She averted her eyes and went to the shelves to select a book that would hopefully distract her from dimples, from Jane’s arrival, from Mr and Mrs Collins and whatever else occupied her mind. She chose a recently published poetry book by a Jewish-Anglo author called A. Weisman, which examined the British Culture from a foreign perspective. Before long Elizabeth lost herself in Mr Weisman’s words and absentmindedly lifted her feet and tucked them under her skirt as she made herself comfortable on the settee.
The library was so quiet that it seemed both occupants had fallen asleep. But when Elizabeth casually turned her eyes to look at Mr Darcy she found him staring at her with a burning gaze and lips parted. She blushed to the point of feeling her face burn.
She decided that teasing him was better than feeling embarrassed, “Have I left cheese crumbs on my face Mr Darcy?” She said rubbing her face gently.
He looked embarrassed, “I beg your pardon Miss Elizabeth. I was momentarily distracted... ermm... your beauty madam can be very disconcerting, especially when one needs to concentrate on boring business letters.”
She blinked and lowered her feet to the ground, “I beg your pardon Mr Darcy, I did not mean to interrupt your work sir.” She said, misunderstanding his remark.
He smiled, “It was a very welcome interruption.”
She frowned, finally focusing on the words spoken only moments before, “I always understood that my tolerable beauty was nothing to tempt you sir, let alone distract you from something important.” She teased.
“Miss Elizabeth your failure to read me properly is sometimes hard to understand, since you are so apt at reading other people so efficiently.”
“I do not need to read you Mr Darcy since you are so good as to tell me with such explicit language exactly what you are feeling regarding me, my appearance and my family.”
He winced as if in pain. “Miss Elizabeth I cannot tell you how sorry I am to know that you heard my ridiculous words at the assembly when we first met.”
“I think you said it with the explicit desire that I hear you... and the entire neighbourhood as well.”
He got up abruptly and walked to her and threw himself at her feet, “Madam I truly beg your pardon for such a vindictive and obvious blatant falsehood. There is not an ounce of truth in those despicable words.”
She tried to shrink from him, “Mr Darcy, sir, please get up.” She looked nervously at the closed door, “Should we be found in this position it would be misconstrued and it could get us both into some real trouble with your aunt and your betrothed.”
He blinked confused, “Betrothed?”
“Miss de Bourgh, sir.”
“Miss Elizabeth, madam, you are mistaken. I am not now bound to Anne, nor have I ever been.” He said getting up and raking his hair in obvious agitation.
“But your aunt...”
“Likes to dictate people’s lives, as I am certain you have noticed it yourself. But it has little connection to reality.”
“What about Miss de Bourgh herself, does she agree with you on the matter?” Elizabeth asked, incredulous.
He frowned. “I do not know. I have actively avoided her from the time I understood what my aunt had designed for us. In consequence I have never taken the trouble to ask Anne how she feels about the matter.”
“Do you think that is fair Mr Darcy?”
“No it is not.” He said reflective.
“I suspected you never considered the feelings of those beneath you, but I am surprised to see that you are not much better to those of your own sphere.”
He turned to her and fixed her with a hard glare, “I am aware Miss Bennet, that you have a very poor opinion of me, but other than the situation between Bingley and your sister can you name another situation in which I hurt another for my own amusement?”
“Yes I can.” She said in a firm voice, “Your treatment of Mr Wickham. It is the perfect example of a malicious rich man who takes revenge on an underling, simply because he does not like him.”
Darcy’s mouth dropped open and for a few seconds he simply stared at her in bewilderment.
“What can you have to say on that subject? Under what imaginary act of friendship can you defend yourself?”
“You take an eager interest on that gentleman’s concerns.” Said Darcy in a louder voice and heightened colour.
As Elizabeth opened her mouth to retort angrily, the door opened and Mr Gibbs entered, “Excuse me Mr Darcy,” Then turning to Elizabeth, he said, “Miss Bennet, your sister has arrived.”
Elizabeth got up in one jump and without looking at Darcy she ran out of the library.
