Greetings, I hope no one minds if I post this next part a little earlier. Next Fridays post might be a little later in the day so I hope this makes up for it. Thanks for all the kind encouraging messages and reviews. Regards Janie(mj)

Chapter 30: Caught in the Rain

It was already past four o'clock by the time Elizabeth made it back to the cottage. She knew Charlotte would be there waiting for her with questions about what Darcy wanted. She wasn't sure she trusted herself to answer any questions just now. She was still trying to process it all herself. She went into the house and made her way up to her room without notice. She grabbed her camera and headed for the door. She had to do something to keep busy. If she stayed there, it would allow her mind too much free time to ponder over what had happened and what it meant. She stopped for a moment and bit her bottom lip, "Oh, what did it mean?" she whispered softly to herself as she picked up her camera and backpack. No, she told herself she wasn't ready to discover those answers just yet. She decided now was as good a time as any to get those last few shots she wanted of Rosings Park. She could hike to the top of the peak, and be alone with her thoughts.

She was almost half way down the drive when she heard Charlotte's voice calling out to her. "Elizabeth...Elizabeth!?"

"Yes Charlotte, what is it?" she stopped and waited for her friend.

"Are you going out now for the photos you were talking about getting?" Charlotte asked as she caught up to her.

Elizabeth nodded her head. "Yes, it's a beautiful sky, and I thought perhaps that it might give me some great backdrops for my pictures," she explained.

"Collins said that we are going to be getting a very strong storm front moving in rather quickly. He thinks it best if you postpone your hike up to the peak for a day or so," Charlotte warned her.

Elizabeth let a heavy sigh. "Charlotte there is not one cloud in the sky. I think I will be fine. I promise that if I see any clouds, I will turn around and come right back."

"All right, will you be back for dinner?" she asked knowing that it would do no good to argue with her friend. Once Elizabeth made up her mind about doing something there was very little one could do to stop her.

Elizabeth shook her head no. "No, if I'm hungry when I get back I will make myself a sandwich."

"There isn't any other reason why you don't want to go to dinner this evening is there?" Charlotte asked.

Elizabeth laughed, she didn't want to let on how upset she truly was. "You know me too well, Charlotte. The truth is I would rather not spend the time in Lady Catherine's company for another evening. I'm sorry to abandon you like this, but I just need a break from her."

"Oh," she said then paused for a moment looking intently at her friend. "I thought it might be William Darcy you were trying to avoid," she said waiting to see her friend's reaction. "What did he want to talk to you about earlier?"

"Oh, it was nothing, just some questions about the photos I took. Really it was nothing of any consequence," Elizabeth told her. "I promise you there is nothing wrong. I just want to get these photos for the magazine, and I could use the break from Lady Catherine's constant criticizing that's all."

Charlotte smiled, "I can hardly blame you. I'm sorry for the way she has carried on. Go have fun, and take amazing pictures to prove her wrong," she said as she waved goodbye. "I will see you when we get home later."

Elizabeth made her way up the driveway, and out across the large open field of grass toward the east side of the estate. She thought about what Charlotte said to her, was she avoiding Darcy? As she thought about it she realized deep down she knew she was. It wasn't that she didn't want to see him. Honestly, the opposite was true; she was almost afraid to see him. The intensity of the kiss they shared took her completely by surprise. It was all so confusing; she found herself feeling as confused by his actions, as she was her own. One minute he was so kind and sweet to be with, and the next he was controlling and arrogant. Who was the real Darcy? She wondered. Just before he kissed her, he said he wished it had been the two of them together in the moonlight. Was it possible, did he have feelings for her after all the time they spent disliking each other? Elizabeth took in a deep breath and shook her head. "Am I developing feelings for him? I was thinking the exact same thing he said. I did wish that it was Darcy out in the garden with me. I wanted to spend more time with him at the party," she said. "At least I did until he behaved so rudely." Elizabeth kept on walking up the hill. "That kiss was amazing, and I didn't push him away from me," she mumbled. "Why didn't I push him away...Why did his kiss have such an effect on me? I don't even like Mr. Darcy," she stopped and chewed her bottom lip. "Do I?" These were the thoughts that kept Elizabeth company, as she hiked up to the highest point on the peak.

