hello... I've seen the comments about Elizabeth's little use of magic or her easy manipulation... and let me remind you that she certainly hasn't been trained and although she is well read, like all the Bennets they are raised in a small town, where magic is not commonly manifested and even less used for evil, that is why it turns out to be so trusting and they see less of the potential danger to which they are exposed.
thanks for your comments here a new chapter,
Enjoy for reading
I hope your comments
Chapter 12
A dance gone wrong
Longbourn's day was a hive of preparations, Mrs. Bennet made sure her daughters slept late so they looked majestic at night, neither Elizabeth or Mary would be saved from Mrs. Bennet's routines. However, those two daughters were precisely immersed in a last minute project of Lizzie.
"Yes, I've done it," Elizabeth's cries of happiness resounded throughout the house. The
The whole house went to see what was happening when she came down the stairs with a smile and something that seemed to be a transparent fabric full of glitter.
-For all this- the matriarch rebuked- what are you supposed to do now-
-Just look- she turned and the fabric covered part of her dress looking resplendent
Everyone was amazed and amazed, Lydia rebuked- I want one Lizzie-
- No, you shouldn't be wasting time on these things even if it looks wonderful, you and your magic…
-My magic will only make us look much more beautiful- answer Elizabeth
-The use of magic for such futile ends turns out to be a waste of how special grace it has- said Collins
-Vanity, I told you we should not be vain, all because you let me see that book- complained Mary
-Then we should go de fique and it is unnecessary for us to sleep late or have to have an arrangement special, Jane you should remove all that from your hair and Lydia we can eliminate all your ribbons and lace- repleid Elizabeth
-No!- shouted Mrs. Bennet
-You see mother I can't understand, that wouldn't impair our chances at all- Elizabeth said with a hateful smile
-Girl!, you!-
-Yes, mother these are for you -she said giving her some shiny hairpins-, now come Kitty let's finish this- she said as she went upstairs and magically placed sparkles and glitter on the other dresses following the advice of her sister who had a very good eye for the arrangements
Mr. Bennet was not very happy that they used magic on their dresses, it would attract attention, but he did not give it much importance although only a powerful magic could achieve what Elizabeth did, it was not exclusive to someone like her, for what his true qualities would not show yet.
Netherfield's drawing room looked excelled in detail, all with the sole intention of proving her ability and worth to Darcy. The Bennet ladies looked pristine, Mrs. Bennet made sure that everyone in particular Jane looked their best and Elizabeth's magical arrangements further enhanced the beauty of each, Mr. Bennet made sure to whisper to each of them the spell of concealment and this time He also made one of protection.
They arrived elegantly late, due to being one of the prominent families in the area, everyone noticed their arrival, and Mr. Bennet immediately looked particularly at the newer arrivals in the neighborhood, noticing several wolves and some wizards among the militia. to watch out for this group. Jane was securing the main sets with Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth searching in vain among the group of redcoats gathered there for Wickham.
In an instant Elizabeth had the horrible suspicion that Wickham might have been left out of Bingley's list of invited officers to please Darcy. Officer Denny confirmed the absence to Lydia, telling her that his friend had been forced to go to the capital to settle some business the day before and had not yet returned. And with a significant smile he added: -I do not believe that those matters would have kept you just today, if you had not wanted to avoid meeting a certain gentleman here.
Lydia did not hear these words, but Elizabeth did, Darcy was then responsible for Wickham's absence, her antipathy towards the former was so exasperated that she could hardly reply politely to Darcy's polite questions as he approached her shortly after. Not even a record of what the gentleman was talking about. Any attention or tolerance towards Darcy meant an injury to Wickham. She decided not to have any conversation with Darcy and put herself in a mood she couldn't even hide when talking to Bingley, for her blind bias irritated and she practically fumed.
After telling her sorrows to Charlotte Lucas, her animosity improved a little and she soon found herself in the mood to compromise with all the oddities of Collins, who very attentively asked him for the first dances. However, the first two dances gave her back her anguish, they were like a penance, her temper was about to overflow once more thanks to Mr. Collins, who was not a desirable dancer, and talked more than danced, filling her with flattery and flattery a lot. Once again, at the end of the first set without wanting to listen to her cousin, she magically silenced him, now he could speak but she would not hear his voice anymore that nigth ... he felt all the pain and shame that an unpleasant partner can give in a couple of dances.
Getting rid of her was like reaching ecstasy. Later she had the relief of dancing with an officer with whom he was able to talk about Mr. Wickham, learning that everyone appreciated him, Wickham as always took advantage of everything that was in front of him, and in this town few mastered magic so with little effort Wickham created illusions in many people for their benefit.
