Elizabeth's Darkest Beloved: A Paranormal Pride and Prejudice Variation

By Penelope Talbot

Can Elizabeth give her heart away to a man with no beating heart of his own?

At yet another tedious assembly, Elizabeth Bennet prepares herself to tolerate a night of boredom. But when she catches the eye of Duke Darcy, one of the most mysterious and intriguing men in all of England, she finds her life is changed forever. Their love is unexpected, and it comes with an unbreakable promise.

Soon, Elizabeth is forced to decide if she is willing to pay the ultimate price for an eternity with her beloved…

Elizabeth's Darkest Beloved is a paranormal variation of Pride and Prejudice filed with danger, romance, and a love where 'until death do us part' can last a lifetime.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dear Dahlia Publishing
• Release date: Dec 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393903055

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Elizabeth did not know how long she had been sitting in the corner with the other unmarried ladies, but she had grown weary of nodding politely at conversations she had not heard. Even before they left Longbourn, she felt little excitement toward the idea of joining her sisters at the latest Meryton assembly. Yet, Jane promised her it would be more entertaining than a night spent reading alone in front of the fire.

She made a note to tell her sister that she had been mistaken. 

Since their arrival at the assembly, Elizabeth spent her time entirely alone. No men asked her dance, hardly any women engaged her in conversation, and when she tried to speak to her mother, Mrs. Bennet would shoo her away. Alternatively, it seemed the other Bennet girls were having a grand time. Jane spoke frequently with Mr. Bingley, Mary was discussing theory with a musician in another room, and she could hear her youngest sisters laughing but did not see where they were. It was likely for the better as Elizabeth was not terribly skilled at hiding her embarrassment when Kitty and Lydia were causing a stir.

When she saw the time, Elizabeth decided there was no reason for her to remain at the assembly, when it already felt as if she were being tortured. With a sigh of resignation, she stood from her chair and pushed through the crowd, anxious to return home to the safety of Longbourn and the book she had left idling by the fire. Yet, she did not even make it as far as the door before she heard a commotion near the center of the ballroom. The crowd was cast in shadows from a single candelabra, but there were many of them, and they were all circling around one startlingly tall, and mesmerizing, man.

Elizabeth could not make out the gentleman’s face from where she stood, nor did she recognize anyone who was speaking to him, but she felt as if she were practically tethered to him. The pull she felt to his side was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. But the crowd around him only seemed to be getting bigger and she could not seem to push her way to the front. It felt like an eternity before a husband and wife stepped away for a glass of punch, giving her the opportunity to slip into the vacancy they left behind. And when she finally saw the face of the popular gentleman, the ability to speak seemed to escape her entirely.

He was even taller than he had appeared at a distance, with broad shoulders and a suit so finely tailored, Elizabeth was sure it had come from one of the most expensive shops in London. His jaw was firm and his skin was pale, but his eyes seemed to sparkle as if they contained the stars themselves. All at once, Elizabeth realized he was looking directly into her eyes as well, and she thought she might faint dead away.

My dear lady, the man said as he held out his hand. Elizabeth placed hers in his grasp and his light, fleeting kiss caused her to shiver. His lips were cold, yet soft and inviting. She was sure she must be blushing. I do not believe we have met. I am Duke Fitzwilliam Darcy and I have recently moved into Pemberley, my family’s manor.

For a moment, Elizabeth thought that perhaps she should take her hand away but she was frozen in his gaze. She did not know how she even managed to answer.

I am Miss Elizabeth Bennet and my sisters are… Elizabeth looked around the room but was suddenly filled with the hope that Duke Darcy had yet to come across the youngest girls, for all their sakes. My sisters are here somewhere. Welcome to Meryton, Duke Darcy. What brings you all the way to our small village?

When Darcy smiled at her she could have sworn that she saw his teeth sparkle in the candlelight.

"A friend led me to believe my assistance was needed in a