Christmas at Netherfield: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Nora Kipling

Author:Nora Kipling [Kipling, Nora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Smashwords, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence
ISBN: 9780995805071
Goodreads: 33393876
Publisher: Heart Candies Publishing
Published: 2016-12-14T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Elizabeth made haste away from the library, certain that Miss Bingley or Mister Darcy himself would hare after her to demand apology for her rudeness. She had taken leave of her senses, clearly. Something had overcome her. The churn in her belly made her think that she was possibly ill. The sight of Caroline’s hand slipping over Mister Darcy’s arm had fueled something in her, something fierce and protective and evil all at once.

Angry tears bit in the corner of her eyes and she breathed hard as she rushed to the side entrance to the great building, that lead out to the stabling yard where she might call for her carriage.

“Miss Bennet,” greeted the footman attending to that exit, his eyes wide as he took in what must’ve been her white face, pale all except for two spots of pink anger on her cheeks. “How might I be of assistance?” he asked. She swallowed to moisten her mouth and then sniffed, looking out into the yard.

“I would require my carriage to leave immediately,” she said, realizing she had left her wrap in her sister’s sitting room, but didn’t want to make the trip back there and possibly run into Mister Darcy or Miss Bingley. She needed to leave, before word of her abominable behavior reached her sister and Mister Bingley. They would both be appalled, she was sure.

“I am very sorry,” the footman said, giving her a short bow. “But it might be some time before it is made ready for you. All of our stable hands are out in the fields, bringing in the animals. There is a storm expected.” He gestured out into the yard and she could see the curl of grey clouds hanging in the distance.

She gulped in a huge lungful of air and then nodded.

“I see. Thank you very much. I . . . I’ll-“ she paused as a tremble rose through her body and the footman frowned at her, a look of concern on his face.

“Miss Bennet, are you well?”

“I find myself in need of a walk,” she said, and then pushed outside into the stabling yard, ducking through the archway that lead to the gravel road. Her mind felt fuzzy, and kept replaying the events in the library over and over. Was Mister Darcy courting Caroline Bingley, of all people? The most detestable of women that Elizabeth had ever met? Why was that thought of their engagement being announced, of their marriage, why was that stinging in her gut like a tangle of nettles? She walked, swiftly.

There came a noise behind her, and she turned, not stopping in her walking, only to see Mister Darcy at the gate of the stabling yard, his hand held aloft. He was calling her name.

No. She could not bear to see him, not after her shame of how she had behaved. She choked back a cry and turned to the road, picking up her skirts in her hand and running. She hated herself, every petty small inch of her heart that had betrayed her in the worst way.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.