A Spring Sentiment: A Pride and Prejudice Novella Variation (Seasons of Serendipity Book 2) Read Free Page B

Bingley turned a bright shade of red as he held his breath before finally erupting. "Caroline Margaret Bingley, this is beyond the pale! You go down to that kitchen, and I don't care if you have to help prepare it yourself, but there will be cold meats and fruit served in the drawing room in fifteen minutes." Mr. Bingley rose and offered an arm to Mrs. Bennet, who gladly accepted such gallant behavior. "I'm terribly sorry, Mrs. Bennet; I'm afraid tonight's dinner has been a complete disaster."
    "Ohhh, nothing to fret about, Mr. Bingley. Your sister is very young. It is difficult to hold such events as these without the proper training. I made sure to instruct all of my girls. . .," Mrs. Bennet continued to chat about the various admirable qualities of Jane and her other daughters as Mr. Bingley caught Jane's arm and escorted the ladies to the hall. Kitty and Lydia followed closely behind as they had finished their meal, their laughter and chatter grating on Caroline's nerves as they glanced back at her.
    "Mr. Darcy, I— ,"
    Darcy held up a hand to stop Caroline's attempt at redemption as he offered to escort Miss Elizabeth. "Truly, Miss Bingley, your motives were rather transparent."
    Leaving Miss Bingley in the dining room, Elizabeth and Darcy found themselves alone in the foyer as the rest of the party had retired to the drawing room. Mr. Darcy tried to stop as Elizabeth walked on, until his sudden halt pulled her back to step in line next to him.
    "Elizabeth. . .," he muttered, turning her to him.
    "Do not, sir. Please desist with your pretty words and caresses."
    Suddenly shocked out of his arduous mood, Mr. Darcy furrowed his brow. "What's this? Have I done something to offend you?"
    "Not at all, sir. Your silence was most agreeable." Elizabeth unlinked her arm from Mr. Darcy and walked the remaining steps to the drawing room. Just as she was to turn the knob and open the door, Darcy grabbed her hand and pulled her around to follow him behind the staircase. The jerk was so sudden and unexpected, Elizabeth followed without resistance.
    "Mr. Darcy, we cannot be away from the others."
    "We are already engaged, Elizabeth. Now, please, before Caroline Bingley's petty behavior further ruins the evening, will you not tell me what vexes you?"
    "You! All through dinner, you were silent. Not until the end did you say anything to that harpy—"
    "That harpy who is my hostess while I remain here."
    "Yes, but—but you said nothing when I asked about our wedding date!"
    Mr. Darcy took a step back as they had become very close in their heated discussion. He covered his mouth with his hand and dragged the skin as he rubbed his chin. Finally, he placed both hands on Elizabeth's arms and looked deep into her eyes.
    "There are some subjects which I am never inclined to discuss in front of others and I consider our wedding plans to be a most private matter for only you and me to discuss."
    "Pray, when do you intend to discuss these plans with me, privately?"
    Darcy let go of her arms and walked away. "As soon as we may arrange, madam."
    Elizabeth stood for a moment before scurrying to catch up to him. The way that man could make her heart melt in one moment and infuriate her in the next was most taxing! This love business was absolutely exhausting.
    She took his arm and silently slipped into the drawing room to find Lydia entertaining the group with a funny story that was clearly embarrassing Kitty. Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth released it slowly in frustration that she would have to keep a vigilant eye on those two for the remainder of the evening. The dinner at Netherfield couldn't end soon enough for her taste, even if her stomach was still rumbling in hunger.
     
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    The dingy, dirty streets of London were a natural hiding place for the unwashed who preferred not to be found. Mr. George Wickham, lately of the militia, stumbled out of a gambling den with coins jingling in his pocket, belching from heavy