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

you there is no fear of impropriety here! Not amongst such good friends! In London nothing of the kind would suit. Oh no sir, it would not suit at all. But here in the country we may be more casual. Do you often dance at St. James, Mr. Darcy?”
     
    “ Almost never.” As Sir Lucas would clearly be of no assistance, he’d rather not continue the conversation.
     
    “ Well your friend performs delightfully,” noting Bingley, with a nod in his direction, taking a place across from Jane Bennet in the impromptu set.
     
    “ Just like him,” Darcy thought in irritation.
     
    “ I am sure you are adept at the science yourself, Mr. Darcy,” the older man went on. Darcy only nodded in reply, hoping to put an end to his interminable chatter. But just as he began to plot his escape from Sir Lucas, unexpectedly the man himself offered a very pleasant one. Elizabeth was at that moment walking by and he called out to her, fueled by the gossip to which he, too, was of course privy, to perform what he considered an inspired feat of gallantry, becoming his role as host and title of Knight. “My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady as a very desirable partner.”
     
    Sir Lucas smiled knowingly at the two as Elizabeth blushed deeply, causing Darcy to move to alleviate her discomfort, “Perhaps Miss Elizabeth would prefer to join me for some refreshment?” She smiled her consent and they moved off towards the tea things, leaving Sir Lucas content that he had done his share to further the budding romance that was the talk of the neighborhood.
     
    Darcy and Elizabeth surveyed the typical topics of polite conversation as they sat in a quiet corner over their tea. The weather, their health, and that of their relatives was discussed in form. Upon inquiry, Darcy went into some detail regarding his sister’s pursuits before they fell into silence, not an uncomfortable one, mind you, but a companionable silence which Elizabeth, increasingly alarmed by the notable attentions they were receiving from her neighbors, chose to interrupt with this odd little pronouncement: “Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to apologize for the behavior of my many well-intended well wishers. While they will misconstrue our interactions, I wish to assure you that I understand the nature of our friendship, appreciate it, and seek no further claim on your affections.” Perhaps she was driven by a perverse impulse to thwart Charlotte’s earlier suggestions or by a desire to bolster her weakening defenses against possible future disappointment. Either way, Elizabeth smiled at Mr. Darcy sheepishly as she concluded, feeling quite nervous at her own boldness in initiating such a frank topic of conversation.
     
    Darcy managed to return the smile despite his dismay. How shocking that he should feel so hurt by her words when he himself had been desperately searching for a way to address the same awkward subject! Gathering himself he replied, “There is no need for you to apologize for the actions of those you cannot control. I am well aware of the, ah,” hesitating for a moment, ”excitement should I say? that people often exhibit towards me. Whether I like it or not, I’m always being subjected to some kind of matchmaking scheme or another.” He flushed at the acknowledgment, once again surprised by how unconstrained he felt with Elizabeth. Never with any woman other than Georgiana, and once his mother, had he discussed his highly desirable (or, in the latter case, incipient) bachelorhood.
     
    Elizabeth was overcome by regret for her words and the discomfort, which she so easily perceived behind Mr. Darcy’s calm mien, that they had caused. She felt an enormous desire to sooth and protect him from the worries of his status. “So much for emergency defenses!” she thought, ridiculing her own foolishness and scolding herself into better behavior. This was Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, after all. She was the