The Choices Series: Pride and Prejudice Novellas by Leenie Brown & a Lady

Author:Leenie Brown & a Lady [Brown, Leenie]
Language: afr
Format: azw3
Publisher: Leenie B Books
Published: 2016-07-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 2

Richard paused for a moment on the steps of Darcy House before lifting the knocker and allowing it to fall. Footmen waited at the carriage ready to divest the equipage of his belongings as soon as instructed to do so.

“The master and mistress have just arrived. If you will wait here a moment, I shall see if they are home to callers.” Daniels held the door open for Richard to enter.

“I do not need to speak with them,” said Richard casting a glance over his shoulder to the carriage that waited on the street. “I need only to know if I might store my things here until I have a place where they might be sent.”

Daniels raised an eyebrow slightly. “If you will wait, the master will see you directly.”

Richard sighed. He had hoped that Daniels would simply allow him to leave his things and be gone. He had little desire to speak with anyone. He wandered into the sitting room and took a seat near the window where he could appreciate best the weak winter light before it faded to shadows. He had been seated only a moment when Darcy, followed by Elizabeth, entered the room with what seemed to him to be more haste than necessary. He sighed again and slowly rose to his feet.

“Why must you store your things at Darcy House?” said Darcy, ignoring the normal pleasantries of greeting.

“I have nowhere else to put them at present,” replied Richard. “I shall send for them as soon as I have lodgings.”

Darcy motioned to the chair from which Richard had just risen, and Richard obediently sat. It would do him no good to offend the cousin from whom he wished to obtain help.

Darcy unbuttoned his coat before sitting and leaning toward Richard. “The full story, if you will.”

Richard scrubbed his face with his hands, settled back in his chair, and related the events that had lead to his departure from home.

“Where will you stay?” asked Darcy.

“Not here,” Richard replied, hearing the softness of his cousin’s question and knowing that it indicated Darcy’s next comments would be to suggest that Richard stay at Darcy House. “It must be somewhere he cannot find me. I must be completely free from him for a fortnight.” He blew out a breath. “And it must be what I could afford should I refuse his offer.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I must see what my life will be and if I can abide it.” He smiled wryly at Darcy. “So, you may not assist me aside from storing my things until I am able to keep them myself.”

“Daniels has a sister who works for someone who rents rooms to respectable gentlemen.” Both Darcy and Richard looked at Elizabeth in surprise. “I like to know about my servants’ families,” she explained. “We could ask him for the address, and if he knows whether there are any rooms available at this moment. If he does not, he may have recommendations.” She smiled at Richard.

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