Apprehension and Desire: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice Read Online Free PDF Page A

gaped at him, astounded with his arrogance. His warm hands cupped her cheeks and slowly smoothed down her shoulders and arms. “I told you that my regard for you has been passionate from the first moments. Now you should go upstairs and take an early night. A good night’s sleep is the best for a headache. I only hope you will be able to fall asleep with such exciting news.” He smiled in satisfaction.
    “I shall be waiting for you tomorrow morning in the grove,” he added, placing a soft kiss on her temple and leaving the room.
     
Chapter Three
     
    Mr. and Mrs. Collins returned home late, as after tea they had been invited to dine at the manor. It did not escape Charlotte’s attention how agitated Mr. Darcy had appeared to be that afternoon; his behaviour had been rather unusual. First, when they had just arrived, he had disappeared somewhere for well over two hours at least. He had been back at dinner, and when his aunt enquired where he had been, he had explained himself that there had been unexpected and urgent business which he had been forced to attend to immediately. During the dinner itself, Mr. Darcy had seemed to be quite oblivious to what was happening at the table. Even Lady Catherine had been forced to repeat herself when she had addressed him, as he had   paid no attention to her words whatsoever. Charlotte had observed him discreetly, conveniently sitting opposite him. It struck her that Mr. Darcy had clearly smiled to himself a few times, even though the tone of the conversation at the table had not been of a kind to sparkle any amusement.
    Mrs. Collins’ surprise was even greater when, on returning home in one of Lady Catherine’s carriages that her ladyship had been kind enough to offer them,she was informed by the servant that during their absence Mr. Darcy had called and had conversed for a long time in the parlour with Miss Bennet. Later Miss Bennet had gone straight to her room, refusing to take any dinner. Charlotte put all these facts together quickly, both Mr. Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s odd behaviour that day, Mr. Darcy’s absentmindedness during dinner, and his so unusual secret smiling. Dared she hope that Mr. Darcy had actually proposed to her dearest friend?
    Without delay, she sent her husband to his room, ordering him to wait there for her as she had some business yet to attend, and she rushed to Elizabeth’s room. She knocked softly at the door, but nobody answered for a moment. Knocking again, the thought crossed her mind that Eliza had probably already gone to bed, but then soft voice was heard.
    “Enter.”
    Elizabeth was sitting in the window seat ledge in her nightclothes, her knees hugged to her chest.
    “Elizabeth,” Charlotte spoke cautiously, approaching the window. “How is your headache?”
    Elizabeth gave her a dumbfounded look. “My headache…?” Her dark brows furrowed. “It is better… I mean, I am well. I have forgotten about it.”
    Charlotte put her hand on her friend’s arm gently. “Are you certain you are well?” she asked, but Elizabeth only nodded her head absently in response. There was a moment of silence before Charlotte spoke slowly. “The servant said Mr. Darcy called during our absence. Did he talk with you?”
    Elizabeth looked up at her, biting her lip, her eyes wide. “You cannot imagine what I have done,” she whispered in distress.
    “Let me try,” Charlotte spoke slowly. “Mr. Darcy proposed to you, and you accepted.”
    “How do you know?” Elizabeth cried, her eyes wide. “Did he talk with you about this?”
    “No, he did not. I simply guessed. I have been telling you that he admires you. That is wonderful, Elizabeth” Charlotte smiled warmly at her friend. “I congratulate you.”
    But Elizabeth sprang to her feet as if not listening to her friend and started pacing the room in an agitated manner. “Charlotte, what have I done?” Her hands went to her head. “I dislike him so.”
    Charlotte walked to her, taking