Page 18 of His Pride and His Prejudice

Darcy flushed.

He felt it happen.

He could not recall ever experiencing such a thing before.

“Mr. Darcy,” Elliot added with a deep bow.

“Mr. Bennet,” was all Darcy could choke out and the words were just as stiff as he had known they would be.

The other man was smiling still as he stepped up into the carriage next to his wretched family and took his leave of not just Bingley but of Darcy too.

Nine

Sir William and Mr. Lucas held a ball only once per annum and so invitations were closely coveted and always accepted. As dear friends of the family, the Bennets were sure to receive an invitation and even Mr. Bennet considered attending. He never actually did, but he considered it.

Thought had been put into their dress once more though Elliot was relieved to see that Jack’s waistcoat was a more muted version of what he had worn to Netherfield. Their brothers…well it was frankly as if Mrs. Bennet had given up trying to wrangle them into suitable dress and was now concentrating all her efforts on Jack. Elliot resolved that he would say something to them all once the ball was over and he would start with Marc and his penchant for dressing as if he were about to attend a funeral! He looked his brother up and down and shook his head slightly even as Charlie Lucas interrupted his thoughts.

“I see Mr. Darcy is here,” he said. “I did not know if he would attend. Papa invited all of Mr. Bingley’s party of course, but it was not clear which of them would come.”

Elliot had indeed spotted Mr. Darcy and the rest of his party when they arrived. There was no escaping it and not least because everyone noticed and acted accordingly. Already there was a small crowd gathered around them which included Mrs. Bennet, Jack, Christian and Louis.

“I understand Mr. Darcy plans to stay with Mr. Bingley for some weeks,” Charlie continued. “And social events are thin compared to London so perhaps it is not surprising he has graced us with his presence.”

“Do you know why he is staying with Mr. Bingley?” Elliot asked, as it was something he had considered in the days since their meeting at Netherfield. Elliot had in fact been considering Mr. Darcy a tad too frequently during those days and he was vexed with himself for doing so.

“I hear his own estate, Pemberley, is as impressive as Netherfield if not more so,” Charlie said. “I am surprised he does not wish to return. I doubt anyone else has considered it though, my own parents included. They are too busy fawning over our esteemed guests!”

They were not alone, standing quite in the centre of the room, and Elliot was quick to caution his friend. “Charlie…”

“My apologies, Elliot,” Charlie said with a grin. “I have had to hear about them nonstop for what seems like an age. Papa and father are keen that I make myself as amiable as possible…”

“I understand,” Elliot said, lowering his voice so that those around them would not hear their conversation.

“They do not.”

Elliot shrugged helplessly. “I have tried to explain the same thing to my own mama,” he said. “Males such as us?—”

“Do not attract alphas.”

“Precisely.”

They caught one another’s gaze and understanding passed between them. Neither needed to say that they simply did not have the looks required to attract an alpha or the familial connections, and an omega really did need to have at least one of those qualities! Perhaps that was why they were such close friends despite the fact Charlie was an older son and Elliot a second.

“When we visited Netherfield, they were both there,” Charlie said. “Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy.”

“They had afternoon tea with you?”

“No, they were just…there.” Charlie paused. “Bingley was engaged in the conversation. He’s lively and amusing. But Mr. Darcy? It was quite obvious he would rather have been anywhere else but having tea with us. I found myself wondering then why he did not simply leave!” Another pause. “Papa did not consider this as he tried increasingly to catch his attention.”

“Sir William did not accompany you?”

“To afternoon tea?” Charlie shook his head. “No, he would not despite the advantage of the connections. In this instance any mating and wedding plans are left entirely to my papa.”

“And those plans do not involve Mr. Bingley then?”

“Papa wouldn’t dare,” Charlie said. “It is clear your mama has her own plans involving him and Jack.”

“Mr. Darcy…”

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