Pride and Prejudice — What happens when Darcy meets an accomplished woman!

A tall, slender woman with golden brown hair arrived at Rosings Park. She was invited by Anne de Bourgh. Both women were polar opposite. Ela Brownlowe was strikingly beautiful. She was well versed in Pianoforte, spoke French and Italian fluently. She was also a gifted painter and an avid reader. She walked with confidence and bowed in repsect to Lady Catherine before sitting down next to Lizzy.

They talked enthusely about their shared interests in books and art. Mr. Darcy who stood next to Colonel Fitzwilliam paid little attention to him as he was intently listening to them. Ela was a perfectly good match for him, she had all the qualities he desired in his partner, an accomplished woman so to speak. Yet his eyes lingered on Lizzy.

Lady Catherine called out for a game of Quadrille. Anne declined and returned to bed on account of her health. Lizzy, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Collins joined Lady Catherine. She casually spoke of her various talents and superior taste in music, and as inherited by her daughter. Mr. Collins seconded. He rarely ever disagreed with her. Colonel Fitzwilliam was engrossed well into the game. Charlotte watched all of them in amusement as she sipped her Sherry.

Ela had little interest in the game. She accompanied Darcy in the library. He was reading a book called The Mysteries of Udolpho. She mentioned how much she admired Ann Radcliffe. One of her favorite authors. They shared similar interests in literature and mutual dislike to card games. He becomes cognizant of her family and their well known connections to his aunt.

Lizzy sits in front of the piano, dreadful, preparing to play something as coerced by Lady Catherine.

She commences, a bit rough in the beginning but she picks up the pace. Darcy upon hearing it comes in the living room standing next to her aunt. Her aunt asks about how well does his sister, Georgiana plays. To which he responds in her praise. Her aunt speaks about the art of constant practice and how it can help achieve excellance.

He gently walks upto Lizzy to listen closely. She is strartled but soon regains composure. She playfully remarks this as a tactic to intimidate her. But he politely declines her. Colonel Fitzwilliam also approaches them. He asks her about her first impression of Darcy. To which she responds that he was quiet and taciturn all evening that day at an event of merriment. Darcy replies admitting that since he didn’t know anyone. Lizzy argued about nobody can be introduced in a ballroom. Darcy gently whispered about the inability to converse with people he haven’t met before. To which Lizzy replied to take his aunt’s advice and practice. Speechless he stood there for a moment, only to walk away as his eyes stayed on Lizzy.