At the end of the third dance set, she returned to Charlotte Lucas, they were chatting, when suddenly she realized that Mr. Darcy had approached her and was asking her for the next dance. He took her so by surprise that without knowing what she was doing , She agreed. Darcy left immediately and she, who had been very nervous, stood there hoping to regain her composure. Charlotte tried to comfort her.
–Perhaps you find him charming.-
-God forbid! That would be the greatest of all misfortunes. Find a charming man who should be hated! Don't wish me so bad.
When the dance resumed, Darcy came over to take her hand, and Charlotte couldn't help but whisper in her ear not to be a fool and not to be unlovable in the eyes of such an important man. Elizabeth didn't reply. She took her place on the dance floor, and noticed in the eyes of all her neighbors astonishment when contemplating the gentleman's attentions towards her.
Darcy wanted to revel in Elizabeth's beauty and closeness but today she seemed a little reluctant to his presence, so when the dance began he looked at her silently and got drunk on her aroma, this would be all he would allow, she broke her reverie.
Elizabeth decided that the worst punishment for her partner would be to force him to talk, and she made a small observation about the dance. Darcy answered and fell silent again. After a pause of a few minutes, Elizabeth spoke a second time and said:
–Now it is your turn to say something, Mr. Darcy. I have already talked about the dance, and you should make a comment about the dimensions of the room and about the number of couples.
He smiled and said -I can say whatever you want to hear.
-Very well. That answer is not bad at the moment. Perhaps little by little I will convince myself that private balls are more pleasant than public ones; but now we can remain silent.
–Do you usually talk while you dance? – he questioned
-Sometimes. You need to talk a bit, don't you think? It would be strange to be together for half an hour without saying a word. But in the interest of some, the conversation must be conducted in such a way that they are not forced to have to say more than is necessary.
He smiled again and said –– Are you saying it for me?
–By both of us, – replied Elizabeth with cold courtesy, –well, you see, we are both unsociable, taciturn, and enemies of talking, unless we hope to say something that will dazzle everyone present and pass down to posterity with all the brilliance of a proverb
-You are not like that. As for me, I couldn't tell. Apparently you already detailed my person with precision...- he said seeing that she was interested in him
––I can't judge my own work.
He didn't answer, and it seemed as though they wouldn't say a word until the ball was over. Then he asked
–You and your sisters went to Meryton often?
Elizabeth answered in the affirmative, and, unable to resist the temptation, added –When you met us the other day, we had just met a new friend–
The effect was immediate. An intense shadow darkened Darcy's face, and that coldness that he showed in the meeting she was referring to began to manifest itself, she saw that he touched a nerve and remembered Wichkam's words that described him as cruel, she preferred to remain silent, while the he tried to control his emotions, however he said:
––that man can make friends easily. but is unable to keep them.-
She saw that he spoke with contempt and anger, but did not perceive that I did not call him a gentleman. –He has had the misfortune to lose your friendship, – said Elizabeth emphatically, - so that he will suffer for it all his life.-
He didn't say anything but he looked at her with intensity, his eyes were a creepy dark blue, he was tempted to enter her mind but he didn't, they both looked at each other for a while each measuring the other's reaction.
She said —you're not pretend to read my mind, it would be quite grotesque of yours...
He shook his head
––Tell me, are you easily offended? –– she asked raising her eyebrow
–– Do you think I do?- said seriosly
-I really don't know how everyone tries to be nice, and I remember hearing that you rarely forgave. I suppose, therefore, that he will be very careful in harboring resentments and also avoid getting angry easily...
–Indeed..- answered Darcy in a firm voice.
––And don't you ever allow yourself to be blinded by prejudices or misplaced feelings?
-I hope not.
-Those who never change their minds should make sure before judging.
–May I ask what the point of these questions is?- controling his reaction asked
–Just knowing his character– said Elizabeth, trying to cover her seriousness. –I'm trying to figure it out.
– I clearly remember that you are a student of character, please tell me what conclusions have you reached?-
–None– she said, shaking her head. –I've heard so many different things about you that I can't make up my mind.
–I admit –he answered gravely, -that opinions about me may be very different; and I wish, Miss Bennet, that you would not sketch my character at this moment, for I have reason to fear that the result would not reflect the truth. I remind you not everything is so clear to the eye. You yourselves ladies are a reflection of it, Illusions are the order of the day, in this place there are people who are experts in it.
