Fault or Virtue: An Imaginative Retelling of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' (7 page)

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“You want me, I’m sure, to say ‘yes,’ that you may have the pleasure of despising
my taste; but I always delight in overthrowing those kind of schemes, and cheating a
person of their premeditated contempt.”

“I will therefore tell you that I do not want to dance a reel at all; and now despise
me if you dare.”
There was too much sweetness in her teasing manner and so, no, he did not dare.
“Indeed I do not. Nor is it possible for me to do so, Miss Elizabeth.” He bowed
and returned to his writing desk like a dog with his tail between his legs.
He comes
looking for a fight, and bows out like a gentleman,
she thought.
Why can he not choose
one motive or the other?
Miss Bingley ended her song early, having seen the two conversing, and so
requested that Elizabeth take a turn about the room with her.
“You are fond of walking, I know,” she said, before offering her arm. “Tell me,
Miss Elizabeth, have you ever been to London?”
“Many times, Miss Bingley. My dear aunt and uncle live outside of London, and
Jane and I visit as often as we can.”
“It is a wonder we have not met before, at some ball or other.”
“On the contrary, we venture out very little, preferring to spend time with our
family when we are there. Occasionally we have gone to shows, but we usually stay in
Cheapside.”
“Cheapside? Yes, I’m familiar with the place.” Miss Bingley got what she wanted
from this little conversation and so remained quiet for a time, preferring to let her brother
and Mr. Darcy consider their conversation for a moment. Once they had gone around the
room a few more times, however, Caroline saw it necessary to involve Mr. Darcy.
“Won’t you walk with us, Mr. Darcy?”
Elizabeth wished for his refusal, not wishing to be ignored while Caroline fussed
over him.
“I believe I would get in your way, Miss Bingley.”
“What can he mean, Miss Eliza?” Caroline asked.
“Either,” Mr. Darcy answered for himself, “you are in each other’s confidence or
you are aware that your figures appear to the greatest advantage while walking. If the
first, I shall be an interruption, if the second, I can admire you much better from here.”
“Shocking, Mr. Darcy!” Caroline inhaled sharply while her brother laughed
raucously.
As usual, Elizabeth did not hide her wide smile, which, for the moment, matched
Caroline Bingley’s.
On their next and last turn about the room, Elizabeth’s eyes again locked with Mr.
Darcy’s as he momentarily lifted his gaze from his letter and she found herself caught in
an eager look that she did not quite understand.

A while later, Elizabeth moved undisturbed through the house towards the library.
It had been a few hours after supper, and so she felt assured that she would meet no one
along the way. She had waited with Jane until she fell into a peaceful sleep, but found no
such rest for herself. She slipped quietly into the library once she reached the door.

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“Miss Elizabeth,” breathed Darcy in surprise, causing her to jump.
“Mr. Darcy! I did not know you would be here!” He was alone, she realized. They

were alone.
“I did not mean to frighten you! Do come in, I should not have startled you.”
“It was not your fault, Mr. Darcy.” She joined him in the library, still shaken from

his unexpected appearance. For all his politeness, he still made her uncomfortable. She
searched in vain for a book that would interest her so as to have an excuse to quit his
presence.

“How is your sister?” He asked after a moment.
“She is very well, thank you.”
“And are you comfortable here as well?”
She almost felt guilty as she recalled her frenzied attempt to find a book so that

“I am, Miss Bingley has been most kind in her attentions to our comfort.”
Physical comfort, at least.
Darcy smiled, as if he read her mind and she sought to change
the subject. “I believe we will be on our way home and out of your way in no time.”

