"Miss J, do you want me to bring you Mr. Darcy?" the hostler asked her. 
 
J paused for a while then turned to Jacob. "Do you ride a horse?" 
 
"What? Do you think of me as a pussy?" Jacob retorted. Though not a fan of horses, Jacob started to learn to ride a horse when he was a young boy. During those times until now, the family usually celebrated his grandfather's birthday in the countryside where they would go, horseback riding, picnic, and fishing. 
 
J pursed her lips and said, "I was just asking, why do you have to be so defensive?" Then she turned to the hostler and said, "Please take Elizabeth as well." Then the hostler left them and walked towards another stable that is located farther than the first stable they went in. 
 
Jacob and J were left beside a paddock. They watched as a couple of horses ran around inside the paddock while their arms rested on the white fence of the paddock. 
 
"I didn't see that coming," Jacob said. 
 
Confused, J looked at him and asked. "What do you mean?"  
 
"I thought we'll be having a picnic since the place is surrounded by the ocean. I didn't expect to see a horse giving birth. That was a first for my virgin eyes." 
 
J laughed which made Jacob look at her adoringly. "I already told you before, we have a horse farm and an orchard here." 
 
"So, you spent most of your time here during your day off?" Jacob asked. 
 
"Hmm... it depends. The orchard is also quite a sight. If it's harvest season, I spend most of my time there." J replied. 
 
"I see. How long has it been here?" Jacob asked, turning around to lean on the fence with elbows resting on it. 
 
"Ever since I can remember. I was born and raised here. When I grew up, the farm and the orchard were already here. My grandfather loves horses while my grandmother loves oranges and lemons." J said with a touch of smile, feeling nostalgic. "They were the ones who started this." 
 
"So, you are a country girl," Jacob said while looking at J whose gaze was fixed on the horses. He can only see the side features of her face but is still mesmerized by her natural beauty. 
 
"You can say that," J said with a smile lowering her head.

Jacob turns around to look at the horses. "They said the baby horse is a colt. What does it mean?" he asked. 
 
"Means it's a boy. A baby horse is called a foal, if it is a boy it is called a colt. If it is a girl, then it is called a filly. You see that one?" J pointed at a certain horse. 
 
"That brown horse with a black tail and mane?" Jacob pointed at the same horse. 
 
"Yes, that one. But we don't call it a brown horse. We called it a bay horse. If the color of the horse is brown but the tail, mane, muzzle, and lower legs are black, we call it a bay horse." J waved her hands. "Anyways, that is a 2-year-old colt." 
 
"And see there? The black horse alone on that side? It's a filly." J said pointing at one corner of the paddock. 
 
"So how do you recognize a colt from a filly?" Jacob asked though he already guessed the answer. 
 
"Are you a doctor or not? Of course, a colt has a penis!"  
 
"So, you are an expert!" Jacob laughed as he mocks her. 
 
J rolled her eyes. 
 
"No, seriously. You are an expert since you know your stuff." Jacob said after mocking her. 
 
"No, I'm not. I grew up with them so I am familiar with them. My hostlers are the experts." J said, still irritated. 
 
"Hostlers?" Jacob asked. 
 
"Yeah. They were the stableman." J said casually then Jacob made an 'Oh' sound." 
 
Soon the hostler arrives with a beautiful dark palomino stallion and a complete black mare with a complete horse tack. 
 
J took the reins from the hostler and said "Thank you" before he left them. She handed the rein of the black horse to Jacob. "This is Elizabeth." She introduced her to Jacob. 
 
Jacob approached Elizabeth on the side and slowly held out his hand to Elizabeth. Upon making sure that Elizabeth won't get anxious, he gently strokes her.  
 
"She is a mare. A mare is an adult version of a filly. She is already five years old. Unlike Mr. Darcy here, Elizabeth is kind to strangers." J said while stroking Mr. Darcy's face and neck. 
 
"That's why you gave me a female horse?" Jacob said with a smirk. 
 
"Well, yes. Among all the horses here, these two were the ones I trusted the most.  I was there when they were born until they grew up. This, by the way, is Mr. Darcy. He is a five-year-old stallion. He was born one week ahead of Elizabeth. He is quite capricious. He wouldn't let anyone ride him except me." J said with a gleaming eye before she hopped over to Mr. Darcy. Jacob did the same to Elizabeth. 
 
J loves the novel Pride and Prejudice so much that she named her favorite horses after their protagonists. 
 
"So is Mr. Darcy a brown horse or a bay horse?" Jacob asked to maintain a spontaneous conversation while riding the horses on a dirt road. 
 
"Well, actually a bay horse is a brown horse as well," J said with a small smile. 
 
"Now you are confusing me," Jacob said with a furrowed brow. 
 
J laughed. Jacob was pleased. Hearing J laugh is like waiting for a meteor at night. Sometimes you would be lucky to see one or two, but sometimes you would see nothing. But there were special moments when you would see hundreds of them.  
 
"Mr. Darcy's color is called dark palomino. They were easy to recognize because of their golden color and flaxen mane and tail." J said with a smile. 
 
"What kind of horse breed are they?" Jacob asked. 
 
"Thoroughbred. They were used for horse racing. We only breed pure thoroughbred." J said casually. Thoroughbred horses are distinguished by their tall, slim, and athletic body. They are considered hot-blooded because of their agility, speed, and spirit.  
 
"Do you also train them to race?" 
 
"No. We only breed them and export them." J replied as they turned in a curve. They passed two more separate paddocks and a couple more stables. Among the horses in the stables and paddock were dogs. Jacob noticed a couple of German Shepherds and Jack Russell around the farm.

"Do you also breed dogs?" he asked. 
 
"What?" J asked with a cocked head. 
 
"I noticed you got a lot of dogs here," Jacob said with a smile pointing to the dogs near one of the stables. 
 
"Oh... the Jack Russell's were a great hunter. No mouse would dare to live in the stable with them around. While the German Shepherds were an excellent guard." J casually said. 
 
" I thought you were also breeding them," Jacob chuckled, earning him a glare from J.
 
They stopped in front of another stable and saw a couple more hostlers and another male equine vet that Jacob recognized easily because of the stethoscope on his neck. One hostler approached and helped J get off Mr. Darcy, making Jacob frown. Jacob got off Elizabeth and followed J inside the stable. 
 
J made a quick round and talked to the vet before getting back on Mr. Darcy. Both of them started to go back to where the Hauler is parked.  
 
"I noticed that the male horses on that stables are smaller and less muscular than Mr. Darcy. Are they another breed?" Jacob asked. 
 
