Only a Heartbeat Away: Pride and Prejudice Novella

by Dixon, P. O.

  “Whatever my connections may be, if your nephew does not object to them, they can be nothing to you.”

  Mr. Bennet tucked his hands behind his back and peered over his spectacles. “There you have it, your ladyship. There is to be a wedding uniting our families, and there is nothing to be done to prevent it. I beg to be importuned no longer on the subject.”

  “Not so hasty, if you please. I am by no means done. To all the objections I have already urged, I have still another to add. I am no stranger to the particulars of your youngest daughter’s infamous elopement, sir. I know it all; that the young man’s marrying her was a patched-up business at the expense of you and her uncles.”

  Darcy and Elizabeth exchanged furtive glances. He gently brushed his thumb against the back of her hand.

  Lady Catherine rattled on. “Is such a girl to be my nephew’s sister? Is her husband—the son of a steward—to be my nephew’s brother? Heaven and earth! Of what are you people thinking? Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?”

  Mr. Bennet cleared his throat. “You have said quite enough, your ladyship. You can now have nothing further to say.” He extended his hand towards the door. “You have insulted my family in every possible way. I must beg you to leave my home. However, as we are all destined to be family, you are most welcome to return for the wedding.”

  Her ladyship would not be waylaid. She glared at Elizabeth. “You are committing to a grave mistake, you foolish girl! Do you not consider that a connection with you must disgrace my nephew in the eyes of everyone of consequence?”

  Elizabeth huffed. “Lady Catherine, you know my sentiments.”

  “You are then resolved to have him?”

  “I am resolved to act in that manner, which constitutes my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.”

  “You refuse, then, to obey the claims of duty, of honour. You are determined to ruin him in the opinion of all his friends, and make him the contempt of the world.”

  “Neither duty, nor honour would be violated by my marriage with Mr. Darcy. And with regard to the resentment of his family, or the indignation of the world, if the former were excited by his marrying me, it would not give me one moment’s concern—and the world in general would have too much sense to join in the scorn.”

  Lady Catherine turned away from Elizabeth. Her eyes fixed pleadingly on her nephew, she cried, “Darcy, I implore you to be reasonable. You have invited nothing but misery to your doorstep!” She cast a disparaging glance about the room. “Look around you, Nephew. These people are nothing in comparison to us. What on earth leads you to suppose you will ever be contented with a woman the likes of that one. She is impertinent. She is wilful, and I have been made aware she suffers a grave inability to curb her sharp tongue. She would be an embarrassment to us all.”

  Darcy said, “There will be no more of such talk, Lady Catherine! My future is settled. Desist your tirade at once; else I shall forever consider you a stranger.”

  “You cannot be serious. I am your closest family—your own blood!”

  “Miss Elizabeth and her family are my family now.”

  “And this is your real opinion! This is your final resolve! Very well. I shall now know how to act.” She turned her back on her nephew and scowled at Elizabeth. “Do not imagine, Miss Bennet, that this is the end of it. I am not without influence. You Bennets shall regret the day that you crossed me.”

  In this manner, Lady Catherine talked on until she reached the door. Turning hastily round, she added, “I take no leave of you and your so-called family, Nephew. You deserve no such attention. I am most seriously displeased.”

  Some minutes passed, and Mrs. Bennet still had not formed her thoughts in a manner suitable to the ears of her future son-in-law whom she now looked upon with approbation.

  Heading for the quiet sanctuary of his library, Mr. Bennet paused. “Perhaps her ladyship will not be returning for the wedding after all. What a shame it is, for her liveliness will surely be missed.”

  Now that her ladyship was gone and had taken with her the gravity of the situation, Elizabeth could not help smiling. She was marrying a man whom she dearly esteemed. This incredible man, standing by her side, had proved his love for her by his steadfastness and his devotion. And ultimately, by his sacrifice on behalf of her family, he had demonstrated his love for her.

  Nothing else matters.

  Chapter 18 ~ My Favourite Things

  Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters. With what delighted pride, she often visited Mrs. Bingley. If any of the good people of Hertfordshire bothered to notice that Jane had given birth to a healthy baby girl during her sixth month of wedded bliss, no one made mention of it.

  The Gardiners were amongst the guests who attended the double wedding ceremony. Elizabeth could not have been more pleased with the intimacy between her dear aunt and uncle and her groom. Neither of them could testify to anything other than his goodness, which gave Elizabeth a great deal of satisfaction, and she could hardly wait to have them come to Pemberley at Christmas.

  Mr. Bennet was delighted with the occasion of having two daughters well settled. With the Netherfield library being the finest in the county, Mr. Bennet availed himself to it with alacrity. He came to know it was nothing in comparison to the library at Pemberley, however. Not satisfied with second-hand accounts, he made plans to attest to the veracity himself.

