Chapter 3
I sat down in an unoccupied chair and drank some water. I did not know how tiring dancing was. Jane sat down next to me with a huge smile on her face.
"Did you see me out there? I was actually beginning to master the steps." She laughed and adjusted a loose piece of hair. "You looked as if you were enjoying the company of Miss Bingley. Am I correct in that statement?"
"She is indeed a lovely dancer. Much better than I could ever hope to be." I just stared at all of the bodies moving to the fast pace music and felt glad I was not one of them.
"Who is that brooding man in the distance? He seems quite displeased." I shifted my gaze to follow hers.
"He is Fitzwilliam Darcy. A most unpleasant fellow who I think made a wrong first impression with our dear mother."
"Darcy! Bingley told me about him. Apparently they are good friends and Darcy is staying with them."
"To see Mr. Darcy on multiple occasions? I do not think I could bear that!"
"Charles says he has a tough exterior but inside he is quite lovely."
"He did not did not seem that way earlier."
"You had a conversation with him? Oh Jack please tell me. Did he say anything about Charles? About his character?" Her eyes grew wide and I could tell she was really interested in the man who captivated her attention.
"He actually never mentioned the Bingley's, just his dislike of the event." I glanced back in his direction and for a brief moment our eyes met. Every noise around me turned into a dull murmur. After holding my gaze he dropped his eyes to the floor and he turned to go into the next room. I then suddenly felt as if I could breathe again and I did not even know that I was holding my breath. I shook off this feeling and focused back on my sister.
"Jack Bennet, did you heard anything I just said?"
"I'm sorry Jane, could you please say that again?"
"Oh brother, I feel like talking to you sometimes is like talking to a brick wall." She then stood up and flattened her dress and walked into the crowd.
As we were getting ready to depart the ball, I stepped outside to get some fresh air. I looked up at the stars and longed to be somewhere far away from all the pressure of marriage.
"So I see you had the same idea as me." I turn around to see Darcy coming out of the shadows. He has a slight smirk on his face.
"It seems like it. Couldn't' stand it much longer. Too much mess."
"I knew I was not the only man who thought that. The society we live in can be arduous." He looked up to the night sky. The dim light from the hall illuminated the contours in his cheeks and I forced myself to look away. "I see your sister is becoming fairly well acquainted with Charles."
"Yes, she seems quite infatuated and I believe he is so as well."
"Indeed it would seem." At this he looked rather disturbed. Did he not approve of my dear sister? I would be appalled if he said no.
"Are you leaving?" I asked.
"Yes for it is getting late. I must return to Georgiana." What? Who was this? For some reason my heart sank with this knowledge.
"Oh lovely."
"She is my sister." He slyly looked at me with a smirk. It would soon become his signature.
"Is she younger than you?"
"Yes, are you interested in making her acquaintance?" He raised his eyebrows.
"No! Sorry, I mean I would be pleased." I rubbed the back of the neck and sighed. "Better go check on my family. It is very late." I nodded and turned to leave when his voice suddenly caused me to stop abruptly.
"Do you enjoy horseback riding, Jack?"
"Why yes I enjoy it very much. I used to have a horse when my grandmother was alive."
"Maybe someday we can go riding together." He smiled and put on his hat and entered a waiting carriage. I watched as the carried drove away with the mysterious figure known as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. I know my mother would be excited to hear that the man has a sister and undoubtedly want me to befriend her. I yet found myself more curious about this man than I ever had been about any woman.