"No. They were thoroughbred as well. They are geldings. Male horses that were castrated making them calmer, better-behaved, quieter, and gentler than the stallions. They are more suitable as an everyday working animal and leisure horseback riding." J pulled the rein of Mr. Darcy, making him turn towards a stable. They went in and passed the reins to a hostler to take Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth back to their stalls.
 
J and Jacob walked towards the Hauler. J made a quick visit to Rosie and her foal before they left. It was only three o'clock, so they visited the orchard. Upon arrival, they were met by an old man in his early 60's. He is the supervisor of the orchard.

"Being married to you means the world to me. Don't worry about my family, they knew, and they were much eager to protect you. I don't care if my life would be in danger as long as you are safe. My life is not normal without you in it. Ah… what was the last one?" Jacob stopped and rubbed his chin trying to remember J's last word before he interfered.

"Ah! Right!" Jacob's eyes gleamed when he seemed to remember. "I was so glad that your grandfather dragged me into this messy and complicated life of yours. Because if he didn't, I would be forcing myself into your life, even if you don't want to."

"Was I able to answer all your questions, Mrs. Jacob Parker?" Jacob asked, emphasizing how he addresses J as Mrs. Jacob Parker indicating that whoever she is, she would still be his wife.

~~~

At the age of 10, J's parents died in an ambush leaving her in the care of her grandfather who years later sent her away along with her best friend to hide her and her identity from those who would try to kill her after her parents.

20 years later, a lot of things had already happened. Her grandfather died. She is back in the country for good though still hiding her identity. Everything was peaceful until a man came claiming her as his wife.

Since then, her peaceful life flipped upside down. People who want her dead found her but his so-called husband never left her. He was even willing to kill and be killed just to protect her.

Con el corazón libre de los temores iniciales, Darcy escuchó cómo Elizabeth describía sus actos en los términos más benevolentes. No lo culpaba por interferir. Estaba agradecida, eso era evidente. Pero la simple gratitud podía ser devastadora para sus esperanzas. Darcy quería más que la gratitud de Elizabeth, o una alianza fundada en semejante desigualdad. Él quería su corazón, que ella se lo entregara total y libremente, o no quería nada.
—Si quiere darme las gracias, hágalo sólo en su nombre —le respondió Darcy con firmeza—. No negaré que el deseo de tranquilizarla se sumó a las otras razones que me impulsaron a actuar. Pero su familia no me debe nada. Siento un gran respeto por ellos, pero no pensé más que en usted. —Darcy esperó un momento, en medio de la ansiedad y el temor de que ella entendiera lo que quería decir, pero Elizabeth guardó silencio.
Tenía el rostro parcialmente oculto por el sombrero, pero el rubor que cubría lo que Darcy alcanzaba a ver era inconfundible. Luego, algo en su interior se movió con una emoción tan poderosa que tenía que saberlo todo… allí… ahora.
—Tiene usted un espíritu demasiado generoso para burlarse de mí —comenzó a decir, al poner su futuro en las manos de Elizabeth—. Si sus sentimientos son aún los mismos que el pasado mes de abril, dígamelo sin rodeos. Mi cariño y mis deseos no han cambiado; pero con una sola palabra suya, no volveré a insistir más.
—Señor Darcy —dijo ella con voz entrecortada, levantando la cabeza para mirarlo—. Por favor… mis sentimientos… —Elizabeth parecía estar luchando por respirar, pero el brillo de sus ojos mostraba que no corría peligro alguno—. Mis sentimientos han sufrido un cambio tan radical desde aquel desdichado día de la primavera pasada que el hecho de oír que los suyos continúan siendo los mismos sólo me puede producir gratitud y el más profundo de los placeres.
—Elizabeth. —Darcy susurró su nombre por temor a que se rompiera el encanto que sabía que lo rodeaba—. Elizabeth —repitió, agarrando sus manos, mientras se deleitaba con la dulce sonrisa y los ojos brillantes de la muchacha. Darcy se llevó las manos de Elizabeth a los labios y las besó con ternura, para ponerlas luego sobre su corazón, mientras le decía, por fin, todo lo que guardaba en su pecho sobre su profundo amor, su gratitud y las esperanzas que tenía para el futuro.
El caballero no supo cómo ocurrió, tenía el corazón demasiado pletórico, pero de repente comenzaron a caminar, sin que él supiera hacia dónde. Había tanto que sentir, tanto que decir, tanta felicidad que imploraba salir a la luz. Darcy le contó la visita de su tía, y su doloroso enfrentamiento con ella y, sin embargo, cómo le había permitido concebir una esperanza. Habló sobre sus esfuerzos para corregir su manera de ser y cómo se había propuesto demostrarle en Pemberley que los reproches acerca de su carácter habían sido subsanados. Elizabeth expresó su sorpresa al conocer la seriedad con que Darcy había tomado sus duras palabras y se sonrojó al recordarlas. El caballero abjuró de su carta, aunque ella la recordaba con cariño y le aconsejó no pensar en el pasado más que para recordar lo placentero.
—No puedo atribuirte esa clase de filosofía —respondió Darcy, besando otra vez la mano de Elizabeth—. Tus recuerdos deben de estar tan limpios de todo reproche, de forma que la satisfacción que te producen no procede de ninguna filosofía sino de algo mejor: de la tranquilidad de conciencia. —Darcy metió la mano de Elizabeth bajo su brazo—. Pero conmigo es distinto. Me asaltan recuerdos penosos que no pueden ni deben ser ahuyentados. —Se detuvo y, acariciándole la mejilla, suspiró—. Toda mi vida he sido un egoísta en la práctica, aunque no en los principios. De niño me enseñaron lo que era correcto, pero no a corregir mi temperamento. Me inculcaron buenos valores, pero dejaron que los siguiese cargado de orgullo y presunción. Me permitieron, me consintieron y casi me enseñaron a ser egoísta y arrogante, a pensar tan sólo en mi círculo familiar y a despreciar al resto del mundo o, por lo menos, a creer que la inteligencia y los méritos de los demás eran muy inferiores a los míos.
Darcy bajó el brazo y volvió a tomar las manos de Elizabeth entre las suyas, mirándola a los ojos y hablándole con toda el alma.
—Así fui desde los ocho hasta los veintiocho años, y así continuaría siendo de no haber sido por ti, mi adorada Elizabeth. ¡Te lo debo todo! Me diste una lección que resultó muy dura al principio, es cierto, pero también muy provechosa. Me humillaste como convenía. Me dirigí a ti sin dudar de que me aceptarías, pero tú me hiciste ver lo insuficientes que eran mis pretensiones para halagar a una mujer digna de ser halagada.
Caminaron varias millas. Elizabeth le contó la inquietud que había sentido cuando él la había descubierto en Pemberley, pero él le aseguró que su único propósito había sido lograr que ella lo perdonara. Darcy le hizo partícipe, a su vez, de lo complacida que estaba Georgiana por haberla conocido, y lo decepcionada que se había sentido por la súbita interrupción de su amistad, y le explicó que el aspecto serio y pensativo que tenía cuando se despidieron en la posada de Lambton se debía a que ya estaba planeando la manera de rescatar a su hermana. Elizabeth le volvió a dar las gracias, pero ninguno de los dos quiso hablar más sobre ese doloroso asunto.
—¿Qué habrá sido de Bingley y de Jane? —Elizabeth miró el reloj y luego hacia atrás, hacia el camino—. ¡Deberíamos regresar ya, pero no los veo! —Luego dieron media vuelta y Darcy le tomó la mano para colocarla en su brazo—. Tengo que preguntarte —dijo Elizabeth, dirigiéndose a Darcy— si te sorprendió enterarte de su compromiso.
