To Refuse Such a Man: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Read online

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  About the Author

  P. O. Dixon is a writer as well as an entertainer. Historical England and its days of yore fascinate her. She, in particular, loves the Regency period with its strict mores and oh so proper decorum. Her ardent appreciation of Jane Austen’s timeless works set her on the writer’s journey. Visit podixon.com and find out more about Dixon’s writings.

  Table of Contents

  ~*~

  Chapter 1 – A Handsome Man

  Chapter 2 – Sign of Admiration

  Chapter 3 – Her Neighbors

  Chapter 4 – Worthy of the Honor

  Chapter 5 –Such a Request

  Chapter 6 – The Handsomest Woman

  Chapter 7 – Must Now Reconsider

  Chapter 8 – In Suspense

  Chapter 9 – ‘Tis as Good as a Lord

  Chapter 10 – Arts and Allurements

  Chapter 11 – The Means of Uniting Them

  Parting Thoughts

  Acknowledgments

  Other P. O. Dixon Books

  “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

  Jane Austen

  Chapter 1 – A Handsome Man

  Netherfield’s easy tranquility vanished overnight. Instead, the house is embroiled in disquiet and unrest, Darcy silently lamented.

  He did not like it at all that two young ladies from a neighboring estate had thrown themselves into their country party. As he was a guest himself, he scarcely had the right to complain. His friend Charles Bingley, who had recently let Netherfield, was happy enough over the situation for both of them.

  Darcy was confident the young ladies would not be there if Bingley had only listened to him and not paid so much attention to Miss Jane Bennet, the eldest of five daughters, all in desperate want of husbands were he to judge by their mother’s enthusiasm. The way Mrs. Bennet carried on when Bingley singled her daughter out for a second set at the Meryton assembly less than a fortnight past appalled Darcy. His friend Bingley was always doing that sort of thing—throwing caution to the wind in the face of one angelic creature or another.

  This is the first time one of them has followed him home.

  He grimaced at this unflattering picture of the young woman. From his limited time in her company since first making her acquaintance at the assembly, he supposed that her being at Netherfield was not her idea at all. She seemed a kind and gentle woman, who was easily persuaded and whose first thought was only to satisfy other people’s wishes. Surely a sensible woman would never travel on horseback during a rainstorm merely to accept a new neighbor’s invitation to have tea. A sensible woman might at least take a carriage and were such a conveyance unavailable, then she might beg to be excused from the engagement by way of a servant.

  As malleable as Miss Bennet seemed to be, Darcy did not think her lacking in sensibility. He was rather certain he had the young lady’s mother to thank for his current anguish. He could very well imagine her spinning around the room, congratulating herself on having placed her eldest daughter in such an advantageous position. Were Darcy really to question his objections to the scheme, he would confess that Miss Bennet’s presence had no bearing on his composure at all. True, he did not like seeing his friend willingly ensnaring himself in a trap so easily laid as this. However, what bothered him more was the very real possibility that he, too, might fall victim to the same scheme.

  What could possibly have possessed her next eldest sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, to traipse three miles across the country and arrive uninvited? he thought initially upon seeing her. She had made the excuse of wishing to attend her sister’s health when she was shown into the room. Who does she think she is, a nurse? Darcy silently questioned himself.

  “Did you see her petticoat, six inches deep in mud—?”

  The piercing voice had interrupted Darcy’s musings and caused the tiny hairs on the back of his neck to stand. Looking up, he saw Charles’ youngest sister, Miss Caroline Bingley, heading his way. She was just as surprised when Miss Elizabeth waltzed into the breakfast parlor little more than a half-hour earlier as he was, although for very different reasons. Caroline professed an ardent dislike of the young woman whose country manners offended her sensibilities and her notion of how a proper young lady ought to behave. Darcy, on the other hand, had never been more fascinated. Miss Elizabeth’s eyes, brightened by the exertion of having walked all the way from her father’s estate, rendered him captivated—captivated and speechless. Darcy braced himself for another round of Miss Bingley’s protests at Miss Elizabeth’s expense.

  ~*~

  Elizabeth picked up the moist cloth purposely placed on the bedside table and dabbed her sister’s forehead. Heat radiated from her sister’s skin. Poor Jane. She should never have been forced to travel all that way on horseback in the pounding rain. I should have insisted that Papa make the carriage available, Elizabeth silently lamented. Making matters worse, her mama had made light of Jane’s current malady by saying that one did not die of a trifling cold.

  Elizabeth was in possession of a letter a servant from Netherfield had delivered to Longbourn that morning, which spoke to the gravity of her sister’s illness. Elizabeth, by now, could recite each word.

  My dearest Lizzy, I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday. My kind friends will not hear of my returning till I am better. They also insist on my seeing Mr. Jones. Therefore, do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been to me. Except for a sore throat and headache, there is not much the matter with me.

  “No doubt, Mama is very pleased with herself,” Elizabeth whispered.

  Stirring, Jane opened her eyes. “Dearest Lizzy, you came.”

  “Of course, I came. Nothing would have prevented my being here.” Not even Mama’s protests that my coming here might be the means of ruining her matchmaking scheme, Elizabeth thought but did not say.

