Mr. Darcy's Impulsive Moment: A Pride & Prejudice Novel Variation by Zoe Burton

Author:Zoe Burton [Burton, Zoe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sweet Escapes Press
Published: 2024-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Elizabeth’s argument with her mother lasted for several long minutes, until her father caught wind of it and returned to the dining room to put an end to it. She was not certain what exactly drew him out of his book room. She thought he might have heard her voice and decided to rescue her, but it could have just as likely have been that her mother threw a few teacups at the wall and it was the shattering of the china that caught his attention. She shook her head as she tromped up the path to Oakham Mount. Whichever it was, she was grateful for his appearance. She hated arguing, especially with her mother, for the simple reason that it was unladylike. She may have a fondness for equipages that would rival the most enthusiastic member of the Four-in-Hand Club in London, but she was still a gentlewoman and she still wished to behave in a manner fitting to her status. If her father had not intervened, she and her mother might still be screaming at each other like fishwives.

Reaching the top of the rise, Elizabeth seated herself on a boulder that jutted up from the ground. This was her favorite spot to sit and think. She could see Longbourn’s house from here, and beyond it, the church that was part of the estate. She had a good view of the stables and paddock, and the fields beyond. In the distance, she could see small dark dots that were the tenants going about their duties on their farms. She drank her fill of the view and then closed her eyes and whispered a quick prayer, asking for forgiveness for losing her temper and being disrespectful to her mother. Peace enveloped her, and she opened her eyes again, thinking about what Mrs. Bennet had said.

It was clear to her that, despite her father’s directive that her mother cease all attempts at breaking up her betrothal to Darcy, Mrs. Bennet was choosing not to obey. Clearly, Mr. Wickham told her his story yesterday, Elizabeth thought. I wondered what he was doing sitting with her like that. She removed her bonnet, tying the ribbons and looping them over her arm. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then, clasping her hands together around her knees, which she had drawn up to her chest, she allowed her eyes to wander over the view once more. She noticed riders approach the house and knew they were probably Darcy and Bingley. She thought she should perhaps head home but knew that Jane would tell the gentlemen where she had gone and her betrothed would soon seek her out. Not two minutes passed before her prediction came true. She saw Darcy exit the house and mount his gelding. She waited patiently, enjoying the sun that warmed the stone on which she sat, despite the cool air.

“Are you well, my love?” Darcy lowered himself to the boulder beside her and leaned over to caress her lips with his before pulling back to examine her features closely.

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