—De ningún modo. Al marcharme, comprendí que la cosa era inminente.
—Es decir, que le diste tu permiso. Ya lo sospechaba.
—¡Mi permiso! —exclamó Darcy—. ¡No, no, eso sería una pretensión demasiado elevada, a la cual nunca me atrevería a llegar, mi querida niña! ¡Espero haber aprendido la lección! —Elizabeth sonrió. Darcy le contó que le había confesado todo a Bingley la noche antes de salir para Londres, y lo equivocado que había estado acerca de lo que había ocurrido el pasado otoño—. Le dije que podía ver con facilidad el afecto que él sentía por ella y que estaba convencido de que ella lo amaba. Luego tuve que confesarle que había sabido que tu hermana había estado en la ciudad durante el invierno y que había conspirado para que no fuera informado. Se enfadó mucho. Pero estoy seguro de que se le pasó al convencerse de que tu hermana le amaba todavía. Ya me ha perdonado de todo corazón.
Siguieron caminando, y aunque en el pasado Darcy siempre se quedaba callado cuando estaba en presencia de Elizabeth, eso había terminado porque ahora sabía que ella comprendía todas sus opiniones y los planes que tenía para el futuro. Continuaron así hasta llegar a la casa y sólo se separaron antes de entrar en el comedor de Longbourn.

(Orgullo y Prejuicio en la perspectiva del protagonista masculino)

Una mirada de absoluto desagrado cruzó por el rostro de Darcy.
—Las crían como conejos en Hertfordshire, ¡al menos cinco por familia! Tienen madres que parecen gatos atigrados, que no hacen otra cosa que dormitar en espera de que aparezca un caballero decente, para caerle encima y casarlo con una de sus hijas, mientras todas ellas retozan a su antojo por el campo, corriendo detrás de cualquier casaca roja.
—¿En Hertfordshire? —preguntó Brougham con asombro—. ¡No tenía ni idea de que fuera un lugar tan interesante!
—¡Interesante! —Darcy puso la copa sobre la mesa con tanta fuerza que el líquido se derramó y le empapó el volante del puño y la manga—. ¡Maldición! —Se alejó de la mesa enseguida, pero no antes de que un poco de brandy cayera sobre sus pantalones. La reacción de Darcy captó la atención de la criada de la taberna, que se apresuró a ayudarlo con un trapo, pero después de examinar de cerca a los clientes, también sacó un pañuelo limpio que le servía de adorno en el corpiño.

 
"Miss J, do you want me to bring you Mr. Darcy?" the hostler asked her. 
 
J paused for a while then turned to Jacob. "Do you ride a horse?" 
 
"What? Do you think of me as a pussy?" Jacob retorted. Though not a fan of horses, Jacob started to learn to ride a horse when he was a young boy. During those times until now, the family usually celebrated his grandfather's birthday in the countryside where they would go, horseback riding, picnic, and fishing. 
 
J pursed her lips and said, "I was just asking, why do you have to be so defensive?" Then she turned to the hostler and said, "Please take Elizabeth as well." Then the hostler left them and walked towards another stable that is located farther than the first stable they went in. 
 
Jacob and J were left beside a paddock. They watched as a couple of horses ran around inside the paddock while their arms rested on the white fence of the paddock. 
 
"I didn't see that coming," Jacob said. 
 
Confused, J looked at him and asked. "What do you mean?"  
 
"I thought we'll be having a picnic since the place is surrounded by the ocean. I didn't expect to see a horse giving birth. That was a first for my virgin eyes." 
 
J laughed which made Jacob look at her adoringly. "I already told you before, we have a horse farm and an orchard here." 
 
"So, you spent most of your time here during your day off?" Jacob asked. 
 
"Hmm... it depends. The orchard is also quite a sight. If it's harvest season, I spend most of my time there." J replied. 
 
"I see. How long has it been here?" Jacob asked, turning around to lean on the fence with elbows resting on it. 
 
"Ever since I can remember. I was born and raised here. When I grew up, the farm and the orchard were already here. My grandfather loves horses while my grandmother loves oranges and lemons." J said with a touch of smile, feeling nostalgic. "They were the ones who started this." 
 
"So, you are a country girl," Jacob said while looking at J whose gaze was fixed on the horses. He can only see the side features of her face but still mesmerized by her natural beauty. 
 
"You can say that," J said with a smile lowering her head.

Jacob turns around to look at the horses. "They said the baby horse is a colt. What does it mean?" he asked. 
 
"Means it's a boy. A baby horse is called a foal, if it is a boy it is called a colt. If it is a girl, then it is called a filly. You see that one?" J pointed at a certain horse. 
 
"That brown horse with a black tail and mane?" Jacob pointed at the same horse. 
 
"Yes, that one. But we don't call it a brown horse. We called it a bay horse. If the color of the horse is brown but the tail, mane, muzzle, and lower legs are black, we call it a bay horse." J waved her hands. "Anyways, that is a 2-year-old colt." 
 
"And see there? The black horse alone on that side? It's a filly." J said pointing at one corner of the paddock. 
 
"So how do you recognize a colt from a filly?" Jacob asked though he already guessed the answer. 
 
"Are you a doctor or not? Of course, a colt has a penis!"  
 
"So, you are an expert!" Jacob laughed as he mocks her. 
 
J rolled her eyes. 
 
"No, seriously. You are an expert since you know your stuff." Jacob said after mocking her. 
 
"No, I'm not. I grew up with them so I am familiar with them. My hostlers are the experts." J said, still irritated. 
 
"Hostlers?" Jacob asked. 
 
"Yeah. They were the stableman." J said casually then Jacob made an 'Oh' sound." 
 
Soon the hostler arrives with a beautiful dark palomino stallion and a complete black mare with a complete horse tack. 
 
J took the reins from the hostler and said "Thank you" before he left them. She handed the rein of the black horse to Jacob. "This is Elizabeth." She introduced her to Jacob. 
 
Jacob approached Elizabeth on the side and slowly held out his hand to Elizabeth. Upon making sure that Elizabeth won't get anxious, he gently strokes her.  
 
"She is a mare. A mare is an adult version of a filly. She is already five years old. Unlike Mr. Darcy here, Elizabeth is kind to strangers." J said while stroking Mr. Darcy's face and neck. 
 
"That's why you gave me a female horse?" Jacob said with a smirk. 
 
"Well, yes. Among all the horses here, these two were the ones I trusted the most.  I was there when they were born until they grew up. This, by the way, is Mr. Darcy. He is a five-year-old stallion. He was born one week ahead of Elizabeth. He is quite capricious. He wouldn't let anyone ride him except me." J said with a gleaming eye before she hopped over to Mr. Darcy. Jacob did the same to Elizabeth. 
 
J loves the novel Pride and Prejudice so much that she named her favorite horses after their protagonists. 
 
"So is Mr. Darcy a brown horse or a bay horse?" Jacob asked to maintain a spontaneous conversation while riding the horses on a dirt road. 
 
"Well, actually a bay horse is a brown horse as well," J said with a small smile. 
 
"Now you are confusing me," Jacob said with a furrowed brow. 
 
J laughed. Jacob was pleased. Hearing J laugh is like waiting for a meteor at night. Sometimes you would be lucky to see one or two, but sometimes you would see nothing. But there were special moments when you would see hundreds of them.  
 
"Mr. Darcy's color is called dark palomino. They were easy to recognize because of their golden color and flaxen mane and tail." J said with a smile. 
 
"What kind of horse breed are they?" Jacob asked. 
 
