Choice and Consequence: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (What Might Have Been Book 2) by Christine Combe

Author:Christine Combe [Combe, Christine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Room Press
Published: 2021-05-05T04:00:00+00:00

-…-

It was, as so happened on a night spent at the theater, quite late when the Darcy and Tilney carriages arrived outside their respective owners’ homes. Fitzwilliam was the first to alight, and as Darcy emerged, he saw that his cousin had walked toward the Tilneys who were then climbing down to the sidewalk. He watched as General Tilney handed Eleanor down, as Theodore said a few words and bowed, and as Miss Tilney was taken by the arm and pulled away, leaving her brother to once again apologize for his father’s rudeness and wish them good night.

When Fitzwilliam returned to where he and Wickham stood, Darcy found himself compelled to say, “Theo, you know I would not dare to interfere in your personal affairs—”

“Then don’t,” Fitzwilliam quipped.

“—however, I must tell you that I believe you ought consider giving up any idea of courting Miss Tilney,” Darcy continued. “It is obvious that she shares your regard, and normally I would be quite happy for you. But it is also obvious that her father is already opposed.”

“He is opposed to my being a second son, yes, but surely his daughter’s happiness will out over any such objections,” Fitzwilliam argued. “Besides, you helped us in getting to know one another tonight, on purpose I believe.”

Darcy nodded. “I did. However, when I see the way he regards you and treats her in your presence, it gives me pause.”

“The general agreed to attend my mother’s dinner party, even though the notice was short.”

Wickham cleared his throat. “I have to say, Fitz, that I think he agreed only because he is to dine in the house of an earl and countess. ‘Tis the influence to his own reputation he cares for, nothing more.”

“And do you not think that he must consider how elevated his status would be to have his daughter married to the son of an earl, even the second?”

Darcy sighed. It was far too late and he was far too tired to argue, not to mention the sidewalk was hardly the place to do so. “Let us go inside, for we will attract attention if we remain out here much longer.”

His companions nodded and started for the front steps. Darcy gave a nod to his driver and the vehicle pulled away to go around to the mews. He then hurried up the steps and pulled his key from a pocket, turning it in the lock and opening the door at the same moment a most wretched cry was heard coming from the direction of the guest rooms.

“No! Stop, I beg you!” came a desperate male voice, followed by a loud feminine giggle and an equally noisy hiccup.

“Oh, Darcy, I cannot stop now! I am afraid you’ve left—” The lady hiccupped again. “—left me with no other choice.”

Dread coursed through him as Darcy thundered up the stairs, Fitzwilliam and Wickham following close behind. He reached the first floor just as a maid—his cousin Anne’s personal maid—pushed open one of the guest room doors and gasped, her hands flying up to cover her lips.

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