A Pemberley Medley (A Pride & Prejudice Variation) by Abigail Reynolds Page B
Authors: Abigail Reynolds
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sometimes it seemed nothing but absence of mind.
No sooner would she reach the resolution that her initial impression of him had been correct than sudden doubts would assail her. On his visits to Hunsford he frequently sat there ten minutes together without opening his lips; and when he did speak, it seemed the effect of necessity rather than of choice – a sacrifice to propriety, not a pleasure to himself. He seldom appeared really animated, and this seemed absolute proof of his disinterest, but then Colonel Fitzwilliam’s occasionally laughing at his stupidity, proved that he was generally different. Her own knowledge of him could not have told her that, and she began to wonder why he was so different in her company.
She did not begin to be concerned that his feelings were seriously engaged, however, until once in her ramble within the Park she unexpectedly met him. She assumed that he would meet her with a few formal enquiries and an awkward pause and then away, but to her surprise he actually thought it necessary to turn back and walk with her. He did not say a great deal, nor did she give herself the trouble of talking much, but he seemed to attend to her more intimately than was strictly necessary, and there was that in his manner which seemed somehow different from his behaviour in her presence in the past. She could not quite identify what the difference was, but afterwards, as she thought back upon the occasion, she decided that it would be best not to offer him anything which might be seen as encouragement.
She was sensible to the compliment of such a man’s affection, though she could not help but be bewildered by how it had come to pass that he should admire her, after having withstood her charms at their earlier meetings. Apart from his request to dance with her at Netherfield, there had been nothing resembling a courtship. She supposed it must be a passing fancy, since so proud a man would certainly never propose to a woman with her low connections. Still, she did not desire to occasion any pain to him, and so determined to do her best to put a stop to any ideas he might have about her interest in him.
Therefore she was prepared the following day when once again she came upon him in the grove. His presence there was confirmation enough of her suspicions, as there would be no reason for him to be in that same spot unless he was awaiting her. He again said little, but at one point seemed to suggest that on her future visits to Kent she would be staying at Rosings. Startled, she realized this was more serious than she had thought.
She chose her words with care. “Mr. Darcy,” she said slowly, “I wonder if I might ask your opinion on something.”
He placed his hand over her gloved one. “Certainly. I would be happy to be of use to you.”
She could feel the warmth of his hand through her glove. This was not proceeding as she had planned. “Suppose, sir, you had a sister whom you loved dearly.”
He looked at her in surprise. “That is not at all difficult to imagine, since I do have a such a sister.”
Emboldened, Elizabeth continued. “Suppose, then, that she met a gentleman who engaged her affections, and who appeared to return them. But then he disappeared without word, leaving everyone to suppose his friends had interfered with the match. Would you be inclined to think kindly toward those friends?”
His brow darkened, and Elizabeth feared she had gone too far in her accusation. But she would not allow his anger to intimidate her, so she stood her ground.
He spoke finally through clenched teeth, saying each word distinctly. “What did he tell you?”
Elizabeth shook her head in confusion. “He? The gentleman, or his friend?”
“You know perfectly well of whom I speak. I repeat, what did he tell you?”
“Indeed, sir, neither of them told me anything. It was merely an observation….”
“I must know. What did Wickham tell
No sooner would she reach the resolution that her initial impression of him had been correct than sudden doubts would assail her. On his visits to Hunsford he frequently sat there ten minutes together without opening his lips; and when he did speak, it seemed the effect of necessity rather than of choice – a sacrifice to propriety, not a pleasure to himself. He seldom appeared really animated, and this seemed absolute proof of his disinterest, but then Colonel Fitzwilliam’s occasionally laughing at his stupidity, proved that he was generally different. Her own knowledge of him could not have told her that, and she began to wonder why he was so different in her company.
She did not begin to be concerned that his feelings were seriously engaged, however, until once in her ramble within the Park she unexpectedly met him. She assumed that he would meet her with a few formal enquiries and an awkward pause and then away, but to her surprise he actually thought it necessary to turn back and walk with her. He did not say a great deal, nor did she give herself the trouble of talking much, but he seemed to attend to her more intimately than was strictly necessary, and there was that in his manner which seemed somehow different from his behaviour in her presence in the past. She could not quite identify what the difference was, but afterwards, as she thought back upon the occasion, she decided that it would be best not to offer him anything which might be seen as encouragement.
She was sensible to the compliment of such a man’s affection, though she could not help but be bewildered by how it had come to pass that he should admire her, after having withstood her charms at their earlier meetings. Apart from his request to dance with her at Netherfield, there had been nothing resembling a courtship. She supposed it must be a passing fancy, since so proud a man would certainly never propose to a woman with her low connections. Still, she did not desire to occasion any pain to him, and so determined to do her best to put a stop to any ideas he might have about her interest in him.
Therefore she was prepared the following day when once again she came upon him in the grove. His presence there was confirmation enough of her suspicions, as there would be no reason for him to be in that same spot unless he was awaiting her. He again said little, but at one point seemed to suggest that on her future visits to Kent she would be staying at Rosings. Startled, she realized this was more serious than she had thought.
She chose her words with care. “Mr. Darcy,” she said slowly, “I wonder if I might ask your opinion on something.”
He placed his hand over her gloved one. “Certainly. I would be happy to be of use to you.”
She could feel the warmth of his hand through her glove. This was not proceeding as she had planned. “Suppose, sir, you had a sister whom you loved dearly.”
He looked at her in surprise. “That is not at all difficult to imagine, since I do have a such a sister.”
Emboldened, Elizabeth continued. “Suppose, then, that she met a gentleman who engaged her affections, and who appeared to return them. But then he disappeared without word, leaving everyone to suppose his friends had interfered with the match. Would you be inclined to think kindly toward those friends?”
His brow darkened, and Elizabeth feared she had gone too far in her accusation. But she would not allow his anger to intimidate her, so she stood her ground.
He spoke finally through clenched teeth, saying each word distinctly. “What did he tell you?”
Elizabeth shook her head in confusion. “He? The gentleman, or his friend?”
“You know perfectly well of whom I speak. I repeat, what did he tell you?”
“Indeed, sir, neither of them told me anything. It was merely an observation….”
“I must know. What did Wickham tell
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