Fitzwilliam Darcy, Hero: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Duology by Julie Cooper & Mary Smythe

Author:Julie Cooper & Mary Smythe [Cooper, Julie & Smythe, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Anthology, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Kidnapping, Truly ghastly Mrs Bennet
ISBN: 9781963213539
Goodreads: 216637842
Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing
Published: 2024-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

The remainder of the day was similarly disheartening and the wayward couple remained undiscovered in whatever nest in which they had holed themselves up. Bennet hoped Lydia was comfortable wherever she was—little though she deserved it—because she would not be found until the morrow, at least.

As he was shedding his greatcoat in the vestibule of Gardiner’s home, the butler approached his master with a card.

“A Mr Darcy paid a visit today, sir. He was quite anxious to speak to you.”

“Darcy, you say?” Bennet queried before Gardiner had the chance. “Whatever could he want?”

While his eyes perused the calling card, Gardiner distantly replied, “We made his acquaintance in Derbyshire before we were called away. In fact, we were set to dine with him the very day we left.”

Bennet, though benumbed by fatigue and worry, felt stirrings of surprise at this news. “Was this a different Mr Darcy than the one I met in Hertfordshire? I cannot imagine him lowering himself to so much as speak to a tradesman, much less invite one to dine at his table.”

Gardiner flicked him a terse glare. “I assure you, it is the same Mr Darcy you met last autumn; there is only one master of Pemberley, after all. Furthermore, he and Lizzy were…familiar with one another.”

“Familiar? I suppose he felt his slight acquaintance with Lizzy required him to issue the invitation, though I cannot imagine why.”

“Actually,” Gardiner said, his gaze now trained keenly upon Bennet, “he was most attentive to us while we remained in the country, and to Lizzy, especially. I believed him rather taken with her, if I am to be honest.”

“Lizzy?” He guffawed at the notion. “I daresay that Mr Darcy never looks at a woman save to see a blemish and I doubt he ever looked at Lizzy at all. You are mistaken.”

Gardiner pressed his lips into a grim line but did not press his point. Instead, he ushered Bennet into the dining room, where a late supper of bread, cold meat, and cheese was set out for them.

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