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  Darcy’s Second Chance

  (A Pride and Prejudice Variation)

  P. A. Hill

  Copyright

  Darcy’s Second Chance

  (A Pride and Prejudice Variation)

  Copyright © 2013 by P. A. Hill

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, in whole or in part, in any form whatsoever.

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters depicted in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Acknowledgements

  To Jane Austen on the two-hundredth anniversary of Pride and Prejudice, which many people around the world consider one of the greatest love stories ever written.

  To the many Austen fans and writers who continue to write their variations of her story and thus bring her characters back to life to feed our obsessions with all things Austen.

  To my husband, Robert, who puts up with my obsessions about all things Austen.

  To coversareus.com for help with my formatting for Kindle and for my cover.

  To Betty, my friend, for her help with proofreading and editing and for being there for me when I needed a friend as I wrote this story.

  To the many folks at Amazon who have opened the way for little people like me to pursue a fun hobby.

  To my family and friends who offered me encouragement and suggestions for this story.

  Dedication

  To my husband, Robert, who is my own Mr. Darcy.

  Introduction

  This book is a variation of Jane Austen’s classic, Pride and Prejudice, and it begins after Chapter 34 in which Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy proposes marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. The young woman rejects him and Darcy is left to live with one of life’s greatest disappointments. After she reads a letter of explanation covering some of the things she questioned about him in her refusal, she starts to see him differently. He still loves her but his task to win her heart will be a difficult one as he again has to deal with his former friend George Wickham as that man seems to never go away. Darcy works hard to earn Elizabeth’s respect and her trust but can he win her love?

  Some new characters are introduced but they have minor roles as my story goes off in a different direction after Darcy’s failed proposal. Indeed, I have done my best to edit and be as grammatically correct as I can be, but if some errors bother you, and you demand perfection, please look elsewhere.

  I enjoy reading the Pride and Prejudice variations and appreciate the many writers who have labored to entertain us.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Acknowledgements

  Dedication

  Introduction

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 1

  Elizabeth was glad to be leaving Rosings and returning to Longbourn. She never expected to see Mr. Darcy when she went to Hunsford to visit with her friend, Mrs. Charlotte Collins, and Darcy’s proposing to her was the last thing she would have thought possible. His disastrous proposal and her brutal rejection of his offer put her in a very foul mood and the rush of emotions and self-doubt assaulted her every waking moment. The day of the proposal she had learned from Darcy’s cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, that Darcy had rejoiced over separating Jane Bennet, Elizabeth’s older sister and best friend, from Mr. Bingley. When Elizabeth refused Darcy’s offer she cited this offense but he stated he believed he was right in protecting his friend Bingley because he saw little in Jane Bennet’s countenance that demonstrated a sincere affection for his friend. Next she mentioned Darcy’s role in cheating his boyhood friend, George Wickham, out of his inheritance and contributing to his misfortunes, but Darcy contemptuously dismissed her account.

  The day following the proposal Darcy saw Elizabeth walking in the meadows around Rosings and presented her a letter. After the letter reached her hand he immediately turned and walked away and later that morning he and Colonel Fitzwilliam left Rosings. In his letter he defended himself against her accusations of maltreatment toward Mr. Wickham and told of Wickham’s attempted elopement with Georgiana, his younger sister, when she was but fifteen years. Darcy said Wickham was after his sister’s inheritance of thirty-thousand pounds.

  There was more to the letter and Elizabeth had read it often as she played over in her mind Darcy’s proposal and their discussions. She regretted seeing Darcy the day of the proposal for she was agitated from her meeting with Colonel Fitzwilliam earlier and learning from him of Darcy’s interference between Jane and Mr. Bingley. When Darcy proposed and said it was against his better judgement due to the marked inferiority between her family and his own, Elizabeth responded with anger in the mode of his address. “You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me in any other way, than as it spared the concern which I may have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner. You could not have made the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept it.”

  On the return trip to town Elizabeth continued to relive the nightmare of the proposal, but now she had Darcy’s letter. To be sure, he was expecting she would accept his offer, and why should she not? Mr. Darcy was rich and handsome and was the scion of one of the great families in England. The fact he consciously sought her out to marry in spite of the differences in class meant that he loved her. Elizabeth was flattered that such a man would be interested in her. She knew if it had been another day the two could have spoken about the offer with civility and they may have parted as friends with some hope for a future together. Now this was impossible, for both had turned broadsides against each other, yet both were still standing, though each was wounded.

  With so many thoughts, she could not help but think that perhaps she had over reacted. First, Darcy was correct in the behavior of her family and certainly the two families were very different in class. To her, Darcy was shy and all that she had learned confirmed that he was, and she noticed it as he struggled to start his proposal when he stirred about the room in agitation and foreboding. He was as naive in matters of the heart as herself, though she could not excuse his choice of words when he discussed his difficulty in deciding on her as his choice for a wife. She even tried to understand why he would believe that Jane was not in love with his friend, but she forgave him somewhat as he was clearly clueless in matters of love and she did not believe he was cruel. The look on his face when she rejected his offer was a look of disbelief and great hurt and she found no pleasure in being the cause.