"Thoroughbred. They were used for horse racing. We only breed pure thoroughbred." J said casually. Thoroughbred horses are distinguished by their tall, slim, and athletic body. They are considered hot-blooded because of their agility, speed, and spirit.  
 
"Do you also train them to race?" 
 
"No. We only breed them and export them." J replied as they turned in a curve. They passed two more separate paddocks and a couple more stables. Among the horses in the stables and paddock were dogs. Jacob noticed a couple of German Shepherds and Jack Russell around the farm.

"Do you also breed dogs?" he asked. 
 
"What?" J asked with a cocked head. 
 
"I noticed you got a lot of dogs here," Jacob said with a smile pointing to the dogs near one of the stables. 
 
"Oh... the Jack Russell's were a great hunter. No mouse would dare to live in the stable with them around. While the German Shepherds were an excellent guard." J casually said. 
 
" I thought you were also breeding them," Jacob chuckled, earning him a glare from J.
 
They stopped in front of another stable and saw a couple more hostlers and another male equine vet that Jacob recognized easily because of the stethoscope on his neck. One hostler approached and helped J get off Mr. Darcy, making Jacob frown. Jacob got off Elizabeth and followed J inside the stable. 
 
J made a quick round and talked to the vet before getting back on Mr. Darcy. Both of them started to go back to where the Hauler is parked.  
 
"I noticed that the male horses on that stables are smaller and less muscular than Mr. Darcy. Are they another breed?" Jacob asked. 
 
"No. They were thoroughbred as well. They are geldings. Male horses that were castrated making them calmer, better-behaved, quieter, and gentler than the stallions. They are more suitable as an everyday working animal and leisure horseback riding." J pulled the rein of Mr. Darcy, making him turn towards a stable. They went in and passed the reins to a hostler to take Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth back to their stalls.
 
J and Jacob walked towards the Hauler. J made a quick visit to Rosie and her foal before they left. It was only three o'clock, so they visited the orchard. Upon arrival, they were met by an old man in his early 60's. He is the supervisor of the orchard.

At the age of 10, J's parents died in an ambush leaving her in the care of her grandfather who years later sent her away along with her best friend to hide her and her identity from those who would try to kill her after her parents.

20 years past, a lot of things had already happened. Her dearest grandfather died, she came back to Lotus City, and was secretly married!

She was married off by her grandfather to his best friend's grandson before he died and she was oblivious about it.

Do this secret marriage has to do with her secret identity?

--AUTHOR'S NOTICE--

I regret to inform you, that as of Monday, 10.01.2022, I'm putting Temptation Chronicles on Pause. I came to the conclusion, that as of now, I'm unable to continue writing, due to several issues coming up as of late. These include, but aren't limited to: University Graduation work, Exams, as well as Monetary Issues. I'll try my best to get back onto writing as soon as possible, however this most likely won't happen at least until June 2022. Once I've graduated, I might continue writing this story, given that I'll have the time to do it in my free time. 
Another thing I've noticed, is that ever since I've started writing, my enthusiasm for this story has been on a steady decline. The issue isn't that I don't think highly of it, which I definitely do, it's a more personal reason. I don't think that it's up to par with what I envisioned for it, as well as having to write in a style I personally don't really like. 
I hope to see you once again, when I'm back writing, until then, please enjoy the story up to the current point.
See you this summer (probably)!

You know you want it. Come on, click on it. Give in to [Temptation]. 

Born into a family of heroes, Dan Atys, son of some of the top heroes of the world, was an absolute [Low Tier] loser. Getting bullied was his bread day in and out. 

What do you think happens to someone like that? I mean, he was raised by heroes, groomed to be one. You'd think he'd turn into one as well, right? 


Turns out, Dan thought not. The abuse has messed with his mind, and even his powers didn't seem to affect the people who blindly follow principles. His power, [Temptation] , is a superpower that affects the mind of the afflicted. The only condition that is needed to be fulfilled, is that Dan wills it so. Up to this point tho, he thought it's a charm effect, that has a positive effect on those surrounding him. This usually worked this way, but for some reason, ever since he enrolled into the prestigious School of Herocraft, Heracleon, named after the first superhero in history, his powers didn't seem to affect anyone. No one wanted to be friends with him, and all the affection he had from others, was through extreme abuse. They wouldn't just beat him up, they would torture him both physically, and mentally. So much for those "heroes."

After realising his true potential, the ability to manipulate just about anyone in the world, he thought it would be natural for him, to "stray" from the path of "heroes." 

---DISCALIMER---
We've had a few people clicking on TC, because they were expecting some sexual/explicit [Temptation] content. There's nothing of that sort going on! Please, read the synopsis if you're interested in the story, and if it caught your eyes, please, do give the story a read.
Thank you.
---


WPC #194 Silver Prize
Cover Design: @kincesco (Instagram)

You somehow go back in time to the time where Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet exists. It's your job to bring them together.. But there's a twist just waiting to happen. Are you ready for it?

Diangkat dari sebuah novel pride and prejudice karya jane austen. Ditulis versi bahasa indonesia


Elizabeth memulai persahabatannya dengan Tuan Wickham, seorang perwira polisi yang memiliki sejarah dengan Darcy.  Wickham mengklaim bahwa Darcy memperlakukannya dengan serius. 
Elizabeth segera menggunakan informasi ini sebagai alasan lain untuk membenci Darcy. Ironisnya, tetapi tanpa sepengetahuannya, Darcy menyadari dirinya secara bertahap tertarik pada Elizabeth.
Sama seperti Bingley tampaknya akan melamar Jane, dia pindah dari Netherfield, membuat Jane bingung dan kesal. Elizabeth yakin bahwa saudara perempuan Bingley telah bersekongkol dengan Darcy untuk memisahkan Jane dan Bingley.

Mencintai seseorang membutuhkan pengorbanan, kepercayaan, ketulusan dan nalar yang bekerja- sebagaimana pesan ini disampaikan penulis secara tersirat dalam karyanya.

Pride and prejudice sarat akan nilai dan norma sosial khas abad 19, yang menjadikan novel ini dapat dibaca oleh semua kalangan. Pedoman yang bagus pula untuk kaulah muda yang sedang dimabuk cinta! 

Pride and prejudice karya jane austen

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Causing immediate excitement among Mrs. Bennet and her five daughters, Mr. Bingley, a wealthy young gentleman, has rented a nearby country estate, Netherfield. He arrives in town accompanied by his fashionable sister and his good friend, Mr. Darcy. While Bingley is well-received in the community, Darcy begins his acquaintance with smug condescension and proud distaste for all the “country” people. Bingley and Jane Bennet begin to grow close despite Mrs. Bennet’s embarrassing interference and the opposition of Bingley’s sister, who considers Jane socially inferior. Elizabeth is stung by Darcy’s haughty rejection of her at a local dance and decides to match his coldness with her own wit.

