Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) by Linda Wells Read Free Book Online Page B

care? Shaking Elizabeth out of his head he closed his journal and went back to work until an hour later when Mrs. Reynolds appeared at the doorway, her lips pursed tightly.  
    “Sir, the staff is enjoying its day of feasting and would like to thank you for allowing them the time to themselves and their families.”  She added pointedly, “I have sent tea in to the music room for you and Miss Darcy.”
    He set down his pen and he smiled at this mother hen.  “Yes, I have been too long in joining her.  Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds.”  Rising, he walked down the hallway, and hearing Georgiana playing his birthday song, walked a little faster.  She had mastered it months ago, and would be an exceptional performer one day.
    Darcy clapped and smiled when she finished.  “Excellent dear, truly excellent!”  She stood and he opened his arms to give her a hug.  “Please forgive my tardiness.”
    “You work too hard.”  She said softly into his waistcoat.  “Why do you work all of the time?  Even today?  Reverend Repair would be unhappy with you.”
    “He would at that.”  He smiled and ruffled her hair.  They sat down and he watched as she very carefully poured out the tea, obviously this was a recent lesson.  “I am only trying to fulfil our father’s request of me.”
    “What did he ask you to do?”
    “He asked me to remember that I am a Darcy.”  He saw her confusion.  “We must be very proud of our family, Georgiana.  Our family has been here for nearly eight hundred years, which is as good as royalty.”  He lifted his chin.  “You and I have a great deal of history on our shoulders.  Our ancestors are watching us to make sure that we do not bring shame to our name.  So my position is to work hard and yours is . . .”
    “To become very accomplished?” 
    He nodded and regarded her seriously.  “Yes.  We must both do our duty.  Now, shall I read to you?”
    She looked at him doubtfully.  “Will it be something happy or will it be a history book?”
    Darcy smiled a little.  “Very well, I hear you.  No more history tonight.  I will read whatever you like.” She jumped up and laughed, running to get her book and he called after her, “but Georgiana, please, no novels!”   
     
    “COME IN MY DEAR, come in.”  Mr. Bennet put down his paper and smiled to see Elizabeth peeking in the doorway.  “What tears you away from the merry making?”  He noticed her journal in her hand and guessed that she had taken a moment to chronicle the events of Christmas Day.
    “Oh Papa, there is only so much noise one can take in an evening.”  She smiled and he chuckled as she settled down in her favourite chair to keep him company. 
    “I understand entirely hence my seclusion here, but why would you wish to miss this time with your aunt and uncle?  You seem to enjoy your visits with them.”  He raised his brows and stirred from his desk chair to sit across from her, and waved to begin their nightly chess match.
    Elizabeth moved and he quickly countered, sitting back to watch as she deliberated.  “I do enjoy my visits with them, very much.  It is educational.”  She glanced up and moved her bishop.
    He responded and relaxed.  “Educational?  Interesting term to choose.  And what can you learn in London that you do not see here?  People are people wherever they are.  They may have different homes or clothes or occupations, but the personalities are the same.”
    Elizabeth moved and he took her queen almost instantly.  She glared at him and he shrugged.  “But are not those people influenced by their circumstances, giving us an endless variety to examine?”
    “I suppose that is true.”  He chuckled to see her hopeless attempt to anticipate his strike and looked at her with a raised brow.  “Check.”
    “I give up.”  She sat back and sighed.
    “No dear Lizzy, you must never give up.  Tenacity is an excellent quality to possess.”
    “Mama would call it