Most Ardently

by Gabe Cole Novoa

Bingley went on, “Please, let me ask Jane to introduce you.” Jane squeezed Oliver’s hand, but before either of them could react further, Darcy turned around. And that is how Oliver found himself once again meeting Darcy’s stormy gaze, his heart thudding in his ears so loudly he was all but convinced Jane could hear it. Oliver found himself unable to breathe as the obvious annoyance washed over Darcy’s face. He knew at once that his instinct around Darcy’s dislike had been correct, and he felt utterly foolish for thinking even for an instant that the other boy was handsome. Darcy broke eye contact and, turning back to Bingley, said, “She’s tolerable, but not handsome enough to interest me.” If in that moment the ground had opened up beneath Oliver’s feet and swallowed him whole, it would have been a mercy. Instead, he was left feeling as though Darcy had dumped an entire tub of ice water on his head. Here he was, trying to be the good “daughter” everyone expected him to be, and for what? Insult upon insult. Thankfully, Jane was also appalled by the other boy’s lack of tact; this time, when Oliver turned to leave, she did not stop him.