Pride and Prejudice (The Wild and Wanton Edition) by Annabella Bloom Read Free Book Online

notice the subtle reference to his slight upon her character. When Sir William looked expectantly at the gentleman in question, Mr. Darcy, with grave propriety, requested to be allowed the honor of her hand. It was in vain for Elizabeth was determined.
    “Mr. Darcy is all politeness.” Elizabeth smiled in earnest now that she knew her clever barb had been well placed. Let the prideful man know his remark had been heard, remembered, and that she was unaffected by it.
    “He is, indeed,” Sir William agreed, “but, considering the inducement, my dear Miss Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complaisance — for who would object to such a partner.”
    Sir William did not shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion.
    Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away. Her resistance had not injured her with the gentleman, and Mr. Darcy was thinking of her with some complacency, when thus accosted by Miss Bingley, “I can guess the subject of your reverie.”
    “I should imagine not.”
    “You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner, in such society, and indeed I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed. The insipidity, and yet the noise — the nothingness, and yet the self-importance of all those people. What I would give to hear your strictures on them.”
    “Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.”
    Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections.
    Mr. Darcy replied with great intrepidity, “Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
    “Miss Elizabeth Bennet!” repeated Miss Bingley. She was hard pressed to hide her amusement. “I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favorite? And pray, when am I to wish you joy.”
    “That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A lady’s imagination is very rapid. It jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy.”
    “Nay, if you are serious about it, I shall consider the matter as absolutely settled. You will have a charming mother-in-law, indeed. Of course, she will always be at Pemberley with you.”
    He listened to her with perfect indifference while she chose to entertain herself in this manner, and as his composure convinced her that all was safe, her wit flowed long.

    Sleep did not come quick or easy for Elizabeth, and she found herself walking through her darkened home in the early hours of morning. She liked the stillness of night and the way the shadows and moonlight transformed the ordinary, everyday objects of her family’s existence into a fanciful garden. She traced her fingers over the mantel, around the wide body of a vase, along the curving paths of oval paintings. She recognized each item from memory and did not need the light to discern their details. This gave her thoughts leave to wander where they willed, and where they willed was the deep blue eyes of Mr. Darcy, for it was always his eyes that first came to her before the memory of his handsome face, then the breadth of his shoulders and length of his arms. He was attractive, would be more so if he smiled and laughed; there were a great many gentlemen of Mr. Darcy’s social stature that managed as much. What was it about Mr. Darcy that caused him to be the most rigid soul of propriety? Wealth commonly brought with it a reserve of character and pride, understandably so, but Mr. Darcy embodied both traits a little too perfectly.
    She had imagined once she pointed out her knowledge of his hurtful words, she would sever the ties that kept him tethered to her mind. This was not to be. Despite his proclaiming her to be merely tolerable as a dance partner, he had been easily persuaded by Sir William to change his mind. She could not make out his