Free Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice by Linda Wells Page A

want you to know that he was kind.”  She touched her belly and sighed.  
    “I am relieved to know that, and I am so glad to hear you thinking things through.  Your description of how you were reminds me of my sister, Lydia.”  Elizabeth looked at the clock again.  “And she is probably sneaking cups of punch by now.” 
    “I missed my brother’s wedding . . . and . . . well although I really was not terribly happy for him on his wedding day . . .”  Georgiana found Elizabeth’s gaze fixed on her, “ . . . I think that what is important is knowing my sister now, and how happy he is.”  
    “Thank you, Georgiana.”  Elizabeth hugged her.  “I think so, too.  I am just a little sad today.” 
    “I know.”  She sat up and listened.  “Oh . . . did you hear something?  Is there another visitor?” 
    Elizabeth went to the window and looked.  “There is no carriage.  I think that I will just go down and see how he is doing.”
    “I thought that I remember him complaining about you not letting him sit with you when all of the ladies were visiting at Darcy House?”  Georgiana smiled and Elizabeth stopped smoothing her dress to look at her thoughtfully.
    “He did.”  Elizabeth looked into the mirror and patted her hair.  “But the rules are different for me.” 
     
    DARCY HEARD THE FAMILIAR pattern of the knock on the study door and inwardly sighed with relief.  It is about time, Lizzy!   Clearing his throat, he called, “Come in.”
    “Pardon me, Mr. Darcy, I do not mean to interrupt . . .” Elizabeth stepped inside and immediately the men all stood and bowed.  “Good morning, gentlemen.”
    “Good morning,” Was uttered en masse with a decided Scottish burr.  Darcy’s Derbyshire drawl would have been lost if his voice was not so deep. 
    “Dearest, these are gentlemen from the Kelly family, who own the estate just beyond our west gate.  Mr. Robert Kelly, Senior, Mr. Robert Kelly, Junior, and Mr. Stephen Kelly.  Gentlemen, my dear wife Elizabeth.” 
    “It is a pleasure; I did not wish to interrupt.  It is so nice to be meeting all of the neighbours . . .”
    “Now then Mrs. Darcy, do not put on a pleased face with us, we know now that we are interrupting a honeymoon.”  Mr. Kelly smiled.  “If we had known that, we would have stayed well away from your doorstep, but my wife was curious and when she gets a bee in her bonnet, it is best to satisfy her.” 
    Elizabeth laughed and taking the chair that Darcy drew forward for her, the three guests took their seats.  Darcy remained standing with his hand on her shoulder.  “And what made her curious?  Was it our trip into Castle Douglas, perhaps?”
    “Did you go into town?”  Stephen said with a grin.  “I knew nothing of it!”
    “I am proud to say that my mother had a theory about the activity here with the news of the joint being ordered, so she is well ahead of the others.”  Robert laughed.  “She was concerned to know what sort of women were here.  She is always looking out for wives for us.”  He winked at his father. 
    “She sounds like my mother.”  Elizabeth looked up at Darcy.  “Too bad that my eldest sister is marrying today, even as we speak, I believe.”  He took her hand and squeezed.  She looked back to the men.  “I have two younger sisters, but I am afraid that they are too young for you.”
    “How young?”  Stephen asked.
    “Too young.”  Darcy said quietly.
    “Ahhh, good for you, delicate things they must be for you to be so protective.  I daresay your sister can take care of all comers.”  Mr. Kelly addressed his eldest.
    “With her tongue nobody is coming to court her.  And she will be a spinster if she doesn’t stop being so picky.”
    Elizabeth refrained from rolling her eyes.  “It seems to me, gentlemen, your mother would be more interested in seeing if there were any men in want of a wife in our midst.”
    “One of good fortune and breeding.”