The Second Mrs Darcy by Elizabeth Aston Read Free Book Online Page A

lawyers to see—”
    â€œOh, as to that, you are not to be dealing with lawyers, I shall arrange all that,” said Arthur.
    â€œNo,” said Octavia. “I will not authorise you to act on my behalf, indeed, I shall write to the lawyers and say quite clearly that they are to deal with no one but myself. And don’t puff up like that, Arthur. I am of age, well past my majority, as you all remind me, a married woman, and more than capable of seeing a lawyer, any number of lawyers.”
    â€œHoity-toity,” said Arthur. “You may write to them—who are they, by the way?—and tell them to call at Lothian Street. Of course you cannot see them by yourself, it is out of the question, quite improper, in fact. Theodosia will tell me when the man is to call, and I shall make myself available.”
    There was no point in arguing with Arthur, he never took any notice of any view that was not his own, and considered that nothing Octavia said was worth listening to. She would counter his interference with cunning, it was the only way.
    That settled to his satisfaction, he took his leave, his sister Augusta staying behind to support Theodosia in her attack on Octavia for showing herself, yet again, to be the most obstinate, unnatural creature in the world.
    â€œI wish the Ackworths joy of you,” were Augusta’s parting words.“And I hope they talk some sense into you, so that we see an improvement when you return to London.”
    To the best of Octavia’s recollection, she had never met the Ackworths, who were her cousins on her father’s side of the family. Perhaps she had done so when she was an infant, when her father was still alive, but Augusta’s assurance that they were sensible people and her confidence that they would be in agreement with the rest of the Melburys made her fear the worst.

Chapter Five
    The next morning Octavia received an early visitor. She was still in bed, drinking a bowl of thick hot chocolate while Alice bustled about laying out her clothes for the day. Her visitor was a lively young woman, with a head of dark curls, roguish brown eyes, and a determined little chin.
    â€œDo you remember me?” she said, swirling into the room and perching herself on Octavia’s bed. “I’m your niece, Penelope.”
    â€œHeavens,” said Octavia, looking at the modish young lady. The last time she had seen Penelope was when she was a baby.
    â€œWhen you were in London doing the season, I was away in the countryside at a stuffy old boarding school,” said Penelope. “I’m eighteen now, and this year is my come-out, did Mama tell you?”
    Theodosia had mentioned it, saying that it was going to be a busy season for her and Augusta, with daughters to bring out. Where was Penelope? Octavia had enquired, to be told that she was paying a brief visit to the country, staying with Lord and Lady Osterby, in fact, whose daughter was Penelope’s friend. And now here she was, very grown up and assured.
    â€œLady Adderley’s daughter Louisa is coming out as well, is she not?”
    Penelope frowned. “Yes. It’s a pity, since she is a great bore, apart from being so very beautiful, which I am not. That annoys Mama,although not Papa”—her face lit up—“who says he likes me just as I am, and so will any man of discernment and sense. Only,” she added, “I’m not sure I want to marry a man of discernment and sense. Your husband was a naval officer, was not he? It must be so exciting to go to sea!”
    â€œYes, however I never did so, except to and fro across the ocean to India on East India Company vessels, which is not quite the same.”
    â€œI am sorry you lost Captain Darcy,” said Penelope, suddenly serious. “And when you had been married only two or three years, Mama said, and hardly seeing him all that while; that is the disadvantage of being married to a naval man, of