A Frankness Of Character

by Jpeters217

She's convinced he is wholly unsuitable to be called a gentleman. He's convinced she must suffer from a derangement of the acutest kind to arrive at such a conclusion. Does Darcy's early set down at Lucas Lodge provide our favorite couple a shorter path to happiness? Or shall our couple be detoured on a longer road to happily ever after, both determined to convince themselves the

2. Chapter 2

Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Truly I was amazed at all of the support. I decided to add a little to chapter one (above chapter two). Sorry about that. I'm a very new writer.

End of Chapter One

To the misfortune of both Darcy and Elizabeth, Lady Lucus had heard both the insult and the interpretation. If any person in all of Hertfordshire could boost a better ability than Mrs. Bennet to keep the neighborhood well informed it was indeed Lady Lucus. Though like all Christian ladies, she decried the work of the gossips, she delighted in ensuring the neighborhood was well informed. The two occupations were quite separate by her own understanding and so she proceeded to tell the tale.

Chapter 2

Dacy, who suffered a lack of sleep for the careful review of Elizabeth Bennet's words, was determined to call at Longbourne the following day. Upon consideration of her words, he realized that he indeed had not acted as a gentleman at the Assembly. Had said words been applied to any other, he likely would have concurred with her arguments, had they not been so ill applied to himself. The fault surely lay with her understanding. Little though he cared for her good opinion, it felt incumbent upon him to preserve his family's good name. Whatever fault he found with her manner (or logic for that matter) he would, in his own mind, act the gentleman.

Mrs. Bennett, who was thankfully absent from Longbourn, (lest she take notice of his call and determine he meant to marry Jane), was calling on Lady Lucas. Being unaware of Mr. Darcy's call she was unable to inform the neighborhood of what she would have interpreted as a fierce competition between two suitors. For this lady's imagination was very rapid indeed; often jumping from an interaction of no consequence to admiration, and then from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in but a moment. At the very least, our dear couple was spared her interpretation of Darcy's call.

Mr. Bennett who was studiously seeing to the business of ignoring his responsibilities found himself interrupted by Mr. Darcy's call. Having no idea who the man was, he granted Hill permission to show him in, with the hope said caller would absent himself shortly.

Mr. Darcy promptly introduced himself, with the same haughty mein he often presented in company.

" I believe sir, you are the friend of Mr. Bingley's who insulted my poor Lizzy. Now I recall your name. I should have been inclined to find you most agreeable, as I would have had to hear not of your dance partners, had you not made the error of declaring your disinclination for such amusements in a way that instigated five times the talk any dance would have. Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call? " Declared Mr. Bennett who was most anxious to get rid of him, and have his library to himself.

"Sir, it's for those very words which I have come to offer my apologies."

"Fear not Mr. Darcy, Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then. It is something to think of, and gives her a sort of distinction among her companions."

Darcy, unfamiliar with his dry wit and having not the pleasure of understanding him, was determined to steer the conversation back to his original intent, hoping this man didn't seriously consider him a suitor. He proceeded to outline both his insult and her interpretation of events.

"Mr. Darcy, Do I have the pleasure of understanding you correctly? You insulted my Lizzy. My Lizzy then rejected you as a dance partner, preferring to sit out. Then you found yourself thus insulted by her interpretation of your insults?"

"Sir. I wish to apologize to your daughter and disabuse her of any notions she may have acquired through lack of understanding," replied Mr. Dacy, ready to defend his character.

If it would not have prevented further amusement, the elder gentleman would have been unable to control his mirth. Knowing full well his Lizzy would provide a great deal of diversion he merely said " Well Mr. Darcy, For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn? I shall call for Elizebeth."

For Mr. Bennet's part, he was quite convinced he had not a book in his library with the potential to be half as entertaining as this morning's diversions promised to be and found himself quite happy to settle in for the show.