Elizabeth begins a friendship with Mr. Wickham, a militia officer who has a history with Darcy. Wickham claims that Darcy seriously mistreated him. Elizabeth immediately seizes upon this information as another reason to hate Darcy. Ironically, but unbeknownst to her, Darcy finds himself gradually drawn to Elizabeth.
Just as Bingley appears to be on the point of proposing marriage to Jane, he moves away from Netherfield, leaving Jane confused and upset. Elizabeth is convinced that Bingley’s sister has conspired with Darcy to separate Jane and Bingley.

Mr. Collins, a distant relative of the Bennets, makes an unexpected visit. He is a recently ordained clergyman employed by the wealthy Lady Catherine de Bourgh. On his way to visit his patron, Collins makes a visit, intending to find a wife from among the Bennet sisters. At first, he pursues Jane; however, when Mrs. Bennet mentions she is involved with Mr. Bingley, he turns to Elizabeth. He soon proposes marriage to Elizabeth, who refuses him, much to her mother’s distress. Collins quickly recovers and proposes to Elizabeth’s close friend, Charlotte Lucas, who immediately accepts him. Their marriage takes place soon after.

In the spring, Elizabeth joins Charlotte and Mr. Collins at his parish in Kent. The parish is adjacent to Rosings Park, the grand manor of Mr. Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, where Elizabeth is frequently invited. While calling on Lady Catherine, Mr. Darcy encounters Elizabeth. She discovers from Darcy’s cousin that it was he who separated Bingley and Jane, as she suspected. Soon after, Darcy admits his love of Elizabeth and proposes to her. Elizabeth refuses him. When he asks why she should refuse him, she confronts him with his sabotage of Bingley’s relationship with Jane and his history with Wickham. Darcy responds with a long letter justifying his actions.

Thus, everything is set up to bring to conclusion the various love affairs—happily, or perhaps unhappily. Whatever the various resolutions, Darcy, Bingley, Jane, Elizabeth, as well as others, will need to overcome their pride and prejudices if they are to find love in the midst of these uncertain and complex relationships.

It was the year 2046. In the distant and faraway planet or Yr lived a lonely alien named Ickapoo. It had no friends as all its species had been vanquished from a meteor storm. In its solitude and misery it pined for a companion.
Yr was a bare and inhospitable planet. With winds blowing at 150 km an hour, it was virtually impossible to see past the blizzard and storm. Ickapoo yearned for friends and company. Many a time he fiddled with his transistor radio, sending out messages and hoping for a response. He sent fire launchers and rockets into space, hoping that some space traveler would find out about his existence. Ickapoo was an alienated alien. In the same way humans wondered whether we were the only species to inhabit the universe, Ickapoo felt estranged and isolated from the rest of the cosmos.  Join Ickapoo on his escapades across galaxies and worlds in search of company.
Ickapoo the lonely Alien, 2046 is created by Chung Chin-Yi , an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author

 
A month and a half had not been long enough for Darcy to properly prepare himself to encounter Elizabeth as Mrs. Collins with any degree of equanimity.  But he could not shirk his duty to his Aunt. So, on the Ides of March, he, his sister, her companion, and Richard left Pemberley for a leisurely journey to Kent. They took several days to make London, then stayed at their townhouse for two days before setting out for the final fifty miles. Darcy spent much of the trip in the saddle, riding alongside the carriages. Richard joined him on occasion, but claimed he rode enough in Spain that he needed the respite. Even Georgiana spent some time on horseback, though the crowded road conditions did not make for a pleasant equestrian experience. They arrived at Rosings Park late on the evening of the twenty third. 
"Darcy, it is most agreeable to see you again," Lady Catherine admitted upon their entry into the sitting room. She rose from her throne-like chair and offered her cheek for a kiss. "And you as well, Richard." He also offered her a nephew's kiss. "I had not expected to see our niece on this visit. If I had not heard your voice when you passed Hunsford, I would be most displeased with the surprise. You know how I prefer to plan ahead."
"I'm sorry, Aunt," Georgiana started, only to be cut off.
"Don't be silly, child. You are always welcome. I simply assume that the lack of forewarning was some sort of childish prank on your cousin's part." She scowled at Richard who smiled in response. 
"I'm sure the missive must have simply gone astray," Darcy interjected. The Colonel had assured Darcy that he would send word of their expanded party.
"I think you know better than that," his Aunt rejoined. "I know I do. I could hear his muffled snickering from a mile away." 
With a final glare in the Colonel's direction, she clapped her hand and said "But enough of that. Come here my dear girl." She drew her niece into an embrace. If not exactly warm, it was loving. 
"This is my companion, Mrs. Annesley," Georgiana introduced with unseemly informality. Darcy was a touch shocked, but realized his sister was making a statement to their overbearing aunt. The young woman had changed since the events at Pemberley the previous month. Her success in combat had given her a new measure of confidence. He wondered at how that would fare against his aunt's strength of character. He hoped the clash would not be too bloody. 
"Very good. We will have a room made up for her near yours. She and Mrs. Jenkinson will have much to talk about, I'm sure." Darcy winced at her rudeness. Lady Catherine took his arm, and Georgiana's and drew them to a sofa. "Now tell me why we are to be blessed with my niece's presence. Not that you are not welcome, my dear. But as I said, we were not expecting you."
"It was not safe to leave her at Pemberley," Darcy replied.
"Whatever can you mean?" his aunt interrupted. 
"Some weeks ago, we were attacked by a group of radicals," Darcy stated.
"We think Darcy was their particular target, but they attacked the estate while Georgiana was there alone to draw him from town. They attacked again some days later." Richard added.  
"Outrageous!"
"Indeed," Darcy agreed perfunctorily. "But you can see how it would be insupportable for me to allow her to continue in such an unguarded circumstance. Thus, her accompanying us on our annual visit."
"Of course. You did the right thing," Lady Catherine declared. "I would like to speak with you more about these attacks. I am not sanguine that Old Miller is sufficient protection for Rosings given the changing security conditions." 
The discussion continued into the evening. That night, as he was preparing for bed, Darcy reflected that any conversation with his aunt was likely to highlight the peculiarities that her gift had engendered in her social interactions. She was able to hear speech in a radius of almost five miles. In fact, she could not help but hear all speech within that radius. To preserve her sanity, she had to train herself to be able to ignore much that she did not want to hear, which included the vast majority of what went on around her. Even with that ability, she could not but be aware of peoples' foibles, secrets, and, most damning, their honest opinions of her. These two factors, her intimate knowledge of those around her, and her requirement of ignoring that which she did not want to hear, shaped how she interacted with the world. Darcy still thought of her as a caring, if overly officious, relation.  
At breakfast the next morning Georgiana said, "Anne tells me that you have had some young ladies visiting in the past few weeks."
