An Autumn Accord: A Pride and Prejudice Novella Variation (Seasons of Serendipity Book 4) by Elizabeth Ann West Read Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Elizabeth Ann West
aslumber?”
“ I am not titled.”
Graham flashed her a smile. “Respect offered when due. I shall drive into town tomorrow and wondered if you might care to join me?”
Jane’s breath caught in her throat as unhappy memories of racing in Mr. Bingley’s gig returned her fears to the front of her mind. “I’m afraid I am too occupied with house matters, Mr. Graham. Now, if you will excuse me, Robin wakes so dreadfully early.”
The man bowed and stepped back to allow her to pass. She did not know he knew of her past and had promised Darcy not only to protect Jane but also refrain from frightening or offending her. “Another time, perhaps.”
Jane merely lifted her hand in acknowledgment of his words, quickening her pace down the hall to her suite. Once inside, she hastened to bolt the lock and leaned heavily against the door. Sliding down to a crouched position, she wrapped her arms around herself and sobbed. Her maid scurried from the dressing room and clicked her tongue in sympathy.
“ Come, come Miss Jane, I’s has your remedy on your tray.”
“ Rose hips and chamomile?” Jane looked up with her tear stained face, always confirming her nightly cordial.
The maid nodded and helped Jane into her nightdress. Seeing the poor woman in her charge so upset, Millie made a note to tell the nurse to tend to the young lad tonight and not bother her mistress. Mrs. Buchanan had expressly ordered young Millie to keep an eye out for Miss Jane and her stamina.
Tucked into the soft white sheets, Starvet House was slowly becoming more and more a comfort to Jane. The rattle of an autumn gale could be heard through the windows, and Jane sat up to slowly sip her tea to help her sleep.
“ There, there, will there be anything else I be getting ya?” The pale-faced maid asked with her arms full of Jane’s dinner gown that likely smelled sour of baby.
Jane shook her head and replaced her delicate teacup to the silver tray beside her bed. “Have them summon me if the babe wakes.” Her head free of the strain of hair pins, Jane Bennet’s eyes fluttered closed as she forced herself to happily consider how full her life was, not reflect on the feelings of empty loss that dwelled in her heart and threatened every day to take over. For Lydia, she would be strong. For Robin, she would be steady.
♠♠♠
Chapter 5
A number of days after the argument with his aunt, Lady Matlock, Darcy’s heels had more than cooled when his cousin abruptly interrupted his afternoon. Darcy felt slightly amused at Richard’s serendipitous arrival while the ladies were out shopping. Heartily aware of his cousin’s life of military tactics, the master of the house would not be surprised to learn a spy or some other indication had informed Richard of a safe time to visit.
The butler opened the study door and announced the Colonel formally, yet Darcy did not hesitate to set aside his affairs for a moment and warmly greet his favorite family member. The two men shook hands and Darcy offered Richard a drink.
“ I expected to see you much sooner after our return. Has His Majesty’s Army so occupied your time you could not even acknowledge the dinner invitation sent two evenings ago?”
Richard Fitzwilliam opened his mouth in an odd manner to show his displeasure at his cousin’s immediate verbal assault. Snatching the drink from the tray before Darcy could offer it to him by hand, Richard calmly took a deep draft and gazed out the window to the rust and copper colored leaves outside. “I would not aim to bring unpleasant business to your home so swiftly after your long travels.”
“ Unpleasant business? This does sound ominous. Pray, enlighten me with the new challenge I am to solve for my family members. I am all ears.”
Richard turned and watched as Darcy resumed the master’s position behind the desk. He calmly unbuttoned the top three brass fasteners of his coat and allowed himself to take a relaxed seat in his favorite chair
“ I am not titled.”
Graham flashed her a smile. “Respect offered when due. I shall drive into town tomorrow and wondered if you might care to join me?”
Jane’s breath caught in her throat as unhappy memories of racing in Mr. Bingley’s gig returned her fears to the front of her mind. “I’m afraid I am too occupied with house matters, Mr. Graham. Now, if you will excuse me, Robin wakes so dreadfully early.”
The man bowed and stepped back to allow her to pass. She did not know he knew of her past and had promised Darcy not only to protect Jane but also refrain from frightening or offending her. “Another time, perhaps.”
Jane merely lifted her hand in acknowledgment of his words, quickening her pace down the hall to her suite. Once inside, she hastened to bolt the lock and leaned heavily against the door. Sliding down to a crouched position, she wrapped her arms around herself and sobbed. Her maid scurried from the dressing room and clicked her tongue in sympathy.
“ Come, come Miss Jane, I’s has your remedy on your tray.”
“ Rose hips and chamomile?” Jane looked up with her tear stained face, always confirming her nightly cordial.
The maid nodded and helped Jane into her nightdress. Seeing the poor woman in her charge so upset, Millie made a note to tell the nurse to tend to the young lad tonight and not bother her mistress. Mrs. Buchanan had expressly ordered young Millie to keep an eye out for Miss Jane and her stamina.
Tucked into the soft white sheets, Starvet House was slowly becoming more and more a comfort to Jane. The rattle of an autumn gale could be heard through the windows, and Jane sat up to slowly sip her tea to help her sleep.
“ There, there, will there be anything else I be getting ya?” The pale-faced maid asked with her arms full of Jane’s dinner gown that likely smelled sour of baby.
Jane shook her head and replaced her delicate teacup to the silver tray beside her bed. “Have them summon me if the babe wakes.” Her head free of the strain of hair pins, Jane Bennet’s eyes fluttered closed as she forced herself to happily consider how full her life was, not reflect on the feelings of empty loss that dwelled in her heart and threatened every day to take over. For Lydia, she would be strong. For Robin, she would be steady.
♠♠♠
Chapter 5
A number of days after the argument with his aunt, Lady Matlock, Darcy’s heels had more than cooled when his cousin abruptly interrupted his afternoon. Darcy felt slightly amused at Richard’s serendipitous arrival while the ladies were out shopping. Heartily aware of his cousin’s life of military tactics, the master of the house would not be surprised to learn a spy or some other indication had informed Richard of a safe time to visit.
The butler opened the study door and announced the Colonel formally, yet Darcy did not hesitate to set aside his affairs for a moment and warmly greet his favorite family member. The two men shook hands and Darcy offered Richard a drink.
“ I expected to see you much sooner after our return. Has His Majesty’s Army so occupied your time you could not even acknowledge the dinner invitation sent two evenings ago?”
Richard Fitzwilliam opened his mouth in an odd manner to show his displeasure at his cousin’s immediate verbal assault. Snatching the drink from the tray before Darcy could offer it to him by hand, Richard calmly took a deep draft and gazed out the window to the rust and copper colored leaves outside. “I would not aim to bring unpleasant business to your home so swiftly after your long travels.”
“ Unpleasant business? This does sound ominous. Pray, enlighten me with the new challenge I am to solve for my family members. I am all ears.”
Richard turned and watched as Darcy resumed the master’s position behind the desk. He calmly unbuttoned the top three brass fasteners of his coat and allowed himself to take a relaxed seat in his favorite chair
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