Elizabeth Bennet stood by the side of the stage at the Royal Opera House in London. Her hands were shaking, perspiration was forming on her brow as she looked out over the crowds that were gathered to watch her perform. Many who looked at Elizabeth in that moment thought that she was just another member of the chorus; little did they know that she was one of the most famous opera singers of all time. She had performed all over the world; Vienna, Paris, Moscow were among some of the destinations in which she had graced with her presence but that didn't mean she didn't get nervous.

Elizabeth Bennet had been singing since she was a little girl, she would walk around mindlessly singing random songs that didn't really make sense to anyone but sounded beautiful all the same. It was her uncle, the famous Composer Henry Burton that first realised just how wonderful her voice could be under the right tutor, which he was more than willing to give. So over the years Henry had spent countless hours solely focused on how to get Elizabeth's voice to a point were it could stop people in their tracks with one note, and he had eventually done just that. It had taken 15 years of sweat, tears and tantrums to turn Elizabeth's voice into the voice it was: The Voice of an Angel.

Elizabeth had been asked for months to perform in the Royal Opera house in London but she had always turned it down and said maybe at another time, but she had finally relented and right now she wished she hadn't. She was nervous, actually she was extremely nervous, shaking like a leaf and wanted to burst into tears, but she didn't because she was Elizabeth Bennet and Elizabeth Bennet did not have fits of nerves for the whole world to see. No, she kept her feeling close to her heart, only those who knew her would be able to see just how nervous she really was.

Elizabeth pushed a strand of raven hair out of her eyes and ran her hands over her dress to banish non-existent wrinkles, suddenly she felt a warm hand on her upper arm, she looked around to see her sister Jane looking at her sympathetically with those beautiful warm blue eyes, Elizabeth smiled. Jane was exactly what she needed to help her overcome the nerves.

"Are you okay Lizzy?" Jane asked in a soft voice.

Lizzy could only nod and give her sister a look that to many others would me meaningless but anyone who knew Lizzy knew she actually meant 'I'll be fine when this is over'. Jane decided that the best thing for her to do was to distract her only sister.

"You look beautiful tonight Lizzy, that dress is perfect"

Lizzy looked down at her dress momentarily forgetting her nerves and agreed with Jane, the dress was beautiful. It was the perfect shade of violet to match her eyes and to complement her milky skin. The bead work on the dress had taken days to do but in the end it was worth every second because the dress was exquisite much like the wearer. It was hand made by their aunt for the Opera so Lizzy wore it with great pride. Their aunt Madeleine Gardiner was a fashion designer in London but her work was known all over England, was becoming just as popular on the continent. The House of Gardiner Couture was known for their beautiful beading and glorious fabrics. Anyone who was anyone in English Society wanted a Gardiner Original, the women of the Ton clamoured to get on Madeleine's books and too be seen in her collections.

Lizzy's thoughts of her Aunt Madeleine were interrupted by the growing noise in the theatre, she looked over to Jane for support. Oh her lovely Jane, who stood there looking perfect in her powder blue dress that brought out her blue eyes, she couldn't help but smile at Jane. Jane was one of those people that you couldn't help but like or in men's case fall madly, deeply, passionately in love with because of her staggering beauty and kind heart. Jane over the years had several men who were interested in her but the feeling had never been reciprocated. Whilst Jane had a good kind heart it did not mean she fell in love at the drop of a hat. No Jane like Lizzy wanted a love like their parents. An 'I can't live without you' kind of love and both sisters were determined that only the deepest love would induce them into matrimony.

But Lizzy couldn't ponder love or marriage any longer as it was about to be show time. Many of the orchestra and chorus walked past Lizzy whilst making their way off stage, wishing her luck and that they knew she would be wonderful, however these comments did nothing for Lizzy's nerves, but she was determined to persevere. It was near her time to go on stage, she looked at Jane who looked as nervous as Lizzy even though she wasn't even performing. Jane kissed her sisters check and whispered her good luck and that she would be fine and sent her on her way. Lizzy closed her eyes and walked on stage shaking. Little did she or Jane know that that night would change their lives forever.

