Once He Made a Beginning: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by P. O. Dixon

Author:P. O. Dixon [Dixon, P. O.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
ISBN: 9798215693483
Goodreads: 218535761
Published: 2024-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

Twelve

The weeks which Darcy had spent in Kent had made an appreciable difference in the country, with every day adding to the verdure of the trees. As tranquil as it was owing to the pleasantness of the morning, Darcy wished he could say the same of his present state of mind. Pacing in the grove, and upon looking up and espying the source of his apprehensions, he hurried directly to her.

“Miss Elizabeth,” he began and then, remembering himself, he bowed. “I have been walking here in the lanes ... hoping for the chance to speak with you in privacy. I am so sorry,” he declared, his eyes fixed on hers, heavy with contrition.

“Sir, is this about what happened or rather almost happened, between us yesterday? You need not apologize.”

“Well, there is that—that and so much more. I remember⁠—”

Elizabeth’s eyes opened wide.

“Everything! I remember everything. Pray allow me to apologize for all that I have put you through during this time in Kent—all that you were forced to endure. Would that I could make amends.” He took a deep breath as the magnitude of his words took hold. He could see the relief laced with confusion in her eyes.

“Sir, I am pleased beyond measure that your memory has returned—your memory of me. I assure you I do not hold any ill will toward you. Again, you owe me no apology.”

Darcy’s heart clenched at her calm, forgiving tone. She seemed sincere—too sincere, perhaps. He could not fathom how she could forgive him so easily after all that had transpired. He could not bear the thought that she had acted toward him as she did all those weeks out of pity. He dared not voice it aloud. Instead, he said, “That is no doubt a credit to your generous spirit. But I know it could not have been easy for you.”

“You give me too much credit, sir.”

“I think not.” Being forced to endure the company of someone mere hours after his failed proposal—someone she no doubt abhorred—could not have been a pleasant thing. Darcy continued, “Miss Elizabeth, I know you received my letter. My cousin mentioned giving it to you. By now you know my reasons for comporting myself as I did that evening. I know not what more to say. While I am aware of your sacrifice of late, no doubt you did not intend to spend your time in Kent attending me. I assure you, just as I did in the letter, I do not intend to repeat those sentiments you found so objectionable that evening at the parsonage.”

In saying that, he was referring to the part of his letter that read: “Be not alarmed, madam, on receiving this letter, by the apprehension of its containing any repetition of those sentiments or renewal of those offers which were last night so disgusting to you. I write without any intention of paining you, or humbling myself, by dwelling on wishes which, for the happiness of both, cannot be too soon forgotten.”

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