The Assembly: Open to all!

[MISS JANE BENNET]

The Bennet family was a flutter of activity the day of the Meryton assembly where the famed Mr. Bingley was scheduled to make his first appearance among polite society. Jane and Lizzie had gotten ready together as was the custom upon such occasions as this. Although Kitty and Lydia bemoaned the fact they had no new gowns to wear, they had borrowed enough of Jane’s things that they had devised completely new outfits anyway. There was little left for Jane to choose from, mainly between her blue or green gown as they were the only two suitable for an evening assembly. Jane had selected the green gown as she favored green over most colors and had offered the blue to Lizzie so she might have a different gown to wear to the assembly.

Upon Mrs. Bennet’s inspection, Jane was cajoled into the blue gown as it would emphasize her eyes when Mr. Bingley let eyes upon her at the assembly. Unable, or simply unwilling to argue with her mother she relinquished her own choice and donned the blue dress much to her mother’s satisfaction. Before they knew how late the hour drew it was time for them to depart for the much awaited assembly. Lydia and Kitty talked almost exclusively the entire duration of the way there with endless chatter in regards to the arrival of the officers.

Jane sat in silence for the duration of the ride there, not wanting to interrupt her sisters excitement about the arrival of officers. Lizzie had sent her several reassuring smiles throughout the course of the trip but Jane still spoke very little. Although Mrs.Bennet had signaled out Jane for Mr. Bingley, Jane had in turn signaled out Lizzie for someone else. Jane was quite hopeful that her newly made friend Mr. Wickham would be at tonight’s festivities for she was certain that Lizzie would find him most agreeable. If nothing else a new friendship could be formed to Jane’s most deserving sister.

If Jane had revealed such plans to her sister she knew that Lizzie would avoid the whole prospect most keenly so Jane had remained mute on the subject in the hopes of surprising her. For she had been serious that day they spoke in the privacy of their room, Lizzie needed to find that same happiness that Jane sought and Jane would do everything in her power to help her find it.

Upon arriving at the assembly Jane couldn’t help but be amazed at the excitement that was already taking place in the building. As was the custom the Bennet family parted ways almost immediately, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet began to make the social rounds with Mary in tow behind them. Lydia and Kitty rushed off to meet their officers they were so keen on. Which left Jane and Lizzie to go off in search of their most dear friend Charlotte Lucas.

“ Have you ever seen so much excitement Lizzie! I daresay you shall have no trouble in procuring at least half a dozen partners for a dance before we’re through this evening.” she exclaimed in a voice loud enough for her sister to hear. Upon peering through the assembly and seeing no hair of the gentleman in question Jane leaned towards her sister and gripped her hand tightly. “ Shall we search for Charlotte? Perhaps we might be able to garner more information on the infamous Mr. Bingley before he arrives. What say you dear sister?” she asked curiously with an excited look upon her face.

[ace]

The entirety of Miss Darcy's first day visiting at Netherfield Park, was spent in preparation for the assembly at Meryton that evening. When she was not in her apartments deciding upon a perfect gown and pair of slippers, her companion Mrs Annesley was quizzing her upon the appropriate conversation to make with the acquaintances she would meet. Georgiana thought the rehearsal of the latter rather in vain. The possibility of her speaking with any lady or gentlemen outside of those she knew was quite slim. In fact, the raising of her eyes from the inspection of her slippers would be a considered a marked accomplishment.

A mere quarter of an hour prior to their departure, Miss Darcy was attired in her ball attending splendor. She wore a pale pink flower patterned, white, muslin empire wasted gown, with a matching pair of silk slippers and a set of kid gloves newly imported from the East. Her fair tresses were made into soft ringlets and tied into a chignon with a few stray curls framing her heart shaped face. Mrs Annesley and her maid declared that she was a sight to behold, and that if she did not make at least one gentleman completely in love with her, they would be shocked, indeed! The idea was mentally refuted by Miss Darcy, as she was well aware that most of the gentlemen and ladies set to be at the ball that evening would leave believing that she was exceedingly proud and worthy of nothing more than being the topic of gossip in the neighborhood drawing rooms.

