Mr Darcy's Addiction ~ Excerpt from PULSE AND PREJUDICE for My Sexy Saturday

Welcome to My Sexy Saturday!

The theme this week: My Sexy Addiction

"Our theme is My Sexy Addiction. It’s an open theme in that we’re not going to say when or how or where. We are going to say – just one thing and that’s about the song – Addicted to Love. You remember it…don’t you? How about the line ‘You might as well face it you’re addicted to love’? And doesn’t that just say it all about us here at My Sexy Saturday?"

As promised last week, today I am sharing another scene from Pulse and Prejudice, the paranormal adaptation of the Austen classic which tells Mr. Darcy's story as a vampire.

The problem I have had with the theme "My Sexy Addiction" has been selecting just one scene since most of the novel deals with Mr. Darcy's struggle with his attraction to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Tormented by his curse, he believes he is drawn to her because of the blood that runs through her veins, not because she has touched his heart.

I finally settled on this scene early in the novel when Elizabeth has been caring for her ill sister at Netherfield.
From Pride and Prejudice:

Steady to his purpose, he scarcely spoke ten words to her through the whole of Saturday, and though they were at one time left by themselves for half-an-hour, he adhered most conscientiously to his book, and would not even look at her.

Of course, that is how Elizabeth interpreted it. My adaptation follows the plot of the classic romance but from Darcy's point of view as if Miss Austen had always conceived his character as a vampire; and thus his version of events is slightly different...

Elizabeth could not help but be diverted by her companion’s silence, as he had been relatively talkative during the last few evenings. She thought it unlikely he could be embarrassed by their awkward encounter the night before. She wondered that he might have been offended by her comments concerning his defects of character, although he had not seemed so at the time. That she may have the power to offend him diverted her; and in the midst of these musings, her attention turned away from her embroidery to him. In her distraction, she inadvertently scraped the point of her needle across the tip of the middle finger of her left hand.

She cried out mildly and raised her hand to examine the cut. Startling her, Darcy immediately stood before her, gripping her hand in his. “Miss Bennet, you are hurt!” he exclaimed.

Amused by his sudden and dramatic concern, she laughingly said, “It is merely a flesh wound, I assure you, Mr. Darcy. Pray do not concern yourself.” Her amusement gave way to distress, however, as his attention remained focused on the dark, red blood that emerged from the shallow cut. “Mr. Darcy!” Elizabeth cried, attempting to wrench her hand from his grasp. “Mr. Darcy! Release my hand!”

Darcy peered into her wide, dark eyes, which showed more surprise than horror. Holding them in his stare, he crouched beside her. Her hand captive in his left, he pressed lightly on her temple with the fingertips of his right while penetrating her with his gaze until she
relaxed against the back of her chair, her eyes at half-mast. He traced gentle fingers down her cheek and across her jaw then took her hand in both of his and brought it to his mouth.

She was correct; the cut was not deep, but what little blood touched his tongue caused him to tremble in delight and desire. The few drops from her, so deliciously warm and sweet, only increased his hunger. He held his hand upon her neck and felt her pulse until it echoed in his head. He could have her, here and now, he thought. The hand on her neck slid to her nape, baring her throat enticingly to him. He lowered his face to her—the aroma of blood coursing below her skin prickled his senses, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

“Elizabeth,” he whispered. He closed his eyes and pressed his mouth against her pulse, its rhythm beating upon his lips. He remained thus, embracing her warmth, desperate for more, until he could muster the strength to pull away from her. He had to believe there existed enough of Darcy the man to prevent him from such a despicable act. He stood and caressed her cheek before allowing himself a final kiss upon her forehead.

Darcy returned to his seat and turned his attention to his book. In a moment, Elizabeth stirred and realized she must have dozed off. She glanced at Darcy, but he had not seemed to notice. She smiled as she thought how they had managed to spend half an hour alone together without even speaking.

I would love to know what you think! And if this whets your appetite for more, Pulse and Prejudice is available in paperback, audiobook, and all eBook formats.

Be sure to come back next week for another excerpt from The Proud and the Prejudiced: A Modern Twist on Pride and Prejudice - for those not so keen on the vampire motif. But, c'mon! Who wouldn't want to be bitten by Mr. Darcy?

Now this is a blog hop, so be sure to hop on over to visit all these other authors and see what sizzling 7s they have for you on My Sexy Saturday!