Elizabeth's Accidental Betrothal: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Grace Belton

Author:Grace Belton [Belton, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Fake Courtship, Alternate Universe, Not in Amazon Library
Goodreads: 223737954
Publisher: Grace Belton
Published: 2025-01-17T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6: Darcy

Darcy watched through the carriage window as Elizabeth’s figure disappeared behind the Gardiners’ front door, finding himself already anticipating tomorrow’s outing to Hyde Park. It was only when Bingley cleared his throat rather pointedly that he realized he had been staring at an empty doorway for nearly a minute.

“I must say, Darcy,” Bingley began as their carriage pulled away, his expression entirely too knowing for his friend’s comfort, “the afternoon appears to have been a remarkable success. Though perhaps I should not be surprised, given how earnestly you studied those exhibition catalogs last night.”

Darcy shifted in his seat, unwilling to admit that he had indeed spent several hours selecting specific paintings he thought might interest Elizabeth. “Do you really think it went well?” he asked instead, his voice carrying more uncertainty than he had intended to reveal.

“My dear fellow,” Bingley replied with barely suppressed amusement, “I do not believe I have ever seen you so thoroughly engaged in conversation at a public event. Usually you stand about looking forbidding and speaking only when directly addressed. Today, you were positively loquacious!”

“I merely wished to ensure Miss Elizabeth’s comfort,” Darcy protested, though he knew the warmth creeping up his neck betrayed him. “After all, this pretense was my suggestion—indirectly, at least. I could hardly abandon her to navigate the social implications alone.”

“Pretense!” Bingley laughed outright. “I wonder, Darcy, who exactly you think you are fooling? Because I assure you, it is not me.”

“I observed how her eyes brightened every time you spoke,” Bingley continued, ignoring his friend’s obvious discomfort. “Particularly when you were discussing that landscape in the third gallery—the one with the storm breaking over the mountains. I do not believe I have ever seen Miss Elizabeth quite so animated in her responses.”

Darcy found himself recalling that moment with perfect clarity—the way Elizabeth’s eyes had sparkled, her clever observations drawing him into a discussion that had made him forget they were in a public gallery. He had been captivated by the play of emotions across her features, the passionate intelligence on display, the way her entire countenance had lit up with genuine enthusiasm.

“She was merely being polite,” he said at last, though the words sounded hollow even to his own ears. “And I fear the constant scrutiny of society makes everything appear more significant than it is. Did you notice how many people seemed to be watching our every interaction? The gossip is becoming insufferable.”

“Yet you seemed perfectly content to give them more to gossip about,” Bingley observed shrewdly. “I particularly noticed how you positioned yourself between Miss Elizabeth and my sister. That was rather more protective than mere politeness required, was it not?”

“Speaking of giving society something to discuss,” Bingley added after a moment, his expression growing more serious, “why exactly did you make such a point of arranging tomorrow’s outing to Hyde Park? If you truly wish to avoid public scrutiny, surely parading about London’s most fashionable walking spot is hardly the way to achieve it.”

Darcy was silent for a long moment, watching the London streets pass by as he considered his response.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.