Read Online The Secrets of Darcy and Elizabeth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Victoria Kincaid - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Victoria Kincaid
Tags: Regency Romance, romance 1800s, austenesque, 1800 england romance, pride and prejudice variation, austen variation
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her head as if to clear it of bewildering thoughts, she climbed to the top of the stairs. One thing was certain: she was confused about her feelings for Fitzwilliam Darcy. Life had been so much simpler when she was simply disgusted by his pride!
The next morning Darcy was awakened early by a rapid knocking on the door to his room. He groaned as he sat up, wondering what could possibly justify such urgency when the sun had barely risen. Then he heard Colonel Fitzwilliam’s voice, “Darcy! Open the door! I need to speak with you immediately.”
Now alarmed, Darcy threw on a dressing gown and opened the room’s worn wooden door. Richard strode in, already fully dressed and clearly agitated. “The treaty has been broken! England has declared war on France!”
Chapter 4
It took Darcy a moment to absorb the news and then he sank into the room’s only chair in dismay. “How did you learn of this?”
“A messenger arrived from General Norland a few minutes ago. Napoleon wished for Tsar Alexander’s assistance in negotiating a new treaty, but Parliament would not agree. The English navy is again blockading the French coast. We all must return to England at once. English visitors will be most unwelcome in France.”
Darcy admired his cousin’s gift for understatement. “Indeed.” His mind rapidly considered the implications of this news. “But Richard, surely your danger is greater than mine. Any military officers will be suspected as spies.”
Richard shifted his weight anxiously as he stood in front of Darcy’s still-open door. “Believe me, it has occurred to us. Broadmoor and Wilkins are packing. We are also taking a Major Brent with us. We secured a carriage to take us to Calais immediately.”
“Yes, you must leave at once.” Darcy rubbed his face, attempting to rid himself of his early-morning stupor.
“I am afraid we have no space for you in our carriage.” Richard’s face was flushed with anxiety as he gazed at Darcy.
Darcy waved that concern away. “I can fend for myself, Richard. The French government will be far less concerned with random English civilians.”
“But you must not delay. You should hire a carriage for Calais immediately. They will soon be in short supply.” Richard’s voice was low and insistent.
Darcy ran his fingers through his unruly hair and envisioned all of the English visitors in Paris attempting to depart en masse. There had to be hundreds, placing a severe strain on the city’s available carriages and horses. Many of those English visitors were as yet unaware of the outbreak of war, but the news would spread quickly. No doubt some travelers would be trapped in the city without any means of escaping.
Richard had stepped back to the doorway, but still watched his cousin anxiously, his hand gripped the doorframe tightly. “I will not rest easy until I know you have returned to English shores. Promise me you will not tarry.” His eyes focused intently on Darcy.
Darcy shook his head emphatically. “No. Believe me, I recognize the advisability of a hasty departure.”
A voice called Fitzwilliam’s name from down the stairs, causing Richard to turn, but he seemed reluctant to depart. “I must go.” His voice was full of regret.
“By all means. Go. Godspeed.” They clasped hands briefly and Richard was gone.
Darcy dressed quickly and started to pack his trunk. His valet, Haines, had remained in England because his mother was sick, but now Darcy regretted not having his assistance. As he folded and stowed his clothing in his traveling trunk, he reviewed the steps he must follow to ensure an expeditious departure: settle with the innkeeper; find a reliable carriage; and —
Then it struck him like a lightning bolt: Elizabeth ! Why had it taken him so long to think of her? She would have no means of leaving the city. Even without the inherent dangers of a woman traveling alone in a strange country, she would barely have the means to hire more than passage
The next morning Darcy was awakened early by a rapid knocking on the door to his room. He groaned as he sat up, wondering what could possibly justify such urgency when the sun had barely risen. Then he heard Colonel Fitzwilliam’s voice, “Darcy! Open the door! I need to speak with you immediately.”
Now alarmed, Darcy threw on a dressing gown and opened the room’s worn wooden door. Richard strode in, already fully dressed and clearly agitated. “The treaty has been broken! England has declared war on France!”
Chapter 4
It took Darcy a moment to absorb the news and then he sank into the room’s only chair in dismay. “How did you learn of this?”
“A messenger arrived from General Norland a few minutes ago. Napoleon wished for Tsar Alexander’s assistance in negotiating a new treaty, but Parliament would not agree. The English navy is again blockading the French coast. We all must return to England at once. English visitors will be most unwelcome in France.”
Darcy admired his cousin’s gift for understatement. “Indeed.” His mind rapidly considered the implications of this news. “But Richard, surely your danger is greater than mine. Any military officers will be suspected as spies.”
Richard shifted his weight anxiously as he stood in front of Darcy’s still-open door. “Believe me, it has occurred to us. Broadmoor and Wilkins are packing. We are also taking a Major Brent with us. We secured a carriage to take us to Calais immediately.”
“Yes, you must leave at once.” Darcy rubbed his face, attempting to rid himself of his early-morning stupor.
“I am afraid we have no space for you in our carriage.” Richard’s face was flushed with anxiety as he gazed at Darcy.
Darcy waved that concern away. “I can fend for myself, Richard. The French government will be far less concerned with random English civilians.”
“But you must not delay. You should hire a carriage for Calais immediately. They will soon be in short supply.” Richard’s voice was low and insistent.
Darcy ran his fingers through his unruly hair and envisioned all of the English visitors in Paris attempting to depart en masse. There had to be hundreds, placing a severe strain on the city’s available carriages and horses. Many of those English visitors were as yet unaware of the outbreak of war, but the news would spread quickly. No doubt some travelers would be trapped in the city without any means of escaping.
Richard had stepped back to the doorway, but still watched his cousin anxiously, his hand gripped the doorframe tightly. “I will not rest easy until I know you have returned to English shores. Promise me you will not tarry.” His eyes focused intently on Darcy.
Darcy shook his head emphatically. “No. Believe me, I recognize the advisability of a hasty departure.”
A voice called Fitzwilliam’s name from down the stairs, causing Richard to turn, but he seemed reluctant to depart. “I must go.” His voice was full of regret.
“By all means. Go. Godspeed.” They clasped hands briefly and Richard was gone.
Darcy dressed quickly and started to pack his trunk. His valet, Haines, had remained in England because his mother was sick, but now Darcy regretted not having his assistance. As he folded and stowed his clothing in his traveling trunk, he reviewed the steps he must follow to ensure an expeditious departure: settle with the innkeeper; find a reliable carriage; and —
Then it struck him like a lightning bolt: Elizabeth ! Why had it taken him so long to think of her? She would have no means of leaving the city. Even without the inherent dangers of a woman traveling alone in a strange country, she would barely have the means to hire more than passage
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