A Lady’s Choice

by Jane Hunter

  A Lady’s Choice

  A Pride and Prejudice Sensual Intimate Collection

  Jane Hunter

  Petra Belmonte

  Copyright © 2019 by Red Thorns Press

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  1. Mr. Darcy’s Highland Fling

  A Highland Hunting Party

  A Highland Reel

  A Highland Escape

  A Highland Rescue

  2. Elizabeth’s Folly

  Elizabeth’s Folly

  Elizabeth’s Folly

  Elizabeth’s Folly

  Epilogue

  3. Mr. Darcy’s Daring Bride

  At Pemberley Stables

  A Ride with Mr. Darcy

  Epilogue

  Also from Red Thorns Press

  1

  Mr. Darcy’s Highland Fling

  A Highland Hunting Party

  Mr. Darcy’s Highland Fling ~ Book 1

  Elizabeth Bennet’s return to Longbourn after visiting Pemberley with her aunt and uncle had left her shaken to her very foundations. Much to the relief of all, Lydia was now Mrs. Wickham and, much to Mrs. Bennet’s dismay, the couple had moved to a tidy whitewashed house in a small village in Cumberland as Mr. Wickham took up a commission that Mr. Darcy had secured for him. Elizabeth knew that it was more to keep the wayward gentleman out of trouble than anything, and she secretly applauded Mr. Darcy’s cunning when dealing with Mr. Wickham, a man whom he had every right to despise and leave to his own misery… but he had done this, he had rescued Lydia—and, indeed, all of the Bennet sisters—from certain shame and ruin.

  However much their gratitude had filled Longbourn, the fact that Netherfield Park still sat empty did not feel right. Elizabeth had heard no gossip in town as to when it would be occupied again, and as summer began to fade into autumn, she began to despair that it would never happen, and that her brief interaction with Mr. Darcy at Pemberley would be the last she would see of him.

  “All is well again,” Mrs. Bennet announced at every available opportunity. On this particular morning, however, Elizabeth could not hide her annoyance. All was not well. Mr. Darcy had admitted his part in keeping Mr. Bingley and Jane apart, and she had hoped that if the gentleman had truly regretted the role he had played in such a cruel plot, that he would make an effort to right that heinous wrong and Mr. Bingley would return to Hertfordshire to renew his affections for Jane.

  But after the passage of so many weeks, it seemed as though it was not to be. The militia regiment was due to return to Meryton in a very short time, and preparations were already being made for a grand assembly to welcome them back to town. Colonel Forster, by way of apology for what had happened while Lydia was under his care, had promised that the Bennet’s would be the guests of honor. Kitty, the only remaining daughter who was interested in such things, was beside herself with giddy joy, but Elizabeth could not bring herself to muster any such enthusiasm.

  Jane, as much as she had promised that she had forgotten Mr. Bingley, appeared to suffer from a similar malady. Elizabeth had never known her sister to pine, but it was distressing to see her in such a state. Surely, Mr. Bingley and his sisters would return to Netherfield for Christmas, she supposed. There had been no talk in town of the estate being let to any other party, so it was reasonable to assume that Mr. Bingley would return—but when he would do so was unclear.

  “Once the regiment returns to Meryton, it will be ever so much more exciting,” Kitty chirped. “Mrs. Forster will be desperate for a new friend, I should think—”

  Mrs. Bennet slapped her fan down upon the table, interrupting her daughter. “You will do no such thing,” she said crisply. “Mrs. Forster has proven to be a very unreliable friend to this family, and I will not have another daughter put in harm’s way because of it.”

  Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, amused to see that Jane had reacted in a similar way. There was very little self-awareness in the Bennet house, and it was unusual to hear their mother speak in such a way, but Elizabeth supposed there had been a lesson learned with Lydia’s misadventure—however unwelcome it might have been.

  “Oh, Mama,” Kitty moaned.

  “Oh, Mama, nothing,” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “If you must marry a soldier, I would not have it be one of Mrs. Forster’s choosing.”