  As for Mary and Kitty, the former was assured of unfettered use of the library at either of the two fine estates, and the latter was satisfied with the promise of at least one or two balls a year. In her letters from Newcastle, poor Lydia often opined over the injustice that her dear Wickham should not be just as rich as her new brothers, for he was certainly the handsomest of all.

  Miss Bingley had yet to accept her brother’s marriage to Jane with any measure of regard approaching sincerity, for while it was true that the resolution of the Mr. Wickham debacle had been enough to quiet the scandal, her brother would forever be the brother of the son of a steward. The stench of such an attachment was regarded differently where the Darcys were concerned. Though deeply mortified by Darcy’s marriage, Caroline in thinking it advisable to retain the right of visiting at Pemberley, dropped all her resentment, was fonder than ever of Georgiana, almost as attentive to Darcy as ever before, and paid off every arrear of civility to Elizabeth.

  Lady Catherine was extremely indignant over her nephew’s marriage and the foul treatment afforded to her by the Bennets of Longbourn. She declared she would not attend the wedding, and she held fast to her conviction. Charlotte, comforted by the fact that Mr. Darcy indeed had found his way to the top of her dear friend’s list, rejoiced in the match. The same could not be said of her husband. He, like his noble patroness, was abhorred. Neither could make sense of Mr. Darcy’s behaviour, and they regularly consoled each other over the terrible injustice of it all.

  Georgiana arrived in Hertfordshire soon after learning of her brother’s happy news. There she remained until the day of the much desired occasion. In forming her acquaintance with Elizabeth, she had already learned to think of her as a sister. From the moment she saw her brother and her friend sparring that late winter morning in Cheapside, she endeavoured to make it so. Despite her promise to her brother that matchmaking was not her motive in throwing him and Miss Elizabeth in each other’s path, she suffered no compunction in doing just that. After all, she never made such promises to her dear friend.

  ~*~

  Upon seeing Pemberley for the first time, Elizabeth had every intention that she might one day see it again. Fanciful notions of what it must be like to be mistress of such a place aside, never had she supposed that she might assume that role or that the handsome young gentleman whose likeness had held her captive might one day profess his undying love and devotion to her. Yet here I sit, captive in his loving embrace—a living testament to the fact that all t
hings are possible.

  Intending to relish every single moment of those last miles of their journey, Elizabeth shifted comfortably in Darcy’s arms. From the carriage window, she saw and admired every remarkable spot and point of view. Their carriage gradually ascended for half-a-mile, and they then found themselves at the top of a considerable eminence where the wood ceased. Her eye was instantly caught by Pemberley House, sweetly situated on the opposite side of a valley. Elizabeth was overjoyed, for this was more than a grand manor house surrounded by magnificent streams and delightful walking paths perfectly winding amongst the finest gardens she had ever seen. This was forever more, her home.

  Darcy kissed her atop her head. “I have something for you.”

  “You have given me so much already. You really do not need to keep this up.”

  “I have every intention of showering you with precious jewels: diamonds and pearls—the likes of which you have never before beheld.”

  “It is not necessary.”

  Darcy tucked the box away. “If that is truly the case—”

  “Of course, beautiful jewels are fast becoming some of my favourite things. How might I object?”

  “I am delighted to hear it, my love.” Darcy retrieved the box, opened it, and watched her amazement. “This belonged to my grandmother. I want you to have it.”

  Elizabeth fingered the precious family heirloom—a diamond necklace. “The Countess of Matlock?”

  “It belonged to my father’s mother. Now, it belongs to you, my dearest, loveliest wife.”

  Once he fastened the diamonds around her neck, Elizabeth endeavoured to catch her reflection in the carriage window with little success. “This reminds me of the first time we travelled together.”

  Darcy kissed her on her cheek.

  She smiled and crinkled her nose. “It is a good thing you did not do that.”

  “I wanted to. I wanted to do that and more.”

  “Yes, I do recall you saying I had lacked the opportunity to experience certain pleasures. I did not dare ask you what you meant then, but I must insist upon an explanation now.”

  “How shall I describe the pleasures of which I spoke—in a manner you are now fully capable of comprehending?” Smiling, he moistened his lips. “Shall I liken its aftereffects to the intoxicating scent of our combined essence?”

  Elizabeth’s heartbeat raced. “Mr. Darcy, if that be the case, it is a good thing such pleasures were not to be experienced at the time, what with Mrs. Annesley and the colonel’s presence.”

  He reclaimed her in his arms, and she nuzzled contentedly against his broad chest. He buried his face in her loosened hair. “I shall not argue your point, especially when I consider the prospect of our sharing the taste of your own sweet wine fresh upon my lips—from yours.”

