Page 5 of The Cherry Trees of Rosings
“Miss Bennet!”
“Desist sir!”she shouted, picking up her pace and tossing propriety to the wayside.
Her heart hammered within her chest. Trees rushed past her.She could not hear Mr. Darcy pursuing her anymore but she did not dare look back. Or stop.
“Miss Bennet…”
Elizabeth screamed as Mr. Darcy suddenly appeared before her.As if out of thin air!
But, by then, they were already set on a collision course.And she bludgeoned right into him…
…and straight out through the other side!
An intense chill overtook Elizabeth.
She faltered, and stopped. Almost as if someone had submerged her in ice cold water.
She turned. Breathless.
Mr. Darcy was staring at her with horror in his eyes.Then, he stared at his front where she had passed right through him.
“Good lord!” He patted his coat. “What was that?!”
Their eyes met. Realization dawned on her.
“Mr Darcy…” Elizabeth whispered, eyes widening.
But before she could say anything else…
…he disappeared.
Chapter 4:
Lady Catherine’s Laments
“What is the matter, Eliza? You are frightening me!”
Charlotte wrapped another blanket around Elizabeth as she sat close to the fireplace with her teeth chattering uncontrollably.
Tremors shook her frame. She squeezed her eyes shut.
“Eliza, if you do not tell me what has happened, I shall have to fetch the apothecary!”
“Please… don… do not, Char..lotte,” Elizabeth gritted out.
“At least drink your tea!”
Charlotte handed her the steaming cup after stirring three heaping spoonfuls of sugar in it. Elizabeth grimaced but sipped the tea nonetheless. And then she sipped some more as she immediatelyfelt better. By the time she had drained the cup, her tremors had reduced dramatically.
“Let me make you another one,” Charlotte said, taking the empty cup from her. But then she suddenly wrapped her fingers around Elizabeth’s. “You are still freezing!”
Elizabeth grimaced as another tremor shot up her spine. She was thankful for the warmth of Charlotte’s hands though.
“Charlotte, I think something is wrong with Mr. Darcy…” she whispered after her friend handed her a second cup of steaming sweet tea.
“Mr. Darcy?” Charlotte frowned. “What do you–”
“Charlotte! Charlotte!”
