A Gift to Remember Read Online Free PDF Page A

wasn’t sure if this was down to Katherine’s still-raw grief over losing her only sister a
few months before, or her bewilderment at the sudden overwhelming responsibility of becoming guardian to a twelve-year-old girl. Most likely a combination of both.
    Though given her own heartbreak following the accident, Darcy hadn’t felt that there was much to celebrate. Still, Christmas had always been one of her favourite times of the year and the
lack of any traditional nod towards the festivities merely served to highlight her loneliness and the gaping difference between her old life and the new.
    Over the years, and mostly through her own efforts, Darcy had gradually brought her aunt round to celebrating the season, though Katherine typically preferred to spend the holidays in warmer
climes, whereas Darcy couldn’t conceive of being anywhere else but Manhattan at this time of year.
    And even though in reality she and Katherine had spent only five years living under the same roof, Darcy had always felt that she’d been cramping her vivacious aunt’s style, which
was why she’d tried to stay as independent as possible and make her own way in life as soon as she could. She wasn’t sure why her aunt’s sense of responsibility now seemed to
extend to finding Darcy a mate. Perhaps if she was coupled or married off, then in Katherine’s mind that burden of duty (perceived or otherwise) would finally end? There was no denying that
Katherine took a businesslike approach to most things in life. It was part of the reason she’d been so successful in navigating Manhattan’s cut-throat events scene. Darcy knew that her
own lack of ambition was another aspect of her character that her aunt didn’t understand, but she was happy with her life and her job and her beloved books. Sure, she could do with a little
more excitement in her life, but she figured most people felt like that from time to time.
    Katherine put a hand on Darcy’s arm in a rare show of tenderness. ‘Of course you have me.’ She watched in surprise as Darcy started to take out her gloves and scarf.
‘You’re not leaving now, are you? But you just got here! I promise I won’t introduce you to any other . . .’
    ‘No, honestly, thanks, but I think I have had enough for one night. Besides, I have an early start in the morning.’
    ‘Well, if you insist. But you certainly can’t ride that bike home now,’ her aunt argued, indicating the thickly falling snow outside. ‘It’s too dangerous and
it’s getting late. We will order you a cab and they can put your bike in the trunk.’
    Moments later, Darcy was tucked into a Yellow Cab with her aunt peering in the window. The cab driver pulled away from the kerb, as her aunt hit one resounding hand on the roof of the car. Darcy
waved a weak goodbye.
    ‘You said West Houston?’ the driver asked as he turned the corner.
    ‘No,’ she said resolutely, ‘change of plans. Just take me up a couple of blocks and turn right. I can get my bike out and ride home from there.’
    Snowflakes landing on her cheeks was one of her favourite sensations, and she would much rather brave the elements than be cooped up in an airless vehicle.
    ‘In this weather?’ grunted the driver.
    Darcy nodded. ‘In this weather,’ she repeated, in a tone that indicated the conversation was over. ‘But thanks anyway,’ she added, not wanting to be rude.
    Moments later, as the driver unloaded her bike and she reached into her messenger bag to get his fare, her hand touched her old dog-eared copy of
Pride and Prejudice
. She felt a sudden
longing to get home as quickly as possible, make a cup of chamomile tea, change into her pyjamas and get under the covers with her namesake, Mr Darcy. Her mum had been a big fan of Austen too, she
thought, smiling fondly as she recalled when Lauren Archer had first introduced her to her all-time favourite novel. Darcy had been too young to understand much of the subject-matter at the time,