I used to HATE talking to my Dad when I knew he was disappointed in me. Ugh, it’s the worst! 🙂Â
XOXO Elizabeth Ann West
Chapter 10- If Mr. Darcy Dared
Unfortunately for Elizabeth Bennet, the morning after the ball the majority of her family remained abed until well into the late morning. All except for her father.
Sitting alone at the table to break their fasts, Elizabeth wondered why her father still said nary a word to her apart from when he left to return the Byng carriage. As she spread marmalade along a crust of bread, she finally surrendered.
Dropping her knife with a clatter to her dish to seize her father’s attention, Elizabeth finally confessed. “I do so wish you might scold me and have it over with.”
She wrung her hands in her lap as she gazed at her half prepared toast. A dollop of the orange jam slowly slid down the blunt tool towards the handle. Elizabeth studied the progress until her father finished his sip of coffee and addressed her directly.
“And what should I scold you for, daughter? When we left the carriage with your aunt and uncle, I was under the impression that you did not like Mr. Darcy.” When the words came out of his mouth, Lizzy suddenly turned to her father looking as though she might protest, but she said nothing. Pursing his lips, Mr. Bennet continued in hopes of eliciting some intelligence from his favorite daughter.
“Imagine my surprise in not seeing my ferocious Lizzy holding her own in a ballroom, but a simpering maiden looking for rescue. I am perplexed. I do not know if I should force you to marry Mr. Darcy or send you packing to a long-lost relative.” Mr. Bennet performed the lines that any father in his situation might be expected to say. He did so with such a tone of gentleness, the only sign of distress in the room was Elizabeth sitting in her chair, refusing to meet her father’s eye.
Chapter 10 - If Mr. Darcy Dared (cont'd)
Glaring at his daughter’s silent form, Mr. Bennet began to feel incensed. Wails and pouts he could handle; cries and giggles were a daily companion. But a daughter refusing even to speak to him, this new territory did not please the relaxed master of Longbourn. He calmly pushed back his chair and rose to stare out at the morning mist covering his land. With his back to Lizzy, the nearly broken man expressed his challenges with the momentous events of the previous evening.
“Neither possibility gives me joy, Elizabeth.” Mr. Bennet sighed. “As I see no result but that I should lose my favorite daughter with no recompense for my sacrifice.”
Her father’s sardonic wit made Elizabeth stifle a laugh, and finally, she trusted her voice to speak.
“If you are waiting for me to suggest another solution, I’m afraid I feel much like you, Papa. I do not know if Mr. Darcy will even come to visit. It is as you said. He acted very impulsively last evening and I am afraid that none of the romance and enchantment of a ballroom survives a dawn’s light,” Elizabeth said bitterly.
Her father clasped his hands behind his back and wheeled around on his heel.
“And when did you become such a shrew?”
Elizabeth startled and struggled to find a response. Her father raised an eyebrow as he took a few gallant steps towards the table and beamed at his daughter with pride.
“I’m afraid I do not catch your meaning. I am doing my best to behave as a rational creature!” Elizabeth looked down at her skirt, smoothing the fabric over her thighs with her palms.
“Aha!” Her father shouted and Elizabeth startled in her chair as he leaned over the back of his own. “You do not have an answer! And that is all that is fine in the world!”
Elizabeth cocked her head to one side in bewilderment, unable to follow her father’s words. Thankfully, he somewhat clarified his position, though what he meant by how her lack of answer improved the situation remained cloaked.
“It is nothing your mother would approve, but so long as I am master of this house, you shall not want for a place of love and security,” he shared in a conspiratorial whisper.
Reeling from the conflicted emotions she felt about Mr. Darcy and the prospect of leaving her father, Elizabeth felt the all-too-familiar sensation of oncoming tears. But she bit her lower lip and held them at bay.
“And so Mama?” Elizabeth asked, not daring to finish the question.
Mr. Bennet stood more erect and rocked his weight from his toes to his heels as he considered his daughter’s face. Slowly, he shook his head. “Your mother is operating under the misconception that I will force you to marry Mr. Darcy.”
“I see.”
