A Pemberley Medley (A Pride & Prejudice Variation) Read Online Free PDF

a suppressed smile.
     
    Elizabeth saw their neighbours’ eyes turned on her. “Ah... yes, thank you; it was merely a touch of headache. A little fresh air was all I needed,” she said.
     
    His eyes caressed her. “I am glad to hear it.”
     
    She coloured; and in her embarrassment she felt somewhat lost for words, until she recalled his earlier comment wondering what had changed her mind. She turned a lively look on him, and said, “Mr. Darcy, I do not believe that I mentioned to you I had the opportunity to travel to Derbyshire earlier this summer.”
     
    “Did you, Miss Bennet?” Darcy’s tone was rather more suited for lovemaking than casual conversation, and Elizabeth swallowed hard.
     
    “Yes, I was touring with my aunt and uncle, and we saw many of the sights - the Peaks, Chatsworth, Dove Dale - it is a lovely region, I must say. I even had the opportunity, at my aunt’s insistence, to tour Pemberley.”
     
    His eyebrows shot upward with surprise. “ You were at Pemberley ?”
     
    “Yes, quite a coincidence, is it not?”
     
    “Yes, it is,” he said slowly, as if uncertain what to make of this intelligence. “And did you enjoy your tour?”
     
    “Oh, very much. The house is delightful and the grounds are quite charming,” she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I must admit, though, that my favourite part was talking to your housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds.”
     
    He looked somewhat dubious. “Though I am very fond of Mrs. Reynolds, and she is a valued member of my household, I find it rather surprising that you would find her the most interesting part of Pemberley.”
     
    “Perhaps it was because I found her conversation very enlightening, especially on the subject of the family,” said Elizabeth. Dropping her voice, she added, “She gave you what my aunt called a most flaming character. She gave me a great deal to think about.”
     
    Understanding dawned in his eyes, and he smiled slightly. “I clearly should recompense Mrs. Reynolds better for her services,” he said. He sought out her hand under the table with his and clasped it tightly.
     
    Elizabeth was rather startled, but not displeased, to find the sober Mr. Darcy to have an element of the playful and not quite proper schoolboy about him. He moved the conversation to obtaining her opinion of the more usual attractions of Pemberley, but as he did so, he caressed the back of her hand with his thumb in a manner which she found unexpectedly distracting.
     
    When the meal drew to a close not long after, Darcy, although maintaining every evidence of propriety, made no effort to disguise his intention to monopolize her company until his departure. He was surprised that Georgiana did not attempt to join them immediately; she clearly was making great strides in conquering her shyness. But all too soon it was time for him to make his departure. He convinced Elizabeth to accompany him as he bid his farewells to Mr. and Mrs. Bingley.
     
    As soon as they reached them, Bingley looked at Darcy so expressively and shook hands with him with such a warmth as left no doubt of his observation of the change between them, a fact which made Elizabeth colour and Darcy to look at him with the lively suspicion that only one who had moved so recently as he from a state of desolation to one of elation could manage. If Jane had noted any difference, she was more subtle in her reaction than her new husband, to the relief of Elizabeth, who was not yet prepared to reveal to the world in general, and her mother in particular, Mr. Darcy’s intentions.
     
    She found herself accompanying him out to his carriage. Georgiana, who had decided to ride back to London with her brother instead of with the couple who had previously arranged to take her, stood nearby, suddenly fascinated by the trees in front of Netherfield as her brother took Elizabeth’s hand and kissed it lightly. He managed to caress her fingers as he released them, and Elizabeth