Elizabeth felt Darcy inching closer and felt his lips against her ear. “Yes, I am deadly serious.”
She closed her eyes in anticipation of his next move, but she felt her body jolt awake and once again she was sitting on the airplane next to Elinor.
Elizabeth slit her eyes and stared at her friend down. “Why did you wake me up this time?”
Elinor raised her hands in a truce. “Girl, I didn’t wake you up. We just landed. Welcome to Manchester.”
“Manchester? How far are we from Derbyshire?”
“About an hour away.”
“No direct flight? How come I didn’t know?”
“Well, Lizzy, there aren’t any direct flights. I didn’t want to worry you with the details.”
“How are we getting there?”
“We are driving, my dear.”
“Great, so now since I didn’t die on the plane, I can die in a car accident. I don’t know how I feel about you driving on the wrong side of the road and with no sleep, Elle.”
“Well, if someone wasn’t snoring, I would have gotten some sleep and been able to drive us, but lucky for you, I hired a driver. He will meet us at the baggage claim.”
“How did you get a driver?”
“It was part of the package. I thought we could travel in style and get chauffeured around.”
Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief. She felt a little more relaxed but still disturbed by her dream. No more Valium for me.
DISEMBARKING THE PLANE was a struggle for Elizabeth. Her vivid encounter with the man in her dreams shook her. Elinor quizzed her after getting their baggage from baggage claim. “What’s up with you, Lizzy?”
“Nothing, Elle. It’s just jet lag, I can’t wait to get to our hotel and rest.”
“You slept the whole plane ride and now you want to sleep more?” Elinor scoffed.
Elizabeth’s hackles rose and anger inflicted her voice. “You gave me the Valium, so this is on you, Elle. I didn’t know how funny it would make me feel.”
“Sure, sure, blame me.” Elinor rolled her eyes. “Come on, let’s go. We have another hour to go till we get to the Peacock.”
Elizabeth’s shoulders slumped in despair. All she wanted to do was sleep some more and not see the handsome man again nor did she want to hear voices. She followed Elinor quietly.
Drowsy from the Valium, Elizabeth was slow keeping up with Elinor. “I’ll meet you at baggage claim, go find our driver.”
Elinor sighed. “No, I couldn’t live with myself if I lost you.”
Elinor and Elizabeth both trudged to the baggage claim and Elizabeth spotted a man holding a sign with their names.
Elinor sped up and nearly knocked the man down. “Hi, we’re the drones you are looking for.”
Elizabeth snorted, and the man didn’t laugh or smile.
“I guess you’ve heard that one before?” Elinor asked.
The man nodded. “I already have your bags,” he said, pointing to the cart with their luggage. Elizabeth knew right away because she could see Elinor’s leopard print suitcase a mile away.
“Great, so four in total?” Elinor asked as she approached the leaning tower of luggage.
“Yes, ma’am.” The driver replied.
Elizabeth watched Elinor double check that all their luggage was there. “Okay, great, seems we’re good to go.”
Elizabeth and Elinor slid into the back of the black sedan. Elizabeth wasn’t in the mood for small talk, and apparently, Elinor wasn’t in the mood either. It surprised Elizabeth when Elinor suggested they both get a little sleep before they reached the bed-and-breakfast.
“Sounds like a plan.” Elizabeth smiled.
“WELCOME TO THE PEACOCK,” the driver announced from the front seat.
Elizabeth stared at the grandeur and beauty of the place. “You did good, Elle.”
Elinor grinned. “I know. I thought you might love this place. So, I was thinking once we settle in, we can do some sightseeing?”
“Woah, slow your roll. Baby steps, I’ll need something stronger than hot chocolate to keep me awake. Let’s grab some food and coffee and map out the rest of the day, okay?”
“Fair enough. I promise to take it easy on you, Lizzy. It’s the least I can do for dragging you across the pond.”
“Might I suggest an easy first day for you ladies, while you are here?” the driver asked.
Elizabeth was all ears when she heard easy. “Yes, please.”
