Read Online Darcy's Passions by Regina Jeffers - Free Book Online Page B

amusing, the change in the dynamics at Netherfield should bring her “great joy” indeed. Darcy wished he could find the simple pleasure in life Georgiana did. Of course, she was but a child. Such antics would not seem so amusing if his sister knew the extent of his involvement into Hertfordshire society. She might even pity her brother’s position at the hands of a saucy maiden. Darcy wished Georgiana was older and could be his confidant; his “troubles” with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, however, were exactly that—his troubles. No one could resolve them but him.
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    The Bingley household gathered in the drawing room. Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley were at piquet, and Mrs. Hurst observed their game. As was his earlier intention, seated at the desk in the room, Darcy wrote his sister. Miss Bingley, finding nothing of her own for amusement, scrutinized his progress. Eventually, Elizabeth joined the group, taking up her needlework.
    14 November
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    My darling sister,
    I am happy my letters are of such an entertaining nature.This was not my intent, but I feel no offense in your finding them to be so. Our party at Netherfield Park increased by two of late. Bingley and I returned to Netherfield on the tenth after spending an invigorating evening with Colonel Forster and some of his senior officers to find Miss Jane Bennet took ill during her dinner with Mr. Bingley’s sisters. Rather than sending her back to her home at the Longbourn estate in a consistent downpour, the Bingleys provided Miss Bennet accommodations at Netherfield. Miss Bennet is a favorite with Charles.A pretty face, which Miss Bennet does possess, often smites him; reputably she is the prettiest girl in the area. Bingley was secretly
delighted at having Jane Bennet ill while at Netherfield, while also being extremely concerned about her health. He even considered sending to London for a physician.
    Miss Bingley, my dear, wishes me to interrupt my letter at this point to tell how enraptured she is with your design for the table you decorated recently. Truthfully, not wishing to take away from Caroline’s raptures, lately I find her placating compliments for everything relating to the Darcys and to Pemberley as being a reflection of her character. If not for Charles, I would disassociate myself from her.
    The other member of our party is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who has been asked to stay and attend her sister. Actually, I suggested this to Bingley. His having shown Miss Bennet to be his local “choice,” it would not be proper for her to stay at Netherfield without a “chaperone.” Propriety must be maintained.This is the same Miss Elizabeth of whom I spoke previously.
    Miss Elizabeth and Mr. Bingley are both of a playful nature, and I, unfortunately, became the target of a recent rebuke. Bingley when speaking to Miss Elizabeth earlier in the day confided his tendency toward indecision.Then he insinuated his abstract handwriting to be a result of his thoughts coming too quickly for his hand to translate them properly. Miss Elizabeth found his humility endearing. I should have resisted the impulse to respond to Charles’s rants and ravings, but I do so detest deceitful appearances. Of course, poor Bingley is too good of a friend; he often absorbs my criticisms and still considers me to be his partisan. Unfortunately, I listed in some detail a litany of Bingley’s flaws, including his lack of attention to detail in his muddled script. I find Bingley’s inconstancy to be troublesome where Miss Elizabeth believed in general and ordinary cases between friends, where one of them desired the other to change, the person would comply with the desire, without waiting to be argued into it. Her wit turned my argument in Bingley’s favor.This is not the first time Miss Elizabeth and I verbally opposed each other.Although you probably think I find this to be offensive, I do not. It is such a contrast to Miss Bingley’s