Free The Phantom of Pemberley by Regina Jeffers Page B

him.
    “Mrs. Darcy is a phenomenal woman.” Darcy raised his glass to Elizabeth in acknowledgment of the woman he loved.
    “Thank you, my Husband.” Purposely, Elizabeth had not reacted to Lady Catherine’s insult. She had expected something of
the sort from Darcy’s aunt. She would not sink to the woman’s baseness. Elizabeth recalled Darcy’s second proposal: As a child I was taught what was right, but was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. Unfortunately, as an only son, I was spoiled by my parents, who though good themselves, allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own. Luckily, her husband had changed his ways. Sadly, Lady Catherine would never see beyond the end of her aristocratic nose.
    “Perhaps, Georgiana, you might entertain your brother’s guests after our meal.” Lady Catherine’s suggestion was a thinly veiled edict.
    Georgiana flushed. “I…I could not, Aunt.”
    “Nonsense, child. You most certainly will do your duty. Why spend so many hours practicing if no one ever is to hear you play? I am sure you possess more skill than Mrs. Darcy for she was never one to practice. I told her at Rosings several times that she will never play well unless she practices more.Yet even with her limited experience, Mrs. Darcy managed to entertain both the good colonel and your brother for an evening.”
    Darcy came immediately to his wife’s defense. “No one admitted to the privilege of hearing Mrs. Darcy could think anything wanting.” Darcy provided a solution of his own to calm his sister. “Perhaps, Elizabeth, you might offer us the pleasure of hearing you sing, with Georgiana’s accompaniment, of course.”
    Elizabeth smiled archly. “I would enjoy that, Fitzwilliam. Oh, please say you will indulge me, Georgiana!”
    Georgiana knew this woman—knew that Elizabeth, like her brother, would walk through fire to protect her. “That would be most pleasant, Elizabeth.You have a beautiful voice.”
    “Possibly my cousin will share a song also; she is quite talented,” Adam Lawrence observed, again ignoring Darcy’s possible censure.
    Darcy asked smoothly,“Might you honor us with a song or two, Miss Donnel?”

    Her initial expression was one of mild alarm, but the lady answered, “Thank you, Mr. Darcy, for asking. If it is your wish, I cannot refuse.You have opened your home to my cousin and me. It is the least I could do in return.”
    Worth took a sip of his wine. “Sing for your supper, Miss Donnel?” he inquired jovially. As a solicitor,Worth considered himself a keen observer of humanity, for he met all kinds. As such, something told him the viscount and this lady held no blood relationship. He thought her “talents” lay elsewhere.
    “It is not necessary to repay our hospitality,” Elizabeth interrupted, “but I would appreciate not being the only one to perform this evening. Please do join me.”
    As usual, Lady Catherine wanted the last word. “Music! It is of all subjects my delight. There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment in music than myself, or a better natural taste. If I had ever learned I should have been a great proficient; and so would Anne, if her health had allowed her to apply.”
    Darcy watched as his cousin sank lower in her seat, trying to symbolically disappear. Obviously, Anne’s health had improved enough for her to sneak off to meet her lieutenant . Darcy had not yet had an opportunity to speak privately with Anne. When he had stopped by her room that day, she claimed a headache. He would need to give her a day or two before he could approach his cousin on her indiscretion. Darcy would not chastise her, though. He had mistakenly done so with Georgiana; now she struggled to gain her social confidence. Despite the fact that Anne held