Page 86 of Fortuitous Encounters

He looked rather uncomfortable, but his basic honesty forced him to shake his head. “Probably not. I started the letter with a feeling of bitterness, and I fear it would have been obvious,” he drew a shuddering breath before continuing, “but, as you say, we can discuss it another time. If your sister does esteem Bingley more than I believed, perhaps the problem can be resolved in both their favours with a few words spoken in the right place and time.”

She deliberately sat back down on the bench she had abandoned a few minutes earlier, several inches closer to the gentleman.

She gently said, “One more sentence.”

The gentleman noticed her new position, primarily because he was always acutely aware of her. Perhaps he was past the first obstacle. All he needed was one more sentence, and he had the ideal candidate. It did not even require refinement. It was perfect, exactly as written.

“I will only add, God bless you.”

The look of wonder on her face was everything he had ever dreamed. It taught him hope, as he had scarcely ever allowed himself to hope before, and his answering smile conveyed his own sentiments.

With a Jane-like smile, Elizabeth asked, “Even in your anger, that was what you thought to be the last words you would ever say to me?”

She was looking at him in wonder from a foot away, so feeling very bold, he halved the distance between their lips. He got close enough to show intent and allow the lady to show her own desires by closing the gap of her own volition, yet far enough to allow easy escape, should that be her choice.

He gave her a gentle smile.

“Certainly not! You cannot seriously believe I would give up at the first obstacle.”

Men and Boys

This little one shot takes place in the parlour at Longbourn during the gentlemen's first visit after Lydia's wedding.

Note: To finish the set, this was my very first published story. I very nervously clicked the publish button in January of 2017. I got some encouragement from J Dawn King that I very much appreciated, and that led me to continue down this path to eventually write 1.6 million words.

Yet the misery, for which years of happiness were to offer no compensation, received soon afterwards material relief, from observing how much the beauty of her sister re-kindled the admiration of her former lover. When first he came in, he had spoken to her but little; but every five minutes seemed to be giving her more of his attention. P&P Chapter 53

~

Jane rose from her chair, her countenance showing the same serenity she always displayed. She carefully smoothed a few non-existent wrinkles from the front of her dress, and started speaking calmly.

“Mr Bingley, I find upon five months of reflection that I prefer to be courted by a man. I have had quite enough of boys. Go back to town, Mr Bingley. There is nothing for you here.”

The entire room sat in stunned silence. Could this really be the ever amiable and serene Jane, speaking so candidly and forcefully?

With that declaration, made without the slightest change in her countenance, Jane serenely turned and walked towards the parlour door. Just before she quit the room, she turned back briefly to add one last piece of wisdom.

“Oh! And take your pernicious sisters and your friend with you.”

With that, Jane departed, leaving everyone stunned.

Silence reigned for a full minute, though to the participants it seemed more like an hour. Mrs Bennet recovered first and proceeded to chase after Jane with such effusions and screeching about her nerves, fluttering, and vexation that she could no doubt be heard at Lucas Lodge, but nobody in the house paid the slightest attention. In her mind, at least one and maybe two suitable husbands were being casually discarded, and she was now one day closer to her inevitable fate in the hedgerows.

Mary and Kitty had yet to recover the power of speech, which did not damage the level of discourse in the least.

Darcy and Bingley looked at each other with their mouths agape and quite undignified. They had both awe and fear in their eyes, and neither had the vaguest idea what to do next. Sensing the obvious end of their welcome, they stirred themselves to quit the room, ending the visit, while striving valiantly to appear to be something less like chastised schoolboys running from the nanny.

Elizabeth, quite as stunned as anybody else, quickly grasped that there might be only one chance to have her own say, and she was determined to press her point.

She stood up slowly, and self-consciously smoothed the front of her skirt. She did not realise that she mimicked Jane’s actions just before her declaration, practically ensuring the men would depart as soon as possible to avoid yet another thrashing. Their eyes widened, and their postures indicated imminent flight; she started speaking as serenely yet forcefully as possible.

“Well! I daresay any previous difficulties some in this room may have had in understanding Jane’s countenance, thoughts, and feelings have been entirely resolved.” This was said with just a hint of a sardonic smirk.

Darcy flinched, obviously the target of the assault, but owned in his mind that he deserved it.

Bingley let out a quiet breath, and said, “Yes, Miss Elizabeth, I have never in my life heard such a clear and unambiguous statement of fully earned disapprobation, nor have I ever seen such eminently clear direction delivered to anyone.”

“I have,” mumbled Darcy so quietly that Bingley barely heard him. Elizabeth, however, noted his eyes and his posture, and knew she had only a moment to accomplish her aim.