Free One Thread Pulled: The Dance With Mr. Darcy by Diana J Oaks Page A

progressed sufficiently for transport back to Longbourn. It pleased Jane, however, to have visitors, so Elizabeth excused herself with, “I see that the sun has come out.   I believe I shall go for a walk in the garden.”
    She put on her bonnet and a donned an embroidered wool shawl, hurrying down the stairs with a parasol in hand, hoping that the warming rays of the sun would remain for the duration of her trek through the Netherfield gardens. She came upon the housekeeper, who showed her the way to the best door to access the path into the garden, and soon, Elizabeth was free of the confines of the house.
    Two large hedges marked the entryway to the gardens; she was just passing through them, when she heard her name called.
    “Miss Bennet!”
    She turned around and found that Mr. Darcy was striding in her direction at great speed, with Apollo traipsing along beside him.
    “You did not wait for me, Miss Bennet.”
    “I had thought you were in jest,” Elizabeth replied.
    “One thing you must know about me, Miss Bennet, is that I never jest,” Darcy replied solemnly.
    “That is too bad, for I dearly love to laugh.” Elizabeth replied, picking up a stick from the ground and tossing it for Apollo to chase. As the dog sprung after it, Elizabeth punctuated her declaration by laughing in delight and ran a few steps to meet the hound on his return.
    Mr. Darcy did not attempt to keep up with Elizabeth but trailed behind, noting her vivacity and her natural grace, among other things. He did not attempt to analyze the joyful feelings she inspired in him or how the sound of her laughter made his insides quiver. He was a man of discipline, after all, and in full control of his faculties. He reluctantly acknowledged to himself that he was powerfully drawn to her, but this she could never know! Despite the regard he was developing for her, he could not set aside the expectations of a worthy match imposed on him all his life.
    He thought of the stream of women who had unsuccessfully pursued him over the years, yet he could find none to compare with Elizabeth Bennet. How strange it was that she was unimpressed by his fortune and position. She even told him as much, albeit indirectly, in her little speech about his dog. She could not know how those words had stung him, stripped him bare of his own importance, and in the same breath, declared him loveable, if only to his dog. She had declared him safe from her, that she could not steal his dog away, but, Darcy complained to himself, she had made no such promise about his own heart.
    Elizabeth, he noted, hardly knew he was there, although she was clearly enamored with Apollo. He watched, much as he had the previous morning, as she kissed the top of his dog's snout and scratched his ears. He thought of his own mother and how affectionate and warm she had been and considered the great happiness that trait had brought to his father. If nothing else, Elizabeth Bennet could serve as an excellent standard by which to compare legitimate prospects for marriage, for if he could find one such as her who had the requisite fortune and connections, he would count himself a lucky man indeed.
    He quickened his pace and caught up with Elizabeth, engaging her in conversation, which seemed to flow effortlessly for her, yet was as witty and fascinating as the lady herself.
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Twelve
     
    The Stuff of Dreams
     
    W hen Elizabeth returned to Jane's room after her walk, she found her sister fast asleep. She was pleased to see the familiar healthy blush of color had returned to Jane's cheeks. In addition, Jane was sleeping soundly rather than fitfully, as was her previous state.
    Retrieving the book from the dresser, she continued her study, for study it was, as she pondered on the application of the book's themes. Justice, she considered to herself, was an elusive object, one she had spent little time considering in her short life. The only serious question of justice to consider at