One thing I love about this series is the devotion I get to write between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet! Can’t wait to start Book 5.
XOXOXO Elizabeth Ann West
Chapter 5 - To Capture Mr. Darcy, a Pride and Prejudice Variation
November 19, 1811
The third morning since Jane’s recovery dawned with a welcome break in the deluge, but a dense mist extended far beyond the boundaries of Mr. Bingley’s leased estate. Elizabeth Bennet selected a gown of a creamy, ivory hue spotted with a dark plum. It was the same gown she had worn her first day at Netherfield Park. But as it was her favorite frock in both comfort and style, Elizabeth decided those features compensated for the embarrassing social hiccough of wearing the same gown twice in such a short visit.
Remembering that it was not raining, she shunned her delicate slippers for sturdier walking boots in a thrice. Donning a spencer, for she expected the air to be quite chilly, she dashed out of her room without visiting Jane to seek her freedom beyond the walls of the great house. A satisfying crunch of the gravel beneath her feet quickened her pace towards the edge of the fog when a familiar voice slowed her progress.
“Miss Elizabeth! Miss Elizabeth!”
Stomping her foot, Elizabeth spun around and offered a perfunctory curtsy to Mr. Darcy. The man caught up to her at the edge of the drive, slightly out of breath from the refined jog he undertook to reach her.
“Do you plan to walk, Miss Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth frowned. It was quite obvious to her what her intentions were, and her patience for social niceties nearly disappeared. “Nay, I intend to embroider a pillow in the finest gold thread and jewel tones.”
Mr. Darcy laughed, eliciting a confused choreography of Elizabeth’s eyebrows as she did not think her deadpan response was quite that funny.
“You do not simper like the ladies of my acquaintance in London.”
“Then perhaps you should make new acquaintances in London if you find a society to be lacking.” Elizabeth glanced behind her at the wild beauty just beyond the path that she so desperately wished to explore, but had no intention of inviting Mr. Darcy to join her, alone, in the dense fog.
“I do not so easily speak to people I am not well acquainted with. I find sanctuary in silence as others carry the burden of social platitudes.” Darcy’s hands clasped behind his back as the man stood a little taller, correcting a perceived deficiency in his posture.
Elizabeth shrugged. “My sister is shy, but she is careful not to allow her shyness to offend those in her company.”
“And my silence has offended you? Or perhaps it was my thoughtless remark at the assembly?” Mr. Darcy bowed in contrition, thus not seeing Elizabeth’s mouth drop open in surprise and snap shut again, pressed in a firm line of anger.
“If you knew yourself to be offensive, sir, I wonder that you never apologized?” Elizabeth began to walk down the path to put a bit of distance between herself and Mr. Darcy.
“But I just have, madam.”
Elizabeth quickened her pace and glanced over her shoulder with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “Again you are mistaken, Mr. Darcy. You have only acknowledged that both your silence at times and words, at other times, have greatly offended me. I heard not a word of regret or apology in your observation.” Reaching the end of the path, Elizabeth could not take another step without beginning a journey into the denser fog. Scowling, she quickly turned and began walking in the opposite direction along the length of the path, forcing Mr. Darcy to hasten so that he might keep up with her.
“And how would you wish for me to apologize? Would you like a letter, listing all of my faults and missteps since our introduction? Shall I enumerate yours, when you have used your beguiling charms to ensnare me and then reject me as I am all too familiar is a game for most ladies’ amusement.”
Elizabeth halted and scoffed at the man who could not even offer a simple apology for his transgressions. “The only game I have played, sir, took place on a chessboard. If you perceived my actions or words to have offered you any encouragement of the seduction –”
“Seduction!”
“Yes, the seduction that you and Mr. Bingley have conspired to . . . UGH” Elizabeth lost her train of thought in a muddle of blinding rage as every high and low of her Netherfield visit played in rapid succession in her memory. Finding her situation untenable, she marched angrily away from Mr. Darcy.
Incensed the woman would storm off without explanation yet again, Mr. Darcy’s hand involuntarily reached out and caught her arm. Elizabeth yelped and then covered her mouth with her free hand as she twisted her arm from Mr. Darcy’s grip.
Realizing his gross error, Mr. Darcy released her, but the opposite force of Elizabeth’s struggle carried her body away from him with such power she fell backward to the ground.
“My God! Elizabeth, I am so very sorry. I do not know what came over me.” Mr. Darcy crumpled to his knees as Elizabeth sat there, unceremoniously smarting on her posterior. As the shock of her fall faded, Elizabeth settled her weight using her abdominal muscles and lifted the hands that had broken her fall. She inspected the multitude of scratches from the rocks below and brushed off the pea-sized gravel still stuck to her porcelain skin.
