Partial and Prejudiced: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Emily Russell

Author:Emily Russell [Russell, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-05-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

To Elizabeth’s surprise, Darcy came to Longbourn every day, riding up to the house after breakfast when he knew Elizabeth would leave for her walk. Elizabeth’s parents had never been the most attentive to proprietary, but now that Elizabeth and Darcy were engaged, they were entirely free from chaperones.

Elizabeth was astonished at his attentiveness. She had expected him to leave for London after the first evening of their engagement and not return until as close to the wedding as possible. Instead, Darcy seemed determined to know her better. The first few days had been awkward, but as they spent more time together, it grew easier to be in his presence.

“I have written to Pemberley to tell them to prepare for your arrival,” Darcy told her as they strolled along the lane surrounding Longbourn a week after their engagement. “If there is anything you would like to be ready for you, you need only ask. I can order anything from London for your arrival.”

“That is kind of you,” she said.

“It is not kindness. It is what you are due as my wife.”

Elizabeth nodded distantly. His wife. That was to be her identity now. Not Elizabeth Bennet, but the wife of Mr Darcy. She would have to grow accustomed to it.

“Elizabeth.” Darcy stopped her with a hand on her arm. “I am not a man to make speeches,” he said. “More than once, you have teased me for my silence. But I want you to know that though our marriage did not come about in a way we would both like, I am determined to be a good husband to you. I have always wanted a happy home life. A wife and children. As you are the partner fate intended for me, I can assure you I will do my best to make you happy and content. Anything you want, you need only ask. I ask in return that you make the same effort for me.”

His honesty touched Elizabeth. His dark eyes bore into hers and something about the way he held himself, about the way he breathed, told her more than words how difficult it was for him to speak this way. Something in her heart thawed, just a little.

“I am sorry if I have been aloof,” she said. “But you must understand that this is a tremendous shock for me. My entire life is about to change. I will go far away to a place I have never seen before, far from all my family and friends, to marry a man I hardly know. It is difficult for me to know what I should think or feel.”

“I understand,” said Darcy. “And if I can do anything to make the transition easier, you need only ask. I hope—“ He paused. His cheeks darkened slightly, and his gaze wandered from her eyes to a spot over her shoulder. “I hope we can still have a happy marriage, despite our unfortunate beginnings,” he said. “I will be kind to you. I only ask that you try in return.

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