The Pemberley Betrothal by Anne-Marie Grace

Author:Anne-Marie Grace [Grace, Anne-Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Anne-Marie Grace

Chapter 14

Darcy

Darcy sat at the desk in his study, staring at the letter in his hands. It was from Charles Bingley, but he could hardly believe what it said: Bingley was delighted to accept Darcy’s invitation to Pemberley, that was no surprise. The surprise lay in the fact that Bingley would be arriving this very day! Darcy glanced at the envelope and saw that it had been misdirected at least once, which explained the short notice.

As a host, Darcy cared very little for the short time to prepare for his guest’s arrival. Despite what he had said to his aunt just days before, Pemberley was always prepared for an unexpected guest. Darcy’s father, the elder Mr. Darcy, had driven the previous housekeeper mad with this constant string of unexpected guests. However, the new housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds (hardly new, Darcy thought with a laugh, as she had been the housekeeper for twenty years now!), was unflappable and marshalled the maids and serving men into quick order whenever a guest arrived—announced or not.

No, Darcy’s concern was for Elizabeth and Jane. He knew that Elizabeth had not told Jane of Darcy’s invitation, for fear of Bingley’s rejection. She had assumed that there would be time to prepare Jane in the event of Bingley’s arrival. Darcy had thought so as well. Now, however, it seemed that Jane would simply have to become accustomed to the idea of Bingley staying at Pemberley in a much-truncated timeframe. He hoped Jane would not object; for her sake and for Bingley’s sake.

“Enter,” Darcy said, responding to a polite knock on the door. He thought it might be Mr. Bennet, who (at Darcy’s insistence) had eagerly availed himself of Darcy’s library. But the footman, Perkins, entered instead, bowing low.

“Mr. Charles Bingley,” he intoned formally. Darcy jumped to his feet in surprise. Bingley walked in, smiling broadly.

“Bingley!” Darcy said, shaking his friend’s hand. “I had not expected you until after sundown! Welcome, welcome. Sit down, please. Would you care for a drink?”

“I would love a drink,” Bingley said, settling himself into a large armchair.

“Perkins, would you be so kind as to bring us a bottle of the madeira?” Darcy asked. “I believe Mr. Bennet and I finished the bottle in here last night.”

“It was replaced this morning, sir,” Perkins said slowly, walking toward the bottles on a sideboard.

“Excellent,” Darcy said, settling into the chair across from Bingley. Perkins poured two glasses and served each man before bowing once more and leaving the room.

“Did I hear you say that you and Mr. Bennet finished the bottle?” Bingley asked curiously.

“You did,” Darcy confirmed.

“Surely you do not mean the same Mr. Bennet we met in Hertfordshire!”

“The one and the same,” Darcy confirmed, taking a sip of wine.

“What on earth is he doing here?” Bingley asked, mystified.

“I shall tell you, of course,” Darcy replied. “But I think I should start at the beginning.”

“Please do!” Bingley said with a laugh, settling back into his chair with his glass.

“First,” Darcy began. “You should know that I have invited you here to witness the occasion of my marriage.

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