Retaliation
Part of the Dragons, Deceit, and Desire collection
Hi Everyone! New subscribers, you can start reading Reclamation from Chapter 1. For those of you who have been reading Reclamation and wondering what might arrive on Fridays while I finish editing it, here is a short paranormal/fantasy story to keep you happy for a while.
Trigger Warning: There is violence and some sexual content in this story.
The following is a WIP story with a few chapters so far. I haven’t looked at it since 2024, and I never got around to finishing it. Three years ago, I began writing short Austenesque stories inspired by dragons and love of magic.
Moving on, I thought it might be interesting to include Retaliation in an anthology of very short stories and novellas if I ever wrote enough of them to compile such a book. Since part of this one might have been an alternate way to begin Born to Serve, I thought I’d share the draft with you.
As always, your comments will be appreciated!
Chapter 1
The screams pierced his heart. Fitzwilliam Darcy turned his stallion and raced towards the sound. Seconds later, he saw Elizabeth Bennet fighting for her life. A fist to her face sent her to the ground. Without hesitation, Darcy unleashed a bolt of magical lightning that burned her assailant to a crisp. He jumped to the ground and rushed to her unconscious body. He gathered her into his arms. Elizabeth needed immediate medical attention.
Darcy waved his hand at the ashes of George Wickham, and they dissipated. He carried Elizabeth to his horse and mounted. He rode towards the forest that separated Netherfield and Longbourn. When they entered the forest, Darcy and Elizabeth disappeared, leaving the horse behind. Seconds later, the two reappeared in the master suite at Queen’s Head in Scotland.
“Mrs. Dawes,” he shouted. “Come quickly! Get the doctor. We need help.”
The housekeeper raced up the stairs only to stop at the doorway when she spotted the bleeding, battered body of a young lady lying on the bed. “My Lord! What happened to her? We will need to undress her and clean her before the doctor examines her. You need to leave her to us. Out of the room now, sir!”
Darcy left the room and headed downstairs. Several maids passed him. They were carrying warm water and towels. He summoned the butler, Mr. Dawes, and gave him specific instructions regarding their battered guest.
Within minutes, Darcy was back in the woods near Netherfield astride his horse. He rode to Netherfield and left his horse in the stable. Deep in thought, he walked towards the house and almost collided with Bingley.
“Darcy, where were you? You missed breakfast. Was just about to send out the men to look for you. Thought you might be lying injured somewhere.” Bingley spoke quickly and glanced over his shoulder.
Darcy saw Caroline Bingley in the open doorway. He turned to Bingley, “Sorry, Charles. Rode a bit further and lost track of time. Had a few things on my mind. I’ll be leaving today. There are a few items of business that need my attention.”
“Are you serious? I thought you were staying for the ball. What shall I tell our friends?” Bingley was upset. He had hoped to have Darcy stay with them for another month. His sister, Caroline, would be upset. She claimed that despite Darcy’s engagement, she would be Mrs. Darcy, and he had no strength to oppose her.
Darcy replied, “Cannot be helped. You will still have Hurst to keep you company. Make friends with your neighbors. Some of the local landowners will be able to help you learn about estate management. You really do not need me here. I am engaged to Miss Elizabeth. Your sister will be up to her tricks trying to cause trouble with my fiancé.”
Bingley looked ashamed, “Come, Darcy. Caroline is not so bad. She is just upset that you prefer Miss Elizabeth. After all, you have never shown any reluctance to dance or converse with my sister in the past.”
Shocked at this assertion, Darcy replied, “I have informed you many times that I will not marry your sister. You know that I only danced with her out of consideration for you. As far as conversing, well, polite behavior required it. However, allowing your sister to spew insults against my fiancé and future in-laws reflects badly on you. Miss Bingley’s behavior is worse than any displayed by the Bennets. Their family is gentry. They have owned Longbourn for three centuries. Unless you wish to ruin your own prospects, you need to muzzle Caroline. The daughter of a tradesman has no business criticizing the gentry.”
Bingley gaped at his friend. His surprise at the admonition was great. Caroline would be angry.
Darcy turned and walked into the house without acknowledging Caroline Bingley. He went up to his room, where his valet, Quincy, was already packing.
I very much enjoyed this chapter. Any story that starts with Wickham burnt to a crisp is sure to be good! Looking very forward to the next installment.
Swoony-swoon! Darcy immediately burning Wickham to ashes is a great start to any P&P story. I love how he then just waves those ashes away like the trash they are. But there’s some evil backstory to why Wickham beat Elizabeth and I want to know what it is!