100 Ways to Love Darcy by Caitlin Marie Carrington

Author:Caitlin Marie Carrington
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Caitlin Marie Carrington

9

“Are you quite sure you are well, Mrs. Darcy?”

For the hundredth time that morning, Darcy’s valet Coleman peered anxiously at her. She had dared to cough, and it was driving the man mad.

“I am hale and hearty, thank you, Coleman,” she reassured him. Again.

The man nodded, his watery blue eyes showing that he did not quite believe her. It was true, the evening before had been a disaster. After the roof literally caved in above their bed—thank God they had not been in it, though Lizzy blushed to think of what they had been doing—Darcy had roused the innkeeper and demanded a room for his bride.

Thankfully, the fighting in the tavern had solved the problem. Two men fled into the night, emptying one room. As they had been more interested in drinking than sleeping, the bedding was untouched and, more importantly, the roof was intact. It had been more than enough for Elizabeth, and she had surprised Darcy by kissing him furiously as soon as they were alone again.

But she had also, as soon as he had laid her in the small bed, yawned more loudly that she’d ever done in her life. With laughter in his voice, Darcy had told her gently to go to sleep. The next thing she knew, Darcy was kissing her awake and a pale, watery sunshine filled the room.

As did the valet’s repeated, concerned questions.

The man obviously had taken great offense at how his master and new mistress had been treated on their wedding night. And he was determined that nothing amiss should happen on the journey, from this point onwards.

Gerwin was equally concerned about her new employers, though she was unsure of her role. The poor girl was simply supposed to travel with them, and perhaps help Lizzy in and out of her clothes. She hadn’t been trained for any of it, and whenever she opened her mouth she tended to say the wrong thing, which aggrieved Coleman. He never yelled or made her feel badly, but the young man could not quite hide his annoyance, despite his best efforts.

The valet acted much older than he appeared. Lizzy watched him from inside the rocking coach. Coleman sat nearest the window, then Gerwin, then a large basket of food and provisions next to her. He could not be more than five-and-twenty, maybe thirty, but he obviously took his duties very seriously.

She wanted to ask her husband more about Coleman, but obviously could not, as they were stuck inside the carriage…for the next three days or so, depending on the weather.

Elizabeth suppressed a groan and leaned her head back against the cushioned seat. Darcy noticed and gave her an intimate, reassuring smile. “The roads are surprisingly smooth, for such a storm as of last night.”

Coleman groaned subtly. “I feel as I though I have failed you, Mr. Darcy. I never—never!—should have allowed that innkeeper to give you such abysmal lodgings—”

“Please, calm yourself, Coleman. We have survived. We did not melt. All is well.”

“Aye, he only got hit on his head by one piece of wood!” Gerwin added, trying to assuage the valet’s guilt.

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