Read His Good Opinion: A Mr. Darcy Novel for Free Online Page A

rocked back on his heels. "Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight. Do you often dance at St. James's?"

    Darcy's brows snapped together. Of all the insinuating ... "Never, sir."

    But Sir William would not be dissuaded. "Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?"

    "It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if I can avoid it," Darcy replied, his words both honest and brusque.

    Sir William continued to speak, but Darcy knew not what the subject was. Something far more interesting than the gentleman's courteous comments caught his attention--Miss Elizabeth was walking back toward them, this time alone. If I could but ask her to dance...

    Darcy took half a step toward her as she drew near, but Sir William, ever attentive, beat him to it. "My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure, when so much beauty is before you."

    Darcy would have been glad to oblige Sir William, but Elizabeth withdrew her hand before he could take it. "Indeed, sir," she said to Sir William, a pretty smile on her face, "I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner."

    Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, her words drew Darcy's admiration more than anything else could have. How many London ladies had not done exactly that? "It would be a great honor if you would dance with me, Miss Elizabeth," he told her, speaking the words in earnest for the first time in his life.

    Miss Elizabeth smiled and shook her head, and the stab of disappointment surprised him. Sir William seemed to feel it too, for he launched into an embarrassing speech. "You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you; and though this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half hour."

    "Mr. Darcy is all politeness," Elizabeth answered with another smile.

    "He is indeed--but considering the inducement, my dear Miss Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complaisance; for who would object to such a partner?"

    In answer to Sir William's obsequiousness, Miss Elizabeth merely raised an eyebrow and turned away. In so doing, she may not have given Sir William what he desired, but she had wholly impressed Darcy. She was utterly unlike any female he had ever met.

    He pictured again the laughing intelligence in her eyes. Perhaps it is her eyes which render the rest of her face so attractive, he mused. They are so alive with emotion, so full of wit and good humor; one cannot help but be caught by them.

    So absorbed was he in his own thoughts that he did not notice Miss Bingley approach from the side. "I can guess the subject of your reverie," she said in a low tone.

    He looked at her and then back across the room to where Miss Elizabeth once again spoke with Miss Lucas. "I should imagine not."

    Miss Bingley gazed out at the room, disdain evident on her features. "You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner--in such society; and indeed I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity and yet the noise; the nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these people! What would I give to hear your strictures on them!"

    She only echoed Darcy's earlier thoughts, but after his conversation with Miss Elizabeth, he could not agree with her. "Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow."

    Miss Bingley raised her fan in a coy gesture. "Pray, tell me which of the young ladies has inspired such reflections?"

    She now stood between Darcy and Elizabeth, so it was possible for him to look at her while she spoke and still observe Miss