A Wife for Mr. Darcy: a Pride & Prejudice Variation by Jane Stephens

Author:Jane Stephens [Stephens, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-02-15T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

It was as if time had stopped. Darcy watched her. It was the most important moment of his life. He was a stubborn man and he had set his heart on making her his wife.

And the time had come. He knew that if she turned him down on this occasion—when she was to all intents and purposes under siege from the awful Collins—she would never consider accepting.

‘Well? What is your answer?’

She sighed. ‘You are right, Mr. Darcy. It is an altogether more palatable choice than it would be to marry Mr. Collins.’

He felt a pang of regret, which confused him. What did he care if she was only marrying for convenience and nothing else? It was exactly what he was doing.

‘So you will accept my proposal—is that what you mean?’

She nodded slowly. Her reluctance was clear. He tried not to dwell on it. After all, was this not exactly what he had wished for?

‘Yes, Mr. Darcy. Yes, I will marry you.’

His heart surged. ‘Madam, you do not know how happy this makes me!’

She smiled wryly. ‘I can imagine.’

‘Have you spoken to your father?’

‘Of course not. There was no need before this morning—all of Meryton was privy to what went on between us at the assembly. It is not as if I…’ she sighed and glanced at the ground. ‘We shall return and speak to him at once.’

‘I imagine he will be pleased.’

Her lips twisted up in amusement. There was something extraordinary about the effect it had on him whenever she fixed him with the full gaze of those lively eyes. ‘I expect you think he shall be thrilled at having secured such an eligible son-in-law.’

He could not help but laugh. There was no malice in her words; rather she seemed to delight in teasing him. ‘I have never known a wife to have such a poor opinion of her husband!’

‘Really? Then you cannot have known many wives.’

‘You are wrong, you know. I am not the monster you seem to think I am.’

‘No?’ she shook her head. ‘I doubt you are aware of the full extent of your own prejudice.’ Her expression softened again. ‘Even so, I cannot deny that your proposal has saved me from a rather testing situation. Your promise of a peaceful life is far preferable to the prospect of being forced to tolerate that insufferable man. I understand there will be certain things required of me, such as playing the part of hostess would when you have guests. I will act that part as needed.’

‘You will not be called upon to do so very often.’

She nodded.

‘I realise it is impertinent but I must ask. When we spoke before, you were set against such a marriage because it was not based on love. You said you would find it impossibly empty. I take it you have reconsidered your feelings on the matter?’

Something flashed through her eyes. ‘I have not reconsidered. Rather my circumstances have changed, as you know. In any case, what does it matter how I feel about it? I have agreed to your proposal.

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