Page 1 of Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone
Chapter One
She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.
Meryton Assembly
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Master of Pemberley, watched the lively expression on the young lady’s face as she conversed with her friend Miss Lucas. He heartily regretted attending this assembly with Charles and Miss Bingley along with their sister Louisa Hurst and her husband. He’d received a letter from his sister Georgiana only that afternoon, begging him to allow her to quit their uncle’s house in London and travel back home to Pemberley. Her heartache pained him, but she did not have a suitable companion and until one could be found, London is where she would stay under the watchful eye of their uncle.
With everything that had happened this past summer, a crowded assembly was the last place he wanted to be but Bingley was determined to become a permanent fixture within the community of Meryton, therefore, to the public assembly they went. Unfortunately, all of his low standards were met almost as soon as they entered the hall.
They hadn’t progressed more than ten feet before he heard whispers of Bingley’s five thousand a year, followed by remarks of his ten thousand, which was ludicrously low. And so, he’d kept to the outer edges of the room, speaking only when directly asked a question and firmly avoiding any and all contact with husband hunting mothers and their dutiful daughters. If it weren’t for his obligation to Bingley, he’d have left the crowded hall immediately following their first introduction.
After a few sets had been enjoyed by everyone, Bingley included, he’d experienced an inexplicable desire to move to the back of the hall, where chairs were lined up against the wall for those who couldn’t or wouldn’t dance. It was there that Charles prevailed upon him to pair up with his partner’s sister for the next set, to which he’d parried back with a remark that would have had his father turn over in the grave. That is, after his mother had finished spinning.
Against his will, his eyes followed the young woman he’d insulted as she conversed with what seemed like half the village. That she was popular was evident by the genuine smiles afforded her as she came upon each person. Why she had been sitting out any dances went beyond his comprehension, unless all the men in Meryton were as much a fool as he.
This petite woman unsettled him and her eyes entranced him. Jade green, they’d blazed into his soul when she’d given him a saucy look after his caustic remark of her not being handsome enough to tempt him. Feet frozen to the floor, he’d practically held his breath when she sauntered by a few minutes later, sporting a secret smile that let him know in no uncertain terms she found humor in the situation. Her whole demeanor caused a stirring he hadn’t felt in a very long time.
He’d learned, from overheard snippets, that she was Elizabeth Bennet, second daughter of five. As she swayed and weaved through the crowd, a familiar heat spread through his body. What was it about her that drew his eye? He began to walk around the edges of the assembly hall again, taking care to avoid Miss Bingley. Not an easy feat when she watched him almost as close as he watched Miss Elizabeth. He stopped a few feet from where she stood with one of her many sisters.
“I could easily forgivehispride if he had not mortifiedmine.”
He felt a ghost of smile cross his lips at her quick wit and sparkling banter. Most young ladies would have been in a state of high dudgeon, but she had raised her voice just enough so he could hear her comment.
Touché, Miss Elizabeth, he thought, risking another smile and glanced in her direction to see if she’d noticed. Their eyes met and she became preternaturally still, her full lips parting slightly. A primal urge to possess clawed its way up from his belly, demanding to be released.
His whole body aflame, he experienced a sensation of floating, as though he were physically leaving his body. In his mind, he cleaved through the crowd and reached for her. With one hand he cupped the base of her neck and pulled her close before curving his other arm around her hip. He lowered his head and teased the edges of her mouth, nibbling that lush, bottom lip, savoring her taste. When she swayed closer, he captured her mouth completely and plunged his tongue deep into the sweet, velvety warmth, needing−
“At last I have caught up with you, Mr. Darcy.”
The strident tone of Miss Caroline Bingley grated in his ear and with a start, he crashed back into rational thought.
“I had not gone far, Miss Bingley.”
She attempted to hook her arm through his, but with a subtle twist and side step, he maneuvered his arm out of her reach. That she was more than piqued by his actions became clear when Miss Elizabeth passed by them.
“Miss Eliza, I have not seen you dance yet.”
“Thank you for noticing, Miss Bingley.” Miss Elizabeth’s emerald eyes sparkled with mischief. “Alas, no eligible gentleman has politely petitioned my hand for a set. I suppose you and I, together, shall have to commiserate near the edges of the ballroom.”
Miss Bingley huffed at the implied insult and he had to turn his head to hide a grin. The put down had been so precise and so polite. She cast her gaze about the room and stopped when she reached the area where Bingley escorted Miss Bennet back to her mother’s side.
“If you would please excuse me. My next dance partner awaits near my sister. It seems as though I’ve been rescued from lining the wall, Miss Bingley.” She executed a polite half curtsy in Miss Bingley’s direction before making her way toward Bingley, who led her out onto the dance floor.
Nicely done, Miss Elizabeth. You leave me here to cool my heels knowing Miss Bingley expects me to ask her to dance.
About to resume his prowl around the edges of the assembly in order to not give Miss Bingley a fixed target, he paused. The fine hairs on the nape of his neck had risen and he tried not to scowl. Richard had arrived. His cousin’s sixth sense must have been working overtime. Normally Darcy held his emotions in check. However, the culmination of his worry over Georgiana and the unexpected zing of lust over a country miss, his emotions over the last hour had been intense, unguarded and he wasn’t prepared to explain them. At times like this, he regretted the closeness he and his cousin shared.
The entrance to the assembly room opened and The Honorable Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam entered. Well over six feet, he stood almost as tall as Darcy. Raven hair spilled over his shoulders and would have swung about if not tied back in a queue. His regimentals did nothing to hide his broad shoulders and his stride, although athletic, was smooth and graceful.
Richard had arrived in full glamour, evidenced by the chorus of feminine sighs trailing after him as he drew near. Darcy knew it wasn’t to impress him or the Bingley entourage. No, his mischievous cousin had hurried to Meryton because he’d felt Darcy’s awareness of an unknown female. While Miss Bingley reminded him of a sticky burr beneath his saddle, Richard was ten times worse, and exceedingly more annoying.
Richard sidled beside him, his alert gaze scanning the crowded room. Many young women, alongside their mothers, tittered happily behind their fans. Darcy heard a few squeals of excitement and knew it came from the two youngest sisters of Miss Elizabeth.
“Colonel. How delighted we are to have you join us.”
Once again, Darcy inwardly cringed at the sound of Miss Bingley’s voice. If he were able, he’d dearly love to banish her to some dark underworld, if only to appease his ears.
“I’m here to speak with Colonel Foster of the _____shire militia.” Richard gave Miss Bingley a polite bow. “When I heard Darcy was also in Meryton, I came a few days early in order to spend some time with my favorite cousin.”
