Alone with Mr. Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation Read Free Page A

Bennet to make him laugh
in the most unpropitious circumstances. “Since you insist, Miss Elizabeth, I
will do my best to comply with good grace, but I still think it
unnecessary.”
    “You may think whatever you like, so long
as you allow me to check your wound. If you could turn away from the window so
it is in the light – yes, just like that.”
    He could feel her fingers in his hair,
carefully parting it around the wound. The movement stung, but all he could
think of was her touch. How often he had wished for her fingers to run through
his hair! This was not the way he had hoped for, but still, she was standing so
close to him, he could practically feel the warmth radiating from her.
    “I fear the eyes in the back of your head
have deceived you, Mr. Darcy. It is indeed still oozing blood. Do you perchance
have a handkerchief I could use to clean it?”
    Darcy reached into his pocket and handed
it to her without a word.
    “Thank you. I am sorry to put your fine
linen to such a messy task. I will try to avoid hurting you any more than
necessary.”
    He was tempted to tell her it was too late
for that. His inability to possess her had been a constant ache for over two
months. In comparison, the gentle touch of her fingers in an open wound was
nothing, and her concern was more soothing than he cared to admit.
    It would be easy to allow himself to enjoy
being cared for by Elizabeth more than he ought. He fixed his gaze on his
drying greatcoat to distract himself. It had been joined by two long white
stockings. Good God, she must have taken them off while he was gathering the
snow! His imagination presented him with a tantalizing image of walking in
while she was peeling those stockings off, one leg at a time. Wounded or not,
he would have been delighted to offer his assistance, and then to…
    “My apologies, that must have hurt. I will
try to be gentler.”
    It was a good thing she could not guess
the true reason he had stiffened. No more thinking of her legs, which must be
bare and cold under her petticoats. It would only be kindness to warm them for
her. 
    He was almost grateful for the blinding
pain that suddenly stabbed through his head.
    “There, I can see it now. Fortunately, the
cut is not large, although you have an impressive goose egg around it. I would
guess the bleeding will stop with a little pressure. I have folded your
handkerchief, and perhaps you could press on it here.” Her hand took his and
guided it to the appropriate spot. “Very good. I will check it again in a few
minutes.”
    What would she say if he told her the
touch of her hand on his was the best healing he could have?
    “How did this happen? Were you set upon by
footpads?”
    He winced. “No. I was....” Devil take it,
what had happened? Why could he not remember? The road to Meryton was a
safe one, and it would have been broad daylight. Surreptitiously he felt for
his watch. It was still there, gold fob and all. Not footpads, then. They would
not have left that behind. “I am not certain.”
    Her eyebrows shot up, but instead of
saying anything, she crossed to the wardrobe and returned with a threadbare
quilt. As she draped it around his shoulders, she said, “It is hardly
fashionable, but it should warm you a little.”
    He should have declined, but the sensation
of having Elizabeth worry over him was disquietingly pleasant.

Chapter 2
     
     
    Why had she not gone to the wedding
breakfast at least long enough to fill her stomach? Apart from a roll and a cup
of chocolate when she arose, Elizabeth had eaten nothing all day. “I had best
see if there is anything we can eat here before the light fades.”
    “That would be most welcome.”
    At least he was being polite, even if he
did keep staring at her. She began to rummage through the shelves and cupboards
lining the wall. There was not much – a few items of simple clothing, a pair
of shoes with holes worn through at the toes, a bag of rags. A shelf holding
simples – dried