Page 105 of Me and Mr. Darcy

‘Bullshit!’

His face pales and he struggles to repress his emotions. Watching him, I have a flashback to Spike losing his temper and part of me can’t help wishing Mr Darcy would do the same. But of course he won’t, he’s always so goddamn composed the whole time. I used to think it was sexy, but now I just find it frustrating.

His eyes flash moodily and as I look into his dark irises with the tiny flecks of grey, I think about all the months and years I’ve fantasised about dating Mr Darcy. Wanting every man to be him.

And now here we are. Together. Arguing.

‘Look, I didn’t mean to snap,’ I begin. First Spike, now Mr Darcy, what’s wrong with me? ‘It’s just—’ I break off.

Just what, Emily? It’s that voice again. Only this time it’s more persistent. That he’s acting like a selfish, sexist pig? A stuck-up snob? A crashing bore?

‘I should be getting back,’ I finish quietly, trying to block out the voice.

‘I understand.’ He nods solemnly. ‘I also have matters to attend to.’ His chest heaves, as if there’s a lot going on underneath the surface, and he turns away from me to look out towards the valley. ‘I forget how beautiful it is here, with the view of the town,’ he says quietly, after a brief pause.

I follow his eyes. He’s right. It is stunning. ‘Yeah, it’s awesome,’ I murmur in agreement.

For a moment we stay like that, gazing out at the majestic scenery that sweeps beneath us, the rolling hills set against the backdrop of the vast expanse of sky. It’s quiet. There’s no one around. Just the two of us.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mr Darcy turn to me, his brow furrowed. ‘Perhaps we can just sit a while longer?’

I don’t answer immediately. Instead, I continue staring resolutely out towards the skyline. It’s so big it puts everything into perspective. Does it really matter if I don’t share the same views as Mr Darcy? I mean, of course he’s going to have a different opinion from me on certain things, it’s totally understandable. We’re from two completely different worlds. Right?

‘I think I can manage a few minutes,’ I say finally, meeting his gaze.

‘Excellent.’

He reaches for my hand, but as he interlaces his fingers through mine, I can’t help feeling disturbed by our row. Our opinions are so different. Too different. I don’t know if I can ever reconcile myself to those of Mr Darcy. And more importantly, would I want to?

Troubled, I rest my head on his shoulder and silence those nagging doubts.

For now, anyway.

Chapter Thirty

I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I know I’m being woken by the cold. Opening my eyes, I discover the sun’s disappeared, and with it, Mr Darcy.

Shivering, I stretch out my stiffened limbs and glance around me. Nope, he’s definitely gone. And with him all the picnic stuff. He’s even taken the fur, I notice, looking down at my lap with surprise. Huh, that’s not very chivalrous of him, is it? I think, feeling miffed.

In its place is a single snowdrop. Mr Darcy must have had to go attend to those matters he was talking about and obviously didn’t want to wake me. Instead, he left me this as a parting gift. I pick it up and twirl it between finger and thumb, looking at the delicate white petals.

Quite frankly, I’d rather he’d left me the fur. I’m frigging freezing.

As I’m hoisting myself up from the ground I hear the faint burbling of my cell phone. With frozen fingers I pluck it out of my pocket and see it’s Stella. That’s odd, I only spoke to her this morning. I wonder why she’s calling. I pick up.

‘Em?’

‘Hey,’ I croak, pulling my coat tight and stamping my feet on the ground to get the circulation going. ‘It’s good to hear your voice again.’

‘Is it?’ she snaps grumpily.

For a moment I’m puzzled, then I realise. Oh, shit. So she got the email, then.

‘Freddy’s dating,’ she continues.

‘I know, I forwarded his email, remember?’ I reply. Though now I’m really not sure I did the right thing, I think, feeling my earlier resolve wobbling.

‘Well, I can’t believe it,’ she cries.