“You are most grievously injured, and it is all my fault. May I –” Darcy gulped as his eyes locked with Elizabeth’s, “may I assist you?” He held out his hands to help her rise.
The weight of Mr. Darcy’s concern pressed heavily on Elizabeth’s chest. The man looked at her as if she were someone of precious value, a different look of affection than she had experienced with her father when she had been particularly clever or made him laugh. A giggle bubbled up through Elizabeth’s throat, and she shook her head, continuing to dust her skirts.
“I believe I might manage.” Elizabeth leaned forward, testing that her feet stood firmly planted beneath her, and continued her slightly forward roll to lift herself off the ground and stand in the most ladylike fashion available. Mr. Darcy likewise rose, appearing morbidly uncomfortable now the danger had passed, and only the guilt of his actions remained.
“Mr. Darcy –“
“Miss Elizabeth –“
Elizabeth laughed again as they attempted to speak at the same time. Cautiously, Darcy joined her in her mirth. After the stress of the argument and fall dissipated in laughter, they calmed and found a comfort in each other’s eyes once more. Elizabeth marveled at the very peace such silence between them fostered, a peace that became shattered the second that they spoke to one another. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes to break the spell and reopened them to focus on the injuries to her hands that were now beginning to throb.
“I am sorry if I have hurt your feelings, Mr. Darcy, in my rude behavior that I confess has worried me since arriving at Netherfield.”
“No, please, do not . . . You have been baited at every turn, and I have been most impressed by your fortitude under such trying circumstances.” Darcy took a breath before continuing. “It is a trait I have greatly admired.”
Elizabeth gasped as Mr. Darcy lifted her spirits in a manner she was not prepared to allow. “Please, your compliments are too confusing, sir.”
“Confusing? But I only wish to say I admire you a great deal, Miss Elizabeth.”
“And I am not willing to accept such admiration. I hope you have a pleasant morning, sir.” Elizabeth curtsied and began to walk away again.
“Miss Elizabeth!” he called after her, this time only reaching out a hand in her direction, but not touching her person again.
“I’m sorry, I really must go.” She held up her injured hands reminding him that she did, in fact, have pressing matters to ameliorate. She dashed back indoors, breathless over so many difficult feelings and wishes in her heart and mind. Her hands began to brighten into an angry red as her body attempted to repair the small cuts and scrapes. Elizabeth had been looking at her hands so intently as she walked, she nearly bumped into Jane halfway up the stairs.
“Lizzy! What has happened?” Jane spied Elizabeth’s injury right away. The front doors opened as Mr. Darcy entered the foyer.
“I tripped as I was walking and broke my fall with my hands. The ground is ever so slippery.”
“Come to my room,” Jane looked over her shoulder with suspicion to a very guilt-stricken Mr. Darcy still standing just inside the home. “I have a balm that should help.”
Chapter 5 (cont'd) - To Capture Mr. Darcy, a Pride and Prejudice Variation
As the two Bennet sisters continued their climb of the stairs, Mr. Bingley poked his head out of the dining room. Seeing the ladies retiring in the opposite direction of breaking their fasts, Mr. Bingley next sized up his friend, standing silently dumbstruck in the entryway.
“Darcy! Darcy!” Mr. Bingley whispered harshly, attracting the attention of his friend. “What the devil happened?”
Mr. Darcy frowned and ran his hand errantly through his hair. “I have bungled it, Bingley. She hates me. And I deserve it. And she thinks we are working in concert to woo them.”
Mr. Bingley’s eyes widened as he exited the dining room fully. “Are you mad? Whatever did you tell her? Jane has accepted me! If you have ruined my happiness, I shall never forgive you, old man.”
Darcy shook his head and joined Bingley in the dining room. He held no appetite, but perhaps a strong cup of coffee would alleviate his self-deprecation by providing a bitter distraction. “I do not know, Charles. I have truly mucked things up this time.”
The dining room was not empty as Caroline Bingley sat prim and proper, hoping Mr. Darcy would notice she had risen particularly early. Her smile faded as he entered the dining room, his face as white as a ghost.
“How badly could things possibly have gone? You were not with Miss Elizabeth for but a moment!” Charles stood defiantly at the front of the room, as Darcy shuffled to a chair and took a seat. Caroline’s head jerked back to see Fitzwilliam Darcy slouch in his chair, clearly distressed over something to do with that Bennet chit!
