Bennet took her hand. “Lizzy, you did not enjoy the dance with your cousin? You look distressed, child.”
Elizabeth lifted her gaze to her father’s eyes. “He was impertinent, Papa. He was vulgar.”
His brows drew together, and his eyes swept the room. “He is looking at you now, Lizzy. I believe you have captured his notice.”
Elizabeth shuddered. “His remarks were coarse, unfit for the ears of a gentlewoman. He frightens me.”
He gave her hand a gentle pat. “We will speak more tomorrow in the privacy of my study.”
She looked about the room until she found Jane. She and Mr. Bingley were seated upon a couch, deep in conversation. At least all was going well for her beloved sister. But why did this alwayshappen to her? She seemed to have ill fortune in matters of the heart. It had been so with Nicholas. He had loved her, and she had loved him in return. Then he left.
And now this elegant, wealthy man from London, this hero straight out of King Arthur’s legends, had pronounced her barely tolerable.
It stung more deeply than her parting with Nicholas. In this case, the fault lay with her person. The standard of feminine beauty must be far higher in Mr. Darcy’s world. She had always been thought pretty enough by her neighbors, and if not for her lack of dowry, she would have been enough for Nicholas.
Tonight, her person had been judged and found wanting. She could not change who she was, nor what she looked like. In that instant, the future spread before her, dark and bleak. She would remain here, buried in this small country village, sharing a roof with a mother who could hardly bear her presence. And if she did not marry, in her old age, she would find herself in a boarding house, eking out an existence. Life was a terrifying thing.
Her father was her only solace. And when he was gone, what then? She must speak to her Uncle Gardiner about employment. Better honest work that earned a wage than the kind of servitude where she was made to beg for every little thing.
The carriage rattled through the dark night, guided only by the faint light of a new moon. Darcy was glad of the darkness; he needed time to think. How had he come to insult an innocent stranger? Why had he uttered such a cruel remark? She was more than attractive enough, and there had been no cause for disparagement.
Miss Bingley’s syrupy voice broke into his thoughts. “And how did tonight’s entertainment please you, Mr. Darcy? I believe you found the assembly insipid.”
Before he could reply, Bingley spoke. “Caroline, why must you always find fault? It was a charming assembly, with many agreeable partners, good refreshments, and lively company. I believe I shall like our neighbors very well. If you have nothing pleasant to say, I beg you will refrain from offering your opinion.”
Miss Bingley was not so easily dissuaded. “And you, Mr. Darcy? Did you find anyone in the company at all attractive?” She tittered. “I know one woman was barely tolerable. Charles, whatever were you thinking, attempting to foist a woman of such low breeding upon Mr. Darcy?”
Darcy’s shame deepened as his thoughts replayed the scene over and over.If Georgiana had been so publicly insulted and within her hearing, he would have called the man out.He knew Miss Elizabeth Bennet had heard his words; he had seen the stricken look in her eyes. By then, it had been too late, the words were spoken, and all he could do was turn his back and walk away.
Caroline had fastened herself to his arm, and the only escape was to endure a set of dances with her. After that, he had walked the perimeter of the floor for the rest of what seemed the longest night of his life.
And the woman he had wronged? She had danced once with a striking partner, whose company she had clearly not desired, for she left him standing on the floor and spent the remainder of the evening seated at her father’s side. He knew, for he had watched her throughout the rest of the evening. Her lovely eyeswere clouded, her brow drawn, and she sat in silence, studying her gloved hands that lay palm up on her lap.
It would have eased his conscience had she been angry and glared at him, but she had not. She had borne the injury and humiliation in silence. By the end of the evening, most of the guests had either heard the insult themselves or learned of it from others, and she was left to chafe beneath the weight of her public mortification.He had done that to her.He had driven her from the dance floor. Darcy hoped she would recover quickly from the wound his unguarded words had caused. He resolved then and there to apologize, as any gentleman must do under such circumstances.
Chapter 2: Sunday Services
“Lizzy, come down to breakfast. What is taking you so long?”
Mrs. Bennet’s shrill voice carried all the way to the second floor, bringing hot blood to Elizabeth’s cheeks. Her mother was on a rampage. It had begun the night of the assembly, when she had seen that Mr. Collins had shown an interest in her least favorite daughter. Thankfully, all day Saturday, Papa had kept the man occupied in his study, and then they had gone out in the gig to see the estate, so she had not come face-to-face with the rector until they sat down to dinner.
Now she faced an ordeal at breakfast and the further discomfort of being cooped up in the carriage with him on the way to and from church. She considered asking to walk, but quickly abandoned the idea. Her mother would only insist that her cousin escort her.
Elizabeth descended the staircase slowly, dreading what awaited her in the breakfast parlor. And sure enough, the trap was set. Mr. Collins looked up at her and smiled. She inclined her head in acknowledgment. He was a handsome man; it was a pity he was so uncouth. He might have made one of them a very eligible husband, but she was sure it would not be her, and her mother could not force her. She had a little of her pin money saved and, if pressed, she would take the mail coach to London and throw herself upon the mercy of her uncle until she could hire herself out as a governess or companion.
“Elizabeth, take the chair next to your cousin,” her mother ordered.
Elizabeth did not reply. There was no point in making a scene. He was to live among them for a month, and she did not wish to provoke him. Evidently, he enjoyed troubling her. She kept her eyes lowered as she served her plate. When she moved to the vacant chair, he rose and pulled it out for her before seating her. She felt an urge to bat his hands away. He was clearly attempting to ingratiate himself with her mother. Little did any of them know how coarse he could be.
She said nothing, but began to eat. The sooner she finished, the sooner she might excuse herself and flee upstairs to the safety of her room.
She heard a low chuckle. The blond titan leaned close and whispered in her ear, “You will not escape me, cousin. I shall sit beside you in the carriage, escort you into church, sit with you through the service, and afterward, I will invite you to walk home with me. And then…”
She glared at him. “I will do no such thing, so do not think it. You are improper, sir. You are no gentleman.”
Mrs. Bennet, catching Elizabeth’s angry expression, interjected sharply, “Lizzy, I will have none of your tricks. Comport yourself, you headstrong girl.”
Elizabeth turned away from her cousin and did not lift her eyes again until she had finished eating. Then she rose and asked to be excused. Mr. Collins rose as well.
