Jane Plan: Chapter 1

"Your punch, Miss Bennet." From her comfortable position in the well appointed chair, Elizabeth accepted the cup of the tepid pink concoction and thank Mr. Perceval sweetly for running the errand for her. Mr. Jacobson grumbled that he could have fulfilled her request in nearly half the time if she had only entrusted him with her favor. Elizabeth nibbled on her lower lip, her brow creasing. Too much male attention, she discovered, was not much better than too little.

The ivory ball gown accentuated her curves to her most advantageous light. She had never owned anything near as fine. Her clothing was a costume that helped her pretend to be someone else. She played her part well. Over the last two weeks, men were literally dropping at her feet. She had made a conquest or two with her complete ambivalence. To her astonishment, several were actually vying for her with real interest. She was glad her mother was back at home or else she would be worried that she be forced to wed one of her would be suitors. Her uncle had already had to turn away one unhappy man since her arrival in London three weeks earlier.

Elizabeth tramped down the thrill that resonated within her as Darcy moved to stand in front of her. She had been waiting for him all night to approach her, taking feminine satisfaction in the scowl that deepened and darkened with each of her successive partners. It was exceptionally gratifying, she reflected, to be considered tolerable enough to be danced with by so many eligible young men at a London Ball. She was relieved for her uncle's purse that it had only taken five such outings to find one where Mr. Darcy was also in attendance.

"Miss Bennet." She had never thought she would hear his voice again. The sound of it, if she were being honest, made the hair on her arm stand at attention. She was glad long sleeves were now all the fashion so she could hide her reaction.

"Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth acknowledged him. She would not simper, as many woman had in his direction this evening. It was nearly impossible for her to reconcile his reception considering his aloof manners. "Do you know my friends? Mr. Perceval? Mr. Jacobson? Mr. Turner?"

"I have had the pleasure." A cold, predatory smile graced his features. A hard glint took up residence in his eyes. Oh, she'd seen that angry, nasty turn of his profile of his once before. In Kent, to be precise. Right after she had called him the very last man in the world she could be prevailed upon to marry.

Months removed from that disaster, Elizabeth had more than sufficient time to reflect on what her refusal had cost her family. Her plan now counted on her ability to attract his interest once more. Though, this time, she had to do it intentionally and with the knowledge that she had rejected his suit once. It did not make her happy to admit it, but she needed this man to be of use to her. She was simply out of other options.

If she had a choice, she'd rather claim fatigue and leave this ballroom and its crush far behind. Mr. Darcy was watching her carefully and she realized she was staring at him as well. She should have been use to his attention by now, but it was a shock to her system to actually see him in the flesh. One of them must make a move. Her boldness he had liked well enough before.

"What a delightful surprise to find you in London, Mr. Darcy!" She knew he despised social events preferring small, intimate affairs. Though, she had it on good authority that he was attending due to his friendship with the host throwing tonight's gala. The possibility of his presence was the only reason she was here.

"I assure you that it is a surprise to find you here as well, Miss Bennet."

"But not a delightful surprise?" She pouted. He colored. It gave her an enormous rush that her flirtation had garnered a reaction. Though she was not sure if it was a good sign or not. He could hate her now. But, why come all the way across the room if he hated her? Wouldn't distance have been more practical?

"You parents are in good health?" She was somewhat relieved he was endeavoring to be polite, instead of being rude. If he could behave in such a way after her abuse of him in Kent, it spoke well of her plan succeeding.

"They are in excellent health. Thank you, sir."

"I am glad to hear it. And your sisters? They are too all in good health?"

She chewed on her lip aware his attention was drawn there by her action. "They are perfectly well, Mr. Darcy. And, your sister? She is better?"

Careful, Elizabeth! Talking about his sister would only remind him of the letter. The letter by extension to your rejection.

Again, his attention hovered on her face. It took a moment, but he said in a tone so low she barely missed it. "She is recovering." He glanced over his shoulder, then back at her once more. "And, how long have you been in London, Miss Bennet?"

"A few weeks." She sipped her punch. "My sister, Jane, and I are staying with my aunt and uncle in Cheapside until the end of summer to help with my cousins."

"I see." She wondered if she had pushed too hard by mentioning Cheapside. He questioned, "Until the end of summer you said?"

"Yes." She smiled. "We are helping with my young cousins until the end of summer."

Mr. Jacobsen leaned in then and made a comment about how he adored children. She found herself slightly annoyed by the interruption. Her new acquaintance asked her what her plans were the very next day. He would like to show her the sights of Hyde Park. Elizabeth demurred, apologized, glanced at Mr. Darcy and said that she had fixed plans already. Perhaps, some other day, she offered. Mr. Jacobsen was not happy to be put off.

