To Refuse Such a Man

By P. O. Dixon

The last thing Mr. Darcy expected was to meet the woman whose nearness caused him to entertain ideas of what it would be like to know her as his wife."

 

Miss Elizabeth Bennet must decide whether to accept or refuse a proposal from the last man in the world whom she could be prevailed on to marry.

At least two unhappy alternatives are also before her: certain scandal and her mother's disapprobation. Is there a path to happily ever after in wake of an alliance born out of such circumstances?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Regents and Cotswold Book Group
• Release date: Jul 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201955786

P. O. Dixon

Bestselling historical fiction author, P. O. Dixon, is a great admirer of Historical England and its fascinating days of yore. 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.

Book preview

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 Longbourn. 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