Read Alias Thomas Bennet for Free Online Page A

topics perused outside of universities or coffeehouses. I am not offended, but I thank you for your sensibility.” He nodded to Bennet then turned to Elizabeth.
    “Miss Elizabeth, my father installed Mr. Watt’s engine at one of Pemberley’s mines, and I have seen it operate. It is a great invention with many potential uses once one’s imagination links the practical applications.”
    “But have you ever wondered why Mr. Watt’s engine performs as it does? How do you make it perform better? What makes it best that of Newcomen?” Elizabeth asked in earnest. Mr. Bennet agreed and smiled at his daughter.
    “Many have performed experimentation on the various components to make them better. Watt’s engine is just a refinement of Newcomen’s, and even Watt continued to improve his engine based on his simple observations.” Darcy sounded like he was carefully explaining to one with no knowledge on the subject, and that irritated Elizabeth.
    “Certainly adjustments can be made to the structure of the engine based on simple observation and the past knowledge of men,” she said. “But what do we know about the internal workings and the underlying philosophy of the engine? Perhaps Mr. Priestley’s oxygen, Mr. Leslie’s radiation, or Mr. Dalton’s theories about pressure will help us gain a better understanding of the mysteries within the engine. What chemical changes or elastic fluids cause the engine to move? Why does Mr. Watt’s engine use less fuel than Mr. Newcomen’s? What is the secret; is it of alchemy or caloric fluid or vacuum or some other notion?” 1
    Her energy surprised him, and her questions were beyond what Darcy had ever pondered. He did not feel up to a more thoughtful response, so he remarked in a somewhat condescending tone, “Your questions make for interesting discourse but are unlikely to have any practical application. What of philosophy could there possibly be in such a machine? Nay, Miss Elizabeth, leave the philosophy to the scholars.” He paused with a smug expression and then continued, “Or perhaps the parlours of bluestockings.” He knew he was goading her but so enjoyed the flash in her eyes when she rose to meet his challenge.
    “Ah, there it is: the contradiction. It is said that women have no business discussing science, literature, or philosophy, and if they do, they are bluestockings and destined to be spinsters. However, when a woman challenges a man and he has no intellectual response, the topic is dismissed as a philosophical exchange among bluestockings. Come, sir, you cannot have both arguments!” She indignantly lifted her chin, and her eyes gave him the satisfaction he sought.
    “Are you a bluestocking, Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy leaned forward and met her eyes with his then gifted her with a rare, mischievous grin.
    Elizabeth was caught off guard by the appearance of his smile. Somewhere in her mind, she realized how much more handsome he appeared when he smiled so broadly; he had dimples she had not seen before, his teeth were white and perfect, his eyes sparkled and crinkled at the corners, and his lips looked so soft . . . She felt heat throughout her body, and all rational thought left her for a moment. Blushing deeply, she dropped her eyes to her lap. Her physical reaction confused her as she had never felt affected this way. After a brief moment, she realized she must respond.
    “I do not think it can be so, Mr. Darcy,” she said slowly and quietly without making eye contact. “A lady must have fortune enough to support an independent life if she wishes to spend it pursuing education, literature, and philosophy. I have neither the benefit of my own fortune nor the expectation of one.”
    There was a pause in the conversation. Darcy was dismayed at her change in demeanour but was at a loss to understand what had occurred. Bennet sensed the discomfort in the room and quickly spoke to distract from the unease between the two young people.
    “Here is the book I