Free A Death at Rosings: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Renata McMann, Summer Hanford Page A

strong backbone to run Rosings. He just hoped they weren’t helping her become another Lady Catherine.
    They quickly caught up to Anne and the three of them paraded into the front parlor, where Mr. Hayes and the strongbox were waiting. He handed Anne the key she’d given Mr. Greyson and she used another key to open the strongbox.
    The room was exceedingly formal, even the least expensive items of décor worth more than many men could hope to earn with years of labor. It was also dark, stuffy, garish, and Darcy’s least favorite room in Rosings.
    Anne crossed to the stiff red settee boasting yards of golden fringe that was centered in the room. She settled herself on it, adjusted her shawl, and looked up at him and Elizabeth before turning to Mr. Hayes. “Please sit to my right, Mr. Hayes. I leave it to you to count out each amount correctly before passing it to me to bestow.”
    “Yes, miss,” Mr. Hayes said, bobbing a bow. “A magnificent plan. A splendid idea.”
    Anne nodded as she turned back to Darcy. “Darcy, please sit to my left. Do your best to look as you normally do; aloof and imposing.”
    Darcy raised his eyebrows but crossed to take the indicated chair. It was outlandishly uncomfortable, something he knew from experience. The high back was so straight it seemed almost to lean inward into a man’s spine, and the red and gold striped cushion was so stiff he’d often wondered if it was down-stuffed or simply covered-over wood.
    Anne glanced at Elizabeth but didn’t say anything.
    Elizabeth said, “Do you want me to keep a record of who received how much money or would you prefer for Mr. Hayes to do it as he counts out the money?”
    Anne’s expression became uncertain. She looked from Elizabeth to Darcy.
    “I was planning to do it,” Mr. Hayes said, gesturing to an account book on the table.
    “Seated where you are?” Darcy asked.
    “I will stand up and make a note of it,” Mr. Hayes said.
    Everyone looked at Anne. “Arrange things so that they will be done more efficiently,” she said, her tone once again commanding.
    Darcy agreed with her choice. Although Mr. Hayes was being paid to help, there was no point in him standing up and sitting down for every servant. They rearranged the seating so that Darcy, Elizabeth, and Mr. Hayes sat at a large table with the account book and the strongbox on it. Mr. Hayes was seated closest to Anne so that he could hand her the bequests. Darcy was relieved that the chairs the servants brought were considerably more comfortable than the one Anne had first directed him to.
    Once they were seated, Mr. Greyson stepped into the doorway. “Many of the servants are already here, miss. We’ve sent for the farm workers.”
    “Thank you, Greyson. Please begin showing them in. I’m sure the others will arrive before we’re done.”
    “Yes, miss.”
    A line of maids and footmen began to file in. Mr. Greyson introduced each servant. Darcy read the amount from the account book and Mr. Hayes looked at it, saying, ‘confirmed’ with each amount. Elizabeth wrote the name of the person receiving the money on a receipt, giving it to Darcy to fill in the amount. Mr. Hayes then counted out the amount. Those who could sign the receipts did so. The others made their mark, which Darcy, Elizabeth, and Mr. Hayes witnessed.
    As Anne handed out the bequests, Elizabeth would ask each beneficiary if they intended to stay. Most of them said they did not. Darcy could feel Anne growing more nervous as the afternoon wore on, a feeling he shared.
    At one point, as Elizabeth handed him a receipt, her gaze met his. Darcy was struck by how bright her eyes were, his look lingering on hers. A beguiling flush brightened her cheeks. He wished that flush had something to do with him, but felt it rather more likely it had to do with her concern over the problem Anne was creating. After that silent exchange, if exchange it was, they both kept their eyes on the business at hand.
    “A moment,”