Read Online Darcy & Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship (Darcy Saga Prequel Duo) by Sharon Lathan - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sharon Lathan
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daresay, Miss Elizabeth, that
vision did add to my decision to remain silent. Quite astute of you to analyze
my true motives.”
“Thank you. Although perhaps I am
not astute so much as you are simply more transparent than you believe.”
“Doubtful, otherwise you would have
deciphered my sentiments some time ago, without needing outside interference.”
“Point accepted. So now, the
challenge is for me to discover where I went wrong before and why I easily
gleaned the truth this time.”
“I have never known you to fail a
challenge, Miss Elizabeth, but I promise to assist in this particular endeavor,
as it benefits me equally.”
Six pairs of eyes flipped back and
forth between Darcy and Lizzy, both of whom appeared to have forgotten they
were not alone—and standing far across the room from each other. So
focused were they that Darcy missed the drama of Bingley’s confusion rolling
into dawning enlightenment, and then the anticipated shock.
“Hold on! Is there an…understanding
between you and Miss Elizabeth, Darcy?”
“I suppose it can be referred to as
such, although I much prefer to state it plainly so as to leave no room for
doubt. Today Miss Elizabeth Bennet accepted my proposal of marriage. Now you
are in competition for who is the happiest man in Hertfordshire, Bingley.”
Moderate pandemonium erupted at
that point. Darcy said little else as he was congratulated by Bingley and
lavished with praise by Mrs. Bennet. Lizzy was freshly engulfed by delighted
sisters, all three of them—even Mary—acting as if news of her
betrothal was revealed that moment. She never made it closer than five feet to her
future husband before again being separated when called into the dining room.
Mrs. Bennet had been busy that
afternoon, despite her claims of being overwhelmed by nerves and anxiety at
Lizzy’s choice for a husband. The dining room was polished until every last
surface sparkled. Their finest china, tableware, linens, silver, and serving
implements were in use, and the candles were brand-new. Freshly cut flowers and
fragrant herbs were arranged in decorative vases strategically located around
the room. The cook, Mrs. Price, who in Lizzy’s estimation always served tasty
dishes, had outdone herself with cuisine visually pleasing when served and
divine when upon the palate.
Sitting catercorner across the
table from Mr. Darcy—purposely assigned the chair to the left of Mr.
Bennet—Lizzy covered her annoyance at being unable to easily converse
with him by using the position to observe frankly. He ate with refined
movements and precision pacing, but consumed every last morsel, as only a man
with a hearty appetite and good food can manage. He spoke sparingly, as was his
natural way Lizzy now understood, but seemed relaxed enough, even when
conversing with Kitty, who sat beside him. Often he turned his eyes toward
Lizzy. His gaze and expression were guarded in the mixed company, but he was unable
to completely hide the love that sent tingles spiraling up and down her spine.
Taken together, Lizzy felt
tremendous relief that his first dinner at Longbourn as her betrothed was not
too uncomfortable for him—or an embarrassment to her. After dining at
Pemberley, where Lizzy suspected ultra-formality was normal even if only Mr.
Darcy and Miss Darcy were present, and at Netherfield where Caroline Bingley
not only insisted on high dining style à la Française , but also commented
on each detail to prove her cultured superiority, Lizzy knew the Longbourn
dining experience would fall short. In this she was correct, just not as
drastically as feared. She made a point of whispering her sincere appreciation
to Mrs. Bennet.
Mary landed in the spot between
Lizzy and Mr. Bingley and was the only person at the lively table who genuinely
appeared miserable. She kept her head bowed as she ate and responded to the few
direct comments from Mr. Bingley with nods of her head or monosyllables. Before
the soup bowls were
vision did add to my decision to remain silent. Quite astute of you to analyze
my true motives.”
“Thank you. Although perhaps I am
not astute so much as you are simply more transparent than you believe.”
“Doubtful, otherwise you would have
deciphered my sentiments some time ago, without needing outside interference.”
“Point accepted. So now, the
challenge is for me to discover where I went wrong before and why I easily
gleaned the truth this time.”
“I have never known you to fail a
challenge, Miss Elizabeth, but I promise to assist in this particular endeavor,
as it benefits me equally.”
Six pairs of eyes flipped back and
forth between Darcy and Lizzy, both of whom appeared to have forgotten they
were not alone—and standing far across the room from each other. So
focused were they that Darcy missed the drama of Bingley’s confusion rolling
into dawning enlightenment, and then the anticipated shock.
“Hold on! Is there an…understanding
between you and Miss Elizabeth, Darcy?”
“I suppose it can be referred to as
such, although I much prefer to state it plainly so as to leave no room for
doubt. Today Miss Elizabeth Bennet accepted my proposal of marriage. Now you
are in competition for who is the happiest man in Hertfordshire, Bingley.”
Moderate pandemonium erupted at
that point. Darcy said little else as he was congratulated by Bingley and
lavished with praise by Mrs. Bennet. Lizzy was freshly engulfed by delighted
sisters, all three of them—even Mary—acting as if news of her
betrothal was revealed that moment. She never made it closer than five feet to her
future husband before again being separated when called into the dining room.
Mrs. Bennet had been busy that
afternoon, despite her claims of being overwhelmed by nerves and anxiety at
Lizzy’s choice for a husband. The dining room was polished until every last
surface sparkled. Their finest china, tableware, linens, silver, and serving
implements were in use, and the candles were brand-new. Freshly cut flowers and
fragrant herbs were arranged in decorative vases strategically located around
the room. The cook, Mrs. Price, who in Lizzy’s estimation always served tasty
dishes, had outdone herself with cuisine visually pleasing when served and
divine when upon the palate.
Sitting catercorner across the
table from Mr. Darcy—purposely assigned the chair to the left of Mr.
Bennet—Lizzy covered her annoyance at being unable to easily converse
with him by using the position to observe frankly. He ate with refined
movements and precision pacing, but consumed every last morsel, as only a man
with a hearty appetite and good food can manage. He spoke sparingly, as was his
natural way Lizzy now understood, but seemed relaxed enough, even when
conversing with Kitty, who sat beside him. Often he turned his eyes toward
Lizzy. His gaze and expression were guarded in the mixed company, but he was unable
to completely hide the love that sent tingles spiraling up and down her spine.
Taken together, Lizzy felt
tremendous relief that his first dinner at Longbourn as her betrothed was not
too uncomfortable for him—or an embarrassment to her. After dining at
Pemberley, where Lizzy suspected ultra-formality was normal even if only Mr.
Darcy and Miss Darcy were present, and at Netherfield where Caroline Bingley
not only insisted on high dining style à la Française , but also commented
on each detail to prove her cultured superiority, Lizzy knew the Longbourn
dining experience would fall short. In this she was correct, just not as
drastically as feared. She made a point of whispering her sincere appreciation
to Mrs. Bennet.
Mary landed in the spot between
Lizzy and Mr. Bingley and was the only person at the lively table who genuinely
appeared miserable. She kept her head bowed as she ate and responded to the few
direct comments from Mr. Bingley with nods of her head or monosyllables. Before
the soup bowls were
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