An Old Friend by Jemima Selkirk

Author:Jemima Selkirk
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2018-01-29T02:00:00+00:00

9

“Good morning, madam.”

Maisie’s cheerful voice jarred as Elizabeth opened her eyes and slowly sat up in bed. Her mouth felt dry and her head ached.

“What time is it?” she whispered as Maisie opened the shutters and let in some weak sunlight.

“Eleven o’clock, madam. Miss Georgiana and Mr. Darcy are downstairs. Mr. Darcy was enquiring whether you were going to join them for breakfast this morning.”

Elizabeth shook her head and winced at the sudden stab of pain. Her eyes felt swollen from the tears she had shed in the early hours of the morning. It was not in her nature to be so timid, but she was not yet ready to face her husband. “Please tell Mr. Darcy I am indisposed and I will be down later.”

Maisie looked concerned. “Is there anything I can get you, madam? Would you like me to bring something up on a tray? You should try and eat.”

The thought of food made her shudder. “No, thank you, Maisie. You can leave me now. I will ring when I need you again.”

“Yes, madam.” Maisie half closed the shutters again, smoothed down the covers on the bed and then after a fierce look from Elizabeth, reluctantly left the room.

Elizabeth lay back down again. She knew she could not hide from Mr. Darcy forever, but she was still furious with him for the humiliation she had suffered at the ball. He’d tried to speak to her when he’d returned home, knocking firmly on the door, but she had pretended to be asleep and had been relieved when she heard his footsteps retreating to his own room. Suddenly remembering the door between their rooms, she had hastily got out of bed and locked it. Haunted by the image of Mr. Darcy and Miss Dearborn dancing it had taken a long time to settle back to sleep and it wasn’t long before her mind started playing tricks on her and she imagined them together with Miss Dearborn as the mistress of Pemberley. She felt a little cowardly not going downstairs, but her head ached from all the crying she had done and when she did confront Mr. Darcy, she did not want him to realise how hurt she was. Turning over, Elizabeth closed her eyes and a short while later she fell into a deep sleep.

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