Alias Thomas Bennet Read Online Free

prior to the start of a ball. Elizabeth previously agreed to the first set with John Goulding and Mary with Henry Lucas.
    Mr. Bingley seemed an affable fellow. However, the rest of his party were somewhat reserved and did not much participate in conversation when introduced. Elizabeth could not but suspect the rest of the Netherfield party unwilling to mingle with mere country gentlemen and their families.
    Although the ladies’ finery was the latest in London fashion, they were quite overdressed for a country assembly and even for the London balls that Mr. Bennet had permitted Elizabeth to attend with Aunt and Uncle Gardiner during the Season. She mused that, although the Bingley ladies’ behaviour was more in tune with the manners expected of the ton , they acted with a great deal more self-importance than their social class deserved, particularly in such relaxed society. She was therefore not unhappy to see their party move on to introductions with other families until the first tones indicated the opening dance. Mr. Bennet took his wife to the line, and the young gentlemen came to collect the three Bennet girls.
    Elizabeth acknowledged that both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were handsome gentlemen. In fact, she found herself quite taken with the agreeable face and elegant figure of the tall and noble master of Pemberley. She noticed he did not dance the first but took to the floor on the second with Miss Bingley, the third with Mrs. Hurst, and then did not dance again. Mr. Darcy seemed to keep to the outskirts of the room, gazing distractedly at those enjoying the fête. A few times, she thought she saw him looking intently at her or Jane, but he looked away when he realized he had been caught. Elizabeth wished the gentleman would request a set from her as she hoped to know him better.
    Darcy had indeed been looking at Jane and Elizabeth, as well as Mr. Bennet. He was distracted by a feeling that they looked familiar but could not place where he might have met them. He was sure he had not made the acquaintance of a Bennet family from Hertfordshire before that evening. He also noticed Elizabeth looking at him and was wary that she could be just one more predatory female looking to wed the master of Pemberley.
    The Longbourn and Netherfield parties were once again drawn into conversation between sets, though Jane, Elizabeth and Mary were quickly called away to dance and spent little time in discussion with their new neighbours. Mrs. Bennet enquired about the ladies’ liking of Netherfield and Meryton and received brief, polite answers that showed good breeding but little interest in the conversation. Although Bennet’s good judgement would suggest he should be circumspect, his impulsive and curious nature, as well as his responsibility as a leader in the neighbourhood, insisted he be welcoming and solicitous to the new visitors. Thus, he approached Darcy and started a conversation.
    “Mr. Darcy, I was fortunate enough to have made the acquaintance of your father when a student at Cambridge.”
    “My father passed away five years ago, leaving me the care of my younger sister and the estate. Did you know him well?”
    “Yes, I believe I can safely say I did. We were in the same year and in many of the same clubs. He was a good man.”
    “Have you ever been to Pemberley?” Darcy asked.
    “No, I have not had that pleasure,” Bennet dissembled.
    “Have you spent any time in Derbyshire?”
    “I had family in the north, so I had occasion to pass through Derbyshire once or twice.” Bennet did not look directly at Darcy, hoping his countenance would not reveal this was not the whole truth.
    “Forgive my impertinence, sir, it is just that you look quite familiar to me.”
    “I doubt we have met recently, Mr. Darcy, though I am pleased to know you now.”
    Darcy was perplexed. He was certain he had met Mr. Bennet before but could not place the situation. “Do you spend much time in Town?”
    “I prefer to live the quiet