Page 4 of Look on the Heart (Darcy and Elizabeth Variations #10)

Chapter Three

“What think you of the new neighbors, Eliza?” asked Charlotte.

“’Tis hard to form an opinion after such a short meeting,” Elizabeth chided. “First impressions are rarely correct.”

“Yours are,” Charlotte disagreed. “Come now, I wish to know.” Her friend took Elizabeth’s hand pleadingly.

Elizabeth laughed. “Very well. I shall do my best. Let us begin with the Hursts. Your father introduced him and Miss Bingley to us while you were dancing with Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Hurst’s introduction came after the set.

The gentleman seems a man of fashion. I believe he was already in his cups when he arrived.

Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst give every appearance of high-born, fashionable ladies, despite it being known that their fortune came from trade.

Both seem to place themselves above others, which does not bode well for their future in Meryton. ”

Elizabeth paused for breath, her gaze going to Mr. Bingley and Jane, who were now dancing.

“Mr. Bingley seems eager to please and be pleased. His attraction to Jane is hardly surprising. I would have doubted his sanity if he had not liked her at once. As for Mr. Darcy…” She trailed off.

The man had barely said two words. He was nowhere near as attractive as his friend.

Mr. Darcy had a wine stain birth mark covering most of one side of his face.

It was dark red—one could hardly miss it.

A long scar ran down one side of his plain, unremarkable face.

It looked recent, for it was still red and raised.

His nose, likewise, appeared to have been broken at some point.

Lydia would call the gentleman ‘ugly,’ but Elizabeth did not think his appearance warranted such a harsh description.

Beneath the birth mark and scar, she could tell he was a handsome man.

“What of him?” Charlotte sounded very eager.

Elizabeth understood her friend’s excitement.

As a lady with little physical beauty, she thought her best chance of marrying at all was to find someone equally ill-favored.

Elizabeth thought her friend did herself a disservice.

Charlotte would find someone who looked beyond her appearance and saw the good that lay within.

“He is exceptional,” she finally replied. “I detect deep, hidden pain. Did you see how my mama overlooked him? It was as though he were not there.”

“’Tis very surprising,” Charlotte agreed. “He is from the North and has a fortune of ten thousand a year. Can you believe it?”

“Yes, Mama ought to have been falling all over herself.” Elizabeth laughed. “I think I should like to know him better.”

Charlotte’s face fell.

“Oh.” She sounded so dejected. “He will not look at me if you show him interest.”

“I have not staked a claim in his heart, Charlotte. I merely wish to know him better so I might understand his character. If you wish to befriend him with hope of marriage, I shall not stand in your way.”

Her friend’s expression brightened, and with a nod, Charlotte departed. Lady Lucas waved from across the room, and she hastened to see what her mother needed.

The set ended, and Elizabeth moved to a chair to watch the next one. She did not usually sit out two in a row, but she wished to observe for a time. Lydia and Kitty were speaking animatedly with the Goulding brothers, and Mary conversed with Mrs. Long in the corner.

Voices behind her drew her attention, and Elizabeth turned slightly to see Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy speaking.

“Come, Darcy, you must cease standing about in this stupid manner. I must have you dance. There are many lovely, agreeable ladies here! Surely, someone—”

“There is not a lady here who would not find it a punishment to stand up with me,” came the curt reply.

Elizabeth’s heart seized. Surely, he did not feel that way about himself!

“That is ridiculous. Any lady you asked would accept—”

“Yes, they would,” Mr. Darcy interrupted. “It does not follow that they would not find it a punishment to do so. Bingley, I have been through this with you many times.”

“You have, and I maintain you cannot predict every lady’s motives. Not every woman is mercenary, and not every woman looks only to find fault. Miss Bennet, for example, is an angel! Never have I met a kinder, softer-spoken lady. I am certain she would not object to dancing with you.”

Mr. Darcy sighed deeply. “I shall find a partner if it pleases you, my friend. Forgive my dismal mood.”

Elizabeth turned to see Mr. Darcy push away from the wall. Mr. Bingley pointed directly at her, then folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. Nodding once, Mr. Darcy came towards her.

“Miss Elizabeth, I believe,” he said kindly. “Would you do me the great honor of dancing the next set…with me?” He trailed off awkwardly and looked away.

He is nervous, Elizabeth thought. Smiling kindly, she nodded her acceptance. “Would you care to join me as we wait? The musicians are taking a respite.”

He looked relieved and nodded, taking a seat beside her.

