The Best Part of Love by D'Orazio Amy

Author:D'Orazio, Amy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing
Published: 2019-06-17T00:00:00+00:00

Their first days passed quickly as Elizabeth busied herself in coming to know the household while Darcy tended to matters requiring his attention. They also began receiving callers from among the local gentry, including Mr and Mrs Graham Russell.

Mr Russell was the son of a local baronet and nearest to Darcy in consequence among those in Derbyshire, though not as wealthy. He was in his early thirties, and his wife, Sarah, was in her mid-twenties and increasing with their first child.

Mrs Russell was pleasant enough, if a little too determined to impress. She spoke of any titled person among her acquaintance with a too-familiar air and had a vulgar habit of discussing the cost of things such as gowns and jewels. As Elizabeth was accustomed to her mother doing the very same thing, she could not hold it against Mrs Russell and reasoned she would stop once she knew Elizabeth better.

Darcy had told her that he liked Mr Russell a great deal, and Elizabeth’s first meeting with them confirmed that she would as well. Mr Russell was not the most talkative of men, but when he did speak, he proved learned and interesting.

“I was at university with Lord Courtenay and his brother, Mrs Darcy,” Mr Russell told her. “I once visited Warrington Castle. An enjoyable time, indeed.”

“I have been there but little,” Elizabeth confessed. “I am fortunate the land steward and the housekeeper are both excellent.”

The evening passed enjoyably, and when it had concluded, both Darcy and Elizabeth agreed they would not mind spending more time with the couple. After preparing for bed, Darcy joined Elizabeth in her bedchamber.

Although Elizabeth had never slept in the same bed as Henry, Darcy made it plain from the beginning that he wished to stay with her. She liked having him there even when more amorous activities were not included, though they generally were.

“I must offer my compliments,” he said as he slid into bed.

“For what?”

“I am impressed by how well you have overseen the Courtenay estates and fortune.”

“Both my uncle and yours have been of great assistance.”

“They could not have done everything.”

She shrugged slightly. “It is my son’s inheritance. I wish to ensure the estate prospers for him and his future.”

“Well, perhaps I shall hand over the books of Pemberley to you,” he teased, “and see how you do with those.”

“I thank you for the compliment,” she teased in return, “but I think I have more than enough of that at the present.”

He chuckled lightly, settling down into the blankets and drawing her near.

“Warrington Castle has been much on my mind of late,” she continued. “I was last there in September, above nine months ago. I had only just returned to Hertfordshire when Mr Bingley took possession of Netherfield. I cannot imagine that I shall be there more often.”

“I am always willing to go with you. We should go before our visitors arrive. It is but fifty miles from here, an easy enough distance.”

“You think fifty miles an easy distance?”

He smiled teasingly. “It is fifty miles of good road.

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