The Dance at Lucas Lodge: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Hailey Jones

Author:Hailey Jones [Jones, Hailey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence
Goodreads: 218112253
Publisher: Hailey Jones
Published: 2024-08-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

The days started to fly by for Elizabeth while she was at Netherfield. Those first two weeks, Jane was sleeping a lot, using laudanum to manage the pain of her leg, so Elizabeth found herself with ample free time on her hands, and she often enjoyed walks out of doors—and of course, Mr. Darcy often joined her.

She was becoming a little more easy in his company, although admittedly he still occasionally surprised her with some forwardness—telling her he believed her to be more beautiful than Jane, for instance. He hadn't said anything so forward since that day, but perhaps that was because they didn't ever end up having too long of a walk together—usually Miss Bingley would creep up on them and join them. Elizabeth would laugh gaily and defer to the hostess of Netherfield—Elizabeth did not pretend to have a claim on Mr. Darcy's time and attention, though in her mind, she certainly wondered if perhaps she did have such a claim.

One night, after a particularly amusing dinner where Miss Bingley attempted to display the superiority of Town society over that of country manners, the party assembled into the drawing room. Jane was still resigned to her bedchamber, but sleeping, so Elizabeth remained with the party for entertainment on the pianoforte provided by Miss Bingley.

"Miss Eliza, why don't you exhibit for us?" Miss Bingley asked with a slight sneer.

"Oh no, I couldn't possibly," Elizabeth said with a shake of her head, "I am no talent, especially not compared to those who've studied under the masters like your sister and yourself, Miss Bingley."

"I daresay I disagree, Miss Elizabeth!" Mr. Bingley said cheerfully, "You performed at Sir William's about a month ago—what a fine night that was—and I have to say, you gave quite a lovely performance."

Elizabeth smiled to receive such encouragement, but Miss Bingley spoke up before she could reply.

"Come Charles, I'm sure Miss Eliza is not exaggerating her lack of skill on the pianoforte."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows and let out a little laugh. Miss Bingley's rudeness had become quite the amusement for Elizabeth in her time here, and she was about to decline playing once again, when suddenly Mr. Darcy interjected.

"Miss Bingley, Miss Elizabeth is merely showing ladylike modesty when she diminishes her skill-set on the pianoforte. I wholeheartedly agree with Bingley—Miss Elizabeth is a charming performer, and I, too, am eager to hear her play for us." He turned to look directly at Elizabeth as he said, "Miss Elizabeth, would you do us the honor of a song this evening?"

She was struck by how passionately he rose to her defense, and she knew she was certainly blushing. He wore a kind smile when he entreated her, and she could not resist him.

"Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, I am afraid I cannot refuse to indulge either of you," she said as she rose from her place on the settee. She brushed past Mr. Darcy and said out of the others' hearing, "But especially not you, sir."

She saw his face redden slightly as he smiled and bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment.

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