All's Fair in Love and War and Death by Anne Morris

Author:Anne Morris [Morris, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance/Historical/Regency
ISBN: 9780998040820
Publisher: Danromas Designs
Published: 2019-01-28T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Jane agreed that she was much improved when Elizabeth inquired in the morning. Jane said she would be able to return home, though how they would manage it was a different matter. The sisters discussed their options, how improved Jane truly felt, and decided Jane was still not recovered enough. They would ask for the Bennet carriage to collect them the following morning.

Jane dressed, but kept to her rooms, wanting only Elizabeth for company, and while Elizabeth entertained her sister, her mind was occupied elsewhere. She wondered where Mr. Darcy was and what occupied him that morning? Had the gentlemen gone shooting again that day? Perhaps he was busy and would not have been available if she had been downstairs.

Miss Bingley related that the gentlemen had indeed gone shooting when Caroline came in to check on Jane sometime in the morning. The friendliness which the young woman displayed probably had to do with her not fearing Elizabeth as a rival should she somehow escape from Jane’s room. Her brother had assured Miss Bingley that they would be gone the entire day.

When Caroline Bingley joined them again after their midday meal, Elizabeth said she wished to stretch her legs in the gardens which did not fluster her hostess. Miss Bingley’s only comment was that it was a good time to go as it had not rained for many days, and Elizabeth need not fear for her petticoat.

Elizabeth immediately thought of Mr. Darcy as she buttoned her pelisse, tied on her bonnet, and made her way outside. I am doing my best to engineer a meeting, Mr. Darcy. Where are you? she thought. The Netherfield gardens were already a little bleak, despite it being October. There were no flowers in bloom, but she enjoyed being able to stroll along their formal beds to stretch her legs.

The crunch of footsteps made Elizabeth turn, and Mr. Darcy was there, dressed more informally than she had ever seen. She reckoned that he had just returned from shooting.

“Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth smiled, unable to contain her pleasure at seeing him.

“Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy answered, coming up to her. “We returned earlier than expected. Mr. Hurst fell and has hurt his ankle.” His arm was offered, and Elizabeth took it. “And I looked outside and found the last flower in bloom out in the gardens.”

“You do have the prettiest compliments,” she said taking hold of his arm.

Mr. Darcy walked Elizabeth down the path with its low box hedge or lawn on one side or the other until they came to a corner of the pathway where there was a cypress which had been trimmed into blunt obelisk shape. Mr. Darcy hid their bodies behind it so anyone looking out from the house could not view them. Both his hands came to clasp her elbows as he looked down at her.

“Elizabeth, you have to know how much I love and adore you. I have not been able to forget the pleasure of your company after I lost it, back in London, and it would make me the happiest of men if you accept my hand in marriage.

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