{"id":6382,"date":"2020-05-12T08:52:12","date_gmt":"2020-05-12T12:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/?p=6382"},"modified":"2021-12-17T12:50:19","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T17:50:19","slug":"chapter-1-mr-darcy-presents-his-wife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wip\/chapter-1-mr-darcy-presents-his-wife\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 1 Mr. Darcy Presents His Wife"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Many of my stories are what I call, frankenbooks. They begin as one length idea, or story idea, and I get in there writing and . . . the characters have other ideas! My job is often just trying to capture what the characters are doing in my head. This story WAS supposed to just be a quick, Christmasy sexy novella. Christmas came and went. Still, I felt determined to finish it and worked to get it to 19,000 words without an end in sight.<\/p>\n

I paused, stepped back, and realized Elizabeth and Darcy want a whole novel length sequel to their tale in Pride and Prejudice<\/em>. This is how Mr. Darcy’s Twelfth Night<\/em> is now\u00a0Mr. Darcy Presents His Wife,\u00a0<\/em>a title that winks to 2 of my favorite straight sequels. I took down the chapters that were up of Mr. Darcy’s Twelfth Night<\/em> and they will get an adjustment to match this section of the story when I connect them.<\/p>\n

I am BACK to writing 3,000-6,000 words per day, and my longtime editor is going chapter by chapter as I finish them. Buckle up for a wild ride as I am aiming to have this book OUT (no preorder sadly except a direct one) before the end of May<\/del> June.\u00a0 Please do leave a comment, as those always spur me on to write FASTER! Here. We. Go!<\/p>\n\n

XOXOXO Elizabeth Ann West<\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Chapter 1 - Mr. Darcy Presents His Wife, a Pride and Prejudice Sequel Romance Novel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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“My mother imparted advice this morning I feel honor bound to share. In her estimation, there is no occasion for talking to you, except just now and then,” Elizabeth Bennet declared a few moments into a trek to Oakham Mount. The morning after she and Mr. Darcy came to an understanding, the only family member aware of their betrothal was her sister Jane. Fearful of her earlier protestations about the man’s character, Elizabeth had thus far avoided telling either of her parents. Even Jane had struggled to comprehend how such a romance had occurred; she was convinced her younger sister despised Mr. Darcy.<\/span><\/p>

The remaining discretion led directly to the two couples, Jane and her Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth with her Mr. Darcy, to be sent without concern by Mrs. Bennet on an hours’ long hike to spy the surrounding countryside from the highest vantage point. Neither Bennet daughter felt motivation to apprise their parents of Elizabeth’s engagement before leaving for their walk with their beaus.<\/span><\/p>

Hearing Elizabeth’s words, Mr. Darcy slowed their pace so that Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet could continue ahead of them. Elizabeth grew intrigued by his behavior, but as her sister didn’t seem to mind the two couples placing separation between them not even a quarter mile from Longbourn, she said nothing. The chill of October occupied Elizabeth’s thoughts. She wondered with a small tinge of regret how both she and Jane might have found happiness much earlier if she had accepted Mr. Darcy’s hand in the springtime when he had first proposed in Kent instead of just the day prior.<\/span><\/p>

She contented her mind’s concern by remembering that all things must happen in their proper time. She possessed little knowledge six months ago to esteem the man she would now accept as her husband. She beamed up at him, trying to offer sympathy for her mother’s rudeness. To her surprise, Mr. Darcy did not appear offended in the least.<\/span><\/p>

“I believe your mother has improved considerably in my estimation with such sage advice.”<\/span><\/p>

Confused, Elizabeth gawked at the man who, in his proposal six months ago, savagely critiqued her family’s manners. “I do not mean to impugn your honor, but surely you jest,” she replied. A branch crunched under her boot as Mr. Darcy suddenly tugged her towards a copse of evergreen trees just off the path. She quickened her steps to follow him, her curiosity piqued. There wasn’t a moment this man failed to surprise her.<\/span><\/p>

