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

the moment was many miles distant. It would be a happy day indeed when Napoleon was brought to justice; but even then, could justice in his case ever truly be served, considering the evils he had wrought?
    Elizabeth sighed. Lack of experience in life may make it difficult to own an opinion on justice, she reflected, for she had never even known a true criminal, or even a scoundrel. No, Meryton had its share in quarrels and strife, and petty crimes did occur from time to time, but overall, her world did not much depend on the scales of justice balancing.   If I met a scoundrel, would I know him as such? She answered her own question almost immediately, for Elizabeth prided herself on an ability to take the measure of a person in her first impression of them. Of course I would know him, for evil would be in his countenance and I would discern it in a glance .
    She read for a while, but as soon as Jane stirred, she set the book aside and went to sit on the bed next to Jane.
    “Awakening without a kiss, Jane?” Elizabeth teased her sister, “Horrid behavior for a princess!”
    “Lizzy, I am no fairy-tale princess as you well know” Jane murmured with a smile. “Although if my dreams were true, I would feel as though I were.”
    “Dreams, Jane? Of what have you been dreaming?” Elizabeth wiped a loose strand of hair from Jane's brow.
    “To be true, I know not how much is dream, and how much is real. It seemed real, although I know it cannot be.” A tear escaped the corner of Jane's eye and trickled down her cheek.
    “What cannot be, Jane?” Elizabeth tenderly wiped the tear away.
    “Mr. Bingley.” Jane nearly choked on his name. “In my dream...,” Jane stopped and looked forlornly at her sister. “Mr. Bingley....”
    “Hush, Jane.” Elizabeth soothed, “You must not be melancholy! Mr. Bingley is well and inquires after you whenever I see him, which is often. You may be sequestered in this room, but you are not forgotten.”
    “Oh, Lizzy, how I long to see him again … he came to me in my dream and was ever so gentle and kind....”
    “Then you must hurry and get well, dearest Jane, for if I am not wrong—and I am never wrong—he longs to see you again as well.” Elizabeth patted her sister's hand. “But I must prepare for dinner now. Although I would rather stay here with you, I am to dine downstairs tonight, with the rest of the residents of Netherfield. Mr. Bingley is a joy to know, so cheerful and amiable! It is no wonder he suits you so well. Oh, but his sisters—Jane, I do not understand how you can tolerate them; they are so imperious and superior—I cannot predict how many more days of their airs I can endure.”
    “Lizzy, they are not as bad as you say.” Jane chided. “They are from town and are not accustomed to our ways here in Hertfordshire. We must make them feel welcome.”
    “As for Mr. Darcy...,” Elizabeth continued, “I suspect that there is no one who really knows that man, for he is ... he is ... he is ... I suppose I do not know   what   he is. He is proud, that is certain, but other than that, his character is enigmatic. There is nothing of warmth or generosity in his manners to make him compare with Mr. Bingley. I believe that is it, Jane. He is a cold, passionless man in company, who is so closed off that he has rendered himself unknowable. He does seem to have a tender regard for his sister though, which could mean, but it is by no means certain, that underneath that icy expression and fancy waistcoat he wears, there may actually beat a heart after all.”
    ~*~
    After dinner, Elizabeth again retreated to Jane's room, hoping to spend the evening in quiet conversation with her sister. She picked up the needlework that Mary had thoughtfully brought to her that morning and, aided by the meager light of a candle, set to work, cheerfully sharing selected events from the past few days with Jane.
    It was not to last, for barely an hour had passed before Elizabeth was summoned