Free Gay Pride and Prejudice by Kate Christie Page B

greatly.
    Elizabeth and Caroline maintained their strategic silence, but Mrs. Hurst insisted on absolute curiosity, and persevered therefore in requiring an explanation of Darcy’s two motives.
    “I have not the smallest objection to explaining them,” said he, smiling archly. “The ladies either choose this method of passing the evening because they are in each other’s confidence, and have secret affairs to discuss, or because they are conscious that their figures appear to the greatest advantage in walking; if the first, I would be completely in the way, and if the second, I can admire them much better as I sit by the fire.”
    Caroline glared at him. Secret affairs —the phrase had caused Louisa to attend even more minutely to their progress about the room.
    “Indeed,” said Elizabeth, “I never heard anything so calculated. How shall we punish him for such a speech?”
    “Nothing very difficult, if you have but the inclination,” said Caroline. “Tease him—laugh at him. With four sisters, you must know how that is to be done.”
    “I wish I could say that I did not, as it would perhaps cast me in a better light, but truly, we are a family that enjoys laughing at one another’s expense. Besides, as second eldest, it is beholden upon me to keep my younger sisters in their place. Jane has such a kind disposition that she is quite unable to knowingly inflict damage.”
    “But you are? Able, as it were?”
    “Exceedingly. It would appear I have claws sharp enough for the both of us.”
    “I must confess, I had noticed.”
    “Had you?”
    “Indeed; I rather enjoy a woman with a few sharp edges in among the softer ones.” She glanced sideways, and felt Elizabeth start a little as their eyes met. “In any case,” she added, “we may not succeed even if we do set out to vex him. Mr. Darcy may simply refuse to comply.”
    “Is Mr. Darcy not to be laughed at?” asked Elizabeth, appearing to recover her composure. “That is an uncommon advantage, and uncommon I hope it will continue, for it would be a great loss to me to have many such acquaintances.”
    “Miss Bingley,” said Darcy, overhearing this last bit, “has given me more credit than can be. The wisest and the best of men—nay, the wisest and best of their actions—may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke.”
    “Certainly,” replied Elizabeth, “there are such people, but I hope I am not one of them. I hope I never ridicule what is wise and good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies, do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can. But these, I suppose, are precisely what you are without.”
    “I doubt that is truly possible for anyone; but it has been a priority of mine to avoid those weaknesses which often expose one to ridicule.”
    “Such as vanity and pride.”
    “I dare say, I cannot be expected to comment upon my own vanity. As for the other, where there is a genuine superiority of mind, pride will always be well-regulated.”
    Elizabeth turned away to hide a smile.
    “Your examination of Mr. Darcy is over, I presume,” said Caroline, her light tone belying, she hoped, her serious interest; “and pray what is the result?”
    “I am perfectly convinced that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He owns it himself without disguise.”
    “I have forwarded no such pretension,” said Darcy. “My temper I dare not vouch for. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost, is lost forever.”
    “ That is a failing indeed,” said Elizabeth. “Implacable resentment is a shade in a character. But you have chosen your fault well. I really cannot laugh at it. You are safe from me.”
    “Yet there is, I believe, in every disposition a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome.”
    “Then your defect is to hate everybody.”
    “And yours,” he