Chapter One
An Innocent Game
How did we get to this point? It all had started out so innocently. I knew we were both stubborn, but I can't believe we took it so far! Marriage is a huge commitment you don't just enter into because you refuse to back down. I, Elizabeth Darcy, never knew myself until this moment. Riding in a carriage to London with my husband of 4 hours, in complete silence, avoiding eye contact, was not how I envisioned starting my marriage. I had dreams of being courted and falling in love with a worthy man who would cherish and adore me. I believed that only the deepest love could induce me to matrimony, yet here I sit in a carriage, the finest I have ever ridden in, pondering how everything could go so wrong. Oh, the wedding itself was beautiful, and we both played our parts masterfully, but this was never meant to be! I am married to Fitzwilliam Darcy. I couldn't help but shake my head as I watched the passing scenery through the carriage window. It really was a beautiful winter day. There was a light layer of snow covering the fields we passed, but it was gloriously sunny outside. I was thankful for the lap robe Mr. Darcy had provided, as well as the heated bricks at my feet. It was easy to observe God's beautiful creation and believe that none of the current events had transpired from the warm comfort of the carriage. I wasn't made for sadness, and I was beginning to become adept at pretending Mr. Darcy wasn't even there, or so I convinced myself.
It all started when I overheard a conversation between Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy. It wasn't my intention to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help but hear them from my position just around the corner from where they were speaking. I distinctly heard Mr. Darcy say, "Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow." I'm not sure what precipitated this comment as I only overheard Mr. Darcy's response. My curiosity got the better of me and I stayed to listen a moment longer. Miss Bingley inquired as to who had inspired such reflections. I was never more shocked as when I heard Mr. Darcy answer, "Miss Elizabeth Bennet". I know not how the conversation carried on after that. In my great surprise I heard nothing around me and some how managed to find a secluded spot further away from the two of them where I could ponder what I had overheard.
Surely he was jesting! After calling me tolerable I knew better than to believe his comment to Miss Bingley. I'm sure they were somehow having a laugh at my expense, though Miss Bingley truly did not seem pleased with his response. What could it all mean? What game was he playing? I'd already noticed him listening in on my conversation with Colonel Foster and questioned him about it. His comment about my eyes was certainly a different kind of challenge though. If he could be bold I certainly could be equally so. I would never let that man intimidate me. I made my way over to my eldest sister Jane as a plan began to form in my mind.
"Jane will you walk with me to get some refreshments?" Jane politely excused herself from the ladies she had been speaking with. "I know that look Lizzy, what are you up to?"
"Jane, how could you suspect me of causing mischief in Sir Lucas's home?" I replied with just the right amount of umbrage.
"I know you Lizzy and I can tell you are strategizing some sort of plan though I know not what could have happened this evening that would require such."
"I will tell you all when we return home this evening, but for now I really need you to follow my lead and try not to appear too shocked by what I say." We walked over in the direction where Mr. Darcy was standing with an annoyed looking Miss. Bingley and I halted Jane just a few steps away with a hand to her arm.
"I understand what you are saying Jane but how can I think of such things with such a handsome face to meditate upon?"
"Whose face would that be sister?" Jane asked while blushing profusely as I knew she would.
"Why Mr. Darcy's of course." After I made my comment I engaged my arm with Jane's and began to walk across the room where Charlotte Lucas was speaking with my younger sister Mary. When we stopped walking Jane gave me a look of astonishment.
"We will speak tonight Jane", I told her quietly. We engaged in conversation with Charlotte and my sister as I began to surreptitiously look in Mr. Darcy's direction to see how my comment had been received. I immediately noticed his eyes upon me and if I'm not mistaken a look of satisfaction graced his face.
"What an impossible man! I know not why he started this game, but I am determined to win it."
When we arrived back at Longbourn that evening Jane could hardly wait until we were in our room to question me about my statement. I realized that even for me I had gone a bit far, but something about that man just provoked me to retaliate. If he wanted to say something shocking than surely it wasn't wrong to respond in equal measure.
"Lizzy are you truly so enamored with Mr. Darcy? What happened to make you change your mind? I certainly don't believe him wholly bad as you have claimed to, but this is quite a change in sentiment."
"Oh Jane, I am most certainly not enamored with Mr. Darcy, but he provoked me to say it! He told Miss Bingley that I was pretty and had fine eyes."
"Are you sure he wasn't just trying to compliment you? It sounds to me like Mr. Darcy had a change of heart after the Meryton Assembly and was just communicating with Miss Bingley what everyone else already knows is true. You are very pretty Lizzy, and it's only right that Mr. Darcy should notice it. Though it was very bold of him to say that to Miss Bingley."
"It was indeed bold and I believe he is just trying to toy with me. He believes himself superior and that he can say whatever he wants with impunity, but I will nor permit him to get away with it as I'm certain he is accustomed to doing."
"But Lizzy how could saying Mr. Darcy is handsome within his hearing do anything other than make him believe that you think he's attractive?"
"It's very simple Jane, Mr. Darcy didn't mean a word he said to Miss Bingley. You can't convince me otherwise when he has already given his assessment of my looks. My only intent was to show Mr. Darcy that he didn't have the upper hand in this matter, and i will not be trifled with."
"Lizzy, I truly believe Mr. Darcy was just stating his honest opinion, but we will see what comes of your statements the next time we meet."
We both laid down and I couldn't help the feeling that this was just the beginning of Mr. Darcy's challenge and I was determined to meet him word for word in this verbal swordplay of his.
