Thanks for all the feedback. I get that my concept is a bit unorthodox. I want a more modern romance, in a regency setting. I like the intensity it creates, because it's forbidden. So some of the clichés or innuendos may not fit, but that's how I want it. I also picture Elizabeth in the book a modern woman in the wrong time period. She did what many women in her time couldn't or wouldn't do. So I hope you all stick with me through this.
Two updates in one day. I decided to do this tonight because I have a long day tomorrow. Ugh college, two jobs. I'll try to post another tomorrow, but If not.. Enjoy!
And as always, I own nothing!
Chapter 4
Elizabeth was thinking some very mean thoughts. Most against her mother. The rest against one Caroline Bingley, who just wouldn't leave her alone!
"Do you not read the papers Miss Bennet?"
No I do not read that trash. For she knew she meant the gossip columns.
"Do you not think that orange is a most noble color, Miss Bennet?"
It's nothing to purple. Surely you cannot be that stupid.
"Do you draw, Miss Bennet"
Do you know how irritating you are, Miss Bingley?
Elizabeth, who was wittier than her counterpart, had to bite her tongue multiple times, as she tried to finish her book. Caroline was rambling on about the latest fashions in London when Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy came in. Mr. Bingley joined the card game as Mr. Darcy walked over to her.
"I trust your sister is in good care, your Grace," Mr. Darcy did his best to not be tongue tied, around the wittiest woman he knew. For she had already out smarted him twice already during supper.
"She is, I thank you. I hope that we shall be able to leave soon."
Mr. Darcy frowned, "perhaps I should call my physician from town. He is quite capable, and maybe a second opinion would do some good."
"It is nothing but a cold, Mr. Darcy, so there is no need. Again, I thank you."
Elizabeth was a mystery to Mr. Darcy. She was not like many woman in the ton or his social circle. He never had to fight to make conversation with a woman like this. He found her intriguing.
He would be surprised to find out she found him irritating.
Though he did not make a favorable impression of her at the ball, she was a firm believer in second chances. She prided herself in seeing people for what they were. First impressions and such. Mr. Darcy was an enigma. She couldn't read him. First he was haughty, then he was helping her into her carriage at the end of the assembly.
Mr. Darcy on the other hand, since the assembly exactly one week ago, had been going through many sleepless nights, filled with dreams he hadn't had since he was a teenage boy! He had heard rumors that the Duchess was a reputable country beauty, but did not know her personally, nor had he ever met her until that night. The Devonshire's and the Darcy's weren't exactly close acquaintances, though they respected each other in business only.
Mr. Darcy knew not what had transpired between his ancestors and the Devonshire's, nor was he willing to find out. He was his own person. Though his Uncle and Aunt were always close by to remind him.
"Oh Mr. Darcy, do join us. Mr. Hurst has us all undone," Caroline Bingley, all but purred.
"I thank you Miss Bingley, but I am in no mood for cards."
She turned her icy, blue gaze to Elizabeth. "Do you play cards, Miss Bennet?"
Elizabeth unable to keep her temper in another second responded icily, "I thank you, no. I find my money much better spent, then on gambling." She turned in her seat, and returned to her book.
The room was silent, for never had they seen this side of Elizabeth. She was always kind, and though they knew her wit, she never snapped as she had then, and Caroline decided to refrain from asking what she meant.
She knew her answer would not be very well in her favor. And at this, she was right.
Elizabeth was a married woman. Or she had been. And she no longer held claim to her maiden name, and actually was quite insulted each time Caroline Bingley had used it.
And Caroline knew it, and was quite satisfied with it. She was always satisfied with herself.
"Do you know the waltz," Darcy broke the silence with his question.
"I do," Elizabeth replied, grateful for broken silence of the room.
"Bingley was throwing around the idea of having the waltz at his ball, after Miss Bennet is better, of course" What he did not say, was that he actually brought up the idea himself. Bingley looked at him with a gleam in his eye. He knew his friend and what he was about. Bingley was many things, but naive was not one of them. Though at times he could be. He caught onto things quite quickly.
The only thing that he could not catch quickly enough was a woman. And she was currently upstairs in his guest bedroom, nursing a cold.
"Yes! The waltz! I do not dance it very well, but it is a very beautiful dance, I think!" Bingley's enthusiasm was contagious, and Elizabeth tried not to giggle.
"It is a very beautiful dance, Mr. Bingley. I do agree." She was smiling, but inside she was saddened. William taught her the scandalous dance in the closed quarters of their private apartments, just after they were married. It fast became one of her favorites. The intimacy of the dance, brought a blush to her cheeks.
"Such a scandalous dance, do you not agree, Louisa?" Secretly Caroline was excited, for she was the hostess, and with that she knew that she would get to dance the waltz with Darcy. She was well on her way to becoming the Mistress of Pemberly, she just knew it! And she was gleeful! Oh the jewels, and the clothes she would receive as Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberly in Derbyshire!
"Quite so, my dear," Louisa truly believed it. She had no desire to dance this dance with her husband.
Mr. Darcy sat beside Elizabeth on the couch, watching her face when she read. He noticed her pursing her lips, when she was thinking over something a passage said. Or when she put a finger to her mouth, when she found something humorous. Or the way she sighed, when she was wistful over something.
He could only guess, she was reading a romance. And for that he was thankful. For he knew that a novel of any other genre would not create such displays as this book had now.
He wanted to kiss those lips, bite that finger, and hear that sigh, as she lay beneath- No wait! Where'd that come from.
He knew exactly where it came from.
Darcy was no fool. He knew he need an heir, and he knew that marriage would soon be imminent. If he could find a woman, if he could have Elizabeth.
Darcy sighed, and continued to watch Elizabeth. He knew it was improper but he couldn't help it.
Elizabeth grew quite self-conscious over Darcy's stare. She knew he was watching her, and she couldn't concentrate on her book.
"Might I request the honor of sharing your first two dances," Mr. Darcy asked suddenly, breaking the room of its silence. Caroline who was so in tune with the sound of Darcy's voice gasped indignantly.
Elizabeth who was taken aback replied, "you may."
Darcy reached for her bare hand, and pulled it up to his mouth, where he placed a gentle kiss on it. "It will be my pleasure. Elizabeth." And with that he stood, and bowed, and left the room, leaving a whole room full of confused counterparts.
"Well," Caroline sneered. "It seems even Darcy loses his senses, in the face of a pretty woman." Not even realizing the fact that he never lost his senses around her.
Elizabeth stood, and cleared her throat. "I must go tend to Jane. Then I must make my way back to Longbourn, for it is getting late, and the children will need me." She turned to Mr. Bingley and smiled. "I must thank you for your gracious hospitality, Mr. Bingley. And the care you have shown my sister while she is ill, is greatly appreciated. Let me know if there is anything I can do to repay you." With that, she curtseyed her goodbye and left the room.
Elizabeth was a very hard person to read. Her training at the beginning of her marriage made sure of that.
The men she left enchanted. Never had a duchess been more kind to mere men below their station. Louisa she left puzzled, for she did not want to like the woman, but was finding it increasingly hard.
Caroline Bingley, she left seething.
And Mr. Darcy was currently ordering from his valet a cold bath. A very, cold bath.
The rating may change for this story. Let me know what you think!