Free Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise Page B

spattering of raindrops against the window woke Elizabeth. Pulling her coverlet up over her shoulders, she curled up, grateful that it was Sunday. She could sleep in a little longer before setting out for her aunt and uncle’s.
    Her mind swirled with thoughts of last night and the dream that had been so vivid. It did not surprise her that Mr. Darcy was prominent in her dream, but the nature of it came as a surprise to her. She was at his wedding. He was standing up front waiting for his bride to come down the aisle. Rosalyn sat next to Elizabeth, crying inconsolably.
    Suddenly the doors to the back of the church opened wide, and everyone turned to see the bride come down the aisle. Elizabeth did not know who the bride was, and was just as anxious as everyone to see who would step out and walk down the aisle to him.
    For several moments everyone waited, but no one came. Turning toward the people in the church, Mr. Darcy demanded, “Where is my bride?”
    His eyes searched the crowded church as young ladies called out asking, “Is it me? Is it me?”
    He grew impatient, and finally turned and noticed Elizabeth; his eyes glared out at her. “What are you doing over there, Elizabeth?” he demanded to know.
    She looked down, and to her dismay, saw that she was wearing a wedding gown.
    She awoke suddenly, her heart beating wildly. His gaze, looking out at her in her dream, was just as real to her as his gaze last evening. She shook her head as she tried to rid her mind of thoughts of him. Her hand went up and covered her mouth as she realized with a start that in truth she had begun to think differently about him. Her eyes widened as she contemplated this.
    Elizabeth wondered why Rosalyn had not come to her last evening to enlighten her about all the events from the previous night. Perhaps Rosalyn’s hopes were dashed? Perhaps there was something she discovered about him that made her realize he was not her ideal? Could she have realized that her belief—her hope—that he had formed an attachment to her was erroneous?
    Elizabeth took her time getting ready, and just as she was about to leave her room to go downstairs, there was a knock at the door.
    “Elizabeth, it is Rosalyn. May I come in?”
    Just anticipating the purpose of the visit prompted Elizabeth to feel somewhat anxious, but she cheerfully answered, “Do come in, Rosalyn.”
    A sombre-faced young lady walked in. She lacked all the cheerfulness and sparkle that her other visits had. Elizabeth could only imagine what prompted this and hoped that whatever it was, Rosalyn would soon recover from it.
    Rosalyn walked away from Elizabeth toward the window, and then abruptly turned back toward her. “You did not tell me of all your dealings with Mr. Darcy. I cannot believe you kept it from me.”
    Elizabeth’s eyes widened, and her mouth went dry. Before she was able to answer, Rosalyn continued, “He told us everything. How could you not have told me?”
    Feeling her hands begin to shake, Elizabeth clasped them together tightly. She could not imagine Mr. Darcy informing them of his proposal and her refusal, and did not know what to say. “Rosalyn, I am sorry that I did not tell you. I am truly surprised that Mr. Darcy did. You must think me completely devoid of reason and a fool!”
    Rosalyn stepped forward and reached out to Elizabeth. “Certainly not,” she said as she smiled softly. “It is not your fault that Mr. Bingley prefers your sister to Miss Darcy. Poor Miss Darcy. I hope she does not take this too hard.”
    Trying to comprehend all that Rosalyn was saying, Elizabeth simply asked, “What? What about Miss Darcy and Mr. Bingley?”
    “Oh, I am sorry. I jumped ahead of myself. Mr. Darcy confidentially informed us that he was here last night in Mr. Bingley’s place, as there was no longer any attachment between Mr. Bingley and his sister. He went on to say that Mr. Bingley had realized that he still had strong feelings for a young lady he knew