Pride and Painting at Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Rosamund Redgrave

Author:Rosamund Redgrave [Redgrave, Rosamund]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Not in Amazon Library
Goodreads: 220365080
Publisher: Redgrave Press
Published: 2024-10-11T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7 - Elizabeth

The sun hangs low in the sky as I put the finishing touches on my sketch of Pemberley’s grand façade. I have spent the better part of the afternoon out here, attempting to capture the play of light and shadow on the ancient stones. The air is heavy with the promise of rain, but I had hoped to complete my work before the skies opened.

Alas, nature has other plans. A distant rumble of thunder is my only warning before the heavens unleash their fury. In an instant, I am caught in a deluge, rain falling in sheets so thick I can scarcely see a few feet in front of me. I scramble to gather my sketching materials, shielding them as best I can with my body as I look frantically for shelter.

The nearest building—the stables, I think—is too far to reach without being thoroughly soaked. I resign myself to a drenching and begin to make my way back toward the cottage, my shoes already squelching with each step. The rain is relentless, plastering my hair to my face and neck, my dress clinging uncomfortably to my skin.

As I trudge through the downpour, my mind wanders to Mr. Darcy. Our interactions have been stilted and formal since that morning in the rose garden a few days past, and I cannot help but feel a sense of loss. Gone is the easy companionship we had begun to develop, replaced by a cold propriety that leaves me feeling bereft. I have caught him looking at me during our portrait sessions with an expression I cannot quite decipher, but he always turns away the moment our eyes meet.

A particularly loud clap of thunder startles me from my reverie, and I realize I have wandered off the path in my distraction. I am now thoroughly lost, surrounded by unfamiliar trees whose branches offer little protection from the relentless rain. A shiver runs through me, as much from the chill settling into my bones as from the realization of my predicament.

Just as I am about to call out in hopes that someone might hear me, I detect the sound of hoofbeats approaching through the storm. My heart leaps with a mixture of relief and trepidation. Who could be out riding in such weather?

Through the curtain of rain, a figure on horseback materializes, and I feel my breath catch in my throat as I recognize Mr. Darcy. He reins in his mount as he spots me, his expression a mixture of concern and something else I cannot quite name.

“Miss Bennet!” he calls out over the sound of the storm. “What on earth are you doing out here in this weather?”

I gesture helplessly to my sodden sketchbook. “I am afraid the storm caught me unawares, sir. I was attempting to make my way back to the cottage, but I seem to have lost my way.”

Without hesitation, Mr. Darcy dismounts, leading his horse closer. “You shall catch your death out here,” he says, his voice gruff with worry.

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