The Darcys of Derbyshire: A Pride & Prejudice Novella by Abigail Reynolds

Author:Abigail Reynolds [Reynolds, Abigail]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: White Soup Press
Published: 2013-11-21T07:00:00+00:00

“A lady, a fine one. Don’t know her name. She saw me when she was shopping in Matlock this morning, and she asked me if I wanted to earn some money. Said you’d pay me for it if I got it to you today,” he said hopefully.

“And I shall,” said James absently as he unfolded the scrap of paper. It held only a few words, printed in block capitals as if to disguise the handwriting. The place you must climb – tomorrow. He sucked in a deep breath. It had to be Anne. “What did this lady look like? Was she…was she short and plump?”

“Oh, no, sir. She was tall, as tall as a man.”

A slow smile spread across James’s face. His clever Anne, to use words only he would understand! Even if it had fallen into her father’s hands, it would have meant nothing to him. But it meant the world to James.

***

He was there early the next day, earlier than she could possibly arrive, given that her father’s estate was farther from the Black Rocks than Pemberley was, and she likely had more difficulty getting away than he did. He had no idea how she planned to manage it or whether she even would be able to come.

Nor was he certain where she expected to meet him. Was it atop the rocks, at the foot of the path, in the clearing below the path, or on the road? Finally he elected for the one place where she could not possibly miss his presence, and where he could see her coming. He tied his horse in the woods, then climbed the path until he reached the rocks.

The sun was well past its zenith when he spotted two ladies riding side-saddle. There had been several false alarms already, so he did not let his hopes rise until they turned onto the lane leading to the clearing. Then he scrambled off the rock tower and hurtled down the path, recklessly skidding down the steep sections until he neared the clearing. Hearing voices, he stopped just out of sight.

“I am so sorry, your ladyship, but I cannot go up there. I beg you, do not make me. I do not want to fall to my death!” It was a near-frantic female voice.

“Do not worry, Martha.” Anne’s familiar voice warmed him deep inside. “You may remain here, or even go back down to the road if you prefer. Nothing will happen to me if I go on my own. You can see there is no one else here.”

“Your father will beat me!”

“My father will never know,” said Anne briskly. “Wait here for me.”

He heard the sound of gravel shifting under her feet as she came around the bend, the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. Then she ran into his arms, and he stopped thinking at all.

When they finally separated, albeit only by a few inches, she looked searchingly up at him. “You are thinner,” she said. She touched the black armband on his sleeve.

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