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2022-02-10
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2023-07-28
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3/?
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Romance in Dance

Summary:

The young Miss. Pearl has never once met Mr. Darcy in her life but has been betrothed to him since birth, much against the wishes of Lady Catherine De Bourgh. They meet unexpectedly at the assembly in which Mr. Bingly, his sister, and Mr. Darcy all show up after their arrival at Netherfield Park, where they partake in their first dance.

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

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.

Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Chapter Text

Miss. Pearl soon returned home, the Bennets to their own home, and went straight to buisness. She began writing letters to her business partners and answering ones sent to her previously, even reaching out to new people to potentially do business with. Slowly she’s been growing the family business and expanding to different countries, setting up factories to make her product and selling to businesses that will put it on their shelves and sell for a reasonable price. Miss. Pearl is very attentive to her business, she always knows what's happening everywhere, the slightest problem, and she is told immediately. She always pays her workers handsomely for their work, and even has compensated for those who she knows to need a little more at home.
All of the people that work for her and with her know her to be very kind and gentle, but also very stern and fair to those who deserve it. On more than one occasion she has been informed of a cruel head of a factory that she requested a private audience with, and always the man leaves in fear for his life leaving the factory for another man to take over and do better. Even at some points if more than one man did her wrong in the same factory, she instated the headwoman as the factory operator, and thus no other problems arrived. Many people saw this as very wrong to do and were upsetting, they believed she was too headstrong about her belief that an if a man can’t do it a woman can. Many men in power have tried to take her down in the short time that she has existed in the power of her family's business, even going so far as to ban her product from being sold in stores. But her family's product was so sought after that people would travel out of their way to obtain it, further upsetting these men in power.
But no one could stop her, when shot down she saw it as an opportunity to grow and prove better. And thus she has over the short time she has become head of the company, it has grown almost triple its original size.
Miss. Pearl never let her growth in wealth, or her companies standing to go to her head, and she always smartly saved her money. She would often spoil her dear friends the Bennets, but she would only do so in a way that benefitted them. From time to time though, she would dote on the younger girls and oblige them in buying them a new cloak or bonnet in the latest style. Never the less, she was still thought of as a spoiled child, and her personality much thought of to be cold and unwelcoming. In truth she was just a very shy girl, having only know the Bennets, her house maids and butlers, and her Uncle, she was not well versed in the ways of modern social outings. Something she would soon find that she shared with her dear betrothed she was growing ever so nervously to meet.
She couldn’t sleep well that night after returning home, she almost even felt ill, turning into bed with hardly a touch to the food on her plate or even an evening tea. She tossed and turned, overthinking and imagining what her first encounter with the Mr. Darcy she heard so little of. What was he like? Would he like her? Would he think her annoying an immature? Was he a gentleman? Or a cruel man who thought less of her like other men? She could not take it any longer and rose from her bed, dawning her shawl and quietly making her way out the back kitchen entrance. She didn’t know where she’d walk, or for how long, she just felt like walking.
And so she did, just walk and walk and walk, until she was less than a quarter of a mile from Netherfield and could just barely see it on the horizon. Pearl stopped and stared as the sun began to rise, turning the sky a deep blue, she stared so long she believed she was starting to hallucinate. It looked as if someone was riding through the field on horseback, maybe an express? But soon it occurred to her that the person on the gallant stead had turned and was heading in her direction. Where they coming at her now? She wasn’t sure where the property line was, and she now worried that the new owner of Netherfield was not as kind as its sister who paid a visit early yesterday, though she wasn’t that kind at all to begin with..
Miss. Pearl tried her hardest to hide in the grass, and move out of the way of the rider even though they where still so far away, she did not want to be caught. There was a rustling in the grass much closer than the horses hives, and it was drawing nearer and nearer as Pearl tried to quickly think of what to do, but soon it was too late whatever it was was now at her feet.
“ARF, ARF ARF” cried a floppy eared, aged, bloodhound. His tail wagging at full speed behind him and a large grin dawned his adorable face as his tongue limply flopped out of the side. Miss. Pearl tried hushing him, getting him to quiet and not draw the person on horseback near, but it was already too late for that as well. Almost as soon as the dog had happily announced he had found something new, the person on horse back was but a few feet away dismounting the horse.
“Donic!” Cried the rider, a deep gruff voice, almost as if the rider had just woken up, “Donic what have you found bo–” The rider came to a stop once coming face to face with Miss. Pearl, surprised and a bit confused as to why there was a young woman standing in the shrubbery and tall grass in her night gown at dawn.
