Lizzy's POV

I smirked at Mr. Darcy's back as he walked outside. Serves him right.

While the band was taking a break, I went over to where Jane and Mr. Bingley were talking. I needed to learn more about the guy who had taken up all of Jane's evening. She never spent this much time with a guy unless it was a date. As I approached the pair standing by themselves, Jane's face lit up even more. If that was possible, she was already practically glowing.

"Jane! My goodness, what has Charles been telling you that you are glowing? Is he trying to flatter you?"

Turning to Charles I asked, "Have you been flattering my twin? Or have you been discussing the variance between the colors of mustard and golden mustard?"

"Well," he grinned and looked at Jane, "I am sad to admit that we haven't had a conversation that in-depth into colors, yet. Instead, I have been trying to dance the night away with her, and it has been working so far. If I have to flatter her to get her to dance with me again, I will." He shrugged, "She is a superb dancer and can hold an intelligent conversation, so I believe I will keep on dancing with her."

"Mhmm. Why should she listen to your flattery? You tried to flatter me earlier. What makes her different from me?"

This could make or break your relationship with my sister based on your answer.  At least, if I have anything to say.

He looked at me and turned serious. I realized that I hadn't seen him serious the entire night, he always had a smile on his face and his eyes were lit up. Now he seemed grown-up.

"Lizzy, I flatter ladies or try to get on the good side of them when we first meet because I think people assume I will act superior because of my money, but I want to prove them wrong. I want people to feel comfortable around me, because how else can I show them Jesus' love if they aren't?"

That was better than I expected. He seems good Jane.

About thirty minutes after Mr. Darcy walked out, he came back in not that I was looking. I chatted with friends throughout the night when I wasn't dancing, and kept tabs on my younger sisters to make sure they weren't making out in a corner with some random guy. At about eleven, I saw that it was time for me to step in with my younger sisters.

Deciding to start with Mary, I found her right where she had been all night, looking as miserable as a complete introvert can be at a gala. I took in her frightened glances as a drunk vulture started to circle around her and I arrived in perfect time to ward him off.

"Mauryy. You wanna drink?"

I rolled my eyes in disgust. "Ron, stay away from my sister. Mary, let's go."

She quickly got up and followed me outside where I had just seen Lydia go out the door with someone a couple of seconds before. I just hoped I wasn't too late to stop her from going with him. Thankfully I 'just' found her smooching with some random guy who was feeling her up. I tapped the guy on the shoulder and said her name. When that didn't produce the desired effect, I raised my voice up several notches, "Lydia," I pried the guy's roaming hands off of her. She glared at me with a pouty face, swollen lips, and bloodshot eyes. "What?"

"Time to go," I announced briskly, pointedly ignoring looking at the guy.

"Hey, why does she have to go? She's an adult."

I stared only at his face, "Because pudding head, she doesn't need to be hanging out or smooching with the likes of you. From past experience, she's told me she regrets it in the morning when she wakes up in somebody's bed whose name she can't remember. So goodbye."

Lydia groaned, "When did I ever say that? You are such a killjoy."

I rolled my eyes and looked at the guy. "Do you have my sister's number?"

"Yes."

"Lydia he has your number. If he remembers you, what your name is, and if he decides to message you, then maybe he can become your new boyfriend.  It would be better for both of you to not go about this when y'all are inebriated though."

Lydia huffed, "fine," and staggered my way. Mary quickly stepped up to help me brace her on our way to her car. Mary slid into the driver's seat after we deposited Lydia in the back seat.  I had Mary stay in the car with her to make sure Lydia didn't try to get out.

I went back in to find Katie. She was making 'moves' on the dance floor during one of the few dance party songs played that night while the band was on break. Waiting until the song was over and the band came back with a waltz I went over to her on the side. "Hey,"

"Hey" she grinned and swayed.

She's toast. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, I'm kinda tired."

"Alright, let's get you out of here." I hooked my arm through hers and we slowly meandered toward the doors then about ten feet away from them she made a face and sped up. I hurried too, knowing that could only mean one thing.

As soon as we got outside she started convulsing and I rushed her over to a garden bed where she promptly threw up. Exhaling, I held her hair and rubbed her back, muttering soothing words. What else are sisters for than to help each other out? I sighed again, So happy I haven't ever been drunk like that. It would be embarrassing.

After Katie finished and she got to the car I instructed Mary to give Katie and Lydia a bucket to throw up in once they got home and told them all goodnight. Mary doesn't like anything alcoholic so she is always a sober driver. I watched them drive off then turned around to go back inside to finish out the night out without having to continually worry about my younger sisters doing something to majorly embarrass or put a black mark on the family name.

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Darcy's POV 

Intriguing. Very intriguing. She got all of her embarrassing sisters out without drawing much attention and managed to come back in without any vomit on her dress. . .Well done. I had to admit, I was most impressed with how she handled her youngest sister, the one who was smooching with a total loser. But then again she need never know I followed her out to see what she was doing.