Master Under Good Regulation by Kara Louise

Author:Kara Louise [Louise, Kara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heartworks/Lulu
Published: 2007-05-29T04:00:00+00:00

*~*~*

For those first few days after the Bennet ladies departed, my master displayed but the barest civility. Miss Bingley made every attempt to engage him in conversation -- even in an animated debate, as she had observed the attention he had bestowed upon Miss Elizabeth when she challenged and argued with him -- but Miss Bingley’s attempts were wholly futile. As she grew more and more desperate in her attempt to find a topic -- any topic -- to which he would respond, my master grew proportionately less forthcoming.

He was making a concerted effort to rein himself in even more tightly under that rigid control that he had found himself lacking the past week. Little could Miss Elizabeth guess how easily and unexpectedly she wore down his meticulously formed defences during her stay at Netherfield.

Despite his dogged determination, however, it became quite apparent to me by how easily he became distracted; how little he was satisfied with his book, a meal, or even a day spent out hunting that his efforts were to no avail. He could not concentrate and found himself the object of much chiding for his lack of attention when Bingley or one of his sisters addressed him. His day was fraught with aimless meanderings, futile endeavours to distract himself, and impatient rejoinders to his friend and his hosts.

Did I dare hope that he found himself missing Miss Elizabeth just as much as I missed her? Did the expression of bewilderment that frequently permeated his countenance indicate that he was not quite sure how to stifle such a relentless partiality towards her?

One can hope, can they not?

I began to comprehend that whilst he had been convinced that her departure would bring him peace of mind, it seemingly was having the opposite effect. The more effort he exerted attempting to forget her, the more difficult he discovered it to be.

We were all gathered in the sitting room one afternoon a few days later. My master was holding a book in hand but staring aimlessly at the fire flickering in the hearth. Quite unexpectedly, Bingley announced, “I cannot help but wonder how Miss Bennet is faring. I believe I will set out directly for Longbourn and inquire after her!”

He stood up with a noticeable eagerness and was walking toward the door when a voice halted him.

“Bingley, allow me to accompany you.”

I believe there were three of us in that room who were quite surprised by this request. Miss Bingley turned with visible astonishment; I glanced up with a great deal of pleasure, and my master, who had uttered those words, collected himself forthwith.

“Allow me… if you will, Bingley, a moment… whilst I tend to something upstairs before we depart.”

He excused himself and hurriedly quit the room with me following close behind. As he darted up the stairs, I heard him mutter, “Whatever prompted me to make that offer?”

Entering his chambers, he walked before the mirror and took in a deep breath as he glanced at his reflection. He straightened his coat and suddenly began arguing with the man staring sternly back at him.

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