Most Ardently

by Sheena Austin et al.

  “I thought you were gone for good, my dear. Then I met Elizabeth and thought I found you again.”

  “Well, you did but I could not bear sharing you with her,” Ghost Elizabeth replied.

  “I’m right here you guys.” Elizabeth threw up her hands. She turned to Madeline, “How do they get back?”

  “Simple, really. All they have to do is find peace with the situation and kiss, and poof they’re gone.”

  Elizabeth turned to Darcy and ghost Elizabeth. “Well guys, you better kiss and make up.”

  Darcy turned to Elizabeth. “Will you be okay? I never meant to hurt you.”

  “No, I’ll be fine. Trust me, I’ve had worse breakups than this.”

  Darcy walked over to Elizabeth and hugged her. “Truly, I am sorry. I pray for you to find a man worthy of your affections.” He kissed her cheek and left her side.

  Darcy faced his wife. “Do you forgive me?”

  Ghost Elizabeth nodded and kissed him. They both disappeared.

  A knock at the door startled Elizabeth. She went to answer it and it was Elinor. Elinor’s eyes bugged out when she saw Madeline. “What is she doing here?”

  “She was helping me out with a little problem.”

  Elinor folded her arms and turned to Madeline’s son, “I guess it turned out our ghost was real after all?”

  “Actually, he is really her son—he was just misfortunate enough to be a spitting image of his ancestor.”

  Madeline’s son let out a low whistle. “That was low, Miss Bennet, especially after my mother and I helped you.” He turned to Elinor, “I’m William, and I like to think I inherited a dashing profile from my several-times-great-grandfather.”

  Elinor’s face turned red. “Please forgive me. I just can’t believe the whole time there was a handsome doppelganger of the ghost haunting me and Elizabeth.”

  Elizabeth turned crimson and elbowed Elinor to stop. “Please, don’t mind my friend. I think it’s pregnancy hormones making her weird.”

  “I know all about that—” William chuckled.

  “You do? You’ve been pregnant before?”

  “No, I’m a doctor—” he winked.

  “Oh, Lizzy, he’s a doctor,” Elinor cooed.

  “Stop it now,” Elizabeth mouthed to Elinor.

  “So, doc, are you single? Lizzy needs some Christmas magic if you know what I mean.” Elinor winked.

  “Okay, on that note, I think you all need to leave, and we have a plane to catch.”

  “Let me drive you both, I’m on my way back home myself.”

  “Oh, where do you live?” Elinor nearly shouted in excitement.

  “New York,” he replied.

  “Same here, Lizzy lives near Times Square.”

  “So, do I. I guess we’re neighbors, Miss Bennet.”

  “Oh, it would seem so, now you can borrow a cup of sugar and swap spit.” Elinor laughed.

  Elizabeth pinched the bridge of her nose and moaned. Kill me now, she thought.

  ELIZABETH BONDED WITH William on the plane ride back home. Elinor insisted on changing seats so William could sit next to Elizabeth and would not take no for an answer.

  Elinor played matchmaker and Elizabeth was a little thankful that she had a handsome seatmate and didn’t have to worry about Elinor trying to smother her if she snored whilst sleeping on the flight back home.

  “You wouldn’t tell me if I snored, would you? Or if I did you wouldn’t try to kill me?”

  William laughed and his nose crinkled up that Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat. “No, I would never do such a thing—why do you ask?”

  “Because Elinor would gladly see me dead than hear me snore.” Elizabeth snorted. She immediately apologized.

  “Never apologize, I find women who snort sexy and irresistible.”

  “Great— Do you have a Miss Piggy fetish? All the handsome guys always have something wrong with them.”

  “No—I think I’m a bit offended. Wait you think I’m handsome? And for your information, I’m more of a Camilla kind of guy...” he laughed.

  Elizabeth turned to him, “Well, this has gotten interesting.”

  “How so?”

  “I’m more of a Gonzo type of gal—I think we’re a match made in Muppet heaven,” she snorted again.

  “Now you’re talking, and if you don’t stop snorting, I might have to propose to you.”

  Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She enjoyed the flirting, and he was super-hot and she wasn’t sure where this was going to go. He was a doctor and so what if his mother was a quack job and he looked like his great-grandfather, she could definitely see herself in his arms—doing some extracurricular activities.

  Lost in her thoughts she snapped out of it when she felt his finger wipe her chin.

  Her eyes widened, “What are you doing?”

  “Miss Elizabeth, you were drooling, and I didn’t want you to ruin your beautiful top.”

  “My hero—” Elizabeth sweetly replied. “How can I repay you?”

  “Dinner, when we get back to the States and a lifetime supply of snorts.”

  “Oh my...you’re serious?”

  “Dead serious, Lizzy. And I won’t take no for an answer.”

  Elizabeth swallowed and found her voice. “Well, in the case, it’s a yes. How could I possibly refuse?”

  “My thoughts exactly, and why would you ever refuse?”

  “Well, that’s a good question and I don’t have a logical explanation.”

  “Good, because I’d wear you down, anyway. I always get what I want,” he winked.

  SEVERAL WEEKS PASSED and William and Elizabeth became inseparable. It was an instant attraction from the get-go. However, when they landed, the whirlwind romance began. Then every night forward they would go out to dinner and spend as much time together. It all began to make perfect sense and she fell into a routine with him.

  She began spending more time at his house, and her dog, Darcy would tag along. William insisted that she let Darcy spend the night with them.

  On a particular day that marked their month anniversary, William took her out to a romantic dinner. As they were waiting for their meals to be served, he took her hand in his and stared lovingly into her eyes.

  “Elizabeth, I’ve been thinking—” he started.

  Elizabeth’s heart began to flutter, she wasn’t sure where this was going, and her fight or flight kicked in. She could only get out, “Okay...”

  “Don’t look like you’re going to flee from me, it’s not what you think. I believe it’s best that you permanently move into my house, and that way I can make sure you won’t leave my bed ever.”

  “You’ve only known me for a month, are you sure?” She asked him cautiously.

  “Yes, it’s like I’ve known you for such a much longer time. It makes sense. You’re all alone in that apartment of yours, with Darcy, and you seem much happier in my home. I’d love for you to make it yours.”

  “This is all very sudden, William.” She stumbled.

  “Is it really, though, Lizzy? What did you expect to happen? That I would love you and leave you?”

  “No—I just have been enjoying our time together, that I wasn’t putting a label on it or any expectations.”

  “I’d understand if you reject me, but please know that I’m in this for the long haul and I don’t intend on ditching you anytime soon, or ever.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes threatened to spill tears, and she squeezed William’s hand tighter. “I know.”

  “Well, then it’s settled then. You’ll start staying with me then?”

  “Yes, it’s official. I’ll stay with you. What have I got to lose?”

  “Exactly, you have nothing to lose, only gaining in this situation.” He kissed her hand.

  They broke their grasp apart as their dinner was served and they ate in such a rush because they knew what was for dessert later and it wasn’t on the menu.

  ELIZABETH LAY IN BED with William, she couldn
’t fall asleep. Suddenly she heard a whisper in her ear. “Are you happy, my dove?”

  She turned around to see where it was coming from. She turned to William and found that he was sound asleep.

  “Darcy, is that you?”

  “Yes, I had to check on you. I miss you.”

  “I am happy, Darcy. William is fantastic and treats me like a queen.”

  William stirred in bed. “Lizzy, who are you talking to?”

  “Nobody, I guess I was sleep talking without realizing it.”

  William kissed her cheek. “Are you all right, my dove?”

  “Yes, darling. I’m perfect. I’m sorry for waking you up.”

  William kissed her on her forehead and scooped her into his arms and nuzzled into her neck. “No worries, sweet dreams, my dove. I love you.”

  “I love you too. Sweet dreams.”

  William dozed back off, and she heard Darcy whisper in her ear. “Sweet dreams, my dove, I love you.”

  “I love you too, Darcy,” she whispered and fell asleep.