When he paused, he settled Elizabeth’s hand against his chest and held it\u00a0 gently. He closed his eyes and walked towards her, forcing her to take a step back against a tree trunk. He raised their clasped hands and brushed the bottom of her chin to encourage her to tilt her gaze up at him. Then he bent down, and pressed his lips against hers.<\/span><\/p>

A kiss, stolen in the bereft woodland, gave both delicious shivers from head to toe. Mr. Darcy kissed her more urgently, allowing his tongue to gently tempt her to open her mouth, and when she did, they experienced the first delightful tangle of their persons. A heat began to spread through Elizabeth’s body as she clasped Mr. Darcy’s hands even tighter, utterly startled by the intensity of desire she felt for a man just two days ago she would have claimed a mere acquaintance.<\/span><\/p>

Breaking away reluctantly, Mr. Darcy leaned his head above hers, as their difference in heights allowed, keeping her embraced between himself and the protection of the trees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“Forgive me,” he said, breathlessly. “I have wished to kiss you for months.”<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Weekly chapter alerts, news, and other happy tidings! Join my mailing list!<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Chapter 1 (cont'd) - Mr. Darcy Presents His Wife, a Pride and Prejudice Sequel Romance Novel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Elizabeth smiled as she inhaled the mixture of the crisp, cool air and Mr. Darcy’s scent with hints of sandalwood. She recognized the manly musk from colognes her uncle and father used, and from shopping for them with her aunt on her visits to London. The safety of Mr. Darcy’s arms was a new sensation entirely, one of comfort and security – a feeling she had not known since she was a much younger girl often raised to her father’s shoulders so she could see far ahead when they visited Meryton.<\/span><\/p>

Reluctantly, Mr. Darcy stepped back, and Elizabeth immediately tugged on the lapels of his coat, an encouragement he scarcely needed to swoop in and kiss his future bride once more. This time, it was Elizabeth’s tongue that did the urging, and he found a woman’s genuine attraction to his person almost more than he could bear. His mind raced at the thought of mere kisses igniting his baser instincts that as a gentleman, he took great pride in keeping under good regulation.<\/span><\/p>

After a flurry of additional kisses, Mr. Darcy did indeed step away, leaving Elizabeth fully aware of the loss of warmth their bodies in proximity had offered. He paced while Elizabeth leaned her head against the tree.<\/span><\/p>

“We must tell your father, at once,” Mr. Darcy said, suddenly flexing his hands as though to test their grip.<\/span><\/p>

“We shall. And my mother,” Elizabeth said, and Mr. Darcy froze in his tracks. He looked at her. She clarified. “I shall tell my mother.” He responded with a single nod in agreement.<\/span><\/p>

Inhaling deeply, Mr. Darcy slowly approached Elizabeth again and held out his hand. She pushed off of the tree trunk and accepted his help, minding the roots beneath her that made the ground uneven. He turned her gently to inspect the back of her cloak, then casually brushed the debris away. As his hand naturally smoothed over her backside, Elizabeth held her breath and he cleared his throat.<\/span><\/p>

“It would appear we are very compatible in a realm most marriages lack.”<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth knew she ought to pretend to be ignorant of relations that happened between a man and woman, but she had always been a terrible liar. And Mr. Darcy would not cherish deceit, even one done so in a coquettish manner. “My sister and I vowed to marry for love, which I believe is often a natural precursor to a marriage you describe.”<\/span><\/p>

Her answer stunned him for a moment, and he grinned, then shook his head. “I should have learned long ago that any discussion I am fortunate enough to engage in with you never fails to disappoint me in joy.”<\/span><\/p>

“So happy to oblige,” she rejoined.<\/span><\/p>

“I am an obligation to you, then?”<\/span><\/p>

“Nay,” Elizabeth challenged, skipping ahead of him back towards the path. Mr. Bingley and Jane were likely half a mile or more away, and Elizabeth feared falling too far behind them and causing worry. Though, part of her did wonder if Mr. Bingley had been of the same mind as his friend and Jane’s cloak would need tending by her paramour as well. “You are a companion, my companion,” she clarified, and began to blush. The business of being a woman declared for by a man affected her own emotional state, and she did not see her future husband’s blush that matched her own.<\/span><\/p>

