Darcy and Elizabeth What If? Collection 3 by Jennifer Lang Read Free Book Online

in attendance. The fire should be lit and there should be some sign of occupation – bottles of medicines on the sideboard, a jug of water on the table, all the paraphernalia of the sickroom.
    But there was nothing.
    Mr Darcy lit the candles himself and examined the room more closely. The bed had not been slept in. The fire had not recently been lit. The room had not been inhabited for some time.
    It has happened again , he thought, with hope and puzzlement mixing in his breast.
    He went out on to the landing, where he saw one of the maids already at work, dusting the staircase. She looked shocked to see him up so early.
    ‘Tell me, what day is it?’ she asked.
    ‘Monday, Sir,’ she said in surprise.
    Monday. Then it was February 13 th again.
    ‘Thank God,’ he said, sitting down on one of the chairs that lined the landing and putting his head in his hands.
    He did not know if it was baked cheese or a fever or some other cause, nor did he care. All he cared about was that, somehow, the day had miraculously reset itself, and he had a chance to live it over again. He was not responsible for sending his friend to an accident – and possibly to his death. Bingley was alive and well.
    I must tell Elizabeth , he thought.
    But then he realised that he could never tell her, since she would not know it had ever happened. And that was the way it must be. He would not distress her for anything by telling her about it. She would never know how close she came to losing her future brother-in-law. For Mr Darcy was determined to reunite his friend with Miss Jane Bennet. But this time he would choose another way to do it. One which would not have such disastrous consequences.
     
    Although it was still very early, Mr Darcy knew he would not sleep if he went back to bed and so he ordered his valet to bring him some breakfast in his room and then he set out for London. Once he arrived in London, he went to the house the Bingleys had rented and there he found Mr Bingley, just about to set out for Kent.
    ‘Darcy! This is a surprise. I did not expect to see you in town,’ said Mr Bingley.
    Mr Darcy rejoiced to see his friend looking so fit and well.
    ‘I had some business to attend to so I thought I would come early and call in on Georgiana,’ said Mr Darcy.
    ‘Your sister grows more accomplished every day,’ said Mr Bingley appreciatively. ‘I have here a painting which she asked me to deliver to Lady Catherine but I see I will not need to do so now.’
    ‘No. I can take it down to Kent,’ said Mr Darcy. ‘Bingley, there is something I need to tell you . . . ’
    He spoke of Miss Jane Bennet and said he had been wrong to think her indifferent.
    ‘But how do you know?’ asked Mr Bingley, delight mixing with surprise.
    ‘I am not at liberty to say, but I am sure I am right,’ said Mr Darcy.
    Mr Bingley needed no more. He confessed that he was in love with Miss Bennet and ordered his carriage.
    Less than half an hour later, he set out for Longbourn with a smile on his face.
    Feeling satisfied that he had done his duty by his friend, Mr Darcy went to Darcy House, where he found his sister playing the pianoforte. His cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, who was also Georgiana’s joint guardian with Mr Darcy, was listening to her performance appreciatively.
    ‘Well done,’ he said, when she had finished.
    ‘Yes, well done indeed,’ said Mr Darcy.
    ‘Fitzwilliam!’ exclaimed Georgiana in delight, jumping up from the piano stool and running over to greet him. ‘I did not know you were coming to town today.’
    She was a tall and graceful young lady of sixteen summers. In her white muslin gown she looked elegant and refined. Her dark hair was swept up in a bun and it revealed her classical features. Mr Darcy was very proud of her.
    ‘I thought I would surprise you,’ he said with a warm smile.
    ‘I am very glad you did. I have just finished a painting for Aunt Catherine.’
    She showed it to him and he admired the brush strokes and