Now, she awaited the rest of the party, set to attend the assembly that evening, in the sitting room. Upon her lap sat a thick, leather bound book of the Bard's poetry. While Georgiana was quite fond of such reading normally, she could not seem to get lost in the words. Her thoughts kept wandering toward the evening ahead. Desperately, she wished to make a positive impression upon these people, to charm them with witty conversation and kind remarks. She wished that they would overlook her never ending shyness and see that all she desired was to make friends among them.

Miss Darcy let out a soft sigh and set aside the poetry, knowing all attempts to distract her thoughts with a book were fruitless. She rose from the sofa and sat upon the bench of the pristine pianoforte, newly bought by Mr Bingley for Netherfield. Georgiana opened the instrument carefully, softly set her fingers upon the ivories and began to play. It was a melody she had learned in girlhood that always seemed to have a calming influence upon her. Upon reaching the final measure, Miss Darcy found that her tension had all gone away, leaving only feelings of slight apprehension.

Within the hallway, she heard the baritone voice of her elder brother, Fitzwilliam, which signaled that they were soon to depart from the manor. Georgiana rose the pianoforte, gathered her shawl from the sofa, and exited the room to where the rest of the party had gathered in the hallway.

Miss Darcy offered her brother a sweet smile, knowing that his excitement for the evening ahead - or lack thereof - equaled hers. "We have not much time left until this dreadful event is over, brother dear," she whispered to Fitzwilliam, careful not to speak loudly enough for their enthusiastic host, or his overbearing sister, to hear.

[Miss Elizabeth Bennet]

Despite her attempts at making light of such social gatherings, Lizzie was quite looking forward to the Meryton assembly. At the very least, there would be great amusement, what with the entire neighborhood craning their necks for a mere glimpse of the elusive Mr Bingley. It would certainly be a blessed respite from listening to her younger sisters complain of there being nothing for them to do.

As she and Jane dressed for the evening, their mother rushed in and coerced the elder Bennet daughter into a dress different from the one she had picked out. Both gowns were lovely on Jane, but their mother had sworn up and down that the blue dress brought out the color in Jane's eyes. Lizzie had felt that the green dress, which was Jane's favorite, suited her sister's complexion better, but she knew that Jane had a sweetness that out-shined whatever she was wearing. Lizzie settled on a gown the color of cream; a simple dress with almond colored embroidery around the collar and sleeves. Her dark hair was pinned back, with a few white flowers threaded throughout. It was not very often that she felt handsome, but as she regarded her reflection in the dresser mirror, Lizzie could not help but smile.

The ride to the assembly hall was noisy, the entire carriage chattering in excitement. Kitty and Lydia giggled and whispered loudly to one another while Mary thumbed through her sheet music, ordering the pages. Jane was surprisingly tight-lipped, and all of Lizzie's attempts of conversation were met with quick answers. Under normal circumstances, Lizzie would imagine that something was amiss with her dearest sister, but the secret smile on Jane's lips kept her from being too concerned. Whatever Jane was up to was her own business, although Lizzie had a feeling that she would know of it soon enough.

The hall was fairly buzzing when they entered, a cacophony of music and laughter and good conversation. Jane's hand reached for her own as their younger sisters ran after the officers and their parents, along with Mary, sought out the Lucases. Under Jane's suggestion, the two elder sisters searched for their close friend Charlotte, who was standing off to the side on the opposite end of the room, conversing with her younger sister Mariah. As they admired the dancing couples before them, Lizzie smiled her sister's words.

“I do believe there shall be plenty of partners to dance with, though I see no sign of this Mr Bingley. Perhaps being late is fashionable in London now," she teased.

But, when Jane remained silent, only smiling widely, Lizzie raised a brow and placed her hands on her hips in mock indignation.

“Now Jane, I must insist that you tell me whatever it is that you are keeping so secret! I am far too curious for my own good, and you know how I love a good laugh. Is there something you are aware of that I am not? Does it have to do with this mysterious Mr Bingley? Oh, do tell me Jane, I must know!”