Darcy sat near the window with Richard waiting for Elizabeth to arrive with the Collinses. He hoped that they would be able to find a moment to speak together privately. He very much wanted to talk to her about the kiss they had shared. He thought about little else for the better part of the day. He kept questioning himself, and his motive for the way he behaved. It was clear she was as affected by the kiss as he was, but what did that mean? Was she angry that he kissed her? If she was angry, what should he say to her? After all, his kiss did take her by surprise? He knew he needed to explain himself. He knew that he allowed himself to get caught up at the moment, but it was such an incredible moment to be caught up in. Standing there holding Elizabeth in his arms, feeling her soft lips pressed against his own; it was all so perfect. A smile came to his face as he imagined what might have happened if his Aunt Catherine had not come into the room.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts; it wouldn't do any good to imagine things. Still, he couldn't help but wonder what Elizabeth was thinking? Would she be as nervous to see him as he was to see her? Now that he had his head about him he told himself if she were upset he would calmly explain that what occurred was a mistake. He would tell her that he regretted imposing himself upon her as he did and that he hoped she would forgive him so that they could continue to work together for Georgiana sake. If she did have feelings for Richard, he would do his best to be happy for the two of them. He let out a small sigh, and shook his head, it was no good, none of that was true or what he really wanted. What he truly wanted was to hold her in his arms, to gaze into her soft brown eyes, and kiss her again and again. He sighed as he looked over toward his Aunt Catherine and struggled with his doubts, why did it all have to be so complicated. It was the sound of the door opening that interrupted his thoughts. He looked for Elizabeth, but it was only Collins and Charlotte that came in. He was disappointed to find that Elizabeth was not with them.

"Where is Miss Bennet?" Lady Catherine demanded to know before Darcy could ask.

Charlotte had a worried look on her face. "She went on a hike a while ago, but hasn't returned yet," she explained.

Darcy got to his feet and made his way over to the window, "But it's beginning to storm out," he said.

"Yes, and I instructed Charlotte to inform my cousin Elizabeth that it was, in fact, going to storm this evening. Studying the weather is a hobby of mine. I saw that the storm was approaching so I tried to warn her that she should postpone her hike," Collins said sarcastically. "But she insisted on still going against my better advice."

Charlotte shook her head annoyed with his carrying on. "I did tell her, but she was determined to go," she snapped at him.

Collins could see she was getting upset, so he turned to Lady Catherine. "I did try to tell her, but she thought she knew better. Now she will be caught in the storm and have only herself to blame," he commented.

Charlotte shook her head in frustration as she moved across the room toward Darcy. "Would you be so kind to go out and look for her?" she whispered softly. "I'm concerned for her safety now that the storm has moved in. Elizabeth is very frightened by storms. She always has been since she was a small child. They terrify her, and if this storm should get worse, I don't want any harm to come to her."

"Of course I will go," he told her. "What direction did she go?"

Charlotte pointed out the window. "In that direction, she was going to climb to the summit to get some photos of the house from that vantage point," she explained. "I tried her cell phone several times, but she has not answered."

Richard joined them near the window. "Darcy, if it rains for any amount of time at all that stream at the base of the peak, will flood," he reminded him.

Darcy knew all too well that even the smallest amount of rain could cause that area to flood quickly. He spoke with his aunt on more than one occasion about the dangers it could pose to anyone out there in a storm, but being as stubborn as she was she would not listen. "Richard, I'm going to take the jeep up that back way, see if I can find her," he told his cousin. "Will you head to the front of the summit just in case she tried to come back in that direction?"

"Of course, Darcy," he said as they decided on a plan of action.

Lady Catherine was not at all happy with this decision. "I will not have my nephews go traipsing about after Miss Bennet," she protested. "Collins will go and call the authorities, and they will handle it."

Darcy shook his head, "You can't possibly be serious? They will take half an hour at least to get here, and I'm not waiting around for them," he told her. Ignoring the rest of her comments about Elizabeth being inconsiderate, and getting herself into this mess, he headed for the door with Richard following closely behind him.

"Darcy, if you find her, call me," Richard told him as he got his heavy coat on.