  She laid her hand over her heart. “How scandalous!”

  Darcy teased his soft lips along her neckline. He whispered against the sensitive spot behind her ear. “Last and most important, there is always the promise of a well-timed, perfectly executed crescendo.”

  “Shocking!”

  “There are only the two of us now. We have a bit of time before arriving at the manor house.” The gentle brush of his breath against her skin felt warm, enticing. “Shall we make up for an earlier missed opportunity?”

  Elizabeth turned to face him and gazed into his beautiful blue eyes. “Well, Mr. Darcy, you have alluded to sweet perfume, wine, and music. As these, too, are some of my favourite things, how might I possibly object?”

  The END

  Acknowledgments

  Having borrowed many of the beloved literary characters from Pride and Prejudice, and having sketched them for my own particular purposes, I eagerly bestow the highest praise to Miss Jane Austen.

  Parting Thoughts …

  Thank you for reading this book! If you enjoyed the story, please help others enjoy it too. Comments and reviews mean so much. If you’d like to share your thoughts, click here to visit this book’s Amazon page.

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  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. Dixon delights in weaving diverting tales of gallant gentlemen on horseback and the women they love. Visit podixon.com and find out more about Dixon’s writing endeavors.

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  Author’s Other Books

  Love Will Grow

  A Pride & Prejudice Story

  What started as misunderstanding grew into friendship!

  What happens WHEN FRIENDS BECOME LOVERS ...

  **What Readers Say**

  “This creative variation seamlessly weaves an explanatory subplot into the original story line in a way that compliments a smooth retelling.”

  “Amazingly written and enjoyed it most ardently. Thanks to P O Dixon for another riveting story starring Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet!!”

  Click here to sample or purchase Love Will Grow

  Lady Harriette

  Fitzwilliam’s Heart and Soul

  As the story goes in To Have His Cake (and Eat It Too) and its sequel, What He Would Not Do, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam enjoyed making light of his younger cousin Fitzwilliam Darcy’s deep affection for Miss Elizabeth Bennet in what seemed destined to be an unrequited love. After Darcy won Elizabeth’s heart and made her his wife, Richard continued his wont of taunting his love-sick friend.

  Now, the proverbial shoe is on the other foot. It’s Darcy’s turn to make light of Richard’s struggles to prove himself worthy of pleasing the woman in his life. Can Richard stay true to his purpose or will the worrisome winds of ill fate intervene?

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  Matter of Trust

  The Shades of Pemberley

  A young bride he recently married to prevent a scandal. A mysterious, wayward aunt he never really knew. A woefully misguided sister he removed from harm’s way. Undermining Darcy’s relationships with the three women in his life is a most disturbing bombshell about his nemesis, George Wickham.

  **What Readers Say**

  “Another P.O. Dixon what if, and again an excellent read. It’s full of deviations and twists and turns, these turn the original story of Pride and Prejudice around and send it off in a completely new direction.” - Jane Austen Prequels and Sequels

  “Dixon’s writing always draws me in and I enjoy the escape for a few hours.” - Books Hug Back!

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  Bewitched, Body and Soul

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  **What Readers Say**

  “The tension/angst between Darcy and Elizabeth was perfect throughout the story. It wasn’t too much but just enough to keep the readers wanting more.”

  “I just couldn’t stop reading until I finished it.”

  **Quotes**

  “The past weeks had taught him that it would take more than time and distance to release him from the spell of the beguiling country miss who managed to captivate him with a nod of her head, a witty turn of phrase, and a teasing smile.” Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy

  “Undoubtedly, he cares. I am never mistaken about these things.” Miss Elizabeth Bennet

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  Still a Young Man

  Darcy Is In
Love

  **Highlights**

  Refusing to suffer anyone’s pity, the heroine hides the unpleasant truth of her forced marriage from everyone. Having observed the mourning period for a deceased husband she did not love, she looks forward to enjoying a Season in town. Her liveliness, her beauty, and her charms attract the notice of unscrupulous people posing as friends.

  There’s only one man able to help her navigate the treacherous waters of the ton.

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  He Taught Me to Hope

  What if Elizabeth is promised to another when she meets Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the one man who captures her heart and imagination like no other? What’s more, Darcy has an entanglement of his own--an engagement of a peculiar kind.

  As dire as their chance for “happily ever after” seems, there is a measure of hope by way of a strong and enduring bond between them ...

  ****

  “The plot had just the right pacing and the perfect balance of humor, tension, and hot, but chaste, passion to keep the reader captivated.” Leatherbound Reviews

  Click here to sample or purchase He Taught Me to Hope