Jane watched as Mr. Darcy listened to Miss Bingley with perfect indifference while the woman was completely unaware of his disdain. It seemed she misread his composure as a signal to allow her wit to flow—what she thought was wit.
It was at that moment Jane recognised Mr. Darcy looked at her in the same way he looked at Miss Bingley. In order to capture him, she would have to seduce or compromise the man.
After Elizabeth played one song and sang another, she ceded her place at the instrument to Mary. Lydia demanded some lively tunes to dance to, and Mary demurred, until Mrs. Bennet hissed at her middle daughter.
Kitty and Lydia dragged two of the officers to form a line where the carpet had been rolled up to make space for dancing. Elizabeth was crossing the room to Charlotte when she heard Mr. Darcy make a rude comment to Sir William to the effect thatany savage can dance.
As Elizabeth walked by, Sir William called her over and suggested Mr. Darcy dance with her. “Please do not trouble yourself, Mr. Darcy, my purpose in walking this way was not to solicit a dance withanyone. I am not sure it would be atolerableactivity now,” Elizabeth stated with arched eyebrow.
“It will give me pleasure to dance with you if you agree, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy stated.
“I am not in a mood to dance tonight but thank you for yourkindoffer.” Elizabeth curtsied and before he could bow to her, she turned and walked away.
‘And I was going to apologise to her! Who does she think she is to refuse me a dance? I am Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley,’ Darcy told himself to soothe his bruised ego.
Jane was bemused as she watched Lizzy insult the man again. ‘I am sure Lizzy will kill any inclination Mr. Darcy holds for her on her own without my having to exert myself.’ Jane thought.
As the Bennets waited for their carriage to be brought around, Jane leaned over to Elizabeth. “It pains me to tell you this, Lizzy, but while you were playing I overheard Mr. Darcy insulting your eyes and what he said about your playing…I will not repeat his words. What an insufferable man.” Jane plunged the knife in and twisted it.
Her younger sister did not answer, but Jane could tell her sister was well on her way to hating Mr. Darcy. It would not take much to goad Lizzy into berating Mr. Darcy publicly. That, Jane was sure, would kill any attraction the man felt for her sister.
Chapter4
A few days after the Derbyshire Militia arrived, Miss Bingley sent a note inviting Jane to dine with her and Mrs. Hurst, as the men were dining with the officers and the two ladies disliked being alone.
“Should I ask Papa if the carriage horses are available?” Elizabeth asked.
“Thank you for your consideration, Lizzy,” Jane replied.
As soon as Elizabeth exited the drawing room, Jane turned to her mother. “It looks like rain today does it not, Mama?”
“Yes, it does. What are you thinking, Jane?” Mrs. Bennet asked.
“No matter what Papa says, when Lizzy comes back you must order me to ride Nellie to Netherfield Park. Hopefully, I will either get a little wet or it will begin to rain after I arrive so I will have to remain there overnight. That will allow me toconvinceMr. Darcy, one way or the other, we are to be married,” Jane schemed.
“You clever girl, you must feign illness so you can stay there for some days and you will be in Mr. Darcy’s company,” Fanny Bennet enthused.
Just then Elizabeth returned. “As far as Papa knows the horses are available.”
“What do you know, you wilful girl,” Fanny barked. “Jane will ride Nellie as your father forgot the horses are needed on the farm today.”
“But Mama,” Jane responded dramatically placing her hand over her heart, “how can I go on Nellie when it looks like rain?”
“If you like I will verify with Papa so Jane will not chance getting wet,” Elizabeth volunteered.
“It will be as I said. Do not attempt to gainsay me, Miss Lizzy,” Fanny stated with asperity.
“If you are sure, Mama, I will ride Nellie,” Jane sighed with put-on resignation.
“You will see, all will be well,” Fanny decreed.
“Mayhap you will see Mr. Bingley, Jane,” Elizabeth surmised as the two made their way to the still room. “As long as you do not have to suffer the company of that arrogant, insufferable Mr. Darcy.”
“Hopefully, providence will allow me to see the man I wish to,” Jane returned ambiguously. She congratulated herself that her sister’s dislike of Mr. Darcy increased each day.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
To prove the old adage, ‘be careful what you wish for,’ Jane had not ridden even one of the three miles to Netherfield Park when the heavens opened and she was pelted with hard, heavy rain during the remainder of her ride.