Fitzwilliam Darcy; Master of Pemberley, Richest man in Derbyshire and all round desirable gentleman was bored. That in itself was not an unusual occurrence but tonight he was bored and agitated. He had been dragged to the Royal Opera House by his Cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, his good Friend Charles Bingley and his aunt and uncle Lord and Lady Matlock. All except Bingley knew that Darcy had been in a bad mood since that unfortunate incident in Ramsgate involving his beloved sister Georgiana and that Fiend Wickham. Although only the Fitzwilliam's knew the particulars and Bingley knew that Wickham had wronged him somehow they were all at a loss of how to deal with Darcy's moods of late. So when the two gentlemen heard that the Beautiful Opera Singer Elizabeth Bennet was going to be performing in London they conspired to get Darcy out of his Townhouse to the Opera. For what way to lighten ones mood than too spend an evening watching a beautiful woman with the reported voice of an Angel sing?

Colonel Fitzwilliam looked out of Darcy's Private box and cast his eye over the crowd, it seemed like anybody who was anybody was here tonight, from Dukes to Earls, and Lords to Landed Gentry were all in attendance in all their finery. Most of the ladies in attendance where there to boast that they had been able to get a ticket to this widely talked about event and too show off their new gowns, probably by that designer Madison or was it Madeleine Gardiner? the Colonel didn't really know nor care. Whilst most of the men were here to spend the night with their wives but not have to actually talk to them or listen to them prattle on about said dress or whoever's party in two week times were they would probably need a new dress to go to that as well. Many were here just to see Elizabeth Bennet, who was thee Opera singer. Colonel Fitzwilliam gave up his musings of other peoples boxes and looked at the occupants of his own, his Mother and Father looked happy and content just to be in each others company, Bingley looked happy to be in company of two of his best friends and out of his townhouse which housed his sister Caroline Bingley, at the thought of that women Colonel Fitzwilliam winced, she was probably sharpening her claws to pin into Darcy. 'Poor Darcy' was all the Colonel could think. But he was interrupted from his thoughts by the beginning of the show.

Fitzwilliam Darcy couldn't think of anything else he would want to do less than sit in a crowded theater surrounded by the snobs of the ton. He would much rather sit at home with a good book and listen to Georgie play the Pianoforte, with which she was so accomplished at he might add. At the thought of his beloved little sister Darcy's chest tightened, he came so close to losing her because of that thing Wickham, what he would not give to have to never deal with that man again, he prayed that he would never have to deal with him again. So here he was in the Royal Opera house, in his own private box with his two closest friends and his favourite relations (except Georgie) and he was still miserable. Richard thought he was miserable all the time because of what happened to Georgiana and he partly was; he would never forgive himself for what happened to his little Georgie but it was more that just that. Fitzwilliam Darcy; a man of great wealth, who had all he could want materially was lonely. Pathetically lonely. He had always been a quiet and reserved gentleman, didn't mix well with strangers easily like his cousin did. Couldn't charm people with his open and happy manner like Bingley; he didn't have a large group of friends or anyone really that he could share his thoughts with on a more private level. Darcy had realised a while ago that it was time for him to marry but the problem was that there were simply no desirable women who fit his requirements. He wanted love like his parents had, not a loveless marriage like many in that very theatre had. Over his dead body would he marry his Cousin Anne or be captured by the fortune hunting Caroline Bingley, he needed a women who would love him for him and not his possessions. And that was the problem and quite frankly he didn't even know were too begin looking.

A hush came over the theatre; all eyes turned towards the large red velvet curtain and the orchestra began to play. The curtain slowly began to lift to the hungry eyes of the audience who were eager to see what this Elizabeth Bennet actually looked like for they had heard tales of her reported beauty that was as famous as her Angelic singing voice. The curtain began to reveal a heavily beaded violet dress that was so lovely it had many women of the ton green with envy. As the curtain lifted high enough to reveal Miss Bennet a gasp came from some in the crowd for they were sure they had never seen a more beautiful woman.

