Read Online One Thread Pulled: The Dance With Mr. Darcy by Diana J Oaks - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Diana J Oaks
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Caroline paused, glancing toward Mr. Darcy, “I give you Miss Georgiana Darcy. She is very accomplished indeed.”
“Indeed?” Elizabeth repeated, also looking at Mr. Darcy.
“Yes, my sister is indeed accomplished for her age. The only failing she has at present is the improvement of her mind, through reading.” Darcy said firmly. “I may recommend, when she is a bit older and able to get more out of it, that she too explore the pages of The Republic .”
Elizabeth felt herself color at the realization that Mr. Darcy had identified the book, and observing that she felt fatigued, she hastily made her excuses and returned to Jane.
Chapter Eleven
A Room with a View
E lizabeth had not quit the drawing room for twelve seconds before Caroline Bingley declared. “What a tedious chore it is to spend an evening in company with Eliza Bennet. Her country manners, which you call 'charming,' my dear brother, are indeed atrocious. Her refusal to join us at the card table was an affront to civility—if my opinion is of any import.”
“I thought the evening went very well,” Bingley said cheerfully. “She was as delightful as ever.”
“Perhaps to you, she seemed so, but I found her to be insolent in every way. I pray that Jane recovers quickly, for it would be unendurable to continue for many nights in this way. Would you not agree, Mr. Darcy?”
“No,” Darcy replied. “I could endure it well, for Miss Bennet was most agreeable company. Any lack of comportment you may have perceived on her part can easily be attributed to her concern for her sister's condition.”
“But,” Caroline pursued the matter, “that concern is no excuse for her flippant manner of address. She is too mischievous. There is nothing about her to recommend.”
“I did not consider her manners untoward. No, indeed, Miss Bingley, her conversation showed a liveliness of spirit that was refreshing, and any mischief she showed you was well deserved.”
“You say that only because you were not really paying attention, Mr. Darcy. Indeed, you were very reserved tonight, but that is not surprising in light of the society. I am certain I know what you were thinking.”
“I imagine not.”
“Admit it, Mr. Darcy. You were thinking that it would be insupportable to spend another evening in such a way, in such company as that of Miss Eliza Bennet.” Caroline snickered.
“My mind was, I assure you, more agreeably engaged.” Darcy said curtly.
“Well?” Caroline prompted after a lengthy pause.
“I was meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.”
Caroline blushed slightly. She had received this compliment before, that her eyes were lovely, yet she was gratified that such a statement would come from Mr. Darcy. She fluttered her eyelashes as prettily as she could and pressed him. “If I may be so bold as to ask, whose eyes have inspired these reflections?”
Mr. Bingley looked sharply at his sister, but she did not see it, her attention was so fixed upon Mr. Darcy.
Darcy hesitated, taking stock of Miss Bingley before he casually replied, “Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet!'“ repeated Miss Bingley. “I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favorite? Pray when am I to wish you joy?”
“That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask.” Darcy replied wryly, “A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love and from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy, for it seems that all it takes to make this leap is the merest hint of admiration.” He turned to his friend and speaking softly so that only Charles could hear, he added, “Or a blow to the head.”
Charles snorted and flushed, drawing Caroline's attention away from Darcy.
“And you, dear brother, should not encourage Miss Eliza in her exhibitions . It does neither of you credit.”
~*~
The
“Indeed?” Elizabeth repeated, also looking at Mr. Darcy.
“Yes, my sister is indeed accomplished for her age. The only failing she has at present is the improvement of her mind, through reading.” Darcy said firmly. “I may recommend, when she is a bit older and able to get more out of it, that she too explore the pages of The Republic .”
Elizabeth felt herself color at the realization that Mr. Darcy had identified the book, and observing that she felt fatigued, she hastily made her excuses and returned to Jane.
Chapter Eleven
A Room with a View
E lizabeth had not quit the drawing room for twelve seconds before Caroline Bingley declared. “What a tedious chore it is to spend an evening in company with Eliza Bennet. Her country manners, which you call 'charming,' my dear brother, are indeed atrocious. Her refusal to join us at the card table was an affront to civility—if my opinion is of any import.”
“I thought the evening went very well,” Bingley said cheerfully. “She was as delightful as ever.”
“Perhaps to you, she seemed so, but I found her to be insolent in every way. I pray that Jane recovers quickly, for it would be unendurable to continue for many nights in this way. Would you not agree, Mr. Darcy?”
“No,” Darcy replied. “I could endure it well, for Miss Bennet was most agreeable company. Any lack of comportment you may have perceived on her part can easily be attributed to her concern for her sister's condition.”
“But,” Caroline pursued the matter, “that concern is no excuse for her flippant manner of address. She is too mischievous. There is nothing about her to recommend.”
“I did not consider her manners untoward. No, indeed, Miss Bingley, her conversation showed a liveliness of spirit that was refreshing, and any mischief she showed you was well deserved.”
“You say that only because you were not really paying attention, Mr. Darcy. Indeed, you were very reserved tonight, but that is not surprising in light of the society. I am certain I know what you were thinking.”
“I imagine not.”
“Admit it, Mr. Darcy. You were thinking that it would be insupportable to spend another evening in such a way, in such company as that of Miss Eliza Bennet.” Caroline snickered.
“My mind was, I assure you, more agreeably engaged.” Darcy said curtly.
“Well?” Caroline prompted after a lengthy pause.
“I was meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.”
Caroline blushed slightly. She had received this compliment before, that her eyes were lovely, yet she was gratified that such a statement would come from Mr. Darcy. She fluttered her eyelashes as prettily as she could and pressed him. “If I may be so bold as to ask, whose eyes have inspired these reflections?”
Mr. Bingley looked sharply at his sister, but she did not see it, her attention was so fixed upon Mr. Darcy.
Darcy hesitated, taking stock of Miss Bingley before he casually replied, “Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet!'“ repeated Miss Bingley. “I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favorite? Pray when am I to wish you joy?”
“That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask.” Darcy replied wryly, “A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love and from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy, for it seems that all it takes to make this leap is the merest hint of admiration.” He turned to his friend and speaking softly so that only Charles could hear, he added, “Or a blow to the head.”
Charles snorted and flushed, drawing Caroline's attention away from Darcy.
“And you, dear brother, should not encourage Miss Eliza in her exhibitions . It does neither of you credit.”
~*~
The
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