Deceptions and Desires: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Variation by Newton Pembroke

Author:Newton Pembroke [Pembroke, Newton]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Fake Courtship, Alternate Universe
Goodreads: 218004205
Published: 2025-01-22T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Longbourn

When Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley departed, Elizabeth felt a surge of relief as she overheard her mother addressing a very flustered Mr. Collins. “Elizabeth’s choices are her own, Mr. Collins,” Mrs. Bennet declared with a flourish of her hand

Mr. Collins left soon after, his indignation visible in every stiff movement, and Elizabeth’s spirits lifted at the thought of having successfully navigated the unpleasantness. That evening, she recounted the tale of her second rejection to Mr. Bennet, who had been absent during Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy’s visit.

Mrs. Bennet, however, had another matter to discuss. “Oh, Mr. Bennet!” she exclaimed, her hands fluttering with excitement. “Did you hear? Mr. Darcy brought flowers for Elizabeth. Flowers, I say!”

Mr. Bennet leaned back in his chair, his expression sceptical. “And yet, this is the same Mr. Darcy who slighted Elizabeth at the Meryton assembly, if I recall correctly.”

“Yes,” Mrs. Bennet admitted, raising her brows, “but it seems her stay at Netherfield has done much to open his eyes. A man cannot live with Lizzy for a week and not appreciate her. What she lacks in beauty, she compensates with her wit. Is that not what you always say?”

Mr. Bennet smirked but turned his gaze to Elizabeth. “And what do you think, Lizzy? What if this newfound attention is mere civility?”

“It might be, Papa,” Elizabeth replied thoughtfully. “But Mr. Darcy did express an interest in making amends for his behaviour at the Meryton assembly. He even mentioned wanting to meet you.”

“Oh?” Mr. Bennet’s eyes brightened with curiosity. “I didn’t see him when I called at Netherfield. I had hoped to meet him then to discuss certain matters. I ended up speaking with Mr. Bingley alone.”

“Mr. Darcy owns a grand estate in Derbyshire, Papa,” Elizabeth said, her voice steady but deliberate. “And by all accounts, he manages it exceedingly well. Ten thousand a year.”

“Everyone in Meryton knows that already,” Mrs. Bennet interjected with a beam of pride. “The man is practically a prince.”

“Imagine him becoming a friend of the family,” Elizabeth added casually. “Surely, we could benefit from such an association.”

Mr. Bennet nodded, stroking his chin in thought. Elizabeth saw the seed she had planted take root. She had not mentioned Mr. Darcy’s agreement to help with the estate outright, but she was confident this conversation would make the prospect easier to broach when the time came.

Whatever satisfaction Elizabeth felt, however, was short-lived. Later that evening, Mr. Collins returned to Longbourn, his face alight with an unusual enthusiasm. Elizabeth’s stomach churned as he entered the room, smiling widely.

“Dear family!” he announced, clasping his hands together. “I bring joyous news. I have proposed to Miss Charlotte Lucas—and she has accepted!”

Mrs. Bennet clapped her hands together in astonishment, while Mr. Bennet offered a bemused congratulations. Elizabeth, however, found herself frozen for a moment, her mind racing. Then, unexpectedly, a wave of relief washed over her. It had worked. Mr. Collins was no longer her problem.

However, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of uncertainty for her friend.

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