Transforming Mr. Darcy by Melanie Rachel

Author:Melanie Rachel [Rachel, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Melanie Rachel

Darcy lifted a forkful of partridge to his mouth and tried not to stare at Miss Elizabeth. It had become his routine whenever they were in the same room. He normally prided himself on his discipline, but without even trying, Miss Elizabeth was ruining all his vaunted self-control.

The meat was sharp, gamey, and made worse by the mealy texture. He coughed a bit, then swallowed and reached for his wine to wash the rancid taste from his tongue. As he recovered, he noticed that Miss Elizabeth was pushing her food around on her plate to make it appear as though she was eating it. Everyone else appeared to be enjoying their meal.

Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst first inquired about the ruins where the men had been hunting. Once he mentioned it was more picturesque than good grounds for hunting, Mrs. Hurst opined that they all might visit as it was not so very far off. When the suggestion was met with tepid replies, she and her sister continued an extensive conversation mentioning several of their friends from town, behaving as though Miss Elizabeth was either an imposition or not present at all. It would bother Darcy more if Miss Elizabeth had given any sign of noticing. Hurst was only too happy to consume her share in the meal as well as his own.

It was more than that, though. Miss Elizabeth startled when Bingley spoke gently to her. She gasped quietly when the footmen reached from behind to fill her glass. Even her colour was off. He hoped she was not sickening. She had spent nearly all of her few days here closed up in her sister’s room, and Cartwright had mentioned she had stayed up quite late seeing to her sister’s comfort. It was admirable, and what Darcy had come to expect of her. Despite the odd encounter in Bingley’s study, she had clearly not come to put herself in his way. Still, such devotion might be unhealthy, for if she had not contracted Miss Bennet’s illness herself, then the lack of fresh air, exercise, and rest might have made her unwell.

This was not right. He should not be anxious for Miss Elizabeth’s health. She was not his relation, nor did he have any claim on her.

He snuck another glance and found that she was watching him surreptitiously, with an expression both wary and mournful. He could not look away.

Suddenly, he felt a bit warm. More than a bit, as if a summer sun was beating down on him. He took another sip of his wine and tried not to recall a similar feeling at the assembly.

As the end of dinner approached, Darcy’s attention wandered away from Miss Elizabeth and fixed on his aching head. A small tickle began in his nose, and all over his body, his skin began to itch. It was torture not to be able to scratch at it.

This was too much. Was he ill again? Or still?

That settled it. He would leave Netherfield with Bingley and remain in London even were his friend to return.

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