Pride And Prejudice

9

Mr. Styles was the perfect host, pretending that the conversation they just had never occurred. He showed them around in his estate and told them stories. If Louis hadn't found him such an awful man it could have been quite charming.

Louis declined the offer to dine at Pemberley and stated firmly that they had to return to London. His aunt and uncle were a little surprised but thankfully they didn't question it. Harry followed them to their carriage and helped Louis get inside before he waved them goodbye.
"Louis, you never mentioned that you know Mr. Styles." His aunt said as soon as they had put some distance between themselves and Pemberley.

"Merely acquaintances. He's no friend of mine, trust me." Louis muttered.

"He's a remarkable young man and he seems to fancy you." His aunt smiled.

Louis snorted.
"He's just polite."

He just wanted to return to London so he could have a really uncomfortable conversation with his sister. She deserved to know the truth even if it would harm her. They returned close to midnight. He immediately knocked on Lottie's door to see if she was awake and a soft "come in" confirmed it. He stumbled over his words while he tried to repeat Mr. Styles' words, leaving out the hurtful assumptions about Charlotte's character.

"I can't believe it. You must have misunderstood Mr. Styles." Lottie said.

"Oh, Charlotte. You always try to see the kindness in all people, even when they're not worthy. I did not misunderstand him. He made it perfectly clear that he was the reason behind their sudden departure." Louis sighed.

Lottie was close to tears.
"It doesn't matter. Niall listened to him. What am I even doing here? I feel ashamed Louis."

"Don't you dare do that, Lottie! You have done nothing wrong. Now, get some sleep. We'll discuss a solution tomorrow." Louis said and kisses her forehead bore he exited the room and entered his own room. He had a hard time falling asleep, very upset on the behalf of his sister.

He was still upset when he woke up and needed some time alone to sort his thoughts. He retrieved to the library with a cup of the and tried to compose a letter to their mother. The butler walked in and announced that Mr. Styles asked to see him.
"Send him in." Louis replied, feeling confused. Why on earth would Mr. Styles seek his company?

Soon Mr. Styles entered the library, seemingly nervous.
"Good morning Mr. Tomlinson."

"Good morning Mr. Styles. What can I do for you?" Louis replied with cold civility.

Harry paced back and forth before he stopped in front of him.
"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

Louis' astonishment was beyond expression. He opened his mouth and closed it again. Despite his deeply-rooted dislike, he could not be insensible. Harry was staring at him, waiting for an answer.
"I'm sorry but I do not share those feelings whatsoever. I'm actually astonished and in a loss of words, which is out of character."

Mr. Styles, who was leaning against the mantelpiece with his eyes fixed on his face seemed disturbed.
"And this is all the reply which I am to have the honor of expecting! I might, perhaps, wish to be informed why, with so little endeavor at civility, I am thus rejected. But it is of small importance."

"Why with so evident a desire of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character? And how could you be so delusional to think that I would replicate those feelings after what you did to my sister?" Louis replied with anger evident in his voice.

Mr. Styles changed color but showed no emotions and he listened without interrupting so Louis continued.
"I have every reason in the world to think ill of you. No motive can excuse the unjust and ungenerous part you acted there. You dare not, you cannot deny, that you have been the principal, and involving them both in misery of the acutest kind. Your character was unfolded in the recital which I received many months ago from Mr. Wickham. On this subject, what can you have to say? In what imaginary act of friendship can you here defend yourself?"

"You take an eager interest in that gentleman's concerns." Harry snorted.

"You have withheld the advantages which you must know to have been designed for him. You have deprived the best years of his life of that independence which was no less his due than his desert. You have done all this! and yet you can treat the mention of his misfortune with contempt and ridicule." Louis replied sharply.

Mr. Styles' mouth fell open and he stared at him for a moment before he composed himself.
"And this is your opinion of me? This is the estimation in which you hold me! I thank you for explaining it so fully. I perfectly comprehend your feelings, and have now only to be ashamed of what my own have been. Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness."

He hastily left the room and Louis was frozen in place trying to comprehend what just happened.