To Capture Mr. Darcy
A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novel
Elizabeth Ann West
Contents
Copyright
Dedications
Introduction
Also by Elizabeth Ann West
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Epilogue
Sample of By Consequence of Marriage
About the Author
Copyright © 2016 by Elizabeth Ann West
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
To contact the publisher, please write to
1955 Grand Blvd
Niskayuna, NY 12309
or email:
[email protected]
ISBN: 1-944345-04-3
Wisdom is better than wit…Jane Austen
Death Wish Coffee. Seriously. As scary as the product sounds, this book is very much a product of me getting up at o’dark hundred and writing, with the aid of a cup of Death Wish Coffee. It’s potent. It’s tasty. It helps me turn coffee into books! (I actually have a mug the says that!)
Also, J. Dawn King. This story was originally titled “The Rose Knight”, and it was just a plot bunny last year. It’s her continued urging and pleading for the story that made this happen. My author friends are the absolute best.
To all of the authors in school who amaze me every day with their support, love, and friendship for their fellow authors. Love you ladies and gentlemen!
To April Floyd, my rock. Because really, just about every one of my books is due to your belief I can do it.
And to the readers on Fanfiction.net who are listed by screen name at the end of this book, who 110% made my day brighter than the sun anytime the writing sky turned gray. The motivation and encouragement on that site makes me wish I could write them a new book every day.
Always smiling,
Elizabeth Ann West
Introduction
Nature’s a fickle thing. When four days of rain occur earlier in Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice to trap Jane and Elizabeth Bennet at Netherfield Park, new romances, misunderstandings, and alignments are made. Volatile tempers never did well cooped up together. Not even when there’s a chessboard to help pass the time.
Fall in love with the romance of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet all over again in this new variation by author Elizabeth Ann West. A stand-alone novel of over 300 pages in paperback, this story is sure to make you sigh and swoon many times over!
Also by Elizabeth Ann West
AUSTEN INSPIRED
By Consequence of Marriage
What if Darcy never saved Georgiana from the clutches of Wickham? First novel in the Moralities of Marriage series.
A Virtue of Marriage
When Lady Catherine goes on a rampage, and the Bennets become swayed by the vicious gossip swirling the Darcy family, both Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam learn you inherit each other’s family drama by virtue of marriage.
The Blessing of Marriage
Escaped from Kent, Elizabeth Bennet has just one request of Fitzwilliam before they elope to Scotland. Can they try one last time for her father’s blessing?
The Trouble With Horses
Darcy falls off a horse, Elizabeth saves him and the whole town is talking about it! A sweet historical romance novella.
Very Merry Mischief
The Bingleys deploy a bit of mistletoe mischief to get a stubborn Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet to rekindle their passions for each other!
A Winter Wrong
First book in the Seasons of Serendipity novella series. When Mr. Bennet dies of an epidemic, Elizabeth Bennet learns that the kindness of a stranger can be quite dashing! A sweet, historical romance novella.
A Spring Sentiment
Second book in the Seasons of Serendipity novella series. It’s going to take all of the Bennet sisters to get Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth to march down the wedding aisle!
A Summer Shame
Third book in the Seasons of Serendipity novella series. The honeymoon trip of Darcy and Elizabeth is a crowded affair and Jane learns London Society is a scandal waiting to happen.
An Autumn Accord
Fourth book in the Seasons of Serendipity novella series. Darcy and Elizabeth mark the one-year anniversary of her father’s death by returning to Hertfordshire where the Widow Bennet has a new problem to share.
A Winter Wonder
Fifth book in the Seasons of Serendipity novella series. The family is all together at Pemberley with secrets that can’t be kept!
OTHER TITLES
Cancelled
Original novel, a modern romance told mostly from the male point-of-view. A robotics engineer becomes engaged to his perfect match when a previous one-night stand shows up to return his shirt. Pregnant. And it’s his.
* * *
Visit the Rose Room, an exclusive reading club, for more information and to read free stories. Available free at
http://elizabethannwest.com/roseroom
One
November 15, 1811
In the original Pride & Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet visits Netherfield Park with her daughters and Elizabeth remains to care for Jane . . .
* * *
Elizabeth Bennet slipped into the library at Netherfield Park for her sixth time in three days. With her sister Jane on the mend, she could not cease her curiosity for the chessboard. As soon as Jane fell asleep, she left her sickbed to check the progression of the game with her unknown opponent.
Beneath the expansive double set of windows, looking out on the south side of the property, sat the rosewood carved chess set. Elizabeth spied the board on her first afternoon in the grandest estate in all of Hertfordshire. She had not meant to start a game, with anyone, but resisting the urge to move a single white pawn proved to be too great a temptation. Returning a few hours later to replace the novel she had finished by Jane’s side as her sister lay suffering with fever, Elizabeth stood stunned to find someone had responded in kind. Black’s corresponding pawn rested two squares away from the starting line to face hers. Soon Elizabeth found herself eager to return to the library every few hours to continue the clandestine game.
