Epiphany with Tea: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Renata McMann & Summer Hanford

Author:Renata McMann & Summer Hanford [McMann, Renata]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2016-11-30T05:00:00+00:00

Present Day, December, Pemberley . . .

Elizabeth watched Darcy over her teacup, employing the delicate porcelain to conceal her smile as his gaze grew abstract. After ten happy years, she knew that look well. He was evaluating, thinking, considering. It was a small victory, for his evaluation may not come out in her favor. She knew, though, that she’d chosen her words well. Darcy was as aware as she of the pitfalls of judging someone without knowing them.

She understood Darcy’s reluctance, likely better than any other person could. Mr. Wickham had overshadowed Darcy his entire childhood. He’d been a charming, pretty boy and a favorite of Darcy’s father. Elizabeth had never met the previous master of Pemberley, and never confided her feelings about him to her husband, but she didn’t quite like the man. What sort of father made his shy, serious son feel he wasn’t as good as the brash, amiable child of another?

Elizabeth’s smile grew. It amused her that she could speak of not judging people one wasn’t familiar with, her manner infused with righteousness, and then condemn the late Mr. Darcy in her thoughts. Still, in a way she was familiar with him, through his children. Of course, in that case, she must love him, for Darcy and Georgiana were wonderful people, with firm moral characters, and who brought great happiness into her life.

Composing her features, Elizabeth lowered her cup. Darcy was well into thought now. She could see it in his abstract gaze. She hoped he would agree to meet young George, at least. He was, as she’d said, a good lad. He showed little of his parents’ wildness and was always polite and happy to see Elizabeth when she visited. In truth, he reminded her more of her sister Jane than of Lydia or Wickham, though in his features he somewhat resembled his father.

She studied Darcy’s face, even more handsome than when they’d married. While she feared the passing years were adding lines to hers, though most were lines of laughter, they’d merely added greater consequence to Darcy’s visage. As she watched, his lips turned up slightly in a smile, and she couldn’t help but mirror it.

Elizabeth ran an idle finger over the roses circling her teacup. She used the set often, and had taken special care to ensure it was out today. It was her favorite, for it reminded her of one of the happiest days of her life, the one when she’d realized she loved Darcy. She had no way to know if it brought the same memories to him, but the roses always invoked a feeling of joy in her heart, and she’d wanted that today.

Retrieving her silverware, she took a bite of her now cooled food, turning her gaze out the window. She loved the grounds of Pemberley, which were stunning even now, snow kissed. Perhaps, if the day went well, she would take the children for a walk later, and Darcy would join them. He’d promised to throw snowballs with their son, and make a snowman with little Jane, and he would.

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