The room was filled with a thick aroma of perfume and wine. The bustling sound of people dancing and rich laughter filled the air. Candles gave the room a soft glow. The sound of a piano accompanied the dancers in the main ballroom. In a separate room down the hallway, a group of men gathered around a table in the dim lighting with cards in one hand and a cigar in the other.
The smell lingered into the hall and lured Elizabeth Bennet in. She stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the crowd of men with her white satin gown and gloves to match. Her hair was pulled up with pearls strewn about so it framed her face to show off her lightly rosy cheeks.
She inhaled the smell of the smoke and stayed close to the wall of the room to watch the men laugh immaturely and throw around insults as they stayed completely engrossed in their gambling.
She was particularly interested in one man who sat farthest away from her. His face was emotionless; his lips were cast in a stone cold appearance. He had the perfect countenance for bluffing. His dark eyes wandered around the table as if he was carefully reading each man.
"I do say Mr. Darcy, you haven't spoken a word since you've been at the table and yet, you've managed to make the biggest impact on the game." One very tall thin man said as he inhaled on his cigar.
Mr. Darcy didn't seem to care that he was being spoken to. Instead, he brushed the mans words off his shoulder and stared down at his cards. Elizabeth pursed her lips together as she watched his impolite actions. The tall man went on to continue speaking.
"And you have such a serious face Mr. Darcy. I've been playing cards for years now; I've never had trouble reading a man until tonight."
A compliment was being given and he didn't even acknowledge that it was being directed at him. Not with words, or the slightest gesture such as a nod or a twitch of the lip which for him, would be considered a smile.
"Tell me, Mr. Darcy, how long have you been playing cards now?"
At this, Elizabeth gave a smirk and she contained a laugh for she knew that he was cornered. He would have to answer now that he was being asked a direct question. Indeed, Mr. Darcy was rude, cold, and ungrateful at first impression. But nevertheless, he was a gentleman in some odd fashion.
"Only a few years." He said in a flat tone. His answer was very short and he almost sounded as if he was irritated by the conversation.
"I must commend you for how well you play the hand in which you are dealt."
He looked down at his cards and then up again in a sharp and jolting manner. Elizabeth was staring him straight in the eyes and he froze instantly. The other men noticed his impulsive behavior and turned to see what he was now looking at. Elizabeth tilted her chin down in a slight nod at some of the men in the room without changing the expression on her flawless face.
Mr. Darcy stood immediately as he placed the cards face down on the table. The rest of the men remained seated in the room as they watched rather curiously at the two of them.
"Miss Elizabeth, I do apologize. I must not have heard you enter the room."
"It's quite alright Mr. Darcy. You seem to not notice a lot these days; like the compliments that were being given to you this evening." Elizabeth said with a slightly displeased frown.
Mr. Darcy lowered his gaze a bit and he swallowed.
"I'm quite sorry to barge in on your game gentleman, but if I recall correctly, Mr. Darcy owes me a dance and he has delayed it for two hours. I beg for your forgiveness, but I'm afraid I must steal him away so he can redeem himself and not be called a liar amongst those who knew that he promised me a charming dance. Do excuse us." She said in a cool manner.
Mr. Darcy gave a slight nod towards the men seated at the table as he quickly walked towards Elizabeth and offered her his arm, which she took. The two of them exited the room and began to walk towards the ballroom.
"You really don't know where you belong at a formal party do you Miss Elizabeth?" He said in a highly annoyed tone.
"And you, Mr. Darcy, really don't know how to keep a promise." She said as she smiled at the people she passed in the hall.
"I hadn't forgotten about my promise to you. You know these parties go well into the night and we still had a long while before the night came to an end. I was simply indulging in a game of cards."
"We were having a very pleasant conversation earlier this evening. I asked you to dance with me and to which you replied, 'I will be only a short moment. I must get something to drink first.' And I don't ever remember someone taking two hours to consume some wine Mr. Darcy."
They walked at a slow pace. He continued looking straight ahead at the end of the seemingly long hallway as she stared intently at his features. His dark brown hair was tousled as if he had been riding on horseback moments prior to this discussion. His chin came to a very defined point and the collar of his jacket reached up to his neck.
He drew in a heavy sigh as closed his eyes. It was becoming clear to Elizabeth that he was arguing with her in his head.
"Pardon me Miss Elizabeth for taking a lengthy time to drink wine and converse with the people at this extravagant party." He said in an almost sarcastic tone.
"You don't converse with people Mr. Darcy. You intimidate them with your bursting energy. And how many times must I tell you to address me as Elizabeth? There is no need for such formal titles."
"Maybe so, but even still, you are a fine young woman and as a gentleman, it is my role to treat you as such."
She gave a forced laugh and this time she looked down the hallway almost longing for the ending to be near.
"On the contrary, you certainly don't act like a gentleman and you do everything but treat me like a woman Mr. Darcy."
She was almost frightened when he grabbed her arm in a harsh manner and quickly stormed into the nearest empty room. There was almost no lighting and only the pale moonlight that flooded through the window provided limited vision. A desk and chair were at the far corner of the room. He pulled her in and slammed the door behind him. She was completely speechless as she watched his face for hints as to what he may do.
He walked towards her slowly, his face very serious. He backed her against the wall. Elizabeth's breathing began to speed up and she could smell the lingering scent of the cigars on his coat. He placed his large hands on her shoulders with enough force to cause her to be stationary, but still gentle enough making sure that he did not hurt her.
"You think I'm emotionless, not a gentleman, and that I disregard that you are a woman? Fine, I'll show you a spontaneous and bold man who could give little concern about your wishes and morals."
Before she could protest, he had one hand behind her neck and the other placed on her cheek. Her back was fully against the wall and he was pressing into her. He then pressed his lips to hers with some force as he kissed her. His breath was hot and he pulled her back from the wall and pushed her closer to him as he continued kissing her.
She tried to pry his hands free from her. At first, she was outraged. Simply infuriated that he had to be so dramatic and irrational. And then, she realized that this was something that she had been longing for. She had always secretly hoped that Mr. Darcy would fancy more than just a dance with her. And now, her secret fantasies were becoming reality.
Elizabeth moved her hands from Darcy's as she finally stopped fighting against him and placed them on his shoulders and then upon his waist. His hand moved firmly to the back of her head to draw her in even closer as the other hand moved to the base of her neck.
Her heart was pounding and her breathing was beyond control. This was also true for Mr. Darcy, and he too had been craving for a moment such as this one. After a few minutes, Darcy broke the kissing. He pulled away, his eyes opened and focused on Elizabeth who had not yet opened hers.
He watched her reactions and read every little detail on her face like a book. Her lips were slightly parted, and he could tell even in the very little light that her cheeks were flushed. Her chest rose and fell with each breath that she took and her body was barely trembling.
She opened her eyes and caught her breath. Mr. Darcy then very gently placed his hand on her cheek and kissed her forehead. He then softly spoke to her.
"Despite my bold and rare actions, I will still act like a gentleman and treat you how every desirable, beautiful, young woman should be treated for most of the time, Miss Elizabeth Bennett."
And he took her by the arm and led her to the ballroom to give her the dance she had been awaiting.