Darcy Comes to Rosings by Andrea David

Author:Andrea David [David, Andrea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Artesian Well Publishing
Published: 2018-10-10T16:00:00+00:00

When Darcy returned Lizzy to the parsonage, his aunt’s barouche was in the lane, with Anne inside. Richard was standing next to it with Mrs. Collins and Miss Lucas.

“Ah, Darcy,” Richard said. “I convinced my aunt that whilst she was taking her morning constitutional, I would accompany Anne on a short drive. It is too fine a day to be indoors, do not you think?”

“Indeed it is.” Darcy exited the chaise and helped Lizzy down, his hands at her waist. The feel of her reawakened his desire. Breaking that intimate contact cost him something, propriety once again winning out over his carnal inclination. The pain of waiting seemed unendurable, but now at least he had an end date.

They walked over and joined the other party. Lizzy’s ankle seemed no worse for their excursion into the woods. In a few more days, it might be healed completely.

“Miss de Bourgh,” said Mrs. Collins, “you are welcome to come into the house for tea. One of the parishioners brought Mr. Collins a lovely rhubarb pie.”

“You are ever so kind,” Anne said. “I wish I could accept, but my mother would be displeased if I exerted myself.”

“Another time, then,” Mrs. Collins said.

“I would like that.”

They both spoke earnestly, even though it was a formality. The day would never come if Lady Catherine could help it. Pity, that. Darcy did not precisely understand the nature of his cousin’s condition. She tired easily, but then, she never took any exercise. She was thin, but then, she barely ate. It was difficult to discern which was the cause and which the effect.

“I had better get her home,” Richard said, but Darcy’s chaise blocked the lane.

“Allow me to accompany Miss Bennet inside,” Darcy said, “and then we can be on our way.”

In the foyer, Lizzy took off her spencer and bonnet. Darcy eyed her, hat and gloves in his hand. He did not want to say goodbye. He wished he could spend the whole day with her.

But his aunt was already perplexed. He thought it logical that a man might wish to take a pretty young lady out in his chaise, when that lady was injured and could not take her usual morning walk. His aunt thought it giving Lizzy too much notice, and worried she might think he was courting her.

Well, he could not deny that much.

He would keep up the charade a while longer—even though he would have to spend less time with Lizzy than he would have liked. She would soon be his forever. In the future, these visits to Hunsford would happen just once a year. He did not wish to interfere in what little time she had with her dear friend Mrs. Collins.

“I wish you did not have to go,” Lizzy said.

“I wish many things.” He trailed his hand down her arm. “You are forcing me to wait, however, and I am your obedient servant.” He gave her a teasing smile, which she returned. “I shall think of you every moment.”

“And I you,” she said.

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