The Eldest | F. Darcy

Chapter 2: Shock and Abhorrence

The first half of the evening passed as pleasantly as a crowded event could for Miss Adele. Content in her chosen seat, she remained in a quiet corner with Mary on one side and Elizabeth on the other, who had joined them for a set due to the shortage of dance partners.

Standing within earshot of the three sisters were Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth and Mary exchanged amused glances when Bingley, ever cheerful, lamented his friend's habit of standing about so stiffly.

"You detest standing idly, Darcy," Bingley chided. "Why not find a partner?"

"You know I despise dancing," Darcy replied. "At least, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner." His gaze swept the room before he added, "Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman here whom it would not be a punishment to stand up with."

"A punishment, indeed, for the unfortunate lady," Elizabeth whispered to Adele, who raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly.

"I would not be so fastidious as you are," Bingley said. "I have never met with so many pleasant young ladies in my life as I have in this room. Several seem uncommonly pretty."

"Of course, including a certain sister of ours," Elizabeth teased.

"You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room," Darcy remarked, glancing at Jane.

"Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld," Bingley agreed fervently. "But there is one of her sisters, just behind you—a certain violet-eyed lady—who is very pretty, and I dare say, very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you."

Adele stiffened at his words, and Elizabeth, quick to notice, squeezed her elder sister's hand. Adele shut her eyes for the briefest of moments.

"Which do you mean?" Darcy asked, turning. His gaze settled on Adele for a moment before meeting her striking purple eyes. Then, drawing back, he said coolly, "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me, and I am in no humor to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me."

Mr. Bingley, though surprised, heeded his friend's advice and returned to Jane, while Darcy remained standing as if surveying the room.

The three Bennet sisters were taken aback, though Elizabeth was the first to recover.

"Slighted indeed!" she said in a voice deliberately loud enough for Darcy to hear. "But is it not rather my sister who has slighted the men who approached her?"

Darcy's attention flickered toward them with barely perceptible alacrity.

Elizabeth, satisfied at catching his ear, continued, "I cannot understand why some people lack the courtesy to wait until they are out of earshot before so outrageously misjudging others."

"Elizabeth," Adele said in a composed yet pointed tone, "you must learn to hold your tongue, or you shall never be in my good opinion."

Darcy, now aware that his careless words had been overheard, felt a rare wave of discomfort. He swiftly withdrew, clearly unsettled.

Adele, though vexed, felt some satisfaction in the indirect revenge she had taken. Elizabeth, on the other hand, relayed the incident to their friends with great spirit, for she delighted in all things ridiculous.

Altogether, the evening passed pleasantly for the family.

"Father, I am hopeful that you regret sending us to the assembly," Adele said the next morning, "for Mama speaks of nothing else, and Mr. Bingley's prideful friend took great pleasure in despising me."