Darcy's Favorite: A Pride & Prejudice Novella Variation by Zoe Burton

Author:Zoe Burton [Burton, Zoe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Smashwords
ISBN: 9781953138118
Google: WzWTzgEACAAJ
Amazon: B09B6DKQTP
Barnesnoble: B09B6DKQTP
Goodreads: 58629574
Publisher: Sweet Escapes Press
Published: 2021-07-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

The following days were busy ones for the ladies of Longbourn. Elizabeth still took her walks and found time to contemplate Darcy and the conundrum he represented. She often wished she could speak to her father about it, but her mother had decreed that he was to be left alone at all costs; none were to disturb him or cut up his peace. Elizabeth doubted he would be disturbed in any negative fashion by such a discussion, but she supposed that since laughter might increase his heart rate as much as anger would, she should keep it all to herself.

Eventually, the night of the monthly Meryton assembly ball arrived. Elizabeth found herself dressing with extra care.

“I do not know why,” she said to Mary. “It is not as though there is anyone to care.”

“You will care, and that is enough.” Mary watched as the maid put the finishing touches on her sister’s hair. “I daresay, though, that you will turn many heads, including that of Mr. Darcy.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes but chuckled. “Oh, Mary, you are good for my vanity. Thank you for the compliment, and for your faith in me.”

Mary shrugged. “It is nothing you would not do for me.”

“Very true.” Elizabeth thanked the maid just in time to hear her mother call for the girl. “I will take care of my sister’s hair. You may go.” She watched as the servant curtseyed and scurried out of the room, then stood.

“Come, Mary. You take my seat.” She reached for the brush as her sister obeyed. “You always wear your hair in such a severe fashion … what say we give you a coiffure with a bit of daring?” Elizabeth winked, then giggled when Mary looked uncertain.

~~~***~~~

At Netherfield, Darcy paced his dressing room. Bingley insisted the entire party accompany him to Meryton for an assembly. Bingley, of course, was picking Jane up from Longbourn first, leaving his friend to accompany his family. At least there are an equal number of gentlemen and ladies in the party, he thought. Hurst and I can sit together on one seat and Caroline and Louisa can do the same on the other. He shuddered at the thought of having to sit that close to Bingley’s unmarried sister.

The seating arrangements in the carriage were not what caused him to pace, however. It was the thought of seeing Elizabeth again.

Darcy had accompanied his friend to Longbourn twice in the past week. Each time, he had been drawn to the second Bennet daughter like a bee to a flower. To his surprise, she seemed to have stopped avoiding him, instead smiling warmly at him. He sat beside her at each visit, largely tongue-tied. Thankfully, she was willing to begin the conversations. He spent several enjoyable hours in her company.

Darcy was surprised how comfortable he was with Elizabeth. He did not know anyone else outside of his family with whom he felt so easy. He realized with a start as he left Longbourn one day that his perpetual loneliness had been banished while at her side.

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