Pride and Prejudice (The Wild and Wanton Edition) Read Free Page B

only once with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, declined being introduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again. Among the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of his general behavior was sharpened into resentment upon hearing he had slighted one of her daughters.

    Lydia Bennet loved attending balls. She was a stout, well-grown girl, with a fine complexion and good-humored countenance. She was a favorite with her mother, whose affection had brought her into public at an early age. For this she could never fully express her gratitude and pleasure. Often Elizabeth would watch Lydia’s behavior with mortification. She was convinced Lydia wanted only encouragement to attach herself to anybody. Sometimes one gentleman, sometimes another, had been her favorite, as their attentions raised them in her opinion. Her affections had continually been fluctuating but never without an object. The mischief of neglect and mistaken indulgence towards such a girl were often acutely felt by her sisters.
    Mr. Bennet often observed of this particular daughter, that it was from these affections of her mother that she had become sillier than the rest of them. Knowing such, he did not take pains to correct her behavior and Lydia was left to decide for herself the pleasures that were to be taken. And, since she did not feel it necessary to neglect herself any of life’s pleasures, she gave herself great leeway to enjoy them to the fullest.
    It was with this innately selfish pursuit that she found herself sneaking away from the assembly. In truth, it was not difficult to do, for she had much practice at slipping away undetected in such crowded places, and the thrill of getting away with her aim was just as exciting as the reason for the deception. Mr. Daniels would be eagerly waiting, for nearly half-an-hour, excited to the point of explosion. Oh, how she did enjoy making him wait!
    She had been looking forward to this meeting for nearly a week, for there had been little time to slip away from the constant watchfulness of Kitty, who when lacked distractions of her own would follow Lydia wherever she went. Love Kitty as she did, there were some secrets she did not allow even that sister to know. For, if she understood anything, she understood that what she was about would be frowned upon, and whereas she did not worry about the lectures of society except where they would make it necessary to take her from the societal pleasures she now enjoyed.
    Knowing just where Mr. Daniels waited for her, she quickened her pace. The sound of music became a faint backdrop to the dark night. She hurried around the building, her heartbeat quickening with her steps. Already her body was moist with desire. As she turned the corner to a section of the building encased with shadows, she grinned. Mr. Daniels was excited indeed, for he had already taken the liberty of unfastening his pants. His hand fisted his arousal, pumping until he saw her approach. His hand stopped.
    “There you are. I worried you could not get away this time.”
    The husky passion in his tone caused her to shiver. “Did you have any trouble?”
    “I was stopped by your wife,” she lied, for she generally avoided that unpleasant woman. For a moment her lover looked worried, until she laughed gaily. “She does not suspect a thing, I assure you. We both have reason to keep our arrangement quiet. You for your in-laws’ money and me for my reputation.”
    As she said the last words, she leaned down to lift her skirts, showing him her lack of undergarments. She never wore such things under her dresses, for it excited her to go without. His breathing deepened visibly and he reached to pull her against his body. His hands fumbled, giving away his