[For Elizabeth]

[most_ardent]

While the extreme changes in climate had not much altered Darcy's daily activities, he had been glad enough to see things revert back to something close to normal. A change to the English countryside might have been more welcome, but by that time, he was well used to tropical jungle. Furthermore, the return to a typical island environment meant

Comments

[bennetsister]

Elizabeth was not in the bedroom, but was just returning from the compound. She had not told Darcy of her appointment there before going, for she wanted to wait until afterward, if she had the news to tell that she hoped she would. He was looking into the bedroom when she came upstairs, unfastening the ribbons of her hat. "Hello," she said, rising on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "Did you have a pleasant ride?"

[most_ardent]

Darcy responded with a low hum in the affirmative, tipping his cheek towards Elizabeth to accept her kiss. There was something about her, he was quite certain of that much, as if she were containing some great enthusiasm in order to spare him confusion or discomfort.

"Were you walking?" he asked, implying the desire for elaboration.

[bennetsister]

"Not this morning, no," she replied, crossing the room to put away her hat. She spent some time straightening the ribbons, perhaps as a manner of delay; it was not as though she was not eager to share her news with her husband, but she was more nervous than she had expected to be. How difficult it was to share good news! It was entirely contradictory. "I had an appointment at the clinic, actually."

[most_ardent]

That was unexpected, and Darcy hesitated a long moment to consider his reply. Elizabeth looked to be in good health, and had not mentioned feeling ill prior to this.

"Is everything well?" he asked, uncertain.