“There is Chatsworth House, or you can go to Masson Mills Shopping Village. I would suggest Chatsworth before they close for the holidays. They also have it decorated this year with a Charles Dickens theme.”
Elizabeth mulled the suggestion in her head. Charles Dickens? That sounds adorable. That might be just what the doctor ordered. I don’t want to seem too keen on the idea or Elinor won’t let me live that down. Instead, she opted for the nonchalant response to throw Elinor off her scent. “Those are excellent ideas, thank you very much,” Elizabeth replied.
“You’re very welcome,” he said as he got out of the car to open Elizabeth’s door and went around to open Elinor’s side. He grabbed their luggage and headed toward the Peacock.
They followed behind him. “I like his suggestions, Elle. What do you say? How about we go to Masson Mills?” Elizabeth wanted to suggest Chatsworth but didn’t want to seem too eager. Why am I playing childish games, I’m a grown woman? Then it dawned on her, while she should be thankful Elinor flew her all the way over to England, she was acting like a petulant child and she felt guilty. She didn’t want to make a big fuss over it, so she just let it go. Then and there she decided she was going to make the best of it and enjoy the trip, even if it killed her.
“Sounds good to me. Then we’re off to Chatsworth House tomorrow if you’re up for it?”
“Perfect!” Elizabeth laid on the enthusiasm.
Once inside the bed-and-breakfast, the man nodded and wished them well.
“Thank you again.” Elizabeth smiled at the man.
Elinor placed her hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder. “Now, let’s freshen up and head over to Masson Mills?”
“Slow your horses, Elle. I’m beat and I’d like some food and rest. You know jet lag and all.”
“Fine,” Elinor stated. “Let’s see if we can grab some food and you can rest. Then I’ll drag you out shopping.”
Elizabeth blew out a sigh. “Fine, if it’ll shut you up. We can go shopping later.”
Elinor jumped up and down and squealed, “Yippee! That’s my girl.”
Elizabeth’s stomach growled as they approached the concierge desk. The woman looked up amused.
“It sounds like you’re hungry, Miss,” the woman laughed.
Elizabeth turned crimson and mumbled, “Yeah.”
The woman turned to Elinor and back to Elizabeth, “Names, please.”
“Elinor Lucas and Elizabeth Bennet,” Elinor answered.
The woman typed into her computer for what felt like an eternity to Elizabeth. She just wanted to sleep and eat some good food. Breaking Elizabeth out of her thoughts the woman spoke, “Mrs. Lucas and Mrs. Bennet, if you would please follow James, he’ll show you to your rooms.”
“Nice, Door-to-door services, I could get used to this,” Elizabeth said as they both followed James to their rooms.
“Don’t get too cozy we have to go home eventually,” Elinor laughed.
“Party pooper,” Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
“I’m not the one who’s going to sleep. You’re the party pooper” Elinor retorted.
Elizabeth and rolled her eyes “I’m not the one who drags you a thousand miles away from home at the butt crack of dawn.”
“I had to do something to get you out of your funk. You can’t stay cooped up in your house all day you have to get out and enjoy life. Your parents wouldn’t want you to live this way, wasting your life.”
“Please, enough for the pep talk. I’m tired. How about you wake me up in two hours and the
n we can go out sightseeing?”
“What no food, you’re not hungry?”
A wave of nausea overcame Elizabeth. She stopped and leaned up against the wall. “No, I suddenly lost my appetite,” she said, clutching her stomach.
“Are you all right, Lizzy?” Elinor placed her hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder.
“I think it’s just from flying.” Elizabeth smiled weakly.
“Ma’am I can fetch you a cuppa ginger tea?” James interjected.
“No, that’s fine. I just want to rest. Where are our rooms?”
“We’re here. It looks like your stomach was psychic to stop you right outside of your room.” James smiled.
Elizabeth wanted to wipe the smile off his face and to run to the bathroom. Instead, she took a deep breath. “Can you please let me in?” She couldn’t hold her patience much longer, she wanted to hurl.
James fumbled with the key; he must have sensed her irritation.
