Pomona carried a picnic basket to a spot with a good view, where she could overlook the Black Lake and the castle. Surrounded by flowers, she enjoyed afternoon tea while reading the book she had brought.
It was Mr Bingley who had originally excited Mrs. Bennet and Pemberley. Mr Darcy had appeared as a "supporting character," though the moment he arrived, he immediately drew everyone's attention. He was broad-shouldered and handsome, and everyone looked at him with undisguised envy.
Yet before the ball had even ended, his image in everyone's minds had plummeted. They discovered that he was arrogant and conceited, looking down on everyone else. No matter how much property he owned in Derbyshire, it did him no good; even his handsome face had become irritating.
Mr Darcy did not care. He was extremely picky, and the country girls in this village ballroom naturally could not compare to the fashionable young ladies of London.
"Then what was he doing out in the countryside?" Pomona said in utter disappointment, turning to the next page.
At the time, Elizabeth had been waiting idly not far from Mr Darcy. There were more ladies than gentlemen at the ball, not to mention men like Darcy who had no desire to dance. She had heard his conversation with Mr Bingley, and by sheer coincidence, Mr Darcy turned around and met Elizabeth's eyes.
When the prince in a fairy tale saw Cinderella after her transformation, he fell in love with her at first sight. But Mr Darcy apparently had not. He merely thought Elizabeth very pretty, but she had failed to move his heart.
This ball had not brought the two together. Instead, it had made Elizabeth thoroughly detest Darcy. They should have been passing strangers in each other's lives, yet because of Jane and