Darcy, the Admiral_A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Harriet Knowles

Author:Harriet Knowles [Knowles, Harriet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781089684305
Amazon: 1089684304
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: 2019-08-11T00:00:00+00:00

At Darcy House, he handed the reins to the groom and ran up the steps. The butler took his hat and gloves. “Good morning, Admiral. Mr. George Darcy is in his library. Mr. Stephen is not at home at the moment, and Miss Darcy is in the drawing room.”

Darcy nodded, happy that Stephen was out, but still annoyed that Georgiana was sitting alone again. “Please tell Miss Darcy I will join her shortly, when I have spoken to our brother.”

The butler bowed. “Yes, Admiral.”

Darcy knocked on the library door. “Good morning, George!”

His brother looked up gloomily. “You’re confoundedly cheerful this morning, Fitz.”

“What’s up?” Darcy dropped into the great library chair by the fire, and George sighed and got up from his desk to sit opposite him.

“It’s Stephen; it’s always Stephen.” George’s glum mood seeped into Darcy’s mind.

“I don’t know why you don’t make him leave here. You’d be happier.”

“But where would he go?” George scowled, looking very like Father. “You each got an equal share of Mother’s settlement, as the younger siblings. What have you done with your ten thousand pounds? I’ll wager it is now more than doubled under your tending. But Stephen? I think he has nothing left.”

“He is thirty years old. You can no longer be forced to be responsible for him.” Darcy knew his voice was hard. “The money from the estate is needed to manage the estate, not to prop up those family members who will not work.”

“I know.” George rubbed his face. “I wish you were the next eldest, Fitz. I would have less worry about Pemberley if you were the next in line.”

“Well, I’m not.” Darcy wondered if he wished it, too. He wouldn’t have been sent to sea as a boy, wouldn’t have discovered the vocation he loved. He’d have been a lot safer. He sat up straighter. “What’s he threatening you with?”

George got up, went to the decanter, and sloshed whisky into a couple of glasses. “It’s nothing to worry yourself about, Fitz.” He handed one drink to Darcy and gulped at his own. “Georgiana tells me you’re looking at small estates to rent and she will keep house for you.” He glanced over. “Can you afford it?”

“I wouldn’t be looking at them if I couldn’t,” Darcy muttered.

“You always were good at investments and managing money,” George observed. “I suppose you’ve earned more prize money than I had thought.”

Darcy nodded. “I have been fortunate.”

“Wasted. Wasted on that stupid risk.” George drained his glass. “Father ought to have given you a better, safer upbringing.” He glared over at him. “Don’t tell me none of it was dangerous: you might have been killed!”

Darcy stared into his glass. “Of course it was dangerous. But I have left it now. I will give Georgiana a home. You must remarry and produce an heir. You have a duty to Pemberley. Prevent Stephen from getting it.” He rose to his feet. “We’ll talk again after we dine, George. I must go to Georgiana.”

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