Very Merry Mischief a Pride and Prejudice Novella Read online

  "Please William," she begged and leaned closer to him so he was want to put an arm around her. "I am not too cold, but I am not ready to leave and wake up from this dream."

  Smiling, Darcy hugged his betrothed to his chest and kissed the top of her head. "My darling, it's not a dream. It's a miracle."

  †††††

  January 20, 1814

  Good tidings for the the New Year, Papa, your Lizzie is a married woman! I am pleased to announce Mr. Darcy proposed to me on Christmas Eve and I happily accepted. He is a good man, Father, and though I expect we might be cross with one another, I have found restoring our peace nearly makes disrupting it worth the endeavor.

  Robert Bennet spit his tea out at the boldness of his favorite daughter, but he laughed heartily. Finally that dunderhead numbskull Darcy had been captured by his daughter! There was no other he would wish for his Lizzie.

  Jane and Charles are overjoyed as he signed a contract for their new estate when he and Mr. Darcy rode to London for our special license. Please tell Mother the bride wore a gown of cream, hand sewn in-house by Miss Darcy's private seamstress and the groom wore a new blue coat with an embroidered handkerchief as his pocket square.

  Mr. Bennet rolled his eyes at the details in the letter he cared not for and browsed the particulars of this House-On-Havre place the Bingleys were to reside.

  Unfortunately, the Bingleys will be remaining in Derbyshire through Jane's confinement, but hope to visit Longbourn late next summer. Miss Bingley will return to Hertfordshire to help oversee the personal effects moved from Netherfield to Willow-0n-Havre once the spring thaw occurs. Mr. Bingley would like for me to add for Mother to please make a special effort to invite Miss Bingley to dine as often as possible to cheer his sister. And father, I would add that your visit to my new home and the splendid library within is highly anticipated as I dearly hope to see you soon.

  Mr. Bennet chuckled at the letter and muttered to himself. "So that baggage has finally been thrown out to establish her own residence. Good for you, Bingley, good for you!"

  Taking great care, Mr. Bennet made a rare action to immediately respond to his correspondence. He wished his daughter joy, and regretted not being present for her nuptials, but understood she was taking no chances this time to secure her happiness. He paused in his writing as he wondered how much his daughter knew of his own intelligence regarding her and Mr. Darcy, but elected to wait until he could speak in person to confess that it was he who told Bingley to drag Elizabeth to Derbyshire if necessary. He finished the letter to say he would bring her mother and sister to visit as soon as they were able, which he suspected would be the amount of time it would take to pack once he informed Mrs. Bennet.

  Sealing the letter with his stamp, Mr. Bennet donned his coat and hat from the rack in his study where they rested. As he entered the hallway, his post in hand to personally deliver it to town, he called for his wife.

  "Oh, Mrs. Bennet! Mrs. Bennet! I have some news you may care for . . . "

  †

  About the Author

  Elizabeth Ann West is a jane-of-all-trades, mistress to none. Author of the best-selling women’s fiction, Cancelled, and historical romance series Seasons of Serendipity, she began her writing career in 2007 writing advertising copy for websites. Since then, she has learned to make apps, code websites, and brew a mean cup of coffee. Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, her family now moves wherever the Navy sends them.

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