by Bella Breen
He put his arm around her shoulder and guided her back around the other side of the carriage. “Did you manage to see our trunks while you were on top of the carriage?”
“I do not think so.” Elizabeth was still not quite herself. She seemed to be in a state of shock. Either that or she had hit her head harder than he had thought. But would she not have a bad headache if she had hit her head quite severely?
Mr. Darcy kept his arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders as he guided her during their walk back up the hill. Elizabeth was not wearing her walking shoes as they were to have been riding in the carriage all day. Her slippers did not have any traction for climbing up the hill so it was slow going. Thankfully Mr. Darcy had his boots on and was able to dig into the hill and help pull Elizabeth up. The grass was so tall and torn up from the carriage’s tumble down the hill that he was not sure if they would ever find their trunks. Or the missing driver.
He knew the driver would not have abandoned them. His servants were loyal. Mr. Darcy still thought that the driver somehow had been thrown off the carriage and then was either rolled over by the carriage or the horses.
It seemed to take hours to reach the top of the hill. They had heard very few carriages go by and none had stopped. Their carriage must not have been able to be seen from the road. Mr. Darcy turned back to look down the hill and that was indeed the case. The side of the carriage was facing up, and the bottom of the carriage faced towards the top of the hill. It blended in perfectly with the surroundings.
Mr. Darcy shook his head and then looked around. They were in a deuced way. No carriage, no horses, no footman or driver. However, he managed to spot something not too far down the hill. He held Elizabeth’s hand and pulled her with him as he walked towards the anomaly which turned out to be one of their trunks.
The latching that held it to the back of the carriage must not have been very strong for the trunk to fall off that quickly close to the top of the hill. Mr. Darcy opened the trunk and found that it was his. He had rather hoped that they would find Elizabeth’s trunk as she would need warm clothes to survive the rest of the day and the night if they did not get help. He pulled his trunk to the road and then walked around to find the other trunk. He did not see it. It could have rolled into the forest, which was not too far from their path down the hill. Mr. Darcy decided that he would leave the search for Elizabeth’s trunk for later.
They walked back to his trunk near the road and sat down. Elizabeth was still silent. What she needed was water and to lie down. Unfortunately, he did not have any water, and he was loath to let her lie down. He was worried she would go to sleep and never wake up again. He was not a doctor and had no way of knowing if that was indeed the case.
They really truly were in a dastardly situation.
Chapter 23
Considering this was the main road north to Derbyshire out of London, Mr. Darcy would have expected to see several carriages by now. However, they had been sitting on his trunk for at least an hour and had not seen one carriage pass by. Well, they were an entire day’s travel north of London. He knew the congestion on the roads dropped off rapidly the farther from London one travelled.
Mr. Darcy looked up and determined that it was probably the early afternoon. Being England, it was cloudy and overcast and they could expect rain at any time. “I think we should move across the road back into the trees. I am worried it will start to rain soon and we will be drenched.”
“How will we be able to flag down a carriage if we are in the forest?”
Mr. Darcy was glad to see that Elizabeth had gotten her wits back. He had gotten quite concerned when she was too quiet and in a state of shock.
“I think I could make a sign. Perhaps build a pyramid out of branches or rocks to let passing riders and carriages know that someone needs help.”
“That sounds like a cairn though? A pyramid of stones to mark the spot where someone died?”
Mr. Darcy blanched. Elizabeth was right, it was indeed a monument to where someone died. Which would be apropos in this case since the horses died and possibly the driver as well. “Instead of a pyramid of rocks we could make a pyramid out of branches and put my jacket or something on the top to catch attention. Then it would not look like a cairn.”
“Plus not be so heavy to move or take so long to build.” Elizabeth stood up from the trunk. “I will start to look for branches while you drag the trunk into the edge of the forest.”
Elizabeth walked across the road and looked for branches. Mr. Darcy wondered when he had lost control of the situation.
He also wondered if the following carriage had noticed that they were missing yet. What was the next stop on their way north? Would the other carriage be there by now? He did not know what time they had gone off the road in their accident or how much time had passed. They should not expect any rescue until the second carriage came to the next stop and realize their carriage was not already there.
Mr. Darcy grabbed the handle of his trunk and dragged it across the road into the forest. He set it under a thick pine tree. If it did start to rain, the thick branches would keep the rain off the trunk. They did need to find Elizabeth’s trunk, but it could wait until they had built their pile of branches.
Since this was the edge of a well-traveled road and not near anyone’s estate, there were many fallen branches. They were able to quickly build a large pyramid. Mr. Darcy opened his trunk and took out one of his white linen shirts. He tied it to the top of the pyramid so that it would blow in the wind. Not only should it catch anyone’s attention but it would also spook any horses that went by.
Mr. Darcy felt bad about that, however they did need to get attention. They had no water, no food, and no shelter. They definitely could not survive a night out there.
After having gathered the branches Elizabeth dragged the trunk out from under the pine tree and sat on it. There were away from the road but they could still see part of it. Mr. Darcy did not want to be too far back, but he was sure they would hear any carriages or horses with enough time to get up and stand near the road.
