Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley by Sharon Lathan Read Free Book Online Page B

recitations regarding the matrimonial victories of her eldest daughters.
    At the butcher's shop, Lizzy bought a turkey and haunch of beef for that night's dinner to be hosted at Longbourn. The butcher, Mr. Trask, was a jovial man who was a friend to Mr. Bennet and thus well known to Lizzy.
    "Miss Elizabeth, how wonderful to see you! Yes, yes, I know it is Mrs. Darcy now," he boomed with a stout laugh, "but you shall forever be little Miss Lizzy to me."
    Elizabeth smiled warmly. "For you I will allow it, Mr. Trask. How is your wife, sir? Still putting up with you, or has she finally come to her senses and run away?"
    Trask laughed, slapping his knee. "I see married life has not tamed that wit of yours, Miss Elizabeth! Well done! Your poor husband, to be saddled with such a wench!"
    Lizzy assumed a mournful face. "Yes, it is a tragic affair. It is merely a matter of time ere a cell at Bedlam will be his home."
    The bantering went on for a bit more, interrupted by the entrance of Trask's son, Reynaud, the recipient of eighteen-year-old Lizzy's crush. She smiled inwardly, blushingly remembering her and Darcy's confessions of first loves and the pleasant aftermath in his study. She laughed at the past now, tremendously thankful that Reynaud had ignored her then. He glanced at her briefly and then returned for an open-mouthed stare.
    "Son, you remembered Miss Elizabeth Bennet surely. Quit gaping and say hello, only be sure to address her as Mrs. Darcy or she may bite off your head!"
    "Mrs. Darcy. It is nice to see you again."
    "Thank you, Mr. Trask. Are you well?"
    "Quite well, thank you. How do you find... Derbyshire, was it not?"
    "Correct. It is beautiful. Colder than here in the winter, with more snow, but so lovely. I understand you married recently to the former Miss Traverston." The pleasantries continued for a bit, Trask the elder interrupting frequently to match wits with Lizzy.
    Exiting the shop, Lizzy was in high spirits as they turned to proceed down the lane. It was a beautiful day, warm but not uncomfortably so, a light breeze cooling to the skin. Nonetheless, Lizzy suddenly experienced a rush of heat flow through her. She fanned herself vigorously to no avail, the flush increasing, and she grasped at Jane's arm frantically as her head began to swim alarmingly and her knees to buckle.
    "Jane, I must sit down!" Luckily, there was a bench a few feet away, though Lizzy was barely sitting before faintness consumed and her world turned black. Jane efficiently took charge, sending Kitty into the nearest shop, the haberdashery, for water. Georgiana hastily assumed the task of fanning her sister-in-law, while Mary left to call for the carriage. Mrs. Bennet sat next to her daughter, dithering and chattering, but confidently and correctly announcing that the swoon was a classic symptom of pregnancy.
    "Oh, yes! My nerves were horrible when I was with child. I fainted dead away more times than I can remember! Why, once I was in church and..."
    Georgiana worriedly interrupted, "Perhaps we should alert my brother? He is only down the street a ways."
    "No," Lizzy spoke weakly, "I do not wish to disturb his entertainment. This is perfectly normal, as Mama said." Kitty returned with a glass of cool water, and Jane drenched her handkerchief to daub on Lizzy's forehead then insisted she drink the rest.
    Georgiana was not convinced. "Elizabeth, he will be angry that we did not inform him. You know how he is!"
    Lizzy snorted, "Oh, yes, Georgie. I know how he is! Never you mind, dearest. I will inform him, simply later instead of now, and will accept the wrath as it comes. I can deal with William."
    When the slightly tipsy and high-spirited Darcy and Bingley returned to Netherfield, barely in time to change before needing to leave for Longbourn, they discovered Jane, Georgiana, and Mary dressed and reposing in the parlor. Darcy naturally swept the room for his wife, turning his questioning gaze to Jane.
    "Is Elizabeth yet upstairs?" he