Mr. Darcy's Daughter by Rebecca Ann Collins Read Free Book Online Page A

secret.
    When
their visitor arrived, he was ushered in and introduced to Richard and
Cassandra by Julian as "our friend, Mr. Barrett" and to Mrs. Tate,
who was effusively pleased to meet him.
    Mr.
Barrett was neither handsome nor very tall, nor was he particularly elegant in
dress and manners, affecting the somewhat informal attire that was fashionable
with writers and the like. Indeed, he seemed a very ordinary sort of gentleman,
until he spoke. Cassy noticed then that his voice, which was quiet and well
modulated, had a most genteel accent and a warm, intimate quality. It was what
some people called "a cultured voice." Very suitable for reading
poetry, Cassy thought. When they were introduced, he had bowed to her and Mrs.
Tate, then kissed Josie's hand as she sat on the sofa in front of the fire,
presenting her with a little book bound in green leather. He said something to
her quietly, as he handed it over, which made her smile. Cassy did not hear his
words; clearly she was not meant to, nor was anyone other than Josie, who
managed a very acceptable smile and said, "Thank you very much indeed, Mr.
Barrett."
    Julian
and Josie had both greeted him cordially and welcomed him to their home and Mr.
Barrett was determined to please them all.
    At
dinner, although she ate very little, Josie sat at table, listened carefully,
spoke quietly, and even managed to ask their guest a question or two, which he
answered with great attention and courtesy. Mr. Barrett, who sat between her
and her mother, maintained a conversation with both mother and daughter
throughout the meal, turning frequently from one to the other, as if to
ascertain if they had been satisfied with his remarks. Richard said later that
you could see the man was in business, so well did he apply himself to the
business of making a good impression upon the people he met.
    Richard
concentrated his attention upon Julian, with whom he spent most of the evening,
while Cassy observed the rest of the party.
    Once
they moved back into the parlour--for the house had no real drawing room--tea
and coffee were served and Josie, assisted by her mother, managed very well,
Cassy thought. Later, Mrs. Tate excused herself and went upstairs, but Josie
appeared not to tire at all.
    It
was late when Mr. Barrett took his leave, and Josie almost immediately decided
that she was tired and would like to retire. Susan was sent for to assist her.
An attentive husband shepherded her to the stairs before returning to his
guests.
    Taking
the opportunity of being alone with him, Richard spoke gently,
    "Now,
Julian, Josie appears to have made an excellent start; it is you who must make
her feel that it is worth going on and making a complete recovery. There must
be no sliding back. You must do all you can," he advised, and extracting a
promise that Julian would keep them informed of her progress, they returned to
their lodgings for the night. Their earlier feelings of frustration had been
replaced by relief and a fair degree of bewilderment, as well, for they could
find little to account for Josie's rapid recovery.
    Two
days later, finding no sign of any retardation in Josie's progress and on
hearing only good news from her mother and husband, Cassy and Richard left for
home, leaving Mrs. Tate to continue the good work and watch over her daughter
and her rather chaotic household.
    When
they saw Josie and Julian for the last time before their departure, Cassy
promised to send young Lizzie to them in the Summer, and while Josie did not
seem very enthusiastic, both she and Julian declared they would look forward to
her visit.
    "It
will do us all good to have a bright young person around," said Julian.
    Josie
agreed and sent her love to Lizzie and the rest of their family.
    *
    Returning
to Pemberley, bringing what they deemed to be a satisfactory report of Josie's
condition, they were to discover that there was already plenty of good news
around. The Sutton children had been found and restored to their