First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) by Alexa Adams Page A
Authors: Alexa Adams
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sister.”
“ Does he indeed?” Elizabeth asked excitedly, her sparkle returned.
Darcy laughed, thrilled to see her joy, “I cannot betray my friend’s confidence. I have already said far too much.”
“ So you have, sir, as have I. Shall we resume the much safer subject of poetry?”
--
In consequence of an agreement between the sisters, Elizabeth wrote to Longbourn requesting the carriage, which her mother promptly denied, requiring her to apply to her host for transportation or risk intruding upon the household (and her reluctant hostess) for an unseemly length of time. Mr. Bingley most emphatically insisted that there was no reason for them to leave so soon, they were more than welcome at Netherfield and surely Miss Bennet was not yet strong enough to depart. The man was so determined to keep the Bennet ladies in his home that Elizabeth acquiesced to remaining one more evening, planning to depart following the morning service on Sunday. Longer than that she could not be induced to remain, largly do to the curtness of her hostess’ civilities. Bingley was just thankful to procure himself an additional day of Jane’s companionship.
With much contrivance between his friend and staff, Mr. Bingley managed to be alone when Miss Bennet entered the breakfast room the final morning of her stay. He jumped to his feet with all the nervousness befitting a deeply in love man on the precipice of a proposal, “Good morning, Miss Bennet. You look so well I find it hard to imagine you have ever suffered a day of sickness in your life.”
“ Thank you Mr. Bingley. Good morning to you,” she beamed and blushed, flattered by his marked attention.
Shuffling nervously, he waited while she made her selections from the side board and then readily seated her in the place next to himself. A few moments passed in awkward silence before Bingley managed to summon the courage to pronounce his mentally rehearsed speech. “My dear Miss Bennet,” he began with all composure he could muster, “I cannot say how sorry I am that your time with us has been the result of illness but, nonetheless, I must admit to cherishing this opportunity to get to know you better. It has been only a few weeks since we met, I know, but I cannot help but say, Miss Bennet, that I have never met a lady who matches you in loveliness. I find myself most sincerely attached to you and would be the happiest of men if only you would consent to be my wife.”
Jane looked down, her face scarlet, and quietly said, “Yes Mr. Bingley. I am most honored,” before looking up and bestowing on him the most radiant smile he had received from her yet. A few minutes later when Elizabeth and Darcy, having taken a conveniently timed walk, cautiously entered the room, so lost were the happy couple in each other that they did not notice their quiet, approving presence for several moments. Finally spotting her sister, Jane rose from her chair and moved forward to embrace her. “Oh Lizzy, tis by far too much! I do not deserve it. Oh! Why is not everybody so happy!” she exclaimed as Elizabeth laughed, assuring her that she was deserving of all her present joy and a lifetime more. Darcy and Bingley shared a hearty handshake before the latter greeted Elizabeth in kind, as was now his brotherly right. It was a celebratory party Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst walked in upon soon after, much to the former’s chagrin.
Mr. Bingley escorted the ladies to Longbourn following Matins to request a private conference with Mr. Bennet. Parental consent to the match was expressed readily and simply by Mr. Bennet; Mrs. Bennet’s approval was a bit more verbose. “Oh my dear, dear Jane! I am so happy I know not what I shall do! I said how it would be all along – you could not be so beautiful for nothing!” Her sisters too were anxious to share in Jane’s joy. Mary petitioned for the use of the library at Netherfield while Kitty and Lydia begged very
“ Does he indeed?” Elizabeth asked excitedly, her sparkle returned.
Darcy laughed, thrilled to see her joy, “I cannot betray my friend’s confidence. I have already said far too much.”
“ So you have, sir, as have I. Shall we resume the much safer subject of poetry?”
--
In consequence of an agreement between the sisters, Elizabeth wrote to Longbourn requesting the carriage, which her mother promptly denied, requiring her to apply to her host for transportation or risk intruding upon the household (and her reluctant hostess) for an unseemly length of time. Mr. Bingley most emphatically insisted that there was no reason for them to leave so soon, they were more than welcome at Netherfield and surely Miss Bennet was not yet strong enough to depart. The man was so determined to keep the Bennet ladies in his home that Elizabeth acquiesced to remaining one more evening, planning to depart following the morning service on Sunday. Longer than that she could not be induced to remain, largly do to the curtness of her hostess’ civilities. Bingley was just thankful to procure himself an additional day of Jane’s companionship.
With much contrivance between his friend and staff, Mr. Bingley managed to be alone when Miss Bennet entered the breakfast room the final morning of her stay. He jumped to his feet with all the nervousness befitting a deeply in love man on the precipice of a proposal, “Good morning, Miss Bennet. You look so well I find it hard to imagine you have ever suffered a day of sickness in your life.”
“ Thank you Mr. Bingley. Good morning to you,” she beamed and blushed, flattered by his marked attention.
Shuffling nervously, he waited while she made her selections from the side board and then readily seated her in the place next to himself. A few moments passed in awkward silence before Bingley managed to summon the courage to pronounce his mentally rehearsed speech. “My dear Miss Bennet,” he began with all composure he could muster, “I cannot say how sorry I am that your time with us has been the result of illness but, nonetheless, I must admit to cherishing this opportunity to get to know you better. It has been only a few weeks since we met, I know, but I cannot help but say, Miss Bennet, that I have never met a lady who matches you in loveliness. I find myself most sincerely attached to you and would be the happiest of men if only you would consent to be my wife.”
Jane looked down, her face scarlet, and quietly said, “Yes Mr. Bingley. I am most honored,” before looking up and bestowing on him the most radiant smile he had received from her yet. A few minutes later when Elizabeth and Darcy, having taken a conveniently timed walk, cautiously entered the room, so lost were the happy couple in each other that they did not notice their quiet, approving presence for several moments. Finally spotting her sister, Jane rose from her chair and moved forward to embrace her. “Oh Lizzy, tis by far too much! I do not deserve it. Oh! Why is not everybody so happy!” she exclaimed as Elizabeth laughed, assuring her that she was deserving of all her present joy and a lifetime more. Darcy and Bingley shared a hearty handshake before the latter greeted Elizabeth in kind, as was now his brotherly right. It was a celebratory party Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst walked in upon soon after, much to the former’s chagrin.
Mr. Bingley escorted the ladies to Longbourn following Matins to request a private conference with Mr. Bennet. Parental consent to the match was expressed readily and simply by Mr. Bennet; Mrs. Bennet’s approval was a bit more verbose. “Oh my dear, dear Jane! I am so happy I know not what I shall do! I said how it would be all along – you could not be so beautiful for nothing!” Her sisters too were anxious to share in Jane’s joy. Mary petitioned for the use of the library at Netherfield while Kitty and Lydia begged very
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