United by Happenstance: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Variations of Pride and Prejudice Book 2)

“You were never my enemy, Mr Darcy.” “Of course not,” he said with chagrin. “I was merely the last man in the world you could ever be prevailed upon to marry.” She frowned. “Ah, yes, I did say that. I also once told my sister Jane that nothing would induce me into matrimony but the deepest love.” She looked up at him, her eyes a little wide. “I would regret such prognostications more deeply if I did not see their fulfilment now.”

Emboldened by the bright happiness of his gaze trained down upon her, her own good humour only increased. “Yes, I must thank your aunt, for she gave me one very good piece of advice after she learned of my refusal of Mr Collins—that I ought not refuse another offer of marriage ever again.” He shifted his hands lower on her back to enhance their proximity, warming her. “And yet you did, initially,” he observed. “Ah, but that was before I heard her advice,” said Elizabeth archly.