The only issue he was concerned with was if they accidentally met highwaymen or bandits. They usually traveled at night, except that they had to travel to other locations they were planning to rob during the daytime did they not? Mr. Darcy wished he knew more about the criminal elements of England. Then he would have a better idea of how to keep them safe. Sitting back from the road in the forest was probably a good start.
It was not long before it started to drizzle. “We should move the trunk back under the pine tree.”
“If we did that we would not be able to see the road.”
“We do not need to see the road. We will hear anyone approaching long before we see them.” Mr. Darcy was beginning to wish that Elizabeth was still in a state of shock and not talking.
“I am not sure I agree with you, Mr. Darcy. There is something to be said for seeing who is coming before you make yourself known. I surely do not wish to catch the attention of any brigands.”
Elizabeth had a point, but they still needed to get out of the drizzle especially before it turned into rain. Mr. Darcy dragged the trunk under the pine tree. He had expected Elizabeth to follow him and sit under the pine tree. However, he saw Elizabeth had walked up to the road and was now standing fully in the drizzle and within eyesight of anyone traveling.
“I think you should get back in the forest and out of the rain. I do not consider it safe for you to be standing right next to the road,” he said.
Elizabeth turned towards Mr. Darcy. “I do not feel that hiding in the forest is a good way to catch someone’s attention.”
Mr. Darcy clenched his jaw. Why did she have to be so obstinate? “As I have said earlier, madam, I believe we will be able to hear someone approaching long before we see them.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “You really think we will be able to crawl out from under the tree, stand up, and walk to the road before they have passed us by?”
; Mr. Darcy normally admired Elizabeth’s quick mind; however, in this case he did not. He stood near her with crossed arms and scowled. Elizabeth turned away and looked back down the road whence they came. They stood that way for several minutes until the drizzle turned to rain. It was just like English weather to make everything worse.
“Elizabeth I insist, if you stand out here you are going to get ill. We do not know when someone will travel down the road.”
“I am sure there will be a carriage coming soon. You said this was the main road from London?”
Mr. Darcy wiped raindrops off his face. “Yes I did, but you have to realize we are already a day’s travel from London. I do not think carriages travel this road as often as you think.”
“I do not see the harm in standing out here.”
Mr. Darcy finally allowed himself to peruse Elizabeth’s figure, then looked back up at her. “Then I think I shall have to tell you something you may not realize. Your dress is white. And it is raining.”
Elizabeth gasped and looked down.
“I can see straight through your dress.”
Elizabeth tried to cover herself.
“It is only I, Mrs. Darcy.” Mr. Darcy frowned, not amused that his wife tried to cover up from him. “I will get my jacket for you to wear. I think you should come back to the pine tree where my jacket is.”
Mr. Darcy was gratified that Elizabeth did follow him back into the forest. He picked up his jacket, still dry from being under the pine tree, and held it open for Elizabeth to put on. He then pulled the sides together and fastened it. It was too large for Elizabeth but at least she would be warmer now. And her transparent dress would not tempt him anymore.
They sat down on the trunk under the pine tree. Mr. Darcy could not get out Elizabeth’s figure out of his mind. Damn them for not having a better relationship. This wait for another carriage to go by was going to be interminable if it was going to consist of Elizabeth being angry at him, their conversation stilted, and her figure in the wet dress featured prominently in his mind.
Chapter 24
The rain came down in earnest. They were kept dry by the thick pine, but Mr. Darcy noticed Elizabeth shiver. He scooted close to her, put his arm around her shoulders, and pulled her next to him so that she could get warm from his body heat.
However, she resisted. “I am perfectly fine right here. Thank you.”
Mr. Darcy frowned at his new wife. He was trying to take care of her, to keep her warm as he did not want her to get ill. Plus he wanted to hold her by his side. “Pardon me, madam, I was concerned for your health as I saw you shiver.”
Elizabeth pulled Mr. Darcy’s jacket tighter around herself. “Your jacket is proving suitably warm. I am quite fine.” A shiver that she was unable to hide put a lie to that statement.
Mr. Darcy raised an eyebrow. “Why are you lying to me? I can see you shiver.”
Elizabeth looked down at the ground. Mr. Darcy narrowed his eyes as he realized that she might not even answer him. “Elizabeth, I do not want our marriage to be one of strife and unhappiness. We were forced to wed each other, and I understand you had no wish to be married to me at all. However, this situation we are in now—”
Elizabeth turned to face Mr. Darcy. “You cannot say that you wanted to be married to me, not after I rejected your proposal. You have been quite angry these past several days.”
Mr. Darcy frowned. “I do not recall being angry at you for days.”
Elizabeth frowned. “You have been quite angry with me since we were married! The day we got married you could not even show me your townhouse. You did not even introduce me to the servants. You completely abandoned me.”
“I apologize, madam. I had thought to leave you alone to let you become accustomed to the idea of being my wife when you had so clearly voiced your opinion that you never wished to do so.”
