Expecting: The Duology

By P. O. Dixon

Experience the timeless tale of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy as they challenge societal expectations and follow their hearts in this captivating duology. With each story, be swept away by their journey to find love and overcome obstacles that threaten to keep them apart.

 

Book 1 - Expecting His Proposal

 

What if Darcy had not insulted Elizabeth at the Meryton assembly, but had danced with her instead? What if Elizabeth had refused to listen to anything negative that George Wickham had to say about Darcy? What if Elizabeth had been so preoccupied with thoughts of the master of Pemberley that by the time his visit to Kent was coming to an end, she was expecting his proposal?

 

Book 2 - Expecting His Wife

 

Miss Elizabeth Bennet has accepted Mr. Darcy's proposal. Wedding plans are well underway. What could possibly go wrong?

What happens when Elizabeth's Hertfordshire relations and Mr. Darcy's aristocratic relations come face to face? Is the couple's abiding love enough to ensure their path to happily ever after, or will a mishap or two get in their way? You'll love how this fast-paced, diverting short story of lasting love and ultimate acceptance unfolds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Regents and Cotswold Book Group
• Release date: May 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224764235

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

Expecting

EXPECTING

THE DUOLOGY

P. O. DIXON

CONTENTS

Expecting His Proposal

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Expecting His Wife

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

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Also by P. O. Dixon

About the Author

Acknowledgments

In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.

Jane Austen

EXPECTING HIS PROPOSAL

CHAPTER 1

A FAVORABLE ANSWER

ROSINGS PARK, KENT

The frequency of Elizabeth’s encounters with Mr. Darcy during her rambles within the park excited her hopes beyond measure. Their meetings were not at all by chance either, for he always turned back and walked with her. Their meetings were by his design—he wanted to spend time with her, away from the inquiring eyes of others. His scheme suited Elizabeth just fine.

He never said a great deal, and not wanting to give the impression of being just another doting female who was always speaking, and looking, and thinking for his approbation alone, Elizabeth sought to guard her discourse as well. How sick of civility, of deference, of officious attention he must be. How he must thoroughly despise the persons who so assiduously court him. Elizabeth was far too clever to behave accordingly.

When he did talk, he asked odd, unconnected questions—about her pleasure in being at Hunsford, her love of solitary walks, and her opinion of Mr. and Mrs. Collins’s happiness. In speaking of Rosings, he seemed to expect that whenever she came into Kent again she would be staying there too. The implications of his words could only mean one thing.

Her dear friend Charlotte, in whose home Elizabeth was a guest, had once or twice suggested to Elizabeth the possibility of Mr. Darcy’s being partial to her. Elizabeth always laughed, for it would not do to allow her friend to know just how keen she was on the idea.

Elizabeth proceeded slowly along the path. She was growing a bit concerned that the time was quickly approaching for Mr. Darcy to be away from Kent, and still, he had not proposed to her. Her confidence that it was only a matter of time waned with each passing minute. What on earth was I thinking that I might attract such a man?

She was no stranger to the fact that Mr. Darcy supposedly was promised to his cousin Miss Anne de Bourgh. Indeed, her curiosity to know more about the young woman who held the position she often had wished was her own was one of the things that persuaded her to accept Charlotte’s invitation. Even though it would mean spending weeks in the company of her odious cousin, Mr. William Collins, whose hand Elizabeth had wisely spurned, it would be well worth it.

Whenever Elizabeth found herself in the company of Mr. Darcy and his cousin at Rosings, she often looked at Darcy to see how affectionately he regarded Miss de Bourgh, but never once could she discern any symptom of love. On the other hand, Elizabeth had felt herself the happy recipient of a great deal of his attention.

He had given hints of admiring her in Hertfordshire as well. Never expecting she might ever see him again after he and his friend Charles Bingley hastily returned to London soon after the Netherfield ball, Elizabeth’s surprise in seeing him in Kent was palpable. Her delight in being the recipient of his ardent attentions once again was even more so.

She could not think of Darcy’s leaving without giving some thought to his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam’s leave-taking as well. Elizabeth had often been in company with both gentlemen over the past weeks. No doubt in his cousin’s company, Darcy’s attentions to her were nowhere near as unguarded as when she and Darcy were alone and he showed her those hints of his true character others did not often see.

Where Darcy was reserved, which some regarded as haughty and aloof, the colonel was eager to please. Though not as handsome as Darcy and certainly not as rich, the colonel, being the second son of an earl, was very much the gentleman—amiable and well-bred—with no problems at all recommending himself to everyone. I am certain the colonel charms people everywhere he goes. Indeed, he was the kind of gentleman whom most women dreamed of calling their own.

