In the Shadows of Pemberley by Carrie Mollenkopf

Author:Carrie Mollenkopf [Mollenkopf, Carrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Sequels, Fantasy, Not in Amazon Library, To Transfer
Goodreads: 42262436
Published: 2018-10-07T04:00:00+00:00

~Twenty-one~

The next few days went by in a flurry of activity. The boys thought it great fun to carry supplies down into the cellar.

“It’s like camping!” Maura told them calmly, but the all to vivid memories of London prevented any true sense of merriment on her part.

“Be careful not to wander off. Some of the chambers down here have not been utilized in generations. I don’t want to have to rescue anyone,” Philip cautioned. Playing in the warrenlike cellars of Pemberley was where he had first discovered that his home was haunted. Having gotten lost, he had feared never seeing the light of day again when a mysterious orb began to glow against the stone foundation. Eventually, the shape had taken the recognizable form of a man.

“Are you in need of assistance young man?” Darcy had calmly asked the quaking six-year-old Philip before reaching out a spectral hand to lead him back to the stair. Ever since, Philip Darcy had relied on his ancestors to provide guidance and companionship, especially when he was distraught. The warning about German raiders warranted the children knowing that they would not be truly alone, even if stuck below for extended periods of time. With the preparations now complete, Maura and the boys would spend the night in the cellar to create a sense of familiarity for future situations. That would be the day that the boys would learn about Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy. It was just in time, for he would need to leave the following day.

“Are you sure about this?” Maura asked as Philip carried his own bedroll down the large storage room that had been designated as a sleeping space.

“Yes, suppose something happens that separates you or the Ebberlys from some of the children. My grandparents have the luxury of being able to go through walls, or rubble if need be. Besides, it will be much easier for them to not need to hide. Think of them as extra adult supervision. No doubt behavior will be greatly improved if they don’t know when someone may be watching.”

Maura only shook her head and suppressed a laugh. It was the first time she felt like laughing in days. Just that morning, Artie had returned from the recruitment depot. He proudly wore his newly issued uniform. With hair trimmed and polished boots, he looked every part the soldier. It created a lump in her stomach, but she kissed his cheek and welcomed him back. The rest of the boys were in a state of awe, asking numerous questions with a mixture of fear and jealousy.

“I suspect the war will be over by the time any of you are old enough.”

“Will you really see fighting?”

Artie, acting much the adult, only tousled the child’s hair in response. He knew he was fortunate to be accompanying Captain Darcy and held his own fears in check. For tonight, he would be a child for the last time as he arranged a space in the middle of the boys. Their bedding had been carefully placed under tables to prevent falling debris from harming them.

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