To Refuse Such a Man: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (9 page)

The prelude to Mr. Darcy’s marriage proposal echoed in her mind.

“I know what I am about to say to you might seem rather untoward, but decades from now when you look back at this moment, my greatest wish is that you will remember it fondly.”

“Decades from now, when I reflect upon this night should my memories not be even fonder?” Elizabeth whispered. Lifting her face to the ceiling, Elizabeth exhaled a determined breath.
It will not do.
She lowered her feet to the floor and reached for her silken robe.

Pray, this is the only wedding night I shall ever have. I shall not allow a misunderstanding to intrude on the happiness of what is meant to be one of the most unforgettable days of my life.

Moments later, she slowly pushed open the door separating the two apartments. The blazing log fire cast a romantic air all about the room—warm and inviting. Elizabeth espied her husband sitting up in bed, his back cushioned against a mountain of fluffy pillows, reading a book.

Darcy looked up. Seeing her in his room, he laid his book aside. His eyes questioning, he pushed away the covers and lowered his bare feet to the floor. The crisp linen nightshirt he wore evidenced his longing.

Elizabeth felt the heat spread over her body. Her silk negligee left even less to the imagination. Her heartbeat raced. Answering his silent entreaty, she placed her fingers on her robe and lowered it from her shoulders. Inch by inch, it cascaded to the floor and puddled around her bare feet.

He extended his hand to her. “Elizabeth, my love—”

Reaching out to him, Elizabeth’s fingers touched his. Darcy took her by the hand. He placed his free hand on her arm. Tenderly tracing a pattern towards her long slender neckline, he welcomed her into his bed. Gently smoothing his hand under her chin, he lifted her face to his. Their eyes closed, their lips met. Slowly and reverently, at length they lay next to each other and commenced doing what lovers did.

Hours later, Elizabeth awakened in Darcy’s arms. All the promises inherent in their first kiss at Netherfield now fulfilled, she smiled. Their first night as man and wife was everything it was meant to be.
The first night of the rest of our lives,
she reminded herself.

The host of candles all about having gone out by their own accord, the glowing embers in the fireplace barely lit the room. Taking care not to disturb his peaceful slumber, she brushed her fingers over Darcy’s broad chest.
May each and every one of our nights together find me as blissfully contented as this.

♥♥♥

Dearest Reader,

I truly hope you enjoyed
To Refuse Such a Man
. I really enjoyed writing the story. I love the excitement of writing a new Darcy and Elizabeth story with a heartwarming happily ever after ending.

As an author, I relish feedback. I’d love to hear from you. Tell me what you liked about the story, what you loved, even what you didn’t like. You may write to me at
[email protected]
and you may visit me on the web at
www.podixon.com
.

I'd like to request a favor. If you enjoyed reading
To Refuse Such a Man
, please don’t keep it a secret. If you’re favorably inclined, I would very much appreciate a review. Reviews can be hard to come by and yet they mean everything in terms of making or breaking a book’s discoverability.

Thank you so much for reading
To Refuse Such a Man.
I'm delighted you chose to spend your time with me.

In sincerest gratitude,

P. O. Dixon

Thank you for all you do!

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Heartfelt gratitude is bestowed to Miss Jane Austen for her timeless classic,
Pride and Prejudice
, which makes all this possible. What a joy it is imagining different paths to happily ever after for our beloved couple, Darcy and Elizabeth, and then sharing the stories with the world.

Special thanks to Ken and Betty for helping to make this story a pleasure to read.
 

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To Refuse Such a Man

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Copyright © 2015 P. O. Dixon

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, in whole or in part, in any form whatsoever.

This book is a work of fiction. The characters depicted in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Image Used in Cover Art: In the Countryside © Olly