Darcy and Elizabeth’s Valentine’s Meet Cute: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Holidays with Darcy and Elizabeth) by Melissa Anne

Author:Melissa Anne [Anne, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Alternate Universe, Meet-Cute, Pre-Canon, bad Jane Bennet, Read, KindleCoverMissing, Not in Amazon Library
Goodreads: 227786315
Published: 2025-02-07T05:00:00+00:00

The gentlemen then left the dining room and joined the ladies in the parlour. Elizabeth was at the piano, lightly playing as her aunt sewed, and Darcy immediately approached her.

“Might I turn the pages for you, Miss Bennet?” Darcy asked. At Elizabeth’s nod, he sat on the bench beside her.

“Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth whispered, and then hesitated.

“Yes,” he prompted, hoping she would continue. He thought she looked troubled and wondered what he could do to relieve her worry.

She sighed. “Your asking me for the supper set at your aunt’s ball—it was done impulsively, was it not?”

“It was,” he replied and watched her visibly deflate. “But that does not mean that I did not mean it or wish to retract it. When I heard you would attend, I looked forward to spending more time with you. The supper set allows me to not only get a half hour with you while dancing, but it also enables me to sit next to you throughout the supper.”

“But my aunt says you do not dance often. Our dancing together might be remarked on,” she whispered.

He barked a laugh and attempted to cover it with a cough. “It most certainly will. Does that trouble you?” he asked, his brow furrowing.

“I do not wish to embarrass you,” she replied.

“You could not. I will be honoured to dance with you and to be able to claim a significant amount of your time that evening. In fact, I had considered asking your uncle if I could escort you to the ball so I can keep you on my arm whenever you are not dancing with another,” he whispered.

“You cannot mean that,” she hissed, her mind racing. If Darcy escorted her, there would be no hiding from the whispers, the watchful eyes. Although the thought made her nervous, she could not deny the thrill of the idea—of being by his side, of him making his interest so very clear.

“Why ever not?” he asked, confused by her response.

Elizabeth looked away, her fingers tightening around the edges of her shawl. “Because it would give rise to speculation. People will talk and wonder why you are dancing with me. I am a nobody, a country miss with no dowry and connections to trade.”

Darcy studied her carefully, his expression unreadable. “They will talk regardless, Miss Bennet.” His voice softened as he leaned in slightly. “Would it truly be so terrible if they assumed I hold you in special regard?”

Her breath caught. “But do you?” The words were out before she could stop them, and she immediately wished them back.

He exhaled, his gaze intense. “Yes.”

She blinked, her heart hammering in her chest. He had answered without hesitation, without pretence. It left her feeling both exhilarated and unsettled. “Oh,” she murmured, unable to form a more coherent reply.

A slow, knowing smile curved his lips. “This is only the third time we have met, so I am not ready to speak to your uncle, but I would like to continue calling on you. I look forward to

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