Without thinking, he guided his mount into Meryton and in the general direction of Longbourn. Though he had never visited the house, the pathways were clear. He might have considered making Bingley’s farewells for him, but he could not predict his friend’s reaction. Bingley might return despite everything his sisters could do, and if so, a farewell might be seen as presumptuous. No, better to allow Bingley to handle his own affairs. Once in London, Bingley would surely ask for his advice, and if so, he would offer it.
Darcy would have liked to take his leave of Miss Elizabeth. She was pretty and witty, a woman who not only could challenge him but was willing to do so . . . He shook himself. It was rare enougha combination of traits to be intriguing to a man such as himself, that was all. Certainly, there were women better situated who also possessed those attributes. Miss Elizabeth had shown him what he wanted in a lady, and he would always be grateful to her for that, but her position in life was not suitable for a man of his rank. Though he might be persuaded to forgo the rank or financial difficulties were it not for the vulgar behaviour of her family.
No, wishing for something that could not be would only hurt them both. He had no reason to call, not really, and it would be better not to tempt himself too far.
This sort of indecision was entirely out of character for him, and it provoked him greatly. His horse skittered to one side, then another, tired of standing still, yet there they remained, facing the road to Longbourn without any intention of taking it.
Just as he had ordered himself for the third time to turn away and return to Netherfield, a figure appeared where the Longbourn path emptied out into Meryton. It was a woman, bundled in a red wool cloak, a scarf wound around her neck and up nearly to her ears, and a fur-trimmed hood pulled over the whole. She was driving a small pony cart that had probably been rather smart a generation ago.
He did not recognize her, exactly. It was simply that he could think of no other gentlewoman who would be out an hour from dark on such a chilly day, and on her own at that.
He touched the brim of his hat as she drew near.
What is Elizabeth going to say? Find out here: https://mybook.to/AAH
If you enjoyed Darcy and Elizabeth’s tale of love and romance—there are more Melanie Rachel novels to read!
Want something short and fluffy?
The Accidental Love series (four novellas) https://mybook.to/AccidentalLovePandP
Want Elizabeth is not a Bennet (or issortof a Bennet?)
I Never Knew Myself https://mybook.to/INeverKnewMyself
Drawing Mr. Darcy Duology https://mybook.to/DMDduology
Want forced proximity and Darcy caring for an injured Elizabeth?
A Gentleman's Honorhttps://mybook.to/AGH
Want Darcy AND Mr. Bennet as former soldiers? (And Colonel Fitzwilliam too?)
An Unexpected Inheritancehttps://mybook.to/AUI
What about D&E Fantasy?
Interwoven https://mybook.to/Interwoven
Transforming Mr. Darcy https://mybook.to/fttmd
How about some holiday romance?
Mr. Darcy's Christmas Letters https://mybook.to/ChristmasLetters
An Accidental Holiday https://mybook.to/AAH
Want a palate cleanser from the Regency? Try a modern, swoony Darcy and his tough yet vulnerable Elizabeth in theHeadstrongtrilogy.
Headstronghttps://mybook.to/HeadstrongSeries
Or a regency-era sequel? A newly married Darcy and Elizabeth with a strong Colonel Fitzwilliam presence . . .
The Courage Duology https://mybook.to/CourageDuology
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