“I-I-I, I apologize, sir, I did not mean to tres pass on your land, I was taking a walk and I just kept walking. I’m so sorry to disturb you and your morning!” Pearl began to ramble and tried to take a few steps back, nearly tripping on the dog that was now happily circling her feet.
“Ma’am, you’re quite alright. This is not my land, and I was just taking the dog out, you are not disturbing anything.” He answered quick, not once taking his eyes off her, his voice now sweet and calming, “I must ask though, why at such a late hour you have decided to take a walk? It is quite dangerous you know, wilderness, especially in the country, is savage and dangerous animals roam freely.”
Miss. Pearl was taken aback and almost laughed out loud, “If, by dangerous animals you mean this adoring dog, and your horse, I dare say I am in great danger indeed. The danger of being very embarrassed.” She was now very aware of the circumstances, how she was dressed and the disheveled look she was sure she had, “These lands are free of dangerous animals, as they are usually, sadly, hunted by rich men, or men with no other interests. And as to why I am walking about so early, I cannot sleep for my mind is racing and I have found no way to stop it other than walking.”
The rider was a little amused by her joke and let out a light chuckle, “Indeed, you are right, and I am sad to say that I am one of those men.” He gently took a step towards her, “May I ask how far you’ve walked? The nearest home is 3 miles, and you are shivering. You look frozen, blue even. And your hem and shoes are so muddy as if you’ve been wadding in a nasty river.”
“Sir you have no filter and you speak your mind very clearly, you wound me.” She smiled, she knew his description to be true, and was deeply embarrassed by it.
“I do apologize that was not my intention!” He answered quickly, almost nervously.
“Tis quite alright sir. I have walked those three miles, all night. And you are very right, now as I stand still, I feel the cold and I notice the mud. Its quite unsightly I apologize for the way I appear. Normally I am much more proper.” Pearl couldn’t tell if she was becoming feverish or blushing, but either way, their was a warmth rising to her cheeks and the tips of her ears.
The rider quickly noticed this himself and worriedly asked, “Would you like to come inside? I can send for the doctor and have him check on you immediately!”
“Oh no sir, I would feel terrible to impose. I am assuming you are a quest of the Netherfield owners, and I hate to trouble you and them with something so small as this.” She motioned to herself, beginning to turn on hear heal and hopefully make an escape.
“It would not be imposing at all,” He started but quickly realised he wasn’t going to win this so he reached out, “If you will not come in and let me call for the doctor, please let me at least ride you home.”
Miss. Pearl stopped, nervous, she knew men and women where not to have private outings together, nor where they meant to touch without either wearing something like gloves, and certainly they where not meant to share a horse. Especially not in night clothing, for she finally took in his appearance. He was wearing a loose night shirt tucked into evening pants he definitely slept in for at least a few hours, with a blue coat thrown over top for warmth. If they where to be seen, even now, rumours surely would spread. Ones that would surely hinder both of their social statuses, Miss. Pearl would not caare much for it, but she would feel terrible to hinder someone else’s.
“Please..” His voice almost pleading for her to spend more time with him, “I-I’d feel terrible if I could not help at all, if you where to collapse in the field and no one to help you-” The rider was trying hard to cover up the desperate sound in his voice, but failing miserably.
“Okay..” Miss. Pearl smiled, the sun rising higher and shining across her face, warming it. But to the Man it looked as if she alone was brightening the world with her smile, “Thank you, I am grateful.”
As if he forgot to breath, the rider let out a slow long breath. He told the dog to go on back home and called over his horse, he questioned where she felt most comfortable riding, but both where very shy of the two options laid before them. They finally both agreed that her riding on the back was much less intimate and they set off on their way. The rider rode quickly, but gently to get them to Miss. Pearls home as fast as possible, but with the least jostle that might be uncomfortable for her.
Once they arrived at the front door, with a most distressed head maid out searching the grounds, the rider slipped off the horse first, helping Pearl off next. Handling her gently and cautiously, he feared she so frail that the slightest squeez might break her.
“Madam!! Oh thank the lord you are not hurt or harmed!! When I did not find you in your bed–” The head maid rambled on and on in worry, but the two young ones listened only to each other.
“Thank you very much sir for seeing me home, I apologize again for all the trouble.” Miss Pearl smiled.
“It was no trouble at all, I offered, no need to thank me. I just hope you are not sick, and if you are than I pray for your quick recovery.” The rider returned the smile nervously. They stared at each other for a minute more before the head maid finally started to drag her off back into the home. The rider watched to make sure she got in just fine, and as he turned to mount his horse and head back to the Netherfield estate, Miss. Pearl called out to him.
“I hope to see you again soon! Maybe next time I can learn your name, and I not appear so dishevelled!!” She joke, her maid pulling her back in again, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders.
“Until next time!!” The rider called back, riding off just after the doors slammed shut.
Pearl wished deeply to know his name, and become much better aquantances with the gentleman, he sparked something in her she didn’t quite… understand.

Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Notes:

A/N I do apologize for not uploading for so long, life you know, got in the way. I can't say that I will be back to regular uploading, but I can say I will try to update as often as possible.

Thank you for the love that has been shown to this story, I honestly didn't expect much for it when I posted it on a whim.

My writing has changed a tad, but I am still trying to keep it similar enough to the previous chapters.

Chapter Text

The Head Maid droned on and on, over and over about how dangerous it was for Miss. Pearl to be out so late at night, and how bad it could have ended up should someone had seen her and the man on horseback in their nightwear. But Miss. Pearl was hearing none of it, as her Head Maid rushed her in for a warm bath and scrubbed her back, Pearl just curled her knees to her chest, wrapped her arms around her legs, and laid her head on her knees. A smile grew softly on her face as she sighed, she had no idea what was with her and why that man had that effect on her. She wasn’t exactly opposed to it but it did unnerve her a tad. She had never felt this way about anyone, much less a man, and she couldn’t feel this way -whatever it was she was feeling- because she was betrothed to Mr. Darcy.
Unknown to herself, Pearl had let out a small giggle as she allowed herself to imagine what if that man was Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy himself.
“Madam?” The Head Maid questioned, finally drawing Miss. Pearl from her fantasizing.
“Yes, Mrs. Dolly?” She hummed, answering her Head Maid.
“You have some mail that arrived overnight for you, from a potential business partner I believe. It is a business I have not seen the name of in the mail before but you have reached out to them.” She smiled, finally done with her ranting and raving about Miss. Pearl's late-night excursion.
“Thank you, Mrs. Dolly, would you mind bringing my blue day gown? The dark blue one, and leave the letter on my writing desk in the Library. I will get to it as soon as I am dressed.” Miss. Pearl began to reach for her towel and robe. Mrs. Dolly quickly grabbed the day dress, bringing it back to Miss. Pearl had two other maids come assist to put it on, while she tended to the letter. Upon returning, Miss. Pearl was dressed in her gown and was attempting to put her hair up on her own in a simple bun, her curly hair always seemed to be the most difficult thing in her life to manage. Mrs. Dolly Quickly came to her aid and began dressing up her hair, “ The letter is on your desk, morning tea is being prepared, your favorite of course; breakfast is being prepared as we speak as well. Fresh parchment and ink are laid out on your desk, should you need it, and your friends the Bennets announced that they would be over by lunch so you all may be able to go into town together to get new gowns and ribbon for the ball tonight.”
“Oh, Mrs. Dolly,” Pearl sighed, a sweet smile dawning on her lips, “what would I do without you?” Mrs. Dolly giggles, finishing up Miss Pearl's hair. Mrs. Dolly had been looking after Miss Pearl since she was 13 and was the closest she had to a mother, and she cared for her dearly.
“You manage quite well on your own dear, I fear the only thing you couldn’t do without me is your hair!” Mrs. Dolly laughed, she had a hearty laugh, one that made you want to laugh along with her. It filled the room and made the room fill with joy.
“That I fear, you are completely right about.” Miss. Pearl laughed along with The Head Maid, she pulled herself from her seat in front of the vanity and began to walk towards the door, Mrs. Dolly following close behind continuing to tattle on about the rest of the day's events, the first few hours of the day before lunch would be dedicated to responding to mail regarding the estate, the business and business partnerships, then would follow responding to personal mail and complaints (complaints inside the estate and from the company factories), then would follow lunch with the Bennets (all 5 girls) followed by an outing to town. After that, they would return to their respective homes and begin to get ready for the ball.
All seemed to fit into the schedule for the day and Miss Pearl had no changes for The Head Maid, so she sent her on her way as she took her seat at her desk in the library, getting to work quickly. Another maid had brought the tea a few moments late, and then Mrs. Dolly brought in breakfast not long after. The morning flew by, all mail was assessed, complaints were addressed and would be looked into, personal mail regarding a few tea party invitations where accepted, and a few declined. The business partnership that was received this morning was looked over, a few revisions made to the contract, and then mailed back out to the sender on express.
Just as Miss. Pearl had finished up, the Bennet girls had arrived, right on time for lunch.
The girls all busied themselves discussing the ball and what they were to wear, the youngest two, Lydia and Kitty were going to wear pale white dresses with green tones, Mary didn’t mind what she wore, but ultimately decided a light grey color was what she was going to dawn for the evening. Lizzy couldn’t choose between a green dress or a brown dress so she decided whatever dress she found first in town was what she would wear, Jane decided a pretty blush pink dress she had seen earlier that week in the window of a shop was the one she’d wear.
Once the girls had decided their colors, they all turned to Miss Pearl who had not chosen a color of dress herself. She was uncertain, she thought it over, and the only color that could come to mind for her was the dashing blue of the gentleman's coat from that morning. That was the color she decided, she was going to find a dress in that shade and if she couldn’t she would be disappointed.
