Alias Thomas Bennet by Suzan Lauder Read Free Book Online Page A

and he was a worthy adversary when arguing almost any point, even if he had a fair bit of pride regarding his depth of knowledge. She begrudgingly conceded his greater information; he had a university education, and he had travelled in the world. No home education could compete with that. Still, she liked that he was not off-put by her ability to converse intelligently on topics usually forbidden to a woman, and she found herself drawn to him in a way that was frightening to her. But she was unsure of his regard and felt in danger of wanting his attention too much.
    She noticed him watching her from across the room. She was not sure whether it was in disapprobation and hoped for the compliment of a positive regard, but she could not be sure; his expression was unreadable as was usual in public situations. When he approached her group and she made a banal statement, he responded in a way that could have been construed as flirtatious but also might be interpreted as his comparing her with every other simpering woman who lived for trivial entertainment. She did not want to be seen as sweet and fawning, and viewed the use of feminine wiles as frightfully resembling the cloying Caroline Bingley, whose type of flirtatiousness did not seem to attract him. Thank goodness Charlotte opened the instrument, for she was feeling all the inelegance of her inability to come up with a clever rejoinder.
    There was no question she was confused at his request to dance when plied by Sir William, and she felt embarrassed at having no idea whether he really wanted to dance. She was mortified that he no doubt felt forced to ask, similar to when Mr. Bingley tried to coerce him into dancing with her at the Meryton assembly. Her feelings were hurt over both situations. Privately, she admitted that she yearned for such a handsome and important man to want her company of his own accord, but those feelings were in conflict with her insistence upon being cross with him for his rude comments and for usurping her position as the cleverest in the Longbourn drawing room. These thoughts left her sleepless for yet another night while she wondered about her obsession with his handsome countenance, his friendly if reserved manner, and her own burgeoning appreciation for his fine eyes.
    ***
    Not many days later, while the Bennet family was enjoying their breakfast, a note addressed to Miss Jane Bennet was brought in by a footman. Jane shared the contents with her family: Miss Bingley was inviting Jane to Netherfield for dinner to help reduce the boredom she and Mrs. Hurst might feel whilst the men of their party dined with the officers.
    “It is a compliment to you to be considered a favourite from such a short acquaintance. Of course, you must agree to visit,” said Mrs. Bennet with no little enthusiasm. “Thomas, we must allow her to take the carriage, for it looks like it might rain.”
    Mr. Bennet agreed, and Jane attended a lovely dinner with stimulating conversation, even if Miss Bingley chose a little too often to ask questions intended to provoke embarrassment regarding Jane’s fortune and connections. Although she should have been offended, Jane’s kindness allowed her to maintain admirable composure under the interrogation.
    ***
    The entire Netherfield party was invited to dinner at the Bennet home to reciprocate the generous invitation to Jane. When the gentlemen rejoined the ladies after the meal, Lydia Bennet, kindly thinking of her elder sisters’ opportunity for an enjoyable pursuit, politely reminded Mr. Bingley of his earlier suggestion to hold a ball at Netherfield Park and asked when such an event might take place. Before he could respond, Miss Bingley asserted herself indecorously and argued against the idea of a ball, implying that some members of the Netherfield party would consider it a trial to bear. Her brother refuted her opinion and declared a date would be set as soon as his cook could prepare enough white soup.
    “I should like