Page 46 of His Pride and His Prejudice

“Charles would want his mate to want him.”

Miss. Bingley sighed. “Jack Bennet is an omega from a family who are entirely reliant on him to secure their estate and future prosperity. If he does not mate with an alpha, the entail will ensure the estate goes to Mr. Collins.”

“I am aware of this,” Darcy said, casting a look in Mr. Collins’ direction. He was an odd-looking man. Very tall but also strangely…small. Darcy found him off putting for some reason.

“It matters not how Jack Bennet feels,” she said. “If he has any chance to catch Charles, he will. He must. And he will be grateful for it.” She paused. “Much like Elliot Bennet with you.”

Darcy took a step back. He would speak with Caroline Bingley on Charles as they both had his best interests at heart and despite her many faults, Caroline Bingley was a loyal sister, but he would not discuss Elliot.

He would not discuss Elliot with anyone.

He made a small bow. “Excuse me.”

“Mr. Darcy,” she sighed. “Have I aggravated you now? I confess I find myself sad at that thought and will be at a loss for a dancing partner if you refuse me.”

“I would not refuse you,” he said.

Caroline Bingley narrowed her eyes. “He is still in the refreshment room,” she said. “You will need to wrestle him from Charlie Lucas but that will hardly be a feat.”

Darcy took a deep breath, intending to do just that. He felt oddly nervous as he made his way into the refreshment room, which vexed him intensely. He was an alpha, one of the richest men in the country and certainly the richest in this building. He should be full of confidence. And yet, he never was where Elliot Bennet was concerned, as there was no way to know what he was thinking or how he might respond.

He had known about the invitations to Elliot, given the Bingley sisters disliked the other brothers and did not want to entertain them, but time and time again Marc Bennet accompanied Jack. He was slightly tedious, but Darcy had not found him irritating like the younger two.

He had wanted Elliot Bennet though.

Wanted to sit across from him, watch the candlelight play on his curls and flash across his dark eyes.

Wanted to hear him talk on a scandalous topic or even a boring one.

Darcy wanted to be close to him.

As if aware of Darcy’s thoughts, Elliot Bennet turned, and their eyes met. A flush spread across the other man’s face. Darcy watched it happen and felt a good measure of satisfaction at that. How many times had Elliot made him feel flushed and wrong footed?

“Mr. Bennet,” he said with a small bow.

Elliot and Charlie Lucas both bowed.

“Will you do me the honour of this next dance,” Darcy asked.

Elliot Bennet’s eyes widened. His lips parted slightly. The action sent a rush of blood to Darcy’s breeches, and he had to clench his fists in an effort to control himself. Wicked thoughts on what he would like to do with Elliot’s lips filled him.

Insupportable!

Wasn’t that how Caroline Bingley had described it?

Wasn’t that what this was?

And still here he was, asking the other man to dance.

“Mr. Darcy. I did not think you danced with acquaintances,” Elliot eventually said.

“I fancy we are no longer just acquaintances by now, Mr. Bennet,” Darcy replied. “After all, we have shared many a meal together and had a lively debate on the order of our society, which included your very progressive views on the…how did you phrase it…the roles of alphas and omegas and the changing nature of that.”

Charlie Lucas coughed slightly.

“You share those views?” Darcy asked.

Charlie grinned. “The next dance will soon begin.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com