Pursuit of Love: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Roy Neville

Author:Roy Neville [Neville, Roy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Roy Neville
Published: 2024-03-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Dear Miss Elizabeth

Elizabeth paused, savouring the word ‘dear’, which had been conspicuously absent from either his initial letter or hers.

‘It is merely the opening of a letter’, her father would certainly tell her in his jesting tone, though she could not help but imagine Mr Darcy writing that particular word, which seemed to be penned more tightly than the rest.

Being addressed as ‘Elizabeth’ also caused a flight of butterflies to flutter wildly in her stomach, igniting an insatiable urge to dance.

‘You are Miss Elizabeth when Jane is with you’, her father would continue with a hint of wry amusement. Yet she cared not a whit—in her dreams, he always called her ‘Elizabeth’.

I appreciate your response to my letter and the explanations you proffered, which I earnestly needed. We both indeed made mistakes. Yet you have placed me in a strange situation, wherein I find myself failing to appreciate the very trait I hold most dear in my character—my honesty.

Nevertheless, it would be prudent for me to reconsider my manner of speaking to those around me and effect adjustments when necessary. I also concede that superficial observations can lead to substantial misconceptions about an individual.

I place my trust in you and am prepared to accept my error regarding your sister’s sentiments and intentions. But I can only encourage Bingley to scrutinise his own feelings and intentions towards Miss Bennet and decide accordingly. This does not necessarily require an immediate journey to Hertfordshire; rather, it implies acting without regard to the opinions of others and following the dictates of his heart and mind. The responsibility of disclosing this matter to your sister rests with you.

Your presence has endeared you to my family, and both Mrs Barstow and Georgiana have expressed their wishes for your well-being, daring to hope we shall all meet again.

Yours sincerely,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

∆∆∆

“Do you want me to be utterly candid?” Mary asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of astonishment and joy as Elizabeth asked for her opinion about the second letter received from Mr Darcy.

“Yes,” replied Elizabeth, longing for someone’s insight as she realised that a reply from her aunt would necessitate an entire day’s wait. She had already written to Mrs Barstow and Mrs Gardiner, yet an immediate response was what she yearned for, surprising even herself with the intensity of her eagerness. Mary seemed the natural choice as her confidante, as Elizabeth had decided not to tell Jane anything about Mr Darcy’s intention to speak to Mr Bingley.

“It is an amicable missive,” Mary said.

“Amicable?” Elizabeth asked, somewhat disappointed.

“You asked for my sincere opinion,” Mary reminded her gently.

“Yes, yes,” Elizabeth urged. “Please, continue.”

“A sensitive and honest letter—”

“Not a love letter,” Elizabeth concluded.

“Indeed,” Mary murmured, her thoughts perhaps dwelling on the possibility that her burgeoning relationship with Elizabeth might suffer if she failed to discover love within the message.

“Yes, you are correct,” Elizabeth conceded.

“Will you tell Jane of this?”

“No, I believe it may be wiser not to tell her. If Mr Bingley should reconsider his decision and journey to Hertfordshire, they will resolve their affairs together.

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