//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9 
// Story: Pride and Prejudice and Ponies 
// by arglefumph 
//------------------------------//

The following day, Mrs. Bennet offered to take Pinkie Pie into town for some shopping. Sweetie Belle begged to go along, and when Rarity heard Spike would remain at home, she asked to join the party.

Mrs. Bennet was reluctant to let Sweetie Belle and Rarity accompany her and Pinkie Pie, and the reason for this soon became apparent. They were no more than two minutes away from home, when the group encountered Shining Armor. Mrs. Bennet promptly fainted.

"Oh, dear me!" Mrs. Bennet said. "I am dizzy today!"

"We can take you home," Rarity said.

"NO!" Mrs. Bennet shouted. "I mean, ahem, I do not wish to spoil Pinkie's trip. If only there were a handsome stallion who could serve as her guardian!"

She looked pointedly at Shining Armor, who adjusted his uniform. "I could watch over your daughters," he offered.

"Such a gentleman!" Mrs. Bennet said.

"It's no real bother," Shining said. "I was actually on my way to meet a friend in town."

Mrs. Bennet heartily thanked Shining Armor and told him to keep a very close eye on Pinkie Pie. As she left for home, Mrs. Bennet whispered to Rarity, "Don't ruin your sister's chances." Rarity groaned.

Once Mrs. Bennet was gone, Pinkie Pie sidled up next to Shining Armor. In a happy voice voice, Pinkie said, "So...Shining. Mom said that you like pink ponies!"

"I do," Shining Armor said, taking a step away from Pinkie. "My fiancee, Cadance, is pink."

"Oh," Pinkie Pie said, disappointed. "I didn't know you were engaged." Under her breath, she muttered, "Figures."

"The wedding is going to be in the spring," Shining said. "I'm sure Twilight will want me to invite all of you to come."

"Can I be the flower filly?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Sure!" Shining Armor said.

"Yay!" Sweetie Belle said. She started bouncing with happiness, like her older sister Pinkie usually did.

As the group walked towards town, they chatted about various things. Shining Armor explained that Victorian's Secret, the stallions-only clothing store in Ponyville, was having a large sale that day. Indeed, there seemed to be more stallions walking around town than usual. This, Rarity supposed, was the reason her mother wanted her daughters outside.

Shining Armor apologized, when they reached a store known as Snowflake's Saddles. This was the scheduled location for him to meet up with his friend. They explored the shop for a few minutes until Shining's friend appeared.

Rarity's jaw dropped as she saw Shining's friend approach. He was definitely worth the wait. The stallion's appearance was greatly in his favor; he had all the best part of beauty, a good figure and very pleasing address. He smiled greatly as he was introduced to the ladies.

"Good day," said he, "I am Mr. Wickham."

Rarity let out a giggle, as he kissed her hoof. Why can't I have suitors like this stallion, instead of suitors like Spike? she wondered.

Mr. Wickham was a unicorn from the Canterlot area, which is where he met Shining Armor. He claimed to be stopping through town on minor business, although he did not say what sort of business he was involved in. Rarity found him to be a most welcome addition to the party, with his sophisticated air and impressive tone.

As luck would have it, Rarity got to spend a good deal of time, talking with Mr. Wickham, because her two sisters constantly got distracted by shopping. Rarity did not mind this one bit. The more she talked with him, the more she liked him. Unlike many other stallions, he listened attentively when she discussed her fashion and clothing designs.

It was almost as if somepony had reached into Rarity's dreams and found the perfect stallion for her, except...well, there was a curious incident with Mr. Wickham about halfway through the trip.

At this time, the group was going down the road, when in the other direction, they saw Big Macintosh ambling along with his friend, Mr. Darcy. As the two groups grew near, Mr. Darcy caught sight of Rarity and resolutely determined not to fix his eyes upon her. He looked to the left and saw Mr. Wickham.

The effect on both stallions was astonishing. Mr. Darcy's monocle fell off, while Mr. Wickham bit his lip and turned red. He nodded slightly, and Darcy tipped his hat a short distance.

What just happened here? Rarity wondered.

Only Rarity noticed the exchange between the two gentlecolts, because the group's attention was upon Big Macintosh. He earnestly asked how Fluttershy was doing. He was much relieved to hear that she was feeling quite well.

"Do you think she will be going to Netherfield on Tuesday?" he asked.

"Of course!" Sweetie Belle said. "We all are!"

"Yeah, it's going to be great!" Pinkie Pie said.

"I'm sure it will be," Mr. Macintosh said. "Now if you'll excuse us, Darcy and I must be off."

The two of them left, and Rarity saw a hardened glare on Mr. Darcy's face as he passed. She turned to Wickham, whose face was blank and inscrutable. After a few seconds, he shook his head.

"Netherfield," Mr. Wickham said. "Isn't that a few towns over? Why would Mr. Macintosh want to know about that?"

"The Netherfield Ball is on Tuesday," Shining said. "It's a big event around here."

"A ball?" Mr. Wickham asked.

"It's a great party!" Pinkie Pie said. "Almost everypony attends! And it's fun meeting all the ponies who live in Netherfield!"

"I would like to go myself, but alas, I do not have an escort," Rarity said. She fluttered her eyelashes at Mr. Wickham. "It does seem like it would be a lovely time."

He smiled gently. "As long as you are there, Miss Rarity, I am sure the ball cannot be anything other than lovely. I would be honored to escort you."

Rarity smiled genuinely, the strange moment between Wickham and Darcy forgotten. "That is most kind of you, Mr. Wickham!"

"Please," he said, gazing into Rarity's eyes. "Call me Blueblood."