by P. O. Dixon
Elizabeth’s silent recollection of Mr. Darcy’s letter was soon interrupted by the sound of someone’s voice.
“Pardon me, Madam. You seem to be in search of something. May I offer you my help?”
Startled by her unexpected companion, Elizabeth spun around on her heel. Her eyes met those of a stranger’s, which was some consolation, for it spared her the embarrassment of confiding what she was searching for.
“No!” Elizabeth exclaimed with energy. Remembering her manners, she said, “That is to say, I should hate to inconvenience you.”
“It is no bother,” replied the stranger, a stout woman on the best side of thirty with a pleasant countenance. Her manner of dress suggested she might be a servant—a servant from Rosings Park. “I assure you I am more than happy to help you find whatever it is that you are looking for. Perhaps you might describe it.”
Despite being surprised to meet anyone other than Colonel Fitzwilliam or Mr. Darcy in that particular lane, if she were to encounter anyone at that precise moment, far better it was a servant. She had lost count of the number of times she had accidentally met the latter of Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s aforementioned nephews only to have him turn and take the empty space by her side and proceed to accompany her on what was meant to be a solitary ramble. How odd it always struck her that he would even wish for her company. She always supposed he did not like her, and as she had never consciously done anything to garner his good opinion, his opinion of her was of little consequence.
Still, she could not help but search her brain trying to remember the other occasions of their being alone—just the two of them, since his arrival in Kent.
He certainly made a point of visiting me at the parsonage house during those times when the Collinses were away.
For the first time since their argument at the parsonage house, the motives behind the haughty gentleman’s confounding behavior dawned on her.
How could I have been so blind as to be wholly unaware that Mr. Darcy was courting me?
Remembering the kind stranger awaiting a reply to her offer of assistance, Elizabeth said, “Actually, it was nothing at all—at least nothing of consequence. No doubt, it will turn up sooner or later.” With that, Elizabeth smiled a little. “Good day,” she said, effectively sending the older woman on her way.
Now free to dwell on the contents of Mr. Darcy’s missing letter, she recalled in great detail what Mr. Darcy had written about the means Mr. Wickham had employed to deceive young Miss Darcy.
By Mrs. Younge’s connivance and aid, Wickham so far recommended himself to Georgiana, whose affectionate heart retained a strong impression of his kindness to her as a child, that she was persuaded to believe herself in love. Thus, she consented to an elopement. She was then but fifteen, which must be her excuse; and after stating her imprudence, I am happy to add, that I owed the knowledge of it to herself.
I joined them unexpectedly a day or two before the intended elopement, and then Georgiana, unable to support the idea of grieving and offending a brother whom she looked up to almost as a father, acknowledged the whole to me.
This must surely attest to the strength of Miss Darcy’s esteem for her older brother that she would do so, Elizabeth could not help but reflect. She had heard so much about the young woman from those who knew her best. By all accounts, she was very accomplished, especially as evidenced by her excellence on the pianoforte.
Some thought of George Wickham’s portrayal of Miss Darcy could not help but intrude.
He accused her of being haughty and above her company. How could I possibly have been so deceived by another? Am I so shallow that I mistook his physical beauty for personal integrity?
Her silent question summoned her once again to what she could recall of Mr. Darcy’s letter.
Mr. Wickham’s chief object was unquestionably my sister’s fortune, which is thirty thousand pounds; but I cannot help supposing that the hope of revenging himself on me was a strong inducement. His revenge would have been complete indeed.
Consumed with such dreadful thoughts conjured up by the notion of what might have happened to young Miss Darcy had it not been for the timely intervention of a devoted older brother, Elizabeth resolved once again to retrace her steps.
I simply must find Mr. Darcy’s letter.
Chapter 2 - Prospects for Felicity
Charlotte’s leisurely morning escape allowing her to avoid her husband’s company came to an end the moment she espied a letter on the side of the lane.
She threw a quick glance over her shoulder and seeing no one else about, she retrieved it. The opening salutation gave her great pause. Eliza must have dropped this, but it does not look like Jane’s penmanship. She frowned. I would say it is from her father, but by Eliza’s own account, Mr. Bennet never writes such long letters.
As tempting as it was to read the lengthy missive, doing so would have been the means of a most egregious violation of her intimate friend’s privacy. A hasty perusal of the last page drew her eyes to the letter’s closing — a somewhat charitable one at that: I will only add, God bless you. FD
Utterly astounded, Charlotte’s heart slammed against her chest.
She always knew Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy admired her friend a great deal. Realizing that the relationship between the two of them had progressed in such a manner that allowed for the exchange of written correspondence surprised her.
Charlotte, more than anyone, knew Elizabeth was rather free-spirited, but such a breach of etiquette was wholly uncharacteristic.
