A Sale and an Excerpt

I may have left everyone hanging when I posted my last chapter of Chance and Circumstance” here before publishing it. Mr. Darcy could no longer bear to see Elizabeth and Charles together, so he left during the Netherfield Ball, and returned to London the next day. A lot happens after he leaves, but I want to assure you, if you have not yet read it, that the right couples will, indeed, end up together, although it will be particularly difficult for Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. I have also included a snipped from what happens later at Pemberley featuring Mr. Darcy.

I have put 2 of my books on sale this month! Chance and Circumstance” is marked down to $2.99 and Pirates and Prejudice is marked down to $1.99, both through the end of February. In honor of that sale, I have included a snippet of Bingley’s proposal to Jane for you, being as how it’s the month of love and Valentine’s Day. Despite being a Christmas scene, I decided to post it since some of us (yes, including me) are still getting some snow. Here it is.

On Christmas Eve, Mr. Bingley proposed to Jane, and she happily accepted.

He had joined the Bennets for their Christmas Eve meal. His sisters and Mr. Hurst had returned to London, where they felt the festivities in town would be more to their liking. Elizabeth wondered if they left because they knew what their brother was about to do and were not pleased.

The Bennets and Mr. Bingley ate in the flickering light of the large Yule candle, placed in the centre of their table. A sumptuous dinner of succulent roasted duck and stuffing, creamed squash, freshly baked bread, and mince pie received many compliments from their guest.

After the meal, everyone bundled up to go outside to gather evergreen, holly, ivy, and mistletoe to decorate the home. They stepped out into the blustery air.

Mr. Bingley looked up. “I would not be surprised if it began to snow before we are finished.”

Jane laughed and touched the tip of her nose. “I believe you are wrong, sir, for a snowflake just landed on my nose.”

“Indeed! You are right!” he exclaimed, touching the single snowflake with his finger. “Could there be anything more delightful than snow on Christmas Eve?”

Mr. Bennet, who had been apprised of Mr. Bingley’s intentions, looked slyly at his eldest daughter. “I am certain that Jane can think of nothing finer than a light dusting of snow on Christmas Eve. Am I correct, Jane?”

“Oh, yes! And then to wake up on Christmas morning, look out the window, and behold the ground covered in a plush white blanket of freshly fallen snow!” She clasped her hands and then shivered. “I can think of nothing more delightful.”

When they had collected all the greenery needed, and everyone returned inside, hot drinks, cake, and pie awaited them. They enjoyed their refreshments in front of a blazing fire. Once warm, they set to work making garlands from the greenery, adding ribbons, and placing them along the windows, mantels, and around the room.

Jane had been given the task of making the kissing bough, which would be placed in the doorway of the sitting room. Mr. Bingley hovered near her, watching as she expertly attached small pieces of mistletoe, evergreen, and holly with its berries.

She held it up and asked him, “How does this look?”

“I think it looks wonderful!” Bingley said.

“Do you think so?”

“Let us hang it up and see if it works,” he said with a smile.

“See if it works?” Jane asked as her cheeks grew rosy in a blush.

They left the others in the parlour to go to the sitting room. Mr. Bennet nodded to Elizabeth, giving her permission to sneak away and watch.

She stood behind the door watching as Mr. Bingley climbed up on a small ladder to attach the kissing bough by its ribbon to the centre of the doorpost.

He got down and gently moved Jane so she stood underneath it. He looked at her and moved his eyes upward so she would glance up. 

“I think it looks lovely,” she said, admiring their handiwork.

Mr. Bingley took the opportunity to lean over and kiss her gently. He then went down on one knee. “Jane, you are dearer to me than anything, and more than I could have ever asked for.” He reached up and took her hands. “It would make me the happiest of men if you would consent to be my wife.” He drew in a deep breath. “Will you do me the honour of marrying me?”

