Page 4 of The Cherry Trees of Rosings
The two friends soon moved to other subjects of conversation.
The next day, Elizabeth decided to let go of her favourite walk and choose a new one.
As she saw it, there was no need to make much ado about the matter. Though, she was still stung over missing out on the fleeting pleasure of the cherry blossoms. But what was one to do?
So Elizabeth meandered through elm-lined paths, and past avenues bordered with black poplars and oaks, before finding herself in a small chestnut copse that seemed to have been left to grow untamed. Perhaps because there was no carriage path to it.
Elizabeth sighed happily as she spotted an iron bench and sank into it. Then, she closed her eyes, letting the gentle sunlight streaming through the gaps between the branches fall upon her upturned face.
The scent of early spring washed over her. So did the chirping of songbirds among the leaves.
It was both glorious and meditative.
“Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth gasped, eyes flying open.
“Mr. Darcy!”
They stared at each other in shock.
…though whyheshould appear so was a mystery to her.Was he not the one who sought her?
Elizabeth looked about them. They were the only two in the copse.
“I was enjoying the trees,” she said, getting to her feet even as a disconcerting feeling settled in her bones.
Mr. Darcy did not respond. Only continued to stare at her in that odd way. Elizabeth could feel the hair at the back of her neck prickle. He was wearing the same clothes as the ones she had seen him in yesterday.
…or was it the day before?
“I shall be on my way.”
Elizabeth side-stepped the seemingly frozen man, wondering if it would be odd if she broke into a run. But she stifled the impulse and took a few more steps away, putting her back to Mr. Darcy.
“Miss Bennet, why do I see you?”
She paused.
Then she looked over her shoulder at him. “I do not understand your meaning, Mr. Darcy.”
“Whyyou?”
She frowned. But he did not elaborate. She was now half turned towards him, and half away.
“Are you feeling well, sir?” she asked. She gestured at the iron bench, taking another step away from him. “Perhaps you should sit.”
“Why do I see you, Miss Bennet!!?”
Mr. Darcy suddenly exploded. Elizabeth gasped in alarm. There was harsh anger on his face and a dark glare in his eyes.
“Sir! I would implore you to not speak to me in such a fashion!” she snapped.
She briskly walked towards the dirt path that led out of the copse, leaves crunching under her boots as she tried not to run. Alarm was ringing through her bones. Blood rushing past her ears.
“Miss Bennet, wait!”
Elizabeth gasped again. Fear thundered through her. She started to run. Mr. Darcy had sounded awfully close somewhere behind her, but she did not turn to look. She did not want to.
