Her Spirits Rising to Playfulness by P. O. Dixon

Author:P. O. Dixon [Dixon, P. O.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Not in Amazon Library, To Transfer, Foolish Lizzy Bennet
ISBN: 9798215461952
Google: dCK2EAAAQBAJ
Amazon: B0B8K265HH
Barnesnoble: B0B8K265HH
Goodreads: 61982316
Publisher: Regents and Cotswold Book Group
Published: 2023-04-01T04:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

As Elizabeth and her sisters prepared for the ball, they discussed the likely candidates they would encounter, including the dashing Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she imagined standing opposite the handsome lieutenant for the opening set.

The sisters hurried about in a flurry, their faces contorted in concentration as they adjusted and secured their gowns and arranged their hair. While each sister took a moment to appreciate her own beauty in the mirror in their turn, they hastened on, their eyes lit with excitement as they exchanged quick glances. Even Mary was not immune to the infectious gaiety floating in the air. They stepped out of the house in unison, cradling one another’s hands in support and anticipation as they proceeded to the carriage, followed by a very proud mamma and a rather put-upon father.

Their carriage arrived at Netherfield, and Jane and Elizabeth were the first to alight. They walked arm in arm into the grand hall while their parents and other sisters followed. Once the family had made their way through the receiving line, they went their separate ways.

Elizabeth’s eyes scanned the ballroom in one continuous movement. Light-colored gowns and scarlet mixed with dark-hued coats blended together in a whirlwind as guests mingled—the same smiles, bows, and curtsies pricking the sight like pins. The room spun in front of Elizabeth’s eyes like a panorama of bright light, each figure slipping away just as it came into her view. None of the figures that passed were Mr. Wickham’s—his face seemingly everywhere but just out of reach.

The room hummed with voices and laughter and the musicians tuning their instruments. She had so been looking forward to dancing the opening set with him and seeing the look on Mr. Darcy’s face in watching her do so. However, Mr. Wickham was nowhere to be found.

Her disappointment was setting in when, suddenly, the music and laughter faded away. Elizabeth only heard her quickening breath as she felt a presence behind her. Startled, she turned to find Mr. Darcy standing there in all his splendor, his finely tailored black suit a stark contrast against the attire of all the other guests. An emotion she could not discern overshadowed his face—perturbation, perhaps, or longing—and yet his gaze held hers with an intensity that made her heart beat faster.

“I could not help but notice, Miss Elizabeth, that you appear to be looking for someone,” he said quietly, his voice evidencing an edge of amusement. “Might I be of assistance?”

Is Mr. Darcy laughing at me? Elizabeth wondered.

“You know very well that I promised Mr. Wickham the first set.”

Darcy threw a disinterested glance about the room. “And yet it appears the gentleman is nowhere to be found.” He shrugged. “Imagine that.”

She raised her chin, an air of defiance surrounding her as she locked stares with him. “Is it because of you that Mr. Wickham is not here?”

Darcy’s expression did not change, though Elizabeth could tell he was taken aback by her boldness. He studied her for a moment before speaking.

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.