Pride, Prejudice & Secrets by C.P. Odom Read Free Book Online

as that .”
    “Oh, Darcy!” Richard gave a snort of derision. “Do you think Miss Bennet will allow you to stand up in company with that silent, cold demeanour of yours and not attempt to convince you to mend your ways? Why, the very things you find most desirable about her — her open and cheerful nature — ought to indicate she will find some way to induce you to change. She is not nearly decadent enough to accept one of those cold marriages of convenience in which both husband and wife call each other ‘Mr. This’ or ‘Mrs. That’ even in the bedroom and look to mistresses and paramours for the love that is missing in their marriages.”
    Darcy nodded unhappily, for he did not like that aspect of their society any more than did his cousin, but whether the colonel was correct about what Elizabeth would do would have to wait upon the future.
    “Maybe you are right, Richard,” he said, not wishing to openly admit the possible accuracy of his cousin’s assessment, which only made Richard’s smile grow. “But we should plan our departure. I would like to be off before the sun is fully over the horizon in the morning.”
    “The best retreats are usually conducted under cover of darkness,” Richard said cheerfully.
    “Possibly so, but, though she is furious with me, I doubt our aunt will order the servants to fire on our coach. And, as you know, travelling at night tends to attract highwaymen.”
    “Not the way you arm your footmen. Every miscreant in the kingdom likely has been warned to avoid the Darcy coach.”
    “Perhaps.” Darcy smiled grimly. “But being prepared does not mean I desire such a confrontation. Now, I shall have Jennings get packed, and I shall even have him roust Sergeant Henderson from the scullery maid’s bedchamber…”
    “That was last week, Darce. She threw him out, and he has ingratiated himself with a pair of downstairs maids — sisters.”
    “Good Lord, Richard! The man must have offspring throughout the country!”
    “Possibly.” Richard gave an expressive shrug. “But I have always noticed that those troopers who do not take advantage of every willing female they can talk into the straw are usually worthless on the battlefield. And Henderson has proven quite useful on many occasions. Yes, have Jennings roust him out.”
    “And perhaps he can deliver a couple of notes to the Parsonage. I need to inform Mrs. Collins of our departure and leave a note for Elizabeth. I want to call on her father tomorrow afternoon after our return to London.”
    “You are anxious!” Richard’s tone was dry, but he held up his hands in defence as Darcy opened his mouth. “Never mind, never mind. There is the table, Darce. Write your notes and think of the future with your Miss Elizabeth.”
    “Perhaps you will one day stumble across a lady as fetching as Elizabeth…”
    “…who is also in possession of a modest fortune, since I am, of course, a younger son, and…”
    “Of course, of course. In the meantime, I suppose you will have to find solace in the company of that actress…”
    “Old news, Cousin, old news. Miss Hampstead threw me over in favour of a baronet; she has aspirations of being addressed as ‘my lady.’ My status as a younger son of an earl would not allow her to achieve that dream.”
    “Too bad, too bad. You should look in other locales, I think.”
    “Hertfordshire? Does your Miss Elizabeth know any relatively young widows possessed of a modest fortune?”
    “I shall ask, once she recovers.” Darcy rang for his valet and pulled out stationery. “You can always marry her sister, live with her at Matlock, and depend on the charity of your parents. I can affirm she is quite handsome and possessed of a very sweet disposition. Had I not intervened, she likely would have married Bingley by now, despite her indifference. Her mother would have demanded she accept him, for she is desperate to find a rich husband for at least one of her daughters.”
    “And now she