His Frozen Heart by Christie Capps

Author:Christie Capps [Capps, Christie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Quiet Mountain Press LLC
Published: 2019-04-06T04:00:00+00:00

Netherfield Park – Part Three

“My good opinion once lost is lost forever.”

- Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice, Chapter XI, Volume I)

The night was spent in silent reflection mixed with short periods of deep sleep. By morning, Darcy knew what he needed to do. Kindness—no, rather, goodness—required he temper his reactions to Miss Elizabeth. Surely, he was raising expectations by showing a measure of interest in her. What was concentrated focus on his part might be assumed to be romantic involvement by her. This was not the case. Clearly.

After the discussion about a man’s character, both Louisa and Caroline had displayed their talents on the pianoforte. Bingley had the carpets rolled back for an impromptu dance. With little provocation, Darcy had offered to stand up with Miss Elizabeth for a reel. She had declined with an explanation that she needed to return to her sister’s care.

His ire was piqued—a stab from a needle would have been more welcomed at the time. Yet, in retrospect, he was grateful she had not acquiesced.

On this day, her third day at Netherfield Park, he would avoid her. Thus, immediately after breakfast and a ride around the property, he commandeered Bingley’s study to catch up on somewhat pressing matters of business.

He was interrupted by Bingley.

“Say, Darcy,” the younger man bounced on his heels. “I forgot to tell you the local bookseller had a shipment of books delivered that he had purchased from the estate of a gentlemen in Oxford. I know you are a Cambridge man, but I cannot imagine you would hold it against the boxes he just delivered to my library. I purchased the complete lot of them.”

To say Darcy was pleased would have been an understatement. He was joyous. Even should they be discarded university textbooks, they would be a welcome addition to the six books taking up a pittance of the shelving available in the room. Deciding to oversee the discovery of the contents, both men stepped inside the room…only to find Miss Elizabeth already there.

She was seated away from the boxes in a discussion with the bookseller. A book appearing too new to come from a collection was already in her hands. The man stood and approached the crate at the very top of the heap in the center of the room. Pulling one of the wooden slats from the top, he sorted through to find a worn leather volume quite small in size. Dusting off the cover, the man’s hands appreciatively caressed the book.

“Here it is, Miss Elizabeth.”

Her delight filled the room as she bounced up from the chair. In hushed tones, she whispered, her eyes glued to the cover, “It is here.”

Darcy’s curiosity burned through the restraints of propriety. Decorum indicated he ignore their exchange. However, he felt the same awe when a rare piece of literature rested in his own palms.

He just had to know what she held reverently. It appeared she would not be easily separated from either tome.

“Pardon me, would that be part of Bingley’s purchase?”

Well, that had not come out correctly.

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