Pride and Prejudice short stories

Friends?

I couldn't take my eyes off her. She looked just as I remembered.

She had dark hair, deep brown eyes with hints of hazel, and a slightly tanned heart-shaped face.

She sat at a table no more than 5 feet away, talking with Fitzwilliam.

I ignored the harsh pang of jealousy and tried to look at Elizabeth's cousin, Mr. Collins, who was going on and on about my aunt, but I didn't hear him.

Instead, I strained my ears to hear Elizabeth's and Fitzwilliam's conversation.

"I've heard much of you, and none of the praise has been exaggerated." My cousin said brightly, and Elizabeth answered, smiling, "I can well believe that Mr. Darcy is my severest critic." At that comment, she glanced my way, and I panicked for a second before she turned back.

"I hope we shall see you frequently at Rosings while we are there; I'm fond of lively conversation," Fitzwilliam grinned.

"This you don't find at Rosings Park?" Eliza questioned,

"My aunt does talk a great deal but seldom requires a response," Fitzwilliam chuckled and continued, "My friend there speaks hardly a word when he comes into Kent, though he's lively enough in other places," He paused. "Nobody plays, nobody sings; I believe you play and sing Miss Bennet?"

"A little, but very ill, I wouldn't wish to excite your anticipation."

"I'm sure you are too modest, and I assure you that any relief would be profoundly welcome," Fitzwilliam said kindly.

Throughout their encounter, I had gazed at Elizabeth, wholly in another world as I looked at her, her smile, her eyes, her- "Can you tell me why Mr. Darcy keeps staring at me? What do you think offends him?" Those words snapped me back to the present as I realized my cousin and Eliza curiously looked at me. I hurriedly stood up and crossed the room. When I met Eliza's look, I was lost for words, and I wished I had still been seated.

"I hope your family is in good health," I blurted out, much less graceful than I intended,

"I thank you, yes," She said.

There was an awkward pause.

Finally, Eliza said, "My sister has been in town these three months. Have you never happened to see her?"

I gritted my teeth, refusing to let guilt rise in me. "No. No, I have not had that pleasure,"

I couldn't take it anymore, my heart screamed to come clean and confess, but instead, I stalked to the window and stared out, hoping she could not see my expression.

"Mr. Darcy and I, you see, are not the best of friends," Eliza said jokingly,

Something cracked inside me.

"I'm very surprised to hear you say that," My cousin answered incredulously,

"Why should you be? I always believe in first impressions, and.." She paused, then, "his good opinion once lost is lost forever."

I whipped my head around and stared at her, then she grinned wickedly at me, and I was threatened to be brought to my knees.

Thankfully she turned her gaze towards my cousin and said, "So, it is a hopeless case, is it not Colonel Fitzwilliam?"

I forced my head to look out the window again. I tried but failed to ignore my sweating palms and heated face as I refused to look at anyone else's, certainly not Miss Elizabeth Bennet's. For if I did... I did not want to know all the words that would pour out and would indeed never cease.