From his ruddy color, when she looked back at him, Mr. Darcy was not happy with her sudden popularity. As she eyed him over the edge of the crystal cup, she was quite certain he found himself in unfamiliar waters. She had to be very careful what sort of life preserver she sent his way. She wanted to send a signal but not a overtly strong one. Teasing had worked best with him in the past, would it work so well now?

Darcy cleared his throat. She wondered if he was becoming uncomfortable standing before her as her attention wondered over those gathered. "Miss Bennet, would you do me the honor of dancing the next with me?"

Her heart pulsed at the request. "I am sorry to disappoint you, but the next dance has been promised to Mr. Perceval." She wondered if she overdid her expression of regret.

When he heard her say his name, Mr. Perceval gave her a wide smile. Now, this man was everything that was pleasing and genteel about an English gentleman. In fact, Elizabeth wondered if she had met Mr. Perceval before Mr. Darcy if she would not have considered the overly smitten man to her right the most handsome of her acquaintance. She made a show of enjoying the procured refreshment and Mr. Perceval took that as enough encouragement to move closer to her.

Mr. Darcy glowered. "Miss Bennet, has your supper set been spoken for?"

"That dance too has been taken." She hoped he could not see her expression was fake. The man to her left, Mr. Turner, puffed out his chest. She was going to take her dinner by his side this evening. The barrel-chested man was not very handsome but he cut an impressive figure from his neck down. And, as her aunt had whispered upon their arrival, he had nearly twice the blunt as Mr. Darcy of Derbyshire.

Oh, he was mad being forced to make way. In a pinched voice, he asked, "The waltz, has it been spoken for?" Elizabeth had been stunned silent by his daring. She had no partner for the taboo dance.

He had liked her fire. She had to remember that. She had to make herself take courage at that. "I don't have a partner for the waltz."

He glanced at the men surrounding her before his eyes leapt back to her. "I will return to your side at the appropriate time." He bowed, and disappeared back into the throng.

She was so preoccupied with success that she did not enjoy the dance as much as she would have with Mr. Perceval. As soon as the dance was over, Elizabeth looked for and found her Aunt Gardiner among her friends. Seeing her niece's obvious distress, Madeline left her group and the two took to the balcony for some fresh air.

"Horrible, hateful, insufferable man!" She stomped a slippered foot on the ground. "I just agreed to dance the waltz with him."

"Is that not what you wanted, Lizzy? To dance with the man? Hasn't that been your only goal for the last several weeks?" Madeline reminded sagely, "Dancing with him is just the beginning of what you will have to do if you honestly want to go through with this plan of yours. It is not too late to leave the Ball. Not too late to escape London altogether. He will not follow you. If you continue with this madness, and encourage him too much, I fear you might not be free to do either. But, then, the situation with Jane . . . ."

"You know I have to do this, aunt. What other choice do I have?" Elizabeth calmed herself. If things went the way she believed they would, she would only have to play this part for a few weeks at the most.

"Lizzy, are you sure?" Madeline once more voiced her displeasure over the scheme her niece had put into motion. "Are you sure you want to do this with a man of Mr. Darcy's consequence? It seems rather heartless of you to prey on someone's tender feelings. And, what will happen when he discovers your deception, Elizabeth? He does not seem like the type of man who will take lightly being trifled with. I feel there will be repercussions."

"Why should he be the only one who can arrange things as he wishes?" Again, Elizabeth felt the offense of his interference with her sister. To herself, she said, "Oh, no! That man deserves everything he is going to reap. Mr. Darcy thought he was in love with me before, but he will realize he only had a passing fancy for me in Kent. I intend to make him truly fall in love with me."

*)*

Elizabeth mentally prepared herself for the dance with Mr. Darcy. She was perfectly fine until he placed his hand on her waist and tugged her close to him. Being in such close proximity to the man with the knowledge he had been in love with her once was difficult.

"I believe, Miss Bennet, you like to talk when you danced."

She laughed. "You. You want conversation? Now?"

His jaw tightened. "I want many things, Miss Bennet, as you are well aware." She almost stumbled. She had not expected such a thing said to her. Especially by him. He silently took in her shocked expression. "How did you come to be at this ball?"

"My uncle is friends with the host. I believe, as unpopular as it is to admit, that they do quite a bit of business with one another." She shut her eyes, mentally castigated herself. She had to remember to say less about a family that he did not wish to associate. When she opened them, she realized he was staring again. She blushed. "How long are you to stay in London, Mr. Darcy?"

