To Refuse Such a Man: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by P. O. Dixon

affection, and, if pressed, Mr. Bennet would confess he detected in the young couple the makings of a deep and abiding love.
    He told his daughter as much. “Mr. Darcy deserves you. I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to anyone less worthy.”
    Miss Caroline Bingley also returned to Hertfordshire to witness Mr. Darcy’s nuptials. Her motive had been simple—she did not wish to lose her right to visit Pemberley. If the young woman was the least bit aggrieved that those Bennets would soon boast of a connection to her own family, she did nothing to evidence her displeasure.
    Still, she could not help reprimanding herself for her part in Mr. Darcy’s decision to sacrifice himself on the altar of Eliza Bennet’s reputation. She was convinced that had she held her tongue about the quiet whispers of what might have unfolded when he and the second eldest Bennet daughter were left alone behind closed doors, Darcy would have quit Hertfordshire the day after the ball none the wiser. Instead, she had the misfortune of watching the man whom she coveted for herself and the woman whose very essence disturbed her idea of what an accomplished young lady ought to be join hands in matrimony. How vexing it was to know that her own actions, intended to bury the potential scandal, had been the means of uniting them.
    ~*~
    The haste in which Elizabeth had assumed her new appellation—Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy—was such that she often felt the need to pinch herself.
    She stood with Darcy in the mistress’ suite at Darcy House.
    “I trust you will find everything to your liking.”
    “Indeed. Unless I am mistaken, there have been some changes since Georgiana showed me this room,” said Elizabeth, observing all about. Every part of it was something with which she must now accustom herself. How different this room was from the one in which she had spent all her life in Hertfordshire—this exquisitely arranged room, which would be her own forever more.
    “My sister and Mrs. Annesley were determined to adhere to all your mother’s recommendations.”
    “I had no idea they were taking Mama’s suggestions to heart. I must find a way to thank them properly when we are all together at Pemberley.”
    “Knowing that you are happy is all the thanks they require, I am sure. You are happy, are you not?”
    “I am, sir. It was such a beautiful ceremony. If I have but one regret it is that Uncle and Aunt Gardiner were unable to attend.” Elizabeth wandered to the bedside table and studied the intricate pattern in the splendid silver candlestick holder. Her mind busily engaged in anxious thoughts of how different her life would be now that she was married to one of the wealthiest men in Derbyshire—how she would not wish to lose so much of herself in assuming the role as the wife of such a man, she spoke wistfully. “I do hope we shall see my aunt and uncle while we are in London.”
    Darcy had called on Elizabeth at the Gardiners’ Cheapside home every day she was in town. He had been favorably impressed that despite Mr. Gardiner being in trade, he was a sensible, gentlemanlike man, greatly superior to his sisters, Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Philips, as much by nature as education. Not that it would have made any difference to him. By now, he fully embraced his friend Bingley’s assertion that the Bennets might have uncles enough to fill all of Cheapside and it would not make his lovely wife one jot less agreeable. Still, it was good to know that Mr. Gardiner was nothing at all like his sisters.
    He said, “We shall make it a priority to call on them, Mrs. Darcy.”
    How Darcy admired his bride. Everything about the wedding ceremony was perfect. Recalling how lovely she looked when the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, he drifted behind her. Leaning forward, he brushed a kiss on the nape of her neck.
    Elizabeth jumped.
    Darcy stepped away. “I’m sorry.”
    Elizabeth had merely been startled, but the look in her husband’s eyes