Free Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman by Maria Hamilton Page A

“Yes, you are right. I know I have said in the past that I do not often enjoy the activity, but this evening I feel quite inclined. Miss Lucas, are you otherwise engaged?”
    Now it was Maria’s turn to be startled. She looked around in a bewildered fashion and finally rested her eyes on Darcy as if she could not believe the question had emanated from him. “Um, no, I mean, no, sir, I am not otherwise engaged.”
    Darcy extended his arm to Maria and said, “Well, then, shall we?”
    As they took to the floor, Elizabeth looked on in disbelief. She was struck once again by the change in his demeanor. While he was clearly still uncomfortable, he had interacted with her neighbors with reasonable civility. If she was fair, she also had to admit that, now that she understood the reason for his return, his behavior at her house two days prior was also above reproach. She knew on some level that the improvement in his manners must be in response to her reproof. That she could effect such a change, even if it were just for show, intrigued her. If that were not enough, however, she was now shocked to learn that Mr. Darcy had a sense of humor and that he viewed his aunt in the same light as she did. Finally, she had to grant him the thoughtfulness of his last action. While in any other situation, Elizabeth might have been insulted—or at least hurt—by someone selecting Maria Lucas as a dance partner over her, she knew that Darcy had done it to spare her the embarrassment that dancing together would cause. While she did not regret her rejection of his suit, she had to admit that he had more depth than she had previously credited him with.
    She was no stranger to the issue; she had spent the last two days pondering her opinion of him. Her sister’s words had given her pause. She had been wrong about his intentions. He had accepted her refusal of his proposal. He had not come for her sake, but for Mr. Bingley’s and for Jane’s. It was clear he had taken her words to heart and regretted his behavior toward them. If she was honest, she had to concede that she had judged him more harshly than he deserved. She also had to admit that the more she learned about him, the more she felt the compliment of his previous attentions, but that hardly meant that she could forgive him or even like him. Regardless of his present good behavior, she knew he was, in essentials, a proud and disagreeable man. If she needed evidence of this, she only had to remember his insulting proposal. More importantly, even if his conceited behavior could be overlooked, they had nothing in common on which to base a friendship, let alone a marriage.
    As the music died down, Elizabeth’s musings were interrupted by an acquaintance who had come to collect her for a dance she had promised. As they lined up, she was shocked to see Mr. Darcy already in position opposite one of Mrs. Philips’s daughters. As the evening wore on, Elizabeth sat in amazement as Mr. Darcy found a partner for several dances. He had even asked both Kitty and Mary to stand up with him. Although she suspected his invitation to Mary was extended for an ulterior motive, as it occurred directly after she had indicated a desire to play the piano. When Elizabeth asked Kitty what they had talked about during the dance, she simply shrugged her shoulders and said, “The usual things, the size of the dance, the weather, if I walk to Meryton often.” Wondering if maybe her name had come up, Elizabeth inquired if he had asked anything unusual. “Well, sort of. I thought it odd that he asked me what books I enjoy reading. I couldn’t really remember, so I asked him what he liked to read, and he went on and on about some Shakespeare play. I really wasn’t listening that closely.”
    Elizabeth found herself unable to quell her curiosity over Mr. Darcy’s behavior. She often checked on his whereabouts and his interactions. She noted that he