Page 4 of To Go Against Her Heart (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

As for Darcy, he looked forward to the evening, only to secure a brief escape from Miss Bingley’s company.

In the week he spent in Netherfield, he grew tired of her flattery and attempts to impress him.

Unfortunately, Darcy had no choice but to treat her with civility for the sake of his friendship with Mr. Bingley.

By the time the party reached the assembly, the dancing had already begun, and Mr. Bingley immediately apologized to Sir William for their late arrival.

As expected, all eyes were on Mr. Darcy as his friend introduced him to the acquaintances he had made.

Miss Bingley refused to leave him alone and stayed close, whispering now and then about how ill-suited the evening was for someone of his stature. Darcy found himself growing irritable in her presence, and at last Mr. Bingley introduced him to the Bennet family.

“It is delightful to have you grace this occasion, sir. I am certain you will find the evening to your liking,” Mrs. Bennet said, impressed with him.

“I am assured you will not find such beautiful partners to dance with anywhere else,” Sir William added, and Mr. Darcy merely nodded.

He watched Mr. Bingley immediately take his side by Miss Bennet and found her quite equal to the account his friend had given of her beauty.

He was curious about the other sisters, having been introduced only to Miss Bennet and Miss Mary.

The youngest sisters were already dancing, and Miss Elizabeth had stationed herself at the other end of the room, away from the crowd.

Mr. Bingley immediately requested Jane to dance with him, and Darcy eyed many young women seated waiting for a partner.

The last thing he wanted was to dance with someone he was not acquainted with.

Without choice, he stayed with Miss Bingley and the Hursts.

Sir William refused to leave them alone and walked along, introducing them to his friends.

Miss Bingley had expected Darcy to request her for a dance and grew impatient in waiting and at last felt compelled to relinquish her hope and left to dance with Mr. Hurst.

Upon her leaving, Darcy breathed a quiet sigh of relief and stood near Sir William, wondering how he might escape the gentleman, who seemed to have directed all his attention toward Darcy.

“As I was saying, Mr. Darcy, though our gathering here might be humble according to your standards, I assure you that you will be well entertained as the evening progresses. The arrival of Mr. Bingley has greatly livened our society, and we have found much enjoyment in shooting with him. I hope you may be persuaded to join us tomorrow. I have heard much about your grand estate in Derbyshire from your friend, though I have not traveled so far north. Still, I delight in annual excursions to Bath with my family, and next year, I plan on spending a few months in Ramsgate. Have you ever been there?” he asked to Darcy’s horror.

“No, I have not had the pleasure; kindly excuse me,” Darcy said, walking away from him, his mind forced to relive the ghastly ordeal he had fought so hard to erase.

As much as he knew that it was not Sir William’s fault for ruining his evening, he questioned whether he should have stayed at Netherfield, taking a few hours of peace for himself.

He tried desperately to block visions of Georgiana pleading with him to accept her union with Wickham.

It had taken him a great deal of patience that day to make his innocent sister understand Wickham’s true character.

He now stood, lost in thought, watching the couples enjoy the dance, when he was soon approached by Mr. Bingley, who had observed him standing alone.

“Darcy, I will not have you stand here in this stupid manner. Come and dance; there are plenty of pretty girls waiting for a partner,” Mr. Bingley pressed.

“I suggest you leave me alone at the moment. I am not in the mood to dance.”

“Why not? Do you expect to stand here all evening looking so lost? I will not allow it. Look, there is one of Miss Bennet’s sisters, and she is very agreeable, too. Why don’t you ask her?” Mr. Bingley said, looking in Elizabeth’s direction.

Vexed with his friend, Darcy glanced at Elizabeth, who sat alone.

“She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me. I suggest you return to your partner and enjoy her smiles,” he said, not taking more than a second to look at Elizabeth.

Mr. Bingley was shocked to hear his words, as he had never witnessed his friend being uncivil, especially toward a woman.

To his utter dismay, Elizabeth lifted her gaze and, without a moment’s warning, made her way toward them.

As she approached, she nodded at Mr. Bingley, acknowledging him, and locked eyes with Darcy as a small, sarcastic smile played on her lips.

To Darcy’s horror, she purposefully stared into his eyes challengingly and walked past them.

Confirming his worst fears, Mr. Bingley said, “I think she heard you, Darcy.”