A New Tradition: A Steamy Pride and Prejudice Variation by Grace Reeve

Author:Grace Reeve [Reeve, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

4

It only took ten days for word to reach Netherfield and Longbourn. Darcy was not certain which letter reached whom first, for it mattered not once it got there. Word spread like wildfire. Charles wrote back and informed Darcy that they were leaving post-haste, and would likely arrive within hours of their reply reaching him. He also included the information that Mrs. Bennet was traveling with them and he hoped Darcy had plans for the likelihood, should it occur.

He, of course, had planned for this. Any reason Mrs. Bennet could find for coming for a lengthy visit to Pemberley would have been executed without faltering on her part. She loved it when Lizzy wrote to her about the house and the daily goings-on. And Lizzy, bless her, allowed her to make suggestions and give advice even though he had never seen someone slide into the role of mistress as well as his wife had. Of course, Georgiana had now taken over that task since Elizabeth was convalescing. It was a massive undertaking, considering that they were to have visitors. Apartments had to be aired out, even in the bitter cold, and provisions made in the kitchen for the meals and such.

He had offered to take over for her only once. Georgiana had given him such a wretched look. “How am I ever going to learn how to do this for my future husband’s home if you do not allow me to practice a bit here and again?” she asked, shaking her head.

Darcy never brought it up again. Even as she seemed to falter over the choices for dinner.

“Should I order a big Christmas meal? Elizabeth will be ill and most of the guests will remain with her. It would just be yourself, me, and Mr. Bingley…” Georgiana pondered her dilemma while pacing in his drawing-room, but Darcy made sure not to give any unwanted advice. He would have rather liked to be in Elizabeth’s rooms as well, but with both her sister and mother arriving soon, not only would there not be room for him, it would not be prudent. He had called them precisely for this reason: to help her convalesce. There were already things he knew she would rather ask a sister or a mother for help with.

“Would you like my opinion or would I be too hasty in sharing it?” he asked, wary of even offering advice now.

“No, I suppose I could use it in this instance,” Georgiana replied.

“Why not have the kitchen make a holiday meal, and then serve it as a buffet for a party? Keep the food in chafing dishes and warm and everyone can come and go as they please?”

“That is an excellent compromise, Fitz.” Georgiana immediately left the room without asking whether he wanted ham or a goose prepared. He supposed she would make the correct decision herself.

At that precise moment, there was a flurry of noise outside the drawing-room as many staff members all scurried down the main hall. He poked his head out of his study to see what had them so excited.

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