Love Unsought by Bea Kay

Author:Bea, Kay [Bea, Kay]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing
Published: 2020-06-14T16:00:00+00:00

From their conversation the night before, Darcy surmised his beloved Elizabeth would be at the place indicated close to dawn. Therefore, he rose early to allow himself ample time to dress without his man, ready his horse, and ride to Longbourn. In fact, he rose too early and found himself picking his way along the stream in the grey, predawn light. How could it be possible after the cruel words of his proposal that she might forgive him in so short a time? Could she yet love him? How would he face her at Bingley’s wedding if she once again rejected his suit?

When she at last stepped into a clearing near the bank, he had the unexpected opportunity to engage in the simple pleasure of observing her for several moments. She reached to remove her bonnet, then her fingers hesitated, and she settled instead for playing with the ribbons trailing from its bow. Darcy found himself oddly disappointed in her choice. He would have liked to watch as the earliest rays of sun reflected on her hair. She moved closer to the water’s edge and appeared to be contemplating something of great importance. He watched as she stepped close to the bank, glanced at the water, then gave the barest lift to her skirts as if eyeing her boots. The lady then gave a great sigh and stepped back to sit on a nearby log instead.

“I should not think you would wish to wade this early in the season. Would the water not be too cold even for a naiad?”

“Do you say then that I am a nymph, Mr Darcy?” Elizabeth smiled.

“Were they not the beauties who presided over streams?”

“You have made me a pretty compliment. But do not worry, my vanity is properly checked, and I shall not come to think too highly of myself as a result.”

“It is good then that I think highly enough of you for both of us,” he said as he stepped nearer. “Good morning.”

“I am pleased to see you here this morning, Mr Darcy.”

“Did you think I would not come?”

“I hoped you would. If you had not…well, it would not be the first time we misunderstood one another.”

“I confess I shared some of your concerns.” He had removed his hat and now stood fidgeting with it as he wished to have his hands free but did not care to place the thing back on his head.

Elizabeth spared him the decision. “Perhaps,” she said, taking the hat from his hands, “we might spare your hat further distress by placing it on this log.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.” Having freed his hands, Darcy no longer knew what to do with them.

“Did you have something particular to discuss this morning, Mr Darcy? Or do you wish to intimidate me?”

Darcy smiled at her reference to their time in Kent and replied in kind. “Well said, Miss Elizabeth, but you cannot fool me. For I well recall your courage rises with every attempt to intimidate you.”

The tension broken between them, Elizabeth laughed.

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