Christmas, Love and Mr. Darcy by P. O. Dixon

Author:P. O. Dixon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: P. O. Dixon

Is he someone with whom I can spend the rest of my life?

Such was the question Elizabeth posed to herself in the drawing room later that evening. Seeing Mr. Darcy standing on the other side of the room conversing with her uncle Mr. Gardiner, Elizabeth thought about her aunt Mrs. Gardiner’s accolades upon first making the young man’s acquaintance at her relations’ home a week ago.

“There is something pleasing about his mouth when he speaks. And there is something of dignity in his countenance that would not give one an unfavorable idea of his heart.”

Astounded, Elizabeth stood there and stared. How very odd it was observing Mr. Darcy behaving so cordially with one of her relations now when his general comportment toward her Hertfordshire relations had been anything but congenial. She recalled the silent indignation on his face at the gathering at Lucas Lodge when her younger sisters fluttered around the room and dared to cajole everyone into dancing.

Then there was the time when her mother and three younger sisters came to Netherfield during Jane’s convalescence. That was but the first time Elizabeth, of all people, had found it necessary to speak in Mr. Darcy’s defense after her mother had compared him to Mr. Bingley. Over some discussion on the country’s merits no less, and while praising the latter, she had effectively declared the former wanting.

Finally, there was her mother’s behavior at supper during the Netherfield ball. If only her mother and younger sisters had been the only cause for concern on Elizabeth’s part, but even her father’s conduct was uncouth. When her mother contrived to be the last among the guests to quit the ball, Elizabeth’s mortification was all but complete.

She was sure that Mr. Darcy was even more mortified. Her relations’ behavior appalled him. He had used his disgust to justify interfering in Jane’s budding romance with his friend Bingley.

Can this be the same Mr. Darcy who garnered so much disapprobation on my part?

Part of Elizabeth had been secretly searching for a reason to trust this man. What sensible young woman does not relish the prospect of having someone with whom she can trust her heart, someone to have and to hold—someone with whom she can fall in love?

Elizabeth had already rejected the hand of one man. But how could she not? The man was a fool!

Say what one will about Mr. Darcy, but he is no fool. Proud and haughty, yes. Is the gentleman conversing with my uncle the true Mr. Darcy? Is he merely putting on a pretense for my sake?

Mr. Darcy has all but professed his love for me. He vowed to court me, to make me fall in love with him—to marry me.

The very thought of their past intimacies at the Twelfth Night ball made her stomach turn somersaults. Since then, he had been nothing if not the consummate gentleman. Still, nothing would subdue the stirrings she felt whenever she was near him.

Elizabeth’s heart slammed against her chest when Mr. Darcy chose that exact moment to tear his eyes away from her uncle and look her way.

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