  She was in the ballroom where she first met Darcy and they danced and kissed. However, this time Darcy turned into William and he proposed to her under the mistletoe.

  Morning came too fast and Elizabeth stretched and wiped the sleep from her eyes. She turned to face William as she felt him stroke her hair. “Darling, I had the strangest dream. We were dancing in a ballroom and I proposed to you under the mistletoe.”

  She gasped. “I had the same dream.”

  He smiled. “I actually didn’t know when or how the best way to ask you, but that dream helped me decide anytime and anyplace with you is the perfect way.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  William rolled over to the nightstand and pulled open the door. He returned with a velvet box in his hand. He opened it, showing a diamond princess cut engagement ring. “Will you be my wife?”

  She threw her arms around him. “Yes, of course, I will.” She blinked back the tears of happiness and out of the corner of her eye saw Darcy standing in the corner. She heard him say “Goodbye.”

  Without thinking, she whispered back. “Goodbye, Darcy.”

  William pulled back. “What did you say? Why did you say, ‘Goodbye Darcy’?”

  “I was saying goodbye to some old memories of an old friend. I’m ready to move on and start my new life with you.”

  William kissed her and placed the ring on her finger.

  “You are a strange woman, Lizzy, but that’s one of the many reasons why I love you.”

  “WHAT YOU ARE YOU DOING, darling?” a voice spoke as Darcy looked on from the window at Pemberley.

  He turned around to see Elizabeth floating toward him. He smiled and stretched out his hands for hers. “I was checking on Elizabeth and William.”

  She took his hand in hers and returned his smile. “Job well done for bringing them together.”

  Darcy wrapped his fingers around hers and squeezed her hand lovingly. “Thank you for forgiving me. I lost my senses when I believed she was a reincarnation of you.”

  “Well, to be fair, she was my reincarnation, so no harm was done, my love. I am not well versed in the spirit world, but I believe that my spirit tried to find a way to reach out to you and she was the answer.”

  “Therefore, whilst making love to her, you were making love to me,” she added.

  “Yes, but that does not eradicate the guilt I feel. I will spend eternity trying to make it up to you,” he said.

  “Well, if you feel that way, I would suggest you start making it up to me now,” she curled up her lips into a smile.

  “What did you have in mind?” he asked.

  “Oh, I think you know,” she winked and walked away.

  He followed her to find that she was leading him to her bedchamber.

  About the Author

  SHEENA AUSTIN IS THE author of Returning to Mr. Darcy, Alexandria, Journey of the Heart, and Disillusionments of the Heart. A lover of all romance, fantasy, cat whisperer, and Kermit obsessed, the author currently lives in Virginia with her boyfriend and two cats. She is a Special Education teacher and aspires to win the lottery one day and to have a lifetime of pizza and Cheez-Its so she would no longer have to cook or do the dishes ever again.

  Snow Flight by Margo Bond Collins

  1. Bennet Austen

  I should have seen the trap.

  I ran through the woods, weaving past trees in the dark. The silvery-blue moonlight reflecting off the snow provided more than enough illumination for my eyes, as they were more sensitive in my fox form. I could see where I was going.

  But I had been on the run for weeks, shifting from fox to human and back again, with never enough time to sleep and barely enough to eat in my flight from the hell that hunted me. I was exhausted and worn, and I knew that Debourgh’s minions were going to catch up with me at any minute.

  I could hear them behind me, their evil cackles echoing through the Colorado forest.

  I’d ended up here almost by chance, following some instinct that told me to take ever-higher ground. I needed to be able to get the drop on these fuckers. But I had no idea how.

  As I ran, I watched for the glints of moonlight off their oversized, fully black eyes, for the hint of motion in their white-against-snow skin and clothing. I was far too busy looking for them to pay attention to where I was going.

  So when I landed in a bear trap, I didn’t have enough time to leap back out before it closed on me. I was fast—shifter-fast. But not fast enough. It clamped shut on my left hind leg. I heard the clank of the trap slamming at the same moment I felt the bone snap in two. Agonizing pain whipped through me, and I screamed, my fox voice bouncing back off the walls of the mountains around me in some directions, muffled by the snow in others.

