Darcy's Christmas Scheme by Zoe Burton

Author:Zoe Burton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JAFF
Publisher: Zoe Burton
Published: 2021-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

The next day, Darcy and Bingley rode into Meryton. They were unsurprised to find the Bennet girls standing in front of their uncle’s law office, speaking to a group of redcoats.

Darcy nodded toward the gathering as he and Bingley rode toward them. “Rumors of a regiment wintering here were true, I see.”

“Yes.” Bingley nodded. “Feelings were mixed on it amongst the gentlemen I spoke to.”

“It will be good for businesses.” Darcy pulled his stallion to a stop.

“It will. However, many a young lady has had her head turned by an officer.” Bingley dismounted.

Darcy mimicked his friend. “We must make certain that does not happen, then.” He smirked, making Bingley laugh.

“Indeed.”

The pair approached the group, leading their horses.

“Good afternoon.” Bingley bowed. “How delightful to find you here.”

Jane covered a laugh with her hand. “I told you we would probably walk here today.”

Bingley grinned and winked. “So you did, my love.”

Darcy watched his friend and Jane with a slight lift of his lips. He turned to Elizabeth, who stood beside him. “How are you this day? Thank you again for dancing with me last evening.”

Elizabeth blushed but smiled. “I am happy you enjoyed it.”

Darcy lifted a brow. “The question is, did you?” His attention was drawn to something behind her. A figure moved quickly away, ducking behind the shoppers milling about on the sidewalk across the street. His brow creased. He was certain he knew that gentleman. He felt an impulse to follow the other man, but Elizabeth’s voice drew him back to his conversation.

“I did. Thank you, for asking now and for requesting a set in the first place.”

Darcy grinned then. His next words were never spoken, because at that moment, over the noises of horses, carts, wagons, and people, came a scream.

“Fire!”

Darcy and Bingley both jumped at the word. They looked around, seeing citizens rushing toward the far end of the street, some with buckets. Darcy grabbed his friend’s arm and turned to address the ladies.

“Go home and call your father.”

Elizabeth shook her head. She began to strip off her pelisse, turning away from the gentlemen to address her sister. “Mary, take Miss Darcy and our sisters and go to Longbourn. Tell Papa there is a fire at the blacksmith shop.” Elizabeth tossed the garment at her sister. “Jane and I will help with the water.” She grabbed Jane’s coat, as well, when it was thrust past her, and shoved it into another sister’s hands. “Go! Now!” She shoved all four girls in the direction of Longbourn and turned to run toward the line of people, following Darcy and Bingley, who had abandoned the ladies and raced to help put out the fire.

The eldest Bennets joined the line that was forming near one of the water troughs that edged the main street of the town and began passing buckets back and forth. Full ones were handed off in the direction of the fire and empties were passed back to the trough to be refilled.

As the gentlemen approached the burning

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