Rescuing Elizabeth Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Beauford Kate

Author:Beauford, Kate
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-08-17T00:00:00+00:00

17

The small beach was deserted. The only sound was waves lapping at the sand under the silvery light of the moon. Elizabeth could not see the light of any house as they took the path that carried them away from the beach and up through the cliff. It was a steep journey. Elizabeth was relieved she was so accustomed to walking and climbing. Darcy did not seem too troubled by the path either. A forest stretched before them, just as Mrs Rycroft had described.

“We will put some distance between us first,” said Darcy. “Then we will find a place to rest.”

Elizabeth nodded. It would be some hours before Lawson discovered they had escaped. If they kept walking, they could be far away before he realised it.

The wind was chilly, and Elizabeth was forced to keep her head down. Her eyes streamed. Voices travelled down the path towards them. Elizabeth stared at Darcy with wide eyes before he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the trees. Elizabeth’s face was pressed to his chest, and she could feel the rapid beat of his heart as he waited for the voices to pass. Once they were gone, Darcy led her to the path again.

“It might have been nothing,” he said.

“Better not to take the risk.” Elizabeth looked around and shivered. “And so we find ourselves in the woods at night, hiding from suspicious people. Does this seem familiar to you?”

“It does. But this time, we will not be caught,” said Darcy firmly.

They walked for what must have been hours, passing no one else along the way. Only when the sun rose, and Elizabeth struggled to suppress a yawn did Darcy decide they should stop and try to rest. They kept their eyes peeled for shelter.

“What about that?” said Elizabeth. She pointed to what looked like a cave inside a large outcropping of rock. Darcy could not see what she meant at first, which made him agree it was an ideal hiding place.

Darcy helped Elizabeth climb, and together, they pushed out some of the dead leaves and branches towards the entrance so they would be hidden from anyone passing by. Darcy piled them to form a windbreaker, though it was still cold.

“Take my rug,” said Elizabeth as she sat on the ground. “I have been warm all night. It is your turn now.”

Darcy shook his head. “I don’t need it.”

“Yes, you do. Do you want to fall ill?” Seeing the stubborn set of his jaw, Elizabeth relented. “Fine. We will share it. It will be warmer that way, anyway.”

Darcy agreed. He lay beside Elizabeth and arranged the rug over them. Elizabeth edged closer, seeking his warmth. The ground was hard and uneven, small stones digging into their sides, but even that discomfort could not prevent them from drifting into sleep.

When they woke some hours later, Elizabeth’s head was on Darcy’s chest, and his arms were wrapped around her.

“Good morning,” said Darcy as soon as she stirred. Elizabeth sat up at once. She looked about in confusion.

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