With his legs being considerably longer than hers, Mr. Darcy caught up to Elizabeth in no time at all. He gallantly offered his arm, and she accepted out of affection instead of\u00a0 necessity. They strolled and Elizabeth finally felt brave enough to speak a dilemma that had distracted her mind since the previous evening.<\/span><\/p>

“After we marry, must we leave at once?” she asked.<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy’s throat suddenly went dry as insecurities raced through his mind. “You do not wish to leave?”<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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A Compromise at the Ball...<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A kiss at the Netherfield Ball . . .<\/b><\/span><\/p>

As Charles Bingley and Fitzwilliam Darcy prepare for the Netherfield Ball, a gentlemen\u2019s 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\u2019s urging, she agrees to give him a chance, if only for Jane\u2019s 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\u2019s most beloved characters dare to declare their feelings, dare to defy family, and dare to trust each other!

If Mr. Darcy Dared<\/em> is a steamy romance for fans of Elizabeth Ann West\u2019s other works, especially those readers who love their drama cranked to a ten!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Now in Kindle Unlimited!<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Chapter 1(cont'd) - Mr. Darcy Presents His Wife, a Pride and Prejudice Sequel Romance Novel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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“I do, I do!” she said, reassuring him. “I only worry for my father. You see,” she took a deep breath, and explained to him that when they were first acquainted, she had not kept his slight private. “You have my sincerest apologies that my tongue wagged as it did, but at the time, I was insulted and I’ve always battled such melancholy with laughter.”<\/span><\/p>

“At my expense.”<\/span><\/p>

“You had made your statement at my expense, for your comfort,” she reminded him and he grimaced.<\/span><\/p>

“I believe that neither of us performed at our best in the past. There are actions neither of us can change by discussing them now,” he offered, and Elizabeth heartily nodded in agreement. “But may I ask, why are you so worried about this? Has your father expressed concern over you getting married?”<\/span><\/p>

The pit of her stomach clenched with dread. How was she to explain that just a few days ago, after Mr. Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh\u00a0 visited, her father had made fun of the very notion of her marrying Mr. Darcy? That a cautionary, but entirely misguided, letter from her cousin, Mr. Collins, arrived stating that such a marriage was beyond her family’s social reach?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“Do you recall my cousin, Mr. Collins?” she winced as Mr. Darcy began to cough, covering up epithets that were most unbecoming, yet truthful, about her bombastic cousin that served as parson to his aunt. “Did you know he asked for my hand?”<\/span><\/p>

Darcy stopped. Elizabeth stumbled a moment, then caught her balance. Poor Mr. Darcy’s face paled with embarrassment.<\/span><\/p>

“His application was before mine.”<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth nodded.<\/span><\/p>

“And you must have rejected him. . .”<\/span><\/p>

“Immediately, without a moment’s consideration,” Elizabeth quickly answered.<\/span><\/p>

Darcy slowly nodded. “And your father is aware you spurned the offer that . . .” He paused and thought for a moment, remembering that Mr. Collins was to inherit Longbourn. “Marrying Mr. Collins would have saved your entire family in the event of your father’s untimely passing!”<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth looked down, slightly ashamed by the reminder her family’s status rested wholly on the health of her father, as she had no brother. After she counted the moments of silence for a few seconds, she took a deep breath and prepared to expose herself to absolute ridicule. “Yes, I was selfish, rude, and a disloyal daughter if you ask my mother. However, in refusing him, I was able to visit Kent as his cousin, not his wife, and be presently available to become your wife once we set a date.\u00a0 Hopefully you shall not think less of me for lacking mercenary aims.”<\/span><\/p>

