First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) Read Free Page B

with excitement. “It was only a dance, Mama, and not even a very lively one at that. Mr. Darcy seems gentlemanly and agreeable but he certainly displayed no signs of being smitten.”
     
    “ This is no time to vex me child! It is up to you to make him smitten of course! You must put yourself forward and perhaps he will ask for a second dance.”
     
    “ You must excuse me, ma’am, but this dance is already promised.”
     
    --
     
    Mr. Darcy had returned to his former station and resumed his survey of the assembly, now casting a visibly more amiable mien on the room. The dance had been most agreeable, far beyond his expectations which, you will easily recall, were decidedly negative and he felt himself more generous in his estimation of the assembly as a whole. Knowing that the neighborhood could boast of some pleasant and sophisticated companionship relieved the entire company of much of its tedium.
     
    Miss Elizabeth had proved to be a most pleasant partner indeed. He watched her as she moved down the dance – though his critical eye was forced to acknowledge more than one failure of perfect symmetry in her form, her figure was light and pleasing. He wished to know more of her and determined to further the acquaintance. As Bingley was blatantly enraptured with the eldest Miss Bennet (he was, at that moment, soliciting her hand for a second dance), Darcy perceived it would be an easy resolution to which to adhere.
     
    “ I must thank you for introducing Darcy to your sister,” Bingley said to Jane as they took their places on the floor. “Never have I seen him enjoy a dance more.”
     
    “ I am pleased to have been of service, Mr. Bingley. Lizzy has always excelled at putting people at ease.”
     
    “ I wish more people shared her talent. Sadly, while Darcy always receives a great deal of notice wherever he goes, he would much rather go unobserved. In small, intimate groups he fares much better and is exceedingly charming, but in large gatherings he always seems to recede into himself.”
     
    Jane Bennet smiled happily at the handsome man, charmed by the affection and care he displayed for his friend, the honor of his attention, and the excitement of that bestowed on her favorite sister. Never had she so thoroughly enjoyed an assembly.
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
    The evening, altogether, had exceedingly pleased the entire Bennet family. Mary, our missing middle Bennet, had heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley as the most accomplished girl in the neighborhood, both Kitty and Lydia had been fortunate enough to never be without partners – all they had yet learned to care for in a ball, and upon their arrival home at Longbourn Mr. Bennet found that he too, like his happy daughters, could wish the assembly had never ended as he found himself assaulted by his wife’s raptures over the triumphant evening.
     
    “ Oh Mr. Bennet! Never have I had such a night! Our girls so distinguished! The entire neighborhood bore witness to their success! I always told you our girls were beautiful for a reason – it shall be the making of them, I’ve often said it. I have no doubt that the gentlemen will come courting soon and will undoubtedly be completely taken with Jane and Lizzy! Mr. Darcy is so exceedingly handsome! Oh, I just knew how it would be! Such an honor!”
     
    “ Just a moment there Mrs. Bennet,” her husband interrupted her. “Am I to understand that it is my Lizzy who has caused such excitement? Who is this Mr. Darcy and what ever became of Mr. Bingley, the cause of so much recent uproar?”
     
    “ Mr. Darcy,” his wife replied with much impatience,” is the gentleman whom Mr. Bingley brought back with him from London, of course! Along with his two sisters and the elder’s husband.”
     
    “ I see the rumors of six ladies were quite unfounded?”
     
    “ Oh Mr. Bennet, please listen!” Mrs. Bennet pleaded, not betraying her gratification at this sorry but, nonetheless, novel display of