Mr. Darcy's Dream by Elizabeth Aston Read Free Book Online Page A

first step to liking someone.”
    Louisa laughed. “That is a rebuke indeed! I hope I feel compassion for those of my fellow beings who are in situations where they are not happy.”
    â€œYou may feel all the compassion you want, but I still hold that there is something about Miss Verney that puts me on myguard. We are not to quarrel over it, let us talk about something else, the weather, or Miniver’s sulks at having to leave town.” Miniver, who had stalked into the sitting room, gave a loud sniff at these words, and told them that their luncheon was laid out in the small dining room.
    Phoebe tried not to dwell on what Louisa had said. It wasn’t true, she didn’t dislike everyone, just those people who were boors or fools or laughed too loudly, or danced clumsily or told the same jokes over and over again, or assumed that because they belonged to the male sex, they were naturally and inevitably right in any dispute or argument. And hypocrites and those who were wantonly cruel or malicious. And rakes.
    That brought her to her senses, and she forced herself to think clearly about her reaction to Miss Verney. It wasn’t a simple dislike, it was just that it was uncomfortable to be in the company of a person such as Miss Verney, who wore her dissatisfaction so clearly on her face and in her words.
    A voice whispered in Phoebe’s head, a voice she often heard, but was quick to suppress: “And how dissatisfied would you be, were you to be forced to earn your bread as a governess, when you came from a family of some gentility, who had previously had fortune and position and now had none?”
    Phoebe’s was a just nature, and she had to give this argument some weight. All the same, there was something untrustworthy about Miss Verney. If she were not mistaken, she was the kind of young woman who brought trouble to those who crossed her path.
    Chapter Six
    After lunch, although heavy clouds threatened further downpours it was not actually raining, and Phoebe suggested they take advantage of the break in the weather to venture outside. A walk to stretch Louisa’s legs after the hours in the carriage would be welcome, she was sure, “And it means that you will be able to escape Betsy for an hour or so.”
    They went out of the French windows which led from the small downstairs drawing-room into a small, circular conservatory, fragrant with the scent of jasmine. From there, they went down some steps and into the cold, damp air of the gardens.
    Phoebe turned left, as Louisa knew she would.
    â€œI thought we might call in at the stables just for a moment,” Phoebe said, when taxed with this.
    â€œI know your equine moments, and if you fall into a discussion with Mr. Jessop as to the points and merits of some horse that Mr. Darcy has bred, then I shall abandon you.”
    Phoebe laughed, and said she would do no such thing.
    The stables were a short way beyond the house, through a handsome arch with a large clock that struck three as they went into the cobbled yard. Mr. Jessop, who was Mr. Darcy’shead groom at Pemberley, was there, inspecting the shoe of a handsome grey gelding. Phoebe greeted him as an old friend and ran a hand down the horse’s gleaming dappled neck.
    â€œHe’s new, isn’t he?”
    â€œHe’s one of a matched pair of carriage horses that Mr. Darcy has had sent up from London. They’re young and need more work and to learn their manners before he’ll trust them to London streets. You looking to take a horse out, Miss Phoebe? Not that you’re dressed for riding, but if you’re planning to, just let me know and I’ll send one of the grooms out with you.”
    Phoebe laughed. This was an old point of friction between her and Mr. Jessop. She preferred to take a horse out on her own, and dispense with the groom. Jessop, of a previous generation, considered it unsuitable that any young lady should ride out alone, even