Page 30 of His Pride and His Prejudice

“It is a rule with me, that a person who can write a long letter with ease cannot write ill,” she continued.

In fairness to her Darcy knew that she did spend an inordinate amount of time writing lengthy letters to her friends and acquaintances.

“That will not do for a compliment to Darcy, Caroline,” Bingley said. “He studies far too much to write or do anything at ease!”

“My style of writing is simply different from yours, Charles.”

“Oh,” cried Miss Bingley, “Charles writes in the most careless way imaginable. He leaves out half his words and blots the rest!”

Charles shrugged. “My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them.”

“Rapidly flowing ideas are always to be cherished,” Elliot said, giving Bingley that same damn smile. “And your humility in admitting to them must disarm any reproof.”

“Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility,” Darcy said. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.”

Darcy felt the other man turn to look at him and quickly turned his gaze back on his papers. His words had been pompous! He did not quite know why he had said them! For some reason Elliot goaded him into behaving thus.

“Were you aware that Charles is considering holding a ball here at Netherfield?” Miss Bingley asked, and Darcy was grateful for her interruption, as it saved him from having to find a follow-up remark that was less ridiculous.

“I was not,” Elliot replied.

“The ballroom is spectacular, of course,” she said. “And it has been an age since I have organised a ball.”

“I will aid you,” Louisa Hurst said, and Miss Bingley laughed.

“And you, Eleanor?”

She nodded though with little obvious enthusiasm.

“What of you, Darcy? I fancy a ball would be rather a punishment than a pleasure.”

“Darcy may go to bed if he chooses, before it begins,” Charles said. “But as for the ball, it is quite a settled thing, and as soon as Mr. Bennet is well enough, I shall send round my cards.”

“I should like balls infinitely better,” Miss Bingley said. “If they were carried on in a different manner. There is something insufferably tedious in the usual process of such a meeting. It would surely be much less dull if conversation instead of dancing were made the order of the day.”

Bingley laughed. “Much more rational, my dear Caroline, I dare say, but it would not be near so much like a ball.”

Miss Bingley laughed again before floating over to where Elliot was still sat. “Mr. Bennet,” she said. “Come, take a turn about the room with me. After all, you have been cooped up in the sick room all morning!”

Elliot’s reluctance was obvious, but his good manners would not allow him to refuse. He stood and held an arm out to Miss Bingley who took it with a triumphant smile. She manoeuvred them so that Elliot was on the outer side of their couplet and so easily visible to Darcy.

“Do you wish to join us, Darcy?” she asked, and Darcy’s stomach clenched slightly at the prospect of standing up and taking Elliot’s other arm. He realised then that they had never touched.

Not in a greeting.

Not in a dance.

Not at all.

“No,” he said quickly. “I can admire you just fine from here.”

“Oh, shocking!” cried Miss Bingley. “To suggest that we are only here to be admired.”

“It is your very reason for taking a turn around the room,” Darcy said, and Bingley nodded his agreement. “This is all of our duty, is it not?” he continued, goaded once more, “to show ourselves in our best light in order to secure the attentions of others in our society.”

“Our society…” Caroline Bingley steered them towards the desk given they had now completed a loop of the room. “It is a curious society, is it not?” she asked. She gave Elliot’s arm an obvious squeeze before removing it and leaning against Darcy’s desk. “Tell us, Mr. Darcy, what are your views on the shape of it? After all we have all classes here, do we not, alpha, beta and omega. Two of which are mated and one who would surely seek such an arrangement were it possible.”

Elliot visibly flushed. “I am seeking no arrangement,” he said quickly but Miss Bingley waved his words away.

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