Read Online A Wife for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen - Free Book Online Page B

what happened to his tenants, the villagers, and those living on the surrounding farms, and in the case of Charlotte Lucas, because she was so pleasant, he hoped that she would marry well.
    “Get thee to London, Darcy. The provinces are swallowing you up. Before you know it, you will be drinking at the public house,” he mumbled to himself.
    For the fourth time that evening, he refilled his punch cup and thought it very likely that when Elizabeth finally did arrive, he would be out in the bushes answering Nature’s call. But then he heard the unmistakable sound of Mrs. Bennet’s voice. Finally, at long last, the Bennets had arrived.
    He quickly glanced in the mirror and then laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation. He had not felt like this since his years as a youth when the dancing master had finally allowed the boys to dance with the girls. While the future debutantes giggled, the boys milled about the room stealing furtive glances at the young beauties, and he smiled at the memory.
    When Darcy saw Elizabeth, he took a deep breath. Before him stood one of the loveliest creatures he had ever seen, and he genuinely feared that he would give himself away. While he was enjoying the view, she had swept the hair off her shoulders, revealing a neck that he longed to kiss, that is, after he had stopped kissing her mouth. And although it was impolite to stare, he could not help himself, and even if he had been able to see only her eyes, he would still have known that she was smiling because all of her emotions were reflected in them.
    “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, may I welcome you back to Netherfield Park?”
    “Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said, bowing her head and enjoying a look at his long legs. “There is such a crush of people here. We have been waiting outside for more than fifteen minutes.”
    “I wish I had known that.”
    “Would you have broken through the crowd and brought us to the beginning of the line or would you have snuck us into the hall by way of the kitchen?”
    “Oh, by way of the kitchen definitely. Much more dramatic.”
    “Is your sister here, Mr. Darcy?”
    “Georgiana was here earlier, but something happened with her dress and she had to leave. In all the time she has been gone, she could easily have made another.”
    “You are being too hard on your sister. Making a good appearance is so easy for a man. You put on a handsome waistcoat and coat with a fine pair of boots, and you are done. I envy you.”
    “You are once again correct, Miss Elizabeth, and I withdraw my criticism, especially when all of your efforts have been rewarded with such excellent results.”
    Darcy looked around and realized that a place had been cleared around them. Since his adoption of a good neighbor policy, he was now a source of special interest to the local population, and because of his height, he was visible to all. He decided it would be best if he visited with others in an attempt to avoid any gossip in connection with Elizabeth, but not before he had seen to his number one priority.
    “Miss Elizabeth, may I be so bold as to ask for two dances this evening? I would like to dance with you before the supper break as I wish for you to meet my sister.”
    “I would be honored, and I would very much like for you to meet my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner who are visiting from London.”
    “Of course, it will be my pleasure.”
    “May I ask if you have already decided on the second dance?”
    “If you would be so kind, may I request the last dance of the evening?” He had chosen the final dance as it would be their last and not just for the evening.
    “I look forward to both dances.” When she started to turn away, he called her back.
    “May I ask if you know the name of the gentleman who is speaking to Miss Lucas? I feel as if I have seen him somewhere else.”
    “That is Mr. Collins. You may know him as he is Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s vicar.”
    “Ah, yes. Now I remember him,” he said in a flat