Chapter 10 - If Mr. Darcy Dared (cont'd)
“And I have no intention of disabusing her of that assumption until you are absolutely certain, Elizabeth, that he is not the match for you.” Mr. Bennet finished, attracting Elizabeth’s attention.
“But, Papa, I thought you just said –”
“Indeed, Elizabeth Bennet, I did.” Mr. Bennet held up his hands in mock surrender. Clucking his tongue, he considered his daughter’s face, the spitting image of his elder sister who sadly did not survive the birth of her second child. His daughter was his dearly departed sister’s namesake, a memory he cherished every time his Lizzy confronted him.
“My powers do not afford me the ability to see the future. And I am of the mind but Mr. Darcy may not be so poor of a match in wit, but in temperament. You certainly would not want for any bobble or jewel.”
Elizabeth gulped and reached for her tea, as her mouth suddenly became very dry.
“I do not consider his wealth to be reason enough to accept his suit,” she said tersely.
Mr. Bennet pulled out his chair and resumed his seat. He reached over to pull the previous evening’s post closer so he might inspect the top headline. “But you should, at least, consider it,” Mr. Bennet said before turning and looking at his daughter. He was rewarded with a look from her that signaled a return of the fiery person he often debated in his study. “Hear me out, and afford your old father a chance to display his many years of wisdom and age. Whatever you choose, to marry Mr. Darcy or to accept the consequences of his public favors, do so only after you have weighed and measured the man’s faults and merits.”
“He is not a horse, Papa.” Elizabeth said, feeling the sourness of her stomach burn her insides. She picked up her knife and finished spreading the marmalade before taking a bite. She chewed even though the bread tasted too tart and without bringing her its customary sense of familiarity. Face puckered, she took another sip of tea, but continued to eat just the same.
Mr. Bennet opened his mouth to respond, but another daughter of his entered the breakfast room followed closely by Mr. Collins. As much as he wished to caution Elizabeth to consider Mr. Darcy might have positive characteristics to offer, he would not further humiliate her in front of the puffed up pigeon that was his heir presumptive. The discussion would have to continue at a later time.
For Elizabeth’s part, she hastily finished her toast, and found reason to quit the breakfast table without so much as having to utter even a pleasantry to Mr. Collins. If confusion and frustration clouded her thoughts about Mr. Darcy, violence and discord colored them about Mr. Collins.
You’ve been reading . . . If Mr. Darcy Dared, a work in progress by Elizabeth Ann West.
Available for Preorder now!
If Mr. Darcy Dared
a Pride and Prejudice variation novel
Direct Preorder Release Date: March 23, 2018
Wide preorder: March 30, 2018
As Charles Bingley and Fitzwilliam Darcy prepare for the Netherfield Ball, a gentlemen’s challenge develops between them to secure their future happiness . . . with the two eldest Bennet sisters! But when things do not go as expected for Mr. Darcy, Hertfordshire society is in an uproar over the pursuit of one of their favorite daughters by such a wealthy gentleman.Â
Despite being claimed by Mr. Darcy as his future bride, Elizabeth Bennet has no plans to wed the proud and disdainful Mr. Darcy, no matter what her father says! At her sister’s urging, she agrees to give him a chance, if only for Jane’s sake. But there are others with an interest in breaking a match between Fitzwilliam Darcy and some country miss. . .
The stakes are high and romance strong as two of Jane Austen’s most beloved characters dare to declare their feelings, dare to defy family, and dare to trust each other!
If Mr. Darcy Dared is a steamy romance for fans of Elizabeth Ann West’s other works, especially those readers who love their drama cranked to a ten!Â
Available March 30th on these fine vendors (more added as links become available)
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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.
So Mr Bennet won’t force a marriage. He doesn’t want to lose his Lizzy. He needs to look at what is best for Elizabeth and the rest of the family.
Mr. Bennet does not seem happy that the time has come when he may lose Elizabeth in marriage but although he likes Darcy’s wealth, he does not think he is worthy of her so is loath to part with Elizabeth and struggles to hold onto her.
So Mr. Bennet does not want to lose his Elizabeth. I hope Mr. Bennet does not consider Mr. Collins.
I apologize if this is too late, but where you say “bobble,” I think you meant “bauble.”
I’m enjoying this story very much!