Romance in Dance

Chapter 1

Young Miss. Pearl has no parents, no siblings, and hardly any family. She was at first to be sent to live with Lady Catherine De Bourgh, but upon finding out that her ‘Niece’ was an illegitimate offspring and that the young girl was betrothed to Fitzwilliam Darcy before she could lay claim to her own daughter, Anne De Bourgh, being betrothed to the young gentleman; Lady Catherine sent her off to live with an estranged Uncle in the country, just out of the way of anyone and everyone. Miss. Pearl hardly left her home, let alone her room. She was schooled by her governess and a hired home teacher in everything a young lady of great standing should be, and she excelled with great proficiency, by the time she was but 16 there was no more that her teachers could school her in that she didn’t already know. She spoke proper English, French, and Italian, she could sew and paint detailed pictures at immense size in just a few short days, she could read a large book within an hour, and even excelled at dancing, singing, and playing the pianoforte. Her governess encouraged her to learn new instruments and dance, by the time she then turned 18 she was able to play the Viola, Cello, and the Harp, she could dance traditional Ballet, Ballroom, and the Waltz.
Her childhood, though so full of learning and exciting interests, she did long so for at least one friend. Someone her age, that might have even the slightest interest in the same things she did. FInally, on the day of her 20th Birthday, she was able to leave her large home and venture into the small town of Meriton, there she met Miss. Jane Bennet, and her sister one year younger, Miss. Elizabeth Bennet. They showed Miss. Pearl around and helped her shop for Ribon and a new outing gown, they all quickly became friends, Elizabeth and Miss. Pearl growing much closer. Once the girls learned of Miss. Pearls living so close, they all agreed to stay close and see each other almost daily in the field the both of their estates shared.
For the next year and a half, they all enjoyed dining and attending assemblies and balls together, rejoicing in eaches joys of dancing and meeting new people. Around this time Netherfield about three miles from both homes was lit, and Miss. Pearls Uncle passed. As it was not normal, nor thought of a good idea for women to take charge of a house, Miss. Pearl was almost sent out for a different family member's home at once, but they gave their consent for her to keep the home and live off of the money she inherited in the passing of both her parents and her uncle, which was well over 100,000 pounds. She didn’t know what to do with all the money, and almost panicked at the sheer idea of having that much, but she collected herself and put it all into savings, using only a little for the upkeep of the home and to raise the pay of her maids and butlers. She then took up the dealings of the family business and became one of the first women to run a family business, and even their own home.
Shortly after Netherfield was let, Miss. Pearl was called upon by Caroline Bingly to join her for a nice morning tea. The arrival of Miss. Bingley was sudden and unexpected, Jane and Lizzy where visiting that morning as well and where also caught be a surprise for the visit.
“What brings you here to grace out presence this morning Miss. Bingley?” Miss. Pearl questioned, nervously but with a smile. Caroline walked about the room staring at all of the architecture and furnishings in the room, “Would you like to take a seat? I can call for more tea.”
“Yes, please, Thank you.” She answered finally, rounding the couch and sitting down across from the Bennets, “I am Caroline Bingley, Charles Bingley’s sister. I’m sure you know of me, your father called upon my brother not long after our arrival.”
“Y-yes, Ma’am.” Jane started, ”Our mother and father where discussing it this morning, I hear you’re also attending the ball?” And Lizzy finished, more steady in her voice and less nervous, as Miss. Pearl called for more tea to be made.
“Indeed, we are,” Caroline turned to Miss. Pearl, “I hear you’re head of the house, run your own estate and own family business, all with no husband, father, brother nor uncle to back you up.”
“Yes, I do indeed. It’s quite liberating actually to be in charge of myself and home.” She answered, unfazed by the question, and thanking the maid for bringing up the fresh pot of tea.
“Quite impressive, it must take up much of your time then? I’m surprised you even have enough time to sit like this and have fun.” Caroline scoffed, helping herself to a baked treat and some tea. Caroline was a thin, tall woman who much looked like what her brother was described as, and her laugh was much of that to a witches. Her personality is even worse.
“Actually it doesn’t take up that much time at all.” Miss. Pearl stated confidently, “I often travel into town with my friends, the Bennets, and I often go to balls or sit down for tea and dinner. I have much time to myself for my own recreational activities. Taking charge of the home and the business merely takes no less than three hours of my day.”
Caroline was shocked and almost choked on her baked delight, “Ah- I guess you are right.. Ahem.” She quickly tried to compose herself, “ Do you not wish for a husband though? Doesn’t it get quite lonely without a partner?”
“Quite the contrary actually, I like being alone romantically, and if I do feel even the slightest bit of longing for romance I just pick up a book.” Miss. Pearl smiled, fighting back a laugh at Carolines stammer, “And anyways, I can’t really entertain the idea of romance with another man anyways, for I have been Betrothed since birth.”
Once these words where spoken the room went silent, Miss. Pearl never once told the Bennet’s that she was betrothed, hardly she had never told anyone at all. That was the first time she had ever said it, and it finally set in to her, was she happy about this?
Caroline quickly turned her attention to Jane and Lizzy, asking them of their family and their livings. She didn’t stay around too long after that, leaving only an hour and a half later.
“Miss. Pearl, about your betrothment, have you ever met the man? Do you know his name?” Caroline asked as she was heading out of the front door, turning on her heal to adjust her hat and look back into the home at Miss. Pearl.
“No I haven’t ever met him, but I’ve been told he is quite handsome and kind,” She answered standing tall, “His name is Mr. Darcy, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Why do you ask?”
Caroline smiled and began to walk away towards her carriage, “I do believe you shall be meeting him rather soon.” She entered her carriage and went off in haste.
Meeting him? Soon? Does She know Mr. Darcy? Oh dear I hope not…
“Pearl! Lets hurry and head out to town, you said you wanted to go look at evening gowns?” Lizzy called out from atop the stairs on her way down with Jane.
“Ah yes, indeed I do. Lets hurry so we have time before dinner with your parents.” Miss. Pearl smiled and they all dawned their coats and bonnets, soon heading into town.