Mr. Darcy of Longbourn by APRIL FLOYD

Author:APRIL FLOYD
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: APRIL FLOYD

After two rounds of whist, Mrs. de Bourgh and the young ladies of the house returned to the parlor with Hill who had brought out a freshly baked pie.

Mr. Darcy rose and packed his cards away so that his sister and Anne might sit at the table and dine with Mr. Bingley and the colonel. His aunt never did like gambling and card games and Darcy knew that was her reason for bringing out the pie.

Lieutenant Wickham had gone to stand beside the window that looked out on the side garden and wood beyond. “It is a lovely home you have Mr. Darcy,” he said as his host joined him.

“Thank you, Lieutenant Wickham. It is quite the pleasure to be master of one’s own kingdom. Pray tell, how did a young man such as yourself end up a soldier?” Mr. Darcy asked, curious over his new acquaintance.

“It is a sad and tragic tale, to be sure. I was raised in Derbyshire on a lovely estate where my father was steward. The gentleman who owned it treated me as a son. I suppose with five daughters, he must have felt as though I was like a son,” the lieutenant paused and shook his head.

Mr. Darcy thought of Miss Bennet when the man mentioned five daughters and Derbyshire. She was from such a family. “What could have happened to remove the opportunities such a connection might afford?”

Wickham gave a bitter laugh. “I hate to speak of it to one I hardly know, but Miss Bennet is one of the man’s daughters. Seeing me here today is likely the reason she left so soon. I am sorry to have caused a guest in your home to become uncomfortable. Her father meant for me to have the living at Kympton but she argued him out of his decision. When my own father died, I thought Mr. Bennet might reward me with the stewardship since he had seen to my education and trusted me. But again, Miss Bennet turned her father away from what he might have done.”

Intrigued, Mr. Darcy wished to know more. “Miss Bennet, and her friend Miss Bingley, were known to be proud and rude when they first came to Hertfordshire but now she is different.”

“Oh I daresay she can charm anyone as she pleases, for she is a beautiful lady, but when jealousy or envy enters her heart, she is evil I tell you. Mr. Bennet sent me away because of Miss Bennet’s hatred of me. I believe it was jealousy. Her father favored my opinions over hers many times and she could not stand for that. He brought her up with too much education and reading. Made her think she was as intelligent as any man.”

Lieutenant Wickham turned away from the window after his speech and Mr. Darcy did not know what to say. Miss Bennet could be proud and vain, but to take away a man’s living and reduce him to casting about for his way in the world? It seemed beyond comprehension.

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