Forced to Wed by Zoe Burton

Author:Zoe Burton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JAFF
Publisher: Zoe Burton
Published: 2017-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Upon their return to Darcy House, both girls hugged Elizabeth as tightly as they dared. Elizabeth was happy to hug them in return, and held them close for a long time. Soon, though, she pulled back and wiped her sisters’ tears.

“I am well, I promise, as is Fitzwilliam.”

The girls moved to hug him, as well, a gesture he eagerly returned. He did not want either of them to worry over him.

“You certainly look well,” Georgiana observed, running a critical eye over her brother’s form. “Both of you have filled out a bit from the last time I saw you, and your eyes are bright again. Do you not agree, Mary?”

“I do! You look so much better than you did. I was so worried about you. Every day I asked for updates from Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lord and Lady Matlock.”

Darcy smiled. “Yes, my valet told me of their visits. We are blessed to have family that cares so much.” Realizing they were all still standing in the entrance hall, he urged the girls upstairs to refresh themselves, asking them to join him and Elizabeth in the library for tea in an hour.

Later that evening, after enjoying a day as a family, the Darcys and Mary met in the dining room for a meal. The group had barely started eating when the butler entered the room, bringing an unexpected guest.

“Richard!” Darcy exclaimed as he rose from his seat. “How are you? What brings you around at this time of the day?”

“Darcy, ladies.” He bowed to each of them before he answered his cousin’s question. “I am just come back from an errand for my general. I see you are sitting down to eat?”

“Yes, we are. Will you not join us?” Darcy asked. He could see that Mr. Baxter had anticipated this, knowing how close the two men were, and was already setting out a place for the colonel.

“Thank you, I believe I will. You know I would never turn down an opportunity to sample your cook’s fare.”

Darcy rolled his eyes as he returned to his seat. Soon, conversation was flowing.

The good colonel was happy to see Miss Mary at the table. He had found her intriguing in Hertfordshire, and after spending time with her at Matlock House, he found that his feelings for her were growing deeper. After the meal, the male members of the party remained in the dining room to enjoy a glass of port while the ladies retired to the music room. Richard wasted no time asking Darcy about Miss Mary.

“She is Miss Bennet now, you know. While Elizabeth and I were recovering from our wounds, the eldest married Bingley.”

“Did she? I remember his proposal at your engagement ball. Brave lad, he was. Even were I certain that my suit was welcome, I am not sure I would be willing to ask that question in front of the entire neighborhood!”

Darcy laughed. “Yes, he was rather brave, was he not?” Pulling himself from those memories, he addressed his cousin.

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.