The board stood deep in the throes of a true battle with black’s knight decimating her numbers. The most clever Bennet daughter carefully read the positions of her pieces and considered her options. Her mysterious opponent was of the aggressive sort, but not blinded by the taking of just any piece. She had offered up both a pawn and a knight and the opponent did not fall distracted by the easy kill. Therefore, the only way to beat him or her was to lay a trap of the wickedest kind; Elizabeth would sacrifice her queen in four moves.
Smiling to herself, she chose her move and a calling voice from outside the library made her hastily select another novel. Perhaps a servant was looking for her and Jane had not slept long? Either way, her bishop sat ready to take the opponent’s offending knight and she would have to wait to see the next move of her anonymous enemy.
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Derbyshire frowned when he noticed Elizabeth Bennet leaning over his chess game with Bingley. She had not noticed h
im sitting solitarily in the far corner with his book and brandy. Being a master at averting the attentions of Miss Bingley granted him an ability to turn into proverbial wallpaper when he willed it so. A swirl of the amber liquid kept him occupied as he sat astounded the woman would dare to move the pieces of a game she was not a party to!
He had meant to say something, but too quickly she moved a piece and then scurried out of the library, leaving him once more to his own company. Groaning, he finished his drink and supposed he could set the board back to the last position. One gift he held included memorizing even the slightest glimpse of a picture. Darcy felt confident he could reset the piece she dared touch, but when he reached the board, he paused. She had not moved a piece randomly. She had made a very cunning move forcing him to choose between sacrificing his knight or his rook!
A knot of understanding twisted tighter in his gut. That he was already in very grave danger of more than a passing fancy with this dark-haired, bright-eyed creature was a foregone conclusion, but now he was in the thralls of a very thrilling chess match with a worthy opponent. And the worthy opponent was none other than that dark-haired, bright-eyed creature Elizabeth Bennet.
“Mr. Darcy! There you are!” Caroline Bingley entered the library and swiftly attached herself to his arm. “Oh bother, are you and Charles again playing that silly chess game? Upon my honor, I do not see the point in moving little wooden pieces to simulate a battle. Besides, you always win, according to him.”
Darcy cleared his throat and carefully studied the board. It was a fool’s trap, he did not mistake the gambit. If he sacrificed his rook this early in the game, he would be limited in defensive maneuvers later to protect his king. But his knight was paramount to his plan of attack to put her in checkmate. Her. The concept felt foreign though surprisingly pleasing to him. Could his future include many delightful afternoons at Pemberley in a challenge of wits?
“On the contrary, Miss Bingley, this match I may very well lose.”
“Shall we reset it and you can teach me the particulars?” Caroline Bingley batted her eyes most fetchingly and began to reach for the pieces to take them off the board, but Darcy quickly grabbed her hand.
“No!”
Hastily he released her as he realized she took more meaning in his visceral reaction than he meant, and the look of pleasure on her face made his stomach wish to remove itself of its contents. He swallowed before making an insincere offer. “It is such a lovely day, perhaps we should take a stroll?”
Caroline made the unmistakable sound of a squeal and promised to ready herself presently. Darcy nodded and agreed to await her just outside, finding himself in desperate need of fresh air. Once Caroline left, he moved his knight to a more advantageous spot and exited the library and the house itself. The rook would be a shame to lose, but one cannot win a war without casualties.
No sooner had the main door closed behind him and Mr. Darcy weighed the merits of continuing the game with Miss Elizabeth than the bewitching creature herself appeared, apparently planning her own solitary constitutional.
“Mr. Darcy,” she greeted him and curtseyed ever so slightly before beginning to walk away.
“Miss Elizabeth, you plan to walk?” He cursed himself for such a stupid question as the lady turned with her lips pursed in perfect amusement.
“It would appear so, Mr. Darcy. And yourself?”
“Miss Bingley is to join me,” he said flatly.
“I wish you both a happy afternoon.” She nodded again and continued her pace, smiling to herself. Yes, let the two most disagreeable people in the household enjoy one another’s company, such a match suited her just fine.
“Perhaps you will join us?” Darcy again called out, making Elizabeth halt in her tracks.
“Yoo-hoo, Mr. Darcy!” Caroline appeared, donning her gloves, a full bonnet, and parasol. She waved to Mr. Darcy as if she were unable to traverse the stone steps leading out of the home without his assistance. Darcy clenched his jaw and dashed up the steps with Miss Elizabeth watching.
“Miss Bingley, I am sure you will equal me in my happiness that Miss Elizabeth has consented to join us on our ramble through the gardens.”
“I said no–“
“But Miss Eliza has already taken a walk this morning. I should dearly hope another walk without the proper cover will not turn her coarse and so very brown.” Miss Bingley frowned in what she hoped appeared to be friendly worry, but instead she only managed to change Elizabeth Bennet’s mind about joining their party of two.