"Yes, my rector, Mr. Collins has a new wife, a most genteel sort of lady. She has been hosting a visit from her sister and one of her friends from her former home."
"I would very much like to meet them," Georgiana said, looking to Darcy. 
He remembered a time when he had thought Miss Elizabeth was exactly the sort of lady whose example he wished his sister to follow.  Even if he could not have her for his own, there might still be some way she could be a positive influence on Georgianna's life. "I think that would be a good idea."
"We are planning to have them join us for dinner on Thursday," Anne supplied. Darcy thought her condition might be deteriorating. She had been born sickly, with a borderline gift that might have seen her banished as a grotesque in a family with less wealth and status. Her condition had never improved. At one point, after Sir Lewis' death, Lady Catherine had suggested quite strongly that Darcy was Anne's only hope of matrimony and a normal life, as he knew of her condition and could help her continue to hide it. Neither Darcy nor Anne had supported the plot and Lady Catherine had given up the idea. But he did care for her as a close relative and wondered if Elizabeth might not be able to assist her in some way with her healing abilities. 
"Thursday…" his sister pouted. 
"If that is too far in the future, you could always pay a call on the parsonage. I'm certain Mr. Collins would appreciate the condescension." Anne said.
"Please do not mock our spiritual advisor in company." her mother chided. 
"But Aunt, we are not company. We are family." Richard's quip brought out several smiles, if no one was so lost to propriety as to actually laugh. 
"Might we call upon them today, Brother?" Georgiana asked. 
He sighed silently and inwardly prepared himself to meet the holder of his heart as a common and indifferent acquaintance. "We may."   
Late morning found Darcy, his sister, and Richard making their way across the verdant grounds of Rosings to the humble parsonage of Hunsford. A maid answered the door and brought the group into the small parlor where Darcy found Elizabeth standing next to her friend, Charlotte Lucas. Standing in front of the window was another lady, younger than Elizabeth. Darcy could not recall her, assuming she was one of her younger sisters, with whom he had very few dealings during his time in Hertfordshire.
After being announced, Darcy took it upon himself to make the introductions. "Mrs. Collins, may I introduce to you my sister, Georgiana and my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam."
"I am most happy to make your acquaintance," replied Miss Lucas. "May I introduce my sister Maria Lucas and my dear friend Miss Elizabeth Bennet."  
Darcy colored, perplexed, looked doubtingly, and after some hesitation, said "Miss Bennet?"
"Mr. Darcy?" she replied, concern evident in her voice.  
Darcy gasped loudly, then turned and almost ran out of the room. He moved blindly, and as soon as he had left the cottage, the tears of a strong man breaking unexpectedly rolled down his cheeks. He stopped by a tree and leaned against it, seeing nothing of his surroundings. Eventually, a hand on his shoulder brought him back to himself. 
"Mr. Darcy?" It was Elizabeth. 
He turned to her. "You are not married?"
"I am not."
"I was led to believe that you were destined for Mr. Collins."
"He may have had some inclination in that direction, along with my mother. But I never did. And, in the end, he chose more wisely." She looked at him with sadness. "But why should it matter? You are to wed Miss de Bourgh, are you not?"
"I am not. And while her mother had, for some time, promoted the idea of such a joining of our estates, neither my cousin nor myself have ever shared in her desire. We care for each other as family, nothing more."
At that, it was Elizabeth's turn to stagger and grab onto a paling for support. Darcy wondered how they could have both been so misinformed … then he recalled the evening he had first heard of Elizabeth's engagement … from Wickham. "That dastard!" he exclaimed. 
This seemed to shock Elizabeth back to her senses. "What? Who?"
"From whom did you hear I was to marry my cousin?" he asked, taking her hand. 
She reflected silently for a moment, then replied angrily, "Lieutenant Wickham!"
"Exactly. He is the one that originally informed me of your betrothal as well. How! How can I continue to fall for his treachery when I am so familiar with his deceitful ways?" 
"I want to know why. Why would he do such a thing? I have no doubt that he did this despicable thing, but I do not understand his motives." 
"It could be as simple as him wanting to hurt me so deeply by depriving me of any hope of future happiness. He hates me that much." Darcy said, heedless, in his anger, of the implications of his confession. 
Elizabeth stared at him silently, then whispered, "Am I your hope for future happiness?"
He stopped and looked into her eyes. He realized that he had never relinquished her hand. It was alive in his. With no regard for propriety or prudence he answered honestly. "You are my only hope. Without you I have been lost. Alone in the bosom of my family. Desperately seeking some justification for my continued existence. Without you I am … nothing." 
Her breath hitched. Her eyes burned into his. And her grip on his hands would bend steel.
"Please save me from that desolation," he continued. "Please take my hand and be my partner, my wife."
"You are my future. And I am yours." She pulled at his hands. This time he would not resist. He leaned forward and their lips, gently, touched. That first contact made the world stop. Some unknown time later they pulled back. The second kiss was more passionate, but no less tender. They were lost to the world.
"Ahem!" 
Darcy jerked back and instinctively stepped between Elizabeth and the sound. When he saw it was Richard, followed by Georgiana and the Lucases, he was mortified, not for his sake, but for his lady's.
"I assume this is the ineffable Miss Elizabeth of whom we have heard so much." Richard smiled at his cousin. "Congratulations, old man. And well done!"
Elizabeth began to step away from him, her face blushing red. Darcy strengthened his grip and pulled her gently towards him. She had no reason to be ashamed. 
"Richard, Georgiana, Mrs. Collins … As you may have heard, Elizabeth has done me the inestimable honor of accepting my hand in marriage." Darcy's voice was filled with pride and joy. Elizabeth gazed up at him with great affection. 
"Oh Lizzy, I am so happy for you." Mrs. Collins offered. 
"Brother! I look forward to meeting my future sister." Georgiana smiled shyly. Elizabeth stepped away from Darcy and held out her hands, one to her longtime friend and one to his sister.
"Thank you for your best wishes," she said to Mrs. Collins. To Georgiana she replied, "I have heard such good things about you, Miss Darcy. I just know we shall become great friends."
"I suppose you must now beg permission from this lady's father, old fellow?" Richard said quietly as he shook Darcy's hand.
"I do not think that will be an issue," Elizabeth said. Darcy, well aware of the acuity of his beloved's hearing, grinned at Richard's chagrin. "My father has the greatest respect for Mr. Darcy. I cannot see him offering any real impediment, though he may make sport of us for our folly in allowing Lieutenant Wickham to offer such interference to our reaching this happy conclusion sooner."
"George?" Georgiana asked in a tremulous voice. 
Darcy strode to her and took her hand. "Once again he has managed to harm our family." 
"I think it is time we ended his interference, once and for all." Richard growled. Darcy looked over his sister's head and nodded his silent agreement. He was morally opposed to dueling, but felt it might be their only recourse against the dastard's continued depredations.