  Jane attempted to sit up in bed. Elizabeth gently coaxed her to continue resting comfortably. “The Bingleys must think me terribly foolish to have come here amid the pouring rain.”

  Jane had to know better. Of all the Bennet daughters, she was regarded as the most beautiful. Little wonder that she had been singled out by the agreeable Mr. Bingley as the object of his affections from the moment he laid eyes on her at the Meryton assembly.

  “I dare say Mr. Bingley is very pleased to have you here. Is his opinion not the only one that actually matters?” Elizabeth asked, adjusting Jane’s bed covers. “At the risk of sounding like Mama, I would add that the gentleman is half in love with you already.” The thought that she would ever voice her mother’s sentiment aloud even jokingly gave her pause. Being in the company of people so wholly unconnected with them and whose acquaintance they had made little over a fortnight past surely must be perceived as impertinence. Elizabeth’s next statement was a trial. “Now, you must rest, and I shall join the others. I shall return to your side later this afternoon.”

  The idea that she might not be welcomed did not escape Elizabeth. Mr. Bingley may not object to the intrusion, but how might his family feel? His sister Mrs. Louisa Hurst and her husband, Mr. Hurst—the former’s face reflected her dismay, and the latter did not even glance up from his heavily laden plate when the butler showed Elizabeth into the room earlier. In addition, the annoyance that marred Miss Caroline Bingley’s countenance was something that had not escaped Elizabeth’s notice. Elizabeth recalled the day the Bingley sisters called at Longbou
rn. Although they were generally dismissive of everyone, they showed a decided preference for Jane, which gave Elizabeth some assurance that at least her dearest sister was not a recipient of their collective disdain.

  Finally, there was the sour expression on Mr. Darcy’s face. Unlike Mr. Hurst, Mr. Darcy did look at her. He was always looking at her, but never with the goal of seeking pleasure. If she were to judge by his unflattering assessment of her during the Meryton assembly when his friend Bingley tried cajoling him to request her hand for a set, he looked at her merely to find fault.

  She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me and I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.

  Elizabeth had never been thus insulted in all her life. She had immediately confided in others what he had said, attempting to make light of his offense. Laughing at the ridiculousness of others was in her nature. In truth, his words had wounded her vanity more than a little and had formed the basis for her subsequent disapprobation of the proud man.

  ~*~

  Some days later, Darcy and Miss Bingley were walking together in the shrubbery. She said, “When you and Miss Eliza are married, I hope you will give your mother-in-law a few hints on the advantage of holding her tongue.”

  She often tried to provoke Darcy into disliking Elizabeth by talking of their supposed marriage and planning his happiness in such an alliance.

  “Have you anything else to propose for my domestic felicity?”

  “Indeed, I do. If I may mention so delicate a subject, pray endeavor to check that little something bordering on conceit and impertinence that your lady possesses.”

  At that moment, Mrs. Hurst and Elizabeth met Darcy and Miss Bingley, who were approaching from another walk. Concerned that they may have been overheard, Miss Bingley colored. “Louisa! Miss Eliza! I did not know that you intended to walk.”

  “Nor was I aware that the two of you intended to walk, else I should have joined you instead. Miss Elizabeth is such an excellent walker, you see. I am rather certain my presence merely serves to hinder her enjoyment on such a fine day as this.” Mrs. Hurst immediately seized Mr. Darcy’s disengaged arm, leaving Elizabeth to walk by herself.

  Mr. Darcy felt their rudeness. He wanted no part of it. He freed himself from both ladies’ grips. “If I know anything about the two of you, then you will no doubt have secret affairs you wish to discuss, which my presence among your intimate party would only impede.”

  He stepped closer to Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, may I prevail on you to walk with me, thus affording these ladies a bit of privacy? There is a lovely prospect from the lane leading to the garden that I think you will enjoy.”

  Darcy immediately sensed the danger of what he had done. As much as he wished to deny it, he enjoyed spending time in Elizabeth’s company. Standing so close, the scent of her enthralled him—an enticing hint of soft rose petals. He dared not allow her to discover his increasing esteem, however, for it would not do to swell her expectations.

  Elizabeth was taken aback by his request, but the look on Miss Bingley’s face compelled her to go along with Mr. Darcy’s scheme for no other reason than to annoy the other woman. Linking her arm through his proffered arm, she and Darcy struck out on a different path. She was certain the gentleman and she would be parted as soon as they were beyond the view of the others. However, they did not go their separate ways and nearly five minutes had passed and there had been no conversation between them.

  Louisa Hurst had spoken the truth in decrying that Elizabeth was an excellent walker. Nothing pleased her more than solitary rambles. The fresh outdoor air was to be a balm to her battered spirits as a consequence of being for so long in the company of people she did not particularly like—save Mr. Bingley. She resolved she would walk later.

  When she could, Elizabeth stole a sidelong glance at her taciturn walking companion. A strange fluttering in her stomach returned—one she was teaching herself to associate with being near him. She would be lying if she denied he was indeed a handsome man with his dark mane and sideburns that she was certain would be soft to the touch, his eyes as brooding as the sea, his chiseled chin, and his aristocratic air. Almost everyone at the Meryton assembly had remarked on his good looks upon first seeing him. His excessive pride, however, had rendered him wanting.