  Kitty’s lower lip trembled, but she did not burst into tears, a welcome change from a few months ago when any sort of sternness would have caused her to break into a fit of crying. The removal of Lydia’s influence from the house had its benefits, Elizabeth mused as she stirred her tea.

  “Nevertheless, I cannot deny that the return of the garrison will bring a welcome amusement back to our society,” Mrs. Bennet admitted. “Come now, Jane, even you cannot be so forlorn at the prospect of a merry dance?”

  “No, indeed, Mama,” Jane agreed, but Elizabeth could hear the reluctance in her sister’s voice.

  “I promise you, my girl, a dance or two with a gentleman who looks very well in his regimental jacket will set your spirits right again. Do you not agree, Lizzy?”

  Elizabeth blinked at her mother for a moment before nodding hastily. “To be sure, Mama,” she said quietly. But she did not believe her own words, and she knew that it would require the presence of one particular gentleman in a well-fitted jacket to make Jane smile again.

  Mrs. Hill appeared in the doorway of the parlor and Elizabeth smiled at Longbourn’s long-suffering housekeeper. The poor woman was run ragged by her mistress’ demands, but she never complained, and never gave Mrs. Bennet any reason to doubt her loyalty. “Miss Lizzy, a letter for you,” she said and held out a folded piece of parchment.

  Elizabeth took the letter and thanked her quietly. She examined the handwriting curiously as Mrs. Hill bustled through the room collecting plates and checking the tea pot.

  “Who is it from, Lizzy?” Kitty asked with interest. “Has Charlotte fallen pregnant yet?” she giggled into her hand at the thought. Being married to Mr. Collins was a nightmare to a girl like Kitty, and she could not imagine that Charlotte could ever be happy, let alone allow the man to come near enough to her to father a child. Elizabeth fixed her sister with a stern stare, and Kitty’s giggles faded away.

  “It is from Felicity Baker,” she said as she read the return address again. “Do you remember her, Jane?”

  “Very faintly,” Jane said after a moment.

  “Her father moved the family to Scotland when we were quite young. She used to write regularly—but I have not had a letter from her in some time. Since Christmas, I believe.”

  “How wonderful,” Jane said as Elizabeth broke the seal and opened the letter. She read it quickly and her mouth dropped open in surprise.

  “What is it, Lizzy?” Jane asked curiously.

  “I have been invited to visit,” she replied slowly.

  “To Scotland?” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “And so close to winter?”

  “Mama, it is only September,” Elizabeth sighed. “But I have never been farther north than Derbyshire—”

  “You must write to her at once and tell her that you will go!” Kitty cried. Though she was nervous of it herself, Elizabeth’s younger sister was enamored of the idea of travel. “How very exciting! Surely, Papa will agree that you may go!”

  “We must ask your father,” Mrs. Bennet agreed. “Though I daresay that Mr. Bennet will be reluctant to agree to any travel since Lydia’s unfortunate departure from Longbourn!” She dabbed at her dry eyes with a lace h
andkerchief and Elizabeth looked down at her letter again. She read aloud for the rest of the family to hear:

  My dearest, Lizzy,

  It has been an age since I last wrote to you, and I daresay that there has been so much excitement that I have scarcely noticed where the time has disappeared to! Papa has secured a very advantageous engagement for his only daughter, and I should like to invite you to be my honored guest to help celebrate this union.

  Do, please, say that you will come. I shall be utterly forlorn without my oldest friend at my side.

  “It is decided, then. Of course you must go,” Mrs. Bennet said as Elizabeth finished reading.

  “Really, Mama?” Elizabeth asked incredulously. Only a moment ago she had been convinced that Mr. Bennet would not agree to such a request. But Mrs. Bennet wore a determined expression on her face which invited no arguments.

  “Indeed, where there is one advantageous engagement, surely there could be another. It is well known that certain gentlemen, in seeing the happiness of one man will always crave it for themselves! I daresay, you will be engaged by Christmas!” Mrs. Bennet seemed very sure of herself and Elizabeth scolded herself inwardly for doubting that her mother would have any other agenda in such a situation.

