A Winter Wrong - A Pride and Prejudice Novella: Seasons of Serendipity, #1

By Elizabeth Ann West

When Jane Bennet’s illness at Netherfield ends up not being just a trifling cold, but an epidemic that sweeps through Hertfordshire, the lives at Longbourn are turned upside down. Elizabeth Bennet finds herself lost without a cherished loved one and the interferences of one Fitzwilliam Darcy most aggravating. Combating the bombastic behavior of Mr. Collins, Elizabeth runs to London for the protection of her aunt and uncle. But acquaintances and introductions bring Mr. Darcy back into her life and Elizabeth discovers he might just mend her broken heart.

A sweetheart romantic novella, A Winter Wrong is the first in a series of seasonal episodes following the Bennet family after the loss of their patriarch. Winter explores the feelings of grief and loss we all have experienced, while still retaining a silver lining for that dark cloud.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pemberley Possibilities
• Release date: Jan 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507094525

Book preview

A Winter

Wrong

The First Season of Serendipity

Elizabeth Ann

West

Copyright © 2014 Elizabeth Ann West

All rights reserved.

Publisher contacted at [e-mail]  

Works Also By Elizabeth Ann West

The Trouble With Horses

A Spring Sentiment

A Summer Shame

By Consequence of Marriage

Very Merry Mischief

Cancelled

Visit the Rose Room, an exclusive reading club, for more information and to read free stories. Available free at http://elizabethannwest.com/roseroom

DEDICATION

There will be little rubs and disappointments everywhere, and we are all apt to expect too much; but then, if one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better: We find comfort somewhere.

Jane Austen

In memory of my good friend, the piano player. EAW

DEAR READER

I am an Austen fan fiction addict myself. This second novella was a work of pure emotion as I worked through a personal loss of a good friend. I channeled my thoughts and feelings into a Pride & Prejudice What If? scenario that explored Jane Bennet's illness near the beginning of the novel to be not a trifling cold, but an epidemic. It's not as light and refreshing as The Trouble with Horses, but I think it's still a happy note for anyone who's experienced loss.

As always, this novella is a labor of love for the community.

Thank you for reading.

Always Smiling,

Elizabeth Ann West

Chapter 1

Dangling one leg over a tree branch, Elizabeth Bennet inhaled the smells of autumn after a fresh rainstorm. Yesterday's downpour would likely be the last spirited storm until winter's drab anger left much frost but no fun puddles or musty smells. Despite Jane still being at Netherfield, for she had ridden the horse to her tea with Miss Bingley and been unable to return last evening, Elizabeth had spent the morning enjoying the fine weather and avoiding breakfast with her family. Her stomach rumbling, she fetched a treasure from her skirt pocket.

The crunching bite of an apple startled birds above her. As the duo flew away, Elizabeth reluctantly agreed her own freedom had also best come to an end. She shrugged and placed the apple in her mouth to secure it. Her hands free, she walked out on the thinnest branch that would hold her, bent her knees, and swung down as she had hundreds of times since she was a young girl before jumping the remaining three feet to the ground.

Behind her a horse neighed and Elizabeth turned around with the apple still in her mouth and brushed her hair away from her eyes. The sun blocked her vision of the rider until she removed the apple hastily from her mouth and covered her eyes to squint. The tall, erect posture could be no other, but she confirmed it was Mr. Darcy.

Perfect, she muttered and bowed her head with a slight curtsy as the horse neared.

Miss Elizabeth, are you hurt? he asked as he dismounted and walked around to join her with his horses' reins in his hands.

Elizabeth smiled and took another bite of her apple. Of course it would be the proud and reserved Mr. Darcy who caught her enjoying the last days of autumn. Chewing carefully, she couldn't resist making the man who had insulted her at last month's assembly wait a moment in worry. Swallowing, Elizabeth flashed him a smile as if to dare him to say anything about her hoydenish behavior.

Perfectly uninjured, Mr. Darcy. Simply enjoying my morning, and you?

Mr. Darcy scrutinized her person from head to toe as if to question her ability to judge her own well-being. Frustrated that he kept staring at her, Elizabeth placed a hand on her hip and took another bite of apple. Deciding she was finished with his haughty judgments, she nodded and began to walk around the horse and rider towards her own home.

