Fangs and Prejudice

Chapter 4

Elizabeth rejoined the celebration after a few moments and immediately searched for her sister to discuss the encounter she had with her strange new acquaintance. Jane's pale blonde hair made her easily distinguishable amongst the large crowd. Elizabeth noticed her looking in the distance and quietly made her way towards her from behind.

"What are you looking at?" Elizabeth suddenly spoke which caused her sister to slightly jump.

"Lizzy, you frightened me!" She held her hand to her chest in surprise.

"What is it that has stolen all of your attention?" Elizabeth followed Jane's gaze and recognised it as Mr. Bingley's back. Next to him stood another tall gentleman. Elizabeth was all too familiar with both men.

"Well, well, well." Elizabeth raised one eyebrow as she nudged her sister gently with her elbow. "Has the beloved Miss Jane Bennet set her attention upon a tall and mysterious gentleman?" She chuckled as Jane's cheeks began to flush.

"I believe that is Mr. Bingley, Lizzy. But I haven't heard with certainty." Jane continued to watch Mr. Bingley.

"And I can confirm that you are, in fact, correct." Elizabeth added. "We have just made one another's acquaintance."

Jane tore her attention from the gentleman and looked upon her sister with a large smile.

"I demand an explanation, immediately." Jane placed her hand on Elizabeth's arm and looked her straight in the eyes, intrigue radiating off of her. "And most definitely before Kitty and Lydia return."

Elizabeth laughed at her sister's comment. Once she had relayed the encounter, Jane looked upon her younger sister with shock and a large smile.

"Is this really true? You are not lying to me, Lizzy?" Jane inquired. Elizabeth nodded her head before both burst into laughter.

"It is simply unheard of! For Mr. Bingley to be so forthcoming," Jane said with a large grin.

"It is not so surprising, dear Jane. With his wealth and looks, it is no wonder that the normal rules of society do not apply to him," Elizabeth added as she and Jane once again turned their attention to Mr. Bingley's back, "to an extent, of course."

They stared after him with curiosity, almost as if to search for some sort of deduction that would reveal more of his true character. While Elizabeth's head was tilted one direction, Jane's was tilted the other.

"We shall have to be careful around Mr. Bingley," Jane whispered to her sister. Elizabeth focused herself back on Jane with a raised brow. "If even a gentleman's back can appear so handsome, I believe his forthcoming behavior can get a young lady in quite a bit of trouble." Jane and Elizabeth shared a laugh with one another before both took another sip of the drinks in their hands.

"Jane," Elizabeth looked upon her sister with a serious expression as she placed a hand upon her shoulder, "I have never been more proud of you."

Jane scoffed with a sweet smile. "And pray tell the reason for your sudden flattery, hmm?"

"I'm not so sure who is more forthcoming this evening, you or Mr. Bingley." Elizabeth smirked upon seeing Jane's cheeks turn a shade of pink.

"I must pass on your praises to the wine, for without it, I would have never said such things," Jane responded and they clinked their glasses together. She looked towards Mr. Bingley as she took another sip from her cup, and to her surprise, she was staring straight into his hazel eyes. He seemed to smile with them, appearing quite content, almost as if he had just been told a secret.

She turned away just as quickly before clearing her throat.

"I knew you would catch his attention this evening. It appears your beauty now draws Mr. Bingley in." Elizabeth smiled at her sister. "Perhaps it is now you who should force your acquaintance on Mr. Bingley."