Smitten Before the Sunset: A Western Elizabeth and Darcy Romance (True Love Through Time Book 2) by Jemma Thorne

Author:Jemma Thorne [Thorne, Jemma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Alternate Universe - Farm/Ranch, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Not in Amazon Library, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Goodreads: 27919661
Published: 2015-11-23T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“Lizzy? I’m not feeling well,” Georgiana said at breakfast one morning a short while later.

Come to mention it, she did look flushed, and her eyes were glassy and unfocused.

Lizzy touched a hand to her forehead and gasped. “You’re burning up,” she said. “Go back upstairs and get into bed.”

Celia turned from the stove. “Is she ill?”

“Yes.” Lizzy threw her shawl around her shoulders. “I need to go find Fitzwilliam. He should know—and it looks like I’ll be teaching on my own today so I’ll need to get to the school straight after. Will you look in on her?”

“Sure, dear. I’ll head up in a moment with some tea and water and be sure she has enough blankets and such. You run along. Can’t keep the children waiting.”

They wouldn’t wait. If their teachers weren’t present, they’d be off for the day without a second thought.

Lizzy walked quickly to the stables in the brisk morning air. But when she entered, she didn’t find Fitzwilliam there. Maybe it was too early. She had kept him up night after night, after all, as she took her late rides on Sunny. She’d told him repeatedly that he didn’t have to wait for her, but he always did. She’d grown to anticipate those easy moments between them, as she groomed her mare and he finished up his work at the stable.

Just as she was now anticipating seeing him, even though the news she brought would not be welcome.

Lizzy turned in the direction of the bunkhouse. She wasn’t halfway there when she saw Darcy up ahead. Her eyes never left him as he approached. He tipped his hat to her and made to pass but she stepped into his path.

“Fitzwilliam, Georgiana is back in bed. She is ill. I thought you should know.”

He frowned, concern lighting his gray eyes, and looked toward the big white house and then to the stable. “If you thought I should know, it is probably severe enough that I should see to her now.”

Lizzy put a hand on his arm. “Actually, Celia is helping her back to bed and getting her settled. You can afford to work first—I just didn’t want to wait—”

“Don’t apologize. You were right to tell me. Thank you.” He smiled politely, but his face was strained with concern.

“Of course.”

Darcy kept on toward the stable, and Lizzy walked to the schoolhouse, her thoughts full of a man she should not let occupy her so.

The school day flew for Lizzy; she was fully absorbed with teaching and plenty occupied since she was on her own. She almost forgot just why Georgiana wasn’t by her side.

When the children left for the day, in the space of time when Lizzy and Georgiana would normally be chatting and enjoying each other’s company, Lizzy looked around, unsure what to do with herself. She missed her friend’s charming anecdotes and cheerful company. How quickly the quiet, intelligent girl had found a place in her heart. She almost felt like another sister.

Lizzy tidied the one-room school, made sure the fire was banked and wrapped her warm shawl around her shoulders.

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