Lady Harriette by P. O. Dixon

Author:P. O. Dixon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Regents and Cotswold Book Group

Richard stood and hurried over and kissed his wife. “Good that you are here, I was about to come and find you.”

“Actually, dear husband, that is precisely why we are here. Elizabeth and I have a matter we wish to discuss with the two of you.”

The gentlemen looked at each other. Two women colluding—the outcome of which led them to seek their husbands could not be good.

“I am afraid, my lady, whatever you have on your mind must wait. Whilst Darcy and I had planned to speak with each of you separately, as this is a matter that affects us all, I see no reason we should not discuss it together. Darcy?”

Darcy’s countenance showed no signs of his inclination to agree.

“Are we not amongst friends?” said Richard.

Richard and Darcy walked to their respective wives and led them to seats by the fireplace. Not knowing how the discussion would go, Richard was glad for the added warmth of the fire. No doubt they would need a bit of warmth before their discussion was done.

Richard cleared his throat. “Harriette, you know as well as anyone how I am loath to interfere in the running of household affairs. I am more than happy to leave that to you. However, it has come to my attention there is a servant amongst the household staff whose presence lends itself to considerable disruption.”

Her ladyship’s countenance showed no emotion, but then, why should it? Elizabeth’s face, on the other hand, registered concern. Darcy reached out and took her hand in his. “I apologise for any discomfort this news is likely to cause you. I am afraid the servant of whom Richard speaks is the same woman whom I told you about before—the one from my past. By some yet unknown twist of fate, our lives have crossed paths again.”

Elizabeth gave an indication of wanting to pull away, but Darcy held tightly to her hand. “As awful as this seems and is very unfortunate, every effort will be made to rectify this situation before it becomes a problem. As Richard said, he and I were both only made aware of this matter today. We have decided there is but one resolution.”

Richard thought Elizabeth would have been far more upset than her response indicated. Her cool demeanour took him aback. Then again, both Elizabeth and Harriette were a little too calm. Where was the deluge of questions? Where were the harsh allegations and false assumptions that women were prone to expound?

His best friend’s wife soon put an end to his musings. “Mr. Darcy, Lady Harriette and I are fully aware of this troubling situation. In fact, the two of us have just come from a private interview with said woman.”

Shock etched across Darcy’s face. Richard nearly gasped aloud.

Harriette crossed her arms. “Indeed. It is the purpose of our coming to speak with the two of you.”

“How did you learn about her being here, and why have you only decided to inform me now?” Darcy said to his wife.

“You dare pretend outrage, Mr.

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