A Final Excerpt

I am sad to say that this will be my last post with Always Austen. To commemorate this moment, I thought I would share one more excerpt from 12 Months of Darcy. It is, of course, for March, and one of my favorites. This month, Elizabeth gets to see a softer side of Darcy.

MARCH

“Sentimental drivel!”

“Then return to Rosings and I will follow when I am once more myself.”

Elizabeth wished she could back away from the gentlemen in the clearing, but the Colonel’s eyes were already upon her.

“Good morning, Miss Bennet,” he said as he bowed.

Mr. Darcy’s back was toward her and he knelt on the ground.

Realizing she must, Elizabeth curtseyed and responded. “A lovely morning, Colonel, Mr. Darcy.”

The gentleman stood, turning as he bowed. “Miss Bennet.”

A movement at his feet drew her attention and she looked down to see an English Pointer. “Oh, how beautiful.” She stepped nearer. “May I pet her?”

Mr. Darcy knelt once more, protectively. “She is normally complaisant, but is nearing her time.”

As she drew nigh, Elizabeth noted the well-rounded stomach. She knelt and held out a hand. The dog sniffed and took a step closer. “Yes, she appears very near. Why ever do you have her out here in the woods?”

“She was restless,” Darcy replied followed by Richard’s snort.

“You brought her to Rosings at this time?” Elizabeth asked accusingly.

Mr. Darcy’s head snapped up. “No! That is, Rosings is her home.”

Elizabeth’s brow furrowed. “But she is a gentleman’s hunting dog, is she not?”

“There are no gentlemen in residence at Rosings at this time, Miss Bennet.” The Colonel smirked. “But there have been, and Darcy and I sometimes hunt when we are here.”

Mr. Darcy gently stroked the dog’s back. “Her great grand dam belonged to my father, her grand dam to Sir Lewis, and … I have just received word from Pemberley that her dam has passed. One of her pups, once she is weaned, will come to Pemberley.”

Elizabeth’s chest tightened. “Oh, sir, I am sorry to hear of your loss.”

The Colonel shook his head, but said nothing.

“Do you scoff at us, Colonel?” Elizabeth asked in challenge.

A wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Never, Miss Bennet. I would not dare.”

“I am grateful for your presence, Miss Bennet.” Mr. Darcy’s voice drew her attention back to him and the dog. “For he would and does scoff at me.”

Darcy stroked the dog once more before getting to his feet. “I believe Hera is tired. We should return.”

Elizabeth stood as well, not taking her eyes from the man before her. “Of course. Do take care of her, sir.”

Mr. Darcy nodded, gave a brief bow, and turned toward Rosings. The Colonel bowed, a twinkle in his eye, and wished her a good day before running to catch up to his cousin.

Elizabeth watched as the shorter man clapped a hand upon the other’s back and leaned in close. Mr. Darcy shook his cousin’s hand off and glanced at Elizabeth over his shoulder. He tipped his head to her again before turning away and disappearing into the trees.

Elizabeth took a deep breath and released it slowly. How can such a cold man have tender feelings for a mere animal?

Her thoughts turned to the many animals that had resided at Longbourn in her lifetime until she remembered the grey kitten with a white line around her eyes, almost as though it had been purposefully drawn to accent the startling golden irises. She and Jane had pleaded with Mr. Bennet to allow the kitten in the house knowing Mrs. Bennet would never allow it. When the kitten curled purring in his lap, he had finally relented. Oh, the mischief that little bundle of fur had caused. Papa had taken to calling her Loki. She giggled as she wiped a stray tear from her eye.

“Mourning a beloved pet.” She shook her head. “It appears Mr. Darcy does have a heart after all.”

Poor Darcy, Elizabeth is so quick to think the worse of him. I hope you have enjoyed this last little scene. Remember, if you would like a free collection of these monthly scenes, please email me at bronwenchisholm@comcast.net.

Loki in this story was inspired by my own kitten, Pita (short for pain in the @ss). It just felt appropriate.

It has been such a pleasure sharing stories with all of you over the years. Life is a bit hectic at the moment, but I promise that I will not completely stop writing stories with our dear couple. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram and, of course, my Amazon author page so you can see what I’m up to in the years to come.

Have a blessed spring and don’t stop reading!