Miss Darcy Decides by Reina M. Williams

Author:Reina M. Williams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice continuation, Darcy, Fitzwilliam, Jane Austen variation
Publisher: Reina M. Williams
Published: 2017-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Camden walked beside his host into the house. Sutton Hall would never be as grand as Pemberley, but he found he rather missed it. Being around Miss Darcy had brought him somehow back to himself, yet a self he had never quite been. And he had been remembering lately the happy times he had spent at home: the fishing parties, the dinners, the talks and rides with his father, the quiet interludes with Sophia in the hothouse. His memories were still tainted with sadness, especially knowing he had been unable to see then the fleeting nature of those moments.

Wallowing in despair had cost him enough, though. He was ready to move forward. He would have gone home today, were it not for wanting to spend more time with Miss Darcy.

“May I speak with you briefly?” Sir Camden halted, facing Darcy.

“Perhaps you would wait in my study?” Darcy motioned. A man glided forward and escorted Camden down the hall. Darcy walked upstairs with his wife and Miss Darcy, who glanced at Camden as they both disappeared from each other’s view.

Camden paced in the fire-lit room. The sun was clouded, making the room dark. Camden threw himself down on a dark green sofa. Darcy’s desk stood in its polished bulk near the window. Heavy green drapes shaded most of the view. A bookcase was built into one wall. Camden faced the fire. He straightened his cravat and coat, sitting tall and composed in anticipation of Darcy’s arrival.

A portrait of Elizabeth Darcy graced the space above the mantle. She was a beautiful woman, and her expression, intelligent and playful, made her more enchanting. But not as enchanting as Miss Darcy. He would not have thought it, but he knew his feelings.

“You wished to speak to me?” Darcy entered. The door clicked shut. Darcy eased himself into a chair near the fire. He crossed his legs and placed his hand ruminatively on his cheek, as a judge might while hearing a difficult case.

“Your cousins Alfred and Anne have invited me to dine with them tomorrow. I had hoped—as do they—Miss Darcy might join us, with James and Kitty, as well.”

Darcy dropped his hand to the arm of the chair. His jaw flexed. “Of course. I can make no reasonable objection to such a plan.”

Camden smiled and eased his posture, ready to rise and get back to the ladies.

“But...” Darcy’s clipped tone made Camden stop.

Camden leaned forward, staring into the fire.

“But I can object to other things...My sister is young yet, Sir Camden.”

“She is twenty, near the age your wife was when you married.”

“Yes, and I do not claim my sister is not a woman now, with the wisdom and sense of one. Still, you are a man of certain experience.” Darcy studied him with a penetrating gaze.

Camden met his challenge. “I cannot undo my past. I can, however, live differently, and that I intend to.”

“Intentions are all very well. But actions are more persuasive. You have not been home in some time, I understand?” Darcy tapped his fingers on the padded arm of the chair.

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