Elizabeth clenched her teeth. “That was no cause to completely abandon me on our wedding day. Plus you have explained since then about George Wickham and you have corrected the part you played in keeping my sister and Mr. Bingley apart. I am not angry for the reasons I gave for refusing your proposal. No, I am quite angry at how you have treated me since we got married!”
Mr. Darcy narrowed his eyes. He had vowed not to be angry with Elizabeth and to keep better control of his emotions. However he was not sure he would be able to keep a good grip on them for long. “I have already apologized for leaving you alone, madam. I obviously chose the incorrect way to treat my new wife.”
Elizabeth’s eyes flashed. “You most certainly did. Instead of being on this road in the middle of nowhere in Derbyshire, we could be in Longbourn right now warm, out of the rain, and with my belongings. But you would not allow me to visit my family, not even for a sennight. It is your fault we are here!”
Mr. Darcy could not sit still anymore. He jumped off the trunk and walked out from under the pine tree. Which meant he was in the rain, but at least he was not stuck sitting next to that obstinate harridan. “I have explained numerous times, madam, that it is not just I or my sister or you whose lives depend upon a good harvest but hundreds of tenants and their families. I cannot jeopardize all of those lives for the whims of a—”
Elizabeth jumped up off the trunk and almost ran out from under the tree. “Whims? Whims! That is my family! No matter what you may think of their low connections or their lack of propriety they are still my family and I love them dearly. There was no reason at all for you to force your new wife to go straight to your estate instead of allowing me to say goodbye to my family. Who knows when I will be able to see them again? With the way you have treated me, I would not be surprised if you kept me in some tower or dungeon.”
Mr. Darcy’s eyebrows rose. “I apologize again, madam. I obviously have misspoken.”
Elizabeth stifled a scream. “Yes, you will have to apologize again, Mr. Darcy. You have a lot to answer for.”
Mr. Darcy crossed his arms. “And I am sure you will enlighten me.”
Elizabeth clenched her fists and narrowed her eyes at Mr. Darcy, looking not unlike a hissing cat. “For a man who wanted to marry me you sure display a distinct lack of appreciation. Your overbearing rudeness in the dining room regarding my request to go to Longbourn could have been handled in a way that did not treat me as if I were a street urchin beneath your notice.”
“I have already answered to that and have apologized. I will not do it again.” The chill emanating from Mr. Darcy could have turned the rain to snow.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and wondered if she should ask what specifically Mr. Darcy would not do again. Was he not going to apologize again or not make the mistake of treating her like a street urchin again? She decided for the sake of her marriage, what a marriage it was, to not bring that up. “Are you going to allow your new wife to have a new wardrobe? Or am I going to wear the few dresses that I brought with me from Longbourn until they fall apart?”
“That is a moot point now, madam, since your trunk with your few dresses are lost. You will have to have a new wardrobe.”
“Lucky for me that my trunk is lost. Otherwise, I am not sure if you would have ever bought me a new wardrobe.”
Mr. Darcy narrowed his eyes. “What makes you think that I would not buy you a wardrobe as befitting your station as my wife, the mistress of Pemberley? When have I ever given you the idea that I would not treat you respectfully?”
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows so high she was not even sure they were on her face anymore. “Are you serious? Are you bamming me? Have you heard a word of what I have just said?”
“And you have obviously not heard a word of what I have said. There are hundreds if not thousands of people dependent on me to provide for them and their families. I will not jeopardize their livelihoods. You can wait a few weeks for the planting to be done then we can travel to Longbourn.”
“I do not believe you.”
Now it was Mr. Darcy’s turn to raise his eyebrows. “You do not believe me? Whe
n have I given you a chance to not trust me? I have married you when you were compromised, even though less than an hour earlier you had rejected my proposal in an insulting manner. And yet I married you anyway. What other man would have done that?”
“Probably the same type of man who would have not avoided me on my wedding night nor any night thereafter!” Elizabeth had not meant to bring that up. She had actually been fine with him avoiding her even though it was an insult.
They both stood in the rain, breathing heavy and staring at each other. She knew her countenance was red, and she was embarrassed she brought that up, but she was not going to back down now. “Well? I am quite curious as to how you could offer your hand with your first marriage proposal and then completely avoid me after we were married. Obviously your first offer was for nefarious purposes and not because you admired me. Quite the contrary I suspect. It is obvious you detest the sight of me.”
Elizabeth was glad it was raining because that would hide the fact that she had tears running down her face. It had bothered her that Mr. Darcy avoided her at night, and truthfully during the day as well. But she did not realize how much it had been bothering her until now. It was embarrassing, humiliating, and mortifying that her husband avoided her. She also had the horrible realization that she had grown to admire Mr. Darcy’s handsome figure. Which made her even angrier.
“You think I find you distasteful? That I detest you? Nothing could be further from the truth. I have left you alone because I did not wish to take my wife by force. I assumed, obviously incorrectly, that that would have been the case had I dared broach your bedchamber.”
“You make it sound as if I were a spinster guarding my virtue! Not a new wife whom you had proposed to before we were forced to marry. You are not acting as if you do not find me distasteful!”