A Dash of Darcy Companions Duo 2
Page 21
“Did you not slight her at a public assembly? Did you not direct your friend to not return to Netherfield? Why did you do these things? Because you truly found her merely tolerable? Because her family ─ a gentleman’s family ─ was beneath the standing of a friend who had recently been in trade? Or was it because you were looking to find fault so that you might fight your attraction to her?” She stood in front of him and jabbed his chest with her finger as she asked each question.
Before he could answer even one of her accusations, Anne turned and walked away from him. “She is not of the first circles. She has only a small dowry, and she has, by her own admission, embarrassingly ill-mannered relations as well as some who are in trade. But, she is a gentleman’s daughter, and you are a gentleman’s son. In that, you are equals. You have no need of her dowry, and you possess your own share of ill-mannered relations though they are of the first circles and are not so closely related to trade. Your pride does not serve you well in this instance, Fitzwilliam.”
Anne stood again at the window. “She has already been called upon by several young men in the area, and she has just met our cousin. They seem to be falling into conversation easily.” Darcy was beside her at the window. “She will never consider you if you do not put away your pride and appear to be human.” She gave him a jab in the side with her elbow. “And she will never consider you if she believes you are promised to another because she has far too much integrity to do so.” Anne took his arm and led him away from the window and toward the door of the sitting room. “Now, she was to visit with me this afternoon, but I have a very important discussion to have with my mother, and I would greatly appreciate your assistance in keeping Miss Bennet occupied and out of doors while my mother throws her fit.”
“But will you not need me?”
“No, I would rather that you not be here. However, if you would not mind, could you ask Richard to join me?” She smiled archly at him. “Please extend my regrets to Miss Bennet for not being able to keep our appointment. You will see that she is safely returned to Mrs. Collins, will you not?”
Anne gave Darcy a firm push out the door and then closed it behind him before he could find a reason to ignore her directives. She crossed to the window once again and looking down, caught Richard’s eye and waved. He gave a nod of his head and looked toward the door just as Darcy exited.
~*~*~
Richard offered his arm to Elizabeth and led her toward the small garden on the side of the house. He coughed to keep from laughing as he saw his cousin nearly run towards them.
“I fear our conversation is about to be interrupted, Miss Bennet.” He slowed to a stop as he heard Darcy call his name. “It seems my cousin has need of me.”
“Mr. Darcy is your cousin?” asked Elizabeth. Richard coughed again to cover a chuckle. He noted how the lady at his side did not have to turn to know that it was Darcy who called him.
“He is indeed.” Richard turned as Darcy drew near.
“Miss Elizabeth.” Darcy bowed slightly in greeting.
“Mr. Darcy.” She inclined her head in acknowledgment.
“Was there a reason for your interruption? I was having a most pleasant conversation with Miss Bennet.” Richard bit the inside of his cheek. It was difficult not to give in to the mirth which consumed him at the way his staid cousin blinked in confusion.
“I…uh…that is, Anne requested your presence.”
“And I am her servant whom she calls, and I must answer?”
Elizabeth gasped.
“Richard!” chided Darcy. “She has asked you for your help. She does not demand your presence.”
“Yes, she is not her mother.”
“Richard!” Darcy took a step towards him. “She needs your assistance.”
“Why? Why does she need my assistance?” Richard feigned ignorance.
“She has matters to discuss with her mother concerning her future.” Darcy’s voice was quiet and very close to a growl.
“Ah. Your engagement.” Richard congratulated himself on getting to his objective of leaving his cousin and Miss Bennet with something about which to speak. He knew Darcy would not bring up such a subject on his own, and he was equally as certain that Elizabeth was too polite a lady to broach the subject. What his cousin needed was a friendly nudge in the right direction.
Darcy’s eyes narrowed.
“Has she finally refused you?”
“That would imply an offer,” Darcy growled at Richard. Had Elizabeth not been present, Richard was sure he would have received a well-deserved and colourful set down.
“You know as well as I, Aunt Catherine will perceive Anne’s position as a refusal.”
“Which is precisely why she requests your presence.”
