Unforgiveable : A Pride & Prejudice variation by Elin Eriksen

Author:Elin Eriksen [Eriksen, Elin]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2022-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12 Unexpected Visitors

A note was delivered from Netherfield—Jane had taken ill after being caught in a torrent of rain the previous day. Their positively occult mother had chanted for rain, and the weather gods had answered her prayers. Poor Jane had been drenched when she arrived for tea with the pernicious sisters.

Elizabeth chewed on her lip. What a conundrum! The dreaded Mr Darcy, whom she had sworn to avoid, was residing at Netherfield, but Jane was unwell. A headache, fever, and sore throat she had admitted to, but knowing her sister, it might be worse. Jane always glossed over difficulties and painted everything in a favourable light. She had to go to Netherfield, even if that involved entering clandestinely through the back door. Mrs Nicholls was Mrs Hill’s sister; she would not mind her unorthodox entrance.

An hour later, Elizabeth entered Netherfield’s rear gardens through a circuitous route that had not done her petticoat any service. She was keeping her eyes on the ground to avoid the slippery wet patches when her gaze was blocked by a pair of immaculate Hessian boots. She briefly considered fleeing but opted to exhale and raised her eyes to those stormy blue orbs she was doing a lousy job of avoiding. A new strategy was necessary, and she would concoct something as soon as she had seen her sister.

“Miss Bennet…”

She curtseyed a little too late.

“Mr Darcy, I am here to see my sister.”

“On foot?”

“As you can see. I am sorry to interrupt your stroll, Mr Darcy. I shall see whether I can find Mrs Nicholls.”

“I could escort you to your sister.”

“Absolutely not. I mean, that will not be necessary. I would not dream of imposing myself upon your morning constitutional. I am familiar with the layout of Netherfield. Have a pleasant stroll, Mr Darcy!”

Elizabeth dipped into a curtsey, hastened around his formidable figure, and headed for the back entrance. Before she had time to reminiscence about the exploits she and her childhood friend, Mrs Nicholls’s daughter, had indulged in, Mr Darcy caught up with her and offered her his arm.

“I insist! It is no inconvenience. I was heading back inside myself.”

What was he about? Behaving like the most chivalrous of gentlemen, and towards a lady he could not abide. The offer of his arm had come like lightning from a blue sky. Elizabeth had trouble forming coherent thoughts and caught herself staring before she rested her hand daintily on his arm.

To her astonishment, he lifted her cold appendage and rubbed her hand between his before he lifted it to his mouth and blew warm breaths on her cold digits. The warmth travelled through her glove like fire. She searched his countenance for signs of his thoughts, but he gave nothing away until he met her eyes. He must have acted absentmindedly because he released her hand abruptly and set a brisk pace towards the front entrance.

Mrs Nicholls opened the door and relieved Mr Darcy of his escorting duty, leading her to Jane’s chamber. Unfortunately, her sister was not alone.

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