An Autumn Accord: A Pride and Prejudice Novella Variation (Seasons of Serendipity Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

front entryway developed to be Lady Matlock’s second son, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, returning to London from his inspection of an ancient estate of her family line. Walking nonplussed into the dance lesson, Richard scarcely greeted his mother before his eyes traveled to the one lady most often upon his mind. With an abundance of spirit, Richard gruffly tapped the shoulder of the footman assigned to dance with Miss Mary Bennet.
    “ I believe you will find this lady’s set is spoken for, sir.” The Colonel winked at Mary who blushed while Kitty and Georgiana erupted into laughter. The poor footman cowered and made a hasty retreat to the side of the room, away from the strong military man.
    Flustered and annoyed, the dance master struck up the musicians and another practice round of the reel began. Imagining herself in a ballroom of flickering candlelight and swishing skirts, Mary Bennet danced with superb style, anticipating each touch of her partner’s hand. She easily stayed in time with the music, allowing her mind to visit the future of her own engagement ball where all envious eyes would be on her. Trying to catch his eye, she noticed her partner was merely moving through the motions, his thoughts appearing to be elsewhere.
    The trio of couples managed to nearly finish the set before the clumsy footman assigned to Kitty missed her hand and tripped over his own two feet to the parquet floor beneath them. As the dance disrupted, the cries of the dance master and the exasperation of Lady Matlock combined with the silliness of the young girls, but Richard and Mary still grasped hands in the middle of the chaos whispering to one another.
    “ I yield, I yield!” Lady Matlock exclaimed. “Georgiana, Kitty, collect yourselves. Why don’t you young people take a stroll in the park? My patience can endure no more.”
    “ I was about to suggest the same plan, Mother.” Richard happily escorted Miss Mary to the door. The staff at Darcy House assisted the three ladies with their outerwear and another company of footmen and hall boys strong of leg began to ferry furniture pieces back to the parlor through the back hall.
    With autumn fully arrived, Hyde Park stood nearly deserted. The most distinguished families resided away, long past delivered to their country estates in various corners of the kingdom. Mary and Richard walked at a leisurely pace as the two younger girls scampered ahead, only to slow and begin their own confidences. Mary was certain some mischief was stirring between the two sisters by marriage, but she had yet to find evidence with which to confront them. Her speculations ceased when she sensed Richard’s stormy mood in the rigidity of his arm.
    “ I am pleased you and your father are safely returned. Your letter concerning the bandits had me most worried about the trip home. I prayed fervently each night –“
    “ I am a man without a home, such is the problem.”
    Mary’s mouth froze open from a moment of experiencing such a dark side to her jovial Colonel. Ever the man to play a prank or find a tease, his sudden despair and melancholy unsettled her. “I appreciate nomadic living is a greater insult to men than women, but I empathize with your sentiment, sir.”
    Richard cringed at Mary’s formality. They had such precious little private time as a couple in courtship, and here he was bumbling it like a fool. He halted their progress and turned to face the woman in possession of his greatest respect and care. “The estate was entirely in ruins. I could not bring myself to put into words the disrepair we witnessed.”
    “ I am aware.”
    “ But how?” Richard asked.
    Mary offered her Colonel a sweet smile and patted his arm, leading him to continue their progress so as not to fall too far behind their younger, ignorant chaperones. “Aside from the bandits, I am clever enough to read both what is said and what is not said.”
    “ I never intended to insinuate otherwise –