Free The Trouble With Horses: A Pride & Prejudice Novella Variation by Elizabeth Ann West Page B

attention to in years. After all, he owed Darcy a comeuppance.
     
    ~~~ ♥~~~♥~~~
     
    Netherfield Park was illuminated with torches for a full mile from the drive to the grand staircase entrance and Darcy was finishing his preparations as his older cousin barged into his room.
    Without so much as a word, Richard helped himself to a glass of Darcy's personal brandy and found a comfortable seat by the fire.
    “A toast! To never needing to worry about the color of my dress coat!” Richard grinned devilishly as he drank more of the spirits and Darcy scowled at him in the mirror.
    Darcy fastened his cufflinks and poured himself a glass as well.
    “You won't be so smart when you are sought after as the son of an earl.”
    “Second son of an earl. Far too low, even for these mamas.”
    Darcy shook his head. He could think of one particular mother who would have no qualms at all about throwing her daughters into the arms of an army colonel, earl's son or not! “I think you underestimate the perceived value of the military in this neighborhood.”
    Richard shrugged as a petite hand knocked on the door and Georgiana Darcy stood very demurely in a gown of all white. Both gentlemen stood up and bowed as she curtsied and giggled and Darcy had to catch his breath. His sister was a grown woman before him, and all he could think of was the small, knock-kneed little girl who begged him to give her ride after ride on her pony.
    “Georgie, you look splendid!” Richard was the first to approach his cousin and kiss her hand.
    Frowning, Darcy realized the number of militia men who would be in attendance, though not a particular one he had managed to manipulate into running an errand to London, he offered his arm to his sister.
    “Don't worry Brother, I shall not dance and simply observe this evening.” She tried to break through his frozen facade with a smile and was rewarded with a view of his usually disguised dimples.
    “I'm sorry Georgiana, this is more difficult for me than I imagined. But better a ball in the countryside for your first exposure to the marriage market than the drawing rooms of Lady Sefton.”
    Together, the orphaned siblings of Pemberley descended the stairs as the receiving line came to a close. Happy his cousin and sister had arrived, Darcy was able to forgo the first set with Caroline Bingley as his cousin, the second son of an earl, took precedence over himself as a lowly, though wealthy, gentleman.
    Darcy escorted Georgiana close to Miss Charlotte Lucas and made the introduction hoping to see Elizabeth nearby. As Miss Lucas conducted the heavy lifting in the conversation with Georgiana, she interrupted Darcy's not-so-subtle inspection of the ballroom.
    “She won't be attending tonight.” Charlotte whispered as Lady Lucas had happily taken over amusement of Georgiana and introduced her other daughter Maria.
    Giving Miss Lucas a furtive glance, Darcy pretended to not know who she was talking about.
    “Miss Elizabeth. Her father sent her to London because of the gossip swirling around about you two.”
    Panic-stricken, Mr. Darcy paled as he listened quietly to the horrific rumors that were circulating about him and Miss Elizabeth. He took great pride in always behaving as a gentleman and now the one woman of true wit and kindness he had ever met was a victim of society's biting tongue. It would not do, not do at all.
    Checking that his sister was in safe hands with the Lucas women who as a lowly titled family were already planning calls on Georgiana in London, Darcy offered to escort Miss Lucas to the punch bowl where he could see Mr. Bennet merrily drinking and observing his neighbors. He couldn't very well march over to the man with the entire county watching his every move.
    As the two made their way, Mr. Darcy was stopped in his tracks by a short, greasy looking man who bowed ridiculously low and spoke with too large a volume.
    “Mr. Darcy! May I humbly pay my deepest respects to your honorable person?