I've just come from Longbourn, he said, softly.

The tremor of his voice was very different than the harsh tone she was accustomed to hearing. She turned around to look at him, her curiosity piqued.

It's too early for a social call. Pray,why did you ride to my home, sir? The apple pieces in her stomach began a most dreadful tumble as Elizabeth worried.

Your sister. I am afraid to say she is unwell.

Elizabeth's mouth opened in horror and she quickly tossed the apple to the ground. Excuse me, Mr. Darcy she said as she gave another quick curtsy and quickly began to walk down the road towards Netherfield.

Watching her for a few moments, he couldn't believe his eyes. Was the woman truly walking the mile and a half to Netherfield? Distracted by her form as a fine walker, he watched as she traveled further and further away. Shaking himself back into good sense, finally Mr. Darcy called after her.

MISS ELIZABETH!

About twenty yards away, Elizabeth kept walking and ignored Mr. Darcy calling after her. Her mind was elsewhere wondering just how sick must Jane be that Mr. Darcy would ride to Longbourn first thing in the morning? Had Mr. Jones been called? Each step added more and more mud to her walking boots, but she didn't notice the increasing weight to her feet and underskirts.

Facing no other choice, Mr. Darcy began to walk his horse after her to catch up. His longer gait made short work of closing the gap and once more he called after her. Without stopping, Elizabeth looked over her shoulder.

Please do not make me tarry any longer. She marched on.

Darcy realized he was uncomfortable at not being in control. She wouldn't speak to him and he felt quite silly nearly running with a horse's reins in hand to keep up with a young woman.

I must insist, the roads are not in good condition. Sit atop Poseidon and I will hold his reins.

I really could not, she replied, still walking with fury.

But your dress...

Is already three inches deep in mud. Really, Mr. Darcy, let's not try to pour spilled milk back into the glass. Walking stride for stride with him, she only had to look to her side to raise her eyebrow at him in mockery.

Silent once more, Darcy continued to walk beside Miss Elizabeth despite his horse's impatient tugging due to the pace they were keeping. If it had been any other next to him, he would have thought it strange that she refused to speak to him. But he had accustomed himself to her particular manner of flirting where she pretended to show no interest. He remembered well how she had spoken to all around him at Sir Lucas' house party for over half an hour, before engaging with him in witty banter over the militia holding a ball.

By the time they reached the edge of the drive, Elizabeth had finally considered every possibility in her mind and was prepared to hear the worst of it.

Could you tell me how ill my sister is?

Her voice startled Darcy as he had become perfectly content silently admiring her person while they rambled on the country dirt road between Longbourn and Netherfield. The exercise brought a lovely glow to her porcelain skin. Clearing his throat, he reminded himself of the harpy, Miss Caroline Bingley, likely awaiting his arrival to regulate his inner yearnings.

Aside from a headache and sore throat, she appears to be perfectly fine.

Aghast, Elizabeth abruptly stopped, causing Darcy to turn around and look at her once he managed to stop Poseidon and himself.

Excuse me, but are you trained in the medical arts?

Stunned, Mr. Darcy scoffed at such a preposterous question.

Then you are not qualified to say she is perfectly fine if you must ride to my home and inform my parents of her condition. Elizabeth's eyes flashed with anger, but they had nearly arrived at the front steps of the estate.

His requisite cold mask firmly in place, Mr. Darcy managed to keep his biting rejoinder to himself. With a bow, he dismissed himself from her company and mounted his stallion. Kicking the horse towards the stables, he took a deep breath and rationalized Miss Elizabeth's rudeness as a sign of concern for her dear sister. He would be greatly distressed if Georgiana were in bed with such an illness. Although he had only quoted Miss Jane Bennet's own words, even he should have realized the woman likely concealed the true severity of her illness to prevent her family much concern.

...❄...❄...

Two days burdened by caring for her sister and playing drawing room games with the aloof Mr. Darcy and acerbic Miss Bingley had driven Elizabeth desperate for respite out of doors. Therefore, on the second morning of her unexpected stay, she accepted an invitation to stroll in the gardens by the increasing Mrs. Hurst after they were the last remaining in the breakfast parlor.

Discussing flowers, Mrs. Hurst impressed