A Heroes Guilt for Mr. Darcy: Death Comes To Netherfield, #2

By Jacqueline Steel

The exciting sequel to An Unlikely Hero, An Unlikely Love.

Newly married, Mr. Darcy feels obligated to do something about the madness gripping the world. Knowing he must stop the infection and help carve out a brave new world, he must put an end to the zombie cannibals roaming around looking for victims. The only force he hadn’t reckoned on was the streak of fire in his new wife Elizabeth.

Insisting she go with him, they destroy a city of the monsters before burning the town to the ground. Sensing her need to reunite with her family, to check on her sister Lydia who rumor has it has been infected, they make the long trek home to see firsthand if this horrible disease has claimed her family. If they even live.

Wondering if his best friend Mr. Bingley can find a cure to save them if they have been infected, Mr. Darcy fights with himself over whether he has done the right thing destroying the infected. For if his friend finds the cure that would make him a…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jacqueline Steel
• Release date: Mar 17, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386437123

Book preview

Chapter one

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Elizabeth ate the porridge she had in front of her, her mind on what their next steps needed to be. After taking the antidote Charles had created, she knew she was safe from whatever it was that was causing the cannibalism. Everyone in Netherfield was, as Charles had insisted everyone take it, with the plan being to turn the house into a true sanctuary for those who had survived. It was a good plan. Things were already starting to come together in the week since Darcy had brought all the survivors back from town. Being able to see it with her own eyes helped with her belief that things were going, in the end, to work out. But that didn’t stop her from worrying about those who knew nothing about Netherfield - including her own family. Sighing, she tried to push the thought to the back of her mind.

I still plan on going back to Meryton. Darcy’s voice made Elizabeth jump. I know you’re worried about your family, my love, and I will make sure to check in on them.

As she looked at him she couldn’t help smiling. He smiled back. Last time we had that conversation I believe we had concluded I was coming with you.

You’re certain that’s what you want to do?

He still hadn’t spoken much about what it had been like for him, but the others had told enough stories for her to understand why he hadn’t been able to bring himself to say anything more.

I am. No matter how hard this will be it is what I want to do. She thought back to when he was gone. I don’t want to be here waiting, not knowing what might be happening to you, and not being able to help you if you need it. I am fully capable of dealing with whatever comes next, Mr. Darcy.

Slowly, looking far less certain that she wanted him to, Darcy took the seat opposite her. Killing the cannibals isn’t easy.

Of course it’s not. Elizabeth thought of those people he’d brought back with him. They’d all been through so much more than she could have imagined, but they were still going. I don’t expect this to be easy. It is something I feel I need to do, for both Jane and I, because there is a chance our entire family has become one of those things. Should that be the case I want to be the one who ends the agony for them.

There is a chance Charles might come up with something to free those who are already cannibals.

He said before, and I know it is a possibility, but I believe we’ve spoken before about what it might be like for those who have been through something so... Elizabeth shook her head, at a loss for words to describe what it might be like for those who had become cannibals. Even now I believe that it may be better for us to end the pain for good, instead of forcing them to live their lives with those memories.

Darcy nodded, his eyes on Elizabeth’s. What would you say if one of those cannibals was your father?

Exactly the same thing I have already said, Darcy. If anything, I would want to spare him more than the others.

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Both had a bag over their shoulder, in the hope they would be able to find more supplies, and Elizabeth had a sword she was more than ready to use. Jane pulled Elizabeth aside.

Promise me you will be as careful as you can be out there. I hate the thought of you going at all, but I know you can’t let Darcy go out there alone again.

Their eyes met for a moment. I promise. I’m not going out there for the wrong reasons, Jane, but to make sure he’s safe. Letting him go alone before... he’s having nightmares about what he did. I believe it’s going to get worse if we go out there now, and I can’t let him go out there alone when I know he’s not sleeping properly.

Should he be going at all?

Probably not, but he’s determined to fix the things he can fix. Elizabeth shrugged. I can’t be upset with that. It’s one of the things I love about him, and he has come to see that I am more than capable of looking after myself, so it’s not as though there’s not going to be anyone there to watch over him.

Feeling Darcy’s eyes on her, Elizabeth looked over at him. There was worry in his eyes, but then that was to be expected. She smiled at him, trying to reassure him that things would work out, and he nodded, seeming to have understood what she was attempting. Taking Jane’s hand in hers Elizabeth stepped over to where Darcy was speaking with Charles, and, more surprisingly, George Wickham.

I’ll make sure that the farm keeps coming together, Mr. Darcy. Wickham sounded earnest, but she knew that Darcy didn’t trust him, and that was enough of a reason for her not to trust him. If there is to be a true antidote for those who have turned, it is imperative that Charles works on that.

Thank you, George. I appreciate what you have done for us since you arrived. Mr. Darcy looked at Jane, and then Elizabeth. Are you happy to be working alongside him, Jane?

Nodding, Jane squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. Fortunately for us Mr. Wickham knows much more about planting than I do, and I am glad we have him with us, because I am certain we would not be as far ahead as we are had he not been here.

Good. Darcy’s eyes met with Elizabeth’s. It is time we were off. The light is beginning to fade into night, and we’re going to need time to create a safe camp.

Jane pulled Elizabeth into her arms. Come back to me, little sister.

I will. Elizabeth stepped back, and kissed Jane on the cheek. "I’ll be fine with Darcy