Read Online A Wife for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen - Free Book Online

husband, “but I cannot remember it as ever having been denied.”
    “I wonder if the young Mr. Darcy is of a similar mind? Since we are to visit Lambton in a few weeks’ time, it would be beneficial to know if that were the case. If so, I could write to the steward, and if I were in a position to mention Mr. Darcy by name, that might do the trick.”
    Mr. Gardiner went to the bookcase and removed Isaak Walton’s The Compleat Angler , a book nearly as dear to him as his Bible. After scanning a number of pages, he looked up and smiled at his wife. “Mrs. Gardiner, please send word to your mother that we are in need of her assistance.”
    “My goodness! What has decided the matter for you?”
    Turning the book so that the title faced his wife, he explained, “The Darcy estate is mentioned in The Compleat Angler as having some of the finest fishing in the Midlands.”
    While Mrs. Gardiner was thinking of which dress she would wear to the ball, Mr. Gardiner went looking for his servant. “Finch, where are my waders?”

    When the Gardiners arrived at Longbourn, they were always greeted with great enthusiasm. Mr. Bennet greatly enjoyed his brother-in-law’s company, while Mrs. Gardiner provided a new audience for all of his wife’s stories. Despite very different temperaments, one exuberant and the other restrained, the two ladies got along quite well, and although Aunt and Uncle Gardiner loved all of their nieces, they were especially fond of the two eldest. They were greatly pleased to learn of Jane’s betrothal, not just because Mr. Bingley was a man of wealth and good temperament but because Jane was in love with him. This was no marriage of convenience.
    The two sisters sought some private time with their aunt, and so the trio went to an alcove in the garden. Jane, who was still giddy at her unexpected good fortunate, shared everything she knew about Mr. Bingley and his family, including his sisters’ disapproval for the match. “Caroline and Louisa would have preferred someone who would have raised the family’s standing in London society. Of course, I accomplish no such thing. In any event, they are to return to town after the ball.”
    “Where, hopefully, they will stay so that they can cause no more mischief,” Lizzy added.
    “And what of you, Lizzy? Now that your sister is to be married, has anyone touched your heart?”
    “There are few single men in the neighborhood who can afford a wife with such a meager fortune,” Lizzy quickly answered. “As for the many officers encamped nearby, I cannot see myself marrying an officer and following him from camp to camp. Therefore, as Mama often says, I am hoping Mr. Bingley will throw me into the path of other rich men. If that plan does not meet with success, then I shall rely on you, Aunt, to introduce me to eligible bachelors when I visit London.”
    “And what of Mr. Darcy?” Aunt Gardiner asked.
    Both Jane and Lizzy exchanged glances and said, “What?” at exactly the same time, causing their aunt to study them with that peculiar look unique to mothers who think their children might be up to mischief.
    “Jane mentioned in her letter that Mr. Darcy is a friend of Mr. Bingley’s and that he is staying at Netherfield Park. My interest in Mr. Darcy is that I grew up in Lambton very near to the Darcy estate.”
    “I did not know that Lambton was so near to Pemberley, but, of course, until recently, I did not know that Pemberley even existed. Did you know the Darcys?” Lizzy asked.
    “Not personally. But when Pemberley was open to view, I did go with my parents to see the house. It is a lovely Georgian stone mansion that absolutely glows in the setting sun. All the public rooms were beautifully decorated by Robert Adam, and I must admit that the pale green in their dining room has been my favorite color ever since.”
    “Did you ever meet Mr. and Mrs. Darcy?” Lizzy asked.
    “Yes, I did. It seems that the elder Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne truly enjoyed