Alone with Mr. Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation Read Online Free PDF Page A

gentleman.”
    Men! Why must they always deny illness or
injury, and take on tasks even a child could see they were unsuited for? Rather
than argue, she took action, tugging at the bedroll to draw it nearer the fire.
Who would have thought a simple bedroll could be so heavy? Was it filled with
rocks?
    Before she had managed to move it even a
foot, Mr. Darcy appeared by her side. At least he did not tell her to stop, but
instead pulled at it with her. Now it slid almost easily toward the fireplace.
    Elizabeth watched as he wrestled with the
ties preventing it from unrolling. He paused, muttered under his breath, then
reapplied himself, without any apparent progress. Odd; it looked like a simple
knot, and certainly the owner of the cottage would not want a major task
untying it every night. Then she saw the tremor in his hands.
    She leaned forward and placed her hand
over his. He stilled instantly, then slowly turned to look at her. “Sir, I have
great faith that under ordinary circumstances, you could tie and untie knots
far beyond my ability, but these are not ordinary circumstances, and it pains
me to watch your efforts. Pray permit me to make an attempt.”
    For a moment she thought he would refuse,
but then he stepped back without a word. Before he could change his mind, she
reached past and quickly untied the bedroll. Free of its restraints, it
unfurled with unexpected rapidity, nearly bowling her over. She staggered back,
but strong hands caught her from behind. Fully unrolled, the bedroll stopped at
the toes of her boots, and Mr. Darcy was at her heels, his hands still gripping
her arms. Apparently his strength was less affected by his injury than his
dexterity.
    With a breathless laugh, she said, “I had
not bargained for that. Feather ticks are simpler to manage. This adventure is
proving educational.” Educational. She hoped that sounded cool enough to defuse
the impropriety of her present position, able to feel a man’s warmth behind her
while a bed lay before her. Why had he not released her arms?
    “I apologize I was unable to manage it.”
His voice sounded unusually hoarse. She hoped he was not sickening with a cold.
That was all they needed.
    She looked down pointedly at his hand on
her arm, not that he would be able to see her gaze, and retreated into teasing.
“I am sadly disillusioned. I thought you capable of any task set before you no
matter how adverse the circumstances, and now I discover all it takes is nearly
freezing to death and a blow on the head to render you occasionally in need of
assistance. If it were not for the fact that building a fire is currently a
more beneficial skill than untying knots, I might have to dismiss you as merely
decorative and not useful.”
    He peeled his fingers from her arms. “I do
not believe I have ever been described as decorative before.”
    “There is always a first time.” She
slipped to the side, careful not to look at him as she spread the worn quilt
over the bedroll. “There. I suspect that is the best that can be done. I hope
you will be at least somewhat comfortable.”
    “Miss Bennet, I cannot…”
    She held her hand up to stop him. “Must we
play at ladies and gentlemen even in these circumstances, when there is no room
for either? You are injured; I am not, and neither of us is a fool. Pray, let
us be practical. The pallet is for you.” It had been such a long day, with too
many surprises. She did not have the energy to spare for this argument.
    He was silent, his lips tight. At last he
said, “Very well, but if we are to be practical and not bound by the rules for
ladies and gentlemen, the logical solution is that we share the pallet. If we
each stay to the side, there is room enough for both of us.”
    “I cannot share a bed with you!”
    “If I planned to take advantage of you, I
could have done so at any point in these last few hours. If it will help, I
give you my word you will be completely safe.” His face was pallid in