Thank you everyone who left reviews. And welcome to those who are just joining. There was a explosion of Favorites and Follows after I uploaded the last chapter. My phone was blowing up, thank you.
I intend to keep working on this story and upload when I get a chapter done. I hope you all continue to enjoy the story.
I wanted to let you know that I read a review that said Kitty would be the silly sister, that's not my intention. Rather than being silly I think of her, in this context at least, that she'd more expressive. She's like a extrovert where they feed off of other people so she'd more happy when in the company of others. A assembly is the perfect thing for that.
Anyway hope you enjoys.
Chapter 7: To Encourage Affection
"Miss Elizabeth Bennet, I must say I've heard quite a lot about you, as well." Caroline said, tightening her grip on her brother's arm.
"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance." Lizzy replied, doing her best to smile.
Lizzy could see why Mr. Bingley had left his sister at home, not forcing her to go out. Miss Bingley was pretty and had all the finer things that a woman in higher society would have. But there was something about her tone and the way she was looking at Lizzy that made her sure that she would not be getting along with this woman very well.
Darcy decided to take advantage of the gap in pleasantries, "It's nice to see you all again."
"You as well sir." Lizzy said smiling.
Darcy noticed that her smile seemed to be genuine which made his heart stop.
"And here we have-" Sir Lucas started, moving on.
Charlotte was not ignorant of the looks between her friend and the gentleman. Being an observant lady she noticed the blush that crossed her friends face. "I see the both of you are well acquainted with the gentleman from Netherfield." She commented.
Jane blushed, "Yes, they came to visit us several times."
Charlotte hadn't been oblivious to the master of Netherfield's behavior either. And as she had grown up with the Bennet sisters she could tell that Jane seemed very taken with Mr. Bingley. "I see." she said, looking between the sisters. She decided it might be a good idea to observe more as to gage the gentlemen's behavior towards her friends as well.
Finally Sir Lucus was distracted by something and Bingley suggested that they go to the Bennets. Darcy was glad that he had suggested it but was still wary of how Miss Bingley would treat them.
They found the Bennets all together talking and watching Kitty dance with a gentleman. The conversation stopped and Bingley introduced his sister to the Bennet father and son.
"Father was just telling us that Kitty gets her energy in social situations from our mother and Aunt Phillips." James chuckled.
"She had to get it from somewhere," Lizzy said with a twinkle in her eye, "She certainly doesn't get it from father."
Lizzy and James laughed while the others smiled, "Well I hope you aren't implying that I'm lacking in company while out in public Lizzy." Mr Bennet smirked.
"Not at all father." She replied, "I'm merely suggesting that instead of preferring to speak with people at a social gathering, you would much rather be in a library reading books."
"I've heard the library at Netherfield is one of the finest in the country." Mary said, trying to participate.
"It is wonderful. But I'm afraid I'm not a very good reader." A moment after he said it he tried to correct himself, "I mean I can read of course, it's just that I don't read often."
"Yes, I love reading but there always seems like so many other things to do." Jane said reassuringly.
"That's exactly what I meant to say." Bingley added.
"Miss Darcy mentioned that the Library at Pemberly is quite magnificent." Mary said towards Mr Darcy.
"Oh there is nothing quite like Pemberly." Caroline exclaimed, "The library has so many books, the grounds are so splendid and the house itself is far more impressive than Netherfield."
Lizzy could tell from the way Miss Bingley's eyes kept flitting to Mr Darcy that she must hope that he noticed her flattery of his estate. She didn't know much about Pemberley so she decided to focus on a topic she knew well.
"So Mr Darcy, do you merely collect the books at your grand estate or do they get read often?" Elizabeth smirked.
Darcy smirked back, "Well Miss Bennet I'm afraid no one could read all those books within a year, not with me constantly adding new ones when I get the chance. But I pride myself on the library being open to my guests and friends as well as my staff." He wondered if he'd said too much for he wasn't one to boast that he gave his staff access to the library, though he was proud that he did so.
"That is very open minded of you sir." Mr Bennet said, "Most with the status you have wouldn't do that."
