Darcy stepped forward among the crowd -- he stuck out like a sore thumb with his jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers. He bowed down to greet me and we both laughed.

He held my hand as we got into a taxi. As we drove away, I thought about all the girls who were going to prom tonight. They may have been happy with their fake eyelashes and hair extensions. But that wasn't what I wanted.

What Darcy and I had was better than any prom or custom couture dress.

Because what we had was real.

Acknowledgments

EVEN THOUGH MY NAME APPEARS ON THE COVER, THERE ARE so many people responsible for this book in your hands.

I'm so lucky to have one of the best editors in the business, David Levithan. Thank you for your constant support of my writing. I don't know how you do all that you do. You are truly an inspiration, my friend. Although I'm still not entirely convinced that you are human.

Jodi Reamer, my fearless agent, was in my corner years before I was even published. Thank you for staying with me and still talking to me even after reading all those awful drafts.

Bushels of gratitude to everybody at Scholastic, especially: Erin Black for revisiting Miss Austen with me, Elizabeth B. Parisi for a fabulous cover design, Susan Jeffers Casel for your copyediting brilliance, Sheila Marie Everett for not taking it personally when I bust out laughing when I introduce her as my publicist, Leslie Garych, Tracy van Straaten, Julie Amitie, Emily Sharpe, and all of the sales reps for their constant enthusiasm.

I bow down to Bethany Strout and Jennifer Leonard for once again giving me such thoughtful reader's comments. I really appreciate you both taking the time to help me with this story. I can pretty much guarantee that I'll be bugging you both again. This is what you get for being so good!

I would be lost without Kirk Benshoff (Violet's Dad) and his amazing website design and tech expertise. Seriously, I'd be curled up under my desk if it weren't for you! I'm also lucky to have a great friend and blog proofreader in Natalie Thrasher.

I'm grateful to have such a wonderful support system of friends and family who understand when Author Elizabeth goes into hiding to write. I'd especially like to thank Stephenie Meyer for being so enthusiastic for my writer life and having that conversation about Pride and Prejudice that led me to the idea for this book.

To all the booksellers, librarians, and bloggers who have supported me as an author -- I know how many books are out there and I'm truly honored when anybody picks mine up. Thank you for giving me a chance.

And of course there's Jane, the lovely Miss Austen. No one could ever touch what you have created. Prom and Prejudice is simply my attempt to pay homage to your brilliant work and to celebrate you as what you will forever be known as -- one of the greatest authors of all time.

About the Author

Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Wisconsin before heading off to college in Syracuse and making a career in the New York City book biz. As the author of The Lonely Hearts Club, she tried swearing off boys, but it didn't work. She lives outside of Manhattan with her three guitars, two keyboards, and one drumstick, and online at www.elizabetheulberg.com.