One Last Chance: to begin again by A. L. Ward

Author:A. L. Ward [Ward, A. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Time Travel, Fantasy
Goodreads: 213794381
Published: 2024-06-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Darcy woke in a surprisingly comfortable bed, in a good-sized room, and it took several moments for him to shake off his dreams and remember that he was at Longbourne. The Hursts had not arrived until almost an hour after the Darcy carriages, as they had, of necessity, stopped several times. Darcy had assisted in carrying Hurst, who was insensible, from the carriage and up the stairs to the suite which had been prepared for them. Mrs. Bennet was adamant that Mr. Jones be sent for to ensure that no further harm had been done, and it was another half hour before their minds were put at ease; though, as Elizabeth had predicted, the apothecary was severely displeased.

Mr. Bennet had also been quite severe, but with Darcy; demanding his promise that he would not importune his daughters now that he would have unfettered access to them. He had barely been able to suppress his affront and had been on the verge of replying when Elizabeth had appeared and chided her father for his ill-mannered jest. Mr. Bennet had laughed heartily at Darcy’s frozen features and wandered away, leaving his daughter to apologize for his offensive words. The memory alone still caused a lump of fiery outrage in his chest, but he was determined to find something of worth in the man. There was always their common ground in literature. The man certainly spent an inordinate amount of time in his book room.

Darcy dressed for riding and went to discover where his men had found to house his horses. He assumed that they likely had had to board them in Meryton, but it was only a mile or so from the estate so the walk would hardly be onerous. He passed the family wing quietly and descended the staircase to the ground floor to see what servants were about.

“Good morning, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Bennet called from the doorway of his book room, where he stood, holding a large tome of some sort.

“Good morning, sir,” he replied somewhat warily.

“I heard your heavy tread on the stairs and wondered which of my girls had been eating too much recently.”

Darcy was nonplused. “Ah.”

“You are not used to being teased, are you Mr. Darcy.”

“I suppose not often, though my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam is quite proficient at the art when he is not away fighting.”

“What of your sister? Do you not allow her to tease you?”

“I should not mind it if she did, but I am many years her senior and I do believe she is too much in awe of me to do such a thing.”

“That is a shame. It would do her some good to see that you are human.”

Darcy did not know how to reply to that, so he nodded and made a noncommittal noise. “Well, I had best discover where my horse ended up. I did not have time to speak to my grooms and was unsure if you would have room in your stables for them.”

“Oh, plenty. I removed the temptation of my hunters some fifteen years ago, though I do still keep the dogs.

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