Goodly Creatures: A Pride and Prejudice Deviation by Beth Massey Read Free Book Online

in their box.”
    Darcy was amused by her exuberance and candour, and he was unable to help himself. He smiled at her, and his dimples were evident to all.
    Elizabeth now thought he was as handsome as his cousin. She blushed again and looked down at her feet for a few seconds, but then brashly decided to continue the discussion to see if she could persuade him to show her those playful indentations in his cheeks again. “I hope to see more of Shakespeare performed in the future, but my most fervent dream is to see Moliere’s Le Misanthrope performed at the Comédie Française in Paris. However, with the situation between France and England, I doubt I will get my wish anytime soon.”
    Darcy fulfilled her hopes as he smiled again and said, “What does one so young know about misanthropy and hypocrisy?”
    Her infectious grin made another appearance. “My father is a great studier of the human character, and enjoys mocking other’s failings. I have enjoyed his barbs over the years, and was struck when I first read Le Misanthrope with the similarity between his and Moliere’s humour. The irony is that my father is a bit of a misanthrope, and now and then I have even seen some of the trait in myself. That is what I like about the theatre. It helps us all to become more aware while indulging in an entertaining evening with friends—and not to slight my mother’s legacy—it gives us an excuse to wear our finest clothes.”
    It had been such a long time since Darcy had engaged in such stimulating and refreshing conversation. He felt the need to challenge this young woman and see her intellect in action. In an almost conspiratorial voice he asked, “Do you feel comfortable with Moliere’s satirizing the hypocrisies of the French aristocracy, considering the results of the French revolution?”
    Without hesitation, Elizabeth responded in kind. She moved quite close to Darcy and spoke directly to him as the others conversed around them, “In truth, he poked fun at both the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy. You are unfair to blame him for the Jacobins.” She glanced surreptitiously toward the Viscount as she said with a giggle, “I have no family members who are part of the aristocracy, so I am free to be much more egalitarian in my outlook, and hopefully still keep my head about me.” When she observed that Mr Darcy seemed pleased with her humour, she continued. “Besides, the corruptness of the society created critics, even within the Ancien Régime; or how do we explain Laclos or the duc d’Orléans?”
    Darcy’s mouth dropped in amazement, “You have read Les Liaisons Dangereuses? How old are you?”
    Elizabeth’s eyes danced mischievously as she whispered, “I just turned fifteen, and please be discreet. I would not like my aunt and uncle overhearing that I read one of the forbidden books my father keeps on the top shelf of his library. Besides the threat to my morals from the risqué contents, I almost broke my neck climbing. How delightful that would have been for the gossips in my village. Can you not hear them chattering on about the young woman who died in pursuit of improper and lascivious reading material?”
    Darcy threw back his head and laughed at this young woman’s delightful impertinence.
    Edmund and Anne looked at each other, and neither could believe that the dour Darcy had not only treated a stranger to two of his rare dimpled smiles, but then proceeded to laugh out loud.
    The time had come for the two parties to return to their boxes.

    Elizabeth Bennet was flushed with excitement as they made their way back to their seats. Pride filled her as she considered how easily she had conversed with such important personages. While watching Lord Wolfbridge and Mr Darcy walk away, a sigh had escaped her throat. Both men were so very elegant. Upon hearing the sound, her aunt had directed a teasing smile her way. Lizzy had momentarily been mortified that she had acted so silly, but then thought better of