Page 14 of A Forced Marriage
A feminine cry echoed from a distance, pulling Darcy from his thoughts. Without a moment's hesitation, he leapedback onto his horse and urged it towards the sound. The outline of an old, weathered manor loomed in the distance, its once-grand façade now crumbling and overgrown.
His heart pounded with fear and determination. What if they had been robbed? What if something worse had happened? He had no answers and little time to dwell on the possibilities. All that mattered was finding Elizabeth. He urged his horse onward, through the rain and darkness towards the abandoned manor.
****
Elizabeth huddled in the corner of the abandoned manor, shivering under the weight of her soaked clothes. She had moved from the uncomfortable settee when the wind and rain had driven through a broken window, leaving her little protection from the elements. The coachman's coat provided some warmth, but the chill from the wet fabric and the cold air made her shiver. She tried to steady her nerves, but the oppressive silence of the manor, broken only by the occasional creak of old wood, made her uneasy. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Mr. Darcy, his cruel words replaying in her mind.
Elizabeth sighed and pulled the coat tighter around her. Her eyes scanned the shadowy corners of the room, the creaks and groans of the old building only adding to her anxiety. Suddenly, her gaze fell upon a small, dark slithering shape creeping towards her. Her heart leapt into her throat, and in a moment of panic, she screamed, imagining it to be a snake.
Frantically, she moved her legs, hoping to scare it away, but a sharp pain shot through her injured limb. Just as she scanned around desperately for something to kill the snake, the door burst open, and Mr. Darcy strode in, his eyes immediately finding hers.
For a moment, Elizabeth thought she was hallucinating. Had the snake bitten her? She had heard tales of venom causing delusions. But why would she see Mr. Darcy, of all people? The worst man in the world?
"Miss Bennet," Darcy's voice cut through her confusion, "What is it?"
Remembering the reason for her initial panic, Elizabeth pointed at the creature, her voice trembling. "There... on the floor."
Darcy followed her gaze and quickly moved to the small intruder. "It's just a harmless snake," he said, bending down to pick it up. "A grass snake, not venomous." He flung it through a nearby window, then turned back to her. "You are safe now."
Elizabeth heaved a sigh of relief, but it was mingled with annoyance. The last person she wanted to see in a heroic light was Mr. Darcy. She gathered her composure and spoke with as much dignity as she could muster. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I did not expect to see you here. I thought I was in danger of the snake’s bite."
"I came upon your carriage," Darcy explained. "The wheel was broken, and I feared the worst. When I heard a scream, I simply followed."
Elizabeth nodded, her irritation simmering beneath the surface. "We had an accident and the Horses took flight. However, the coachman has gone to find help. I will be fine once he returns."
"Miss Bennet, the cold and your injury are not to be taken lightly. You need to be in a comfortable shelter, not in this drafty, abandoned manor. Allow me to take you to Longbourn. I am sure the help party will understand if they don’t meet you when they arrive." Darcy's brow furrowed with concern.
Elizabeth bristled at his insistence, not wanting to owe him any further. "No, Mr. Darcy. I am certain help will arrive soon. I do not wish to leave."
"Miss Bennet, you must consider your health. If you stay here much longer, you risk falling seriously ill. Please, let me assist you." Darcy stepped closer, his gaze intent.
Elizabeth's resolve weakened as she felt another shiver run through her. If taking her to Longbourn would make him leave her, then so be it. She decided against arguing further and tried to stand, only to wobble and nearly fall. Darcy caught her instinctively, his arms around her. Their proximity was sudden and intimate, and Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat.
For a moment, they were both still, the storm outside a mere backdrop to the tension between them. Elizabeth could see the worry in Darcy's eyes, and despite her anger, she couldn't deny the sincerity of his concern.
"Mr. Darcy," she began, her voice softer, "I appreciate your offer, but—"
"Miss Bennet," Darcy interrupted, his voice equally gentle but firm, "I cannot, in good conscience, leave you here. Please, allow me to help you."
Caught in his earnest gaze, Elizabeth found herself nodding reluctantly. Darcy carefully helped her to a nearby chair, ensuring she was steady before releasing her. While he did, he stepped backward only to slip on the wet floor, pulling Elizabeth down with him. They landed in a tangle, Darcy's body shielding her from the hard floor. Elizabeth’s skirts bunched up to her thighs, her shift totally exposed.
Their faces were inches apart, and Elizabeth could feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek. For a moment, neither spoke, the unexpected closeness leaving them both flustered.
"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and embarrassment, "this is highly improper."
Darcy's face flushed as he tried to disentangle himself without causing further discomfort. "Miss Bennet, I assure you, it was not my intention—"
Before he could finish, the door to the manor creaked open again.
Chapter 8
"Elizabeth! What in the world has happened here?" Mrs. Bennet's shrill voice cut through the silence as the door to the abandoned manor was flung open.
Elizabeth, still on the floor with Mr. Darcy's arm around her, looked up in shock. Standing in the doorway, drenched from the rain but wide-eyed with horror, were her mother, her father, Mr. Collins, and Lieutenant Denny, all with mouths agape at the scene before them.
Mr. Collins's eyes widened as he took in Elizabeth's dishevelled state, her shift partially exposed and her skirts rumpled around her thighs. "This is most improper, cousin Elizabeth! To be found in such… such a compromising position... Your shift is in the open, and your thighs have been seen. It demands immediate rectification to save your honour!"
Elizabeth, struggling to her feet with Darcy's help, protested with little respect, "Mr. Collins, this was not planned. It was an accident!"
