Love Wins: A Continuation of Jane Austen’S Pride and Prejudice

By Elizabeth Martin

We leave Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice at the point where Mr. Darcy, having proposed to Elizabeth Bennet and been summarily rejected, takes heed of her scorn and rectifies the mistakes he has made. He tells the truth about the charming but unscrupulous Mr. Wickham and promises to rectify his other mistake, which is that of separating Mr. Bingley from her sister, Jane, thus breaking her heart. He bribes Wickham to marry Elizabeth's youngest sister, Lydia, who has run off with him to forestall the ruination of the Bennet family. Elizabeth, her feelings for him changed radically as she realizes his inherent goodness and regrets her prejudice against him, welcomes the increasing intimacy between herself and Mr. Darcy. And when trouble rears its ugly head, they find that their love wins over every adversity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503584389

Elizabeth Martin

Elizabeth Martin, a retired registered nurse, was born in Scotland and now lives in Casper, Wyoming. She has three grown children and five grandchildren, also grown, and two great grandchildren. She spends her time writing in various genres. This is her fifth book and her second romance. Her trilogy, The Valley, Sahra's Quest, Monahan's Purpose, and The World Outside are all in paperback. Her first Romance, a collection of novellas called Four Women, Four Tales is also in paperback and all are eBooks. She has two children's eBooks about Michael and his adventures. Martin is a member of a prolific writers' group who are fiction and nonfiction writers, poets and anecdotists, all friends and all stimulating and encouraging to her.

Book preview

Chapter One

The journey to Pemberley was long, tedious and fraught with tension. Mr. Darcy sat opposite Elizabeth in the luxurious carriage that had his crest on the highly polished mahogany doors. In his hands was a book he was reading, or pretending to read, since Elizabeth noticed that he was forgetting to turn the pages. She tried not to look at him; the sight of him was a vice that was slowly squeezing her heart dry.

He remained silent apart from giving directions or answering her questions. Not that she asked any, not lately anyway. No need to wonder how things had been brought to this pass. Very little communication between them, now. Not since her mother had interfered in what might have been the promising beginning to a courtship. Now, because of her mother, Mr. Darcy could not stand the sight of her. While she, well, she had to admit, was heartsick with the love that she felt for him.

And so, they were married. Despite all her objections to being coerced into marrying him, she had no choice. When Mrs. Bennet had witnessed a tender moment between the two, saw how he touched her hair, tucking a stray curl behind her ear with a beguiling smile lighting his face, she saw her opportunity and screamed, Oh, Mr. Bennet, come quickly, Mr. Darcy has compromised our poor Lizzy and he must be made to marry her.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Bennet’s sister, Mrs. Philips was visiting at the time and proceeded to alert the entire village to the perceived offense.

Mr. Darcy, in turn, was remembering the day in the Longbourn garden when he was on the verge of proposing to her, or at least begging for a courtship so that he and she could become closer. To see her smile lighting up her beautiful face as it did that day; the errant chocolate curl that escaped from her bonnet waving in the breeze; her deep brown eyes with a delightful sparkle in them; he hoped…he longed…

Refusing to marry him was not an option. By the time Mrs. Bennet had spread the news to all of Meryton Mr. Darcy’s honour was at stake. I will not have it said that I have dishonoured a lady and left her compromised. Despite your objections, you will marry me. I shall ride into London and obtain a special license and we will marry the day after tomorrow. And it was settled. He would brook no interference.

Mrs. Bennet objected. Two days to organize a wedding was not at all what she had in mind. A large wedding, with enough pomp and ceremony as she could muster was her plan. After all, she had managed to capture Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire for her daughter. What a triumph! And what a wedding breakfast she would put on; it would outdo all the other breakfasts ever seen in the neighbourhood. No, no, that will not do Mr. Darcy. What about your relatives? Surely you should give them time to come. After all, two days…

There will be no relatives, Madam. And no wedding breakfast. Do you think I want them to witness my humiliation? He sent a sharp glance toward Elizabeth. I shall see you on Tuesday morning. In front of the reverend. He turned and left Longbourn to ride to London, leaving Mrs. Bennet speechless, for just a few minutes.

"Well! What does he mean his humiliation?"

The humiliation of having been caught in the oldest trap in the book, Mother. He is marrying me to avoid the label of dishonour to his name, all because of you. Had you kept your mouth shut we might have enjoyed a companionable friendship. But no, now you have consigned me to a miserable existence with a man who has every reason to hate me. You have finally managed to ruin my life. I hope you are proud of yourself. Elizabeth’s voice was quiet and cold, all hope that she had ever had that Mr. Darcy was showing interest in her had died with his departure.

