Read Online Miss Darcy's Companion: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Joana Starnes - Free Book Online Page A

hope I am not betraying her confidence if I disclose that she also speaks quite often of another matter that gives her a great deal of unease,” she began with some hesitation, and at that Darcy’s thoughts were promptly redirected to what she had to say about his sister.
    “Which matter would that be?” he inquired, but when no reply seemed to be forthcoming his countenance grew solemn as he drew to a halt and spun around to face her. “Miss Bennet, let us be rightly understood,” he enunciated, his diction precise. “No misplaced sense of loyalty should confuse the matter. Your first and foremost allegiance is to me , and nothing that troubles Georgiana could ever be deemed confidential,” he concluded firmly, only to note that her brows rose and her lips thinned at his pronouncement.
    For once the very picture of a remonstrating governess, she evenly replied:
    “Let me assure you I perfectly understand my duties, Sir. But pray allow me to observe that Miss Darcy is fast approaching the age when gentleness and patience go much further than stern edicts. When it comes to delicate matters, it would be preferable to inspire your sister with the confidence that she could safely disclose her own concerns to you. Demanding that I relate them regardless of her wishes would only ensure she henceforth keeps them to herself.”
    To say that Darcy was offended would have been an understatement. He was stunned. In living memory as master of Pemberley he had not been spoken thus. Well, Fitzwilliam had often allowed himself the licence, but that was beside the point. There was a world of difference between what he was prepared to allow from an older cousin – and what from a wisp of a girl in his employ.
    “Upon my word, Miss Bennet, you give your opinions very decidedly for so young a person,” Darcy exclaimed with manifest pique at her presumption to not only censure him, but also direct him in his dealings with his own sister. “Pray, what is your age?”
    The words had barely left his lips when it occurred to Darcy that Fitzwilliam would say this sort of speech befitted Lady Catherine, and not him. Unacquainted as she was with the chatelaine of Rosings, Miss Bennet could not observe the same, but he saw her smarting at the question. Doubtlessly she was neither accustomed nor best pleased to find herself thus interpellated.
    True enough, such a direct inquiry would have been an unthinkable impertinence to Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn. But someone in her present situation should learn to expect it. He was entirely within his rights to ask. Moreover, he should have done so at their first formal interview, as he had intended, when she was considered for her present position. A great deal more should have been ascertained on that fateful day. Such as the fact that she was decidedly too prone to challenge her betters.
    As though intent to prove that very point, which frankly did not require further proof, Miss Bennet replied coolly, with a touch of resentment:
    “I have turned twenty a few months ago, although I fail to see what bearing this has on the present conversation. You have asked me to voice any concerns I might have regarding Miss Darcy’s welfare. If you have reconsidered and you would much rather I did not, you only need to say so.”
    He frowned, still too riled to acknowledge the justness of the implied reproach. Yet his righteous indignation swiftly paled before the need to learn what was troubling his sister, so he retorted crisply:
    “No, Madam, I have not. If you would be so kind to share that information, I would be exceedingly obliged.”
    She glanced up again at the cold sarcasm of the comment but thankfully for all concerned she forbore from taking up the part of the remonstrating governess and did not censure him again. Instead, she offered quietly:
    “Your sister speaks with great unease about her launch into society. She does not relish the attention, nor the prospect of extensive company.