A Mortal Heart's Desire: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Lyndsay Constable

Author:Lyndsay Constable [Constable, Lyndsay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Alternate Universe, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Goodreads: 220840684
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-11-02T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Elizabeth anxiously awaited Darcy’s return as she attempted to attend to all that Mrs Roosevelt was saying to her. As interesting as she found the young lady, it was difficult to keep her mind focused on the conversation that was expected of her when every fibre of her heart was drawn towards the boatyard where Darcy was at that moment. In her mind, Elizabeth could paint the image of the New Orleans from the sketches of the vessel that she had studied intently during their voyage.

Is he on the boat? Observing it from afar? Does he have a question that only I am able to answer? I wonder where he is at this exact moment? Perhaps my absence is causing him distress. Perhaps he is grateful to be rid of me.

Her imagination persistently teased her with tableaus of Darcy directing the crates of their precious cargo. His imperious eye would be watching every shift of the boxes. Any delay or confusion would bring that one-sided scowl to his mouth that he mistakenly believed none were able to perceive. He would rest one hand on his hip and tap the ground with one heel, resembling an anxious stallion restraining his power.

Unwittingly, a smile dawned on her lips. Standing with him was where she felt most at ease. Would he remember to be more accommodating to those around him and less formal in speech? Elizabeth was certain that his quiet, authoritative manner was more understood when he was on his estate of Pemberley, but she had witnessed several instances when it had been mistaken for high-handedness here in America. Elizabeth had always been on hand with a quip that made people smile, or a rapid change of subject to smooth over any offence accidentally given by Darcy.

“I see you and your husband are just as my Nicholas and me,” Mrs Roosevelt said after several moments of quiet had passed without Elizabeth even realising.

“Goodness. I—I do apologise,” Elizabeth stammered. “How terribly rude of me. I must be feeling the fatigue of such a long journey. It is as though this is the first time we have paused long enough for me to catch my breath since the ship cast off in England.”

Elizabeth hoped her words sounded sincere, for her thoughts were almost the complete reverse. The journey had been invigorating in a manner that she had not fully anticipated. To be fully on her own without the judgement of a small society such as Meryton and Longbourn had to offer had been an unexpected pleasure. Many ladies might have found the hardships and deprivations wearisome, but she had loved every moment of it—every moment once she had overcome the initial trials of seasickness, that is.

Mrs Roosevelt watched her keenly from the corners of her eyes. “You need not beg my pardon. I am of exactly the same mind as you. Where my Nicholas goes, I must follow. The same can be said of him towards me.”

Momentarily confused at being caught so precisely in the nature of her musings, Elizabeth dropped her gaze down to her lap.

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