Lizzy could tell her father had been paying Mr Darcy a complement but it didn't seem like Mr Darcy or Miss Bingley saw it that way. Her mind raced to find a change of subject when the music stopped and Kitty came bouncing towards them.
"Oh I do so love dancing." She exclaimed out of breath.
"And you are a very energetic dance partner." James complemented her.
"Thank you brother." She giggled then noticed the two gentlemen and the lady. "Oh hello. My name is Catherine Bennet. But everyone calls me Kitty."
They bowed and curtsyed, "It's very nice to see you again Miss Kitty." Bingley said, "This is my sister Caroline Bingley.
After an awkward moment of silence James suddenly bowed, "Would you do me the honor of dancing with me Miss Catherine Bennet."
Kitty chuckled curtsying, "Why of course sir." And James led his sister off towards the dance floor.
"Lizzy, haven't you said once that dancing is the best at encouraging affection?" Mary asked.
She nodded, "Yes Mary. If you remember, I said it after Jane received some rather interesting verses from a gentleman."
"I thought poetry was the fruit of love." Darcy said curiously.
"Of a fine stout love it may, but if it is only of a vague inclination I'm convinced one poor sonit will kill it stone dead."
Darcy raised his eyebrow, "So to encourage affection you would advise dancing?"
"Yes sir." she said, a small hope rising in her chest.
"Miss Bennet, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?" Bingley asked Jane.
"Why yes sir, I will." Jane offered her hand to the gentleman and he led her off.
Darcy so badly wanted to ask Elizabeth to dance, for he felt that he would not mind if she came to like him more than he hoped that she already did.
"I believe it depends on the partner." Caroline said, "Though I would not object to being asked to dance."
Lizzy couldn't help but feel a small amount of irritation with the lady as she looked at Mr Darcy.
"Well then, would you care to dance with me?" Darcy asked.
"Why thank you Mr Darcy." She said, trying to sound shocked that she'd been asked.
As Darcy led her away he nodded to himself, get this very unpleasant dance over with and he'd be able to dance with Elizabeth.
"Fear not my child." Mr Bennet said as he pulled his daughter closer, "A dance can be just that, a dance between acquaintances."
"Precisely papa." Elizabeth said, watching Mr Darcy's head as it weaved through the crowd.
"But you would have liked him to ask you, Lizzy?" Mary asked.
Elizabeth didn't want to answer. She was sure that both her father and sister knew the answer to that, it seemed to be common knowledge at home that she liked Mr Darcy. "Yes." she breathed softly.
After the dance was over Bingley and Jane were the first to arrive back. Lizzy was happy to see that Bingley seemed overly happy to have Jane on his arm. Kitty and James arrived back next, Kitty laughing about what fun it was to dance with her brother, for he matched her energy with his own. Lastly Miss Bingley and Mr Darcy returned, Darcy ready to ask Elizabeth to dance.
But James beat him to it, "Why Miss Bennet, might I have this dance?"
Both Darcy and Elizabeth were disappointed but she tried not to let it show. "Oh you are too kind sir, it would be my pleasure." she said overly sweetly as she curtsyed low.
Darcy watched them go as Bingley asked Kitty to dance, making a remark that she may find him lacking in as much energy as she had.
After the music started he returned to the conversation but was almost immediately swept up again in thought. Was he showing too much attention to her? He had felt that it would be appropriate considering he'd danced with Miss Bingley first, though he knew all too well how rumors started in small communities such as these. He really wanted to see what it was like to have an excuse to hold her hand, or have her on his arm. He imagined that it would feel quite pleasant.
On the dance floor James and Lizzy were having a quiet conversation.
"Don't let people know how much you like him Lizzy. Remember how people talk."
"Yes James I am well aware how people talk, especially about matters of the romantic persuasion."
Lizzy was a bit irritated, why shouldn't she show how much she liked him? It wasn't as though she was head over heels in love with him. She merely saw him as a handsome face and liked his company. As the dance continued however she wondered, was he more than just pleasant company? Surely it would make sense to want to spend more time in one's company whom you enjoyed, but was it natural to become jealous when they asked another to dance instead of you?
James asked her if she was alright as she was spun around. Lizzy responded to the affirmative but she wasn't so sure anymore.
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