Free Apprehension and Desire: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice by Ola Wegner

is very sad.”
    “Yes, it is. He should not have taken a mistress in the first place. But let us not talk about others these last minutes.” He pulled her closer. “I will miss you and think about you every single day till we meet again.”
    She knew he expected her to say something similar, but she did not want to lie, and she certainly could not return his sentiments. If she had been truthful, she would have had to say that she was more than relieved with the prospect of his absence from her side.
    Because the right words, the ones he surely wished to hear could not be uttered, she reached her gloved hand and stroked his cheek. It seemed such a natural thing to do. He closed his eyes for a moment as she caressed the side of his face.
    “Oh, sweetheart,” he murmured, and before she knew it, she was in his arms again.
    Elizabeth accepted the embrace, not feeling alarmed with it any more. She was more embarrassed with his tenderness, astonished with his caring attitude. She had always thought him to be so cold, so unfeeling. Not even a week ago, she never would have considered Mr. Darcy to be so... demonstrative when in private. He seemed to like to hold her, touch her, be close.
    “I should go.” He pulled away from her after a long moment, the regret obvious in his voice. “It is high time. Colonel Fitzwilliam is surely waiting for me, wondering where I am.”
    “Have a safe trip,” she repeated, smiling.
    “Do not worry about me, but promise you will take a good care of yourself.”
    She nodded, pulled the shawl over her head and ran from the spot.             
Chapter Six
     
    Lady Catherine’s carriage brought Elizabeth to Longbourn  late afternoon one day, almost a week after she had seen Mr. Darcy the day he left Rosings.
    They first stopped at Lucas Lodge to deliver Maria, where Elizabeth learned from Lady Lucas that her sister Jane had  returned from London the day before.
    Mrs. Bennet was very much impressed with the grand way her daughter travelled back home.
    “Oh, Lizzy, my dearest child, is it Mr. Darcy’s carriage?” she questioned, before Elizabeth managed to step out. “When we heard from your uncle that you and Maria would not travel by post, I was certain you would use one of Mr. Darcy’s carriages.
    “No, Mama. It is Lady Catherine’s carriage,” Elizabeth explained, kissing her mother’s smooth, pink cheek.
    Elizabeth walked to greet Jane and her younger sisters as Mrs. Bennet walked around the vehicle and even peeked inside. “Surely, Mr. Darcy convinced his aunt to offer it to you for your journey home.”
    “I believe so, Mama,” Elizabeth agreed quietly as she walked to her father.
    She kissed her father’s cheek. “Papa, it is good to be home.”
    Mr. Bennet gave her a long, dubious look, and then unexpectedly pulled her to him, giving her a rough hug, something he very rarely did.
    “We must talk, child,” he said.
    “Yes, Papa.”
    He smiled. “Not now though; there will be time. You must be exhausted, and your mother surely has many questions  for you that you will not escape today.”
    True to Mr. Bennet’s word, Mrs. Bennet allowed her second daughter to have a warm meal first before asking dozens of questions concerning Mr. Darcy, starting from why he was not here yet and ending on what his favourite dish was. Elizabeth tried to dutifully answer all the enquiries, being aware how curious her mother had to be about the whole affair.
    “I am tired, Mama.” she confessed at last. “We got up very early in the morning, and I would like to retire.”
    “Of course, Lizzy,” Mrs. Bennet agreed promptly. “It is natural you must be exhausted. I ordered Lady Catherine’s people a good dinner and comfortable beds for the night’s rest, so do not worry, they will not complain about anything to Mr. Darcy’s aunt.”
    “Thank you, Mama.” Elizabeth stood up, her eyes meeting Jane’s.
    Her sister took the hint immediately. “I think I will go with