Chances Come, Ney Mitch [snow like ashes series TXT] 📗

we men are sometimes. If we sense that another male feels for the woman we desire, then we wish to devour the male for impeding on our territory.”

“I can understand such. We women can often be similar in nature. I was just wishing to verify my observations. For, despite one’s desire to always have infallible judgment, you would have more experience at understanding the expressions of men, as I am more equipped at comprehending the minds of women. Up until this moment, were Mr. Bingley and the Colonel friends?”

“They did not encounter each other often, but when they did, they were always amicable.”

“Then can you not encourage them to remain so? I know that this is going to be a very uncomfortable place for you, but perhaps it is best that you bring them both together and have them confront their feelings for the same woman. For, if they are left to remain pondering their jealousies alone, it could ruin their respect for one another. I know that such an approach is unorthodox, but I believe the proper way of ignoring the situation is not beneficial to anyone.”

He swung me around. “If my father were here, he would find great amusement at both men being in a state of confusion, and that’s what inspires me to believe that ignoring the problem is hazardous. They are gentlemen, and if you speak with them both at the same time, perhaps they will remember it, and we do not have to wake up to them raising pistols at each other one day, out of their love for one woman.”

“Miss Elizabeth, I doubt either of them would forget themselves enough to do that.”

“Mark my words, Mr. Darcy. I have seen love make people commit all sorts of strange behavior. Recall my last encounter with Mr. Wickham. When in love, anyone is capable of all sorts of strange behavior.”

Mr. Darcy was silent on this. After a minute, he spoke again.

“You are correct. I shall speak with them both. Oh, god help me. That will be a hard time for me.”

“If it helps, I would have been willing to have spoken with them myself, but it is improper, and I am not allowed.”

“I know. I am the link between them. Therefore, the job must come to me.”

“Precisely. For you are one’s cousin and the other’s closest friend.”

He winced. “The pangs of actually having friendships.”

“Yes. Time and experience have taught me that perpetual peace only belongs to those who are apathetic and love no one at all. For love invites all other forms of emotional disturbances.”

“Yes, it does. The heart is the most expensive organ to have.”

We danced on and enjoyed each other’s company immensely. During the second set, I had managed to spy Jane and the Colonel dancing. Jane was smiling and talking animatedly, more animatedly than she had ever spoken with Mr. Bingley, and that was it!

The more that I thought on it, the more I noticed that both men excited two different states from her. With Bingley, Jane had maintained her usual serene nature, but was internally always affected by him. Yet, with the Colonel, Jane was never like her usual self. She was always more alive and more animated. I could not tell what this change fully signified. I did not know if her behavior with Mr. Bingley meant that Jane always was comfortable with being herself, or if the Colonel unleashed something inside of Jane that she was afraid of displaying before. I could not tell, in that moment, who she liked more.

“I see you looking on them,” Darcy noted, observing me as I was observing them.

“I just realized something,” I began.

“What?”

“That you were more correct than even you would know, and I would wish to admit.”

“How so?”

“Jane. When you were worried that she did not display any partiality for Mr. Bingley, you were right to be confused. Between her behavior to him and her behavior to the Colonel, I could not tell you which one she cares for more.”

“Precisely. She is one who is not easy to read.”

“For so long, I believed her to be shy. But she is not shy with the Colonel. Therefore, what does this all mean? I cannot know. And I cannot tell you now.”

“Perhaps that may mean that you and I both have complicated conversations to have with our relatives.”

“Yes. You with the Colonel and Bingley, and I with Jane. Never mind, we both have our obligations and duties.”

“Yes, we do.”

After that, we continued to enjoy ourselves.

“I am having a most delightful time!” Kitty exclaimed a bit out of breath as we were getting some punch. “With Sir Aleck dancing with me in the first set, it has allowed other gentlemen to find me suitable enough to become acquainted with. Lizzy, a man named Mr. Jenkins has just requested my hand. He is landed gentry and is magistrate in Essex. I don’t really care about all that, but he is handsome, and he likes to talk, so he should be a nice partner. He asked to stand up with me. Though, I hope that I shall like him as much as I did Sir Aleck.”

“You liked Sir Aleck?”

“Yes, very much. However, I know not to flatter myself with him. He was merely being charming in the general way and I do not fancy myself to be of any particular interest to him. He seems to be like that with everyone. Time has taught me not to be flattered so easily. But, for the moment, I did enjoy his company… and I do wish that we shall see him again.”

“We may, Kitty. We just may.”

As I studied her, I saw that she was doing her best to appear indifferent, but perhaps she was developing feelings for Sir Aleck. Looking around, I saw Sir Aleck speaking with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, along with some other guests. He was lively, jovial, and laughing amongst them all. Truly, there was something about him that drew the eye.