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

husband adored Mr. Hamilton’s shop. But he is no longer with us, I’m afraid, the Good Lord seeing fit to take him last autumn.” She paused for the man to express condolences, but when he did not, she continued. “Mr. Hamilton’s shop is three doors down.” Mrs. Bennet waved her hand, glaring at the presumptuous, rude young man.
    He flashed her a devilish smile. “I’m afraid you are mistaken, kind lady. Mr. Hamilton’s book shop is not three doors down. Maxwell’s Books and Papers is indeed in the location you direct.” He offered her a slight bow of his head.
    Flustered, Mrs. Bennet furrowed her brow and shook her head at the impertinent young man. “Maxwell? A Mr. Maxwell? Heavens, no, I have lived in this county for over twenty years, young man, and there is no Maxwell in this community. No, I am quite certain it is a Mr. Hamilton who runs the book shop, though I confess I’ve seen no occasion to visit as of late.” She eyed the man carefully, not enjoying the fact of his trying to play a trick on a poor widow such as herself.
    With a flourish of his hand, the stranger produced a small card from his coat pocket. He flicked the card with the dexterity of a magician and offered her the square. “I am afraid to say my dear cousin Hamilton left the shop to my capable hands this summer to retire to his home county. As he is unable to return, I have proudly purchased the store and inventory. I do hope you might find some occasion to visit us soon. I so enjoy assisting a handsome lady in search of the perfect novel for her afternoon.”
    The stranger, surreptitiously introducing himself as Mr. Maxwell, bid her good day and quit the sundry shop leaving Mrs. Bennet startled and holding the card with his name upon it. Her hands trembling from the exaltation of a sincere compliment from a handsome young man, she gazed down to finger his name, most carefully penned.
    Charles Maxwell,
    Purveyor of Fine Books and Papers
    Sharply calling the shop assistant over to make her purchases, she instructed the soaps to be delivered to her home and set off to visit her sister Phillips. While it was incredibly forward of the young man to introduce himself in such a manner, Mrs. Francine Bennet was almost certain she was quite likely out of writing supplies and with the sudden extra time on her hands, might now find reading to be quite enjoyable.
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    The Earl of Matlock enjoyed a few hours of peace on his first afternoon home from the fool’s errand with his son. The estate had been so wholly unsuitable, for even the vermin who were now quite content to reside there! When his beautiful wife Margaret entered his study of solitude, he knew it was time to dissect the unpleasant business.
    “ Is it true? A shambles?” Lady Matlock demanded.
    “ My darling, it is wonderful to see you, too. Shall I pour you a drink?”
    “ Don’t patronize me, Reginald! Mary Bennet is in tears at Darcy House and our son returned to the barracks. Tell me truly, is it a lost cause?”
    The Earl of Matlock clapped his hands and rubbed them vigorously before clasping them behind his back. He puffed his chest as he would when telling a political ally a bit of unsettling news. “You may have your answer. Shall I enumerate the cracks and crumbling walls? Shall I explain the home had nary a roof whole? Richard and I could not spend the evening. About the only home suitable for man, or beast, was the overseer’s cottage which was little more than a hut.” The Earl helped himself to the offer he made to his wife, pouring a healthy three fingers full.
    Lady Matlock’s hand trembled over her mouth as her other hand steadied upon the nearest chair. She sat down with the horrors every mother with a son in His Majesty’s Service feared most. After a moment of handling the shock, her mind lit upon other solutions. “What about Darcy? Could Darcy fund–”
    The Earl shook his head interrupting her