Darcy and the Wrong Miss Bennet by Jane Grix

Author:Jane Grix [Grix, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jane Grix
Published: 2019-05-10T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Elizabeth was standing by her twin sister who then joined the dance with an officer. Darcy asked, “Would you care to dance again, Miss Elizabeth?” he asked.

She looked at him for a moment, considering, then smiled and lifted her chin in a familiar way to challenge him. She said, “I think not. Perhaps later.”

He said, “Would you like something to drink?”

“No, I am fine,” she said carefully. “But I would like some fresh air. The garden, perhaps?”

She let her words trail off, and Darcy’s heart pounded. “Excellent idea,” he said and offered her his arm. He could not believe his good fortune as she linked her arm with his. Together they walked around the ballroom and to the French doors that led outside. There were a few other guests outside on the lawn, but they were beyond earshot, so he and Elizabeth would have some privacy.

He led her towards a row decorative hedges, then turned and faced her, taking one of her hands in his. Although there were some lanterns, her lovely face was half in shadows. He said, “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

She looked surprised and her face coloured charmingly.

As she stood silently, he poured out his heart to her. He explained that he had loved her almost from the first time he met her, but that he had fought against his feelings because of her family. He knew that her status in life was less than his own and that some of his friends and family would think he was mad to offer for her. “But it does not matter,” he said. “I don’t care about your relations. I don’t care about your mother or your silly sisters. All I care about is you. Please say that you will marry me and make me the happiest of men.”

She smiled prettily at him. “I will.”

For a moment, Darcy stood there, overcome by happiness. He wanted to kiss her. He leaned forward and she reached upwards.

Their lips met and instead of feeling joy, Darcy sensed that something was different. Elizabeth was warm and willing in his arms, but her hair did not smell of roses.

She smelled different. Of lavender.

He pulled back, confused, just as a few of Bingley’s guests gathered round to congratulate them.

“Is this an engagement?” a young woman asked.

Elizabeth smirked and nodded happily. “It is. But of course, Mr. Darcy will have to speak to my father first and get his permission.”

Someone laughed and patted him on the back. “I don’t think you’ll have any difficulty there. Congratulations, sir.”

Darcy stiffened, not because he was offended by the man’s familiarity, but because he had a sinking feeling that he had made a terrible mistake.

“Elizabeth?” he asked as he looked down at her.

For a moment, she looked frightened by his fierce tone, but then she laughed and tapped him with her fan. “La, sir. Don’t even joke that you proposed to the wrong twin.

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