Elizabeth Bennet's Excellent Adventure: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Regina Jeffers

Author:Regina Jeffers [Jeffers, Regina]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Regency
ISBN: 9781517631079
Publisher: Regency Solutions
Published: 2015-10-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“You look very well,” Mrs. Harville observed when she joined Elizabeth in preparation for their evening at the Royal Hotel.

Elizabeth glanced to her reflection in the oval glass.

“I wish we did not agree to join the gentleman this evening,” she admitted.

Since her encounter with Mr. Darcy earlier in the day, Elizabeth’s emotions remained off kilter. Mr. Darcy’s disclosure regarding his purchase of the yacht had Elizabeth in turmoil. Even if the dratted gentleman was the handsomest man of her acquaintance, it did not justify why her insides turned somersaults like a carnival performer.

“Do you dislike Mr. Darcy so very much?” Mrs. Harville inquired. “I find the gentleman quite affable, especially for a man who claims an earl as his uncle.”

“Yes, I suppose so,” Elizabeth said distractedly.

“But you did not always think so?” Mrs. Harville asked as she added a beaded band to Elizabeth’s hair.

Elizabeth sighed heavily with resignation.

“No. I cannot say I always thought well of Mr. Darcy, although upon hindsight, I would admit to enjoying the quickness of the man’s mind.”

Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders in disbelief.

“Mr. Darcy once remarked that I was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt him.”

Mrs. Harville halted her administrations to look seriously upon Elizabeth.

“I imagine such a comment did little to advance your relationship with the gentleman. Yet, it is quite obvious Mr. Darcy affects you, I doubt his appearance in Portsmouth has more to do with your presence in the port city than to do with his business interest.”

Elizabeth protested, “I would be perfectly happy if Mr. Darcy withdrew.”

Mrs. Harville retrieved her shawl from the back of a chair.

“I believe, Mrs. Bryland, that you offer yourself a falsehood. I do not know your true connection to Mr. Darcy, but like it or not, the man engages your affections.”

The woman’s tone switched to warning.

“I shall ask one thing of you: Do not lead Captain Wentworth to believe you would accept his attentions if you cannot give of yourself completely. Our dearest Frederick gave away part of his heart to a woman some years past. Captain Wentworth never speaks of the lady or what occurred, but a woman easily recognizes the great pain of disappointed hopes in another.

“Frederick has not shown serious interest in any woman until the captain took your acquaintance. Do not encourage him, Mrs. Bryland, unless you mean to accept Wentworth’s hand. He is a good man, and he deserves a woman to complete him.”

Over supper, Elizabeth guarded every word she uttered. She avoided the challenging smile of Mr. Darcy and the man’s all too confident air. Likewise, Elizabeth ignored the raw sensuality of Captain Wentworth. She thought her journey would provide her a bit of freedom, but Elizabeth felt as a trapped animal.

Upon their entrance, Mr. Darcy claimed Elizabeth’s hand, and with masculine determination brought it to his lips. She attempted to pull her hand free, but the gentleman tightened his grip upon her fingers.

“I am pleased you could join me,” Mr. Darcy said to the group as he placed Elizabeth’s hand upon his arm to escort her to the private dining room.

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