“Thank you,” Elizabeth gritted out and before both Elinor and James could say anything, she ran inside to find the bathroom. The room whizzed by her, as she had tunnel vision for one thing, and that was throwing up. She couldn’t hear anybody approach over the sounds of her retching up what little contents of her stomach she had.
Her head snapped up to find Elinor standing over her. “Are you okay?”
Is she legit serious right now? I’m puking, of course, I’m not okay.
“Sure, I don’t know what came over me. I just need to rest, and I’ll be good to go.”
“You don’t look so hot, Lizzy. You’re more of Kermit the frog green than anything.”
“Well, you know what they say, it ain’t easy being green.”
“Funny. Wrong words. You should rest up. James is grabbing you some tea to help settle your stomach as well as some biscuits.”
“Well, I don’t want to be sued, so I switched up the words.”
“Always the comedian, Lizzy. I’m going to go get settled and let you rest. I’ll check in on you in a few, okay?”
Elizabeth saluted as Elinor walked out of the bathroom. She heard the door close, and she got up to lock the door. She took off her shoes and pants and jumped into the opulent bed that stood before her. A beautiful oak-four poster bed was calling her name. Begging her to crawl under the sheets and sleep.
Her eyelids fluttered and her breath deepened as she began to fall asleep. Her thoughts floated away down a stream, allowing her to feel peace at once. She was in between that warm twilight sleep when a loud noise shook her from her reverie. Before her stood a tall figure, and she blinked to make sure she wasn’t imagining things.
“I’m either dreaming or hallucinating,” Elizabeth inched back in her bed. She was trying to stay calm and rational, while her heart beat wildly against her rib cage.
“I assure you that I am not a figment of your imagination,” Darcy stated.
“Yes, you are. I am hallucinating from not eating and taking a Valium.”
“Why do you insist on vexing me so? What do I have to prove to you that I am just as real as you are?”
“Come here and let me touch you.”
Darcy’s eyes grew wide. “Such impropriety, it is not proper for a woman to touch a man unless they are wed.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and threw up her hands in defeat. “Wait, what? You were trying to hook up with me earlier in my dream.”
“You stunned me with your beauty, and I was under the influence of several glasses of sherry.”
“So, since you’re sober, you’ve grown a conscience? Then what do you suggest then?”
Darcy stood there with stroking his chin as if deep thought.
“Does your chin have the answer?”
“The things you say are perplexing. Are you never serious?”
“Well, it’s not every day that I hallucinate, so please forgive me, where are my manners? I am not equipped to talk to figments of my imagination.”
Darcy let out a low growl of frustration.
“Chill, I have an idea. Walk through that wall.”
“I am not here for parlor tricks or your amusement.”
“Well, then I can scream that there is a stranger in my room and call the police.”
“Fine then, if it is what the lady wants.” Darcy took long strides and reached the wall. He looked at her and shook his head. “This is ridiculous.”
Elizabeth waved her hand. “Go on.”
Darcy grunted and walked through the wall.
Elizabeth sat there, stunned. She didn’t know whether to freak out or not. Lost in her thoughts she jumped when Darcy reappeared in front of her. “Oh my God, what the fuck!”
Darcy winced. “Your manner of speech is most vexing.”
“Upsetting you is the least of my worries.”
Darcy turned around; his shoulders slumped.
Elizabeth briefly examined the shattered look upon his face. She shook her head and paid no mind to the momentary lapse of kindness. “Why did you return?” Elizabeth asked.
“It would seem that I am stuck here. I tried to walk through the door, and I returned here to your chambers.”
Elizabeth heard the sadness and frustration in his voice. Her heart broke and without hesitation, she walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. She jumped when she felt his solid shoulder.
Darcy spun around; eyes wide in shock. “You touched me.”
“I’m very sorry. I wanted to comfort you.” She turned away but before she could leave, she felt his hand touching her back.
“Please, I apologize. You only caught me off guard. I was not expecting you to touch me at all.”
Elizabeth spun around to face him. She stared into his sorrowful eyes. His disheveled state caused her heart to beat wildly. She wanted to comfort him more, to hold him and to run her fingers through his hair. Oh my God, get a hold of yourself. This is insane.
