From Tolerable to Tempting by Hayley Ann Solomon

Author:Hayley Ann Solomon [Solomon, Hayley Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781452512952
Publisher: BalboaPressAU
Published: 2014-02-07T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Darcy’s carriage arrived several hours after Lizzie’s excursion with Georgiana. The wind had turned chill, causing both girls to turn back from their anticipated walk up one of the north facing hillsides. Georgiana had disappeared into her chambers where a ladies’ maid ready with a hot brick and hot bath had scolded her for being out in such a breeze.

Lizzy had made her way to her own chamber, set apart from the family rooms. Though it was in a respectable, eminently comfortable wing on the south side of the home, it did not face the lake and the river Derwent as Georgiana’s did. It also, of course, did not have the scenic balcony overlooking the main entrance to Pemberley, so it was not surprising that Lizzy missed the arrival she had been both anticipating and dreading.

It had been her custom, since taking up residence at Pemberley, to take her meals upstairs in the small parlour leading off from her chambers. These were adjacent to the remaining guest chambers on the south wing. They offered a lovely view of the forest walks, the craggy hills and the bustle of the stables, just visible below.

Georgiana had beseeched her to take meals below stairs, but on this point, Lizzie remained firm. She was determined not to expect the civilities previously accorded her as the daughter of a gentleman, and certainly not at Pemberley, of all places!

She was aware that her luck would soon turn and Darcy would arrive back from Darcy House, in London.

How he would receive her remained a moot point with her, and the subject of many agonizing and lonely hours that would have been better spent in sleep, or at least some busy activity more akin to her natural liveliness.

She dreaded his aloof stare and civil bow of distaste. She thought it very likely he would wish her to the devil after her last treatment of him. She now recognized his innate goodness, however, and was relatively sanguine that he would not show her to the door.

What he might privately think, however, grieved her no end and her musings, on this score, was bitter indeed.

Bingley, once returned to London, did not allow himself more than one night at his town house to rest. His valet was appalled at his condition – he’d ridden swiftly and through the night, stopping at none of the change stations for more than at hour at most. Once rid of the burden of Caroline, there was no need to spare his person, and Charles, encouraged by the thought of the sweetness of his Jane, and the terrible insults she had endured in his name, was anxious indeed to make amends.

Shaved, breakfasted, and wearing a beaver of jaunty aspect and shining boots from Hoby’s, he alighted his smart barouche and began his journey down the first of the cobbled city streets toward Longbourn.

Love is a strange thing. As he peered out of his window into the misty streets, he kept seeing women he likened to Jane.

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