  With the benefit of Darcy’s letter, Elizabeth now saw him in a different light and slowly began to understand him. Both he and his cousin were guardians for his sister and she had seen him writing to Georgiana whilst she was at Netherfield. Darcy was not spiteful or mean and was considerate and she recalled how he often inquired about her family and their health. Most of the time he took Elizabeth’s side in conversations with Caroline Bingley.

  He was a man who commanded much respect but he also left many in Meryton believing he was a man who looked down on the local populace. Elizabeth now wondered if it was Darcy’s association with Bingley’s sisters and his remarks at the dance at the Meryton Assembly that poisoned her against him. It was at that dance that Darcy’s friend Bingley chastised him for not dancing and told Darcy he would like to introduce
him to Jane Bennet’s sister, Elizabeth, as an eligible partner. It was Mr. Darcy’s poor luck that she overheard his reply. “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.”

  Ever since that dance Elizabeth considered Darcy’s words a near capital offense and from that first meeting she resigned that he was evil and thus put up a wall between herself and Darcy, as if it would keep him away from her inner most feelings and protect her heart from being hurt. She was resentful of his pride but knew she had been prejudiced against him all the same. Most of their discussions turned into arguments with both sides not giving an inch, but now Elizabeth realized that he took his losses more gracefully than she did and usually was more flexible in their discussions. He was also less excitable than her and certainly was better educated. Even in their most contentious moments he seemed to enjoy their banter and often sought out her presence.

  Though Elizabeth thought she hated him there was something about him that attracted her, and often her eyes were locked onto him. He was tall with broad shoulders and a man’s strong build and his voice was deep and commanding and often sent shivers through her when he spoke to her in private. His hair was dark and curly and when he smiled, which was rarely, she thought him very handsome. Elizabeth knew that she would miss him and hoped he would eventually forgive her for refusing his proposal.

  CHAPTER 2

  Like Elizabeth, Darcy also was eager to leave Rosings and return to town. Earlier he had hoped that she would accept his proposal and he could introduce her to his sister, Georgiana, but now this could never be. Darcy was quiet on the coach ride to town but kept most of his hurt from his cousin, though Colonel Fitzwilliam was astute enough around his younger cousin to believe that something was amiss.

  “Cousin,” he replied as he watched Darcy's reaction for an explanation of the recent happenings. “You must invite Miss Bennet to town to meet Georgiana. She would be a perfect friend for her.”

  Darcy knew his cousin was trying to trap him so he played along.

  “Yes, Fitzwilliam, Miss Bennet would be the perfect friend for Georgiana.”

  “And a perfect wife for you Darcy, for I cannot remember meeting another lady as enchanting and beautiful. You did not appear to say much around her. I would have thought you would have been courting her.”

  “She is a friend of George Wickham. Perhaps that explains things better.”

  “Yes Darcy, it does. Anyway, she is too good for that rake. I asked you about her because I often saw you looking at her reflection in the window as if to spy on her without appearing to be interested, and she looked at you a great deal as well. That is usually a sign of attraction between a couple.”

  “She has no affection toward me and her feelings remain unchanged since when we first met at the assembly in Meryton after Bingley took possession of Netherfield.”

  “Well, Darcy, do not stop now. What did you say or do to harden her feelings?”

  “It was innocent enough. Bingley chastised me for not dancing and told me he would introduce me to Jane Bennet's sister, Elizabeth. I was near her but thought she did not hear me when I said, ‘She was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.’ After saying those words I noticed she walked by me and went to speak with her good friend, Charlotte Lucas.”

  “You mean Mrs. Collins. Are you certain she overheard you speak so ill of her beauty?”

  “Yes, she told me this when I was at the parish just yesterday. Apparently she told her friend at the assembly because I saw her and her friend look at me and laugh for what I said about her being tolerable. I also saw her look of contempt the rest of that evening. She looked at me as if she hated me.”

  “But I am interested in your meeting yesterday. She must have done a job on you. Did she speak of your involvement in separating your friend from her sister?”

  “How did you know of this? Have you spoken to her since yesterday?”

  “Darcy, I met her yesterday morning as I was walking in the meadows at Rosings. When she brought up Bingley, I told her about your claim to have saved him from an undesirable marriage. If I had been wise I would have said nothing, but I had no idea that your Elizabeth Bennet is the woman's sister. That explains a lot.”

  “What does it explain, cousin?”

  “After I said these things she became quiet and claimed to have a headache and I walked with her back to the parish. The last few yards to the parish she began to run and she was crying as she went inside.”

