Pemberley Variations 06 Mr. Darcy's Obsession by Abigail Reynolds

Author:Abigail Reynolds [Abigail Reynolds]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Jane Austen Fan Lit
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2010-01-25T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

"Cousin Henry!" Georgiana exclaimed, rising to her feet. "I had not expected the honour of your company today. Welcome to Darcy House." She was still not accustomed to acting the part of the hostess, even for family. She surreptitiously wiped her hands on her skirt as she glanced around the sitting room. It was perfectly tidy, as always. There would be no cause for criticism there. The only problem was by her side. She was not supposed to sit with an upstairs maid as though they were the closest of friends, and it must be obvious they had been doing exactly that. Her brother did not mind what she did in the privacy of her own rooms, but he would not be pleased that the viscount had seen her in Mary's company.

As if reading her thoughts, Mary quickly retired to the corner farthest from the window, taking a seat in the shadows. With a piece of mending in her hand, she looked every inch the servant. Perhaps Henry might not have noticed.

"Georgiana, as lovely as ever, I see." He pressed his warm, moist lips to her cheek.

"I am sorry to say my brother is not here. I believe you can find him at his club." Georgiana in fact had no idea where her brother might be, but sending Henry off seemed preferable to an uncomfortable half hour listening to his stories, the ones that always made her feel as if she were being mocked in some indirect manner. She had cause enough to feel foolish on her own; she did not require help from her cousin.

"Then I will be happy with your charming company." Henry sat and stretched his legs in front of him as if planning a protracted stay.

An inspiration came to Georgiana. "I have just finished learning a new sonata by Mozart. Would you like to hear it? I am very proud of it." She put on her best pleading-child air. He could not tell stories while she was playing.

He laughed indulgently. "If you wish, poppet. But will you not offer me tea?"

She flushed. "Mary, will you bring some refreshments?"

"Yes, miss." Mary's voice could barely be heard, and she disappeared hastily on her errand. Henry's head swiveled as he watched her leave the room.

Oh, why had she brought his attention to Mary again? She would have to brazen it through and hope he forgot about it by their next meeting. "Mary is my new companion. I like her very much."

Henry raised a lazy eyebrow. "She is full young to be a suitable companion. Far too pretty, for that matter."

A few months earlier she would have been terrified and unable to speak. "Are companions required to be ill-favoured, then? Mary is young, yes, but Mrs. Annesley is available for those times when I require chaperonage."

"Rightly so. I cannot imagine that young thing could provide any protection."

Something about his tone made her nervous. "Shall I play now?" She did not await his answer before taking her place at the pianoforte.

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