So... let's see where this goes. Enjoy reading :)
© 2020 Zest Layne
Five
The last time Elizabeth Bennet encountered Mr Darcy, she had promised herself to step up her ploy. Now, however, as she sat down on a chair in the room her elder sister occupied at Netherfield, she couldn't help but think that she wasn't doing what she'd promised.
It all started three days ago when Uncle Gardiner had asked for her twin brother's assistant regarding the new estate he purchased. Uncle Gardiner was dealing with his business and his steward had nowhere to turn to at the moment so he felt it best if Francis was there to help her Aunt Gardiner. Of course, so her father wouldn't get suspicious, she had gone to London with her brother. The two of them, after all, had always been called together when it came to matters regarding the estate.
When they got back yesternight, the news that had greeted them was of no good. Jane was sick at Netherfield. Apparently, her sister had taken the carriage when she departed. Halfway there, however, they had encountered Apollo, Lizzy's beloved horse, who had escaped from the stables – again. Seeing as Apollo was as stubborn as his owner, only selected people could calm him down.
Jane had ridden Apollo on the way to Netherfield and had sent the carriage back to Longbourn. Unfortunately, the two of them had been caught up by the rain, hence the reason why Jane had gotten sick.
After being informed of this, it was only natural that Lizzy had headed for Netherfield the next morning. Without her horse to accompany her, Lizzy had arrived at Netherfield, with her dress six inches deep in the mud. And while she quite enjoyed the horrified looks of the Bingley sisters, it was not exactly part of her plan. How was she supposed to attract Mr Darcy when her hem was practically dirty? How was she supposed to teach those superior sisters a lesson if she looked unseemly?
But Lizzy had excused herself for her failing on that part since her elder sister's health and Apollo's condition were far more important. What Lizzy could not excuse herself from, however, was her behaviour towards Mr Darcy since her arrival.
After checking on Jane, she had changed into a new dress lent by Miss Bingley. Unfortunately for that woman who couldn't seem to understand the sentence 'My name is Elizabeth and not Eliza,' the dress she had lent to Elizabeth was not unflattering. In fact, if she didn't know any better, Lizzy would've thought that Caroline Bingley was helping her plans. The coral coloured gown suited Lizzy well.
The only downside of wearing Miss Bingley's clothes was that they felt too tight on Elizabeth. It was also slightly longer but Lizzy didn't mind that. What she minded, however, was the fact that she could barely breathe.
Really, this shouldn't have surprised Lizzy at all. Having a more… generous bosom than her sisters, borrowing gowns had always been a problem. If Lizzy were to lend a gown to Jane or Mary, it would be a little loose on their chest area and if she was the one to borrow from them, the bodice would be too tight.
Thank goodness Hannah, one of Netherfield's maids, was good with sewing and adjusted Miss Bingley's gown for her. It was not as tight on her anymore but there was another problem. Whenever she leaned forward, the gown seemed to lower on its own, showing more of her chest than she felt comfortable with.
'It looked like I was supposed to watch my movements from now on. Hopefully, I wouldn't forget that I have to restrict my movements. On the bright side, at least I could now breathe easily.'
God-willing, her trunks would be delivered tomorrow as soon as the rain stopped. It had rained the minute she was about to depart for Longbourn and Mr Bingley had offered for Lizzy to stay at Netherfield. Not really having a choice since it was nature who wanted to keep her there and still worried for Jane's and Apollo's state, Lizzy agreed.
And why wouldn't she? This also gave her some time to spend with Mr Darcy. Perhaps she could accomplish her plan during her stay so she could be over with it and forget about the man.
Anyway, back to the inexcusable things that Lizzy had done since the beginning of her stay, it was all Mr Darcy's fault. Lizzy didn't know what had gotten into her. While she still made sure to look her best, her interactions with him had gone awry.
Lizzy was supposed to ignore him if she were not disagreeing with him on a certain topic. That was what Lizzy needed to do to gain his attention. Certainly, a man of his station, had yet to encounter a woman who contradicted them? That was her advantage. If she wanted him to remember her, she shouldn't seek him out. She should play hard to get.
But instead, she found herself doing the opposite. She was engaging him in many a conversation and she was not always disagreeing with him like she ought to! She was actually viewing things from his perspective and finding his arguments reasonable. That was not to say that Lizzy agreed to everything he said for she still challenged him and she was too stubborn to change her own views. In fact, winning most of their arguments was only Lizzy's consolation at her behaviour towards him.
The thing that bothered Lizzy was the fact that she would seek, almost eagerly, a conversation with him. And what Lizzy found hard to accept the most was her reasons for doing these, or rather her reason – his smile.
