This scene was hilarious to write….
XOXO Elizabeth Ann West
Chapter 9- If Mr. Darcy Dared
Hazy grays of dawn punctuated with the pinks and oranges of a rising sun filled the sky as two soldiers bumbled their way down the road. Teasing one another over the relative beauty of their various dance partners, Lieutenant Denny and Captain Carter continued to pepper each other with the frustrations they both felt. Too much dance and drink had caused them both to miss the wagon. By the time they realized the rest of the regiment had left, not even a friendly ride in a carriage was available, leaving no choice but to walk the five miles, in the dark, back to their camp.
“But you are the lucky one, Denny; you managed to dance with Miss Bennet. She was by far the prettiest in the room,” Captain Carter said.
“Fortune favors the bold; you should have asked her to dance soon, Carter.”
Captain Carter gave Denny another playful shove. “I should’ve had a set with her if that Mr. Bingley had not selfishly claimed the third set. Who ever heard of dancing three times with the same partner?” Carter complained as he kicked a stone down the way.
Denny matched him by kicking another stone, further down the lane.
For a time, they engaged in a contest of kicking rocks, scuffing their boots without thinking about the polishing they’d both have to do later. When they finally reached a crest in the road, down the hill they could make out the telltale shapes of the white tents for the regiment. There were not so many more yards to walk before they’d reach the outskirts of camp.
“Miss Bennet held no eyes for me, that I can assure you. But her sister, Kitty, I’m sorry, Miss Catherine, I daresay I enjoyed both sets that I was lucky enough to procure.” Denny couldn’t help but look to the east where he knew Longbourn lay. Mrs. Bennet had implored both gentlemen to call upon the estate at any such time that they may have liberty to do so. It was an invitation that Lieutenant Denny intended to exercise.
“But you must not be too taken by any of the Bennets, they say. They are all penniless.” The Captain warned his comrade of gossip he had come across from a local, a Sir Lucas he thought, but didn’t name the man in case as he was in his cups the memory was mistaken.
“Penniless? That cannot be, for any dowry at all is much more than this poor soldier’s wage!” Denny joked as they approached Lieutenant Wickham slumped against a tree trunk, fast asleep. Denny put his finger to his lips and he and Captain Carter tiptoed to the young lieutenant.
Chapter 9 - If Mr. Darcy Dared (cont'd)
“THE FRENCH ARE ATTACKING!” Captain Carter shouted just in Wickham’s ear causing the poor man to jolt awake, grab his musket and turn around to run behind the tree.
Lieutenant Denny and Captain Carter began to howl with laughter as Wickham came to his senses and peeked around the tree at his two pranksters.
“Oh ho, very funny. You take no pity on the poor soul who had to remain here all night while you two enjoyed your night of frivolity.” Wickham sniffed and drew himself to a tall attention just in case the Colonel or anyone else was awakened by the commotion.
He had managed to stay awake until the wagon of soldiers returned, and assuming all had been aboard, George Wickham had carefully calculated it was a safe time for him to catch forty winks. He had not counted on any stragglers walking back.
“So is that what you will do? When Old Bony comes ashore, run behind a tree?” Denny asked, raising an eyebrow at the friend he had convinced to sign up with him for the local militia. It was a good wage, something to do, and three meals a day. Plus, it would keep them home in England. Everyone knew his Lordship who funded their regiment would keep them back to protect from invaders.
Wickham tilted his chin in Captain Carter’s direction as he pulled out his snuff box, signaling that he would care to participate in the nasty habit. The two men snorted and wiped their noses with the backs of their coat sleeves.
Denny turned away, not interested in making his nose bleed and run with unmentionable fluids when one least wished it to do so. He looked back when Wickham offered his excuses.
“No, I knew it was the two of you. I just wanted to give you a good laugh, that’s all. How are you two so late? Does Colonel Forster know you missed the wagon?” Wickham asked, hinting there was a mutual destruction forming between them. If they tattled on Wickham being asleep at his post, he would have to tell the Colonel that the two of them had to walk back. Without another word about the matter, all three men made eye contact to signify they understood each other and no formal pact of concealment was necessary.
Chapter 9 - If Mr. Darcy Dared (cont'd)
“You picked a poor night to take guard duty. We almost didn’t have a ball at all! At least, not after Mr. Darcy kissed Elizabeth Bennet.”
Wickham put the butt of his musket on the ground and leaned slightly on the weapon like a walking stick, with the barrel pointed away from him.
“Mr. Darcy of Pemberley? You say he kissed Miss Elizabeth?”
Denny picked up the tin of rations by Wickham’s tree and opened it up to find the canteen of ale. Helping himself to a swig as it had been a long walk, he wiped his lips and nodded.
“Aye, middle of the second set even. Got into some kind a scuffle of sorts with her cousin. Next thing everyone knew, she was in his arms and he was kissing her full on the mouth!” Captain Carter related the scene, then taking over from Denny with the canteen. The two late soldiers shared a mutual laugh as they both had lived the event. George Wickham just stood there dumbstruck with his mouth open.
“Are they to marry?” Wickham asked to the shrugs of his fellow soldiers.
“Nobody knows, but her father grabbed them both and had them out of the ballroom in a hurry. Then the music started back up and we all had to dance again. Nothing more was said about it. Strangest ball I’ve ever been to.” Captain Carter explained with Denny nodding. Both men shared a yawn as George tried to ask more questions that they didn’t know the answers to.
“What about Miss Elizabeth? Did she ask about me? Did anyone wonder where I was?” Wickham asked earnestly, receiving more laughter from his friends.
Lieutenant Denny shook his head as he and Captain Carter began to walk away to catch some sleep themselves.
“I did not hear Miss Elizabeth ask anything about you, but her sister, Miss Lydia, did.” Denny turned and answered, walking backwards to keep up with Carter towards the camp. “I think she must’ve asked me three or four times. Anytime that I danced with her,” he said, rubbing salt into poor Wickham’s wounded pride. When he finished, the two were too far away to hear anymore of Wickham’s questions, not that they wished to keep speaking after such a long night.
George Wickham remained at his post as he still had to stand another four hours of duty. Neither one of them had bothered to warn him that the Bennets were penniless, as neither one of them thought that anyone could be serious about the youngest Bennet daughter in the first place. But the intelligence of the ball had given Mr. Wickham much to think about as he resumed a seat under his tree, whistling to himself and fully awake.
You’ve been reading . . . If Mr. Darcy Dared, a work in progress by Elizabeth Ann West.
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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.
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!
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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.
Oh dear, now Wickham is plotting on how to get money from Darcy.
great story
Cant wait for another chapter
My almost favorite part was Mr. Bennett and Lizzy leaving the ball in Monica and Chandler Byng’s carriage. I really had a good laugh. Thank you Elizabeth Ann West.
Wickham already disgruntled at not attending the ball has just heard from Denny and Carter about Darcy kissing Elizabeth. Wonder what despicable plot he will dream up to revenge himself on Darcy as his jealousy of Darcy increases
Oh no, Wickham is most likely thinking of an evil plan to hurt Darcy.