Mrs. Bennet started back at Elizabeth’s bitter remarks.

Well Mrs. Bennet, remarked Mr. Bennet, removing his spectacles and rubbing his forehead, "You have succeeded yet again in making another daughter unhappy. You encouraged Lydia to wed the most despicable man in the country, which, as you know by now, she regrets most fervently. You managed to chase away Mr. Bingley, causing our Jane much heartache. Now you have condemned my Lizzy to an unhappy life with a man who will never forgive her for he thinks she tricked him to the altar."

Mrs. Bennet, throwing an annoyed glance at Elizabeth for her insulting tone of voice in speaking to her, shrugged off his rebuke. Oh, nonsense, Mr. Darcy will come around after she gives him an heir. Just think, all the jewels, the homes, - one in London, imagine – and Pemberley, - how I long to see Pemberley. She clasped her hands together. Lizzy, you must invite us very soon.

Mrs. Bennet, roared her husband, thoroughly incensed, his face flushed. "How can you be so stupid? Mr. Darcy will never invite us to Pemberley, or his London house or anywhere after what you have done to him."

An heir, mother? Elizabeth interjected with a withering glance. How do you know he will ever consummate the marriage? That is highly unlikely, considering how he hates me. I shall probably be treated like any other servant. You will please excuse me.

Elizabeth escaped upstairs to her solitary bedroom, away from her mother’s shocked expression and the arguments that would continue to ensue between her parents. She knew her father regretted the necessity of forcing Mr. Darcy to officially acknowledge their engagement. But after his wife’s broadcasting with her screeching voice and her sister, Mrs. Philips, who was the biggest gossip in town after Mrs. Bennet, picking up the cry, to the rest of the town biddies, he had no choice if he was to save Lizzy’s reputation.

He watched his favourite daughter as she disappeared upstairs, knowing she would be bitterly regretting her mother’s machinations and probably indulging in a bout of angry tears.

Elizabeth entered her bedroom to find Jane waiting for her. They rushed to each other and held each other close. Oh, Lizzy, Lizzy, what has she done to you? sobbed Jane, rocking her back and forth.

She has ruined my life, Jane, just as she ruined yours.

* * *

Mr. Darcy cleared his throat. These are Pemberley’s woods. We shall reach the driveway shortly. Another twenty minutes will have us at the house.

Oh, was all she managed. What was lying in wait for her, she mused? He will disappear into his study, and leave her to the ministries of the housekeeper. She sighed. It could all have been so different.

He looked over at her but she refused to meet his eyes. His lips twisted into a sneer. Are you not happy to arrive at the manor? To begin your duties as mistress of the most prestigious house in all of Derbyshire? The chill in his voice seemed to ice the air.

No, not at all, she answered in a quiet voice. I shall, however, do my best to carry out my duties in the most unobtrusive manner I can accomplish. You will not be bothered.

He looked away, his eyes steely, his mouth stern. Then he added in a voice as cold as ever, Rely on Mrs. Reynolds, she will be a great help to you.

The housekeeper, yes of course. I had imagined that would be my lot, to be consigned to her care. Elizabeth would not give an inch in her determination to avoid all contact with him but could not resist making little jabs, slight sarcastic jabs when she could. She was gratified to see the colour rising in his cheeks. And to think she had been on the verge of loving him. No, that was not true. She already loved him, longed for that closeness they had experienced in Longbourn’s garden. Despite herself and to her annoyance, a single tear escaped and drifted down her cheek. He saw it and leaned forward.

Mrs. Darcy…

Do not bother with me, sir, I shall be quite content if we each stay out of the other’s way. She swept her cheek quite savagely with her gloved hand. "And do not call me Mrs. Darcy in such a hateful manner. You are now entitled to use my Christian name. I suggest you use it. It will put me in my place, like the servant I am about to become," she added sotto voce.

Before he could retort, the carriage lurched and slowed and stopped in front of the entrance. The door was of thick wood with huge, metal bands wrapped around and adorned with pointed, metal studs. The entrance would have done justice to a castle. Or a prison! Despite herself, Elizabeth was impressed.

An elderly woman came running down the steps to greet them.

Mr. Darcy, Welcome home. It’s so good to see you. And Mrs. Darcy, how wonderful. She took Elizabeth’s hand in both of hers. Welcome, welcome. I never thought this day would come.