“Mr. Darcy? Has Miss Elizabeth offended you? Charles, Charles!” Caroline threw her serviette on the table as she chirped her brother’s name to gain his attention. Charles finally gave up interrogating Darcy and glared at his sister.
“What, Caroline?”
Jutting her chin out, Caroline Bingley rose from her chair to move closer to Mr. Darcy in consolation. “I told you those Bennet women are wild and unpredictable. Why I have heard Miss Eliza insult poor Mr. Darcy on more than one occasion since she has been here! We must send them away this instant in his defense.”
“The Bennet ladies are our guests as well, as I must remind you, sister.”
“Yes, but Mr. Darcy is not a mere stone’s throw from his own home as is the case with the Bennets. We must send them away so that Mr. Darcy might know some peace in his country retreat.”
“No,” Darcy said, glumly, refusing to look at either of the Bingley siblings. “There is no need to send anyone away on my account. Besides, the roads are too treacherous still and the fog doubly so. I would not send even the best horse out in this weather.”
“But she has offended you most severely. I do not wish to insult you, Mr. Darcy, but you look unwell.” Caroline attempted to place her hand on the great man’s forearm but Darcy snatched it away before Caroline’s hand found its mark.
“HO! HO! Is he unwell! But it is not from a transgression by a Bennet!” Bingley teased his friend who finally lifted his head to glare at his host with a dark stare. “Don’t blame me, old friend. You know my advice on the matter.” Bingley began to walk towards the door, but Darcy called out to him.
“Where are you going, Charles? Surely you are not leaving?”
“Miss Elizabeth has been injured on my property. I will most certainly inquire as to how she fares from her sister.”
Caroline panicked as the exchanges between her brother and Mr. Darcy were not in her favor. That Charles was in the Bennet clutches was a foregone conclusion, but not Mr. Darcy! Quickly, she moved ahead her plans to discuss the evening’s goals.
“Charles, please tell the Bennet ladies they are to select a sonnet for recitation this evening for our after dinner entertainment. Louisa won’t participate, of course, remaining in her rooms today as she is indisposed. But we are to choose our favorite sonnet and deliver them for great fun!”
“I do not think—” Charles Bingley began to argue with his sister about her plans when Darcy interjected.
“That is a marvelous idea, Miss Bingley.” The faint glimmers of cheer lifted Darcy’s voice. “I would be happy to select a sonnet to share.”
Caroline clapped her hands in applause for herself, giddy that Mr. Darcy agreed with her plans for entertainment. “Charles? If Mr. Darcy will play along, you should just as well. . .” she taunted.
Bingley gaped at his friend, then closed his mouth and frowned. He was outvoted and even if the Bennet sisters were unwilling to participate, he would surely not be able to sit out now that Darcy had agreed.
“I yield. I shall mention the plan to the ladies, but I would not be surprised if they are reluctant to join us in our theatrics.”
After Charles had gone, Caroline took the seat next to Mr. Darcy and cornered the poor man about his misery. “If sonnets be a source of good cheer for you, we can begin our study of them this afternoon in the library. I should enjoy a chance to practice my diction and memorization with a partner.”
Darcy gulped and shook his head without looking at Miss Bingley, but instead taking a great interest in the globs of wax hanging in abstract fashion on the candelabra before him. “I am afraid I shall retire to my room for a rest to be well-prepared for this evening’s recitation. Besides, if we should practice together the surprise effect of our selections will be lost in tonight’s festivities.” Darcy did not wish to reveal he could sense a tear in his trousers at the knee from when he knelt to assist Miss Elizabeth in her distress. He needed to retire above stairs to change his clothing.
“And are you looking forward to learning what my sonnet selection will be?” Caroline baited Mr. Darcy in hopes of drawing out more of the lively personality she witnessed whenever Miss Eliza was near.
“I imagine the element of surprise will be only one of the highlights of the evening.” Darcy turned to Caroline to nod as he excused himself from the table and the room. He thankfully brought a copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets with him on this trip and could study at length in his room, at least until he knew it safe to venture out and avoid Miss Bingley in the afternoon hours.
Sitting calmly in an upholstered chair, Elizabeth Bennet sucked in her breath as her sister Jane applied an herbal tincture to her pained hands. The pressure of her sister’s fingertips agitated her fresh wounds.
“How did you fall, exactly? Was Mr. Darcy involved?” Jane asked, lifting her gaze to watch her sister’s face as she responded. The sweet and serene Jane Bennet became a force to reckon with when her younger siblings were mistreated. Even though Elizabeth took the blame, it was Jane Bennet who had given John Lucas a black eye when they were kids scampering about the countryside. The secret between the sisters was never exposed and for John’s part, he never admitted a girl had bested him for throwing rotten apples at her younger sister.
