The Trouble With Horses: A Pride & Prejudice Novella Variation Read Online Free PDF Page A

Elizabeth's view, they were bone dry.
    Another yell in Mr. Darcy 's deep voice rang out and Elizabeth's traitorous heart ached. She wanted to run upstairs and comfort the poor man, but chided herself for feeling such an unwanted and unreturned sentiment. Instead she slammed her book shut and placed it on the table.
    "His arm must be lanced or the swelling will injure him permanently. It's a very painful procedure and I understand he refused laudanum," Elizabeth sniffed in Caroline's direction after exhibiting her superior knowledge of the subject.
    "How very quaint Miss Eliza that you are training to be an apothecary's assistant. I'm sure such a profession will suit you well." Caroline threw an insult back with a devilish smile.
    Next to her on the couch, Elizabeth's sister Jane made a small noise as her mouth fell open in shock. Elizabeth placed a hand on Jane's clenched fist and gave a brilliant smile in return. Then she erupted into laughter.
    "He doesn't give you the time of day, does he? All your fawning and complaints about my conduct towards Mr. Darcy are because you are in love with him. Or his bank ledger, more likely." Cooly, Elizabeth helped herself to some refreshments lingering on the parlor table from the Bingley's arrival.
    Caroline's face reddened in fury and her mouth twisted into a most unflattering scowl. Just before she could retort, two sets of men's footsteps could be heard taking the stairs.
    "Thank you so much for your continued care of my friend. He can be, well, a bit difficult in his convalescing." Bingley spoke over his shoulder to Mr. Bennet as the two men traversed the flight of steps and paused at the foot of them.
    Mr. Bennet clapped the younger man's shoulder in friendship before removing his handkerchief from his pocket and wiping the sweat from his brow. It had taken a great deal of strength out of the old man to help keep Mr. Darcy's arm still so Mr. Jones, the apothecary, could do his work.
    "What are neighbors for?"
    Shortly, the two Hertfordshire gentlemen were joined by Mr. Jones who had finally collected his things.
    "He sleeps, and the arm should heal. The rest of his injuries are remarkably minor. I expect later today or tomorrow he can be moved to your residence, Mr. Bingley." Mr. Jones bowed to both men and followed Mr. Bennet to his study for payment.
    Exuberant, Mr. Bingley turned to join the women in the parlor and completely missed the icy stares between the three women. He bowed his head slightly to the two Bennet sisters in the room, ignoring his own sister, and found his way to the high-backed chair on Jane's side of the sofa.
    Seconds ticked by on the mantle clock as the silence lengthened and Mr. Bingley finally began to fidget uncomfortably in his seat. Clearing his throat, he thought he should perhaps try to strike up conversation but none of the normally polite subjects one spoke about in a parlor came to his recall. Absently, he looked up at the ceiling and realized what was likely distressing the women.
    "Forgive us ladies, the sounds of Mr. Darcy's treatment were quite frightful. I assure you Mr. Jones performed a top-notch job." Bingley beamed at the woman to his left, Jane Bennet.
    Elizabeth's anger still prevented her from making a polite remark so she simply nodded. For once she wished she had accompanied her mother and three younger sisters to Meryton on their shopping jaunt. Tapping her foot on the pale green carpet, the bitterness in her mouth gave way as she heard her usually quiet sister begin to speak.
    "It is a marked measure of your family's kindness towards Mr. Darcy to see you and your sister here today, Mr. Bingley." Slyly, Jane looked up at Mr. Bingley through her eyelashes and batted them. Elizabeth sucked in her breath in surprise. Was her sister flirting with Mr. Bingley?
    "The kindness is all your family, Miss Bennet. You've taken in a relative stranger and nursed him back to health." Mr. Bingley kept eye contact with Jane, ignoring his sister's