Darcy's Hope ~ Beauty from Ashes, a WW1 Pride & Prejudice Variation by Ginger Monette

Author:Ginger Monette
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: World War I romance, Historical mystery romance, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Clean historical romance, Pride and Prejudice retellings, Pride and Prejudice variations, Great War Romance, WWI WW1 romance, Great romance, Edwardian romance, British romance, Western Front romance, military romance, Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Austen, Jane Austen fan fiction, JAFF
Publisher: Ginger Monette
Published: 2016-11-01T04:00:00+00:00

That night Elizabeth closed Les Miserables and smoothed the cover, having finished the novel.

“Ah, such an inspiring story.” Monsieur Dubois shifted in his worn chair beside Elizabeth.

“Yes, and—”

Lili bolted from her master’s lap, barking as the captain strode through to his office. He merely nodded to them, unlocked his room, and disappeared inside. Elizabeth’s heart wrenched as Lili once again tucked her tail between her legs and moped back to her owner.

Elizabeth leaned over to pat the dog and whispered to the Frenchman, “Do you think the captain has no heart?”

The monsieur gazed into the room, searching beyond himself. “Every man has a heart. But le capitaine, he has many heavy burdens. He keeps his heart—his love—hidden.” He released a groan of regret then returned to the present. “Ah, well,” he smiled, “let us think no more of it. Put on La Bohème, and we shall all feel better, eh?”

Elizabeth moved to the gramophone on the pedestal table and positioned the needle. A passionate aria of love filled the room. Did Darcy even know what it was to love? He had used the word in his proposal to her—albeit spoken with regret and lodged between insults—but did he really understand its meaning?

Pity swelled in her breast. Was he so burdened that he’d lost the joy in living and encased his heart in ice? She sighed and resumed her seat across from the monsieur.

As the Frenchman closed his eyes losing himself in the music, her gaze strayed to the annexe door. Lili was just looking for a scrap of attention. Could the captain not offer her that small token as a gesture of civility?

Her gaze drifted to the linen report beside her. Perhaps this would be an opportune time to deliver it to him. Another matter had been weighing on her as well....

Taking up the paper, Elizabeth crossed the library and knocked on the annexe door.

“Come in.” Rustling paper accompanied his voice.

She stepped into his office and stopped beside his desk.

“Miss Bennet,” he turned to her, “I’ve been meaning to thank you. The garden shed has proven to be an ideal operating theatre. The surgeons have been able to attend more wounded within the crucial eight-hour window. Many Tommies owe their lives to you for the idea.”

“Th-thank you, sir. There’s something else I’ve been meaning to suggest.” She swallowed her guilt for not having mentioned it earlier. “With the three new Sisters, two are in one tent, and Sister Tootie is by herself. Were I to join her, our newest doctor could have the linen cupboard.”

“Mmm. That would indeed solve our problem. Thank you. It is commendably gracious of you. You do not think it will be odd to share a tent with someone who shares your name?”

“Not really. As you know, the monsieur has not quite been himself since the Messine’s Ridge incident, so I often spend the night in the library.”

“Yes, I’ve noticed. Perhaps we could arrange a pallet for you. I’m sure it would be more comfortable than the chair.

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