“No, I mean yes, but he did not mean to. It was truly an accident.” Elizabeth stammered in reply, feeling an anxiety clutch her heart. She wanted to explain to Jane how she and Mr. Darcy had quarreled, but now the argument sounded so ridiculous in her memory. Had she truly accused Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley of a seduction? Elizabeth groaned at her recollection of the exchange and received an apology from Jane. But it was not the pain that made her groan.
“No, I was rude and accused Mr. Darcy of a fanciful notion. We disagreed, as we often do when we are in private company with one another.”
Jane carefully inspected Elizabeth hands as she asked her next question. “Have you and Mr. Darcy been alone very often since we arrived?”
“Not by design, I assure you!” Elizabeth closed her fists to signal she was finished with her sister’s interrogation and nursing. “I visited the library for new reading material and it seems to be one of his favorite rooms.”
Jane nodded slowly in agreement. “His library at Pemberley–”
Elizabeth stood and scowled at Jane. “You and Miss Bingley both! Yes, his library at Pemberley is the most extensive collection of books in the whole kingdom, his library at Pemberley is so expertly decorated in a warm and inviting manner—”
A knock on the door interrupted the sisters as they both startled and looked toward the source of the noise. After Jane’s verbal acknowledgment, the door opened a small crack and a masculine voice called out.
“Miss Bennet? I have come to see to the condition of your sister, Miss Elizabeth.” Mr. Bingley’s voice carried through the small crack in the door as Jane stood and crossed the room to open it wider. Elizabeth blew a breath that fluttered the hair from her eyes as a contrite and concerned Mr. Bingley stood just in the doorway glancing past Jane and focusing on her. “I have heard how your injury occurred, and I am deeply embarrassed such a thing came to pass while you were visiting my home.”
“I am well, Mr. Bingley. Jane can tell you, I have experienced far worse scrapes and bruises on my walks.” Elizabeth attempted to thwart the truth of the incident from being revealed.
“Be that as it may, Mr. Darcy is dreadfully sorry he caused your fall and wishes to send you his heartfelt apologies. I hope you can forgive my friend for his poor manners. He does not perform to his best when he is in uncomfortable situations. ”
Hearing Mr. Bingley’s apology for his friend reminded Elizabeth of Mr. Darcy’s supposition that it was his insults at the assembly which offended her most. Feeling minxish, Elizabeth decided to test Mr. Bingley’s culpability. “Tell me, Mr. Bingley, was it you who told Mr. Darcy I heard his comment at the assembly? Because he mentioned that to me right before I fell.”
“Charles!” Jane covered her mouth with her hand, looking between her sister and Mr. Bingley. “Lizzie, I am sure if Mr. Bingley mentioned anything about the assembly to his friend it was not in the interest of harming you.”
Mr. Bingley’s upper lip caught the light from the beads of sweat lining up just under his nose as he turned his face to Jane. “I have broken your confidence, my darling.”
Elizabeth gasped at Mr. Bingley’s term of endearment for her sister.
Jane reached out to reassure her. “It is not incorrect, I had planned to tell you before Mr. Bingley came upstairs.” Jane turned her back to her precious Charles and offered her sister a face full of happiness. “Mr. Bingley has offered for my hand and I have accepted, but we still must speak to father.”
Reeling from the shock of her sister’s revelation, it now began to make sense to Elizabeth why Jane would accept a letter from Mr. Bingley. She was his intended! Elizabeth’s intelligence made the next leap to comprehend Mr. Bingley’s behavior concerning her relationship with Mr. Darcy. When Jane and Bingley married, it would only be natural that she and Mr. Darcy would find themselves often in mutual company. It would not do for her to hate the closest friend of her sister’s husband.
As Jane and Mr. Bingley spoke in whispers, Elizabeth finished her contemplation only to glance up and spy Mr. Darcy walking past the open door. He did not look into the bedroom but kept his gaze forward towards his aim. Elizabeth smiled to herself at his handsome profile, then remembered she was still angry with the man.
“I am overjoyed for you both! To think, I shall finally have a brother!” Elizabeth reached her hands forward to clasp her sister’s, then drew back as she remembered her injury. Offering her sister a bright smile, Jane nodded in understanding of Elizabeth’s plight and instead offered an embrace. Elizabeth addressed Mr. Bingley over Jane’s shoulder. “If the fog lifts this afternoon, we might all go to Longbourn this very day and you can speak with Papa.”