One of those gasps came from Darcy; he was astounded by the beautiful creature in front of him and eagerly drank in her beauty. Her dress sat perfectly on her womanly form, the neckline was perfectly situated to be somewhat revealing but also saving her modesty. Her skin was milky white and glowing under the candle light of the theatre. The angel had raven black hair that sat perfectly atop her head, it was gathered away from her face to show her features and oh what a face it was. She had a heart shaped face with a perfect little nose and beautiful pout lips; Darcy couldn't see her eyes but guessed that if they were like the rest of her they had be perfect too. Darcy suddenly felt the need to laugh, there he was miserable, thinking of how it was time for him to settle down and that he couldn't find a woman who pleased him and literally in front of him was placed a women who so far pleased him to no end, oh the timing. Darcy was so affected he seemed to forget that there was anybody else in the theatre, so he almost jumped when he heard someone speak.

"What a beauty!" Richard said more to himself than anyone else.

Bingley who had also been shocked at her beauty began to wish she was blonde, because that was much more his type, and Darcy was suddenly angry that anyone else was admiring Miss Bennet, though he didn't really understand his anger. His anger quickly dissipated though when he first heard her voice. It was perfect. He momentarily closed his eyes and found himself in Heaven; surely an earthly being couldn't sound like that?

Darcy sat the remainder of the show in a state of bliss, his earlier bad mood all forgotten. He hardly registered that there were other people in attendance as he sat enraptured with his eyes glued to the tempting beauty on stage. But all too soon the show came to an end much to the disappointment of the audience, who arose to their feet for the fourth time that night. Many women wiped their eyes dry and the men gave a rapturous applause along with many shouts of 'Bravo'. Many would latter claim that the rapturous applause could even be felt outside the Opera house. The thick red velvet curtain began to descend once again but not before several more flowers were thrown towards Miss Bennet's feet.

When the show finally ended Lizzy breathed a huge sighed of relief, she stood there for a moment to relax her breathing and calm her beating heart. As she turned she could see at the side of the stage her beautiful sister was standing with tears in her eyes. Lizzy ran in a rather unladylike fashion over to Jane and threw her arms around her.

"Oh!" Jane said in-between sniffles.

"Janie, I'm just so relieved that its over, I was beginning to have permanent fluttering of the nerves" Lizzy said in a teasing voice.

"Lizzy do be serious, the applause incredible, I'm so proud of you" Jane looked lovingly at her sister

"Yes the applause was incredible, but you must have seen how I slurred my way through some of the passages, I just hoped they wouldn't notice" Lizzy confided in her sister as they walked back stage.

"Lizzy you sounded Per-.." Jane was cut off by shouts coming from the distance.

"JANE! LIZZY! JANE! LIZZY! WAIT RIGHT THERE!" a familiar voice shouted as it weaved through the crowds.

They seen their uncles hair before they actually saw him, but soon enough he came into full view and the two ladies couldn't help but smile a little more. If there was one word to describe Henry Burton it would be eccentric. His hair was almost black with streaks of grey and always pointed in odd directions. His cheeks were puffy and his eyes a little bit droopy which made him look a bit like a Saint Bernard Dog. He was neither too tall nor too small or too fat nor too thin he was just Uncle Henry the mad eccentric who loved Music almost as much as he loved his Helena Burton.

"That was wonderful my dear! absolutely fantastic! I mean incredible! I just knew you could do it but I was blown away, the whole place was in awe, wasn't she wonderful Jane? We will be asked to go to Paris next but we'll probably be invaded by the French by then so maybe no; but I don't mind because that was amazing My Petal! Your Aunt Helena was in tears, the whole theatre was packed to the rafters, absolutely incredible!" Uncle Henry said in what seemed like once breath without pause, by the end he was bright red and about to continue much to the amusement of Lizzy and Jane who were used the their eccentric Uncle, when their aunt Helena approached them.

Helena Burton like her husband was a mad eccentric, who cared little for other's opinions. Her outfits often consisted of bright colours, with feathers attached and several different materials that didn't really go together but she somehow managed to pull off what would make other's look ridiculous with her signature eccentric attitude. Tonight she was wearing a head dress that had what appeared to be peacock feather and several ruffles. Lizzy wasn't sure she had seen such elaborate headwear even on her aunt before. Her gown was a mix of blue and orange which stood out amongst the other more traditional gowns of others present, but that was one of the things Lizzy loved about her aunt; the fact that like Lizzy she simply didn't care about what others thought of her.

