Mr. Darcy heard her rapid intake of air. Then felt the hard smack on his cheek. He stepped back surprised from the demonstration of her strong feelings regarding his question. The library door slammed.

He scowled and walked to the brandy decanter. After pouring himself a few fingers, he sat in front of the fire and drank. Mr. Darcy felt the raised skin on his cheek, which was an imprint of her hand. He watched the fire dance inside the burning logs.

He had been an idiot. As Elizabeth was intelligent he had been positive she knew there was no future for her except to marry far beneath her, or to be a mistress. But he had not taken into account the loyalty to her principles. Mr. Darcy tilted his head back and stared at the ceiling. Elizabeth was most likely packing at that moment. She probably would not stay in his house but instead would leave immediately, most likely walking the entire way to Lambton in high dudgeon.

He finished his brandy and pulled the bell.

"Mr. Darcy?" His valet entered and stood near.

Mr. Darcy held his glass near his face, hiding the evidence of Elizabeth's answer to his question. "Have Blacklock saddled. I will also be changing into my black jacket."

"Very good, sir."

Mr. Darcy drank the rest of the smooth brandy and stood. He would take the back staircase to avoid Elizabeth. He was sure he would see her soon enough.

Elizabeth quit contorting her body to reach the buttons on the back of her dress. She wiped the tears off her face, again, as they had not stopped falling since she stormed upstairs.

"How dare he. I thought him a perfect gentleman. Ha! My opinion of him has certainly changed, again and this time far worse than it had been!"

She stood in front of the bed staring at the day dress she had chosen to wear. The beautiful dress she wore to supper was too expensive and exquisite to wear on the posting coach. Plus, Elizabeth did not want to admit this, but Mr. Darcy was probably correct. It would only cause problems if she wore that red and gold dress. But she could not reach all the buttons and dare not ring the bell for help. Mrs. Reynolds would help her undress only to put her in the nightgown and then she would be stuck in the room unable to leave.

It was no use worrying about changing as she could not reach the buttons. Elizabeth picked up and threw the day dress further up the bed. She would have to leave in the dress she was wearing. She put on the cloak then approached the bedroom door.

Slowly she opened the door and looked down the hall. Her plan was to quietly walk out the main door. Elizabeth would claim a headache and needing a walk around the small park at the front of the house if she were caught. Thankfully, that dreadful man did not do things by half, and a new pair of walking boots had been delivered that afternoon. She would not have to walk in thin slippers.

She walked down the hallway, descended the main staircase while stepping as softly as she could. Her heart beat so loud she was sure it echoed in the large foyer. But she opened one of the main doors and slipped out without being seen. Elizabeth released her pent up breath then quickly descended the steps and walked down the drive.

It would be a long walk to Lambton, but there was almost a full moon and it was a pleasant night. Elizabeth was determined to enjoy this walk away from that horrible man. She longed to see Jane and the Gardiners and soon she would be with them. She smiled as she pulled her cloak tighter.

Had to take it down as I published it on Amazon. All parts are in one book in Kindle Unlimited on Amazon now! It's Mr. Darcy's Pursuit of Elizabeth Bennet by Demi Monde.