“But why Colonel Fitzwilliam’s presence and not yours?” Elizabeth coloured. “Forgive me. I had not intended to say that aloud.”
A smile spread across Richard’s face as he bowed to take his leave. “That is a good question, Miss Bennet. I shall leave Darcy to attempt the answer; however, should I survive this foray into enemy territory, and you find his answer inadequate, I shall do my best to assist you.”
“No, truly, Colonel. It is not for me to know. I should not have asked.”
Richard winked at her. “Ah, but I believe it is for you to know.” He stepped close to Darcy and muttered softly. “Use your chance wisely, or you will leave me no option but to reveal all I know about your feelings.”
Before You Go
If you enjoyed this book, be sure to let others know by leaving a review.
~*~*~
Always know what’s new with Leenie’s books by subscribing to her mailing list
and as a thank you, you will receive a copy of Teatime Tales as well as Better Than She Deserved, A Willow Hall Romance Sequel:
Book News from Leenie Brown
(http://eepurl.com/bS1eI1)
More Dash of Darcy and Companion Stories
Finally Mrs. Darcy
Waking to Mr. Darcy
A Very Merry Christmas (A sequel to Waking to Mr. Darcy)
Discovering Mr.Darcy
Not an Heiress (A sequel to Discovering Mr. Darcy)
Unravelling Mr. Darcy
Becoming Entangled (A sequel to Unravelling Mr. Darcy)
Enticing Miss Darcy (A sequel to Becoming Entangled)
Mr. Darcy’s Comfort
Master of Longbourn (A sequel to Mr. Darcy’s Comfort)
Other Leenie B Books
Novels ~ Novellas ~ Shorts
~*~
Oxford Cottage: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
For Peace of Mind: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Teatime Tales: Six Short and Sweet Austen-Inspired Stories
Listen To Your Heart: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
With the Colonel’s Help: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
~*~
Darcy Family Holidays
Two Days before Christmas (book 1)
One Winter’s Eve (book 2)
~*~
The Choices Series: Pride & Prejudice Novellas
Her Father’s Choice (book 1)
No Other Choice (book 2)
His Inconvenient Choice (book 3)
Her Heart’s Choice (book 4)
~*~
Willow Hall Romances
And Then Love: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Prequel (book 1)
The Tenant’s Guest: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella (book 2)
So Very Unexpected: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novel (book3)
At All Costs: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novel (book 4)
Better Than She Deserved: A Pride and Prejudice Novelette (sequel 1)
~*~
Touches of Austen Collection
His Beautiful Bea
~*~
Other Pens
Through Every Storm: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Henry: To Prove Himself Worthy (A Mansfield Park Continuation, Episode 1)
Leenie Brown has always been a girl with an active imagination, which, while growing up, was a both an asset, providing many hours of fun as she played out stories, and a liability, when her older sister and aunt would tell her frightening tales. At one time, they had her convinced Dracula lived in the trunk at the end of the bed she slept in when visiting her grandparents!
Although it has been years since she cowered in her bed in her grandparents’ basement, she still has an imagination which occasionally runs away with her, and she feeds it now as she did then ─ by reading!
Her heroes, when growing up, were authors, and the worlds they painted with words were (and still are) her favourite playgrounds! Now, as an adult, she spends much of her time in the regency world, playing with the characters from her favourite Jane Austen novels and those of her own creation.
When she is not traipsing down a trail in an attempt to keep up with her imagination, Leenie resides in the beautiful province of Nova Scotia with her two sons and her very own Mr. Brown (a wonderful mix of all the best of Darcy, Bingley, and Edmund with a healthy dose of the teasing Mr. Tilney and just a dash of the scolding Mr. Knightley).
Connect with Leenie Brown
E-mail:
LeenieBrownAuthor@gmail.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/LeenieBrownAuthor
Blog:
leeniebrown.com
Subscribe to Leenie’s Mailing List:
Book News from Leenie Brown
(http://eepurl.com/bS1eI1)
Join Leenie on Austen Authors:
austenauthors.net