My Fair Lizzy: A Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation by Barbara Silkstone

Author:Barbara Silkstone [Barbara Silkstone]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-09-26T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

And so, the lessons continued as the clock ticked down. Darcy was more driven than ever to perfect his creation—Duchess Elizabeth of Austria. He was now more inspired to give Miss Lizzy Bennet the benefit of a new life than to win the wager. She must be taught that she is a human being with the divine gift of articulate speech. He would educate her to understand that her language was the language of Milton and Shakespeare. English was perfection! English was art! Most of all he intended to break her of the habit of the yowling exclamations that made her sound like a sick pigeon; nothing raised his hackles more than hearing his beloved English mangled and moaned beyond comprehension.

Georgiana and Lizzy had become quite close, their need for female companionship binding them. The young Miss Darcy had no friends except for Miss Bingley, who did not count as a friend at all. She clung close to Lizzy whenever Darcy would permit. This allowed her to be privy to many of the lessons and to partake in many of the jolly pranks Lizzy played on her much too serious brother.

It was the day after Jane’s most recent visit and Darcy decide he could delay no longer, it was time to teach Lizzy the intricacies of ballroom dancing. He had demonstrated the most rudimentary of steps using Georgiana as his partner. Then instructing Lizzy in movements that would strengthen her calves and ankles, he directed her to practice at least two hours every day.

“When walking or dancing in a ballroom one is under constant scrutiny. Never slouch or slump,” the paragon said, illustrating what he meant by the movement of his own body. It was all Lizzy could do not to burst into gales of laughter for it was a sight to see such a tall handsome man fold in upon himself to illustrate a slump. “Think tall! Tuck in your neck!” These were positions that had never occurred to her in all her days of pushing the cart or loading the flowers.

“Stop looking at your feet!” Darcy barked.

Lizzy had been unaware she was watching her feet, but yes, she was. Popping her head up, she stared at him flushing crimson.

“The only time you will sit during the gala is during dinner, so your stamina must be encouraged, by daily walks around the garden, taking care never to be seen beyond the high hedges,” he instructed.

Lizzy would have loved to snap at him for questioning her strength, but he meant well. She bit the inside of her cheek and held silent.

“During the gala, to ascertain you are not seated next to someone who might challenge your knowledge, we will put Mr. Bingley on your card as the last dance before dinner. He will then escort you to the dining room and sit next to you. He will engage you in harmless conversation. I shall be at your other side.”

Lizzy felt her back stiffen as she had always taken pride in her stamina and her knowledge.

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