An Autumn Accord: A Pride and Prejudice Novella Variation (Seasons of Serendipity Book 4) by Elizabeth Ann West Read Free Book Online

quite well, but Lydia caught a dreadful cold. I wished to delay our departure until Jane and Lydia could return with us. But Jane made a friend, it would appear, with our neighbor Mr. Hamilton . . . “
    “ Another suitor? Jane is the lucky one.” Kitty pouted, eliciting an odd look from Georgiana.
    “ But I thought you did not wish to –”
    “ Oh, I may not wish to marry, but having suitors would please me quite well, I believe.” Kitty interrupted Georgiana and the two younger girls giggled over the outrageous notion of leading a parade of suitors with no intention of matrimony.
    Talking about Lydia for the first time, and witnessing the silliness she had not missed, Elizabeth Darcy touched her fingertips to her forehead. Resolving to remain calm, she locked eyes with her sister Mary. With both knowing the truth, a silent nod of solidarity and support allowed them to remain committed to the lies that would save them all.
    “ I am delighted you all love your gifts. Why don’t you take them to your rooms and I’ll go see to my husband. Mary, has dinner been set?”
    Before Mary could open her mouth, Georgiana answered. “My aunt had Kitty and I plan the menu for many weeks. Perhaps tomorrow, we could review the selections in case you or Fitzwilliam have different tastes?” Georgiana beamed with pride at one of the projects the two had accomplished. Anticipating her new sister and her brother’s arrival, she had purposely selected special dishes for last evening’s meal, this evening’s meal, and tomorrow’s evening meal just to be thorough when anticipating their arrival.
    Elizabeth smiled at her new sister and reached a hand out to clasp hers. “How truly kind of both of you. It is one less responsibility on my shoulders. I almost forgot to mention the surprise Fitzwilliam told me as we entered London! In a week, he and I are to visit Hertfordshire to see Mama. Would any of you wish to join us?”
    The awkward silence and squirming of Georgiana and Catherine Bennet seemed peculiar to Elizabeth, but she dismissed it as harmless mischief when the two of them declined, pointedly looking at one another. Let them enjoy their intrigues Elizabeth thought to herself, remembering how difficult that age was to endure. Besides, they had both spent a large portion of their summer months in the county, so she was not surprised to hear them express their wishes to remain in London. Mary, on the other hand, had an answer that perplexed Elizabeth.
    “ I do so miss our home, and our mother, but I fear it would greatly injure and misinform another if I were to leave London at this time.”
    Making a mental note to speak individually with each girl as soon as she may, Elizabeth Darcy wished them all a farewell as they gathered their gifts and she left the parlor to walk towards her husband’s study. She was most satisfied that experiencing the happy occasion of gift giving tempered her anger at the person she next needed to address.
    Opening the door to the study, her presence startled her new aunt but Fitzwilliam did not react. The two of them continued in a heated discussion and Elizabeth heard the names of Mary and Richard just as she opened the door.
    “ Elizabeth, dear, marriage suits you well. You positively light up the house, just as a mistress’s return should.” Lady Matlock approached her new niece to greet her.
    “ I thank you for the compliment, my lady.”
    The icy-toned and formal greeting stopped the Countess of Matlock where she stood. She narrowed her eyes, unsure of why she was given such an unexpected welcome. “Come, come, I thought we dispensed with such formalities long ago.”
    “ I find that my wife employs formal address when she is piqued. And I must admit that I, too, am rather angry at the lax supervision my sisters enjoy with your family.”
    Lady Matlock’s eyes widened as her own anger began to build. “I dedicated the last six months of my life to the Bennet girls and