“Forgive me for prying, but I perceive that dancing is not your favorite activity,” she said gently when he did not speak.

Mr. Darcy cleared his throat. “You are correct. I find it difficult to converse with people I do not know well. Light topics do not appeal to me.”

“I, too, prefer substance in discourse,” Elizabeth replied. “Tell me, sir, what think you of books?”

He looked surprised but smiled. The action made his eyes twinkle, and she felt a little jolt in her middle.

“I cannot speak of books in a ballroom,” he said, winking. “Your friend, Miss Lucas, told me something of the ruins found nearby. Are there any other prospects you would recommend? I ride out regularly and wish to take in the sights.”

Thoroughly intrigued, Elizabeth told him about her favorite places, ending with Oakham Mount.

“I walk there each day the weather permits,” she told him enthusiastically.

“I dread the coming winter, for I shall be kept indoors more often than I like. Mama quite despairs of me—I am forever coming in with spoiled petticoats.”

The musicians struck a chord, and Mr. Darcy stood. “I believe this is our set,” he said amiably. “Miss Elizabeth, shall we?”

“With pleasure, sir. There is nothing I enjoy more than dancing.”

“That is hardly singular for someone of your sex,” he replied, his tone still teasing.

Mr. Darcy offered his arm, and she took it.

It felt solid beneath hers. So, not a soft gentleman, she thought.

They took their places, and she regarded him speculatively.

His coat was well cut and fitted him perfectly.

He wore not a bit of color, save for his cravat pin, which was made of some sort of red stone—a ruby, perhaps, or maybe spinel.

They began to dance. The song was slow, which allowed them to continue their conversation. Mr. Darcy spoke of his favorite pastimes, which included pugilism, fencing, and riding.

“Do you shoot?” Elizabeth asked. “Longbourn has a plethora of birds, though I believe Netherfield’s own population has gone unchecked for many years. My father and the other gentlemen in the area enjoy the sport.”

“’Tis not a favorite activity, but I do enjoy the occasional excursion,” Mr. Darcy replied. “I prefer fishing. It is quiet and allows one to enjoy plenty of introspection.”

“You would be a favorite of my uncle, then,” Elizabeth said. “He lives in town and cannot partake of the activity as often as he likes, however. There is a large pond north of Netherfield Park where you might enjoy some angling.”

The dance steps took her away from him for a time, and she watched carefully as he performed the movements with precision. For a gentleman who does not enjoy dancing, he is very proficient, she mused.

“Sir William has invited the gentlemen to a shooting party next week,” Mr. Darcy said when they reunited.

“He loves company,” Elizabeth replied. “Sir William was knighted some twelve years ago. Formerly, he was a shopkeeper. I believe a very eloquent speech given to our king secured him the honor. If you ask him, he would be pleased to tell you all about it.” She smiled mischievously and winked, causing him to chuckle quietly.

The sound washed over her, sending a thrill from head to toe.

“Miss Lucas seems a lovely lady,” he continued. “Are you close friends with her?”

His interest in Charlotte made Elizabeth’s heart simultaneously seize and leap for joy.

Charlotte, she knew, wished to engage Mr. Darcy’s affections.

But what if I wish the same? she thought.

I could never wound Charlotte in such a way!

Unsure what to do, Elizabeth determined to see how matters unfolded before giving them further thought.

I have only just met the gentleman, after all, and the burden of courtship is not on the lady.

When their dance ended, Elizabeth was disappointed. She thanked Mr. Darcy warmly before he departed then wandered about the room until she came to her mother’s side. Mrs. Bennet was speaking with Mrs. Goulding in a voice that carried farther than Elizabeth liked.

“Who is that strange gentleman who danced with you, Lizzy?” her mother asked. “I do not recall being introduced to him, though he came with the Netherfield Party.”

“His name is Mr. Darcy, Mama,” she replied. “He is, from what I understand, Mr. Bingley’s particular friend and will stay with them for some time.”

“Probably a poor, hangers-on sort,” Mrs. Bennet snorted. “Why, look at him! Charlotte Lucas has a prettier countenance!”

“Mama, that is unkind,” Elizabeth chastised. “You have not even made his acquaintance!”

“Trust you to take a fancy to an unattractive, poor prospect, Miss Lizzy,” Mama tut-tutted. “It will not do at all. No, you must let Charlotte Lucas have him. I heard Lady Lucas mention how perfectly suited the gentleman is for her daughter’s temperament.”