It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
She is tolerable I suppose but not handsome enough to tempt me
The very great pleasure that fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow
Allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you
Last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed upon to marry
Will you do me the honour of reading this letter?
A meeting near the lake at Pemberley, The lady blushing most becomingly
How very unexpected your arrival was
Will you do me the honour of allowing me to introduce my sister to you?
It has been many months since I have considered her the handsomest woman of my acquaintance
Let me get you something for your present relief? A glass of wine?
My younger sister has eloped with Mr Wickham – she is lost and her whole family must partake of her ruin and disgrace
It taught me to hope as I scare allowed myself to hope before….
I now pronounce thee man and wife
A kiss…
Fitzwilliam Darcy jolted awake and sat up in bed. He was disorientated at first but soon the décor of his London town house came in to focus. Distractedly he rubbed his hand through his unruly hair and touched his still tingling lips. The wisps of the vivid dream fading quickly from his mind. Had he dreamed of falling in love? With whom, certainly not anyone he knew from the Ton. What was her name?
'Elizabeth' A whisper, a caress. Was that her name? Very little from the dream was sticking in his brain.
Thinking himself mad he got up to write in his journal of all that he remembered. Fine eyes, a lilting laugh, a light pleasing figure, graceful movements. He could remember the end kiss well enough, in too much detail, but how had it started? Something about Georgiana and Ramsgate. A feeling of unease settled in the pit of his belly.
Georgiana was only 15 and he had sent her to Ramsgate to try to gain confidence in running a household away from his too competent staff, and to own the truth away from him. His tendency to overprotect Georgiana was not doing her any favours. They were both shy and reserved in company but he was protective over her, almost as a father over a daughter.
He thought again about her in Ramsgate. He tried to reassure himself that she had her companion with her, but his mind kept niggling. How well did he really know Mrs Younge? How thoroughly had he checked her references? On the surface, they appeared good but he hadn't dug very deep. Pleased that she hailed from Derbyshire and got on well with his shy sister he hadn't looked much beyond her genteel manners and steady accomplishments.
Realising he would not be able to let this go he made up his mind and rang for his man.
'Jones, I want to visit Georgiana today. If we get an early enough start we will hopefully make it there by nightfall. 80 miles will be hard but I am determined'