AN: Thanks for choosing to read my first attempt at fanfiction. Would appreciate all feedback x

The joy on Elizabeth Bennet's face was mesmerising to Mr Darcy. Standing across the room so he could easily observe her, he was unable to hear the conversation but he was caught by the animation in her face, by her liveliness.

His rigid pose and stern, unwelcoming expression gave no hint of his thoughts. To an outsider he appeared haughty, bored and proud. His manners indicated that those assembled amongst him were beneath his notice. There was a reason he had reached the age of eight and twenty unmarried. And it wasn't through lack of trying by the determined mama's of the ton. He was deemed quite a catch, grandson of an Earl, master of Pemberley and other vast estates, ten thousand a year. It made him feel like a horse out to stud the way discussions about him focused on his assets rather than himself. So many people were dependent on him for their welfare and livelihood. He wouldn't risk their future on an unsuitable match.

At quite a young age he'd mastered the ability to disguise his thoughts and emotions. He'd learnt to give no hint of preference or favour. He knew one hint of interest on his side would have him at the altar or compromised before he could say "I do".

He was aware that Pemberley needed an heir. He felt the burden of finding a suitable life partner. Lord knew that his sister, Georgiana, needed someone she could confide in, someone female who was a positive role model. Especially after the damage that blackguard Wickham had caused this summer.

Despite all his reassurances to the contrary, she still felt that she had let him down. He knew he was partially responsible for her inability to recover. He found it virtually impossible to conceal his rage when he reflected on how close he'd been to losing her to that vile man. He knew he needed to head back to Town to prepare for the coming Season. He must attempt to heal Georgie.

If anyone other than Bingley, his closest friend had requested his assistance in establishing an estate he would never have agreed. He was confident that for the moment Georgiana was safe with her new companion, Mrs Annesley and his cousin, Richard. Having Richard, fellow guardian of Georgie, and Colonel in the Militia, staying at his house gave him much needed piece of mind. Handy with a gun, there was no one he trusted more than himself to ensure Georgie's welfare to.

The only reason he had left her behind was to protect her from the nasty talons of Charles sister, Miss Bingley. He intended to help Charles establish himself in the neighbourhood and guide him as to the needs of estate management before returning to town in a few weeks. It was at his suggestion after all that Charles has chosen to lease an estate to obtain some practice before purchasing one of his own to manage. Darcy was anxious to return home however. His destiny was not in Hertfordshire.

Elizabeth Bennet enchanted him however. She was a pleasant diversion from those simpering society ladies he was usually forced to endure. She seemed to thrive under the allusion of his abhorrence. There was no insincerity, no feigning interest in him whatsoever. She did not seek his approval and had no desire to please him. She rarely even looked in his direction and when she did it was with a curious expression on her face, as if trying to solve a puzzle.

...

Elizabeth smiled, her eyes dancing, while discussing with her dearest friend, Charlotte Lucas, the felicity she anticipated in Jane's future with Mr. Bingley. While she disagreed with Charlotte's views on the practicalities of marriage, she was sensible enough to give them merit.

"Well," said Charlotte, "I wish Jane success with all my heart; and if she were married to him tomorrow, I should think she had as good a chance of happiness, as if she were to be studying his character for a twelvemonth. Happiness in marriage is a matter of chance. It is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life."

"You make me laugh Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself."

She briefly scanned the room to make sure her younger sisters were behaving themselves. On making eye contact with Mr. Darcy, she was momentarily captivated by his gaze, unable to look away. Trapped, she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as she tried to read his expression. It was only when John Lucas walked between them on his way to get some punch from the nearby table, that she was able to break eye contact.

Flustered she returned to her conversation with Charlotte. Charlotte, rather astute as far as her friend's behaviour was concerned was kind enough not to comment on what she observed. She suspected some preference from the gentleman towards her closest friend but it was too early to see whether he was capable of acting on these feelings. She didn't want to raise Lizzie's hopes.

When Elizabeth returned to look in his direction he had gone. Unable to gauge from his expression the meaning behind his stare she was confident, at least in this instance, that he was far enough away not to have overheard the conversation.

Colonel Forster soon joined the ladies and a friendly exchange resulted in the promise of a ball being held by the regiment as soon as they were settled. Mesmerised, Mr Darcy had unconsciously moved closer to overhear, drawn like a moth to a flame. Despite her friend's entreaties not to, she resolved to confront him while she still had courage. "Did not you think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?"

"With great energy; - but it is a subject which always makes a lady energetic."

"You are severe upon us. Do you not think a ball is an amiable way to spend an evening? Or perhaps you think it a punishment to stand up with the locals of Meryton and insupportable to spend time dancing with merely, tolerable partners who are slighted by other men?" Elizabeth arched her eyebrow.

"Lizzy!" Charlotte scolded, blushing at her friend's impertinence. Mr Darcy froze momentarily, mortified at the discovery that he had been overheard at the first assembly he attended in Meryton. Especially by the very person those sentiments were about. His expression remained unaltered despite the wave of emotions coursing through him. Unable to deny the truth, he excused himself to Miss Lucas and deftly steered Elizabeth to a quiet alcove nearby which afforded them some privacy whilst remaining visible to the room's occupants.

Elizabeth stared up at this proud, imposing man, determined to ignore how handsome he was up close. Vowing not to be diverted from her intentions to take this rude, disagreeable man down a peg she took a deep breath, blushing slightly as she realised that he was expecting a reply. "I'm terribly sorry Mr Darcy. Could you please repeat that?"

"Please allow me to apologise for my manner of speech to Mr Bingley on our first acquaintance. It was not my intention to be overheard and I certainly meant no disrespect to you or the other ladies in attendance at the assembly."

"Are you sorry you were overheard, or sorry I took umbrage to your comments? You clearly were speaking your mind at the time." Elizabeth retorted.

"Both," Mr Darcy replied wryly, a hint of a smile causing a slight dimple to appear in his cheek. "I do not have the happy manners which some possess," he continued, shooting a meaningful glance towards his friend Bingley, "of conversing easily with others. I cannot feign interest in things I have no knowledge of. I struggle to catch the meaning of their tone. And dancing is a pastime I avoid as much as possible," he quickly added.

"I wonder you bothered to come at all then. Pray tell me, what was your expectation at attending such an event?" Elizabeth replied, supressing a grin.

"I anticipated little joy in the event, of that I assure you," Mr Darcy answered with a hint of a smile, distracting Elizabeth momentarily by how much it improved his appearance. Determined to obtain a satisfactory answer she pressed on.

"Yet you still attended?"

"Yes. I gave my word to Bingley. I could not disappoint him."

Elizabeth noticed that Bingley's sister, Caroline was staring with a rather displeased look upon her face. Ignoring her she gave him a direct look and replied, "If that is your behaviour when you are pleasing a friend I fear to see you when you are being discouraging. Your actions certainly leave plenty to be desired."

Noticing Lydia, her youngest sister, tormenting one of the officers who had been invited, she gave a slight curtsy and said, "Please excuse me, I must reign in my sister before she exposes us all to ridicule." Elizabeth gave a sigh of relief and hurried away to speak to her. Darcy remained in the alcove a little longer watching her until Caroline began moving in his direction, a determined look upon her face. Wishing to avoid her scathing comments on the lack of adequate society, he took himself off to another room where he could ponder in peace, the unsatisfying conversation he'd just had.