opportunity avails itself.”
Bennet bowed his head as if accepting the apology. Darcy took a deep breath and continued, “As to your other point, as much as I enjoy a spirited discussion with you, this is too personal a topic for me to explore dispassionately. I request you respect my privacy on the matter, trusting that I am taking your advice quite seriously. I do thank you for your honesty, and my respect for you will most certainly guide my actions. With that, my friend, I beg your leave to end this debate and attempt a discussion with more levity.”
“You back away like you have something to hide, Darcy, and other fathers would not relent easily. Still, I accept your apology and acknowledge your decision since you have consented to consider my concerns. I agree that we end this discussion as it is no more pleasant for me than you.”
“Very well, Bennet, you are indeed a good friend,” said Darcy. “Now, since you chose that last disagreeable topic, I would like to challenge you with my choice.”
Bennet raised his brows, but Darcy’s demeanour revealed there was jest in his intended conversation, and a smile threatened on one side of his mouth.
Darcy saw his friend understood his intention and so continued, affecting outrage, “Tell me, as a friend, what in blazes is that cousin of yours thinking, dancing when he has no notion of the forms? I was pained to see the embarrassment on your daughters’ faces as he was disrupting all the participants in the dance and ruthlessly treading on the ladies’ feet!” Bennet noticed a hint of a wry smile in Darcy’s eyes.
“I see we have abandoned all principles of gentlemanly discourse, and I am sorely regretting upsetting your sensibilities with the last topic, such that you feel a need to punish me severely by bringing up my cousin in such a manner,” Bennet said, his mouth twitching to suppress a grin. “I too observed his performance, and if it were not likely that it would further mortify the young women on the receiving end of his company, I would drag him off by his ear like an errant school boy!” However much he thought his cousin ridiculous, his humour was severely tried by Collins.
“My apologies for his ungentlemanly conduct, old man,” he continued. “He drives me quite mad. I was hopeful about his improvement, but it is obvious he does not care how he exposes himself. I have had more than one occasion to chastise him discreetly this evening, but somehow he thinks he is above heeding my counsel. All the response I receive is another ill-mannered speech about your aunt and her condescension and how the import of his station bestows him the right to do as your aunt would admire. I hope you are not so unfortunate as to be much in his company at your aunt’s estate.”
“I imagine I have succeeded in obtaining a little retribution for your opinions on the last topic, Bennet.” Darcy smiled and added drily, “Perhaps if I am ever again in the company of Mr. Collins, I could imply that you are inferior in the skills needed for a proper supplicating sycophant and make the suggestion that he exert himself to provide you advice on how to show subjection towards me and my station! I am sure he would act on my advice with uncommon alacrity!” Darcy was trying not to laugh. Bennet showed no such restraint and threw his head back with a hearty guffaw.
“If he were able to convince me as you suggest, it would make our wrangling much less lively!”
“You are correct, Bennet; that would certainly be most regrettable. In that case, I have no choice but to amend my strategy. I will avoid him, scowl most viciously to show I am not at all approachable, and refuse to attend to his ridiculous speeches.”
“Well done. In any case, we will not long have him in Hertfordshire; he is to return to Kent next Saturday.”
“I am sure you will be most grateful.”
Bennet indicated his agreement and then paused. He took a deep breath and began, “Darcy, I
Bennet bowed his head as if accepting the apology. Darcy took a deep breath and continued, “As to your other point, as much as I enjoy a spirited discussion with you, this is too personal a topic for me to explore dispassionately. I request you respect my privacy on the matter, trusting that I am taking your advice quite seriously. I do thank you for your honesty, and my respect for you will most certainly guide my actions. With that, my friend, I beg your leave to end this debate and attempt a discussion with more levity.”
“You back away like you have something to hide, Darcy, and other fathers would not relent easily. Still, I accept your apology and acknowledge your decision since you have consented to consider my concerns. I agree that we end this discussion as it is no more pleasant for me than you.”
“Very well, Bennet, you are indeed a good friend,” said Darcy. “Now, since you chose that last disagreeable topic, I would like to challenge you with my choice.”
Bennet raised his brows, but Darcy’s demeanour revealed there was jest in his intended conversation, and a smile threatened on one side of his mouth.
Darcy saw his friend understood his intention and so continued, affecting outrage, “Tell me, as a friend, what in blazes is that cousin of yours thinking, dancing when he has no notion of the forms? I was pained to see the embarrassment on your daughters’ faces as he was disrupting all the participants in the dance and ruthlessly treading on the ladies’ feet!” Bennet noticed a hint of a wry smile in Darcy’s eyes.
“I see we have abandoned all principles of gentlemanly discourse, and I am sorely regretting upsetting your sensibilities with the last topic, such that you feel a need to punish me severely by bringing up my cousin in such a manner,” Bennet said, his mouth twitching to suppress a grin. “I too observed his performance, and if it were not likely that it would further mortify the young women on the receiving end of his company, I would drag him off by his ear like an errant school boy!” However much he thought his cousin ridiculous, his humour was severely tried by Collins.
“My apologies for his ungentlemanly conduct, old man,” he continued. “He drives me quite mad. I was hopeful about his improvement, but it is obvious he does not care how he exposes himself. I have had more than one occasion to chastise him discreetly this evening, but somehow he thinks he is above heeding my counsel. All the response I receive is another ill-mannered speech about your aunt and her condescension and how the import of his station bestows him the right to do as your aunt would admire. I hope you are not so unfortunate as to be much in his company at your aunt’s estate.”
“I imagine I have succeeded in obtaining a little retribution for your opinions on the last topic, Bennet.” Darcy smiled and added drily, “Perhaps if I am ever again in the company of Mr. Collins, I could imply that you are inferior in the skills needed for a proper supplicating sycophant and make the suggestion that he exert himself to provide you advice on how to show subjection towards me and my station! I am sure he would act on my advice with uncommon alacrity!” Darcy was trying not to laugh. Bennet showed no such restraint and threw his head back with a hearty guffaw.
“If he were able to convince me as you suggest, it would make our wrangling much less lively!”
“You are correct, Bennet; that would certainly be most regrettable. In that case, I have no choice but to amend my strategy. I will avoid him, scowl most viciously to show I am not at all approachable, and refuse to attend to his ridiculous speeches.”
“Well done. In any case, we will not long have him in Hertfordshire; he is to return to Kent next Saturday.”
“I am sure you will be most grateful.”
Bennet indicated his agreement and then paused. He took a deep breath and began, “Darcy, I
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