"You do the same," he said as he headed out into the rain not even trying to conceal the concern in his voice. His only thought now was to find Elizabeth. The idea that anything might have happened to her made him feel sick inside. The rain was just getting started but judging from the clouds in the sky it would not be long before the worst of it hit them. He went to the garage and climbed into the jeep with one thought in mind; he had to find her, she was all that mattered.

Elizabeth looked up at the sky and the dark clouds that were quickly approaching. She laughed, "Of course Collins would have to be right about this," she thought to herself. She felt the first few drops of rain begin to fall on her. With all the clouds filling the sky, the temperature was beginning to drop, and it was getting dark quickly. She packed up her camera and checked her cell phone; her battery was dead. "Ugh!" she groaned. "How could I forget to charge it?" she looked around and realized that she would never make it back to the house before dark or before the worst of the rain started. Without any other choice, she decided to head back down the way she came. At least she knew that route. She knew if she weren't back soon, Charlotte would send help to find her and she thought it best to go the way she had come. As the sky grew darker, she took in a deep breath and began hiking as quickly as she could. She hated storms. She also hated being alone in the dark and now she was about to face two of her worst fears she held since childhood.

Darcy could feel his heart racing as he crossed over the stream. It was already beginning to rise. The wind had picked up considerably, and it was beginning to thunder and lightning. Even if he was lucky enough to find Elizabeth out here, there was no way they would make it back to the house in that direction. He shook his head, as he turned off the road and drove up the first small hill, his thoughts turned darker, what if she was hurt? What if she was, "No!" he told himself, "She will be fine." He forced himself to remain focused as he drove further on over the next ridge. With all the rain the jeep was getting more and more difficult to handle.

Elizabeth was now soaked to the bone. She thought she remembered passing a small cabin on her way up, but was it to the left of the path, or the right? She couldn't remember, it was getting so dark as the storm moved in. The chill in the wind did little to help the situation. She rubbed her hands along her arms to try and warm up, but it had very little effect. She kept walking trying not to slip as the path was turning into a slick muddy mess. She was also struggling with carrying her camera bag and backpack. She was beginning to tremble uncontrollably as she tried to maintain her balance and focus her eyes in the darkness. Lightning crashed all around her, and she felt her heart beat faster. She took in a deep breath and headed down the left side of the hill hoping that would be the way to the cabin she had seen. Again, she was reminded of how much she disliked storms and being caught in them.

As the lightning flashed again, Darcy saw someone moving not far in front of him. It was the small frame of Elizabeth. He breathed a sigh of relief as he pulled the jeep to a stop, got out and ran toward her. "Elizabeth!" he called out to her.

She was surprised by the sound of his voice calling to her. She slipped and fell into the mud. A small scream escaped her as she hit the ground. Darcy was by her side in a moment. "Are you all right?" he asked her as he scooped her up into his arms.

Elizabeth was so shocked to see him there she didn't know what to say, so she nodded her head yes. Lightning flashed again, but she felt safe in his arms as he carried her over to the jeep. He placed her carefully on the passenger seat and searched her eyes. "Are you sure you are all right?" he asked her, his voice filled with concern. "You took a nasty fall out there."

Elizabeth was both unnerved by how close he was standing and the fact that she could feel his warm breath on her cheek, again she only nodded her head yes. She watched as Darcy buckled her into the seat then got into the jeep himself. She was freezing, and her body began to tremble even more from the cold. She wiped the wet hair away from her face and peered through the darkness to see where they were at. It only took her a moment to realize they were not headed back toward the house. "Where are you taking me?" she asked her voice barely above a whisper, with her teeth chattering from the cold.

Darcy kept his eyes on where he was driving. "The stream is flooded that way, it's too dangerous to try to get back to the house tonight," he told her. "The groundskeeper has a small cabin up here that he stays at from time to time," he explained as he continued driving in that direction. "We will have to stay there for the night."

Elizabeth didn't say a word as he drove the short distance to the cabin. She closed her eyes and tried not to jump as the thunder and lightning raged all around them. At that moment, she didn't know what she was more afraid of, the storm, or the thought of spending an entire night alone in a cabin with only him.