  Little does he care what people think of him, I suspect. Jane affirms that he is merely shy. She always endeavors to see the good in everyone. I contend that he does not give himself the trouble of engaging with anyone he deems beneath him.

  Why the haughty man seemed perfectly contented trudging along beside her was a matter that confounded Elizabeth exceedingly.

  What a perplexing man!

  ~*~

  That evening, Jane was much recovered, enough to leave the room for a few hours. This news met with Elizabeth’s satisfaction for she did not know how well she might bear another night in the company of the pernicious Bingley sisters, the slovenly Mr. Hurst, and the brooding Mr. Darcy. Standing behind her sister, helping arrange her hair, Elizabeth smiled at her sister’s reflection. “I do not know which of us is more pleased that you will be joining us this evening, my dearest Jane: Mr. Bingley or me.”

  “Oh, Lizzy, you have been a real angel through all of this. I know what a sacrifice it has been on your part to be away from Longbourn for so very long.”

  “I dare not argue with you.”

  Catching her sister’s eyes in the mirror, Jane said, “Let us get through this evening. Tomorrow, we shall send word to Mama to beg that the carriage might be sent for us in the course of the day.”

  “Nothing would please me more; however, you and I both know Mama too well to suppose that such a request will be received with pleasure.”

  Elizabeth then recalled her mama’s parting remarks the day before when she came to Netherfield with Kitty and Lydia to check on Jane’s recovery. She meant for them to stay there until Jane had secured a marriage proposal. She had gone so far as to share her scheme with Elizabeth while taking her leave of Netherfield. Her mother meant to whisper, Elizabeth was sure. However, her mother’s whispers were not to be compared to the whispers of someone whose spirits were less animated. Her proclamation while standing outside the awaiting carriage was not meant to be vulgar, but that is exactly what it was.

  “Remember what I said. You must keep your sister here as long as you can, Lizzy. I mean for there to be a wedding between our dearest Jane and Mr. Bingley as soon as can be.” She was still talking while a footman handed her into the carriage. “We shall see what Lady Lucas thinks about that.”

  Elizabeth shuddered merely recalling her mother’s words.

  “Pray you are not succumbing to my illness,” cried Jane, her eyes filled with concern.

  “Perish the thought, my dearest Jane. No—I am perfectly well. I simply recalled something my mother said about her plans for your future.”

  “Is it anything I ought to know before we go down to sit with the others?”

  “Oh! Jane, please trust me when I say that you do not want to know what Mama has in store.”

  Chapter 2 – Sign of Admiration

  Tomorrow cannot come soon enough, Elizabeth thought, such was her impatience to be away from Netherfield. Whatever affection Miss Bingley may have felt for Jane was insufficient to mask her increasing disdain in having Elizabeth there, and she did not attempt to hide it. Days of being on the receiving end of the lady’s disapprobation had gone from being rather amusing to utterly tiring. Such cattiness as that which she observed in Miss Bingley was new to Elizabeth.

  It all had to do with the young woman’s jealousy that Elizabeth was a competitor for Mr. Darcy’s affection. How ridiculous! Mr. Darcy did indeed show Elizabeth more attention than she expected since she had been there. She tore her eyes from the unread pages of her book and gazed out the window. Her mind wandered to his taunting her about desiring to dance one evening and how his reaction to her put down was met with more p
leasure than offense. After playing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley had varied the charm by a lively Scotch air. This encouraged Mr. Darcy, whose eyes had been fixed on Elizabeth, to draw near and ask if she felt a great inclination to seize the opportunity of dancing a reel.

  She knew enough about this man to know that he never danced unless he could help it. The idea that she might say yes solely for the purpose of thwarting his desire to mock her crossed her mind, but cheating him of his premeditated contempt was far more appealing. She told him as much. Concluding her speech, she said, “I have, therefore, made up my mind to tell you that I do not want to dance a reel at all. Now despise me if you dare.”

  “Indeed I do not dare,” he had replied.

  Having rather expected to affront him, Elizabeth had been amazed at his gallantry.

  His behavior today will surely confirm he was acting to discourage Miss Bingley’s attentions. Left by themselves by the rest of the Netherfield party, they had been sitting there for half an hour and not once did he look at her. Does he truly mean to say nothing to me—to pretend I am not in the room?

  Elizabeth thought some conversation ought to be had. She found it puzzling that a man who spent as much time as this one did looking at her could find absolutely nothing to say.

  They might discuss the weather. Elizabeth was certain that, were he to apply himself, he might make even the dullest threadbare conversation tolerable. I might ask him about the weather in Derbyshire. I am sure that it is quite unlike the weather here in Hertfordshire, especially during late autumn. On the other hand, I had better not. I can well imagine that he would consider it just the sort of thing the other women he knows would discuss—women the likes of Miss Bingley, who are always saying and doing things solely for his approbation. That would never do. The last thing I want is for Mr. Darcy to think I am the sort of woman who seeks to garner his favor. In fact, I am not at all convinced I want him thinking of me at all.