Darcy's Passions by Regina Jeffers Page B

yours.What you ask are not my answers to give at this time, Miss Elizabeth. I would ask you to trust your inclinations to know what is true.” Their time together ended on this bitter note; they finished the second dance in silence and parted. The way things ended dissatisfied both of them. Elizabeth’s natural curiosity initially told her things were not as they seemed, but she could not see past Darcy’s earlier behavior to her to distinguish the truth from the lies. Darcy’s hurt came from knowing he could never be anything more to her than he was at that moment; he forgave her for her disdain because he knew it was formed on half-truths. Instead, he directed all his anger on George Wickham.
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    Darcy left the dance floor in an agitated state; his performance left him wanting to say so much more to Elizabeth Bennet. He moved about the room oblivious to the civilities being offered on his behalf. He stood along the rim of a cluster of partygoers, pretending to be interested in their tales when the bow of the same pudgy clergyman who tormented Elizabeth with his “lightness of foot” interrupted his thoughts. Darcy could not comprehend the man’s affront at first. Collins made him a low bow. “Mr. Darcy, I learned by a singular accident you are indeed the nephew of my esteemed patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh; I wanted to assure you her ladyship was quite well yesterday sennight.” This unsolicited address astonished him, and Darcy eyed the man with unrestrained wonder; and when at last Mr. Collins allowed him time to speak, he replied with an air of distant civility. Mr. Collins, however, set about an equally pompous second speech, which increased Darcy’s contempt. Finally, he made the imbecile a slight bow and moved
away. He thanked providence he was wise enough to not make a permanent alliance with Elizabeth Bennet. It seemed she possessed no shortage of poor connections. All he wanted at that moment was for the ball to come to a close so he could be rid of his promise to Bingley and to his time in Hertfordshire.
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    He moved with the others to take supper. Unfortunately, he found himself in close proximity to Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Lucas. In an energized manner, Mrs. Bennet confided to Mrs. Lucas, “Mr. Bingley so honors our Jane with his attentions. He singles her out above all others. We expect a wedding at Netherfield very, very soon, and when Jane is so well placed, I told Mr. Bennet, we may cosign our other daughters to Jane’s care in hopes of likewise excellent matches.”
    He watched while Elizabeth, realizing Darcy sat opposite them, tried to stifle her mother’s enthusiasm and tone down her mother’s voice. He felt sympathy for Elizabeth being plagued by such a family, but he found her mother’s incivility intolerable.“What do I care what Mr. Darcy thinks, Lizzy. He is nothing to me.” The absolute disdain he felt for her mother overrode his sympathy for Elizabeth. Finally, Mrs. Bennet said no more on the matter. Darcy hoped some sense of decorum might now return to the dining hall. Bingley, as the host, when the supper finished, called for singing and entertainment.
    Darcy watched as Mary Bennet prepared to oblige the company. Mary Bennet’s voice was weak and her manner affected. Darcy remained grave, but he witnessed the agony in which Elizabeth found herself. Elizabeth’s eyes pleaded with her father to do something. Mary would not leave the pianoforte until someone forced her to do so. Mr. Bennet took his daughter’s hint. As Mary finished her second song, he approached her at the instrument and closed the keys’ door.Then he said loudly,“Mary, dearest, you have delighted Mr. Bingley’s guests long enough; it is time to allow the other young ladies a chance to perform.” Darcy sat in a state of astonishment while Elizabeth’s countenance colored.The mortification
she tried to stop with her