"I think this might be an appropriate occasion for you to make use of the speediest method of travel to Hertfordshire." Richard suggested. 
"I think there is no great need for such precipitancy. My father will still be there in several days or several weeks," Elizabeth countered. "But I must admit, having just reunited, I am loath to lose your company for the days travel by horseback might entail. I will not attempt to influence you either way." She grinned impudently. 
"I feel a great deal of urgency to formally secure our betrothal. I think it a worthy cause for flaunting my ability, just this once. I should be able to reach Longbourn in under two hours. If your father is amenable, I should be back for dinner this evening."
"And if he is not?" Richard jibed. 
"Then I will stay as long as it takes to wear down his resistance and achieve my heart's desire."
"Oh, that is so romantic!" Miss Lucas sighed. 
"What of Lady Catherine? Surely you must inform her of your departure." Elizabeth asked. 
"Believe me, she already knows." Richard laughed. 
With a final kiss of her hand, Darcy bid his beloved adieu and took to the air. 
His reception at Longbourn, once he had secured Mr. Bennet's blessing, was everything he might have feared from his future mother-in-law. But Darcy was able to see she was well meaning, if not well informed or well bred. She was no worse than many matchmaking mothers he had met over the years, and her daughter's engagement to such a catch seemed to raise Elizabeth in her mother's estimation. If Mrs. Bennet was the worst aspect of marriage to his beloved, he was well satisfied. 
He was encouraged to stay for dinner and could not refuse without offering offence. Bingley and his new bride joined in the celebrations, and Darcy was happy to see his old friend. As the time for the meal approached, Darcy noticed some disturbance in the house. 
"Kitty, have you any idea where you sister has gotten off to?" Mrs. Bennet inquired. "I cannot think I have seen her since … was she at breakfast?"
"She was not," Miss Mary reported. "I believe I heard her stirring early this morning. I'd assumed she was patrolling before breakfast, as Lizzy often does." 
"Kitty?" Mr. Bennet said, looking more closely at his fourth daughter. The girl looked away, her guilt evident. "What do you know of this?"
"Nothing!" she declaimed. Her father's gaze grew sterner. Finally, she relented. "She left a note. She said not to give it to you until you asked." 
"And where is this note, child?" her father asked quietly. She raced upstairs and momentarily returned with the missive in hand. Her father took it and quickly perused it. 
His face drained of all color and his hand shook. Without a word, he handed the note to Darcy.
Father – 
I know you will be proud of me when you read this. It has finally happened. The General has called me up to join the special ladys battalion. Mr. Wickham says that I must keep my departure and destination a secret still, but you know how anxious I have been to do my part to protect the Kingdom, just like Lizzy. So I could not leave without letting you know I am safe and on my way to greater things. 
Your daughter, 
Lydia 
(soon to be of the 1st Ladys)   
"That scoundrel!" Darcy expostulated. "We must begin the search at once!"
"What! Where is my baby?" Mrs. Bennet began to cry.
"Jane, Take your mother upstairs." Mr. Bennet ordered. "Mary, Kitty wait for me in my sanctum. I'll need to know what you know of Lydia's dealings with Lieutenant Wickham."
"Mr. Darcy, they have been gone for almost a full day," Mr. Bennet remonstrated. "They could easily be in London by now. It will be almost impossible to find them without special assistance. I need you to bring Lizzy here. She is our best chance to track the blackguard. Let me send a note with you so she knows what is needed. We have no time to waste. Charles, I need you to take another note to Sir John. We will need his help, but if at all possible, for the sake of our family's reputation, we need to keep word of this debacle from spreading further." 
Both the younger men nodded. Upon receiving the note for Elizabeth, Darcy began his return flight with all possible speed.

The ladies of Longbourn soon waited on those of Netherfield. The visit was soon returned in due form. Miss Bennet's pleasing manners grew on the goodwill of Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and though the mother was found to be intolerable, and the younger sisters not worth speaking to, a wish of being better acquainted with them was expressed towards the two eldest. By Jane, this attention was received with the greatest pleasure, but Elizabeth still saw superciliousness in their treatment of everybody, hardly excepting even her sister, and could not like them; though their kindness to Jane, such as it was, had a value as arising in all probability from the influence of their brother's admiration. It was generally evident whenever they met, that he did admire her and to her it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to the preference which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a way to be very much in love; but she considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane united, with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and a uniform cheerfulness of manner which would guard her from the suspicions of the impertinent. She mentioned this to her friend Miss Lucas.

"It may perhaps be pleasant," replied Charlotte, "to be able to impose on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded. If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him; and it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in the dark. There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all begin freely—a slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. In nine cases out of ten a women had better show more affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on."

"But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow. If I can perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton, indeed, not to discover it too."

"Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane's disposition as you do."

"But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to conceal it, he must find it out."

"Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But, though Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together; and, as they always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that every moment should be employed in conversing together. Jane should therefore make the most of every half-hour in which she can command his attention. When she is secure of him, there will be more leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses."

"Your plan is a good one," replied Elizabeth, "where nothing is in question but the desire of being well married, and if I were determined to get a rich husband, or any husband, I dare say I should adopt it. But these are not Jane's feelings; she is not acting by design. As yet, she cannot even be certain of the degree of her own regard nor of its reasonableness. She has known him only a fortnight. She danced four dances with him at Meryton; she saw him one morning at his own house, and has since dined with him in company four times. This is not quite enough to make her understand his character."

"Not as you represent it. Had she merely dined with him, she might only have discovered whether he had a good appetite; but you must remember that four evenings have also been spent together—and four evenings may do a great deal."

"Yes; these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain that they both like Vingt-un better than Commerce; but with respect to any other leading characteristic, I do not imagine that much has been unfolded."

