Read Online Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) by Linda Wells - Free Book Online
Authors: Linda Wells
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Richard, he is well as of three weeks ago, and has been promoted to Major. From the rumours I have heard around the House of Lords, I believe that he is part of the forces who will support Sweden. Of course he provides no details, only assurances of his health. It is very trying on us to wait and wonder; more so as you know the members of our society seem to prefer to ignore anything that occurs outside of ballrooms, so there are few friends with whom to commiserate. Well, I digress. We hope that he will return soon, his mother in particular.
Be warned that my sister is greatly anticipating your arrival at Rosings. I am certain that you know why and have devised your defences. Give our love to Georgiana, and we look forward to your arrival.
Sincerely,
Matlock
Darcy refolded the letter and stared at it for a few moments. His uncle’s confession of worry over Richard was remarkable, but this was the first time that his second son was truly in harm’s way. His previous trips had been relatively brief and uneventful. This time it was bloody and there were no guarantees of return. Darcy’s worry over Richard had been constant, but like his uncle, he had no one in whom to confide his feelings. He thought to look into purchasing a small estate to hold for a second son. He did not want to face the possibility of his child dying in war simply by order of birth. He wondered if he would have chosen the path of the military and decided that had he been forced to make a decision, he would have followed the law as his career. Opening the letter from Rosings, he braced himself for his aunt’s demands.
Dear Darcy,
I expect your arrival on the 15 th . Easter Sunday we will enjoy the company of our pastor and his wife. Anne is excited by your visit and has spoken of little else for weeks. You will be well-pleased with her; a bloom comes to her cheeks when I speak of your pending betrothal. Your mother would be so proud to see this come to pass, she told me often how she wished for you and Anne to join the estates, and of course, how could you deny the wish of your dear mother? I spoke of it often to your father as well.
Darcy closed his eyes. “Yes, and my father assured me that neither he nor Mother supported your scheme. Bloom in Anne’s cheeks, indeed!” He snorted. “Perhaps from a fever brought on by your insistence that she sit as close to the fire as possible!” Sighing he read the rest of the letter, but it was the same as ever, assumptions over his marriage to Anne and directions for Georgiana’s upbringing. Folding it he turned and tossed the paper into the fire and watched as it was consumed. “Marriage to Anne would be a last resort, and according to my uncle,” he closed his eyes, “the ladies of town will not allow that to occur.” He glanced down at his journal and read the day’s entry.
28 March 1808
I am preparing for my return to society. I suspect that I will take little enjoyment of it. I might take frequent walks in the park and find better companionship there.
“DID YOU SEE that Netherfield Park was let again?” Charlotte Lucas said as she and Elizabeth waited their turns at bowls. The two families had gathered at Lucas Lodge for a picnic on the sunny day.
Jane tossed her ball and they watched it roll to a stop near the pins. “I heard from Mama that it is a Naval officer and his family. She was vastly disappointed.” Elizabeth grinned at Charlotte and took her turn. “I imagine Lady Lucas was as well?”
“Yes, to say the least. She was hoping for some boys of marriageable age, not ones still riding their stick ponies on the lawn.” She smiled and shrugged. “Well, someone will come along eventually.”
“Someone to love.” Elizabeth said determinedly.
“Eliza, you really have to rethink this philosophy of yours!” Charlotte clapped as Maria’s ball travelled to strike down the
Be warned that my sister is greatly anticipating your arrival at Rosings. I am certain that you know why and have devised your defences. Give our love to Georgiana, and we look forward to your arrival.
Sincerely,
Matlock
Darcy refolded the letter and stared at it for a few moments. His uncle’s confession of worry over Richard was remarkable, but this was the first time that his second son was truly in harm’s way. His previous trips had been relatively brief and uneventful. This time it was bloody and there were no guarantees of return. Darcy’s worry over Richard had been constant, but like his uncle, he had no one in whom to confide his feelings. He thought to look into purchasing a small estate to hold for a second son. He did not want to face the possibility of his child dying in war simply by order of birth. He wondered if he would have chosen the path of the military and decided that had he been forced to make a decision, he would have followed the law as his career. Opening the letter from Rosings, he braced himself for his aunt’s demands.
Dear Darcy,
I expect your arrival on the 15 th . Easter Sunday we will enjoy the company of our pastor and his wife. Anne is excited by your visit and has spoken of little else for weeks. You will be well-pleased with her; a bloom comes to her cheeks when I speak of your pending betrothal. Your mother would be so proud to see this come to pass, she told me often how she wished for you and Anne to join the estates, and of course, how could you deny the wish of your dear mother? I spoke of it often to your father as well.
Darcy closed his eyes. “Yes, and my father assured me that neither he nor Mother supported your scheme. Bloom in Anne’s cheeks, indeed!” He snorted. “Perhaps from a fever brought on by your insistence that she sit as close to the fire as possible!” Sighing he read the rest of the letter, but it was the same as ever, assumptions over his marriage to Anne and directions for Georgiana’s upbringing. Folding it he turned and tossed the paper into the fire and watched as it was consumed. “Marriage to Anne would be a last resort, and according to my uncle,” he closed his eyes, “the ladies of town will not allow that to occur.” He glanced down at his journal and read the day’s entry.
28 March 1808
I am preparing for my return to society. I suspect that I will take little enjoyment of it. I might take frequent walks in the park and find better companionship there.
“DID YOU SEE that Netherfield Park was let again?” Charlotte Lucas said as she and Elizabeth waited their turns at bowls. The two families had gathered at Lucas Lodge for a picnic on the sunny day.
Jane tossed her ball and they watched it roll to a stop near the pins. “I heard from Mama that it is a Naval officer and his family. She was vastly disappointed.” Elizabeth grinned at Charlotte and took her turn. “I imagine Lady Lucas was as well?”
“Yes, to say the least. She was hoping for some boys of marriageable age, not ones still riding their stick ponies on the lawn.” She smiled and shrugged. “Well, someone will come along eventually.”
“Someone to love.” Elizabeth said determinedly.
“Eliza, you really have to rethink this philosophy of yours!” Charlotte clapped as Maria’s ball travelled to strike down the
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