Darcy's Midsummer Madness: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Cass Grix

Author:Cass Grix [Grix, Cass]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mr. Darcy, Jane Austen fan fiction, regency romance
Publisher: Cass Grix
Published: 2017-07-08T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

ELIZABETH BENNET

Good heavens. What is happening on the dance floor? Is that my father, arguing with Mr. Denny? I glance helplessly at Mr. Darcy, seeking his assistance, and he steps forward, guiding Mr. Denny off the dance floor. Together they walk towards the card room.

What a gentleman.

*

CAROLINE BINGLEY

The ball is a success. Nearly everyone is dancing and I have received so many compliments on the flowers and the fabric draped on the walls, but I am worried. I don’t think the love potion is working. I have tried to dose Darcy’s food several times, and he has not looked at me twice. He has not even asked me to dance. I am beginning to think that Mrs. Wyatt is a fraud.

I walk over to the food table and see the footman James that I spoke with this morning. He offers me some pastries on a tray. I eat one of the fig pastries, which doesn’t taste as good I remember. Perhaps I should speak to Cook in the morning. As I stand there for a moment, looking out on the dance floor, Mr. Collins demands my attention.

“Miss Bingley,” he says. “I must speak to you on the most urgent matter. My Cousin Lydia has a headache and she needs ice. Do you have any?”

How kind of him to help his cousin. “Yes, I am sure we have some,” I say. “How much do you need?”

“A few slivers to wrap in my handkerchief should be sufficient.”

I send James to the kitchen to fetch some. “And hurry,” I say sharply. I don’t want Mr. Collins to wait.

James smirks. “Yes, ma’am.”

My eyes narrow. I don’t like James. I will definitely dismiss him in the morning, but I will think of that later. I would much rather speak to Mr. Collins. I step closer to him and look up into his eyes. “Your poor cousin,” I say and touch his arm to comfort him. “Has the dancing been too much for her?”

“It may have been,” he says. “She often overexerts herself. It is something that I hope to influence once we are enga– ” He catches himself. “But that is not definite yet. I will not speak of it.”

I am astonished. Does Mr. Collins intend to marry Lydia Bennet, that vulgar, irreverent girl? That will never do.

At this moment, there is some commotion on the dance floor. I look over and see Mr. Bennet strike one of the officers. Angry words are spoken and then Darcy is there, walking off the dance floor with the officer.

And Mr. Bennet kisses his wife.

I draw my breath in sharply. I am appalled. I have never seen such vulgarity. All the guests are standing about, shocked, staring. If I don’t act now, my party will be ruined.

“Mr. Collins, please help me,” I say. “Go tell the musicians to start up again and then dance with me. We must show them proper decorum.”

Mr. Collins hesitates. “But what of Cousin Lydia’s headache?”

“You will get your ice as soon as the dance has finished.

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