A Wound Deeper Than Pride: A Variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Ali Scott

Author:Ali Scott [Scott, Ali]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
ISBN: 9781956613933
Google: GkAn0AEACAAJ
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 199333285
Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing
Published: 2023-10-08T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Arrogant, arrogant, hateful man. Elizabeth tore her brush through her ringlets. And to think I was beginning to think him civil. She looked at her reflection. Red rims encircled her eyes, and her cheeks were glistening in the flickering candlelight. At least she had been able to mostly hold on to her tears until she reached the bedroom. Heavens above, what would the great and all-knowing Mr Darcy make of the poor, lowly Miss Elizabeth Bennet sobbing over some offhand comment he made to his cousin? Some of her emotion subsided, and she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. Why should I feel ashamed? I did not seek Mr Darcy’s good opinion. Why did he propose to me if everything about me is so offensive? She pulled off her bracelets, fighting the urge to slam them against the polished wood of the dressing table. She looked at herself once more in the mirror. You are not made for misery, she told herself. Soon you will be gone from here—far from the critical eyes of that insufferable man.

A quiet knock and soft voice alerted her to Mrs Annesley’s presence. Elizabeth hastened to the door, rapidly blinking. It would not do to be caught crying.

“Are you well, Miss Bennet?”

“Yes.” Elizabeth attempted to hide the misery from her voice, shivering as the cool air danced across her forearms.

Mrs Annesley paused. “Mr Darcy wished to know.”

A flash of anger ran through Elizabeth. Now he considers my feelings? “I am well enough, Mrs Annesley. Please tell Mr Darcy that he should not waste another moment considering my happiness.”

“I shall reassure him of your need to rest,” Mrs Annesley replied diplomatically. “I am sure that it will put his mind at ease.” She paused, before saying gently, “I have not seen him so worried in a long time. Your welfare must mean a great deal to him.”

Warmth crept along Elizabeth’s neck. “I am sure you are mistaken.”

Mrs Annesley looked at her thoughtfully. “Do you know, Mr Darcy reminds me of my own dear James. Always so silent and serious. My late husband was terribly nervous when courting me, and he would often say the wrong thing at the wrong moment. I was not sure that I liked him when we first met.” She sighed. “But that was a lifetime ago. Life is precious, Miss Bennet. For some of us, it ends far too quickly. I am so glad I looked past poor dear James’s nerves. My only regret is that I did not do it sooner. We might have had more time together.” A shadow of sadness flitted across her face before her features resumed the expression of a woman long used to concealing her pain.

Elizabeth gave Mrs Annesley a moment to regain her composure before softly enquiring, “And what was it that made you look past your initial poor opinion?”

Mrs Annesley gave Elizabeth a rueful smile. “He never gave up.”

Elizabeth fell silent. To love someone and lose them must be unbearable. From somewhere in the room, a bed creaked.

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