They eventually made their way into town, the three younger girls going off one way, and the older three walking another, all agreeing to meet at that spot again in an hour and a half. If they hadn’t found their dress of choice by that time they they would all go together to find the dress. Jane had found her dress first, and in that same shop, Lizzy found a green dress that she quite liked and chose for her evening gown. Pearl had not as much luck, when the time came to meet back up with the younger girls, she had not found her dress at all. The younger girls had found their dresses but still needed to look for ribbon so they all ventured together for the rest of their needs. Miss Pearl found a ribbon that matched the color of the dress she was looking for perfectly, and Mary said that they had seen one that looked that same color in a shop not far down the road. So after the girls finished up their ribbon shopping, Mary guided them down the street towards the shop, the owner was getting ready to close up for the night when Miss Pearl hailed for him to stop.
“Sir!!” She cried out, “Sir, just a moment!!” She waved at him as she tried to speed walk to him as fast as possible, the man stopped and waited for her to finally get close so they could speak.
“What may I help you with ma’am?” He questioned, scratching his head lightly with a confused look.
“Do you have a dress that is this color?” She raised the ribbon at him, and he took a close look before nodding.
“I do indeed! Good thing you stopped me before I closed up, that dress is almost out of season and I was about to pack it up to make room for new styles!!” He chuckled before receding back into his shop to get the dress, all of the girls followed him and awwed at the dresses in the shop. The gentleman's shop had always obtained the newest and most popular styles before any other shop in town. He quickly bagged it up for her and she paid, he had given her quite a generous discount as well for the dress. Miss Pearl thanked him and followed the rest of the girls back on their walk from Meriton.
“Why did you have to get this blue specifically?” asked Jane, “I’ve never seen you so dedicated to a color before.”
“Well… you mustn’t tell anyone, but..” Pearl started, her cheeks turning pink, Jane and Lizzy began giggling and huddling closer bringing their voices to a whisper, “I went out on a walk last night… I couldn’t sleep and I ran into a man..”
“A man!!?” Jane gasped, Lizzy quickly motioning for her to quiet down to not alert the younger girls, “a Man??” Jane asked again in a quiet whisper.
“Yes, a man. In my walking I had managed to wander onto Netherfeild land, he was taking out the dog and was on his horse. He found me and offered to ride me home!” Pearl explained, “The blue I chose is the same blue as his coat, and I can’t get it out of my mind.”
“Was he a charming fellow?” Lizzy asked, she never really cared for men for herself, but she did like to hear about romance, she never liked to admit it, but she loved romance books quite a lot.
“He was indeed, very kind and gentle, he is staying with the Bingleys at Netherfeild.” Miss Pearl indulged.
“What was his name?” Jane questioned, almost swooning from the information, “Sadly I didn’t catch it before I left… But I believe he is coming to the ball tonight so I will point him out then!” Pearl answered happily.
“But What about your betrothal?” Jane then questioned, almost sadly.
“I can only hope they are the same man..” Pearl answered, “I mean, I have never met Mr. Darcy, so I can dream.” The girls all sighed in the dreaminess of that hope.
They all came to the fork in the road separating the two estates and said their goodbyes to begin getting ready for the ball. Upon walking back alone, Miss Pearl spotted two men on horseback riding through the fields that reached out towards Netherfeild across the small pond. She recognized one of the men, her mystery savior from that morning, he was fully dressed in proper clothing now.
He was quite handsome, just as she remembered, even more so now that he is properly dressed and groomed. His hair swept to the side, his now darker almost black ashen riding coat buttoned up over his white blouse, his pants fit him much better than the day pants he had been wearing this morning, neatly tucked into knee-high black riding boots. Pearl smiled as he rode past with only who she could assume was Mr. Bingley, her pause caught Mr. Bingley’s eyes and he raced over near the water's edge to say hello.
“Hello! I am Bingley, Charles Bingley, from Netherfeild! I believe you’ve met my sister?” He called across the water.
“Indeed I have, she was an unexpected delight during her visit!” Miss Pearl called back, “ I’m Pearl!” The man from this morning had begun to ride over but stopped as soon as he heard her name. This confused her, but she smiled at him and waved. He gave a nervous wave back before saying something to Bingley quietly and turning to leave. This confused Pearl and made her worry that she did something wrong.
“Well..” Bingley started as he watched his friend go, beginning to turn his own horse in the same direction, “ It was nice to meet you, I hope to see you at the ball!” and with that both men were gone.
On the rest of her walk home, Miss Pearl worried she did something wrong, maybe she shouldn’t have waved at him or smiled. Why did he stop when she said her name? The questions swirled and fogged her mind all through getting ready for the evening, and continued to bother her until she began to head out for the ball. She would talk to him there, and hopefully get answers.