Page 11 of The Cherry Trees of Rosings
“I apologize for inconveniencing you and breaking propriety, Miss Bennet…”
Her attention was drawn back to Mr. Darcy.
“...but I do not know how to stop this.”
Their gazes locked on each other once more. This time he had a distinct look of despondency about him. She could feel it too. Elizabeth bit her lip.
“Can you not go anywhere at all?” she asked.
He was silent for a moment. And then he shook his head.
“I tried walking out of Hunsford one time. But the next thing I remember was standing beside you in that copse of chestnuts.”
Elizabeth hugged the covers closer to herself.
They were silent for a moment longer.
Each lost in their own thoughts.
“Why do you think you are here?” Her voice was a hush in the silence.
“I do not know.”
He looked to the windows again. A deep sorrow was etched on his face.
“...maybe all this is just a dream and I will wake up tomorrow.”
Elizabeth could feel her eyes prickling. But she did not want to think about death and dying any longer. She tried to shake it off.
“Well, Mr. Darcy, I hope you are right.”
She tried to strike some cheerfulness, but was certain she was failing. He looked her way.
“…but if you are not, might you find a better time to haunt me?”
Mr. Darcy looked embarrassed again.
“I will try my best, Miss Bennet.”
Chapter 8:
Afternoon Breeze
Elizabeth was better prepared the next time she saw Mr. Darcy. But barely so.
“Goodness!” She yelped when he appeared beside her on the garden bench the very next afternoon. Then she harrumphed in indignation as she looked at him.
“I apologize for startling you, Miss Bennet.” The tips of his ears were turning red. Elizabeth wondered at that. But then sighed.
“Well, I suppose, you cannot help it.”
It was a lazy afternoon with the sun slanting across the west side of the parsonage, illuminating the dun brick walls and wooden window frames. Charlotte's peony bushes looked exceptionally beautiful in the light. As did Mr. Collins’ vegetable garden a little further away.
Elizabeth had come outside to sit on the bench in the shade and read a book. Well… she could hardly read now. Not with Mr. Darcy sitting beside her. She shut the book with a snap.
“The dream persists,” she said, turning her full attention to him.
He gave her a wry smile. “Unfortunately.”
