Passion and Persistence: What if Mr Darcy does not give Elizabeth up after Hunsford? by Brady Kinga

Author:Brady, Kinga
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

The Verdict

Chapter 15

Once back at the carriage, Hussar wanted to meet all the newcomers. He was made for the ladies, and Jane and even Mary were charmed by him.

‘Enough, Hussar. Off with you.’ But even Darcy’s words did not affect him as he could not have enough of their attention.

After the ladies left, the gentlemen did not linger long; they were both eager to hear Lady Matlock’s verdict.

‘Mother?’

They found her Ladyship in the parlour reading.

‘I am not talking to you while you look like this. Go and change. I will be here.’

The two men, like schoolboys, stood from one foot to the other and apologised. They hurried to their rooms, shouting to the footmen on their way to get bath water.

Her Ladyship had a smug smile on her face.

In no time, both were sitting on a settee facing Lady Matlock.

‘Did you have a fruitful day?’ She put her book down.

‘Yes, very fruitful, Mother. So… what-how were the guests?’

‘You mean what I think about your ladies?’

‘Please, Mother.’ Phillip pleaded.

‘Well, I only met them for a short time.’

‘Mother!’

She chuckled at her son’s impatience.

Darcy remained silent throughout, but he was a bundle of nerves to hear what his aunt would say.

‘She is lovely, Philip, as you wrote.’

‘And beautiful?’

‘Yes, very beautiful. But there are many beautiful women in the ton. I believe where she stands out is her innate beauty. She grew up in the countryside with only a shadow of a taste of what London is about. I think she will struggle with that; she will have to learn to protect herself. At the same time, she is quite clever; she was quiet but not intimidated by me. After a while, she addressed me with a comment of her own, which is promising. She had some good insights; she has understanding.’

‘Yes, it is satisfying to talk to her.’

‘Men will eat from her hands. She naturally will give them attention, importance.’

Phillip groaned at that.

‘Jealousy already? Come, son. If you marry her, you know she will be in the centre of attention.’

‘I would protect her.’

‘You cannot. Not from the women. I will teach her.’

Phillip looked up at his mother, who already spoke of the future.

‘Did you know that sometimes she makes her own clothes with Miss Elizabeth?’ She glanced at Darcy’s wide eyes. ‘She makes the best of her circumstances. She is industrious, just like you.’

‘She makes her own dresses?’ Phillip asked incredulously. She should wear the best that London has to offer! He was going to make sure she had the funds. What kind of father allows his daughters to work away to be able to wear decent clothes?

His mother nodded.

‘The dress she wore today was of their making.’

He immediately pictured the very fine dress he had noticed, probably chosen for the meeting with his mother. His mother saw this as admirable. He still wanted to provide her with the luxury of not having to do that.

He stopped breathing. He realised he was thinking of Miss Bennet as his intended.

‘So… do you approve?’

‘My dear, to be honest, I would approve a woman half as suitable at this point.

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