Mr. Darcy Dances: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Sophie Lynbrook

Author:Sophie Lynbrook [Lynbrook, Sophie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-03-23T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

Jane had a tolerable night and was not so very ill in the morning, but Elizabeth felt it best to defer to her mother’s opinion and sent another note to Longbourn after breakfast. In a short time, Mrs. Bennet arrived, in company with Kitty, Lydia and Mary who gave Jane their best wishes in thoughtfully quiet voices which Elizabeth appreciated. She feared that her mother’s much louder voice would be easily overheard, something which was extremely undesirable considering the nature of her conversation.

“It was very clever of you to wait until you reached Netherfield before succumbing to illness,” she congratulated her daughter.

Jane made a faint protest, but her mother’s voice easily overwhelmed hers.

“You must make certain to stay as long as possible and take advantage of this opportunity,” Mrs. Bennet instructed.

Sitting in the morning room afterward, she pursued this object with Mr. Bingley by pronouncing that Jane was very ill, and insisting it would be impossible to move her for some time. Mr. Bingley’s ready agreement with this was gratefully received and it helped to sooth Elizabeth’s discomfort at her mother’s behaviour.

Fortunately, Kitty and Lydia, whom she had rather expected to indulge in their usual giggles with Mr. Darcy, instead very politely thanked Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst for their kindness to Jane. Even more surprisingly, there were no shrieks of excitement from them when Mr. Bingley mentioned the ball which he had once spoken of holding.

“When your sister is fully recovered, I shall have to make some definite plans,” he said.

“That will be a pleasant occasion,” Kitty said politely. “We shall look forward to it.”

“It is very thoughtful of you to wait until Jane can properly enjoy it,” Lydia added.

Elizabeth was more astonished. Her sisters’ manners were irreproachable for the first time ever. Unfortunately, her mother’s manners were not so fine. Mrs. Bennet made several awkward remarks, but each time the conversation was diverted elsewhere by something that one of her three sisters said. Elizabeth had the oddest feeling that this was consciously done. Somehow, they seemed to have developed remarkably improved judgement and social skill, as well as good manners, for which she was grateful, although she could not imagine how it had happened. Perhaps Mr. Darcy had not been such a bad influence over them after all. She looked at him curiously, and he caught her glance before she could hastily turn away. She blushed, but he smiled pleasantly.

Her mother seemed disinclined to leave in any hurry, but that too was smoothly dealt with. Her sisters made reference to having a great many things to do, made charming farewells, and whisked their mother out of the room, leaving their sister to wonder what had brought on this remarkable change in their behaviour

Again, Elizabeth spent the main part of the day with Jane. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst each came for a short visit with the invalid, and then she did not see them or the gentlemen until dinner. During the meal, Mr. Darcy was again perfectly

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