by Kay Mares
The evening of the dance arrives, and Caroline’s simpering and catty remarks have worn thin on Darcy. He does not wish to go but he will in service to a friend. His side is mostly healed, but it still pulls and pains him from time to time, so the small slip in the tub which did not result in a fall but made the area tender once again aggravates him more. To say Darcy is in a foul temper would be a massive understatement. He abhors these gatherings even when he is without issue.
Some few miles away, a girl of about twenty prepares to go to the Meryton Assembly. She watches with glee the antics of her youngest sisters as they twitter and scamper about the house in eager anticipation of the night. Miss Elizabeth has learned her wit and wisdom at her father’s knee, and she is the apple of his eye. Others are drawn to her because of her energy and liveliness as well as her compassion and generous heart. Men seek her out for her opinion because they marvel at the ability of a woman to have such an intellect, but they merely think of her as an oddity in that regard and never take her seriously. She dearly loves to laugh but not at another’s expense although follies and whims do divert her. She approaches her singing and piano playing with the same openness and ease of manners which make her performances pleasing. Her manners and understanding are proper and her figure light and pleasing.
However, with all she has to offer, Miss Elizabeth despairs of ever finding a man who will tolerate her opinions and allow her some freedoms instead of wishing her to be a subordinate to be ordered around. Her fine hazel eyes sparkle with humor, warmth, and wit but she is cognizant of the order of the world, being that women basically should be seen and not heard. This notion makes her sad but also ignites a fire in her which will not be quenched. She will have a husband who she can look up to as a superior or she will not marry.
So it is that on this night a man who is intimidating to protect himself and all he holds dear will meet a woman whose courage always rises with any attempt to intimidate her. When those striking blue eyes with the deep sorrow and iciness meet with the fine hazel eyes sporting the warm impish light and a hint of defiance, it will be a tale worthy of being told.
Acknowledgments:
Thank you to Jane Austen whose words remain relevant today and appear in this work. Her characters are timeless. Also, I must acknowledge the 1995 BBC miniseries Pride and Prejudice as well as the 2005 movie by the same title. Thank you to my family and friends for the continued support.