Mr. Bingley’s affable smile faltered at Miss Elizabeth’s prediction of their near future plans. “I am afraid Mr. Darcy has reported the ground is much too soft for any equipage. That was the errand I had sent him on before he encountered you.”
Elizabeth could not hide the look of disappointment from her face as Jane pulled back and reassured Mr. Bingley they would be happy to stay another night. All Elizabeth could think of was having to endure Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley’s company for yet another night. Just the prospect of such a future began to bring on the symptoms of a headache.
“Perhaps I should remain in my rooms to recover from my fall this morning.”
“Oh no, Elizabeth Marie, you are not so injured as to insult Mr. Bingley with your absence.” Jane surprisingly admonished her sister in a sharp tone.
NEW RELEASE
For the Love of a Bennet
What if Elizabeth Bennet traveled with Lydia to Brighton?
A reimagining of Jane Austen’s most beloved tale, Pride & Prejudice, join author Elizabeth Ann West as she writes the romantic adventure story she always wanted! When Lizzy and Lydia arrive in Brighton, it’s very clear that the younger Bennet sister came with very serious plans towards Mr. Wickham. Thankfully, an old ally is also in town, with problems of his own to solve. After Mr. Darcy, himself, is summoned to Brighton to hopefully solve two dilemmas with one wealthy member of the gentry, the whole militia is thrown into an uproar by Wickham’s most dastardly deed, yet. Together, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy have to save Lydia from her own undoing, or it will mean more than just mere reputations are ruined.
For the Love of a Bennet is a novel length story, currently being posted chapter by chapter on Elizabeth’s author site. This story was originally conceptualized in 2019 as a part of the All Go to Brighton challenge.
Chapter 5 (cont'd) - To Capture Mr. Darcy, a Pride and Prejudice Variation
“If Miss Elizabeth should need to rest, I am certain I might make her apologies for the remainder of the day. Though it would be a shame to miss her sonnet recitation.” Mr. Bingley sighed to feign an actual disappointment over his beloved’s sister planning to remove herself from the general company for the day.
“Sonnet recitation?”
“Indeed. I was just explaining to Jane that Caroline has requested we all select a sonnet to recite this evening after dinner. I was reluctant at first, but even Darcy will participate. I suspect the exercise will be highly diverting!” Mr. Bingley took Jane’s hand to bow over it and kissed the top.
As Jane giggled over Mr. Bingley’s attentions, Elizabeth began to feel guilty. As soon as Caroline Bingley learned of the engagement, there was certain to be a new approach in her attitude towards Jane. Having spent their visit in a friendless state among the Bingley sisters, Elizabeth felt inspired to rise to the occasion.
“If it will please you, Jane, then I shall be happy to select a sonnet for performance.”
“If you are recovered, might we go down to the drawing room and enjoy the afternoon light? Charles, do you enjoy cribbage?” Jane asked earnestly of her intended as she took his arm.
“Remind me, is that the game where we add to twenty-one or thirty-one?”
“Thirty-one,” Elizabeth offered as she walked around the couple in the hallway. “I shall join you in the drawing room after I visit the library. I can memorize my sonnet while you play cards.” Elizabeth did not add that she also knew there was no possible way for Mr. Darcy to be in the library since it appeared he had walked towards his rooms. Elizabeth aimed to find the copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets and retreat to the relative safety of Jane and Bingley’s company as soon as she was able.
A gentle nod was the only acknowledgment Elizabeth Bennet received from her sister as she left their company on her mission. In spite of her small pangs of jealousy, Elizabeth was truly happy for Jane and relieved that her sister might make a match with a man she so greatly admired. Any months Miss Bingley was away on holiday, Elizabeth would be pleased to visit her sister and new brother, assuming, of course, their father agreed to the match. Though for the life of her, Elizabeth could not imagine her father denying Jane such a worthy suitor, other than perhaps consideration of the abject misery her mother would put the family through as the banns were read.
Elizabeth reached the library and entered the room, calling out to see if anyone was present. Receiving no response, she breathed a sigh of relief and began her search.
Darcy entered his suite to interrupt his man, Arnold, polishing his riding boots. The servant who had been with Fitzwilliam since his school days, and son of the valet for Darcy’s father, set aside his task and glanced up at the sound of the door opening.
“May I help you, sir?” Arnold’s keen eye inspected his master from head to toe and spotted an obvious problem with the state of his trousers. Carefully setting the polished boot and brush on a white cloth in front of him, Mr. Arnold hastened to the wardrobe to find a suitable replacement.
Darcy stroked his mostly clean-shaven cheek with the back of his knuckles as he stood ready to change his attire. “I have right ruined things with Miss Elizabeth.”
