management?
Elizabeth was not faring much better. Though Mrs. Hurst seemed friendly
enough, her brother's death hurt her acutely, and her grief was evident. Worse, due to the lack of attention and change in her circumstances, Miss Bingley's tongue got the better of her, more than once. During these times, Elizabeth was accused vociferously of her culpability in the death of Mr. Bingley, and
subjected to Miss Bingley's sharp ridicule of her person and her family.
Under the circumstance, it was a relief to both Darcys when the time came to return to Pemberley.
Some time had passed since Bingley's death though they still wore black
ribbons in remembrance of him. It was late summer, and Elizabeth and Darcy
were enjoying the pleasures Pemberley had to offer, strolling through the
grounds. After a while, they sat and lounged against a big oak tree that
provided plenty of shade from the summer sun.
Unexpectedly, Darcy began to chuckle. When Elizabeth looked up at him, he
blushed. Knowing he had to confess his thoughts, he added, "It was by that tree over there where I decided we could be friends. You were hanging upside down from a branch by your knees, and taunting a cat who was batting at your hair.
At that moment, I decided that my mother may have been right, and it would
be all right to have a girl for a friend."
Elizabeth laughed heartily. "I remember that day! You were very boorish about it. You practically marched up to me and said 'You can play with me, but I do not play with dolls.' Then you turned and sat for dinner."
To this Darcy laughed. "Perhaps I was a bit full of myself, but it was the best decision I ever made." He smiled lovingly at her.
"We shall have to teach our son to be more kind."
"Indeed," Darcy replied. Then noticing the faint blush on Elizabeth's cheeks, and the way she was avoiding his gaze, his eyes widened. "Elizabeth?" he choked out.
She simply smiled in return.
THE END
Document Outline
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three - FINAL CHAPTER
THE END