A Consuming Love by Kelly Miller

Author:Kelly Miller [Miller, Kelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Not in Amazon Library, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Amazon: B08WFCZF4M
Goodreads: 57022826
Publisher: Meryton Press
Published: 2021-02-10T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4:

“What is this babble about happiness?”

Saturday, 23 November, 1811

Netherfield Park

At thirty minutes past sunrise, Darcy departed the stables upon Apollo. In his eagerness to find Elizabeth, he allowed the stallion his head, so they flew across the extensive dirt path that brought them closer to Longbourn. Not until they passed the intersecting road along the wheat field that marked the border between Netherfield Park and Longbourn did he slow the stallion to a trot. He veered Apollo onto a well-trodden lane in the hope that he might catch sight of her on one of the many converging paths.

Perhaps a mile from the house at Longbourn, a moving flash of blue caught his notice in a grove of trees ahead. The lady’s petite, slender form and athletic, yet lithe, gait identified her with certainty—Elizabeth. He removed his hat and ran his gloved hand through his dark curls, lest his earlier gallop had disheveled the work of his valet that morning. With his heart beating at an accelerating rhythm, he directed Apollo towards her at an easy canter. She spun around at the sound of hoof-beats. Her eyes widened before she smiled.

He stopped ten feet from her and slid to the ground in a smooth motion. There, in her presence, without her needing to do or say anything, his world transformed. The sky above him shone with a vivid brilliance, the air carried the sweet scent of wildflowers, a chaffinch in a nearby tree warbled a happy refrain, and the surrounding countryside offered a stunning tapestry of autumn tints.

Exhilaration infused him with the knowledge that his life henceforth promised a brighter, more satisfying future than ever before. He lifted his hat and bowed. “Good morning, Miss Elizabeth.”

She curtsied, her bonnet clutched in her hand. “Good morning, Mr. Darcy.” She raised the bonnet, placing it over her head.

“Please, you need not do that on my account.”

She hesitated, shrugged, and acquiesced. “I suppose I shall leave it off for a while longer, although you are encouraging a bad habit I have formed. At times, I resent having to wear a bonnet.”

With a deep exhale, he smiled at her. Any bonnet, no matter how artfully designed, created a hindrance to his view of her face. “Do you mind if I walk with you?”

“No, not at all.”

She accepted his arm, and he fell into step with her, suddenly at a loss. Now that he had found her and had her sole company, how should he word his proposal? He ought to have prepared a statement or singled out a few lines of poetry—not that the manner of his offer could make any difference.

“May I ask what you said to Mr. Collins that precipitated his departure?”

He related the essence of the conversation.

Elizabeth’s brows rose, and her lips curved upward during his recital. At his conclusion, her smile and sparkling eyes provided him with an uncommon sense of accomplishment. “I thank you for admonishing my cousin as you did.”

“You are welcome.”

“I cannot convey to you how relieved I am to have Mr.

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