Chapter Text
A few days had passed since Darcy and Elizabeth had last met, although it felt like an eternity for both of them. Bingley still had a laundry list of duties he needed Darcy’s help with, and Elizabeth was always being dragged into town with her sisters to burn a hole in their father’s pocket.
Thankfully, they both frequented town, giving them plenty of chances to see each other. They could not speak to one another, since, when in polite society, they were not acquainted with each other. They could only steal glances at each other and exchange small smiles. Thankfully, no one had noticed through the fog of chatter and carriages.
Despite her sister's need for her assistance, Elizabeth still made time for her daily walks. She always says she loved the exercise, but that was only half of it. Walking was a reprieve from the chaos of her family and the social pressures of polite society. It was a moment of quiet and reflection that allowed her to collect herself.
For the past few days, her reflections had been consumed by thoughts of Mr. Darcy. Even though she had only met him once, his absence from her walks was depressing. He had been so clever and quick-witted, and she missed the sound of his voice. She felt ridiculous, mourning the absence of a man she knew little about. For all she knew, everything he said was a lie, but there was something in his eyes that made her trust him.
However, her feelings, whatever they were, began wavering day by day. She had thought he was insinuating he wanted to permanently join her walks, but maybe she misread him. It had been four days since she had made that assumption, and every day since she had stayed later and later in the hopes she would see him. She felt a little stupid, and perhaps he did not care to see her as much as she did.
Today had been the fourth day, and she was near Netherfield. She was already cutting it close to get back home, and the skies had begun darkening with heavy, grey clouds.
Looking up at the great, dark blanket of clouds that God had laid over the world, Elizabeth heaved one last sigh and decided to turn back. If she were quick, she could make it home before the rain could begin to fall.
“Miss Bennet!”
Elizabeth turned around to see that Mr. Darcy was walking toward her. He looked much the same as when she first encountered her, except that he traded his blue coat for a deep green one. Trailing him was a white Great Dane peppered with black and grey spots.
Before Elizabeth could say a word, the dog had sprinted ahead of Mr. Darcy. It jumped toward Elizabeth, its paws raking down the front of Elizabeth’s maroon dress. At the sight, Mr. Darcy began running towards the two.
“Hello,” Elizabeth cooed, gently guiding the dog’s front paws away from her dress.
“Sampson,” Mr. Darcy shouted, “down!”
“Oh, it’s alright,” Elizabeth muttered, dusting the dirt off her dress.
“No, it…” Mr. Darcy trailed, eyeing Elizabeth’s sullied dress. “My apologies, Ms. Bennet,” Mr. Darcy, feeling embarrassment burn through him, grabbed Sampson by the collar and gently pulled him away from Elizabeth. "He has yet to be properly trained.”
“Oh, I don’t mind at all.” Elizabeth set her hand upon Sampson’s head, scratching behind his ear. In response, the dog began to pant, his tongue hanging out of his mouth. Meanwhile, Elizabeth tried to ignore how close she was to Mr. Darcy, who still had his hand wrapped firmly around Sampson’s collar. “Is he yours?”
“No, he…” Mr. Darcy had unconsciously let go of Sampson’s collar, his hand brushing against Elizabeth’s. “He…” Both Elizabeth and Darcy’s gazes went to their entwining hands. The two felt a spark of electricity when their hands touched. Darcy’s warm hand met Elizabeth’s chilly fingers. They both stared at their hands, and Darcy wrapped his around Elizabeth's as if he was going to kiss it.
“Your hands are cold…”
A sharp crack of thunder echoed from far away. Elizabeth and Darcy ripped their hands apart. Blush had engulfed Elizabeth’s face as she turned her back to Mr. Darcy. Darcy, in turn, was staring off into the distance, his brow furrowed, trying to ignore the heat on his face.
“A storm is coming,” Mr. Darcy observed, trying to keep his tone flat. “You must take a carriage.”
“No,” Elizabeth exclaimed, whirling around. “No, I can walk back home,” she said with finality. Elizabeth began to walk away.
“Miss Bennet, please.” Darcy’s hand caught Elizabeth’s elbow, and Elizabeth, curiously, did not pull away. “Please.” Darcy’s usual hard expression has melted into a look of concern. His deep eyes bored through Elizabeth’s resolve, but it was not enough to break her completely.
“What if someone sees?” Elizabeth’s voice was barely above a whisper, and the reluctant look in her eyes had Darcy taken aback. It made him pull away, dropping Elizabeth’s arm. Elizabeth was shocked when she realized she missed the pressure his touch provided.
“They won’t.” Darcy tried to sound sure of himself, but a tremor in his voice gave his uncertainty away.
“What do you expect will happen when I arrive at Longborne in a giant carriage with some mystery man?” Elizabeth shouted. Another crack of lightning flashed across the sky. “Do you not care about my reputation, sir?”
“Of course I- Urg.” Darcy turned and dragged his hand down his face. “I can not allow you to go home and get caught in this weather.”
“I assure you, Mr. Darcy, that I am perfectly capable of walking to my home, even in the rain.” Elizabeth paused, her face still red from embarrassment. But then, a more confident, teasing expression morphed her features. She then folded her arms and smirked. “Besides, I am not the one who was lost for hours until someone had to come and rescue him.”
“Miss Bennet…” Darcy muttered.
“Are you always this stubborn?” Elizabeth dropped her arms and put her hands on her hips. Elizabeth’s verbal blow made Darcy pause, his thick brows knitting together.
“I could say the same for you, Miss Bennet,” Darcy fired back.
“That could prove to be a challenge, Mr. Darcy.”
“What could,” Darcy asked, feigning ignorance, “Miss Bennet?”
“Our stubbornness,” Elizabeth replied with a wry smile. “It could create many scenarios in which we are at odds.”
“But,” Darcy began, feeling bold, “perhaps, Miss Bennet, we could find a common enemy and combine forces.”
“Then I’ll add them to my nightly prayers.”
Darcy gave Elizabeth a wry smile of his own. He then looked over Elizabeth’s head to see a haze far away. His smile dropped, and his brows furrowed as he scrutinized their situation. Soon, sheets of rain would descend from the heavens and crash down upon them if neither of them could figure out a solution soon.
“Darcy…” The man looked down to see Elizabeth stepping closer toward him. “What are you thinking?” Elizabeth’s left brow was lifted, and her eyes had a mischievous glimmer that Darcy couldn’t help but marvel at.
“I believe, Miss Bennet.” A crack of lightning lit up Darcy’s grin, “I have thought of a solution for our predicament."