The valet who enjoyed a more personal relationship with his master than others of his profession offered his willing ear for the relief of Mr. Darcy’s burden. “Is that how you injured your knee?”
Darcy looked down at his bare legs to see what Arnold referred to as an injury. He had not only managed to rip his trousers, but also broken the skin on his right knee. A trickle of dried blood ran halfway down his shin. Darcy laughed at himself that he had not even felt the pain from the injury from being so distracted by concern for Elizabeth.
Arnold stood and fetched a damp cloth from the basin. Frowning as he inspected the wound, he dabbed the cloth around the injury and cleaned it of debris and blood. The scab held; there did not appear to be a need for stitches.
“I find myself so utterly tongue-tied when in her company. I have never lost my ability to string two coherent thoughts together as much as I have this past week. And even when I attempt to compliment her I somehow manage to insult!” Darcy’s frustrations made Arnold’s job slightly more difficult as the great man did not hold still during his rant.
Arnold nodded at his master’s assessment of the situation, long privy to the daily ups and downs Mr. Darcy endured with the first lady to capture his affections. Not that Arnold would ever say such, but the recounts of Miss Elizabeth’s set downs for his master already endeared the young lady to the valet’s heart as well. His master perfectly exemplified all a valet could ask for and more. But in the years since his father’s death, no small amount of pride and ego had naturally grafted to Mr. Darcy’s personality as he lacked any sort of challenge in his daily life.
“Perhaps the lady would appreciate a token? A letter? You would not be the first suitor to find difficulty in courting with words, sir.”
Darcy sighed as he obliged his valet with physical assistance to restore his attire with a new set of trousers. “I have never been the pursuer. Always the pursued.”
As Darcy checked his reflection in the mirror for assurance there was nothing else amiss with his costume, his valet frowned behind him.
“Speak freely, Arnold. If you have an idea I am eager to consider it.”
Arnold tapped his finger to his mouth as he appeared to weigh an idea in his mind. Darcy waited a few minutes more for his valet to speak before he finally turned and glared at the man in expectation.
Arnold held his hands up in mock surrender. ”I do not mean to overstep my place, but in your experiences of being the pursued, what types of behavior have you abhorred and which have you enjoyed?”
“I do not enjoy when ladies fawn over me, fuss over me, or start inane conversations over subject matters I have no interest in…” Darcy’s eyes widened as he realized as he spoke about the behaviors he himself could not abide, he had just listed the same behaviors he had subjected Miss Elizabeth to! “Arnold, you are a far bit smarter than the average valet.”
Arnold smiled at his master and returned to his previous task of polishing Mr. Darcy’s riding boots. “I do try, sir.”
“I need the copy of sonnets I brought with me from London. Where are my books?”
Arnold suddenly faltered in his task.
“What? Where is my copy of Shakespeare?”
Arnold gulped and closed his eyes briefly. “I gave your copy to Miss Bingley, sir. She stopped here this morning, not long after you left, and told me you had instructed her to fetch the sonnets for a performance this evening.”
Darcy pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew Arnold’s loyalty to him never faltered, but sometimes he wished the man was not quite so fastidious in his decorum when they travelled. He could hardly blame the man for denying the hostess of the house her request for one of his books.
“Do you think it likely I would loan my book to Miss Bingley?”
“No, sir, but I did not believe I should accuse her of lying, either. I planned to tell you of it this afternoon when you came to dress for dinner since I heard from the staff the ground was still too wet for riding.”
Darcy’s vein in the side of his forehead bulged as he once more felt powerless to thwart Bingley’s sister in her aims. And although he had most of Sonnet 116 committed to memory, he would not wish to misspeak in front of Elizabeth.
“I will find the sonnet in the library. Bingley must have copies in this house. I cannot imagine the Kemp family took every copy of sonnets on the premises when they left.”
“Aye, sir. Do you want me to ask a maid to search Miss Bingley’s rooms?”
“No, that is not necessary. With any luck, Miss Bingley is not in the library awaiting my presence and I can slip in and out without being accosted.”
Arnold nodded as his master left him to finish his chores. Spitting again on the boot to help with shine, Arnold wished he could observe Miss Elizabeth with his master but such a joy would have to wait until they made a match. In the meantime, Arnold hummed as he felt quite jolly at the idea of Mr. Darcy finally taking a wife. The man needed a distraction from always working and worrying over his younger sister, Miss Darcy.
Elizabeth began to feel a frantic anxiety overcome her person. Sweat beaded on her forehead and she swiped at her hair, a consequence of her exercise in the search for a copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets. All she managed to locate was a collection of his plays and briefly considered a monologue from either A Midsummer Night’s Dream or her favorite,Twelfth Night, when the sound of the door opening alerted that her time alone had come to an end.