That is to say nothing of Mr. Darcy, himself. What might tempt him to flaunt proper decorum in such a manner as this? Unless… Charlotte silently speculated.
Folding the letter and tucking it into her pocket, she sped her pace in return to the parsonage. She planned to surrender the letter to its rightful owner. Her busy mind was full of suppositions and unanswered questions, but she did not intend to pry into Elizabeth’s private affairs. On the other hand, she certainly was not opposed to hearing whatever explanation Elizabeth might provide.
After all, Charlotte had been the one to suggest early on that Mr. Darcy was in love with Elizabeth. All the clues were there for anyone who wished to see. There was Mr. Darcy’s peculiar interest in her friend when they were all together at her father’s home, Lucas Lodge, in Hertfordshire.
Also, there was the honor he had bestowed on her by singling her out for a dance during the Netherfield ball as well as the manner in which he could often be observed looking at Elizabeth when he supposed no one noticed him doing so. True enough, Mr. Darcy had committed a most egregious error by insulting her friend at the onset of their acquaintance last autumn. By an account from none other than Elizabeth herself, the gentleman had bruised her ego quite severely when he complained to his friend, Mr. Charles Bingley, that she was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt him.
I am confident he would not have spoken so harshly if he had even the vaguest hint that his words would be so hurtful if overheard. While Mr. Darcy is a proud man, I never supposed he was mean-spirited.
Charlotte recalled her exact words to her friend when Mr. Darcy called on the parsonage house not very long ago: “I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility. Mr. Darcy would never have come so soon to wait upon me.”
While Elizabeth was not eager to acknowledge, and much less appreciate, such a compliment, Charlotte was grateful enough for herself and for her friend and what it might mean for the latter’s prospects for felicity.
Finally, Mr. Darcy’s telling reaction and prompt departure from Rosings yesterday upon learning of Eliza’s ill health did not escape my notice. Surely others in our party noticed it too.
Charlotte congratulated herself for being right the entire time. With such a confirmation as this, her friend could not possibly deny it.
“I know precisely how to act,” Charlotte said softly. With that in mind, her spirits rose with every step she took.
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Parting Thoughts
Thank you for reading A Night with Mr. Darcy to Remember. Intended to be the first of a number of episodic encounters, this novelette presents but the first of many obstacles for Darcy and Elizabeth on their journey to happily ever after—obstacles they must face together and against all odds.
Hopefully, it is a journey that you will join our dear couple on as well.
I'd like to request a favor. If you enjoyed A Night with Mr. Darcy to Remember, please don’t keep it a secret.
If you’re favorably inclined, I would very much appreciate a review. Reviews can be hard to come by and yet they mean everything in terms of making or breaking a book’s discoverability.
Again, thank you so much for reading A Night with Mr. Darcy to Remember. I'm delighted you chose to spend your time with me.
In sincerest gratitude,
P. O. Dixon
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Acknowledgments
A thousand thanks to Miss Jane Austen for her timeless classic, Pride and Prejudice, which makes all this possible.
What a joy it is imagining different paths to happily ever after for our beloved couple, Darcy and Elizabeth, and then sharing the stories with all of you.
Special thanks to Deborah, Betty, and Michele for all you do.
About the Author
P. O. Dixon is a writer as well as an entertainer. Historical England and its days of yore fascinate her. She, in particular, loves the Regency period with its strict mores and oh so proper decorum. Her ardent appreciation of Jane Austen’s timeless works set her on the writer’s journey.
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Also by P. O. Dixon
Standalone
Designed for Each Other
By Reason, by Reflection, by Everything
Irrevocably Gone
Impertinent Strangers
Bewitched, Body and Soul
To Refuse Such a Man
Miss Elizabeth Bennet
Still a Young Man
Love Will Grow
Only a Heartbeat Away
As Good as a Lord
Matter of Trust
Almost Persuaded
A Darcy and Elizabeth Love Affair Series
A Lasting Love Affair
‘Tis the Season for Matchmaking
Pride and Prejudice Untold Series
To Have His Cake (and Eat it Too)
What He Would Not Do
Lady Harriette
Darcy and the Young Knight’s Quest Series
He Taught Me to Hope
The Mission
Hope and Sensibility
Everything Will Change Series
Lady Elizabeth
So Far Away
Dearest, Loveliest Elizabeth Series
Dearest Elizabeth
Loveliest Elizabeth
Dearest, Loveliest Elizabeth
Darcy and Elizabeth Short Stories Series
Expecting His Proposal
Pride and Sensuality
A Tender Moment
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A Night with Mr. Darcy to Remember
A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Copyright © 2018 P. O. Dixon
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, in whole or in part, in any form whatsoever.
This book is a work of fiction. The characters depicted in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.