Mr Darcy's Christmas Carol by Meg Osborne

Author:Meg Osborne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JAFF, Jane Austen Fan Fiction, Jane Austen, Elizabeth and Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet Darcy, Christmas, clean and wholesome romance, Holiday Romance, Regency Historical Romance
Publisher: Meg Osborne
Published: 2017-11-19T16:00:00+00:00

“CHARLES! HOW WONDERFUL to see you. Annabelle, I do hope you aren’t sickening for anything. You look a little flushed.” Caroline had voiced this last with the utmost concern, yet Darcy knew his wife well enough to recognise the hint of an insult nestled amidst her professed fear for her friend. Ignoring her, he reached for Charles’ hand, grasping it warmly.

“It is good to see you again, Charles. How do you find Derbyshire?”

“Beautiful,” Bingley said, with a brief glance towards his sister. “At least, what we have seen of it is pleasant to look at. We have not had so much time for walking and exploring as I might have hoped.”

Annabelle sniffed, and tossed her hair, turning her attention pointedly away from her husband and towards his sister.

“Caroline, dear, you look so different with your hair pinned so. Almost matronly!”

The ladies fell to discussing the friends they shared, sharpening their cruel tongues on shared enemies rather than on one another, and Darcy felt free to speak to his own friend unhindered by the ears of his wife.

“I hope you will take full advantage of the grounds while you are here, in that case.” He smiled. “We might walk, or ride, as you wish. If we are lucky we might even see our way to some shooting, assuming the ladies are content to allow us our freedom.”

“We would happily free you to undertake such a pastime if it would release us from having to look interested,” Caroline said. “Besides, Annabelle and I have plenty to occupy us here. Perhaps my dear husband will permit me to organise a small soiree, for I would dearly like to introduce you to my friends.” Darcy was not given a chance to agree or disagree with this request, for it was spoken as a matter of fact, as if Caroline had already determined what she would do, regardless of Darcy’s approval. “The new Lady Frobisher, you know, has an estate not far from here, and we are very good friends. She is an emigree, you know,” Caroline’s voice dropped to a pseudo-whisper. “From France. Dreadfully elegant, but so severe! Still, her sense of style is exquisite, and she never fails to compliment me on my own attention to fashion and detail.” Caroline lifted her chin, intent on demonstrating the particular sparkle of a pair of ear-bobs that had been a recent gift from Darcy to his wife. A gift of duty rather than any real affection, for Caroline had been none too reserved when it came to suggesting notions she most admired and wished for. Plagued with guilt for the sharp words Darcy often spoke to his wife, which were bred out of his own hatred of his current circumstances, he was all too inclined to attempt to repair the damage with such a purchase, yet he had not yet managed to buy his way into a happier marriage, and lately began to wonder if such a feat were indeed possible.

“You are as kind as

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