Pride and prejudice
Chapter 1
I was walking in the gardens further away from longbourn, still pondering the contents of Mr. Darcy's letter. To think that I could have been so blind and wrong about the man. How could I have been so easily deceived by Wickham? I thought back to Mr. Darcy's proposal, how strange his wording was to insult me, yet express his "ardent love" for me all in one speech. Yet I refused him. No I did and said more than just a simple refusal. How abominable I was then to snub him so cruely.
The last man I could ever be prevailed upon to marry... no Mr. Collins fills that slot. But how could I have declared him so cold and unfeeling when he is nothing but loyal and protective of his sister. Again, Wickham is to blame for the Darcys' suffering and I sided with the cruel Wickham. I must confess myself ashamed.
I started walking back to the house, while regretting my words and wondering if I'll ever be able to see Mr. Darcy again to take them back and ask for forgiveness. My wish must have come true because I heard a twig snap once Longbourn had come into view. I whirled around into a broad chest. I looked up and up to see the tall and handsome Mr. Darcy standing right in front of me. I quickly jumped back curtseying, "Mr. Darcy" I greeted.
He took my hand and kissed my knuckles while saying "Elizabeth." I was startled at his using of my Christian name.
Once I regrouped I quickly went straight to atoning for my actions. "Mr. Darcy, please forgive me for how abominable I acted at our last meeting at Rosings. After reading your letter I could not help but feel ashamed at how I had treated you. Please allow me to express my regret and my belief in every word you wrote in your letter. I am truly sorry for having believed Wickham..."
"Miss Elizabeth, there is no need for me to forgive you. Every word you said about me was true. I have already expressed why our union would be ridiculed, however, I cannot live without you and I need you."He leered at me.
I gasped not expecting a renual of his proposal. "Mr. Darcy, I do not know how to respond."
"Say yes. Tell me that you will marry me and be my wife." He said while moving closer to me.
"This is too sudden. I need time." I said while panicking.
Suddenly he grabbed my shoulders, "You must marry me. I won't let you go his time." He growled.
In response to his domineering way I became offensive saying "And you expect me to forget your hand in ruining my sister's happiness! And just a few minutes before I was regretting my words to you, but you will always be a highhanded, proud, pompous, ungentlemanlike.."
Suddenly he growled and crushed his lips against mine. I beat my hands against his chest trying to push him away, but he was too strong. He pulled away only to push me against a tree.
He started kissing down my next growling "No, this is ungentlemanlike. Say yes to me and I will try and control myself."
"No" I said turning my head away. But he grabbed my chin and forsted my lips to meet his while he grabbed my two hands in a strong grip with one hand.
"I guess we will have to do this the hard way then, my love." he whispered in my ear while nibbling on my earlobe. I had no idea what he meant, but this did not prevent my fear. He tugged me down the path in view of Longbourn. Once near the house he put an arm arm my waist pulling me to his chest. His lips crashed against mine when I heard the gasps and wails of women. Mr. Darcy quickly released me and I turned to see Kitty, Lydia, and oh my My mother all in an uproar at what they had witnessed.
My mother was wailing and Lydia went prancing around announcing "Elizabeth is ruined!"
I was in shock as I turned to Mr. Darcy. I was about to slap him, but he grapped my wrist before it could strike him and said "You better think twice before you strike your future husband. I may not be so forgiving." With these words I pulled my hand away from his grasp and ran off, but not before I could see the smirk on his face. Soon I will have to be Mrs. Darcy; there is no doubt about it, or else I risk not only my own reputation, but that of my sisters too. and I can't do that to them.
Darcy pov
I knew that Elizabeth would be mad at me, but she will eventually forgive me. I couldn't bare the thought of losing her again and I needed to find a way to secure her hand. I will not regrett my actions.
I entered Longbourn and requested an audience with Mr. Bennet. After being announced to Mr. Bennet, I walked in and bowed in greeting. Mr. Bennet motioned for me to sit. He silently accessed me with the same sharp eye as his daughter.
I decided to jump straight to the point of my requesting an audience. "Mr. Bennet I have come to ask for the hand of your second eldest daughter Miss Elizabeth."
Mr. Bennet was a bit shocked for a moment until his wife barged in in hysterics announcing, "Oh! we are all in uproar. Lizzy is ruined! She will grow an old maid; a spinster! We will all be thrown out of the house when you die with no where to go..."
"Mrs. Bennet," Mr. Bennet stopped her. "We have company here." He then addressed me saying, "I am sorry for the interruption Mr. Darcy. Please continue with what you were saying."
"Oh! Mr. Darcy you must marry Lizzy. after all you kissed her. You wouldn't be so unhonorable as to leave her." Mrs. Bennet declared.
I turned to Mrs. Bennet and said, "You are right, Mrs. Bennet. I have come here with the intention of asking for your daughter's hand. I am sorry for my lack of tact for not requesting a private audience with her when I proposed to Elizabeth. I could understand how you would have thought me to be trying to seduce your daughter, but I was caught up in the moment of her assent."
"So it is settled you two are to be married." Mrs. Bennet said about to burst with joy.
"Yes, I have already obtained a special license and hope to marry within this month." I said turning back to Mr. Bennet.
"So soon!" Mrs. Bennet gasped, " But what is the hurry."
"I wish to return to my estate by the end of this month for business, and I hope to return with my wife by my side."
"Well I must start planning now!" with that left the library calling for her daughters and exclaiming "ten thousand a year. Oh my Lizzy has done well. What fine carriages and clothes she will have!"
I turned my attention back to Mr. Bennet who looked displeased. "You can not expect me to be happy with this turn of events. My Lizzy is very dear to me, and if you hurt her I will go after you." He warned. "However, you are the type of man of which I can not refuse, so I grant you permission to marry my daughter. But you better not do anything to harm her, understand" he said sternly.
"yes, sir. I love her and would never do anything to hurt her, on my honor."
After Mr. Bennet's threat we spent the rest of the time going over the marriage settlements. I left Longbourn engaged to marry the last Saturday of the month. I noticed that Elizabeth had yet to return so I mounted on my horse and rode of in the direction she ran. I hoped to make her understand my actions and have her submit to my will.