“Fear not on my behalf, Miss Bingley, there are none to complain if I should not follow London’s latest fashions to perfection. I am quite content in my own skin.” Elizabeth flashed the woman a smile as Mr. Darcy escorted Miss Bingley to the edge of the drive where Elizabeth had been poised to escape in the direction of wilder grounds instead of the manicured gardens.
Elizabeth ignored the titterings of Caroline Bingley trying desperately to engage Mr. Darcy in a discussion of the grounds of his estate at Pemberley. But for Mr. Darcy to speak, Caroline would have to pause in her effusions of the exalted gardens for at least a moment or else he would need to resort to an interruption. Wishing to engage Miss Elizabeth in a conversation, he chanced the interruption.
“And the gardens to the east of Pemberley are, on third thought, my true favorite–“
“Miss Elizabeth, do you prefer to walk in tended gardens or are you more inclined to enjoy Nature’s raw offerings?”
Elizabeth thought carefully before answering as Miss Bingley huffed that a question was not offered to her. “I believe if I told you I preferred tended gardens you would guess correctly I offer a bald-faced lie. But I do confess I am a great admirer of the stunning blooms Nature has to offer, in either circumstance.”
“And what flower is your favorite, Miss Eliza?” Caroline practically spat the question.
“A rose. I am sorry to disappoint you with such a common choice.”
“Miss Elizabeth, I do not believe commonality to be a denigrating mark but rather a unifying one, do you not agree?” Mr. Darcy challenged the dismissal of her own tastes.
Elizabeth cocked her head to one side and found it curious that once again Mr. Darcy addressed her directly. They came to a small manufactured water feature with a footbridge not large enough to admit three, and Elizabeth forged ahead so the other two might follow her. Once on the other side of the water feature, narrower than the many brooks Elizabeth jumped in her daily walks about the countryside, she waited politely for them to cross.
“Are you to mean that roses are your favorite flower as well, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth could not help her curiosity of the great man who said so very little, but when he did, his opinions had a tendency to offend. That he could hold an opinion not at odds with her own was a novelty, indeed.
“As a matter of fact they are.” Mr. Darcy paused as he held the hand of Miss Bingley who pretended to have difficulty in making the small step from the bridge to the path. “There is no more striking beauty in my mind than a wild rose in the brambles of a secluded forest.”
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy locked eyes for a moment, and the intensity of his gaze made her catch her breath. Was he jesting with her? Poking fun at her preference for wilderness over manicured lawns and shrubbery?
She shook her head and broke the connection, making a point to ask Miss Bingley about the plans for their dinner meal. Miss Bingley happily began a treatise on the four courses planned and Elizabeth made sure not to look in the direction of Mr. Darcy again.
Once the party finished their short tour of the barren gardens and returned to the front of the house, Elizabeth begged their pardon that she must see to her sister. She curtsied and hurried up the stone stairs, unsure about the way her stomach lurched when she thought of Mr. Darcy.
“My, she practically ran up those steps. These country misses must be so burdened with the demands of life, one could hardly call them genteel.” Miss Bingley raised her nose slightly in the air as
she and Mr. Darcy began a more dignified stroll up the stairs, her arm nearly glued to his as it had remained the entire walk.
“I find the lack of artifice and manipulation rather refreshing.” Mr. Darcy’s slight did not appear to bother Miss Bingley as he bowed and took his leave of her. Either she was magnificently stupid or did not care about his sentiments and wished to win him regardless. He reasoned it was likely the latter.
Planning to go directly to the stables and take a strong ride about the countryside to clear his head, Darcy could not help but make a short detour to the library. Striding confidently to the chessboard, his mouth widened in a rare smile as he noticed she took his rook. Switching his knight for another of her pawns, he found himself eagerly anticipating returning from his ride. Even if it was only to spy her next move.
Darcy considered inviting Bingley away from the estate business keeping him holed up in his study, but he doubted the man would leave the house with his precious angel still ill above stairs. No, Darcy would take a solitary ride and enjoy any such distraction the exercise might offer though he expected very little relief from his present fixation on Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
The dining table of Netherfield Park glowed in exquisite candlelight. An abundance of fresh rose displays filled the table widths between candelabras and the air with the musky sweetness of the flower’s bouquet. Place settings rested near each chair as if twelve people would indeed partake of the four-course meal when only six diners sat on one end.
Elizabeth Bennet chewed her roast duck thoughtfully as across the table Miss Bingley yapped incessantly to poor Mr. Darcy while the gentleman did nothing but stare in her direction. Such examination made Elizabeth uncomfortable, and she began to lose confidence in her impeccable table manners as she suspected he glared to find something amiss.
To Capture Mr. Darcy, a Pride and Prejudice Variation Novel Page 1
