The Trouble With Horses: A Pride & Prejudice Novella Variation by West Elizabeth Ann

Author:West, Elizabeth Ann [West, Elizabeth Ann]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Fluffer Nutter, dpgroup.org
Publisher: Pemberley Possibilities
Published: 2014-07-04T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

Elizabeth rose extra early to get a short walk in before spending most of the day jostled about in a carriage. She left without a bonnet despite the morning's crisp chill and scurried to her favorite prospect, the one that began this entire mess. Coming to the crest of the hill, she was surprised to see Mr. Darcy holding the reins of his horse and looking out over the countryside with his back to her. The horse, whether by scent or sight, noticed Elizabeth and began to move his head in her direction, attracting Mr. Darcy's attention.

“Miss Elizabeth!”

“Mr. Darcy” she replied cooly, with a curtsy. Turning and looking behind her, she contemplated simply returning down the hill without another word to him, the man now responsible for her banishment to London. If anyone should see them here the gossip would become ten times worse. Elizabeth remained to satisfy her own curiosity.

“Why did you purchase my magazine, sir?”

Mr. Darcy was shocked out of his admiring glance of Elizabeth, with her wild hair and bright cheeks from her morning exercise. The woman didn't dally with niceties and it was a newness that still baffled him.

“How are you this morning?”

“Perfectly fine, now an answer if you please?”

Darcy walked a few steps closer to her, making his horse happier. He stopped close enough that the horse's muzzle could once again reach Elizabeth and she politely held out her hand to greet the animal.

“I am, that is, I did not mean—” he struggled to come up with an answer and it was infuriating. Never was Fitzwilliam Darcy so tongue-tied as when he was in the presence of this woman. How could he tell her he was remorseful for how he treated her when he was ill and surprised to hear how she had loved the book he had read and planned to give it to his sister? The explanation didn't make much sense to him and he was the one who knew it to be true.

“Was it out of gratitude?” she offered, after feeling unable to endure his stare.

He nodded. Simplified, it was the easiest explanation and he thought she might be happy until she scowled and turned away.

“Good day, Mr. Darcy,” she said as she began to walk back down the hill.

Thoroughly confused, Darcy stood there for another moment, wondering what he had said that was wrong? He indeed was grateful she had tended to him while he was sick. If she hadn't run off, he would have asked how gratitude was a black mark on his character, but alas, he was too slow to enjoy a witty tête-à-tête.

His horse let out a loud whinny and Mr. Darcy absently patted the animal's neck. Admitting he agreed with the beast's sentiments, though why his steed was so acutely keen on Miss Elizabeth, he couldn't say.

Darcy mounted and began riding in the opposite direction. The thrill of the gallop down the hill made him forget completely about asking Miss Elizabeth to a dance set. It

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