Free Pemberley Ranch by Jack Caldwell Page A

woman’s face. “If you want something, come by the back door. The back door!” he emphasized by pointing with that finger.
    “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again,” the woman mumbled.
    “I tell you and I tell you, but you won’t listen! You understand English, eh? Understand this, Mrs. Washington—front door for whites only!”
    Beth was aghast and mortified at the woman’s treatment. Allowing her eyes to escape the distressing scene, she noted a couple in a corner of the store by the front window. She was startled to see it was Mr. and Miss Darcy, both wearing disgusted expressions.
    “But,” the woman addressed as Mrs. Washington stuttered, “I seen Mrs. Gomez come in here—”
    “Are you back-talking me, woman?” Zimmerman demanded. “Go to the back door! If you don’t like that, maybe I don’t sell you anything, eh?”
    “No, no! I need my order… got money. I… I’ll go—around back, okay?”
    Just then, Tilney stepped forward. “Here, that’s enough of that!” He walked up to the pair.
    Zimmerman looked up. “Eh? Reverend Tilney, what do you want?”
    He ignored the shopkeeper and addressed the woman. “Mrs. Washington, how do you do?”
    “Fine, Reverend Tilney, just fine.”
    Zimmerman broke in. “I was just telling her that she has to go ’round back, Reverend.”
    Mary could stand for no more. “And why is that?”
    Before Zimmerman could respond to her, Tilney broke in. “Miss Mary! We must remember this is Mr. Zimmerman’s store, and as such, he makes the rules.” He threw a glare at the shop owner before turning to Mrs. Washington. “May I escort you around to the back, madam?”
    The humiliated woman waved him off. “Oh, no, Reverend Tilney, I can find my own way. Don’t bother yourself.”
    Tilney smiled. “Very well. I’ll be expecting you at church this Sunday. We haven’t seen y’all there yet.”
    Mrs. Washington smiled. “Thank you kindly for the invite, but I don’t want to intrude.”
    “All are welcomed in God’s house.”
    She thought for a moment. “Then we’ll be there. Thank you again.” With as much dignity as she could muster, she walked out of the store.
    Zimmerman was troubled. “Preacher, you’re inviting slaves to services?”
    Tilney turned to him. “Are you questioning the way I run the church?”
    “I am on the board committee,” Zimmerman’s brows dipped.
    Just then, Darcy approached the men. “Excuse me, but I was wondering if my order was ready?” Darcy wore a completely blank expression, as if the confrontation had not occurred.
    Zimmerman was all that was amiable to Rosings’s most affluent customer. “Yes, sir, Mr. Darcy. Just step this way.” Zimmerman scampered behind the counter and walked quickly to the far end. Darcy turned to follow, begging the others’ pardon once more.
    “Well,” said Beth under her breath, “he’s certainly the lord and master ’round here!”
    Tilney cocked one eyebrow. “He was here before us, Miss Beth. We can wait our turn.”
    Mary was about to have her share of the conversation, but she was caught by the intense look on Mr. Zimmerman’s face as Darcy spoke to him. The tone was far too low for her to hear, but the effect was instantaneous. The shopkeeper almost ran to the back door, his face, if anything, redder than before.
    “My mistake,” Darcy drawled to his sister, “apparently, we have a customer before us.”
    The altercation had put all of them off their proposed shopping expedition. Beth and the others gathered on the front porch, taking in the town for several minutes. The front door opened, and Miss Darcy walked out followed by her brother, his arms filled with packages.
    “Gaby, you wait here while I put these in the wagon,” Darcy advised. Tilney and Jane immediately walked over to keep hercompany while her brother finished his task, the Bennet sisters following in their wake.
    “How do you do today, Miss Gaby?” Jane said. The girl exchanged greetings with everyone