  The elves laughed and then hissed as they stepped into the small clearing where I lay incapacitated. If I had simply tripped and broken a limb, it would’ve been all over then. But Debourgh kept purebloods around her, and this trap was made of iron. That was my only saving grace—they couldn’t get to me. Not while I was caught in the trap.

  I needed to change into my human shape as soon as possible and do what I could to get away. But that would take a lot of energy, and right now, the pain was too fresh. I had to carefully weigh the cons of staying in the trap, lying injured in the cold and snow, as opposed to shifting and removing myself from the one thing that was holding them at bay.

  And right now, I was in too much agony to make any sense of my options.

  I can’t go to sleep. If I die out here, everything I fought for will have been for nothing. I worked to keep my eyes open, to focus on the power I needed to shift.

  The elves were circling, coming in closer and closer, their circle contracting. Like other natives of the forest, they blended in easily. And these elves were from the Winter Court, so the snow and ice acted as additional camouflage for their pale faces and dark eyes.

  In the distance, I heard the rumble of an engine. There weren’t many vehicles up here, but it was coming this direction. The elves paused, their leader cocking his head to listen.

  “Human,” he hissed, his lip curling up.

  Some of the fae could pass for humans themselves, even when they were in their natural form. The Winter Court elves weren’t among them. This elf was tall and thin, his limbs too long, his knees prone to bending in the wrong direction, like a marionette’s or a grasshopper’s. Add to that his stark white skin, silver braids, and all-black, iris-less eyes, and he looked more like a giant, albino praying mantis than a person.

  He was one of Debourgh’s warriors, a hunter, one who’d been sent out to gather up all the kitsunes he could find and drag us in. His queen wanted to use our blood to help fuel her rise to power.

  I was still figuring out how that worked when this one had gotten wind of me and set out to catch me.

  My only choice had been to flee, moving in the opposite direction of my family and my clan in order to draw off t
he elves.

  Now the hunter flicked one overly long finger in a gesture that apparently meant something along the lines of an order to withdraw. All of his fellow elves melted away into the forest as the vehicle drew closer. Its rumbling engine stopped not terribly far away. I hesitated to cry out to whoever it was. But perhaps if I could change into my human form, I could request help. I would have no answer for why a naked man was caught in a bear trap the woods, but it was better than dying at the hands of the Winter Court queen.

  When I heard the door slam, I let out a howl.

  2. Darcy Pemberley

  I HADN’T PLANNED TO go into the woods on Christmas Eve.

  I’d been in town attending the last day of the holiday festival the town put on every year. Not for the first time since I moved here, I found myself feeling more alone in a crowd of people than I ever did by myself in my tiny one-bedroom cabin up on the mountain.

  Not that the people of Assumption, Colorado, weren’t perfectly friendly. They always were. I’d left the festival with a bag full of tiny gifts that people in the various booths and at the indoor stations had been handing out.

  But I didn’t have any real friends in Assumption yet, even though I’d been here for more than two years. I mean, I knew plenty of people to say hello to when I was in town—but very few to stop and chat with for any length of time

  Unless you counted Sheriff Bingley. And really, all we ever did was talk shop.

  I was still feeling that sense of loneliness when I got in my Jeep to head back home. I spent much of the drive considering why that might be—normally, I liked my own company just fine. Even better since I’d left my job as a Dallas cop and moved to the Rocky Mountains, where I ran an online consulting business from my one-bedroom cabin.

  I enjoyed the solitude of the woods.

  But that didn’t mean I didn’t want someone to spend the holidays with.

  Anyone other than the poachers who showed up from time to time.

  My cabin sat on part of an old silver mine claim. I owned the mine, the claim, and the cabin, as well as all the land around it. I don’t know what the previous owner’s understanding had been with the kinds of poachers who regularly made their way past the boundaries through Colorado’s forested land, but as far as I was concerned, hunters were not welcome on my property.