She look trying to discover something but she don´t see anything diferent and said –But if I don't do it now, I may not get another chance.-
–That may be so… and miss you know that although I could create illusions of all kinds I don't need them and I hate them
Elizabeth said no more, and the dance ended, they parted in silence, both dissatisfied, though to a different degree, for in Darcy's heart there was a powerful feeling of tolerance towards her, which made him soon forgive her and focus all his anger on another. They had not long parted, when Miss Bingley came up to Elizabeth, and with an expression of both kindness and disdain, said:
–So, Miss Eliza, you are delighted with Mr. Wickham. I have found out from your sister that has told me about him and has asked me a thousand questions. I think that young man forgot to tell you, among many other things, that he is the son of old Wickham, Mr. Darcy's last steward. Let me advise you, as a friend, not to place too much trust in everything he tells you, because the talk about Mr. Darcy treating you badly is completely untrue; on the contrary, he has always been extraordinarily kind to him, though George Wickham has behaved to Mr. Darcy in the most infamous way. _ as she spoke, Elizabeth's head began to throb_
–I don't know the details, but I know very well that Mr. Darcy is in no way to blame, and the damage that man has done to him must be so great that Mr. Darcy cannot bear or hear the name of George Wickham. The mere fact that he came here to the country is sheer insolence, and I cannot understand how he dared to do it. I pity you, Miss Eliza, for this discovery of your favourite's guilt; but in reality, considering its origin, nothing better could be expected.- said Caroline
–Your guilt and its origin seem to be one and the same thing to you,- said Elizabeth angrily, her head exploding, while a slight tingling appeared in the glass around her;-because the worst I ever heard him accuse you of being the son of Mr. Darcy's steward–
Miss Bingley, turning around in contempt... -Believe what you wish-
"Insolent! '' said Elizabeth to herself, and two nearby glasses were broken, she breathed and closed her eyes, then opened them, then looked at her elder sister who had risked questioning Bingley on the same matter. Jane returned his gaze with such a sweet smile, an expression of happiness and satisfaction that clearly indicated that she was very pleased with what had happened during the evening.
Trying to calm down, he approached Jane and said, –I want to know– Elizabeth said, trying to smile even though her head ached terribly, —what you have heard about Mr. perhaps you have been too busy with nicer things to think of a third person... If so, you may be sure I forgive you.
-No,- said Jane, – I have not forgotten him. But I have nothing pleasant to tell you. Mr. Bingley does not know the whole story and is ignorant of the circumstances by which Mr. Darcy has been so offended, but he vouches for his friend's good conduct, integrity and honesty, and firmly believes that Mr. Wickham has received more Mr. Darcy's attentions more than he has deserved; and I am sorry to say that, according to Mr. Bingley and his sister, Mr. Wickham is far from being a respectable young man. -
Her sister's words collided in her mind and it hurt so much that she felt faint, Jane noticing her anguish took her to a chair close to the balconies. She assured Jane that she was fine and encouraged her to continue enjoying the evening.
From a distance Elizabeth watched and it seemed to her that her family had agreed to make a fool of themselves at all that night, she was so glad that Bingley and her sister had missed most of the show and that Bingley was not. of that kind of people who care or are bothered by the madness that they would have witnessed. It was bad enough that the sisters and of course Darcy had had the chance to make fun of her family; and she did not know which was more intolerable to her: Darcy's silence and apathy, or the insolent little smiles of the ladies.
Lydia and Kitty were a little drunk and out of control in attention to the officers, thank heavens they didn't do magic; Surprisingly, Mary decided to play in the assembly against her father's prohibition and although her sister had technique, something happened and her interpretation was not pleasant or polished as it used to be; Well, what they didn't know was that Mr. Bennet, wanting once again to hide his qualities and prevent her from attracting attention or even worse from manifesting any magical sign, cast a spell on her when he saw her go to the piano, making her miss several times.
Mrs. Bennet not only ranted about an upcoming engagement for her beautiful Jane, but also proclaimed the bliss that another engagement was on the horizon for her eldest daughter, assuming an engagement between Collins and Elizabeth. The rest of the night went by to confirm these facts. Collins, noticing her alone, went to attend to her and from there did not separate from her. Although he failed to convince her to dance with him again, he prevented her from dancing with others.
It was useless for him to beg her to go chat with other people and offer to introduce him to some of the ladies at the party. Collins assured that dancing did not matter to him and that his main desire was to make himself pleasing to his eyes with delicate attentions. Her friend Charlotte was the only one who comforted her by sitting next to her frequently and diverting the conversation from Collins to her.
For Elizabeth, the dance was not what she expected, she left tired and dissatisfied, for others it was the epitome of fun and the omen of happiness.