In fact, it was the colonel who found himself by her side whenever they were in each other’s company, and Elizabeth had begun to feel that he might fancy himself in love with her and might offer for her. How unenviable would she feel if put in the position of having to consider the proposal of the one man when it was the incidental touches, the stirring debates, the longing looks, and the rich baritone voice of the other that had made a lasting impression upon her heart.

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire, the brooding Adonis-like man with dark hair and dark eyes who too often crept into her dreams since the night they first danced together at the Meryton assembly and whose hands lingered upon hers a bit too long as they moved through the two dances at the Netherfield ball.

Perplexing man! How fortunate am I that I never gave him cause to suspect the true depth of my regard for him, else he might then have treated me with an equal measure of indifference as he affords Miss de Bourgh.

After congratulating herself that no one need ever know how much her heart had been engaged by the prospect of capturing Mr. Darcy’s fancy, she began to consider that all in all, she had no cause to repine. Her trip had indeed been very pleasant. The five weeks that she had now passed in Kent had made a great difference in the countryside, and every day everything she saw and heard reminded her why she loved the springtime. She was on the point of turning back, when she caught a glimpse of Mr. Darcy pacing in the lane just up ahead. She halted her steps and observed him. From where she stood, she detected he was absorbed in deep thought despite his animated gestures. Whatever was troubling him, Elizabeth was determined to discover, and she set off to meet him.

Startled, he quickly tucked the paper he was studying so diligently into his pocket. Miss Elizabeth!

Mr. Darcy, I saw you walking back and forth, looking as though you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Pray whatever is the matter?

The fact is I do have a great deal on my mind. I’ve been walking in the grove some time in the hope of meeting you this morning. His demeanor then became more urgent. In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.

His declaration sent her heartbeat racing. But why was she so stunned? Had this not been what she was hoping for— that she would be the woman to win this man’s heart. Still, she had been dreaming of the moment for so long, perhaps this too was a dream. You love me, Mr. Darcy?

Indeed. I love you ... most ardently. Please do me the honor of accepting my hand.

Elizabeth’s astonishment rendered her speechless. Did she proceed to prolong his suspense with half-hearted protests according to the usual practice of elegant females? That ridiculous Mr. Collins had accused her of that very thing when he had offered his hand to her in marriage last autumn. Of course, she had refused him and in no uncertain terms. The odious man then proposed to her friend Charlotte, and to Elizabeth’s dismay, Charlotte accepted him.

Cognizant that Mr. Darcy was speaking, the precise words he spoke escaped her as she attempted to rid her mind of the events of the past and focus upon her promising future.

A light touch on her hand unleashed a wave of excitement throughout her body. He had touched her hand before on several occasions. She even knew what it was like to feel the soft brush of his lips against her skin, but nothing compared to this.

Miss Elizabeth, did you hear a word I said?

Yes, sir.

His eyes questioning, Darcy said, Yes, you heard me or yes, you will be my wife?

Yes ... I heard you. And yes ... I will be your wife.

Now it was Darcy’s turn to be astonished. He had come to her with every expectation of a favorable reply. However, he had not expected it to be so easily bestowed. He had worked many hours composing the heartfelt words written out on the paper in his pocket—a detailed accounting of his apprehensions and anxieties.

Do I dare breathe a word of any of that now? Do I conceal my struggles and flatter her into the belief of my being impelled by unqualified, unalloyed inclination?

Elizabeth’s dark eyes beaming with joy taught him to think better of it.

No, I dare not to say anything of the sort and risk injuring her pride by my honest confession of the scruples that had long prevented my forming any serious design. Darcy raised her hand to his lips and brushed a tender kiss across her knuckles. Resting her hand upon his chest, he said, Thank you, Miss Elizabeth, for making me the happiest man in all of England.

And so it was—Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet—engaged to be married. Not wishing to draw attention to their newfound felicity just yet, they resolved during their return to the Parsonage House that no word of their engagement was to be shared with anyone, not even Elizabeth’s dearest sister, Jane, until Mr. Bennet’s consent was asked for and received. Further, Elizabeth was to continue as the Collinses’ guest for the next week, and Darcy would remain at Rosings. That way, they might enjoy a pleasurable period of courtship there in Kent.

Niggling thoughts that sought to encroach upon Elizabeth’s joy, she immediately dismissed. So pleased was she with the preference he bestowed onto her while neglecting all the other women of his acquaintance that Elizabeth was certain he held