“On the contrary, I think better of you, my dear. I only regret the revelation that my proposal, my first proposal,” he corrected himself, and laughed nervously, “must have been on par with that buffoon\u2019s, for you rejected me in a similarly efficient manner.”<\/span><\/p>

“That’s not entirely\u2014” Elizabeth began, but stopped, when Mr. Darcy began to laugh. She laughed, too, squeezing his upper arm in affection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

She couldn’t truthfully state the rejection of both men had been so very different, but that the men were very different in her esteem, that she could defend. “Perhaps I am a creature of habit when I am proposed marriage without any expectation of the request, and to men I do not presently esteem. But where Mr. Collins could do nothing to improve his behavior in my estimation, part of my dislike for your behavior was based on misguided assumptions.”<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy laughed. “And equally based on the poor behavior I engaged in. You need not flatter my vanity, Madam, I have won the prize.” He turned to block her path and gazed into her eyes in a way she had seen before, but misjudged in the past to be him trying to find fault. Now, she recognized the fiery passion behind his expression, one of intense focus on the object he loved.<\/span><\/p>

She smiled. Then sighed. “And I have been happily won. But even Jane could not accept my news last evening without many questions. I believe my family accepted me as the daughter who will never wed, so they may not readily believe I am marrying for the right reasons.”<\/span><\/p>

He closed his eyes, and considered their predicament for a moment.<\/span><\/p>

“Do you suspect your father will insist on a longer engagement?” He opened his eyes and resumed his position next to her that they might continue their progress towards Oakham Mount.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth’s voice cracked as such a possibility had never occurred to her. “Perhaps? I cannot say.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Suddenly, she held no desire to be parted from Mr. Darcy, now that she knew how much she cared for the man. The strength of her emotions shoved aside all reason and sensibility of a long engagement.<\/span><\/p>

They walked in silence another quarter of a mile, neither feeling a need to fill the air with shallow conversation. Both merely thought of solutions, and while Elizabeth’s mind took a flight of fancy considering she was of age, and no longer needed her father’s approval, Mr. Darcy’s thoughts turned to satisfying Mr. Bennet\u2019s concerns. He wished to earn the blessing of Elizabeth’s father, if for no other reason than that his intended loved her father very much. Being without living parents himself, he revered her good fortune to possess two.<\/span><\/p>

The road began a steep grade as they neared the summit, and there was the first sign of Jane and Mr. Bingley ahead. Mr. Darcy received inspiration.<\/span><\/p>

“What if I speak to Charles and ask for us to remain at Netherfield for some time after our nuptials?” he asked.<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth latched onto her betrothed’s idea, and added logical reasoning. “Yes, perhaps instead of a wedding trip, we remain together for a month or so and then to Pemberley for Christmas?” she asked, offering him a clear sign she did not wish to remain in Hertfordshire indefinitely, just time enough for her father to grow accustomed to her marriage.<\/span><\/p>

“Will your family wish to travel with us?” Mr. Darcy asked, praying the Bennets held a long tradition of staying at Longbourn for Christmastime.<\/span><\/p>

“Oh, I shouldn’t like to invite them,” Elizabeth said hastily, thinking of Lydia and Mr. Wickham trying to seek an invitation, and dealing with her mother advocating for family harmony. Then she felt a small amount of sadness at the thought of a Christmas without family, envisioning Pemberley, as large as the estate home was, to be quite lonely. “What of my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner? We do owe a great deal to them that we came to an understanding.”<\/span><\/p>

“Two of the most sensible people I have ever met,” Mr. Darcy stated, giving high praise. Elizabeth breathed easily as Jane and Mr. Bingley turned around and waved at them. “I believe, Madam, we have settled many things.”<\/span><\/p>

“Yes,” Elizabeth said with a laugh, as they hurried their pace to reach the peak. “But I believe there will be much more to negotiate!” And she wrinkled her nose, unhooked her arm from his, and began to run the rest of the way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy watched in appreciation, before lifting his hat and joining Elizabeth in her folly. His Elizabeth.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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You’ve been reading Mr. Darcy Presents His Wife<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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