Darcy's Passions by Regina Jeffers Page A

even worried Mrs. Bennet herself may choose to stay at Netherfield and send Elizabeth home to Longbourn. How intolerable that would be! Although he could not explain it even to himself, Darcy wanted Elizabeth to remain at Netherfield. Last night was a beginning; he did not want the dawn to bring an end—an end to what, exactly? He remained unsure, but being with Elizabeth took on a new importance to him.
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    Much to Darcy’s amusement and to his horror at the same time, the two youngest Bennet daughters accompanied Mrs. Bennet. After spending the appropriate amount of time with her eldest, Mrs. Bennet and her daughters intruded upon the Bingley household in the morning room.
    Darcy stood by the window, pretending to be taking in the prospect. In reality, he wanted to be away from Mrs. Bennet and the reminder she was Elizabeth’s mother, as well as the fact if he developed affection for Elizabeth Bennet, he saddled himself to the family also. Such thoughts began to undermine the feelings he held for Elizabeth from the previous evening. Maybe he should consider her only as a diversion after all.
    Mrs. Bennet’s fawning over Bingley and his estate interrupted these thoughts. Darcy briefly wondered how well Miss Bennet would have to be before Mrs. Bennet thought her daughter should return to Longbourn. Clearly, having Miss Bennet ill and at Netherfield pleased Mrs. Bennet excessively. “Oh, Mr. Bingley, my Jane is a great deal too ill to be moved. Mr. Jones says we must not think of moving her.We must trespass a little longer on your kindness,
Sir; our Jane is the kindest, sweetest soul God ever placed on this earth; she does not deserve such pain.”
    â€œYou may depend upon it, Madam, that Miss Bennet shall receive every possible attention while she remains with us,” Bingley added sheepishly.
    â€œOh, we do hope you plan to stay at Netherfield, Mr. Bingley; it is such a fine estate.”
    â€œI do like it here; I hope to stay a long time, but those who know me well will attest to my changeable nature.” He gestured about the room.
    â€œMr. Bingley,” Elizabeth began, “that is exactly what I should have supposed of you.”
    â€œIndecision, as they say, brings lamenting for lost days.” Bingley enjoyed their banter. Darcy admired his friend’s ability to be at ease in such conversations, and at this moment, he envied the attention Bingley received from Elizabeth. But Mrs. Bennet’s reprimand of her daughter interrupted those thoughts. “Lizzie, do not forget your place, child.”
    Bingley enjoyed the exchange, though, and replied directly to Elizabeth, ignoring Mrs. Bennet’s warning to her daughter. “So, Miss Elizabeth, you amuse yourself with a study of your fellow man—of his character? If I am correct, you begin to comprehend me, do you?”
    With those sparkling eyes, of which Darcy found of late so compelling, she retorted, “I prefer to study intricate characters for they are the most amusing; in that they have all the advantage.”
    Despite his pledge to not get involved in any conversation involving Mrs. Bennet, Darcy could not help but to speak to Elizabeth, specifically, and engage her response. “If you prefer more intricate characters, Miss Elizabeth, the country can in general supply but few subjects for such a study. In a country neighborhood you move in a very confined and unvarying society.”
    He found Elizabeth’s enthusiasm enchanting as she replied, “Luckily, Mr. Darcy, people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them forever.”

    For a brief moment, Darcy and Elizabeth held each other’s eyes, and both sported a hint of a smile. Unfortunately, Mrs. Bennet’s voice shattered the flash of understanding between them.“I believe you are mistaken, Sir, country society is not lacking in anything of consequence.”
    Her affront to a man of