He squeezed her hands, and she returned the grip tightly as he stood. She nodded as tears began to trickle down her face. “Yes, Mr. Bing… Charles. Yes, I wholeheartedly accept!”

Elizabeth clasped her hands tightly and then hurried back to the others, eager to share what she had witnessed, but she said nothing, for she felt the news should come from the newly engaged couple rather than from her.

Her father looked at her, and she merely smiled and nodded.

When the couple returned, Mr. Bingley cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention.

“I fear I must make a confession to all of you tonight,” he began.

“Confession? Oh, Mr. Bingley, I am certain you have done nothing wrong.” Mrs. Bennet wagged her finger at him.

“Oh, but I did. For you see, the kissing bough that Jane made was so beautiful, that when it was hung, I simply had to steal a kiss.”

The younger girls giggled. Mrs. Bennet’s mouth opened, but no words came out, and Elizabeth said, “Please continue, Mr. Bingley.”

“Well, just to ease your minds, I have asked for your daughter’s hand in marriage, and she has accepted.”

Everyone rushed over to congratulate them. Elizabeth reached in through the crowd and grasped Jane’s hand and squeezed it, mouthing, “I am very happy for you, Jane!”

*~*~*

Darcy had hoped to make it a good Christmas – at least for Georgiana. Despite that, he had not felt his normal joy in watching his sister delight in the season. Unfortunately, her joy had been tempered by events that had taken place in Ramsgate earlier in the year, and his, by what had happened recently in Hertfordshire. He hoped she had not noticed the change in him, but he had often seen her looking at him, as if pondering whether to ask him if anything was wrong. He hoped she did not think his melancholy was due to what had happened between her and Wickham.

He returned to his study and sat down at his desk, picking up his book and reading a page or two before closing it. He had never taken so long to read a book before, and wondered if the story was just not engaging his interest or because his mind was elsewhere. He shook his head – he knew the answer.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out. A fresh snow covering the ground glistened in the sunlight. It was a beautiful sight that made him truly appreciate all he had. Unfortunately, when he admired Pemberley’s beauty, it made him wish he had someone with whom to share it. Someone like Elizabeth.

He turned and leaned his back against the wall. His fist pounded his chin several times as he considered there had to be something he could do to expunge her from his heart and mind.
His eyes closed, his head fell back, and he could feel his heart pound rapidly. “How long?” he asked himself. “Will this ever cease?”

He heard footsteps and quickly straightened up and returned to his chair. A footman came in with his mail. Darcy thanked him and asked him to leave it on the desk. He let out a sigh as he looked through the few pieces, knowing he would give most to his steward.

He stopped, however, when he saw a small letter with very familiar handwriting. It was from Bingley! He stared at it as a sensation of dread flooded through him. Why would Bingley be writing him? He closed his eyes as he wondered whether his friend was soliciting his advice as to whether to ask for Elizabeth’s hand.

What would he say in response? What could he say?

His hands shook as he struggled to open the letter.

“This is absurd!” Darcy said aloud. He had no idea why his friend was writing to him, and if Bingley was seeking his advice, he would be honest. He could readily tell him what an excellent woman Elizabeth was, and how she would make him an excellent wife. He would not, however, mention how poorly suited he felt his friend was for her – or that he wished more than anything that she could have been his.

Darcy opened the letter, immediately noticing its brevity, which was not unusual for his friend.

He began reading, his jaw clenched, and his heart began pounding as he read the first few lines.

Darcy,

I hope this finds you well and that you had an enjoyable Christmas at Pemberley. I must ask if you will be able to return to Netherfield on the thirteenth of February. For you see, my good friend, I have asked Miss Bennet to marry me, and she has said yes! I am the happiest of men, but I must tell you…

Darcy could not read the rest. Even if he wished to, he could not, for the words were severely smeared from improperly blotted ink.

He tried to maintain calm as he put the letter down, but instead, his fist came down hard on the desk.

“No!”

If you have not read the chapters that I posted here, here is the link to Chapter 1.