The Hunsford Curse: A Pride and Prejudice Sequel by Mark Brownlow

Author:Mark Brownlow [Brownlow, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lost Opinions e.U.
Published: 2023-05-14T22:00:00+00:00

A Time to Act

Charlotte opened her eyes to find herself on her side enclosed in a pocket of white. Raised voices echoed around her. Someone’s arm pinned her to the ground, their breath—swift and irregular—warmed the back of her neck, their presence felt along her entire body.

In the distance, a voice called out. “Mr Collins! Remove yourself at once. This is not to be borne.”

“My apologies, Lady Catherine. I wished only to—”

“Be gone! Away with you!”

Charlotte eased herself from under the weight encircling her, shivering as a man’s arm slid slowly off her chest and shoulder. She then rolled away gently, as if not wishing to wake a sleeping partner. Captain Hayward lay unmoving next to her, eyes open but staring, his cheeks as pale as the fabric pressing down around him. The stuttering rise and fall of his chest offered reassurance that he still lived.

“Captain Hayward?” whispered Charlotte. She pulled herself up into a low crouch. “Jonathan?” she said, louder this time. Her voice seemed to pull the captain back from some other place, but though he blinked and shifted his head, he said nothing.

At that moment, the tent material lifted behind Charlotte to reveal Colonel Fitzwilliam on his hands and knees, his hair ruffled, a red stain across his shoulder.

Charlotte gasped.

The colonel glanced at his wound. “Just wine, Mrs Collins.” He raised himself to a crouching position, the canvas giving way before him and lifting off the captain. “Are you injured?”

“No.” Charlotte sought blood or bruising on Captain Hayward but found none. “What is the matter with him?” Her lower lip trembled. “What is happening?”

“Let me see.” Colonel Fitzwilliam slipped forward, then shook off his jacket and placed it under Captain Hayward’s head. “I have seen this before. Leave him with me. If you crawl up a few yards, you will find your way out.”

“The others? My husband?”

“All well, Mrs Collins. Leave us. I know what to do, and you will be required elsewhere. They need a sensible head out there. The whole tent seems to have come down.”

“I do not wish to abandon him like this.”

“Go now.” The colonel spoke in hushed tones but with urgency. “Before anyone else comes.”

Captain Hayward had begun to move his head again. Charlotte reached out to touch him.

“Go,” said the colonel. “And send me a man. One whose discretion may be relied upon. Do not concern yourself, Mrs Collins. He will be fine, that I promise.”

Charlotte nodded and wiped away the prickling feeling that tugged at the corner of her eyes. After crawling a few feet, she emerged from under the canvas to find Lady Catherine still seated.

Her ladyship’s clothes and hair appeared immaculate, though her countenance gave the impression of a roiling bank of cloud that might burst at any instant. Next to Lady Catherine, Mr Collins picked up fallen glasses and rearranged the table as if expecting guests to arrive imminently. Someone had lifted the supports to create a space around them that opened out on to the lawn, where Mr Booth bellowed instructions above a general clamour.

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