"I had hoped to be back at Pemberley within the week."

The disappointment hit her hard. He was too observant to have missed her reaction to his statement. She had hoped to have more time to execute her plan. She needed a little time for what must be done. His travel plans must be made to change.

"That's a pity." She tilted her head up at him. "For you see, I have very few friends in London."

"It seems to me that you have more friends at your disposal tonight than you can handle." She thought she heard jealousy in his voice. Very good. "How long have you been acquainted with Mr. Jacobsen, Miss Bennet?"

She replied easily, "We have only been introduced this evening."

"You need to be wary of him. Your new friend is a powerful man. It would not do to tease here in London as you are want to tease." His warm breath along her neck goosed her flesh. He was so very tall. Being held close by him made that fact more apparent. "It is clear Mr. Jacobsen wants you." Shock colored her face. "Oh, come, Miss Bennet, after everything that has occurred between us we should be able to speak frankly, should we not?"

She nodded, curious at this development. Curious at this new side to Mr. Darcy. It was exciting to be spoken to so plainly by a man. He continued aware he had her attention, "I know when I see a man who wants a woman. I repeat my warning to you to not tease him."

"I find myself rather curious, Mr. Darcy." She paid attention to their feet. "What does it look like?"

Darcy's eyes narrowed as he steered them through the crowded dance floor. The dance seemed to have enticed many of the younger couples to the floor. Mr. Perceval and Mr. Jacobsen had partnered other woman. She almost felt relief at seeing the latter dancing.

"What does a man look like who wants a woman?" It was his turn to react. She felt his body stiffen, hesitate. She knew her question had surprised him.

"I need some air, Miss Bennet." She realized belatedly that he had steered them towards the balcony doors. Taking her by the elbow, she felt herself propelled forward. He did not stop where there were other couples chatting quietly. They descended a shallow staircase and she found herself being pulled down a darken pathway. Finally, he stopped, dropped his hold on her arm and moved several steps away from her. "What game are you playing at?"

"Game?" She started. How did he know? How did he know that she had been looking for him? She had spent weeks thinking of a way for their paths to cross that would seem innocuous. No. No, there was no way he could know her plans. She relaxed. "I do not understand you, Mr. Darcy."

He ran a hand through his hair. He demanded, "Why are you here?"

She glanced back towards the house. "I am here like most of those present to enjoy a ball. I had not realized that you hoped I avoid London. That you wished never to see me again."

"I did wish that, Miss Bennet, with every ounce of my being." He snapped angrily. Shadows cast by the widely spaced lanterns made his face unreadable. His voice regained some of its earlier charm, "But, it is clear that fate has other ideas. Tonight, I heard your laugh clear across the crowded ballroom and I knew at once you were in the room." With the last statement, his eyes opened, pinned her. The look of pain on his face was honest. "I have struggled this evening watching other men admire you."

Elizabeth became uncomfortable and turned from him. Instead of walking back to the safety of the crowded ballroom, her feet led them further away from the house. "They are but new acquaintances, Mr. Darcy. I am sure when they realize I am practically penniless and friendless, their attention shall wane." She had not expected him to be so blatant about his lingering feelings. It surprised her a great deal that he was.

"Do not be so sure on that score," He followed her down the darkened path. "Passion does a thing to a man, Miss Bennet. A man is willing to overlook a great deal to acquire what he desires."

There it was again. The dark almost indecent subject. "Will he?"

He stopped suddenly, halting her with his hand on her elbow. His fingers dug almost painfully into her soft skin. "Are you baiting me?"

"Baiting you?" She laughed. "No, certainly not. Wasn't it you who spoke of passion and a man's desires? If one of us was baiting the other, it would follow that it was you trying to bait me."

He walked her backwards until she felt the bark of the nearby tree against her backside. In the dark, she could not see his expression, but she felt his anger suddenly. His voice held warning, "This is London. Not some little country town where your wit will result in nothing but embarrassment from the men you turn it on. Here, men react differently to such provocation."

She felt such a fluttering at his close proximity. "I will try to be mindful of your concerns, sir. I will try to keep my wit at home when I am out in society."

His laughter prompted her smile. He moved back from her permitting her escape. As she moved from the tree and began on the pathway back to the house, he called after her, "Why, Ms. Bennet? Why are you here? I demand the truth."

She turned back to face him. "If you must know, Mr. Darcy, it is quite simple. I am here to please my mother and ensnare a rich husband."