"Lizzy dear spectacular performance! absolutely spectacular, the dress is magnificent but it could take some feathers or something to a little bit more exciting" Lizzy simply rolled her eyes whilst trying to contain a smile, if her aunt got her way her Uncle Henry would be wearing feathers as well.

"Jane sweetheart you look lovely too but some ruffles wouldn't go a miss" Jane did look beautiful but that wasn't unusual, she simply smiled serenely at her aunt.

"Well we should be moving along its getting rather crowded and I think mama and papa are waiting in my dressing room" Lizzy said as she held Jane's hand and fought through there throngs of people, most were saying congratulations and well done to her for the performance, Lizzy courteously said thank you to them all but moved quickly with Jane, Uncle Henry and Aunt Helena. They were nearing her dressing room when her Uncle stopped abruptly to greet someone.

"Lord and Lady Matlock what a pleasure, I hoped you enjoyed this glorious night?" Henry said to his old acquaintances

"Ah Burton as I was just saying to my wife it was one of the best nights out we've had in a long while" Lord Matlock said with a smile.

Lord Matlock was not too tall and rather round, but he had eyes that shone with happiness, and put all those in his presence at ease. His wife Lady Matlock reminded Lizzy of her Aunt Gardiner, she had a kindness about her that was apparent to all those in her company. She had sandy coloured hair with blue eyes and soft facial features, she was quite a handsome women. Behind her were three gentlemen who were all handsome. Lizzy and Jane found themselves suddenly blushing and neither knew why.

"Let me introduce my son Colonel Fitzwilliam, my nephew Mr Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire and their good friend Charles Bingley" Lord Matlock announced while looking affectionately at the men. All three men seemed somewhat distracted but muttered their responses.

Colonel Fitzwilliam looked like his mother with his sandy coloured hair and twinkling blue eyes, he had a tall and athletic figure which one would expect from a Colonel in the Army. He was looking happily between Jane and Lizzy drinking in their beauty. Mr Bingley had reddish blonde hair, his eyes where a hazel-green and seemed to shine with happiness, he was the same height as the colonel but a little thinner, Mr Bingley was looking at Jane like he would ask for her hand in marriage if he could. Mr Darcy however was the most dashing of the three, he had dark brown curly hair which like Uncle Henrys was a little unruly but seemingly looked perfectly styled. He was quite tall, taller than both Bingley and the Colonel but not by much. His face looked quite aristocratic with noble features but it was his eyes that were particularly handsome. He had dark brown eyes that could make a young lady weak at the knees especially with the unrelenting stare he was directing towards Lizzy.

"Lovely to meet you gentlemen, allow me to introduce my wife Helena and my nieces Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet" Henry said with his usual flare. All three ladies curtsied towards to gentlemen. Both Jane and Lizzy were trying to contain their blush.

"Miss Elizabeth may you allow me to tell you that you were wonderful tonight, I read in The Times that you had the Voice of an Angel but I never expected such a performance, we were all saying you were spectacular" Lady Matlock said in a soft kind voice.

Lizzy's hope to containing her blush were thwarted at such a compliment, she then blushed bright red and bowed her head to contain her embarrassment.

"Thank You Lady Matlock" Lizzy said softly.

"If you don't mind me asking I was wondering who taught you how to sing like that?" Lord asked in curiosity

Lizzy smiled "My uncle has been be tutoring me since I was but four"

"Well then Well done Henry! I didn't know you had such a gift at tutoring but you must have to perfect such a voice" Lord Matlock praised Henry

"While all this praise this fair and good, I feel we must leave you now as I have to return my two nieces back to their parents, so if you will excuse us Jonathan" Henry said to his old friend

Lord and Lady Matlock along with Helena all chuckled at Henry's embarrassment at a compliment and his willingness to go, all said their good byes and agreed that Lord and Lady Matlock would call on them the next day at the Burton Townhouse. As the two groups parted Jane and Lizzy were happy to escape the presence of such handsome gentlemen whilst the gentlemen were disappointed at the departure of two beautiful ladies. As Lizzy walked away with Jane she happened to look over her shoulder, she didn't know why she did but she did and she was shocked to find Mr Darcy rooted to the same spot staring at her. She was still blushing as she reached her dressing room.

