Free Mr. Darcy's Daughter by Rebecca Ann Collins

the last rise in the road before it
ran out in a wide sweeping meadow, cradled in a deep bend in the river and
overlooked by an arc of rugged hills, rising high above the property. It was
both picturesque and secure, allowing only one way in, with the foothills of
the Peak District forming one natural boundary and the River Wye another. They
stopped and climbed out to survey the prospect.
    Both
Darcy and Richard could sense that Carr was impressed. He said nothing, but
while his silence implied that he was at a loss for words, his countenance
proclaimed that he was well pleased with what he saw.
    The
land was both fair and productive, the fields well tended, the river-banks
thick with flowers. The house, an old but solid early Georgian building, stood
on rising land backed by its own woods, and beyond the orchard lay the paddocks
and stables of the Rushmore stud.
    Will
Camden had ridden down to meet them at the farm gate. When Richard introduced
them, it was easy to see that the two men were keen to assess one another, but
as Mr. Carr held out his hand and said, "Mr. Camden, I am astonished that
any man who has spent his life in this place would be willing to part with
it," it was clear that Will Camden was already won over.
    An
hour and a half later, after they had walked over much of the grounds and
inspected the stud and the house, it was clear Mr. Carr's intentions were
fixed. He could find nothing to say that was not good and nowhere to look which
he did not admire. So determined was he to secure the place that he insisted
they talk business immediately rather than wait to meet another day.
    Richard
left Darcy with them, as they negotiated their way through the transaction, and
made for home.
    When
Cassy met him at the foot of the stairs, he embraced her fondly and said,
"Well, my dear, you have your wish and Mr. Carr has his property, I
think,"
    and
seeing the look of astonishment upon her face as she stood before him, a hand
to her open mouth, her eyes wide like a child's, he added, "Unless
something goes very wrong with the negotiations, it seems that Will Camden has
a buyer for Rushmore Farm and Stud."
    "But
so soon? Did he not want to see any other properties?" she asked, almost
disbelieving it had all happened so quickly.
    "Not
after he saw the property, walked around the house, inspected the stud, and
patted the horses. He claimed it was just what he wanted, and if I am not
mistaken, he will pay an excellent price for it, too. So, my darling, you were
quite right; it is a happy transaction that satisfies everyone, and I think I
deserve a reward for my part in it," he said as he took her upstairs,
presumably to make good his claim.
    *
    Meanwhile,
Lizzie and Laura Ann had gone down to the village with Laura's governess, Miss
Fenton, and on their way back were happily overtaken by Darcy and Mr. Carr in
the curricle. Miss Fenton had broken the heel of her shoe and was walking
awkwardly and, because there was no room for all of them in the vehicle, Mr.
Carr gallantly leapt out and helped her in. He then lifted little Laura in,
too, claiming they were both small enough to fit into his place and, as they
drove on, offered his arm to Lizzie. She took it gratefully, for the road had
been steep and she was tired from supporting Miss Fenton.
    When
they reached the house, they found that everyone had disappeared upstairs. Mr.
Carr went into the parlour and Lizzie, doing her duty as hostess, asked if he
would like some tea.
    "I
would indeed," he replied and as she went to order it, he stoked up the
fire. By the time she returned with the maid bringing tea and muffins, he had
got a good blaze going. Lizzie dispensed the tea and toasted muffins oneself-consciously,
totally at ease in her own home. Mr. Carr was so completely satisfied with his
day's work, he seemed to want little more than to relax in silence, while
Lizzie sat watching the pictures in the fire. So they remained until the
servants came in to light the