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The tumult of her mind, was now painfully great. She knew not how to support herself, and from actual weakness sat down and cried for half-an-hour. Her astonishment, as she reflected on what had passed, was increased by every review of it. That she should receive an offer of marriage from Mr. Darcy! That he should have been in love with her for so many months! So much in love as to wish to marry her in spite of all the objections which had made him prevent this friend's marrying her sister, and which must appear at least with equal force in his own case—was almost incredible!
It was gratifying to have inspired unconsciously so strong an affection. But his pride, his abominable pride—his shameless avowal of what he had done with respect to Jane—his unpardonable assurance in acknowledging, though he could not justify it, and the unfeeling manner in which he had mentioned Mr. Wickham, his cruelty towards whom he had not attempted to deny, soon overcame the pity which the consideration of his attachment had for a moment excited. She continued in very agitated reflections till the sound of Lady Catherine's carriage made her feel how unequal she was to encounter Charlotte's observation, and hurried her away to her room—
"What're you reading?"
A feminine voice tore through his silent reading, making him flinch. He had taken to reading the nostalgic novel Pride and Prejudice on the first park bench he could find, one that so happened to overlook the pathway that circled around the park. It was an attempt to clear his head and soothe his mind, although he hadn't really succeeded because he was holding a metal hip flask in his left hand, half drained. Necessary precautions must be made in order for him to be less erratic and more accepting of his... situation.
Jackson glanced up, straightening at the sight of a familiar blue eyed woman, her near black brown hair pulled into a ponytail. His eyes flickered down momentarily, enough time to catch the blue and black track pants and the white tank top she was wearing. Josette Parker tilted her head at him, nudging his leg with a sneaker.
"What? Cat got your tongue?" She teased, and he cleared his throat in embarrassment.
"Pride and Prejudice."
"Gosh, I love that book. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you," Josette's lips were lifted into a playful smile. "And the other thing in your hand?"
He followed her gaze to the hip flask in his left hand. "Whiskey. I stole it."
Unlike Nicholas, Stevie and Kai, Jo didn't give him that pointed look of disapproval. Perhaps because, unlike them, she was aware that she couldn't do anything to stop him. Especially not now. She sat beside him on the bench, holding out her right hand. He gave her the flask, watching as she unscrewed the lid and took a swig. A small smile threatened to curve his lips when she let out a spluttered cough, raising her eyebrows at the metal like it was trying to catch her off guard.
