Darcy's Voyage: A Tale of Uncharted Love on the Open Seas by Kara Louise Page B

determined strides surprised even him. That he was pursuing such an uncommonly foolish path was highly out of character for him. For every action he took there was usually a methodical line of reasoning behind it. This time was a rare exception.
    Each step he took away from Elizabeth was a constant reminder to him of the vast difference in their standing in society. If his family, particularly his aunt, were ever to discover that he had done such a foolish thing, that he had even considered such a thing as to marry a woman like her, his aunt would not hesitate to renounce him and cast him out of the family.
    Is this really something I should be even considering? A man of my means and status… He was distracted by his line of argument, reasoning, and questioning when he found himself face-to-face with another Miss whatever. He could not recall her name and had no desire to.
    “Mr. Darcy, such a pleasant day it is. Would you not agree?”
    This is why I am doing it! The women assaulting him day in and day out when all he wanted was to be left alone. They would never learn that he was in no humour on this voyage to entertain thoughts of reciprocating their interest.
    “It is a very nice day, and as such, I unfortunately must take my leave and discuss something with the captain!”
    He quickly strode off, leaving Miss whatever disappointed and at a loss for words.
    He thought of Elizabeth. She seemed to have a gift for knowing when to speak and when to be silent around him. He felt as comfortable in their silence as deeply as he felt invigorated by their intelligent dialogue. For these other women, any pause in the conversation prompted them to fill it up with nonsense and idle chat, none of which was satisfying to him in the least.
    Darcy made his way to the captain’s cabin and paused. He thought back to the woman he met two years ago in the carriage—the woman he was fairly certain was Elizabeth. Could it be that the real reason he asked Miss Bennet to marry him was because he did not want her to get away again? Darcy closed his eyes and rolled his head back. I cannot think like that! This is solely for her benefit now, and I cannot allow myself to dwell on any future possibilities, because there can never be any!
    Darcy knocked sharply on the captain’s door, hoping he would find him there. A wave of nervousness began to roil up inside of him.
    “Come,” a voice from inside called out.
    Darcy slowly opened the door and peered in, finding the captain entering some notations in his log book. When he saw that it was Darcy, he pursed his lips together as if fighting off the urge to make some comment.
    “Good day, Captain. Do you have a moment?”
    “For you, Darcy, of course. Come in.”
    Darcy walked in and the captain waved for him to sit down. Darcy obliged, but never really settled into the chair, constantly adjusting himself in it and nervously tapping his fingers on the armrest.
    It was apparent to the captain that Darcy was obviously distressed or nervous about something. “What is it now?” Wendell asked, folding his hands firmly in front of him on the desk.
    “I have a small favour to ask of you, Wendell.”
    “Is the food not to your liking? Are you beginning to tire of the hardtack bread and dried meat? Are they not up to your expectations? Or perhaps you would prefer a more varied array of entertainments onboard?”
    Darcy looked down at his hands that he now gripped together and held firmly in his lap. “No, sir. It is a rather odd, personal request.”
    “Pray, continue.”
    Darcy took in a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, and then slowly let it out. “I would like you to perform a marriage ceremony.”
    The captain’s eyes widened, then immediately narrowed. “Between who?”
    Darcy leaned forward and spoke with forced decisiveness. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet and myself, sir.”
    The captain remained gravely silent, gathering his thoughts and wondering what had prompted this man to make such