Changeling Child: A Jane Austen Fantasy Variation (Austen Variations) by Natasja Rose

Author:Natasja Rose [Rose, Natasja]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-12-23T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

The next morning, Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley made their customary visit. Mr Darcy appeared troubled, clearly wanting to talk about something but wary of doing so in front of three people known as gossips. Mary was trying to determine how to suggest a walk in the garden despite having no-one to walk with, when Mr Hill announced another visitor. “A Mr Cathal to call on Miss Mary, ma’am.”

Mama’s jaw dropped, but she quickly collected herself. “Why, show him in, by all means, and have Cook send up more muffins! I hope you will not mind more company, Mr Darcy, but we cannot turn away guests.”

Mama loved little more than socializing and gossip, but one could not be married to a social recluse like Papa without recognizing that not everyone shared that trait. Once Mr Darcy’s aversion to strangers had been revealed to her, Mrs Bennet felt the significance of Mr Darcy dancing with her daughters all the more keenly, and resolved to be as considerate of him as possible.

Mr Darcy inclined his head in gratitude. “I could hardly expect it of you, Madam, when your hospitality is so well regarded. The name is familiar, though it may be coincidence.”

Mary had often wondered if she was an exception, or if Diarmait visited other Changelings throughout the realm. It would not surprise her if he did, but with Derbyshire being so far away, she had not expected Mr Darcy to be among them.

Diarmait walked in, paying his compliments to Mama before bowing over Mary's hand. Kitty's eyes widened, and Mama made an excitable sound, hastily muffled behind her handkerchief. Lydia huffed and folded her arms, and Mary spotted the mischievous gleam in her warrior's eyes.

Ooh, the fiend! He was doing this on purpose, knowing how Mama would react! Well, it wasn't as though Diarmait hadn't made his intentions very obvious when he told her his true name, and when she gave him permission to use hers. Mary smiled. "Oh, I promised to show the garden, did I not? Mama, do you mind?"

Mama waved her handkerchief. "Oh, not at all, you should all walk while the weather is nice. Jane, Lizzy, you may go as well. Take care that you do not get too much sun before dinner at the Phillips's tonight!"

Mary froze; Mr Darcy knew what Mary was, but did Mr Bingley? Could they speak freely in front of him? Her mind whirring, Mary could only follow her sisters to fetch their bonnets. Under the guise of wrapping a shawl around Jane's shoulders, Mr Bingley kept his voice low. "Darcy never said anything directly, but I am from the North, and I have relatives in Ireland and Scotland. I know the signs. What is it you need of us?"

Mr Darcy started, a wide array of emotions flashing across his face, then smiled at his friend. Jane relaxed, imperceptible to anyone who did not know her well. "Mary often disappears to the Hermitage, shall we go there?"

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.