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

second daughter of Longbourn and the master of Pemberley need span lineage, society, and ten thousand pounds! No small feat indeed. But if marriage was not a probable outcome, it was still a possibility. It may cause Elizabeth some heartache but Charlotte would do whatever she could to improve the odds. She began by asking Elizabeth to entertain the company on the pianoforte, knowing her friend played with a charming and unaffected air, if not always with the utmost proficiency. Charlotte was rightfully gratified when her efforts produced a small but sincere smile of admiration on Mr. Darcy’s face. If only it hadn’t faded so quickly when Mary succeeded to her sister’s seat! The middle Bennet sister was far more diligent in her practice than Elizabeth but had failed to achieve the same natural grace at the instrument. Her performance was pedantic: the lengthy concerto causing her audience more strain than pleasure. Mr. Darcy listened politely despite his distaste for the display.
     
    Mary sat not comfortably but leaning forward at an awkward angle, straining to read her music as her hands moved stiffly across the keys. Though she strove to focus all her attention on the complicated piece, she could not but be aware that her audience was not fully attentive. For perhaps the thousandth time she wished she had the easy manner of her elder sister. If only the world would appreciate her mastery of music more than her appearance when playing! She determined to allot an additional half hour to her daily practice and redoubled her efforts to block out the increasingly noisy room, hunching yet further over the key board in the process.
     
    The polite applause at the end of the piece soothed Mary, who chose to interpret it as a demonstration of some members of the party’s good taste. Lydia put herself forward with a call for dancing. Mary felt that Scotch and Irish airs were frivolous but was flattered by the request to retain her station as performer and so obliged. “A lady must always be accommodating,” she thought to herself with a slight smile before commencing.
     
    Along with some of the Lucases and two or three of the officers from the _______ Shire Militia, recently quartered in Meryton for the winter, Lydia and Kitty excitedly rushed to form a set. The latter, however, felt her glee somewhat checked when she noticed Mr. Darcy frowning severely in her direction. That gentleman had been lauded by her mother as the most distinguished man in the kingdom and while she remained happy to indulge her high spirits in an impromptu dance with a dashing officer in his red coat, she could not help feeling subdued by Mr. Darcy’s display of censure. Lydia, oblivious to most things, continued to carry on as raucously as ever.
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
    “ Surely these girls are not ready for public display,” thought Darcy. “They should be in the school room learning proper decorum, not unleashed to wreck havoc on polite society!” The flirtatiousness of one of the young Bennets was particularly unnerving. He could not recall which girl was Kitty and which Lydia but he had the uncomfortable feeling that the one laughing shrilly while tripping into the arms of her partner was the youngest. Younger even than his sister Georgiana! Such were Darcy’s reflections when Sir William Lucas decided to share with him his approbation for the dancers.
     
    “ What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing after all. I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished societies.”
     
    “ But surely, sir, you cannot believe that such spontaneous antics should be instigated by the very youngest of a party?” He hoped someone, anyone, would assert some restraint on their activities. Nothing good could possibly derive from such neglected manners, especially in young women! This he knew all too well.
     
    “ I see where you are Mr. Darcy, I do indeed sir, and let me assure