Darcy pulled her closer, he wrapped his arms around her waist. Her breath hitched as his lips hovered over hers. She closed her eyes willing him to kiss her. Her eyes snapped open as she felt soft lips on hers. She pushed him away. “What are you doing? You can’t kiss me. You’re not real.”
Darcy raked his fingers through his hair. “You still think I’m a figment? After you saw me walk through the wall and you felt me?”
“I have no idea anymore. I need to sleep this off. Also, why did you kiss me?”
“I honestly do not know. You are a mirror image of my Elizabeth. It is like I could hear your thoughts and that you wanted me to kiss you.”
Great, so he can hear my thoughts? Crap.
“You need to go now. You are not welcome here.”
“As you wish.” Darcy bowed and disappeared.
“Crap, if I’d known it was that easy I would have told him to go before. How come he couldn’t leave before? This makes no sense.”
She jumped back in bed; she kept the lamp on the nightstand on and covered her head. She wanted to hide, and this was the only way she could think of. While under the covers Elizabeth thoughts ran away, this is freaking insane what is going on in my dreaming? That Valium really screwed me up. I’m never going to take that crap again. Elinor it’s going to pay for this. I am not under any circumstances going out with her I’m just going to hunker down and ignore her and hope this is just a bad dream. Elizabeth closed her eyes concentrating falling into a deep sleep. Unfortunately, there was a knock at their door, and she heard Elinor’s voice are you awake Lizzy, are you alive? The knock grew louder and Elizabeth grew more furious. She just wanted to get some interrupted sleep without being bothered by some ghost and by her friend. Thankfully, when Elizabeth didn’t answer, Elinor stopped knocking at her door. Elizabeth went to her bag, and she rummaged through it to procure her sleeping pills. She popped two melatonin pills without a glass of water since she did not want to leave her bed in case the handsome man returned. Elizabeth slid deeper under the covers and took some deep breaths to relax, and she eventually lulled off in
to a deep sleep.
WHEN ELIZABETH AWOKE the next morning, she felt rested. That was until she heard banging on her door. She got up to see who it was through the peephole, it was Elinor.
“Are you going to let me in? I know you’re up. Open up, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth groaned and reluctantly let Elinor in. She regretted it at once, as Elinor pushed past her.
“Now, go get dressed, and let’s eat. We’ve got a wonderful day planned. Promise me you won’t hurl again?”
“I promise,” Elizabeth grumbled.
Elinor pushed Elizabeth towards the bathroom. “Great, now get a move on it. I’m starving and I can’t wait to check out the sights.”
Elizabeth reluctantly shut the bathroom door and took a quick shower and get ready for breakfast.
“Meet me in the restaurant, Lizzy, when you’re finished.”
AFTER BREAKFAST, ELIZABETH and Elinor caught a taxi to Masson Mills Shopping Village. As they were walking in the village, they heard the distinct sound of a bell and “Ho, Ho, Ho.”
Elinor laughed, “Oh this is perfect. Let’s go talk to Santa.” Elinor grabbed Elizabeth’s hand and practically dragged her toward the sound.
“Elinor, why are you dragging me to see Santa Claus, aren’t we a bit old for this?”
“Don’t be silly Lizzy just because we’re in another country doesn’t mean we shouldn’t say hi to Old Saint Nick or to be proper since we’re in England, Father Christmas.”
“Is this payback for getting sick and ditching you yesterday?” Elizabeth began, “I’m not sure why I even consented to come on this trip with you.” Elizabeth rolled her eyes and huffed.
“You’re nothing but a big humbug Lizzy what’s gotten into you? I didn’t have to blow my savings to take you on this trip to get you out of the country and get you away from your mundane, boring life.”
“Ho ho ho,” interrupted their conversation. An old man dressed up as Father Christmas placed his hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder. “Ladies please don’t bicker, you dampen the holiday spirit with Old Father Christmas. Tell me what you want for Christmas ladies and your wish is my command.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Santa, I mean Father Christmas, I doubt you can make my wish come true this Christmas.”
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