A Most Alarming Report by Michelle d'Arcy

Author:Michelle d'Arcy [d'Arcy, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2023-12-18T23:00:00+00:00

By noon, the house was blissfully silent; three ladies had gone to Meryton, Mary had finished her practice and had turned to studying, Mr Bennet was in the library, and Jane was still resting.

Elizabeth had only Smooch to keep her company, but the uncharacteristic silence in the house increased her distress, and her thoughts became a jumble. Her sister’s resentment seemed to linger and, although her heart was still affected by Mr Bingley, Mr Wickham’s influence over her appeared to be alarmingly strong. Whatever intervention Mr Darcy attempted, it was unlikely he would change Jane’s opinion.

Pacing around, Elizabeth became nervous, so she put her coat on and went out into the garden, with an impatient Smooch running around her feet.

As soon as they were out, the dog ran freely and happily, while Elizabeth threw a stick for him to retrieve. Sometimes the dog came back with the stick, joyfully wagging his tail, and sometimes not. Elizabeth laughed at the evidence of the less-than-brilliant intellect of her companion. Thus occupied, she examined her thoughts again — especially those she did not dare acknowledge clearly regarding Mr Darcy.

She could not deny the thrill she felt, nor the way her heart raced every time she saw him or simply thought of him. She could not deny she missed him and wished to see him again and dreaded the notion that he would leave again very soon, and his return was, at best, uncertain. His friendship and his increasing trust in her were apparent and gratifying, as was his genuine desire to remedy his past wrongs and to protect her family. As she strolled around the garden, waiting for Smooch to realise that if he did not bring the stick back, nor release it when he did, there would not be a stick thrown, facing the winter wind and barely keeping her balance on the slippery ground, she admitted she wished for much more than his friendship and trust. But to entertain such hope was, she knew, vain and potentially harmful.

Smooch’s frantic barking and dash towards the gate drew her attention. Her racing heart announced to her that it was Mr Darcy riding towards her at a slow pace before her brain realised. He bowed his head to her even from a distance away, and she responded with a small wave of her hand. Despite the freezing cold, her cheeks were burning, and the warmth was spreading throughout her entire being.

She stepped towards him, and he brought his horse to a stop and began to dismount. With a frenzy born from the thrill of seeing a man he adored, Smooch continued to jump and bark, trying to reach Mr Darcy. In doing so, he jumped in front of the horse, which suddenly neighed and reared, while Mr Darcy was still half in the saddle. He pulled the reins and spoke to the horse to calm him, but it was too late; the horse’s hoofs slipped, and the stallion fell sideways, trapping Mr Darcy underneath.

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