Free Darcy's Passions by Regina Jeffers Page A

back, he took refuge in the study. Pouring an abundant brandy, Darcy collapsed into a nearby chair.As he ran his fingers through his hair, he realized no woman ever affected him in such a way—he felt bewitched by her. Were it not for the inferiority of her connections, Darcy could easily imagine himself in some danger of falling in love with Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

    Dinnertime found changes in the spherical makeup of the party at Netherfield; Miss Jane Bennet made an appearance in the drawing room upon the meal’s completion. Darcy offered his congratulations regarding her recovery and watched his close friend stoking the fire to warm the room and to attend to Miss Bennet’s every need.
    Darcy found a chair where he could observe Elizabeth, who obviously delighted in the attention being given to her sister by the master of the house. Having no wish to play cards, he chose to read, with Miss Bingley following suit. Of course, Miss Bingley held no real interest in books; her pretense was for Darcy’s sake, remembering his words: All this she must possess, and to all this she must yet add something more substantial in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading. In reality, Miss Bingley’s attention strayed to watching Mr. Darcy’s every move; she planned to interfere if he showed attention to Miss Elizabeth. She so desired for him to pay attention to her alone she tormented him with questions on what he read and what it meant; however, her design for his consideration remained fruitless. Darcy steadfastly continued to read his book choice. Quite exhausted by her efforts, she tossed her chosen book aside. Finally, Miss Bingley resorted to the one area in which she felt she excelled over Elizabeth Bennet—physical beauty, and she took the chance of being noticed by walking about the room. Darcy, upon whom she directed her attention, remained content to read, never even raising an eyebrow or looking her way. Desperation set in so Caroline turned to Elizabeth to say,“Miss Eliza Bennet, let me persuade you to follow my example, and take a turn about the room. I assure you it is very refreshing after sitting so long in one attitude.”
    Miss Bingley succeeded in one area: she received Darcy’s attention; he looked up, surprised to see Elizabeth consent to such a devious plan.Why Caroline chose to invite Elizabeth to join her peaked his curiosity; Elizabeth, too, seemed wary of the invitation.Without knowledge of his actions, Darcy unconsciously closed his book. “Will you not join us, Mr. Darcy?” Miss Bingley nearly purred.

    â€œI will decline your kind offer, Madam. I assume you have but two motives for choosing to walk up and down the room together, and I would interfere with either of them.”
    â€œWhat could he mean, Miss Eliza?” Miss Bingley queried, never able to decipher Mr. Darcy’s double-meaning barbs.
    Elizabeth, on the other hand, heard that tone before; she remained determined not to let Mr. Darcy win; she would match him wit for wit. Darcy recognized the resolve of her shoulders, the half-stifled grin playing about her lips, and the arching of an eyebrow. All these things sent sensations down his body; every nerve pulsed. Pausing briefly to make her point, Elizabeth turned slightly toward Darcy. It was all he could do not to walk over and take her in his arms. She taunted,“Depend upon it, he means to be severe on us, and our surest way of disappointing him will be to ask nothing about it.”
    Very good . It was exactly the kind of repartee he came to expect from Elizabeth Bennet.
    Caroline Bingley would do nothing that might upset Mr. Darcy so she made it a point to ask, “Mr. Darcy, whatever can you mean by such a remark? You must explain as we are very anxious to know its meaning.”
    Darcy played with his response. “I have not the smallest objection to explaining them.You either choose this method of passing the evening because