Designation and Deceit by Lluxe V. C. & Lennox Valerie

Author:Lluxe, V. C. & Lennox, Valerie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Punk Rawk Books
Published: 2022-12-31T00:00:00+00:00

ELIZABETH WAS OUT of sorts when she returned to the parsonage.

To make matters worse, she realized that she had entirely forgotten they were to dine at Rosings that evening, and she didn’t know if she wanted to see Mr. Darcy.

It wasn’t fair, of course.

He was a man, and there were no dictates on his behavior. He certainly didn’t belong to her, and even if they were married, she would have no say over what he did. She knew that men—especially wealthy men like Mr. Darcy—had their mistresses and courtesans, and there was nothing women could do about such things.

However, it was simply unbearable.

She couldn’t share him, and she was going to make sure that was clear before she agreed to anything. She could do nothing about his past, of course, though she had a possessive surge about all that, too, because that wasn’t fair. Here she was, having saved herself for her husband, and to think he hadn’t done the same for her, it was maddening.

Of course, he was older than her.

Eight years older, in fact, and she supposed he’d had more time to engage in such things, and she could not demand things of him. It wasn’t fair, she knew, but she hated the idea of anyone else ever touching him.

She got herself into a state about it, in fact. Tears came to her eyes, and she lay down on her bed and sobbed for some time, angry at the way of the world, at the dictates of her stupid designation, at everything.

And then she determined she could not go to Rosings, so she sent out word that she was unwell and must stay home and not accompany the others for dinner. She was certain this would displease Mr. Collins, who was always concerned about any surprise, for Lady Catherine did not like surprises.

Charlotte came to her room and observed her tearstained face and was all solicitude, even as she inquired again and again about what might be the matter.

Elizabeth managed to convince her she was only saddened for home, but she didn’t think Charlotte believed her.

Once they were gone, she determined she would go directly to bed, but before she could call anyone to help her undress, the door bell rang, and who should it be but Mr. Darcy.

She considered sending him off, if only because she looked such a fright. Instead, she pressed a wet cloth to her red face and tidied her hair. Then she descended to the sitting room, where he was pacing in front of the window.

“Are you truly ill?” he greeted her, eyes wide.

“You are accusing me of lying, then?” she said.

“No, I am only concerned because we are now out of time and out of options, and if you are ill, it is going to make everything even more frightful than it already is.”

“What is frightful? Why are you here?”

“In vain I have struggled, but there is nothing for it, not now. You must accept me and we must leave tonight.”

“Leave? I

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