Mr. Darcy…
"You what?" Bingley asked in astonishment as Darcy looked around quietly for a book his sister had been required to learn at finishing school. Will barely glanced up as Bingley laughed until nothing but gasps and pants emanated from his scrawny hide. Let him laugh!
"You can't stand the woman, Darcy! I admit, you have allowed her a little more leniency than most, but I've seen the disgusted glances you've thrown her way. Yet, you wavered under her demand to be taught etiquette?" Bingley questioned in shock as he approached his friend stealthily, his face contorted in an expression that bespoke the confusion he now felt. Darcy knew he shouldn't have said anything, but Bingley could be deuced beguiling at times, not accepting the excuse Darcy had given him for not wanting to go to dinner with Bingley and his sisters that night. And, obviously, his friend had missed the other sort of glances he had thrown Ms. Bennet's way. Darcy sighed.
"She's right, Charles. It will benefit the company and keep her from embarrassing me at the functions we are required to attend until I am able to let her go." Darcy stated simply with a small shake of his head as he finally unearthed the book of 'rules' that the 'refined woman' was supposed to follow in society. Bingley watched all of this in quiet acceptance, knowing that his friend hated to be frowned upon when it came to the behavior of his employees and so he accepted the excuse. Bingley shrugged.
"I suppose it speaks highly of her that she's even interested in learning. Although, personally, I enjoy her high spirit and out-spoken nature. It's rather refreshing." Charles remarked cheerfully as Darcy looked over at him quietly. If only the man knew how much he actually loathed and looked forward to the lessons himself. If only he knew it was not only for business related reasons. If only he knew that the word 'seducing' kept ringing though his head in a way that made him wish quite emphatically for a large bottle of aspirin. The woman was becoming a thorn in his side. Or was she?
It was obvious that Bingley was somewhat confused about his relationship with Ms. Elizabeth Bennet, but at least he didn't seem to think there was an underlying smoldering passion between the two anymore. If he had even thought that before. Unfortunately, Darcy knew that wasn't the case with his aunt and the female Bingleys. They did sense it. The way they reacted around Lizzie reflected the fact that they knew something was brewing. He supposed he couldn't blame them, not when he was blaming himself for allowing any inexcusable behavior. She was not the type of woman men like him married or even caroused with. It tarnished his high society mold. It was his experience that men like him, as it was with royalty, were required to marry well. And why the hell had marriage even popped into his head? Lord, he was deuced confused! If Charles hadn't have been in the room, he would have thrown the book of 'rules' against the wall and watched with satisfaction as it fluttered to the floor.
Elizabeth Bennet…
"You're determined to drive yourself mad, aren't you?" Jane asked me incredulously as I rolled my eyes at the amused way she uttered the sentence while stalking me quietly around the room. Where were those friggin' high heels of mine? I loved wearing flat dress shoes, but I did own at least one pair of heels, didn't I? I ignored Jane as she watched me quietly before throwing her hands into the air in agitation.
"The man is a monster, Elizabeth! You of all people are aware of that. I meant what I said earlier, that both of your stubborn hides would be the death of you. He knows he needs you professionally. You know it too, but still you let him get under your skin, constantly biting his head off about everything. Can't you two be civil? And learning etiquette from the man? Come on! That's like learning manners from a pig." Jane lectured as I finally unearthed my heels from underneath the bed. Blowing a strand of hair out of my eyes, I peeked over the mattress cautiously.
"I grant you, he is despicable, but I will not let his pride become my downfall, Jane. If he is that dead set on me acting properly in society, then why not let him attempt to teach me?" I asked Jane reasonably as she huffed and puffed in irritation in the corner. All of those days and nights cursing the man under my breath while in her company must have had the effect I had intended upon her. Or had it? I knew that Caroline, her sister, and Madame DeBourgh were all wary of me. Now, I wondered if Jane suspected the same thing that they did. Dear Lord, I hoped not. I truly hoped that the confused feelings I seemed to be having were not that obvious. Jane raised an eyebrow.
"You know what therapists say about argumentative people of the opposite sex? They say it's unrequited passion." Jane said with a slight tilt to her voice that made me groan in irritation.
"You watch entirely too much Dr. Phil." I muttered as she laughed before shrugging.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right. Just don't let him change you, Lizzie, just so that you can stay in the company. You deserve better than that. You don't need him or Imperial. I haven't known you long, but…well, you are a unique individual. Stay that way." She mumbled as I smiled gently over at her. She was more than unique herself.
"Try smiling Jane. I promise the loathsome man cannot change the way I act, only the way that I do things. Mostly, I need him to teach me what fork to use at the dinner table." I joked as Jane laughed before moving towards me and patting me on the back.
"Ahhhh, and here I was hoping I could buy you a bib for your birthday." She cracked back as we stood there a moment uncomfortably. It's strange how close you can become to some people in such a short period of time. I grinned at her suddenly before shooing her out the door. She was supposed to meet Charles and his sisters for dinner. I think I was more afraid for her at that meal than I was for myself with Mr. Darcy. Or was I?