Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy stood in front of the altar in the church at Longbourn to be married in front of all their families and friends.

Theirs had been a whirlwind romance and courtship. At times their relationship had been stormy, and they had had their share of misunderstandings, but in the end their love had won out. Today they would tie the knot.

Elizabeth listened carefully to the words of her vows which would bind her and Fitzwilliam forevermore. The words seemed magical and full of promise of a bright and loving future.

She was suffused in a warm glow until one word caught her attention.

Elizabeth had been to a few weddings before but had never paid a great deal of attention to the vows the couple made to each other. Now they were very personal. That fact changed the meaning of the words to a cold and brutal reality.

She opened her lips to answer the question posed by the vicar, but the words stuck in her throat.

Elizabeth could hear several sniggers amongst the congregation and a sarcastic comment in a voice that could only be Mr Bennet, 'I have never seen a bride so reluctant to close the noose.'

It was fully understood by everyone that the noose to which he referred was the one commonly assumed to be tightened around the groom. But as she considered the words of the vow, Elizabeth could not help but think it was the bride who would be caught in that noose.

The vicar gave Elizabeth an encouraging smile and Darcy gently squeezed her hand which he was holding as the vicar repeated the question.

The bride cleared her throat, yet the words, 'I do,' refused to come.

She turned to look at her groom who was starting to look concerned. The concern turned to alarm as Elizabeth's countenance took on an expression of hopeless sorrow as she shook her head and tears started to flow from her eyes which had widened in horror as the full realisation of their vows struck her.

At last, she found her voice, but the words she uttered where not the ones anyone had expected and Darcy did not wish to hear.

'I am sorry, my love,' Elizabeth whispered,' but I cannot bear the thought of being chattel without a will or voice of my own.'

She pulled her hand from Darcy's grasp, picked up her skirts and dashed down the aisle towards the doors of the church and freedom.

Elizabeth could never promise a man, not even her beloved Fitzwilliam, that she would obey.

~50~

50 ways to reject a proposal (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2023