A Chance Encounter in Pemberley Woods by Brigid Huey

Author:Brigid Huey [Huey, Brigid]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781681310343
Publisher: Meryton Press
Published: 2019-09-02T00:00:00+00:00

***

Darcy gazed down at her, this woman who so enchanted his heart and filled his mind. She had just apologized for her words in the parsonage. It was an unexpected balm to his still-smarting wounds. And yet, for which words was she apologizing? Surely not all of them.

“Do not be uneasy, Miss Bennet,” he said, hoping to calm her, for despite her forthright manner, he could see she was in some distress. “You were right in all your claims save one, and you had no way to know that the last had been false. You spoke with honesty and truth, a trait of yours that I have long admired.”

Elizabeth looked down again, her cheeks flushed with pink. Darcy had no desire to make her unhappy, yet he could no longer hide his continued affection for her. He had resolved to show her how much he had changed and to win her affection if it was possible to do so.

“Indeed,” he continued, “it was your words that night that urged me to look inward, to examine my character. I have been a selfish creature all my life, Miss Bennet, and it was you who showed me this. I continue to be grateful for the revelation, for it has allowed me to make a fresh start, to strive to correct these defects of character as best I can.”

“I am grateful for your kindness, Mr. Darcy, but I cannot think that my words that night were anything but rude and spiteful. I am very sorry, and I…I…” He felt all the awkwardness of her position.

“Let us not argue for the greater blame then, Miss Bennet. Neither of us behaved in such a way that, if closely examined, would reflect great civility.”

She gave a shaky laugh then, and the sound brought relief to his senses.

“I suppose you are right, Mr. Darcy. Shall we make a fresh start?”

A fresh start. He would have given the moon for just such a chance. Stopping one again, he bowed formally and said, “I would be grateful for such an opportunity.”

He put as much feeling into these words as he dared, and she seemed to understand the deeper meaning behind them. She met his gaze steadily and nodded ever so slightly. Unconsciously, he took a step closer. She merely stared back at him, her eyes wide.

At that moment, a disgruntled cry came from Daisy’s carriage. Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment then let out what sounded very much like a nervous giggle.

“I told you, Mr. Darcy: you mustn’t stop walking.”

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