Free Mr. Darcy's Bite by Mary Lydon Simonsen Page A

is a beautiful day.”
    Anne interjected herself between the two staring siblings. “It is true that it is not the prettiest of days, but it will do for a walk. Georgiana, will you accompany me?”
    â€œNo, she will not,” Darcy said in a firm voice. “Anne, you are not going outside. You will catch a chill, and then your mother will have been right about how ill advised it was for you to come to Pemberley in the autumn.”
    â€œSo that is your concern? Not my health, but my mother and her opinions and which of you was right? Very well, we shall remain indoors and go to the conservatory.”
    â€œYou know exactly what I meant,” he called after his cousin as Georgiana and she walked arm-in-arm out of the room.
    Once he turned his attention to Lizzy, she asked if she should return when he was in better humor. “I see that someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.”
    â€œI did not get up on any side of the bed. I never went to bed.” Softening his tone, he asked, “Did you really oversleep?”
    â€œYes. I fell asleep on the settee and slept for three solid hours, which is the most I have slept since you shared your news with me. It was eleven o’clock when Ellie woke me, and I have been running around like a chicken without its head so that I might complete my toilette and get down here as quickly as possible. And how am I greeted? With a sour look and a sharp tongue. But I must say that you look very handsome. Are you going somewhere?”
    Darcy went over and took Lizzy in his arms. “You are a saucy, impertinent girl. Even so, I love you. I was afraid that you had changed your mind.”
    â€œIf I were to change my mind, it would not be for the reason you think.”
    â€œAnd what reason would that be?” he said with a hint of concern creeping into his voice.
    â€œYou are very bossy. You order people around with your harsh tone of voice or by pushing them about with your muzzle. You may be the master of Pemberley, but you will not be the master of me. I must be free to speak my mind.”
    â€œWhen have you not spoken your mind?” Darcy stepped away from her, and with his hands behind his back, he recited word for word a part of Elizabeth’s refusal of his offer of marriage. “‘You are mistaken if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me in any other way than sparing me the concern I might have felt in refusing you if you had behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner.’ Need I say more?”
    â€œNo, please don’t. You should not repeat what I said. A memory at such a time as this is unpardonable.”
    â€œAnd what time would that be, Elizabeth? Are you saying that you will accept my offer of marriage?”
    â€œNot yet. There are things I would like to discuss.”
    â€œThen let us go into my study.”
    Lizzy laughed. “Absolutely not. I will not risk a repeat of last night. I suggest the first drawing room.”
    â€œThe first drawing room? The one next to the foyer where all of the servants go back and forth? If we are to have no privacy, why don’t we just sit on the stairs in the foyer and have everyone listen in on our conversation?”
    â€œI think mine is the better suggestion, but whichever you prefer is fine with me, dear,” she answered while trying to suppress a smile.
    Darcy gestured for her to go ahead of him into the first drawing room, and so she would have her way once again, he thought. Shaking his head, he reminded himself that he had wanted to marry a lady with spirit. Well, he was about to get his wish—in spades.

Chapter 11
    Darcy directed Lizzy to a corner of the drawing room that was not directly in view of the foyer, but rather than sitting on the sofa, Lizzy chose one of a pair of chairs nearest to the fire. Although Darcy had surrounded himself with the most loyal of servants, there was no doubt that the lives of their master