Disclaimer: Jane Austen is brilliant and owns Persuasion etc - please don't sue me!

Happy reading!

Elizabeth Elliot smoothed her smoke-gold dress as she studied her reflection in the window, the cool silk felt soothing under her fingers. She noticed the beading glisten in the candlelight, however the brilliance of the dress could not long hold her attention away from the other images flittering behind her.

Her eyes narrowed as they followed the translucent echo of her sister, her younger sister, as she moved to stand next to her new fiancé, Captain Frederick Wentworth.

Tonight should have been a triumph for her: a dinner party to show everyone in attendance that she was the most important and elegant lady of their acquaintance. It was the evening in which Mr Elliot was supposed to see her shine and cascade her with compliments. But, instead, her younger sister had allowed news of her engagement to this Captain to steal all focus.

Anne was about to become the mistress of her own home with a handsome husband, despite her faded and outdated attire. Yes, Anne was escaping, while she was forced to remain by the side of their foolish father. A father who would not allow her to marry unless the proposing gentleman was handsome, rich and titled. Elizabeth was not stupid, she knew the chances of such a match with a man searching for a first marriage were fading further with each passing year.

Her last hope had been Mr Elliot, who had no child from a previous marriage, but he was withdrawing. His puppy-like lovesick eyes had followed Anne for part of the evening, heaven knew what he saw in her dowdy sister. But once news of her engagement reached his ears, his eyes had settled on Mrs Clay: who was right now fluttering around him like a gnat. How dare that ungrateful, low-born woman flirt with Mr Elliot! Elizabeth cursed Mr Shepard for recommending his daughter attend them in Bath. Elizabeth felt the crystal glass in her hands tremble. Taking a breath and exhaling it slowly, she relaxed her grip on the glass: it would not do to appear out-of-sorts around company. She must always be perfect while there was a chance she was being observed.

As Elizabeth watched the ghost-like figures tittering, she considered her options. She had none to speak of while her father kept her from the company of eligible or partially-eligible men. Perhaps it was time to convince Lady Russell to introduce her to her friends, specifically those who had eligible sons, and attend the country parties. She had previously not wished to take this step, it was rather desperate and Lady Russell was not the most subtle or entertaining of women, but now it might be her last chance.

She would have tea with Lady Russell tomorrow and start moving the pawns in her plan.

Elizabeth abruptly brightened, attending country parties meant days in the houses of other titled families, this would require a new fashionable wardrobe. She would have to call her dressmaker to visit as soon as possible! And she would also need new shoes, bonnets, gloves, and two or more cloaks. Oh, this would be delightful!

THE END

A/N: Couldn't help myself at the end there! Hope you enjoyed the story.

I'm also looking for a beta reader for my Jane Austen fanfics - let me know if you're interested :)