Without Pride and Prejudice

Chapter Thirty

“She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her.”

MONROE

IT FELT WEIRD DRIVING THROUGH the gates of Pride and Prejudice Park on Sunday afternoon—so much had happened in a week’s time. Here I thought I would just be living out my dreams; instead, I got a reality that was much better than anything I could ever have imagined.

Fitz’s fingers curled around mine as he drove us up the long drive. He wore a cravat for my pleasure and kept his cheeks perfectly stubbly, just the way I liked them. We drove past many of the townspeople dressed in Regency period clothing, walking up the lane to attend the “wedding” and the ball afterward. It was fun that the park included them in the festivities.

Watching them walk gave me flashbacks from my vivid dream and my trips into Meryton—I still found it so strange a dream could seem so real. I swore some of the people in the lane looked familiar, but that couldn’t be. Maybe I’d just seen them around town the last couple of days when Fitz, Dad, and I had been out walking. We’d rented a cute little cottage after Dr. Taylor cleared me to be released from the hospital on Friday afternoon. Since Dad was still in town, I didn’t want to return to the park, even to stay the night, and miss spending time with him—especially considering I would move to the UK in the near future. How soon, I didn’t know. There were things we needed to work out, like a visa allowing me to have permanent residency here and all the logistics of selling my place back home. But that was a worry for another day.

For now, I wanted to focus on being in this place with Fitz. I’d come here hoping I’d discover my inner Elizabeth, and maybe I had—just in a different way than I expected. I admired Elizabeth for her free spirit, for following her heart, and for not seeing what was right in front of her—the man who valued her mind and heart. Her story was one of two imperfect people who learned and grew together in mutual admiration, respect, and love, even bucking the societal constraints of their day. Though I no longer wanted to be Elizabeth, I had to give her credit for the lessons she and Darcy had taught me. And for that, I would always love her. Pride and Prejudice would continue to live in my heart—and maybe even my own version too. After all, life was always sweeter without pride and prejudice. I think Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy would agree.

“How are you feeling, love?” Fitz asked as he put the car in park and we waited for a footman to help us out. He was still worried about me after the fall, even though the doctor had given me a clean bill of health. Dr. Taylor did advise me not to fly back home for a few more days, though. What a shame—I guess it meant I would just have to spend more time with Fitz at his estate. His mum wouldn’t like that, but we would have to come to some sort of truce, she and I. That fun would begin tomorrow.

I leaned over and straightened his cravat. “I feel like the luckiest woman in the world.” For that, he rewarded me with a quick peck. “People are staring at us.” I bit my lip—I was trying to get used to that.

“Well, look at how gorgeous you are. They can’t help themselves.” Fitz smiled, knowing darn well it was because of his interview. He’d been getting a lot of attention from it. Kingston had been fielding calls nonstop from several news organizations wanting to interview Fitz, and even me.

“Nice try.”

“You are gorgeous.”

“And bruised.” The back of my head still had a nice bump, and my back, shoulders, legs, and arms had their fair share of purple and blue areas. My pretty pink dress covered most, but there was no hiding all of them.

“It’s a miracle that’s the extent of your injuries.”

“I know.” I squeezed his hand.

A footman opened my door. He was so cute, but I didn’t mention it.

Fitz came around the car and offered me his arm. Several onlookers waved at us, and a few called out, “Your Grace!” and “Monroe!”

This was so weird. Fitz and I waved as he ushered us into the main house, a.k.a. Rosings Park, a.k.a. Pemberley. “How do people know my name?” I whispered to Fitz.

“How do people know anything nowadays?” he muttered.

“People are looking me up online?” I shuddered to think of the possibility, after all the silly pictures I’d posted of myself over the years. Yikes.

“Undoubtedly,” he responded.

“That doesn’t sound kosher.”

Fitz chuckled but said somberly, “I’m afraid it’s the price of admission into my world.”

“I guess it’s a good thing I love you so much.” Note to self: scrub my social media accounts stat.

“That’s a very good thing.”

We walked into the house, and Lady Catherine immediately greeted us, all smiles now. “We are so happy you have returned. I was so worried about you, dear.” She awkwardly patted my shoulder.

