Disclaimer: I am not Jane Austen. Otherwise I would probably be dead. She owns Darcy, Bingley, Jane, and Elizabeth. I own Ainsworth and Berkeley.
I stand at the side of the room watching the different couples waltz around, unabashedly enjoying each other's embrace.
The light in the room is a faint amber color, which ricochets off the crystal windows, giving the ballroom a distinguished glow. The couple nearest me catches my attention; it is Mr. Ainsworth and Miss Berkeley. Ainsworth recently inherited his father's fortune after he died a month ago. You could tell just by looking at him that he was the kind that had money but no class. He just did not know what kind of people he should take into his acquaintance.
Everyone knows Miss Berkeley's older sister ran off with the carriage driver! Oh, her poor mother suffered dearly; she was nearly bed-ridden for a year. Look at Miss Berkeley now, laughing at every insufferable joke Ainsworth said. Obviously, she was trying to rebuild her reputation.
"Tell me, Mr. Darcy do you enjoy dancing?" I turn to look at the speaker, taking in her pasty skin and cheap dress.
After my quick examination of the woman, I dub her too low to be cordial. After all, she probably is the wife of some merchant. How was she invited to this ball in the first place?
"Yes, I do but I do not feel inclined to dance now." I say in a civilized yet cold tone. She seems to sense my aversion to talk and moves on. Right after she departs, my best friend, Mr. Bingley, approaches me.
"Come Darcy, I cannot have you standing around like this. You must dance." he exclaims, his countenance lively and jovial as ever.
"Bingley, you hold the only pretty creature in the room." I say looking at his partner. Her name is Jane Bennet. She has an extremely pleasing stature; her posture is straight. Her features well-defined, but not overbearing.
Her skin is like marble, with the occasional touch of rose in her cheeks. Best of all are her flaxen curls that flowed gracefully. The only fault I could find with her was that she tends to smile too much.
"Ah, here is Jane's sister, Elizabeth Bennet." Bingley says shaking me out of my reverie. The aforementioned sister is sitting a few feet away from us. She is quite the opposite of Jane.
Her posture is sufficient, and features tolerable. In short, Miss Bennet had many flaws. However, everyone has one characteristic that is nothing short of perfection. Elizabeth's eyes were stunning. They have a mischievous gleam to them, as if to be hiding a lush secret. There is laughter and intelligence in her eyes as well. She seemed to posses something other than the trivial thoughts that ran through several women's minds.
Take Bingley's sister, Caroline for example. She only cared about herself. Elizabeth looks in our direction, and our eyes lock. I quickly wrench my eyes from hers, careful to appear blasé.
"She's tolerable, but not good enough to tempt me." I reply with a condescending tone. Bingley sighs and walks away. Out of my peripheral vision, I see Elizabeth's expression turn steely. She heard me. What have I done…
So did you guys like the first one better? Please review and leave constructive criticism. I always take them into consideration when writing/editing a story. You guys always improve my writing.