  “I will speak to your father, he will not refuse me such a request,” Mrs. Bennet announced. Kitty looked dejected to be forgotten once again, and Mary shook her head and opened her music book. Mrs. Bennet stood up from her seat at the table, took Miss Baker’s letter from her daughters fingers, and swept from the room, presumably to present her request to her husband.

  Kitty fiddled with her tea cup and peered into the almost empty teapot with a dejected sigh. There was no doubt that if she had requested such a journey that it would be rejected in an instant. Poor Kitty would have her turn one day, Elizabeth thought. Perhaps with Lydia gone she would have more of a chance at happiness than she might have had if events had unfolded differently.

  “It will be quite an adventure,” Jane said quietly. “Scotland is such exciting country… and you have not seen Felicity in ever so long.”

  “I am already dreading the carriage ride,” Elizabeth said with a smile. “Perhaps when I return, Netherfield Park’s windows will again be blazing with warm light.” Jane’s smile faltered just a little and Elizabeth instantly regretted her words. “Do not mind me, Jane,” she said quickly, “I spoke too hastily.”

  “No, no,” Jane replied. “I wish for it also, I have just not been willing to say it aloud.”

  “Many things may yet happen between today and Christmas,” Elizabeth said and Jane’s answering smile was almost enough to ease her worry.

  * * *

  Mr. Bennet’s agreement to his wife’s request that Elizabeth be allowed to respond favorably to Miss Baker’s letter was only wrung from him with the promise that Elizabeth would write every week, and would not overstay her welcome. Mr. Bennet, himself, wrote a letter to Miss Baker’s father that would accompany Elizabeth’s reply, and while she was not permitted to read it Elizabeth could only guess that it contained several admonishments and rules for her stay in the highlands.

  As she pulled out her writing desk to pen her reply, Elizabeth was surprised at the swell of excitement she felt as she told her friend that she would be very pleased to accept her invitation. It would do her some good, she determined, to be away from Longbourn. Perhaps she would be able to make some sense of her confused thoughts and even push them aside. The amount of time that thoughts of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy weighed upon her mind was more than she could bear—being away from familiar places would not leave any room for him.

  That was her goal: to forget him as entirely as he had seemed to have forgotten her.

  “Lizzy! Lizzy you must hurry, the carriage is coming!” Kitty’s shrill shout echoed up the stairs and Elizabeth groaned. Jane laughed and tucked another book into her sister’s valise.

  “I believe Kitty is more excited for your journey than you are,” she said with a smile.

  “I very nearly regret my promise to visit,” Elizabeth said ruefully.

  “Nonsense, Lizzy, you will have a wonderful time, I am very certain,” Jane admonished her. “Now, you must go downstairs or Kitty will work herself into a frenzy.”

  Elizabeth sighed and lifted her valise carefully while Jane pushed her gently toward the door. She hoped that she had packed well enough. She was not sure what kind of weather to expect, or if she had packed dresses that were fine enough for the company she would be keeping. Jane had lent her some new ribbons, a set of hair combs, and a pair of gloves just in case there was an occasion that called for it.

  “Lizzyyyy!” Kitty’s wail was enough to make Elizabeth’s feet move just a little faster as she came down the stairs to where her younger sister hopped from foot to foot in anticipation. “The carriage is coming!”

  “I know, Kitty,” Elizabeth sighed. Mrs. Bennet bustled into view with Mary in tow to see her off. Mr. Bennet waited outside to meet the carriage as it came up the drive.

  “Now, Lizzy,” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed as Elizabeth stepped down onto the landing, “you must tell Miss Baker how happy we are for her, and that we shall expect a visit here at Longbourn very soon.”

  “Of course, Mama,” Elizabeth said as her mother kissed her soundly upon the forehead. Mary embraced her tightly, but briefly and her smile was just as fleeting.

  “Stay warm, Lizzy,” she said briskly. “I checked the almanac and you may have snow sooner than expected this autumn.”