Elizabeth, smiling despite herself, took a liking to her immediately and felt that perhaps a tiny crack opened in the ice around her heart. Thank you. You must be Mrs. Reynolds.

Then Mr. Darcy, heartsick at the reality of what should have a joyous occasion, spoke. Yes, yes, Mrs. Reynolds, enough. Please take Mrs. Darcy to her rooms so that she may freshen up before dinner. I shall be in my…

…Study? Elizabeth interrupted. Of course. She looked at him finally, squarely in the eye. And so it begins, she murmured. "Come, Mrs. Reynolds, lead on to my part of the house."

Mr. Darcy looked away.

She showed her disdain by decidedly turning her back on him, and with her head held high she followed the housekeeper up the steps and into the foyer, which was wide and airy and dominated by the magnificent, sweeping staircase. The hallway upstairs, too, was wide with soft carpeting running along its length. The colour matched the gentle blue of the wallpaper and the window coverings.

Her rooms were large and ornate, with heavy furniture and a huge four poster in her bedroom. She had never seen such a large bed. The thought passed her mind that perhaps he would join her there tonight, although he had left her alone the past two nights on their way to Pemberley. Perhaps he intended to consummate the marriage now that he was back in his own castle. She shrugged the thought away. It seemed unimportant now. She had no apprehension any more. And all she had to do, according to her mother, was lie there.

To Elizabeth the bedroom had a formal, depressing look to it. The sitting room was more to her liking. Smaller and cozier, decorated in soft, peachy colours, she felt she had finally found her sanctuary in this great and imposingly beautiful house. She sat down in the large, soft sofa that stood by the fire. Comfortable, she thought. It would do.

Several halls had led off the main one. And there was another storey above this one. She would need a map to find her way around this house.

This is lovely, Mrs. Reynolds, I think… She turned to see the housekeeper with eyes that were wide and clouded with tears, her hands clasped against her chest, obviously in extreme distress. Why Mrs. Reynolds, what is the matter? She jumped up and reached out to hold both the hands that were showing whitened knuckles. What can I do? Elizabeth put an arm around the little woman in an effort to give comfort.

Mrs. Reynolds began to sob loudly and clutched at Elizabeth’s sleeve. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean… I can’t… She tried to halt her tears and the hiccups that had her speaking almost incoherently. I’m sorry Ma’am, I couldn’t…I mean I don’t understand. He is so cold. He should be happy. The master should be happy, with a pretty wife and settled at last. I don’t understand why…

Elizabeth sighed. She leaned against the arm of the sofa. It’s a long story, Mrs. Reynolds. I shall tell you soon, but just now, she rubbed her forehead, a trick she unknowingly picked up from her father, I would rather rest for an hour or so. Would you mind? This sofa looks comfortable for sleeping. I don’t like the bedroom. Do you think I can make my bed here?

Mrs. Reynolds wiped her eyes and nodded, then, But what about Mr. Darcy? Won’t he..?

Elizabeth shrugged. Mrs. Reynolds curtseyed and left without another word. She went straight to the study and pushed open the door without knocking. Mr. Darcy half rose from his seat behind his desk. Mrs. Reynolds! You know better than to barge in like this. What do you mean by it?

The elderly retainer just stood and stared at her master, rebuking him fiercely with her eyes. Then she turned and left, closing the door quietly, leaving him with a mixture of shame and despair. He drew his hand over his face and into his hair. There was no use hiding anything from his housekeeper. She would be relentless, he realized, until she discovered what was wrong. And until she did she would not rest. Rather, she would watch and wait. She was well aware of her master’s stubbornness and his pride. But she had obviously taken a liking to her new mistress right away, with her smile and her pleasant greeting. She would be on her side, and would help her in any way she could. Perhaps she was hoping the pretty wife of her proud master would take her into her confidence.

Darcy had known Mrs. Reynolds since he was four years old when she came to Pemberley from Darcy house in London to be the housekeeper. She was more than a servant to him. He remembered the care she had given him when his mother died, loving and comforting, and being there when he most needed her. She practically raised his little sister, Georgiana, who was only two when their mother slipped away. Their father had withdrawn into his own world at the loss of his beloved wife.

Darcy rubbed his eyes as he remembered. So! He would not, could not reprimand her for her actions. She always needed to know what was happening in her domain, whether it was with her servants or her master and his family. She loved him; he was aware of it and was grateful for it. He loved her, too, in