First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the latter lady exclaimed upon introduction. “I cannot tell you how I have longed to make your acquaintance, ever since you favored my dear little Lizzy with your hand at the assembly! I cannot account for how we managed to miss each other.” Darcy noticed Elizabeth look away and slightly redden. Amused, he wondered if she had somehow maneuvered his previous avoidance of this connection. “And may I say, my dear sir, that you are just as handsome and distinguished as Lizzy claimed. How much she has told us of you!”
     
    “ Mama!” Elizabeth exclaimed, her complexion a deeper shade of red. Darcy had a hard time believing it himself, but he found he was forced to stifle a great snort of laughter. In the idea of Miss Elizabeth carrying on about a man in such a way, let alone allowing such a loquacious family to be privy to any feelings she might have in that quarter, he found much humor. All with eyes could see that Elizabeth Bennet, like Fitzwiliam Darcy, highly valued her privacy. Admonishing himself for such unaccustomed humor, he focused on feeling sorry for Elizabeth’s predicament as her mother rambled on. It wasn’t until later, when he retired for the evening, that Darcy realized he had entirely forgotten, so concerned was he for Elizabeth, to feel on his own behalf the embarrassment of being assaulted by the most blatantly matchmaking mother he had ever had the misfortune to encounter. How remarkable (and gratifying) that mother and daughter should be so dramatically different!
     
    Despite her awkward family, every encounter between Elizabeth and Darcy strengthened the latter’s opinion of this Hertforshire lady. One might argue that in a limited society, the few people of intelligence will naturally seek each other’s company. Together they find a reprieve from the folly of lesser minds. This is, in fact, a line of reasoning both Darcy and Elizabeth frequently employed during this time as a rationalization for their mutual attraction. But while Darcy had the solace of his two incontestable facts to rely on, Elizabeth had only her fear of disappointment in love with which to guard her heart, a stalwart but still pregnable form of defense.
     
    “ Not you too!” she was forced to admonish her friend, Charlotte Lucas, upon being questioned about her feelings for Mr. Darcy. “From so many others I expect such fanciful notions, not from my practical Charlotte!”
     
    “ There is no use denying it Eliza. What other woman does he notice? Only Mr. Bingley could be more overt in his attentions.”
     
    “ What a comparison to make! I assure you Mr. Darcy and I are friendly, nothing more, while Mr. Bingley, as you can see, is most decided in his portrayal of a lover.”
     
    “ Bingley likes your sister, undoubtedly. But he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on. The same is true for you and Mr. Darcy.” It was the evening of Sir William Lucas’ party and the eldest daughter of the house was determined to not allow her best friend to waste such an opportunity for advantageous marriage as that packaged in the form of Mr. Darcy. “My mother is full of your mother’s tales of the notice he has paid you. If you make sure he knows how agreeable you find his companionship – and come now Eliza, how could you not? – it will assist his inclination towards you to grow.”
     
    “ Charlotte, I am not in pursuit of Mr. Darcy! Indeed, I am convinced that our current friendliness depends upon that fact. Nothing would put an end to our civilities faster than my displaying romantic attachment. Mr. Darcy has too much honor to toy with a lady’s affections.”
     
    Charlotte needed no more information – had Elizabeth felt nothing but the friendship she professed for Mr. Darcy, she never would have even considered the consequences of sharing that sentiment with him. The situation was difficult and Charlotte sympathized with Elizabeth’s desire to protect herself. After all, a bridge between the