I Dream of Darcy, Book 1 by Andrea David

Author:Andrea David
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: British classic women's fiction aristocracy fanfic, sweet historical regency romance JAFF vagary, Jane Elizabeth Bennet Mr Darcy Fitzwilliam, rich marriage P&P variation variations fan fiction, pemberley netherfield longbourn rosings nobility, friendship enemies to lovers love story stories, family life sister sisters 19th century London
Publisher: Artesian Well Publishing
Published: 2019-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

ON THE TRIP BACK TO Mayfair, Darcy formulated a plan. He could not allow Wickham to take advantage of another young innocent. But how to prevent it?

He and Giana called at the home of their uncle and aunt, the Earl and Countess of Matlock, on Berkeley Square. The earl was at the House of Lords, but the countess was at home.

The brother and sister were shown into the drawing room. Their aunt and Lady Arabelle were sitting with Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.

The colonel, the second eldest son, was close in age to Darcy. The two had been friends all their lives. Darcy’s father had seen fit to name the two together as Georgiana’s guardians.

Darcy pondered a moment how best to raise the subject at hand when Giana spared him the necessity. “Oh, aunt!” she cried, sinking down on the couch and throwing herself into the countess’s arms, “Wickham is engaged!”

A hush fell over the room a moment while the Fitzwilliams absorbed the news. Lady Matlock patted her niece’s back. “Well, my dear,” the countess said at last, in a dry tone, “it is not the first time, and I doubt it shall be the last. Who is the lady?”

Darcy took a seat near them. “I met her uncle in Meryton,” he said, “a Mr. King. He is in trade there, and has some shipping interests in Liverpool. I do not recall Miss King, but Bingley says she is an amiable sort.”

“He says that of everyone,” Richard observed wryly, turning the page of the newspaper he was reading.

A rare sense of annoyance towards his cousin rose in Darcy’s chest. “Even so, I doubt she deserves to be taken in by a blackguard like Wickham.”

“Arabelle,” the countess said, “could you take Giana—”

“No,” Georgiana said. “I shall not be sent away like an empty-headed child. I am the one Wickham wronged. I shall not allow him to take advantage of someone else the way he did me. Something must be done. Miss King cannot marry him.”

Darcy rubbed the bridge of his nose, fighting back a headache.

“Come, Darcy.” Arabelle passed him a plate of petit fours. “Have some refreshments, and let us discuss this like adults.” She picked up the teapot and poured him a cup.

“You are seventeen.” He took a delicate yellow cake and passed the plate to Giana.

“I have made my come-out,” Arabelle said. “That makes me an adult.”

He looked to his aunt, but she offered him no support. She said, “I have never thought it possible to preserve a girl’s innocence by preserving her ignorance. The best way to protect her against roguery is with the truth. Besides, Georgiana has confided in Arabelle. She probably knows more about the facts of the matter than the rest of us.”

“Darcy,” Giana said, “you must put an end to this engagement. Go to Mr. King—you and Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

At the mention of his name, Richard set down his newspaper and gave the matter its proper attention. He was a man of action, better suited to the battlefield than the drawing room.

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