  “Indeed,” Elizabeth said with a smile. “I shall do my best to be prepared.”

  If Mary was going to say anything further, she was interrupted by Kitty leaping up to wrap Elizabeth in her arms. “I shall miss you!” Kitty cried. “You and Jane get to have such adventures while I am doomed to stay here at home.” She sighed dramatically and hung from Elizabeth’s neck until Mrs. Bennet pulled her away.

  “Come now, the carriage is here. Don’t keep it waiting, Lizzy.”

  Jane looped her arm through her sister’s and walked with her through the front door toward the waiting carriage. Mr. Bennet handed payment up to the driver and Jane’s hand tightened on Elizabeth’s arm. “Everything will be fine, Lizzy,” she said quietly. “Try to enjoy yourself.”

  “I will,” Elizabeth promised. Jane embraced her tightly and Elizabeth’s heart ached for her sister as she saw the pain in Jane’s eyes. There was nothing she could say that would heal Jane’s broken heart. The only thing that would erase that emotion from Jane’s eyes was time—and Mr. Bingley’s return to Hertfordshire.

  “Come now, Lizzy,” Mr. Bennet said. “The first part of your journey is about to begin.”

  “A very long journey,” Elizabeth sighed. She kissed her father’s cheek and he chuckled warmly. “I shall not be gone too long.”

  “As with every time you are away, my dear, it is always too long,” Mr. Bennet replied with a smile. “I shall look forward to your letters.”

  “And I to your replies,” Elizabeth said. Mr. Bennet gripped her hand tightly and helped her up into the carriage. Jane passed Elizabeth her valise and she settled it onto her lap.

  The carriage door closed and Elizabeth settled herself back against the seat. She waved to her family as the carriage pulled away. The journey would be long, but the time she would be able to spend with Felicity to celebrate her engagement would more than make up for it.

  The journey was more than Elizabeth had imagined. She changed carriages four times, stayed overnight at several inns, and read more than one of the novels she had brought from Longbourn’s libraries. When the final carriage pulled into the drive, Elizabeth could not suppress her gasp of surprise.

  The road was lined with graceful willow trees that blew in the wind and fields of wild heather stretched out toward the sea that crashed against a dark and rocky shore.

  The house was large, larger than any she had ever visited, and the grandeur of the grounds made even Pemberley seem almost dull by comparison.
A young woman in a lovely yellow gown waited in the courtyard and Elizabeth smiled as she recognized Felicity Baker’s eager smile.

  The carriage lurched to a stop and a footman appeared to open the door and assist Elizabeth as she stepped down from the carriage and onto the pale gravel that filled the courtyard. She thanked the driver, but the man was already snapping the reigns to urge the horses onward once more.

  “Lizzy! Oh, Lizzy I have been beside myself with anticipation of your arrival,” Felicity cried as she ran forward. Elizabeth embraced her friend tightly. She was relieved that the journey was over, and moreso than that, she was pleased to see how Felicity’s life had changed since her departure from Hertfordshire.

  “You are most welcome to Grenleigh,” Felicity said with a smile as she released Elizabeth from her embrace.

  “I had no idea your father’s estate was so large,” Elizabeth breathed.

  Felicity laughed lightly. “Grenleigh is nothing to Hamish’s estates,” she said ruefully. “I will be the mistress of three grand houses very soon.”

  “Three?”

  Felicity lifted an eyebrow. “Yes, my dear husband to be has an estate in the Orkney’s, another house in London, and one in Paris… I have not seen that one yet. It all seems very exhausting.” Elizabeth did not sense that Felicity was trying to make her feel inferior with all of this talk of fancy houses, quite the contrary. “I would be more than happy to be mistress of one pleasant country house, like the we left behind in Hertfordshire.”

  “Nonsense, Felicity,” a voice boomed from the doorway as Felicity’s father stepped into view. Mr. Baker was a large man with a prodigious mustache and a bright red beard that hid the lower part of his face. His head was bald as an egg and shone in the light of the setting sun. “You would be a fool to trade Grenleigh for any Hertfordshire hovel.”