It’s been a while since I posted an excerpt from my work in progress, “Such I Was,” which will hopefully be finished sometime in 2025. The premise of the story is that, after Bingley leaves Jane, she gives up on ever getting married, and Elizabeth realizes it is up to her to save her family from the hedgerows. In this frame of mind, Darcy proposes at Kent and she accepts him without telling him her real opinion of him. Fortunately, she quickly learns his true worth. 🙂
But right when we think all will be well, who comes to dinner? Why, Colonel Fitzwilliam, of course, just in time to stir the pot, so to speak, with uncomfortable remembrances. The result is a main course of awkward revelations. I hope you enjoy this little taste of the larger story!
“Bingley is eager to please, a lesson you could learn, Darcy,” the colonel retorted. “You gave offense to half the room the night of the assembly, with your high handed manners, or so Bingley said.”
“Is that true, brother?” Georgiana turned back to Darcy, her eyes wide. “Did you truly refuse to dance even one set?”
“Bingley talks too much,” was Darcy’s only response.
At her end of the table, Elizabeth winced inwardly. If the colonel continued on this path, he was bound to bring up certain events that were equally difficult to ignore and uncomfortable to remember.
“Why, you even insulted one of the ladies present, though thankfully she did not appear to hear you. Bingley offered to introduce you to one of the local beauties, but you declined. You said she was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt you.”
“Fitzwilliam!” Georgiana was genuinely shocked.
But the colonel was not finished. “And Bingley himself was already dancing with the lady’s sister! It is lucky for you that none of that got back to the lady’s family, or it would have caused no end of embarrassment. Not to mention being exceedingly awkward for Bingley himself to explain to the very woman he wanted to impress.”
“Did you know about any of this?” Georgiana innocently asked, turning to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth took a long sip of wine. She could feel Darcy’s eyes on her, a probing look, even as her face flushed. Did he guess what she was thinking? “The room was crowded, and you know how loud such assemblies can be.”
“My poor brother! He must have been sorely provoked to be so ill mannered. He is not usually so, at least not with me.”
Darcy frowned, his eyes still fixed on his wife. Deliberately he wiped his mouth with his napkin and set it carefully on the table before answering. “When seen in this light, my manners were inexcusable. Yet I was provoked. I dislike being the object of gossip and speculation, and within minutes of our entry into the assembly, Bingley and I were stared at and remarked upon on every side. I heard the phrase ‘ten thousand a year’ whispered more times than I care to recall. As a consequence I was not in a mood to be congenial.”
“Oh, come, Darcy!” the colonel exclaimed. “You cannot-“
“But it is an ill wind that blows no good,” Darcy went on. “After that evening I had the opportunity to meet my Elizabeth, the handsomest woman of my acquaintance.” He paused for effect, his eyes softening as he gazed at her across the length of the table. “As I came to know her better, her character and disposition demonstrated her intelligence, her unparalleled wit, and her utter sincerity. When she did me the great honor of accepting my proposal I knew my heart was safe in her hands. In return, I pledged that her heart would always be safe in mine.”
Elizabeth ducked her head, overcome by a surfeit of emotions.
“Hear, hear!” the colonel cried. “Well spoken, Darcy! And if Mrs. Darcy succeeds in curing you of any remaining air of superiority in your manner, she will have my everlasting gratitude.”
“I would change the events of that night if I could.” Darcy’s eyes were still fixed on Elizabeth. “I would apologize for my breech of manners, and I would let the lady know that there was nothing wanting in her appearance, only in my behavior.”
Elizabeth dared to raise her head and return her husband’s gaze. “I have it on good authority that the lady in question has long since forgotten the event. She has married and left Hertfordshire, and is not likely to ever be seen there again.”
The colonel glanced up at Darcy quizzically, then back down the table at Elizabeth, before his face cleared. “Ah!” He smiled broadly and picked up his own wine glass. “I offer a toast: to Darcy, Elizabeth, and the power of true affection! May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor remember what is best forgotten.”
Georgiana echoed the toast with a puzzled expression, as though trying to work out a mystery.
I hope you enjoyed this little preview. Should Elizabeth tell Darcy that she married him in a lie, or should she let the past be the past? How will he react if he finds out? Please leave a note and let me know what you think!
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