Ardently by Caitlin Williams

Author:Caitlin Williams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: austen, mr darcy, elizabeth bennet, pemberley, austenesque, austensque
Publisher: Caitlin Williams

When they reached Claverton Down, Mr Yorke jumped from the gig and marched across to Mr Darcy’s curricle, clearly with the intention of taking umbrage with him for blocking his way and forcing him to go slowly. Darcy was already handing Miss Bingley down to the ground. There then followed an exchange of words between the gentlemen, low but heated, which Elizabeth could not hear from where she still sat, but whatever was said caused Miss Bingley’s eyebrows to raise. Frederick Yorke had seemingly forgotten about her and he stomped off into a thick set of trees. Elizabeth was about to clamber down from the gig herself. She was half standing when Mr Darcy strode over and without a word, picked her up about the waist and set her on the ground. The shock of such unexpected contact - the ease with which he had lifted her, and the feel of his strong hands upon her – all combined to make her a little breathless.

His face showed concern. “Are you unharmed?”

“Completely, thank you.”

He nodded curtly. “Good. I don’t know how I should have explained it to your father if anything had befallen you.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam’s curricle was now pulling up behind them, along with the carriage and Darcy went to greet them, leaving Elizabeth to wonder why on earth he thought it would have been his duty to explain such a thing to her father? What an odd, complex man he was. Caroline Bingley came up behind her. “Did you enjoy the ride, Miss Eliza?”

“I cannot say I did, Miss Bingley.” Elizabeth admitted.

“It was at times a little fast. Although of course, Mr Darcy took exceedingly good care of me and he is such an excellent driver. I was not frightened in the least.”

Elizabeth looked down at Miss Bingley’s shaking hands and felt a sudden and unexpected burst of sympathy for her, and she, took them between her own and patted them. Miss Bingley looked exceedingly grateful and, for an awful moment, Elizabeth thought she might burst into a sob. “Perhaps we shall be lucky and it will begin to rain before we are due to head back. We might both claim the use of the carriage for the return journey.”

A completely unguarded and genuine smile brightened Caroline Bingley’s face and they shared a look of understanding. It was a brief moment of companionship and a truce which could not possibly be maintained. Indeed, Elizabeth would have gambled on it not outlasting lunch.

Mr Yorke joined them again after a few minutes, his usual broad smile having reappeared. He offered one arm to Elizabeth and the other to Caroline Bingley and off they walked towards the top of the hill in order to admire the view. Elizabeth looked over her shoulder several times to see Mr Darcy seeing to the comfort of Mr Yorke’s sisters and Mrs Mountford, before directing his servants in the setting up of their picnic.

They spent a pleasant half hour taking in the scenery. It was a spectacular view.

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