Darcy's Voyage: A tale of uncharted love on the open seas by Louise Kara

Author:Louise, Kara [Louise, Kara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2010-08-31T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Hertfordshire

It was near evening when Darcy’s carriage pulled up the long drive to Netherfield Manor. Sitting inside the carriage, Darcy still could not believe his good fortune that Netherfield and Longbourn seemed to be in close proximity to each other. He would not be required to search all over the countryside and visit every village that started with the letter “L” to find Elizabeth. As soon as he could, he would find the Bennet household and discreetly ascertain whether Elizabeth had returned.

His spirits were high. He knew it was only a matter of time before he would see Elizabeth.

As Durnham opened the door of the carriage and Darcy pulled himself out, he gave Netherfield manor an appraising glance. It was very suitable for Charles, not too opulent and not too modest. He absently nodded to himself in the conviction that it had been wise for Bingley to merely let it. He knew a word of encouragement to Bingley to remain at Netherfield or a prompting to move on would be taken to heart. But he would not broach that subject until he saw Elizabeth, was able to declare his intentions, and subsequently ascertain her sentiments. If she refused any consideration of keeping their marriage intact, he would not wish his best friend to live in such close proximity to her and would, with persuasive subtlety, advise him to find another, more suitable place to live, preferably in a more distant neighbourhood. But he would give all that was within him and without to win Elizabeth’s heart.

Caroline Bingley and her sister, Louisa Hurst, were sitting in the drawing room when a servant stepped in announcing Mr. Darcy. Caroline jumped up with great joy at this unexpected interruption.

“Mr. Darcy! What a pleasant surprise! What brings you to Netherfield?”

“I have some business in Hertfordshire. I wrote Charles; did he not tell you?”

“Charles? Tell us anything? Never!”

“I apologize.” Darcy looked at both sisters. “I do hope this is not an inconvenience.”

Caroline edged up alongside him and slipped her hand around Darcy’s arm, unaware that he tensed up as she did so. “Oh, Mr. Darcy, on the contrary! This is not inconvenient at all! You have come at just the opportune time!”

“It appears you are going out.”

“Yes. There is a trifling party that Charles has insisted we attend at some lodge in Meryton, and the worst part…” She paused to look at Louisa and nodded. “The worst part is that Charles has found himself enamoured of some decidedly inferior country girl with the most abhorrent family!”

“Where is he now?”

“You know Charles, always so anxious and optimistically cheerful. We are not looking forward to this evening as much as he. Needless to say, he has gone on ahead of us. Oh, Mr. Darcy, you must come with us tonight and put some sense into Charles’s head!”

Darcy shook his head. “I am sorry, Miss Bingley, but I am exceptionally tired. I really cannot go with you tonight.”

“Oh, Mr. Darcy, please reconsider. We are certain that this infatuation of his is ill founded and foolish.

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