As the curtain fell Darcy like the rest of the theatre was one his feet giving a rapturous applause, the Colonel was shouting "Bravo" and Bingley was cheering. Lady Matlock was wiping tears from her eyes and Lord Matlock was clapping like a seal. The performance was exquisite, Miss Elizabeth Bennet was exquisite. He was glad he had allowed his cousin and Friend to drag him to the Opera because he was sure that tomorrow the entire of London was going to be a buzz with news of the Opera. When the commotion had finely died down Lord Matlock said that he was an old acquaintance of the composer Henry Burton. Lord and Lady Matlock were patrons of the Opera and therefore could go backstage if they pleased. So as they walked backstage past all the various chorus girls who were giggling at something stupid no doubt, meanwhile Darcy was searching for Miss Bennet. A woman walked past him wearing a headpiece with more feathers than that on an actual peacock that nearly poked the Colonel's eye out.

"Darcy, look over there, God she has to be an angel" Bingley said in dreamlike voice.

Darcy looked over briefly to where Bingley was gapping, and to his surprise it was Miss Bennet and a blonde Lady who had already trapped Bingley under her spell. They two women were embracing each other and smiling as they talked, they then turned around and began to walk away, Darcy and Bingley were subconsciously walking towards them when Lady Matlock called them. Lord Matlock was off searching for someone in the crowd. A man with mad hair walked briskly past them and started shouting "JANE LIZZY, JANE LIZZY, WAIT RIGHT THERE!" and to Darcy and Bingley's surprise both ladies immediately stopped walking and turned around smiling.

"Jane" Bingley said with a happy sigh with a big grin on his face, apparently in a world of his own. Darcy turned to look at his friend and couldn't help but smile, the man was a fool in love and it was always amusing to watch. Beside Darcy the Colonel was laughing outright at Bingley who seemed to be in a trance. Even Lady Matlock who had become quite fond of Bingley but knew of his ways couldn't help but roll her eyes and fight a smile. Lord Matlock made his way over to the group and mumbled something about could not find somebody or something. He turned towards his Bingley and saw the stupid grin on his face.

"Is he in love again?" Lord Matlock looked at Darcy with a knowing look. Darcy simply nodded, he was both amused and aggravated at Bingley's actions. Which normally resulted in a brief infatuation and after a certain period he would fall in love with the new 'love of his life, which he simply couldn't live without'. These infatuations would last around four- six weeks and end with some sort of disaster which was usually cleaned up by Darcy.

"Did you find him my love?" Lady Matlock asked her husband whilst looking around herself.

"No, unfortunately my dear I did not see him" Lord Matlock said whilst shaking his head.

"See who Mother?" Richard asked finally taking interest in the search.

"Henry Burton, the Composer. You remember him? Indeed you must for he is near impossible to forget" Lady Matlock chuckled thinking of the eccentric Mr Burton.

"Is that the man whose wife Helen always wears those ridiculous outfits" Richard said when he finally realized who his parents were referring too.

"Mrs Burton's name is Helena and her style is eclectic not ridiculous" Lady Matlock chided her youngest son, who simply rolled his eyes in response.

"Oh look Alice there's the Burtons over their!" Lord Matlock said already on the move. He turned around and ushered the rest of his party like they were a sheep. Darcy and Bingley, whose eyes had barley left the two young ladies where slightly aware that they were moving. Then only began to realize this when the two ladies in question began to come closer. The man with the mad hair or Mr Burton as everyone else referred to him as turned around when his name was called bringing himself and his group to a stop. Darcy's uncle made the introductions between the two groups. Darcy and Bingley were barely responsive the Colonel a bit more but not by much. Bingley was fixated on his new Angel whilst Darcy was trying to determine the colour of Miss Elizabeth's eyes. He found such a task difficult to carry out due to that glorious blush that developed across Miss Elizabeth's cheeks. All too soon though their meeting was over and the two groups parted away. Darcy however remained in place like a statue and watched Miss Elizabeth's beautiful silhouette disappear, not before she turned her head back to look at him. Darcy smiled one of his rare smiles. Yes tonight had been a very good night indeed.