Christmas at Darcy House by Victoria Kincaid

Author:Victoria Kincaid
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: regency romance, jane austen, pride and prejudice, christmas romance, mr darcy, pemberley, pride and prejudice variations, pride and prejudice christmas, jane austen christmas, pride and prejudice holiday
Publisher: Victoria Kincaid

Chapter Nine

After half an hour of futile efforts to read a book, Elizabeth was forced to concede that rest was not what she needed. She was…dazed, as if she had discovered the color she had known all her life as green was actually yellow or that the disc that rose in the morning was really called the moon. She was disoriented; never before had her own discernment deserted her so completely.

Ashamed of her own lack of judgment and mindful of the need to keep Miss Darcy’s secret, she only told the Gardiners that the sister had pleaded the brother’s case. If only Jane were here! Elizabeth would have gladly confided in her sister.

Her thoughts bounced around inside her head, slipping from wonder at Mr. Darcy to anger at Mr. Wickham to anxiety about what the future held. She did not know what would happen, and worse, she was not sure what she wanted to have happen. It was most unsettling for someone who always prided herself on her clarity of thinking.

What she needed was a walk to clear her mind. There was a park not far from Gracechurch Street where Elizabeth often strolled, but she had not visited it for two days. She donned her walking boots and pelisse—fortunately the weather continued mild—informed her aunt of her plans, and set off at a brisk pace.

After only a few steps, she sensed someone coming up behind her. Turning her head, she found Mr. Darcy. “Would you be so good as to allow me to accompany you on your walk today?” His face was a still mask, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Unbidden, memories arose: the insult at the Meryton assembly, the sneers at Netherfield, the unwanted kiss in the garden--and the astonishing idea that he actually loved Elizabeth. Could Miss Darcy possibly be correct?

“I suppose I cannot prevent you,” she retorted without breaking stride.

Mr. Darcy winced but hurried to match her pace. They were silent until they reached the edge of the park, where Elizabeth slowed to a more leisurely stroll. When it became apparent she would not initiate a conversation, Mr. Darcy finally cleared his throat. “Georgiana was pleased to have the opportunity to meet you.”

Elizabeth stared straight ahead. “She is a most amiable girl.”

“I am pleased you enjoyed each other’s company.” He was silent for a moment. Distant city noises intruded upon Elizabeth’s consciousness, accompanied by the soft scrape of their shoes on the stone pathway. “She was under the impression that you took her story to heart.”

“I did.” Thank goodness they were walking, and she need not meet his eyes! “It pains me that I was so deceived as to Mr. Wickham’s character.”

His eyes were fixed on the pathway. “I am sorry to be the occasion of any pain.”

“It is preferable to ignorance.”

“Do you understand now the reasons for my actions yesterday?”

Elizabeth stumbled and almost fell but caught herself before Mr. Darcy’s assistance was necessary. “I understand why you believed you needed to prevent my engagement to Mr. Wickham.” The memory of that shameful event brought heat to her face.

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