Her lips were pressed into a firm line of disapproval when it was none other than Mr. Darcy standing in the entryway with an expression of fear on his face. Involuntarily, Elizabeth began to feel incensed over how he had walked past her sister’s bedroom where she was receiving aid for her injuries and did not stop and inquire as to how her hands fared. She had no words for the man as she began to walk towards him in order to leave the library and rejoin Jane and Mr. Bingley.
“Miss Elizabeth, I humbly ask for a moment of your time. I promise to neither assault nor insult you . . . to the best of my humble ability.”
The poor man’s words in a solemn vow sparked Elizabeth’s curiosity as to what he could say after all the two of them had been through. Her curiosity being a much stronger personality trait then her ability to hold a grudge, Elizabeth winced as she placed her injured hands on her hips, then stubbornly left them there so as not to reveal her pain.
“I will hear what you have to say, sir, but I warn you I expect your discourse with me to be that of a gentleman and nothing less.”
Feeling self-conscious as he stood in the doorway, Darcy motioned with his hand to the two chairs by the fire. Elizabeth followed his direction and shrugged her shoulders. Remembering her discomfort when they were playing chess, Mr. Darcy moved the same urn to prop open the door as he had the other day.
Elizabeth beat him to the pair of matching chairs situated cozily by the fire, feeling herself chilled despite a wave of warmth washing over her body. The pain in her hands ceased as she was no longer applying pressure to her palms. When she sat down to await his company, she frowned as her nerves suddenly gave her a rare craving for some sort of employment.
“First, I most humbly and sincerely apologize for the words I have spoken regarding your person that were of an unkind nature. I was angry with Bingley at the assembly, and though it was you I most horrifically insulted, I can truly say the comment would have been said about any lady he pointed out that evening.”
The solemnity of Mr. Darcy’s full apology made Elizabeth uncomfortable. Wishing to lighten the mood, she flashed Mr. Darcy a warm smile. “Even Miss Bingley?”
Darcy froze as her tease threw him from his plans of groveling and begging for forgiveness. How could the woman have been so angry with him before and now make jests? “I cannot say what I would have said to Charles if he had pointed to Miss Bingley, because I cannot imagine he would ever ask me for my thoughts about his sister. However, I also cannot logically profess I would have refused to dance with her since I did stand up a set with her at that very assembly.” Mr. Darcy hoped his honesty would count for something with Miss Elizabeth.
“So it is your habit to only insult women you are not acquainted with, as I am to understand it?”
Darcy’s eyes widened as his own anger began to rise in his chest. “And you madam, do you always rake your friends over the coals when they attempt an apology?”
“My friends know me well enough that when they have truly committed a transgression, I am not the sort to let them easily off the hook. You, sir, were most careless with your words and observations on numerous occasions since I have been in this household. That I am a lady with a firm head upon my shoulders to not dissemble at every insult does not lessen your crimes.”
“My crimes? When you so willfully misunderstand me at every turn and think the worst!” Darcy ran his hand through his hair, finding the very beautiful face of Elizabeth Bennet surrounded by the fire’s glow on one side an absolute torture to his better senses.
Elizabeth began to feel she was pushing the man further than any other acquaintance had ever before. Part of her wished to see how far she might push the illustrious Mr. Darcy into admitting his own culpability, but another part of her ached to see his difficulty over learning how powerful his words truly were. Briefly, Elizabeth closed her eyes and took a deep breath to begin again.
“I admit that my attempts to sketch your character have been grossly colored by a prejudice against you due to the assembly. I suppose if I might erase that first poor impression, many times you have been a complete gentleman in my company, even going so far as to show concern for my welfare.”
Darcy held his breath, waiting to see if she would continue. But she did not. Neither did she make a move to rise from her chair as a signal that their business was done. He followed her example and took a deep breath himself. “I ask this question with the most honorable intentions. Have you enjoyed any of our time together?”
The direct question caught Elizabeth by surprise. Her face could not hide the many emotions of delight and confusion she felt when she reflected upon the time they had spent together. If she was honest with herself, Fitzwilliam Darcy fascinated her in a way no other gentleman of her acquaintance had ever managed to accomplish. Yet the prospect of falling in love with Mr. Darcy was not one Elizabeth was prepared to accept. She believed in love, but she was not so certain of it occurring at first sight as the poets were quick to assert. As Elizabeth licked her lips, Darcy’s heart skipped a beat.