“Your company is very welcome, Miss Elizabeth. It is a pity it is not due to less
unfortunate circumstances. Time has passed very agreeably since you came.”
This is unexpected!
She studied him for a sign of jest. Upon the closer study that
she was allowed at Netherfield, she found that Darcy did not possess the alacrity that
Miss Bingley had for cutting remarks as she had once thought. And as much as she felt
she should disagree with him about enjoying her time here, she found that she could not.
She would miss Netherfield, she realized. She would miss the intelligent conversation.
She would even miss Miss Bingley’s slights, or at least, those that afforded her some
humor.
“You are too kind, Mr. Darcy.” It occurred to her to show him equal civility by
inquiring after his sister. “How is Miss Darcy?” She hoped she did not sound too much
like Miss Bingley.
“She is well and enjoying a well deserved reprieve from her studies.”
“I am relieved to hear that even
accomplished
women are given leave from their
learning,” she replied playfully, raising an eyebrow. She was always left to wonder at Mr.
Darcy’s true opinions once Caroline Bingley had a share of the conversation. An
exchange would not cease, it seemed, until Caroline was assured that everyone agreed
with her. Darcy seemed to obscure his own opinions beneath sly humor and exaggerated
opinion. So between Caroline and Darcy, Elizabeth was left to wonder what Mr. Darcy
thought of truly accomplished women.
“I know as few, or as many, accomplished women as Miss Bingley claims to
know. Though I do not think we agree on whom these women are nor why they deserve
the word. My sister is one of them, though I am aware such an opinion is biased.”
“I do not hold it against you, Mr. Darcy. Though I do not know your sister and
therefore cannot agree with you, I can say that I know she at least lucky to have such a
doting brother.”
“I believe you would get along quite nicely, Miss Elizabeth, if you should ever
chance to meet.” Despair returned, having once again been reminded that Elizabeth
would never meet his sister.

Seeing the darkness settle in around Darcy’s expression, she sought to draw him
out again. “The library at Pemberley I’ve heard is remarkable.”
“It is, but again I am biased in saying so. It is the work of many generations, and I
take every opportunity to add to the collection.”
“I envy you the opportunity, Mr. Darcy. Pray, what type of books do you find
most necessary to your collection?”
“It is difficult to pick one particular genre, however, it is equally as difficult to
rule out any particular genre.”
“When a library is as varied as a book shop, it cannot fail to appeal to everyone.”
“Or anyone in any state of mind.”
This statement worked to reinforce her opinion of him, that he was a man of many
moods.

When Jane was again well enough to travel, Elizabeth set about making
arrangements for their immediate departure. She had arranged for the Bennet carriage to
retrieve them, and that their maid be brought with it to see to Jane’s appearance be tended
to after such a long time spent in bed. Elizabeth was so busy, in fact, that she barely had
time to worry over missing Netherfield, or rather, one of its occupants. Truthfully, she
had spent most of the night dwelling on that fact and had been left with little time for
sleep.

Elizabeth ventured downstairs to meet their maid at the door when she heard the
carriage arrive, and found Darcy nearby.
“Perhaps while she tends to your sister, you would enjoy a last stroll in the
garden? You have been busy all morning.”
How he’s changed! What did this kindness
mean?
She did not let herself dwell on the question for too long. She had determined her
feelings for him the night before; they were none other than those involved in a
friendship. She did not know him well, after all. In fact, he had just recently been known
as a haughty and proud individual, too arrogant to even be introduced to her, so she could
not so easily accept this new side of him. Mr. Darcy was not what every man ought to be,
but she appreciated his company. His recent alteration had made him more interesting,
she realized, and she desired to know him better as she already liked what she so far
knew of him. She thought that perhaps this sudden kindness was due to her initial disdain
of him. From what she could see of his relationship with Caroline, she was sure that he
was bothered by many other eligible women and thought that his dourness was an attempt
to ward them away. Since she had so eagerly made it clear that she was not interested in
him, perhaps he had lowered his guard because he did not feel threatened. Either way, she
was grateful for it, but was saddened by the thought that if this was his true nature, that it
would likely remain hidden from the rest of the world. Most of all, she had become quite
accustomed to insightful conversation, and she would lament its absence. It would all be
ribbons, bows, and lace once she returned home.
“Now I cannot help but notice the abundance of violets,” Elizabeth laughed,
looking around her at the flowers once they were outside.