"Well," said Charlotte, "I wish Jane success with all my heart; and if she were married to him to-morrow, I should think she had as good a chance of happiness as if she were to be studying his character for a twelvemonth. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life."

"You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself."

Occupied in observing Mr. Bingley's attentions to her sister, Elizabeth was far from suspecting that she was herself becoming an object of some interest in the eyes of his friend. Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticise. But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she hardly had a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. To this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying. Though he had detected with a critical eye more than one failure of perfect symmetry in her form, he was forced to acknowledge her figure to be light and pleasing; and in spite of his asserting that her manners were not those of the fashionable world, he was caught by their easy playfulness. Of this she was perfectly unaware; to her he was only the man who made himself agreeable nowhere, and who had not thought her handsome enough to dance with.

He began to wish to know more of her, and as a step towards conversing with her himself, attended to her conversation with others. His doing so drew her notice. It was at Sir William Lucas's, where a large party were assembled.

"What does Mr. Darcy mean," said she to Charlotte, "by listening to my conversation with Colonel Forster?"

"That is a question which Mr. Darcy only can answer."

"But if he does it any more I shall certainly let him know that I see what he is about. He has a very satirical eye, and if I do not begin by being impertinent myself, I shall soon grow afraid of him."

On his approaching them soon afterwards, though without seeming to have any intention of speaking, Miss Lucas defied her friend to mention such a subject to him; which immediately provoking Elizabeth to do it, she turned to him and said:

"Did you not think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?"

"With great energy; but it is always a subject which makes a lady energetic."

"You are severe on us."

"It will be her turn soon to be teased," said Miss Lucas. "I am going to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows."

"You are a very strange creature by way of a friend!—always wanting me to play and sing before anybody and everybody! If my vanity had taken a musical turn, you would have been invaluable; but as it is, I would really rather not sit down before those who must be in the habit of hearing the very best performers." On Miss Lucas's persevering, however, she added, "Very well, if it must be so, it must." And gravely glancing at Mr. Darcy, "There is a fine old saying, which everybody here is of course familiar with: 'Keep your breath to cool your porridge'; and I shall keep mine to swell my song."

Her performance was pleasing, though by no means capital. After a song or two, and before she could reply to the entreaties of several that she would sing again, she was eagerly succeeded at the instrument by her sister Mary, who having, in consequence of being the only plain one in the family, worked hard for knowledge and accomplishments, was always impatient for display.

Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached. Elizabeth, easy and unaffected, had been listened to with much more pleasure, though not playing half so well; and Mary, at the end of a long concerto, was glad to purchase praise and gratitude by Scotch and Irish airs, at the request of her younger sisters, who, with some of the Lucases, and two or three officers, joined eagerly in dancing at one end of the room.

Mr. Darcy stood near them in silent indignation at such a mode of passing the evening, to the exclusion of all conversation, and was too much engrossed by his thoughts to perceive that Sir William Lucas was his neighbour, till Sir William thus began:

"What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing after all. I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished society."

"Certainly, sir; and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world. Every savage can dance."

Sir William only smiled. "Your friend performs delightfully," he continued after a pause, on seeing Bingley join the group; "and I doubt not that you are an adept in the science yourself, Mr. Darcy."

"You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, sir."

"Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight. Do you often dance at St. James's?"

"Never, sir."

"Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?"

"It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if I can avoid it."

"You have a house in town, I conclude?"

Mr. Darcy bowed.

"I had once had some thought of fixing in town myself—for I am fond of superior society; but I did not feel quite certain that the air of London would agree with Lady Lucas."

He paused in hopes of an answer; but his companion was not disposed to make any; and Elizabeth at that instant moving towards them, he was struck with the action of doing a very gallant thing, and called out to her:

"My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure when so much beauty is before you." And, taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly drew back, and said with some discomposure to Sir William:

"Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner."

Mr. Darcy, with grave propriety, requested to be allowed the honour of her hand, but in vain. Elizabeth was determined; nor did Sir William at all shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion.

"You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you; and though this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half-hour."

"Mr. Darcy is all politeness," said Elizabeth, smiling.

"He is, indeed; but, considering the inducement, my dear Miss Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complaisance—for who would object to such a partner?"

Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away. Her resistance had not injured her with the gentleman, and he was thinking of her with some complacency, when thus accosted by Miss Bingley:

"I can guess the subject of your reverie."

"I should imagine not."

"You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner—in such society; and indeed I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity, and yet the noise—the nothingness, and yet the self-importance of all those people! What would I give to hear your strictures on them!"

"Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow."

Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections. Mr. Darcy replied with great intrepidity:

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet!" repeated Miss Bingley. "I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favourite?—and pray, when am I to wish you joy?"

"That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy."

"Nay, if you are serious about it, I shall consider the matter is absolutely settled. You will be having a charming mother-in-law, indeed; and, of course, she will always be at Pemberley with you."

He listened to her with perfect indifference while she chose to entertain herself in this manner; and as his composure convinced her that all was safe, her wit flowed long.

Pride and Prejudice, romantic novel by Jane Austen, published anonymously in three volumes in 1813. A classic of English literature, written with incisive wit and superb character delineation, it centres on the turbulent relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner

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