladies hair colour trends. Unfashionable as it may be, my colour is completely natural.” “But none in your family bear this colour, is that not strange?” Was he now calling her a liar? “I do not see how this is any of your business and with your curiosity indulged. I wish you a good night.” After that Lizzie sent an apologetic look towards Charlotte and walked towards her family. She hoped that the night would not get worse.