Dear Miss Darcy (The UK Edition) by Briggs Laura

Author:Briggs, Laura
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: austen sequel, pride and prejudice sequel, modern pride and prejudice, austen romance, darcy romance
Publisher: Laura Briggs

Chapter Fourteen

Dear Readers: In the coming weeks, I have a surprise for those of you who sympathised with the plight of “Cottingley” ... and those curious to hear the other side of the story! Yes, indeed, the elusive mystery lover in her past has finally agreed to share his version of what happened–especially since so many of his friends have intervened on his behalf via post ...

The road to Longbourn was in need of repair, as Miss Darcy’s tires determined en route to the estate. Glancing in her mirror, she expected to see a pile of shredded rubber visible in the pothole. Instead, nothing but a large rock was visible behind her.

The house of Longbourn, once the pride of the Bennets, had long passed from a private residence to public grounds, hosting a variety of local events and charitable organizations. Distant half-cousins, the descendents of Mr. Bennet’s son, had generously donated the residence to the public generations ago as a gesture of local goodwill.

It was the second most-popular tourist site for Austen fans–since Pemberley held first place.

She turned the rented car into the drive, admiring the splendid hedges and trees surrounding the stone house. Framed in the ivy-covered doorway was an elderly woman in a purple dress and hat.

“Hello,” Miss Darcy called, climbing out of the driver’s seat. The woman waved to her in a friendly gesture.

“You must be Miss Darcy,” the woman guessed. “I’m Mrs. Pilburn–from the Society of Modern Career Women. Circa nineteen-fifty, of course.” Her gloved hand squeezed Olivia’s fingers.

“I’m quite pleased to meet you,” Miss Darcy replied. “And honoured to be here on behalf of ... today’s cause.” Racking her brain, she tried to remember what the main focus of the event was, since such details tended to be buried beneath titles and grandeur when the invitations arrived.

“Heart disease, dear,” Mrs. Pilburn prompted her. “Remember, it’s the silent killer of womankind. And what with all the stress in the world today, who’s at more risk than the working woman?” She finished this statement with a wide smile.

“Indeed,” Miss Darcy answered. “Who could forget?” At this point, Mrs. Pilburn was steering her by her elbow through the doorway of Longbourn house.

“Don’t feel bad about it; half the ladies here shall never remember,” Mrs. Pilburn replied, in a lower voice. “They only come because they recognize the names of their friends on the charitable list and are curious to see a few celebrities like yourself.”

“I’m hardly–” Miss Darcy began. But by now they were in the drawing room of the house, where a group of elegant businesswomen were assembled, sampling trays of sweets obviously prepared by the local chapter.

“This is Lady Hammond and Mrs. Fitzgerald-Leigh,” the elderly lady continued, gesturing towards two women busy adjusting the corsages pinned to their blazers. “Our chapter heads. They’ll be speaking today, as you know, along with that physician from London ... what was her name again?”

“Dr. Clyvie,” volunteered one of the women. “She replaced the librarian who cancelled a month ago, remember?” She flashed an apologetic grin at Olivia, for some reason.

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