  Darcy did not need to hear these things right now and understood that Elizabeth had been in tears because of him. He did not deserve her love and now he never would have it, for he had sealed his fate. His timing could not have been worse for she was ready to attack him as he began to make his proposal. Again he thought of the manner in which he offended her and her family in making his address and he immediately colored even as he tried to remain calm.

  “I was ready to leave Rosings cousin, so it is not all that bad with Miss Elizabeth. She will recover as well as her sister.”

  “You appear to be confident about that which you speak, but you must tell me why you presumed to know what was best for your friend. I have not known you to be well practiced in the ways of love and romance and neither have I known you ever to have been in love, so I cannot understand why you worked to separate your friend and Miss Bennet. Of one thing I am certain, your interference may have cost you the best woman you could ever wish to marry, and do not tell me that you are not in love with her.”

  “You know I would be a fool if I fell in love with her. She is so decidedly below my station and we argue all the time. It is out of the question cousin; I could never consider marrying such a woman.”

  “Enough man, I walked by your room last night and you were talking in your sleep to the woman. Do not fret, I shall tell no other person, but we must set a plan in place to win her over. What say you, Darcy? What do you want to do about this mess that you are involved in?”

  His cousin had figured him out but Darcy would not tell him he had proposed, so he did not respond and was silent as he looked out the window of the coach.

  “Listen Darcy, your Elizabeth cried because her sister is in love with your friend. For all you know, your Elizabeth may be in love with you.”

  “You must be into your cups, cousin and she is not my Elizabeth. I have implied that the lady hates me, so how can she be in love with me?”

  “Cousin, women are fickle creatures. They can go from hate to love and back to hate in a short amount of time. Look, you must try to change her opinion of you and the first thing is to get your friend to return posthaste to Netherfield. That would be a welcomed event and would bring much happiness to the Miss Bennets.”

  This suggestion was the same as Darcy had thought of all the previous night as he stayed up late writing his letter to Elizabeth. He had no way of understanding how she would take his letter but he hoped she would acquit him of cruelty to Wickham. Still, he was now convinced that Jane Bennet was in love with his friend and he was determined to speak with him the very day he returned to town. He suspected that Caroline Bingley never told her brother about Jane's visits in January and now he suspected she had never given her brother any of Jane's letters and that she never sent her brother's letters to Miss Bennet.

  Darcy was beside himself with the understanding of his part in this cruel affair and sank into a deep remorse which his cousin saw right away.

  “What is it now, Darcy? I can be a good listener as well as a good friend and cousin.”

  When he finished explaining his beliefs of Caroline Bingley's deception in keeping Jane and her brother apart, Colonel Fitzwilliam became agitated.

  “This is a bigger mess than I first thought. You have been in league with the devil. Did you really believe Caroline would not keep the woman’s letters from her brother or would send his letters to Longbourn?”

  “No, I never thought she wou
ld do such a thing and I am mortified with my role in persuading Bingley to return to town.”

  The coach pulled into Darcy House at past seven that evening but by the time they arrived, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam had hatched a plan. Darcy would visit Bingley that evening and speak with him of Jane Bennet. If Bingley decided to return to Netherfield, Darcy would ask his cousin to return with Bingley. From there Colonel Fitzwilliam could later determine if Elizabeth’s feelings had softened now that Bingley was back at Netherfield. Later he would report back to Darcy and then Darcy might return to Netherfield.

  Darcy wasted no time in immediately leaving on Sampson, his trusted stallion, and riding over to Bingley’s house. He first considered stopping at White’s Gentleman Club but that was further than Bingley’s home, so he looked to catch him at home. He was in luck and the butler led him into the library. “Mr. Darcy to see you, Mr. Bingley.”

  “Thank you Stevens, and come in my old friend and tell me about your trip, Darcy. Did Miss Elizabeth come to visit her friend Charlotte Collins?”

  “She did, and she was as beautiful as ever.”

  “That I am confident of Darcy. After all, she is Jane’s sister.”

  Bingley’s words confirmed what Elizabeth had told him at Hunsford - that his friend still cared deeply for Jane.

  “Darcy, just this morning Caroline’s servant was cleaning up her room and noticed many letters written by Jane for me and others written by me to be sent to Jane. When I spoke with the staff later I learned that Miss Bennet was in town for all of January and that she visited here on at least two occasions to speak with me. Miss Bennet also stopped by a third time but my sisters sent her away saying they were busy. You might imagine how mad I was. Caroline has destroyed all my hopes and plans for a life with Miss Bennet.”

  “Bingley, I once told you and your sisters that I did not see in Miss Bennet’s countenance any sign of deep affection, but after my visit to Rosings I am willing to share with you that Jane Bennet is as much in love with you as ever. I spoke with Elizabeth and she confirmed that.”