Read Online His Good Opinion: A Mr. Darcy Novel by Nancy Kelley - Free Book Online
Authors: Nancy Kelley
Tags: Jane Austen Fan Lit
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Miss Elizabeth to question him further. "No one can really be esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half-deserved."
Darcy eyed Miss Elizabeth, whose smile had widened with each quality listed. He glanced down at the book she still held in her lap, and a sudden desire to tease her with a compliment seized him. "All this she must possess, and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading."
Miss Elizabeth's fine eyes danced with amusement. "I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any ."
He set his cards down on the table and turned fully toward her. "Are you so severe on your own sex, as to doubt the possibility of all this?" It was an honest question; most ladies he knew--nay, most people--would take this opportunity for self-gratulation, claiming all these qualities for themselves.
She shook her head. "I never saw such a woman. I never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe, united."
Instantly, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst launched into the tirade he would have expected before, listing off all the women they knew who fit this mold. In doing so, they not only belied their earlier statement that only a few women deserved to be known as accomplished, Darcy believed they also put themselves in very poor contrast to Miss Bennet. Her decorous humility was even more attractive in comparison to their vain cries of outrage.
Mr. Hurst soon called them back to the card table, and Darcy was not sorry to see the conversation end. Miss Elizabeth has an astonishing ability to discompose me.
He was grateful when, a few minutes later, that lady rose from her own seat and walked toward the door. "Oh, Miss Eliza, you are not leaving so soon," Miss Bingley exclaimed, but this time, Darcy could hear the note of falseness in her voice.
"I am afraid I must," Miss Elizabeth said. "You understand, my first concern is Jane."
"Of course it is," Bingley said. "We could credit you with nothing less. Pray tell me if there is anything that can be done for her."
Miss Elizabeth smiled in receipt of this request and curtsied prettily. On the whole, there was nothing in her manner of which Darcy could disapprove, and if he could but master his own attraction to her, he would be very glad of her company.
Darcy's approbation of the lady was not shared by all in the room. Miss Bingley tossed a card down on the table and then rested her chin on her hand as she surveyed her companions. "Eliza Bennet is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own, and with many men, I daresay, it succeeds. But in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art."
She looked directly at Darcy when she leveled this accusation, no doubt hoping for some reaction from him. But Darcy refused to be baited. Tonight had shown him a smallness of character about her which he had not previously known. "Undoubtedly there is meanness in all the arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears an affinity with cunning is despicable."
Miss Bingley's gaze dropped to the table, and Darcy had all the satisfaction of knowing that he was understood. And let us see if that does not put an end to her sniping, he thought.
Miss Elizabeth returned before Miss Bingley could find her tongue. Her hands were clenched tightly in front of her, and she worried her lower lip between her teeth. "I am afraid Jane is feeling worse, rather than better as I had hoped," she said, her face drawn with tension.
Bingley
Darcy eyed Miss Elizabeth, whose smile had widened with each quality listed. He glanced down at the book she still held in her lap, and a sudden desire to tease her with a compliment seized him. "All this she must possess, and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading."
Miss Elizabeth's fine eyes danced with amusement. "I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any ."
He set his cards down on the table and turned fully toward her. "Are you so severe on your own sex, as to doubt the possibility of all this?" It was an honest question; most ladies he knew--nay, most people--would take this opportunity for self-gratulation, claiming all these qualities for themselves.
She shook her head. "I never saw such a woman. I never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe, united."
Instantly, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst launched into the tirade he would have expected before, listing off all the women they knew who fit this mold. In doing so, they not only belied their earlier statement that only a few women deserved to be known as accomplished, Darcy believed they also put themselves in very poor contrast to Miss Bennet. Her decorous humility was even more attractive in comparison to their vain cries of outrage.
Mr. Hurst soon called them back to the card table, and Darcy was not sorry to see the conversation end. Miss Elizabeth has an astonishing ability to discompose me.
He was grateful when, a few minutes later, that lady rose from her own seat and walked toward the door. "Oh, Miss Eliza, you are not leaving so soon," Miss Bingley exclaimed, but this time, Darcy could hear the note of falseness in her voice.
"I am afraid I must," Miss Elizabeth said. "You understand, my first concern is Jane."
"Of course it is," Bingley said. "We could credit you with nothing less. Pray tell me if there is anything that can be done for her."
Miss Elizabeth smiled in receipt of this request and curtsied prettily. On the whole, there was nothing in her manner of which Darcy could disapprove, and if he could but master his own attraction to her, he would be very glad of her company.
Darcy's approbation of the lady was not shared by all in the room. Miss Bingley tossed a card down on the table and then rested her chin on her hand as she surveyed her companions. "Eliza Bennet is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own, and with many men, I daresay, it succeeds. But in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art."
She looked directly at Darcy when she leveled this accusation, no doubt hoping for some reaction from him. But Darcy refused to be baited. Tonight had shown him a smallness of character about her which he had not previously known. "Undoubtedly there is meanness in all the arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears an affinity with cunning is despicable."
Miss Bingley's gaze dropped to the table, and Darcy had all the satisfaction of knowing that he was understood. And let us see if that does not put an end to her sniping, he thought.
Miss Elizabeth returned before Miss Bingley could find her tongue. Her hands were clenched tightly in front of her, and she worried her lower lip between her teeth. "I am afraid Jane is feeling worse, rather than better as I had hoped," she said, her face drawn with tension.
Bingley
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