Drawing Mr. Darcy: Sketching His Character (Book One) by Melanie Rachel

Author:Melanie Rachel
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Melanie Rachel
Published: 2018-11-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Elizabeth was announced with due ceremony and shown into the breakfast parlor. She stopped short when all attention turned to her. Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Hurst were seated together on one side of a long table, facing her, while the sisters sat on the other side, facing away. They were all still eating. Late even for town hours, Elizabeth thought distractedly, noting that there was an extensive repast laid out. The servants must have been cooking since before the sun rose. No wonder it took so long to get everything to table. The men stood immediately, the expressions on their faces shifting from surprise to concern. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst rose more gracefully and turned to greet their unexpected visitor, their emotions moving from surprise to contempt. Then, in less time than it took to blink, every one of them had controlled their countenance. Elizabeth bit the inside of her cheek, thinking she would remember this moment all her life. She had shocked five people of fashion out of their complacency for a full two seconds. Aunt Olivia will appreciate that. Or perhaps she will scold. The thought made her frown.

Miss Bingley greeted her with all politeness.

“I am come to see my sister,” Elizabeth explained, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Of course,” Mr. Bingley replied approvingly. “Have you eaten, Miss Elizabeth?” When she nodded, he turned to his sister. “We shall have someone take you up to Miss Bennet immediately. Caroline? ”

Caroline moved gracefully to the door to speak a few words to the footman stationed there.

“Did you come on your own, Miss Elizabeth?” Mr. Darcy asked. She could not tell how he felt about the question. She knew he would never allow Georgie to walk alone. Yet he did not seem to criticize.

Elizabeth lifted her chin. “My sisters accompanied me, but they have returned home.” She observed Mrs. Hurst’s eyes falling to the bottom of her skirt, where the dirty petticoats were still visible. She literally bit her tongue to keep from speaking. You want to see Jane. You want to see Jane.

Miss Bingley returned and invited her to sit, but Elizabeth politely declined.

“Please do sit, gentlemen,” Elizabeth said, when it was apparent they would not do so on their own while she was standing. “I am happy to wait in the hall.”

“Come,” Mr. Bingley said genially, “I will wait with you.” He ignored the protest that Elizabeth believed was hanging on Miss Bingley’s lips, instead holding up one hand. “Caroline, you have not finished your meal. Please remain.”

Elizabeth did not wish to create discord. She needed Miss Bingley’s good will. “Truly, it is not necessary . . .” she began but paused when she glanced at his face. He was apprehensive, too. “I thank you, sir,” she replied, as he motioned for her to precede him.

Elizabeth observed Mr. Bingley as they walked to the foot of the grand staircase together. Other than their dance at the assembly, it was the closest she had ever been to him, and she took the opportunity to observe him closely .

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