Darcy's Wicked Game, page 2
The man before her was certainly a beautiful specimen. His military service had honed his physique and made him almost irresistible. Still, she hesitated. “Perhaps you have accepted your love, but my family is still beneath you, and I am not handsome enough for your tastes. I do not understand how you can love me when your good opinion of me is lost and shall never be restored.”
He shook his head. “I was a prideful fool when saying such things. I do not care if your family is not of my social status. I do not care about anything except you. I want you to marry me, Lizzy.”
She blinked. “But you have ruined me. You need not offer for my hand.”
He scowled. “I never wanted to ruin you. I only wanted to feel your body under mine, so I concocted this desperate plan and begged my dear friend Bertram to invite you here in hopes I would have at least one night with you. I want forever.”
Lizzy looked down, considering her options. She cleared her throat and looked up again. “If we are being too honest, Mr. Darcy, the truth is, I have affection for you. I realized it after your proposal and letter. I missed you in the early days of our parting. I did not know you had joined the militia, so I could not worry about your safety. Instead, I fretted when we might interact socially, and when you would become engaged to someone far more suitable, like Caroline Bingley.”
Darcy winced. “Marrying Miss Bingley is not a fate to which I would consign Napoleon himself. There has never been another woman I wanted as my bride, and I fear there shall never be. If you reject me again, I will accept it is my destiny to be alone, loving Lizzy Bennet for the rest of my life.”
Lizzy blinked. “What will you do if I say no? Will you return to the militia?”
He hesitated before nodding. “I believe so. Life is not as precious without you, and I would not want to linger for years, waiting for my love to slowly kill me from deprivation. Georgiana is poised to marry a fine young man, who can oversee Pemberley. I am not needed there.” He lowered his voice, which now sounded completely normal and familiar and had since he’d dropped the attempts to hide his identity. “If I am not needed by you, I shall go where I might provide assistance.”
She closed her eyes, torn by his words. How could she allow him to return to such danger? But was she allowing him to manipulate her into something she didn’t feel if she agreed to his proposal?
Did she love Darcy? Was he not the man to whom she had compared all others in the last three years, always finding any potential suitor wanting? Had she not spent much of her time thinking about him, even occasionally angling for Jane and Charles to invite him to an event while she was visiting?
She frowned. “Why did Jane not tell me you had enlisted?”
Darcy came to sit on the edge of the bed, looking poised to leap away if she showed any sign of rejection. “I swore her and Charles to secrecy. I did not want you to know the depths of my despair and rash actions. At one point, I’d hoped I could recover from my love for you, but I have realized I shall bear it until I die. With acceptance came a sense of peace, but that has eroded as I endure without you.” He reached out hesitantly for her hand. “Will you accept my proposal, Lizzy?”
After a brief hesitation, she took his hand. “You are quite certain your love is no longer reluctant or painful for you?”
He nodded. “I swear it to you. I love you most ardently and enthusiastically.”
Her hand trembled in his as she met his gaze. “My love for you has grown quietly and steadily despite my best efforts to ignore it. I have missed you, Fitzwilliam, and if I could change past events, I would do so as well.” She lifted her other hand to cup his cheek. “I accept your proposal, and I shall cherish you all the days we have together.”
He leaned forward to kiss her again. This time, his touch was sweet and tender, though it stirred her passions anew. “I love you,” he said when he pulled back, resting his forehead against hers.
“I love you as well, dear Fitzwilliam.” She closed her eyes, enjoying his touch and presence. How four years of pride and prejudice had cost them so much happiness! She rued they had let it come to this point before one spoke up, but she was happy Fitzwilliam had found the courage to send her the mask and letter. Bless him and her insatiable curiosity that would lead them both to the happy life together for which they yearned.
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About The Author
ABBEY IS A DIEHARD Jane Austen fan and has loved Fitzwilliam since the first time she “met” him at age thirteen upon borrowing the book from the school library. He is the ideal man, though Abbey’s husband is a close second. Abbey enjoys writing various steamy and sweet Jane Austen variations, but “Pride & Prejudice” (and Mr. Darcy) will always be her favorite.
Did you love Darcy's Wicked Game? Then you should read Blackmailing Lizzy: A "Pride & Prejudice" Variation by Abbey North!
The road to perdition is paved with good intentions…and unwarranted assumptions.
Two years after his failed attempt to propose, Darcy finds himself attending the same house party as Lizzy. At first, he tries to resist the inclination to care for her again, but when he believes she is making poor choices, including privately meeting a scandalous new gentleman of their acquaintance and stealing from their host, he has to intercede. He feels compelled to save Lizzy from ruining herself, but somehow, she thinks he is blackmailing her instead. When she comes to him, prepared to give him what she thinks he wants, will he have the fortitude to clarify his intentions, or will he succumb to temptation?
This is a Fitzwilliam-centric tale, told entirely from his point-of-view. He makes some assumptions, as does Lizzy, that leave them both possibly compromised and finally forced to confront their feelings.
While Abbey sometimes write sweet JAFF, this story is strictly SENSUAL, with minor scenes of a mature nature.
Also by Abbey North
A Month To Love
Reproach (Part One)
Resentment (Part Two)
Rapport (Part Three)
A Month To Love Compilation
Crime & Courtship
Rapacity & Rancor: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
Abduction & Acrimony : A Pride & Prejudice Variation Mystery Romance
Extortion & Enmity: A Pride & Prejudice Variation Mystery Romance
Murder & Misjudgment: A Pride & Prejudice Variation Mystery Romance
Perfidy & Promises: A Pride & Prejudice Variation Mystery Romance
Crime & Courtship: A Sweet Pride & Prejudice Mystery Romance Compilation
Marriage & Mysteries
Honeymoon & Hemlock
Mr. Darcy's Secret Stories
Mistaken Masquerade: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
Mischief & Matchmaking: A "Pride & Prejudice" Variation
Standalone
Darcy's Obsession
Darcy's Wicked Game
Abbey North, Darcy's Wicked Game