Uh-huh. I wasn’t buying her 180-degree turnaround. Fitz had mentioned that he’d told her off after my accident. She probably worried he’d sink the place or give an interview that painted the park in a poor light.

Realizing I, too, was in the public eye now, I responded graciously, “Thank you.”

“Come with me to the ballroom. We are all preparing there for the grand finale.” She sashayed in front of us, her gray wig bouncing.

As we walked through the bustling halls, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the air. Staff members scurried around, their hands occupied with delicate vases of fragrant white roses. The sweet scent of the flowers floated in the air, adding a touch of elegance to the scene. Amid the commotion, I couldn’t help but be captivated by the enchanting aura of the place. It seemed more magical now as I entered it, without feeling the need to be anyone but myself. What a gift that was, and I owed it all to this place, my crazy imagination, and of course, my favorite book.

We entered the ballroom, which was set up with actual pews for the wedding guests. Before I could take it all in, the “Bennet family” rushed toward us. They were all dressed in their finest, especially Macey, who was in an ivory wedding gown with a gorgeous embroidered lace bodice. She was positively glowing—it must have been an enjoyable week. I couldn’t wait to ask her all about it.

Mr. and Mrs. Bennet reached me first. Fitz let go of me just in time before they both put their arms around me. “We were so worried about you.” Mrs. Bennet kissed my cheek.

Mr. Bennet gave me a mischievous smile with a twinkle in his eye. If it weren’t totally crazy, I would swear that he knew about my dream and how he’d helped me remember it was okay to be myself. But that wasn’t possible. He was probably just happy to see me not unalive. I was extremely grateful for that, too.

Next was Mary. She beamed at me before hugging me. “Guess who asked me out?” she whispered in my ear.

“Who?”

“Mr. Collins. I mean Sebastian.”

“Really? Did you find out if he likes boiled potatoes?” I teased her.

She giggled. “I’m not sure, but I’ll definitely ask.”

Lydia and Kitty pushed their way in. To what must have been Lady Catherine’s distress, they were not using proper British accents.

“’Ello there! You doin’ awright?” Lydia asked.

“Much better now, thank you.”

“You sure took a fall,” Kitty said.

“Yes, I did.” I kept glancing at Macey, eager to speak to her. It was weird, but I was thankful for her presence as Jane in my dream. There had been something comforting about it. Though we hardly knew each other, she was one of those people I immediately connected with. She’d shown me so much kindness after my ill-fated rendezvous in the woods with Fitz. That seemed like a lifetime ago.

Lady Catherine took the opportunity to speak to Fitz while I was otherwise engaged. I wondered what she had to say, but it would have to wait.

Finally, I got my turn with Macey. We embraced for several moments.

“You look beautiful,” I complimented her.

“As do you.” She gave me one more squeeze before letting go.

“How was your week?” I needed to know everything. I noticed her Mr. Darcy lingering nearby, glancing at her often. “How did it go with Zane?” I added.

She bit her lip. “Better than expected.” Her tone implied that it was much, much better.

I pulled her closer to me. “Spill the tea.”

She laughed. “I don’t know what to say. It was good. So good, it doesn’t seem real.”

I knew that feeling. “Uh-huh.”

“Well, how about you?” She nodded toward Fitz.

“Oh, him?” I teased. “He speaks great duke . Like, really good.”

Macey giggled. “I’m happy for you. The man does know how to write a good letter.”

“Yeah, he does.”

“Ooh, I do have some news you might find interesting.” She leaned in closer and whispered in my ear, “You’ll never believe who Zane and I caught making out in the stables.”

“Who?” I was more than curious.

“Your ex and Lady Winnifred.”

My eyes bugged out, and for a moment, I lost the ability to speak. “No way! Are you serious?”

“Totally serious.” Macey looked as shocked as I felt. “But,” she lowered her voice, “even more interesting is that Kitty overheard Tony telling a staff member he only came here because he’d been trying to make the park refund the money he’d paid them for your honeymoon, but they said it was impossible. Somehow, though, he’d charmed someone involved with the park, and they hatched a plan for him to come work here. Whoever this person is told him lots of rich women pay to come here and play a part and they are always looking for love.”

