Read Online Fault or Virtue: An Imaginative Retelling of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' by April Karber - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: April Karber
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with Caroline, she was sure that he
was bothered by many other eligible women and thought that his dourness was an attempt
to ward them away. Since she had so eagerly made it clear that she was not interested in
him, perhaps he had lowered his guard because he did not feel threatened. Either way, she
was grateful for it, but was saddened by the thought that if this was his true nature, that it
would likely remain hidden from the rest of the world. Most of all, she had become quite
accustomed to insightful conversation, and she would lament its absence. It would all be
ribbons, bows, and lace once she returned home.
“Now I cannot help but notice the abundance of violets,” Elizabeth laughed,
looking around her at the flowers once they were outside.
!
$+!
“I believe even my sister might find it a little too excessive,” Darcy mused, “but
she will love to hear about them.”
Elizabeth saw his face cloud over when he mentioned his sister, distracted by his
thoughts. She did not know what haunted him when it came to his sister, but she was
eager to put him at ease.
“I am exceedingly glad that we have been able to enjoy each other’s company. I’d
like to think that we have become friends, Mr. Darcy.” She had wanted to say this, but
hearing them tumble from her mouth made them all sound silly. She was nervous, she
realized, lest he disagree with her. Did the proud Mr. Darcy have any friends besides Mr.
Bingley?
“Friends, Miss Elizabeth?” Is that all? His expression became too serious for
Elizabeth’s liking and she regretted saying anything. Darcy did not know whether to feel
relieved that he was now unburdened of disappointing her hopes or whether he was
disappointed that she felt nothing for him.
Now, she could think of nothing but changing the direction of conversation. “That
is, if I am in fact tolerable enough to be considered so.” She narrowed her eyes at him,
lest he return to being serious, and she intensified her glare when his expression went
from uncomfortable to guilty.
“Madam, I will prove it by begging for the pleasure of your company for two
dances at the upcoming ball. That is, if you are not otherwise engaged or inclined.” Why
do I feel so disappointed when I should be grateful? If I had any reason to suspect that
Miss Elizabeth had feelings for me, I would feel … His mind drew a blank. Would I feel
guilty? Why would I feel guilty?
“I am not, and I happily accept,” Elizabeth found herself lost in his dark eyes.
Darcy, too, found himself lost in hers, and so did not hear Bingley approaching and
attempted to continue. “It has long been since I have considered you one of the most
bea…” he was cut off by Bingley before he could finish.
“Miss Elizabeth! The carriage is waiting.” Elizabeth fixed Bingley with a smile
and turned to follow him into the house. Darcy cursed silently and caught up to her. She
glanced sideways at him, noting his distress.
“Do not fret, Mr. Darcy, you can finish whatever it was you were going to say
while we dance. It will not do to stay silent together for a half hour together, we must
have conversation.”
“And so you must have laughing, Miss Elizabeth.” He took her hand gently and
brought it to his lips, grazing her knuckles for slightly longer than necessary. A great,
warm fluttering ran through her entire body, her cheeks pinked, and the spot where his
lips touched her skin burned from the sensation.
“Until the ball, Miss Elizabeth.” He bowed and left her. She found herself in the
carriage minutes later, not knowing how she got there, not remembering coming in from
the garden or exiting the house. All she knew was the burning on her hand, and the
beating of her heart.
Chapter 12
!
$"!
The quiet that fell upon Netherfield upon the Bennets leave was most distressing
to two individuals.
“It is such a shame that they could not have extended their stay!” cried Bingley,
watching the carriage pulling away from an upper
was bothered by many other eligible women and thought that his dourness was an attempt
to ward them away. Since she had so eagerly made it clear that she was not interested in
him, perhaps he had lowered his guard because he did not feel threatened. Either way, she
was grateful for it, but was saddened by the thought that if this was his true nature, that it
would likely remain hidden from the rest of the world. Most of all, she had become quite
accustomed to insightful conversation, and she would lament its absence. It would all be
ribbons, bows, and lace once she returned home.
“Now I cannot help but notice the abundance of violets,” Elizabeth laughed,
looking around her at the flowers once they were outside.
!
$+!
“I believe even my sister might find it a little too excessive,” Darcy mused, “but
she will love to hear about them.”
Elizabeth saw his face cloud over when he mentioned his sister, distracted by his
thoughts. She did not know what haunted him when it came to his sister, but she was
eager to put him at ease.
“I am exceedingly glad that we have been able to enjoy each other’s company. I’d
like to think that we have become friends, Mr. Darcy.” She had wanted to say this, but
hearing them tumble from her mouth made them all sound silly. She was nervous, she
realized, lest he disagree with her. Did the proud Mr. Darcy have any friends besides Mr.
Bingley?
“Friends, Miss Elizabeth?” Is that all? His expression became too serious for
Elizabeth’s liking and she regretted saying anything. Darcy did not know whether to feel
relieved that he was now unburdened of disappointing her hopes or whether he was
disappointed that she felt nothing for him.
Now, she could think of nothing but changing the direction of conversation. “That
is, if I am in fact tolerable enough to be considered so.” She narrowed her eyes at him,
lest he return to being serious, and she intensified her glare when his expression went
from uncomfortable to guilty.
“Madam, I will prove it by begging for the pleasure of your company for two
dances at the upcoming ball. That is, if you are not otherwise engaged or inclined.” Why
do I feel so disappointed when I should be grateful? If I had any reason to suspect that
Miss Elizabeth had feelings for me, I would feel … His mind drew a blank. Would I feel
guilty? Why would I feel guilty?
“I am not, and I happily accept,” Elizabeth found herself lost in his dark eyes.
Darcy, too, found himself lost in hers, and so did not hear Bingley approaching and
attempted to continue. “It has long been since I have considered you one of the most
bea…” he was cut off by Bingley before he could finish.
“Miss Elizabeth! The carriage is waiting.” Elizabeth fixed Bingley with a smile
and turned to follow him into the house. Darcy cursed silently and caught up to her. She
glanced sideways at him, noting his distress.
“Do not fret, Mr. Darcy, you can finish whatever it was you were going to say
while we dance. It will not do to stay silent together for a half hour together, we must
have conversation.”
“And so you must have laughing, Miss Elizabeth.” He took her hand gently and
brought it to his lips, grazing her knuckles for slightly longer than necessary. A great,
warm fluttering ran through her entire body, her cheeks pinked, and the spot where his
lips touched her skin burned from the sensation.
“Until the ball, Miss Elizabeth.” He bowed and left her. She found herself in the
carriage minutes later, not knowing how she got there, not remembering coming in from
the garden or exiting the house. All she knew was the burning on her hand, and the
beating of her heart.
Chapter 12
!
$"!
The quiet that fell upon Netherfield upon the Bennets leave was most distressing
to two individuals.
“It is such a shame that they could not have extended their stay!” cried Bingley,
watching the carriage pulling away from an upper
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