A Most Handsome Gentleman by Suzan Lauder

Author:Suzan Lauder [Lauder, Suzan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Meryton Press
Published: 2017-10-16T22:00:00+00:00

Mr. Collins’s manly brow furrowed as his flawless lips were pursed to one side of his sculpted face. “Then I must do the same to show I am as proper as Mr. Bingley. I must call on each of the ladies I have danced with. But how am I to do so and not allow Mr. Bingley to take over Miss Bennet on the morrow? I believe my hand has been forced. Mrs. Bennet, may I have a private audience with Miss Bennet early in the morning?”

Mama panicked. “No, you may not!” As she had told Lady Lucas, she still wanted Mr. Bingley for Jane.

I intervened. “Jane is not an early riser. Perhaps you will give her the comfort of having breakfast before your discussion? And you must clear the path with both my parents first, sir.”

Mama, not wishing for her plans to go awry, leaned towards Mr. Collins and added, sotto voce, “You may not speak to Jane in private, but you may speak to Lizzy.”

“Why would I speak to Miss Elizabeth?” my cousin sputtered, red faced. “Mr. Darcy will be calling on her.” Mr. Collins eyed the gentleman across from him, and his face changed into a strange, calculating, steely smirk. “Perhaps he wishes a private audience. I cannot interfere.”

Mr. Darcy choked on his mashed potato. I wished I could choke on mine and die on the spot. No, I would be choking on beetroot to match my skin colour from head to toe as I was certain my complexion must have the most horrid blush. To accuse Mr. Darcy of intentions towards me was unkind to both of us. What was my cousin about?

Sometimes relief from an awkward situation comes from an unexpected quarter, and I am not certain whether the mortification of my cousin’s suggestion or my family’s accomplishments in making a spectacle of themselves was worse. Mary’s performance on the pianoforte and Lydia and Kitty drunkenly tormenting the officers were bad enough, yet my father chose to chastise Mary in public, causing her great humiliation. My embarrassment in front of Mr. Darcy was made worse when Mr. Collins stood and made a speech about his inclination to preach rather than study music, and he finished with a lecture on how children should be seen and not heard.

I sneaked a peek at Mr. Darcy during all of this, and the expression upon his face was as if he had smelled something foul. A moment later, I realized that a person in our vicinity had passed wind. Who could it be? Mama and Mrs. Lucas paid no heed to my cousin and were gossiping once more. My cousin was still making his speech, but his ear tips were stained red and his eyes were shifting around as if to evade the gaze of anyone nearby. Yes, he had caused the smell. Marvellous outside, ridiculous and now gaseous inside. In his case, the inside should stay inside!

At the same time, with his frankness in regards to Mr. Wickham, I saw Mr.

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