My mouth fell open. “So, he came to catch a rich woman?”

“Sounds like it.”

“Oh my gosh. He’s such a Wickham. How did I miss that?”

Macey patted my arm. “Don’t beat yourself up about it; he obviously knows how to charm people and make them believe he’s someone he’s not.”

Still. I felt icky. And even if I was a little giddy to know that Winnifred had made out with a plumber, I knew I needed to warn her about Tony. No one deserved that—not even Winnifred. Why she even wanted him, I didn’t know. Wasn’t he a commoner like me?

Regardless, I had to make sure Winnifred stayed clear of him and made sure the park knew what was going on. The question was, who was Tony working with at the park?

Speaking of Tony, I noticed he was doing his best to stay clear of us. Fine by me. I still couldn’t believe he’d embezzled funds from his own family. No wonder his mom had been so upset. They were seriously the nicest folks. Well, his days of hurting people were numbered. Fitz and I would make sure of it.

“My dearest Monroe,” Lady Catherine trilled while she swept in, interrupting my time with Macey. “I was telling His Grace that we would love it if you two would take your roles back for the wedding and be our Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.” What an awful thing to say in front of Macey.

“No, thank you,” I said while looking at Macey, hoping Lady Catherine’s callous words hadn’t hurt her. Macey smiled at me gratefully.

“Well,” Lady Catherine said, taken aback. “I just thought it would be fitting.”

I reached for Fitz, and he took my hand. “We don’t want to pretend. This is the real deal.”

“All right, then.” She marched off, clearly unhappy.

“I’d better go get ready to reenact the last scene.” Macey beamed.

“Good luck.” I waved before turning back to Fitz. “I have something to tell you.” I whispered in his ear what Macey had just relayed to me about Tony and Winnifred.

Fitz stiffened, clenching his fists, but he remained calm.

“What should we do?” I asked, once I finished my tale.

“For now we will remain discreet, given we are in public.” He was treading carefully, trying to not crush my spirit. For that, I loved him.

“Fitz, I hope you know that I realize I will have to make some changes too. This isn’t all on you. Relationships are about compromising. And maybe I don’t want to rescue Winnifred right away.” I impishly grinned. Oh, don’t worry, I would talk to her before the night was over—discreetly, of course. The last thing I wanted was another picture in the Daily Mail .

Fitz rested a hand on my cheek. “You are incredible.”

“You’re not so bad yourself.”

Fitz offered me his arm, and I gladly took it.

“Are you sad that you missed out on this week?” he asked.

I looked around the beautiful ballroom draped in delicate garlands made of greenery and flowers. The altar up front was surrounded by even more flowers. While it was wonderful, I felt as if this week had given me something better: confidence in myself and my person, Fitz. While make-believe was important, it could never supersede reality. The best love stories are those we get to live, as messy as they are, with no guarantees of happy endings. “No.” I peered into Fitz’s broody eyes, which gazed at me adoringly. “I didn’t miss out on anything.”

Fitz leaned in and pressed his lips to mine.

“You’re going to get us in trouble for engaging in a romantic pursuit,” I mumbled against his lips.

“I intend to pursue you for the rest of my life,” Fitz said, low and sexy.

“Mr. Darcy has nothing on you.” I grabbed his jacket and laid one on him. Well, it was more of a church kiss. We were kind of in church. Regardless, he reached the depths of my being, just from the gentle touch of his soft lips moving over mine. He was that good. “We’d better find our seats,” I said as people started pouring in. Many of their eyes landed on us. I was going to have to get used to that.

Fitz guided us to the second row, where we took our seats behind the Bennets for the double wedding. It looked like some staff members had filled in for Jane and Mr. Bingley.

As they set up for the scene, it got me to thinking that maybe someday soon I would plan another wedding and honeymoon. Who would have known that both honeymoons would be with Fitz? I wondered what we could do to top this experience, including me not spending most of it in the hospital.

“Fitz,” I whispered, “where should we go on our next honeymoon?”

He looked around the sizable crowd before he faced me, his gaze intense but tender. “Somewhere with the just the two of us.”

“Just the two of us.”

That sounded perfect.