“A direct question deserves a direct answer. Yes, I have enjoyed our chess games and some of our discussions. I have learned to not be so quick to judge another person.” She blushed as she looked down at her injured hands for some form of penance in being so open with a man in a private setting. “Our philosophies on life do align in many unexpected ways.”
“And would you–”
“There you are!” Caroline Bingley appeared in the library holding two books in her hand. As she walked around the table with an ancient Bible atop it, her plastered smile melted as she spied Mr. Darcy sitting in a much too casual position in relation to Miss Elizabeth. “Again, Mr. Darcy, you seem bent on being unfair sir.”
“And what is your charge this time, Miss Bingley?” Mr. Darcy asked flatly, noticing that Elizabeth smirked out of the corner of his eye when he turned to look at Bingley’s younger sister. “What have I done to displease you, madam?”
Caroline’s jaw dropped in mock shock as she held up the books and wiggled them. “You said you would practice your sonnets in your suite and yet here I find you in the library with Miss Eliza. I can only conclude the two of you are preparing for tonight’s performance. You certainly could not be doing anything more…” Caroline glared at Elizabeth Bennet as if to chastise her for being alone with Mr. Darcy, when Caroline herself held no greater desire than to be in Elizabeth’s very position with the man.
“Funny you should ask, but I would indeed be in my rooms choosing a sonnet as you have directed if only my copy of the Bard’s writings were not removed this very morning from my trunks.”
“Did someone steal your book, Mr. Darcy? I should hope not, the staff here have given me no reason to believe they might be thieves.” Elizabeth glared at Miss Bingley, turning the tables on her hostess for the earlier insinuation that Elizabeth was in the wrong for merely sitting in a chair in the library with the doors wide open.
“It slipped my mind this morning at breakfast.” Caroline looked to Mr. Darcy to imply an intimacy that had not existed in fact, “I retrieved your copy of the sonnets from your valet, expecting you would wish to practice with my first invitation.”
As much as Elizabeth did not wish to aid and encourage Caroline Bingley, neither did she wish to continue her conversation with Mr. Darcy, feeling that the two of them were on a stable ground to start a friendship. Knowing how volatile their conversations tended to become, even worse with the catalyst of Caroline’s barbs, Elizabeth realized an opportunity to escape. Even though she knew it would sacrifice Mr. Darcy on her behalf. “Miss Bingley, since you only have two copies, would you be willing to let me have one so that I might work on my sonnet with Jane and Mr. Bingley? You and Mr. Darcy can work together with his copy of the sonnets,” Elizabeth suggested.
“We could share my copy –” Darcy began before he was interrupted by Miss Bingley seizing the deal of the century.
Caroline hastily thrust the Netherfield copy into Elizabeth’s hands the second she rose from the chair, making the petite woman suck in her breath at the refreshed pain in her hands. Assuming it to be Elizabeth realizing her mistake, Caroline paid no mind and quickly curtsied with a simple nod as she took Elizabeth’s place in the chair still warm from its previous occupant.
As Elizabeth began to walk away clutching a copy of the sonnets to her breast with her forearms instead of her palms, she had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing aloud as Caroline’s shrill voice began to instruct Mr. Darcy on how they should practice their sonnets.
Briefly, she looked over her shoulder at the poor man she had just sentenced to Miss Bingley’s company and was not surprised to see his stony glare meet her eyes. Unsure of what had come over her, Elizabeth Bennet winked at the socially awkward man from Derbyshire and her own heart felt an irregular pitter patter when Fitzwilliam Darcy rewarded her with a full, charming smile.
Finding herself surprised at how the man could make her feel without any words at all, Elizabeth’s nervous energy filtered down to her feet and carried her quickly out of the room. With any luck, she would not see Mr. Darcy until dinner and then the exciting event of the sonnets.
You’ve been reading To Capture Mr. Darcy
Nature’s a fickle thing. When four days of rain occur earlier in Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice to trap Jane and Elizabeth Bennet at Netherfield Park, new romances, misunderstandings, and alignments are made. Volatile tempers never did well cooped up together. Not even when there’s a chessboard to help pass the time.
Fall in love with the romance of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet all over again in this new variation by author Elizabeth Ann West. A stand-alone novel of over 300 pages in paperback, this story is sure to make you sigh and swoon many times over!
To Capture Mr. Darcy a Pride and Prejudice novel variation series
Release Date: April 28, 2016
334 pages in print.
+ 23 additional Pride & Prejudice variations are available at these fine retailers . . .
A Jane-of-all-trades, mistress to none! Elizabeth Ann West is the author of 8 novels and 11 novellas, 18 of which are story variations of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.