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Elizabeth approached the refreshment table and stood in the spot right beside him. He had just requested a beverage when he breathed in a hint of the sweetest fragrance of lavender and chamomile. He turned in her direction and was momentarily stunned to find himself face to face with his mind’s embodiment of perfection.

“I beg your pardon, my lady.” He bestowed a dazzling smile. “Please, accept mine, if you will.” He handed her the beverage that had just been given to him by the server. He allowed his fingers to caress hers during what became a teasingly intimate exchange. A thousand words were unspoken between them as they held fast in each other’s gaze. Passion fuelled every fibre of her being. He felt the swell of desire. The balmy resonance of his voice was matched by the enchanting allure of her eyes.

Elizabeth’s daring fled in the face of such overwhelming magnetism. She demurred. She managed a smile which confirmed his every thought that she was the most amazing creature he had ever beheld. She curtsied and then slowly walked away whilst taking a deep breath to reclaim her composure.

Darcy could only turn and watch her as she made her way back across the room to her group. He could not fathom why she spent as much time as she did with the young woman who had apparently set her sights upon his friend Bingley. He reflected upon his own friendship, and how it put him in close acquaintance with Bingley’s particularly annoying sister Caroline, and surmised his goddess obviously must share a close friendship with the young woman attached to the objectionable family. One can choose his or her friends, but one can hardly choose that friend’s family.

Later that evening, Mr. Bingley, who had danced every set, came from the crowded dance floor for a few minutes to press his friend to join him.

“Come, Darcy,” said he, “I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.”

“Bingley, I shall do no such thing. To dance at such an assembly as this would be unpardonable.”

“I would not be so fastidious as you are for a kingdom,” cried Bingley.

“Perhaps you ought. I would caution you to think better of your behaviour this evening than you have been doing. You no doubt have cast your eye on another angel.”

“Indeed, I have. That angel has a name. She is Miss Jane Bennet. I have had the privilege of meeting her entire family this evening. Mrs. Bennet has expressed an interest in making your acquaintance.”

“I have no doubt. She is likely trying to foist one of her silly daughters on me, as if such a thing would be conceivable. Your newest angel aside, they are quite nearly the most absurd and uncouth creatures I have ever seen.”

Darcy could not have known there would be a lull in music at the time of his speech. Nor could he have known how far his voice might carry. Had he known any of that, or had he looked about to see who was in his close vicinity, he would have espied the change of countenance of the object of his ardent admiration all evening.

Elizabeth was left with the feeling that the voice she found so wonderfully arousing and pleasing a while earlier was, in truth, rather haughty and disdainful. Suddenly, she did not feel much like enjoying the rest of the evening. She was glad she had the foresight to have her own carriage bring her to the assembly. She sought out Jane and bid her good night.

Darcy was infuriated with himself. He could not believe he had failed to secure a proper introduction to his goddess the evening before. He wondered if he ever again would have another chance to meet her. The more he reflected upon the night before, the more he replayed every moment of the evening as he watched her, the more he convinced himself she was not from those parts. He considered she must be a visitor temporarily staying with that ridiculous Bennet family. He would not even allow that she was a distant relative. It was likely she was a very dear friend of Bingley’s angel, Miss Bennet. Perhaps, he thought, if he made more of an effort to participate in the local society, he might actually encounter her again.

Elizabeth was just as angry with herself, upon awakening. She felt as though she had spent the entire night dreaming of him. Unlike every night before, since her return to Longbourn, the last thing that had crossed her mind before she succumbed to sleep was how it was just as well Prince Charming turned out to be a toad. He might be the most pleasant man in the world, and there would be nothing I can do about it, seeing as how I am engaged to Mr. Collins.

Darcy arrived to espy Ben teetering atop the fence railing with a long stick to serve as a balancer.

“I caution you against such dangerous feats, young man. What if you should fall and break an arm or a leg?” Darcy asked once he had dismounted and secured his horse to the opposite end of the fence.

Ben continued his perilous journey for another foot or so until he reached a point where he could safely climb down to the ground.

“Do you often engage in such folly, outside the supervision of one of your elders?” Darcy gently scolded.

Ben cast Darcy a befuddled look. “You sound just like my mama!”

“Your mother is very wise, no doubt.”

“Yes, she is the smartest person I know,” young Ben boasted.

“Tell me something else about your mother.”

“What would you most like to know?”

“Anything,” he began, “what is she like?”

“Well, my mama says I am just like her. So in turn, she must be just like me!”

“Then I should expect she is kind, she is witty, and she is charming.” Darcy immediately brought to mind his enchanting goddess. “Is she pretty?”

“I do not know.” The child’s face reflected his puzzlement. “Do you think I am pretty?”

Darcy nearly bowled over with laughter! “Men would rather think of themselves as handsome.”

“In that case, my mama always tells me I am very handsome. So yes, I would say my mama is very handsome.”