Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) by Linda Wells Page B
Authors: Linda Wells
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then the words of Creary returned to his mind and he slowed. “If someone like he thinks that she does not belong in our circles, without even knowing her, how could I ever subject her to them by pursuing her? It would be unfair to her . . . and disappointing to my father.” He stopped and watched the women disappear. His voice caught and he felt his heart clench, but still he murmured. “Goodbye, Lizzy.”
Chapter 5
11 August 1808
Uncle Henry wrote to me and has confirmed our fears, Richard is on his way to Portugal, and may even be there now. This will be a real battle, not the little skirmishes he experienced in Norway. He once said that my taking over Pemberley would be the making of me. I fear that it is nothing to the man my cousin will be when he returns. He must return! Uncle says that Aunt Helen is beside herself with worry, and his guilt for not convincing him to study law instead of joining the army is weighing him down. I pray that Richard survives; I fear that his would not be the only life that would be forfeited .
Darcy stopped writing and dropped his pen, and ran his hand through his hair. Biting his lip he worked hard to control his emotions, but then a glance at the black armband for his father sent him up and out of his chair. He began pacing the room. “God, please do not make this piece of cloth a permanent part of my attire. Please keep him safe.” He stopped to stare out of his window. There was nowhere to go, nobody to talk to about his fear for his cousin and friend, and deep down he knew that it was more than Richard that was overwhelming him. Since his return to Pemberley, the duties and decisions had rained down on him hard. It was his first harvest alone. Of course Nichols and his staff were keeping watch but it was he who was truly in charge. That was how Pemberley was always run. The master hired the best, but retained command. Darcy looked down at his hands and willed them to stop shaking. “Stop this, now! Take control, you can do this!” He looked to his mother’s miniature and received some comfort, then his eyes drifted to the bookshelf where his journals were kept. Without thinking his steps led him there and before he knew it the page was open and he was reading her name. He swallowed hard, closed his eyes, breathed and relaxed, then put the book away.
A knock roused him. “Sir? An express has arrived for you.” A footman held out the silver salver and he took the letter, staring at the heavily blotched envelope curiously.
“Whoever penned this must have had a faulty nib.” He opened it and squinted and stared, turning the paper in several directions until he finally made out the script. A small smile came to his lips. “Obviously penmanship was not a subject chosen for study by Mr. Bingley for his son.” He rang the bell and the footman reappeared. “Please inform Mrs. Reynolds that Mr. Bingley will be arriving this afternoon.”
“Yes sir.” He bowed and left the room.
He relaxed further. It would be good to have company, and good to distract Georgiana with some ladies about the house when the party from Matlock arrived. Darcy sat down and began reading his correspondence and spent the next several hours at work, there was no point going out on the estate when he had a guest coming. Late that afternoon he received notice that a carriage had entered the park. He stood and walked through the house, stopping in the library where Georgiana was seated with her governess and practicing her French. “Mr. Bingley will be here soon, dear. Shall you join me in greeting him?” He smiled and raised his brow.
“Oh, yes I would like that.” Georgiana jumped up and Mrs. Somers gave her a look. She blushed and walked slowly to the door. Darcy nodded with approval to see her behaving as a lady, and she smiled to see his pleasure. “You would have made
Chapter 5
11 August 1808
Uncle Henry wrote to me and has confirmed our fears, Richard is on his way to Portugal, and may even be there now. This will be a real battle, not the little skirmishes he experienced in Norway. He once said that my taking over Pemberley would be the making of me. I fear that it is nothing to the man my cousin will be when he returns. He must return! Uncle says that Aunt Helen is beside herself with worry, and his guilt for not convincing him to study law instead of joining the army is weighing him down. I pray that Richard survives; I fear that his would not be the only life that would be forfeited .
Darcy stopped writing and dropped his pen, and ran his hand through his hair. Biting his lip he worked hard to control his emotions, but then a glance at the black armband for his father sent him up and out of his chair. He began pacing the room. “God, please do not make this piece of cloth a permanent part of my attire. Please keep him safe.” He stopped to stare out of his window. There was nowhere to go, nobody to talk to about his fear for his cousin and friend, and deep down he knew that it was more than Richard that was overwhelming him. Since his return to Pemberley, the duties and decisions had rained down on him hard. It was his first harvest alone. Of course Nichols and his staff were keeping watch but it was he who was truly in charge. That was how Pemberley was always run. The master hired the best, but retained command. Darcy looked down at his hands and willed them to stop shaking. “Stop this, now! Take control, you can do this!” He looked to his mother’s miniature and received some comfort, then his eyes drifted to the bookshelf where his journals were kept. Without thinking his steps led him there and before he knew it the page was open and he was reading her name. He swallowed hard, closed his eyes, breathed and relaxed, then put the book away.
A knock roused him. “Sir? An express has arrived for you.” A footman held out the silver salver and he took the letter, staring at the heavily blotched envelope curiously.
“Whoever penned this must have had a faulty nib.” He opened it and squinted and stared, turning the paper in several directions until he finally made out the script. A small smile came to his lips. “Obviously penmanship was not a subject chosen for study by Mr. Bingley for his son.” He rang the bell and the footman reappeared. “Please inform Mrs. Reynolds that Mr. Bingley will be arriving this afternoon.”
“Yes sir.” He bowed and left the room.
He relaxed further. It would be good to have company, and good to distract Georgiana with some ladies about the house when the party from Matlock arrived. Darcy sat down and began reading his correspondence and spent the next several hours at work, there was no point going out on the estate when he had a guest coming. Late that afternoon he received notice that a carriage had entered the park. He stood and walked through the house, stopping in the library where Georgiana was seated with her governess and practicing her French. “Mr. Bingley will be here soon, dear. Shall you join me in greeting him?” He smiled and raised his brow.
“Oh, yes I would like that.” Georgiana jumped up and Mrs. Somers gave her a look. She blushed and walked slowly to the door. Darcy nodded with approval to see her behaving as a lady, and she smiled to see his pleasure. “You would have made
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