ceiling, my mind racing with questions. Who had sent

omething I couldn't explain told me I needed to go. I needed to know the truth. It wa

carefully, choosing something simple but elegant an ivory dress with lace sleeves. The fabric felt soft against my skin, but the knot in

my door m

ed, my voice stea

rried a weight I couldn't quite explain. "You're up early," she noted, h

" I admitted, forc

ching my face. "You've been dist

strand of hair behind my ear. "I

t Grace stopped by this morning. She wanted to say goodbye b

ut at that moment, all I could think abo

ore finally sighing. "Alright. Jus

left. Who I was? That was exactl

t. Her warm, aged eyes scanned me carefully. "Good morning, my dear

smile. "J

me with knowing eyes. "Then you sho

she knew what I was planning

r wouldn't allow me to leave, but I also knew she had errands to run today

s on t

where she was reviewing some docu

going out today, I though

"Out of the question.

e all day," I said, feigning frustration. "It would be nice to have a chan

lickering in her eyes. "Why th

r my mind. And it would give Mr. Darcy something t

oung lady?"she said as she dropp

odded. "Fine. You may go,

through me, but I kept my ex

near the stables. He gave me a questioning look but said nothing as I clim

even know. It had only been a few days since I last saw him, but somehow, it felt like years. There was s

gh the rearview mirror. He was always observant, always calculating. I kept my gaze f

esitated before stepping out. A part of me was nervous, unsure of what I would say to him

oment our eyes met, something shifted in the air between us. His gaze held a mixture of

," he sai

replied, my voice b

o after last night, you and mr

n and yes mr darcy and i are friends now"

is dark hair. "I wasn't sure if you

with the fabric of my dress. "You said you

return home. There are thin

my throat. "So

ightened.

only to leave so soon. But before I could, he reached into his coat

ock

I turned it over. The engraving on the b

er yo

e, fear, confusion, longing. My h

ng back. "I...I d

readable, but his voice was

cleared his throat from behind m

leave yet , i wish there was something i could say to make

ely he stopped and walked up to me with a smile gently stretched out his arm "i woul

ike that,

ed with a strange, unfamiliar pain. I didn't know

asn't

ven c