Every time she would grudgingly admit that he had a point on a certain matter, he'd reward her with a smile – at least she thought that the subtle way his lips twitched a little was a smile. (No, she wasn't staring at his lips long enough to notice it tug upwards!) Sometimes, the same thing would happen when she disagreed with him most vehemently. Needless to say, she alternated on doing both things.
Never had she lied to him though. If there was another thing that Lizzy prided herself with other than her wits, it was that she would not agree upon something she'd disagree with. She was too honest in her opinions for her own good, or as her mother would call it, too impertinent.
Lizzy did not like the power Mr Darcy had over that impertinence. Why, she couldn't believe she had half-agreed with him about pride being a good trait when he had justified why it was so. And all for a barely noticeable smile on that handsome face of his! What had gotten into her? Why did she want to make him smile? Why did she enjoy it whenever he declared her arguments to be valid?
Insufferable man! First, he made her obsessed about her looks, now he made her giddy whenever he agreed on her opinions or got her riled up whenever he did not see her points in them. Whatever made her feel this way, Lizzy did not like it. Not one bit. He held power over her and she better put a stop to it before he realised it.
After pinning the last strand of her dark curls in place and with one last glance at the sleeping Jane, she headed downstairs.
The fates must be playing on her for it just so happened that she entered the wrong room. Instead of the drawing room, where the others were staying as the footman had told her, Lizzy stepped into the billiard room where Mr Darcy was playing alone.
"Mr Darcy!" She exclaimed in surprise, placing a hand on her chest. "You startled me."
"I believe it is the other way around, Miss Elizabeth." There it was again, the barely noticeable smile on his face. Since when had she been paying attention to his expressions? A few days ago and she wouldn't even think of that small twitch as a smile!
"Are we to argue who startled who now, Mr Darcy?" She asked raising a brow at him.
"Well," he looked up at her after hitting the ball, "shall I begin to evaluate my points?"
Lizzy crossed her arms, reaching a hand to scratch her chin to tap her pointer finger on its side. "You could but it would be a tedious matter to argue about, would it not?"
"What would you like to argue about, then?"
At his statement, Lizzy narrowed her eyes at him and pretended to be offended. "Mr Darcy! Do you accuse me of only talking to you just to quarrel over every little thing?"
"You were the one who said the words, madam." He said, getting into position to hit another ball. "Though I wouldn't call it a 'quarrel,'" this was followed by the sound of the ball hitting one of the sides of the boards. "I see it more like a heated exchange of knowledge."
Speaking of heat, Lizzy felt the temperature increased around her. Nonetheless, she stepped further into the room. "Well, I see that I must prove you wrong of your accusations." He straightened up his position just in time to see her picking up a cue stick. "I don't just argue with every little thing."
Probably shocked at her actions, Lizzy used it to her advantage and lowered herself gracefully to the table to eye the target ball. Knowing his eyes were on her, Lizzy hit the ball and flashed him a smirk. "Perhaps it just seemed like an argument to you because I'm always winning."
-p&p-
Darcy watched as a smirking Elizabeth Bennet exited the room. She knew how to play billiards. By Jove, she never failed to surprise him! And the way her lithe figure was positioned as she made her shot… If he did not know any better, he would say that she was giving him a show. However, he knew that Miss Elizabeth only borrowed her gown from one of the Bingley sisters.
He'd seen enough of her gowns to know that Miss Elizabeth's clothing was far more modest and always hugged her figure perfectly. However, the coral muslin she was wearing this time, while still looked good on her, seemed a little loose. So when she'd leant on the board to make a shot, Darcy had the chance to see more of her cleavage… oh, how – Darcy closed his eyes, his hand gripping the cue stick he was holding.
This would not do. He had already acknowledged that he was attracted to her. He did not need his body reacting the way it was now. Clenching his fist, Darcy willed himself to get his mind out of the gutter. She was a gentlewoman, he should not think about her in any other way but respectable.
After a moment, Darcy placed the cue stick in its rightful place and walked towards the door. One thing was clear now: He was in danger. Not only had Elizabeth Bennet enraptured him with her laugh and looks, but as well as with her quick mind and manners. He needed to leave as soon as he had the opportunity to.
In the meantime, he was on a mission; he would find every fault he could on Elizabeth Bennet. He would not fall in love with her – wait, love? Where did that come from?
Holding back a groan, Fitzwilliam Darcy headed to his room. He had a lot to think about.
What do you guys think?
Up to this point, it could lead up to many routes and I'm unsure which one to take... but if you guys have a take on what would you like to happen feel free to pm me or write in the review section... it is not guaranteed that what you want to happen will happen but perhaps it could lead to that direction. I have an ending and a climax in mind but the path towards those two still has some gaps.
Anyway, have a nice day!