A Modern Pride and Prejudice.

As we approached the city hall, the venue for the charity ball, I smoothed my hands over the wrinkles in my dress and took a deep breath. Jane patted my arm sympathetically, knowing that for me this would be a long night. I knew that the newcomers would be the talk of the town all night and this would be the last place for me to be able to ignore it.

We pulled up in the car park and as soon as we stopped, Lily and Katy jumped out of the vehicle before anyone else had the chance to open the doors. My mother hurried after them, calling back to us that she'd see us at some point during the night.

Myself, Jane, Mallory and my father walked slowly to the venue, parting ways when we reached the door.

"Remember, meet me and your mother by the car once the ball is over." he reminded us.

I nodded and moved through the crowd with Jane whilst Mallory followed our dad. From every direction, I could hear mumbling about the newcomers and whether they were going to come to the ball or what they would be like. It was nearly too much to handle.

Jane and I watched as Katy and Lily flirted with a group of boys in the middle of the dance floor and I winced openly, unable to contain my embarrassment at having such sisters. I fixed my eyes on the live band playing instead, so I wouldn't have to look at them.

"Lord, do they have to act like that whenever they see a male?" I murmured to Jane, mortified.

"It's just a phase. They're fifteen, let them be for now." Jane said, trying to comfort me.

"Yeah but it's getting -" I started but Jane pointed behind me.

"Look, Charlotte's over there. How about we talk to her?" she suggested.

I gladly obliged and allowed myself to be towed over to Charlotte by Jane. Seeing us approaching, Charlotte's face lit up and she paced quickly towards us, her wispy, brown hair falling into her eyes as she came.

My mother usually couldn't help but let me know how plain she thought Charlotte was but I always disagree with her. Charlotte is my best friend and other than Jane, is the one person I wholly trust and confide in. To me, she is one of the most beautiful people in the world.

"There you are! I was beginning to think you'd never turn up. Have you heard about the new people coming to town?"

Even Charlotte was gossiping about them! Why on earth was everyone so fascinated with these strangers? I know the last bit of exciting news we had was who won the best home-grown cabbage but really!

"Charlotte, you know who my sisters are. Of course I've heard. They said you were the one who told them, anyway." I told her, rolling my eyes.

She chuckled in response and tugged me and Jane to a quieter spot so we could talk without shouting over the music. From where we stood, we could still see the dance floor and I quickly diverted my gaze when I saw Katy batting her eyelashes at a sandy-haired boy. It took all my resolve to not start screaming at her from across the hall.

"I've heard one of the group is named Charlie Bingley. He's moving here from London with his sister, Carol. From what people are saying, its to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Charlie is meant to be a favourite with everyone, he's bringing his friend William Darcy with him to stay temporarily, too." she explained, swaying gently to the music.

"I'm impressed by your research, Charl, but lets not discuss the ever intriguing lives of Charlie Bingley and William Darcy. How about we go and dance instead?"

"You and Jane can go but I'd rather wait here, I'm not really much of a dancer." she laughed, waving me away with a hand.

We had barely even managed to get away from Charlotte when Jane brought up the subject of Charlie Bingley once again, much to my displeasure.

"So they've moved from London."

"Yes, so we've been told. Jane, I'd rather not hear any more about these people until its absolutely necessary or I'm afraid I will go insane." I sighed, exasperated.

Unfortunately, just as I managed to convince Jane not to talk more about them until their arrival, the doors burst open and the band ceased playing. I groaned and turned to face the doors, not doubting my instincts as to whom had just walked in.

The crowd around me started to part hastily to make way for the newcomers. Up front, a tall boy with brown, cropped hair smiled cheerfully at everyone as he led what I presume were his sister and William Darcy through the awestruck townspeople. His sister, though absolutely beautiful with gleaming auburn hair and a pixie-like face, appeared to be struggling to keep her composure.

His friend, William Darcy, was even taller than Charlie Bingley. His hair was dark, matching both his eyes and his mood. He watched with a blank face as people craned their necks to get a better glimpse of the rich strangers, totally uninterested by anyone around him.

After an extended period of awkward silence, the band struck up the music and everyone seemed to behave normally again, as if nothing had happened.

Everyone crowded around Charlie, completely ignoring his sister and William Darcy. It appeared that they sensed only Charlie was in good spirits about coming to the ball and I didn't blame them for wanting to shun the other two. After half an hour, Charlie finally broke free of the crowds and headed straight for me and Jane.

"Hello. I don't think we've been introduced yet. I'm -"

"Charlie Bingley." I said automatically. Despite being tired of hearing his name, I couldn't help but smile at his beaming face. "I'm Elizabeth but please don't call me that - just Lizzy is fine. This is my sister, Jane." I added, indicating to Jane. She shyly waved at him from behind me and I stepped aside a little to bring her into the conversation.

He greeted her politely, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer than usual. I caught myself smirking, thinking it would have been impossible for Charlie not to notice how beautiful Jane looked.

"I don't want to seem rash or anything but I'm rather new here and I'd quite like to dance. Seeing as we're now acquainted with one another, would you mind being my partner?" he asked Jane, stopping short when he realised what he'd just said. "What I meant was, partner to dance...not, well..."

"I'd love to." Jane blushed, accepting his outstretched hand and turning back to me with a coy smile as he led her to the dance floor.

Moving away from everyone, I sat down at a table near the refreshments, content to watch Jane as she was twirled around the floor by Charlie. I scanned the room for my family, spotting my father talking animatedly to his friend whilst Mallory hovered moodily nearby. I couldn't see my mother, no doubt she was mingling with the crowds and boasting about how well the charity ball was going. I didn't even try to find Katy or Lily.

Three songs had come and gone and I saw Charlie finally leave Jane on the dance floor. I watched him carefully as he approached the refreshments table. He didn't seem to notice me from where he stood and I shrank further back into the shadows when I saw William Darcy move towards him.

"Hey, Will. You should dance. You look completely miserable stood sulking in the darkness on your own." he said as he chugged down some fizzy drink.

Darcy rolled his eyes. "You know I don't like dancing, especially with people I don't know. I'd dance with Carol but she's already occupied with another guy. Besides, you're dancing with the only good looking girl in the building."

Charlie chuckled but didn't object.

"Honestly, you're going to bring everyone down with the way you're acting. And why not dance with Elizabeth - she's Jane's sister. I'm sure she's around somewhere and she's pretty." Charlie said, looking around trying to find me.

I heard Darcy huff and narrowed my eyes when he folded his arms. "You mean that brown haired girl you were talking to earlier?"

"Yeah!"

"She was moderately decent but not enough to tempt me into asking for a dance. Just go back to your friend, you're wasting your time talking to me."

I glared at the back of Darcy's head as Charlie took the hint and walked back over to Jane. Darcy was already maneuvering through the hordes of people to reclaim his previous spot, clearly disliked by the majority in the room. Everyone avoided walking close by him and if they had to, they skulked past with their heads down.

After relocating Charlotte, I laughed off his judgement on me when I repeated it all back to her. She was a worthy audience, shaking her head and gasping in the right places. I took it all in excellent humour though.

It just meant I had a reason not to talk to him now.