What? WhatwasMr. Darcy? Odd? Eccentric? Brooding in the most mysterious and puzzling way possible?
He was certainly something.
But as I thought about that strange encounter with him on the road, I couldn’t deny that the man had a knack for making even the most straightforward conversations unbearable.
Still, it was one thing to be odd. It was another thing entirely to be dangerously unpredictable and a menace to society. And despite his many faults, I couldn’t believe that Mr. Darcy had crossed into the realm of true madness. No. He was far too controlled for that.
“Well, whatever he is,” I said with a sigh, “I’m sure Mr. Darcy will manage to endure the ball without causing a scene.”
Charlotte smirked. “Perhaps, but I wouldn’t place any wagers on it.”
“Oh, come now,” Jane objected. “Mr. Darcy may be reserved, but he is a gentleman. I’m sure we’ve misunderstood whatever happened in town.”
“Misunderstood?” Charlotte repeated. “Jane Bennet, there you go again, defending everyone whether they deserve it or not. He nearly trampled a man in the middle of Meryton.”
“He didnotnearly trample anyone,” Jane protested. “He’s just...”
“Misunderstood?” I finished for her, grinning. “I daresay that’s the best excuse yet.”
“I don’t care if he’s ‘misunderstood’ or as cracked as King George,” Kitty declared, already bouncing on her feet again. “I only care that the officers will be there—and Mr. Wickham!”
“And I care that there’s snow in the forecast!” I added with a generous helping of fake excitement. Anything to change the subject. “I overheard Mama talking about ice skating onChristmas Eve. Perhaps we’ll have enough ice this year to make it a proper party.”
“Oh, I hope so!” Jane said, her eyes lighting up at the thought. “Remember last year, Lizzy? The whole village turned out.”
“I remember. I nearly broke my neck when Kitty crashed into me.”
Kitty huffed. “It wasn’t my fault!Youskated intome.”
“Ah yes, that’s what I recall,” I said dryly. “But let’s not repeat the performance this year, shall we?”
We all laughed, all thoughts of mad neighbors and scandals melting away. The ball, the upcoming Christmas festivities, the promise of winter fun—it was enough to push thoughts of Mr. Darcy’s oddities to the back of my mind.
For now.
Fifteen
Darcy
Iwalked into theballroom, already regretting my life decisions. The noise, the heat, the endless stream of people talking at me—I’d had more pleasant experiences being thrown from a horse.
Bingley, naturally, was grinning from ear to ear, delighted to be playing host, while Caroline Bingley hovered nearby, fluttering around him like an overfed butterfly. But my attention, as much as I tried to avoid it, was drawn elsewhere.
Elizabeth Bennet.
She had arrived with her family, and somehow, without doing much at all, she had managed to become the only person I could see in the room. This woman was becoming a problem. Aseriousproblem.
Across the room, I spotted her laughing at something Bingley said to Miss Bennet—her eyes sparkling, her smile wide—and suddenly, the ballroom felt stifling. I tugged at my cravat.
I needed air.
“Aye, that’ll do ye wonders. Can’t breathe ‘cause ye’re gawkin’ at her again, are ye, lad?”
I didn’t even flinch. I should have known better than to hope for an evening without Ewan’s interference. Every time he appeared, it was like an invisible punch to the gut. And yet, it seemed I was building up some sort of tolerance for gut punches.
“Would ye just speak up tae the lass? She’s had her eye on ye for weeks, ye daft fool.”
“She has not.”
