{"id":2300,"date":"2018-02-22T08:33:43","date_gmt":"2018-02-22T13:33:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/?p=2300"},"modified":"2021-12-17T12:53:46","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T17:53:46","slug":"chapter-12-mr-darcy-dared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wip\/chapter-12-mr-darcy-dared\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 12 If Mr. Darcy Dared"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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This book releases in 1 week to direct preorders! To larger vendors it will come out March 14, 2018.<\/span><\/h2>

XOXO Elizabeth Ann West<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Chapter 12- If Mr. Darcy Dared<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The chill of November dampened what good spirits might be had. But Elizabeth Bennet ran from her father\u2019s house without an ounce of good cheer. She didn\u2019t slow until she reached the far edge of her father’s property. Hyperventilating from the exertion, she drew her shawl that had flapped behind her like a cape, tighter around her shoulders as her body shivered. Why had Mr. Darcy not come to call when Mr. Bingley and Miss Bingley arrived? And curse that Caroline Bingley and her rudeness! What unlucky yield to earn her as a sister when Jane married Mr. Bingley. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

Her thoughts ran rampant as her feet carried her without her conscious effort. She tried to remind herself she had even stated more than once to even Jane and her father how he was unlikely to visit. But truly, even though the words had passed her lips, her heart ached with each utterance, praying her rational side to be wrong about him.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

Before she knew what she was about, Elizabeth ceased her preoccupation with Mr. Darcy’s absence and recognized she was halfway up the trail to the top of Oakham Mount. Bile rose in her throat as she could not help but think of the last time she was at such a place, just the day before. She thought briefly to turn and flee her favorite spot, but her stubborn will refused such a capitulation. Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley would not ruin her favorite pastimes; it was not to be borne! <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

Still, she could not help but try to sort out where she had gone wrong. Had she made a mistake in honoring her set with Mr. Darcy? Maybe she should have said more when the carriage was called to encourage him?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth lost her focus once more in second-guessing her behaviors. When she reached the summit, she had planned to sit upon her favorite prospect and allow her emotions to have their way, safe from the humiliation awaiting her back at Longbourn. But just like the last time she had visited Oakham Mount, Elizabeth Bennet was not alone.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

Unfortunately, her company was in no state for a visit. Slumped against the very boulder where she had first found herself in Mr. Darcy’s arms, sat the slumped form of the same man, fast asleep. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

At first, Elizabeth could think of nothing more suiting than to throttle the man or at least throw a heavy stone in his direction. But when he suddenly began to move to find a more comfortable position against the rough stone coupled with a heavy snore, Elizabeth found herself covering her giggles with her gloved hand. As much as she wished to be cross with him, here lay a very reasonable explanation for why Mr. Darcy had not called at Longbourn. Never had she suspected that he might wait here in hopes of meeting her, and fall asleep in the process.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

Feeling her courage return, Elizabeth walked forward in triumph as she trusted herself to be so close to Mr. Darcy’s person that she leaned down and whispered into his ear.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

“Mr. Darcy?” <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

The man moaned, but didn’t rouse. So Elizabeth tried once more. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

“It’s time to wake up, Mr. Darcy.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

“Mmmm, my Elizabeth,” the man uttered in a sleepy voice as his eyes fluttered open. The very dream occupying his subconscious mind appeared as a vision before him. Spying his eyes widen in embarrassment, Elizabeth giggled and reached out her gloved hand to touch his cheek.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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