“I believe even my sister might find it a little too excessive,” Darcy mused, “but
she will love to hear about them.”
Elizabeth saw his face cloud over when he mentioned his sister, distracted by his
thoughts. She did not know what haunted him when it came to his sister, but she was
eager to put him at ease.
“I am exceedingly glad that we have been able to enjoy each other’s company. I’d
like to think that we have become friends, Mr. Darcy.” She had wanted to say this, but
hearing them tumble from her mouth made them all sound silly. She was nervous, she
realized, lest he disagree with her. Did the proud Mr. Darcy have any friends besides Mr.
Bingley?
“Friends, Miss Elizabeth?”
Is that all?
His expression became too serious for
Elizabeth’s liking and she regretted saying anything. Darcy did not know whether to feel
relieved that he was now unburdened of disappointing her hopes or whether he was
disappointed that she felt nothing for him.
Now, she could think of nothing but changing the direction of conversation. “That
is, if I am in fact tolerable enough to be considered so.” She narrowed her eyes at him,
lest he return to being serious, and she intensified her glare when his expression went
from uncomfortable to guilty.
“Madam, I will prove it by begging for the pleasure of your company for two
dances at the upcoming ball. That is, if you are not otherwise engaged or inclined.”
Why
do I feel so disappointed when I should be grateful? If I had any reason to suspect that
Miss Elizabeth had feelings for me, I would feel
… His mind drew a blank.
Would I feel
guilty? Why would I feel guilty?
“I am not, and I happily accept,” Elizabeth found herself lost in his dark eyes.
Darcy, too, found himself lost in hers, and so did not hear Bingley approaching and
attempted to continue. “It has long been since I have considered you one of the most
bea…” he was cut off by Bingley before he could finish.
“Miss Elizabeth! The carriage is waiting.” Elizabeth fixed Bingley with a smile
and turned to follow him into the house. Darcy cursed silently and caught up to her. She
glanced sideways at him, noting his distress.
“Do not fret, Mr. Darcy, you can finish whatever it was you were going to say
while we dance. It will not do to stay silent together for a half hour together, we must
have conversation.”
“And so you must have laughing, Miss Elizabeth.” He took her hand gently and
brought it to his lips, grazing her knuckles for slightly longer than necessary. A great,
warm fluttering ran through her entire body, her cheeks pinked, and the spot where his
lips touched her skin burned from the sensation.
“Until the ball, Miss Elizabeth.” He bowed and left her. She found herself in the
carriage minutes later, not knowing how she got there, not remembering coming in from
the garden or exiting the house. All she knew was the burning on her hand, and the
beating of her heart.

The quiet that fell upon Netherfield upon the Bennets leave was most distressing
to two individuals.
“It is such a shame that they could not have extended their stay!” cried Bingley,
watching the carriage pulling away from an upper window.
“I do not recall a time before the Miss Bennets stayed her, Charles. It was quite
long enough.” Caroline droned.
“Are you quite sure Miss Bennet was well enough to travel?” Bingley asked no
one in particular.
“It is a matter of three miles,” Miss Bingley retorted. “Surely if Miss Eliza can
manage it on foot, a recovered Jane Bennet can manage it in a carriage. It is a pity that
Miss Bennet could not attend to us at meals, I quite favor her company over Miss
Eliza’s.”
“How could you say such a thing? Miss Elizabeth was lively company,” Bingley
shot back at his sister, causing Darcy to involuntarily chuckle knowing that both brother
and sister would have preferred the company of the eldest Miss Bennet.
“What is so humorous, Darcy?” demanded Bingley, but Darcy was not given a
chance to answer.
“He was laughing at your attempt to defend Miss Eliza,” Caroline explained on
his behalf. “She is a shrewd little thing and nothing like her sister.”
“I quite agree that she is nothing like her sister,” Darcy afforded her, “but she has
equally favorable qualities to recommend her.”
Caroline’s eyes widened considerably but recovered soon enough, saying, “Mr.
Darcy, you have a dark sense of humor.”
“Well I for one look forward to seeing all the Bennets at our Netherfield Ball,”
chimed in Bingley, and further discussion was discontinued.

“I hope it was not too dreadful, Lizzy,” Jane said to Elizabeth once the carriage
began down Netherfield’s drive.
“Jane, you are far too concerned for everyone’s sake. I had a lovely time, I only
wish you could have spent time with us. I am so glad you’re better, and it is wonderful to
be heading home.”
“What of Mr. Darcy?” Jane asked, causing Elizabeth to blush furiously.
“It was a surprise to see Mr. Darcy again. But it proved to be a pleasant surprise,
and I hope it continues to be so.”
“That is a relief! I suppose you would have been miserable otherwise.”
“I suppose,” Elizabeth smiled and took Jane’s hand in hers.