Mr Darcy's Mistress

by Francine Howarth

  Amusement danced in Georgiana’s eyes. “My dear aunt does have the propensity to garner disfavour rather more easily than most women born to titled parents. I cannot deny her manner is somewhat brusque and unforgiving of those she has a mind to correct; whether in terms of deportment, matters of etiquette, and of course, when she feels ill at ease in company she deems below her station in life. And yet, beneath her fierce countenance there lies a heart of gold, and family means everything to her. I seek not to excuse her by any means, though will say this; for those who win her favour she is a friend for life, and will hear no evil put about them in any quarter.”

  Lydia tittered. “If Mr. Collins is judged a revered friend of Lady de Bourgh, what if his present halo were to tilt a little?”

  A smile blossomed and Georgiana seemed close to a titter. “Is that likely? Is he not a paragon of virtue?”

  Lydia snorted. “He may indeed be as virtuous as his word, given he and Charlotte have yet to announce a happy circumstance.”

  “Despite his being a man of the cloth, he is no doubt as worldly as the next man,” said Jane. “Aside from which, one must respect a couples privacy.”

  “One cannot but ponder his peculiarity, dear sister, for that dreadful man had his eye to you in the first instance, then he drooled over Lizzy, and who next I began to ponder at that time. I was so thankful when Lizzy put him to flight and he flew to Charlotte. Is that not the behaviour of a fickle hearted fellow? He bore no conscience in bettering his position to meet with Lady de Bourgh’s expectations of a parish pastor. All told, a most unlikeable and shady fellow.”

  “As maybe, but Charlotte is content with her life, so sayeth she. And who are we to assume the marriage is in any way fruitless.” declared the mistress of Pemberley. “I do believe a child would indeed provide a loving distraction from that of her husband. Indeed, she did say his frenetic mind and ingratiating countenance is wearing on the most patient of souls. So if ever a halo is deserving of a head in the Collins household, then it must surely fall to Charlotte.”

  No more was said for Darcy entered the room in somewhat of a rush his expression grave: his full attention falling to Lydia. “Wickham has had the good sense to inform me he will arrive here at four of the clock with a carriage.”

  Lydia squealed with excitement. “Today?”

  “Indeed, and asks that you be packed and ready to leave without delay.”

  “So soon; and no word beforehand? But what of Saturday?”

  In stepping toward Lydia, Darcy proffered a folded piece of paper. “This was enclosed. I dare say it tells of a fortunate happenstance. Thus, I pray he will embrace it as ardently as expressed within a letter to me.”

  Lydia unfolded the paper and read in haste Wickham’s words. All the while her cheeks flushed pink, and she then exploded forth: “Oh Lordy, lordy, Wicky has an inheritance, one he knew nothing of until he paid visit to an aunt. And goodness, it all came about by introduction through a third party. Oh what are the chances of such good fortune, and his uncle on his deathbed then bequeathing all to Wicky? We are to be rich, at last rich, and no rent to pay. We shall have a house and land, and as much income as ever father has.”

  “Not quite as much income as your father at the outset, Lydia, for as Wickham puts forth, it will take a year or two of hard toil to make it as you would want it to be,” said Darcy, granting a smile. “Nonetheless, it is fair to say you will be mistress of a small estate.”

  “Then I must pack my belongings post-haste,” said she, in leaping to her feet.

  “Heavens, you shall do no such thing,” said Georgiana, gaining her feet in haste. “I will call for a maid, and I shall come with you, for I sense you are over excited and will do yourself a mischief.”

  “I feel sure you would much rather do anything but help me pack my things.”

  “Not today,” said Georgiana, in pushing Lydia toward the door. “Besides, we are sisters now, are we not?”

  “Before you hurry away, Georgiana; may I enquire as to whether you’re inclined toward a certain lieutenant of horse, sufficient to accept a proposal of marriage from said young man?”

  “If it is Viscount Welton, then yes, I am.”

  “Then it would be agreeable if I announce his suggestion as acceptable from my standpoint, though shall remind him it is you he must convince of his sincerity.”

  “Am I to understand he has written to you?”

  “He has, and a fine hand at that.”

  Georgiana’s lips curled a little at the corners; a discernable sparkle to her eyes. “Then I shall look forward to his proposal.”

  Lydia burst forth then, “Just think, you’ll be a titled lady.”

  With a gentle push Georgiana hustled Lydia through the doorway, their laughter ringing out along the corridor, as Darcy said: “A letter for you, Elizabeth. It’s from Longbourn, I believe.”

  Quick to her feet she accepted the letter and retreated to stand by the far window out of mere politesse. For it was so rude to remain seated and indulge the reading of private correspondence and thereby impede discourse betwixt other persons present, as had Lydia.

  With the seal carefully eased aside she unfolded the letter.

  ~

  My dearest Lizzy,

  How to begin this letter, I know not, nor how to justify the event which has befallen us at Longbourn. Your mother declares, by the grace of God, the result of her suffering for several hours is little more than a miracle. I beg to differ, on account of the way of it, but no matter, for I own to my part in it as any husband must. Now my dear, if by chance you are reading this, as is your trait, I suggest you take a seat, for when your mother first fell to the pains I quite thought her end was nigh. Such was her complaining of discomfort it became necessary to send for Doctor Morland. In the interim, convinced she had been poisoned it required a great deal of reassurance such could not be. As would be expected cook checked and rechecked all the ingredients inclusive of spices, pepper, and other additions for that day’s table fare. Accordingly, as no one else had fallen foul to your mother’s malady, poison was ruled out as the root cause of severe abdominal spasms. Why indeed, the mere presence of all at her bedside was obvious to any bystander we were in the rudest of health; in itself sufficient indication her illness was indeed a singular affliction. Formerly mystified by her ongoing woe it was a worrying sight to witness her writhing and proclaiming death would be preferable to the exceeding sufferance as befallen her. To my utmost despair, upon Doctor Morland gracing her with his presence, he declared my innermost and sudden thought as correct in diagnosis, and with alacrity and a broad smile he informed Mrs. Bennet she was about to give birth. I can honest say I would have hit the floor with a resounding thud had not Mary, God bless, thrust a chair to the back of my knees. Mrs. Bennet, can you believe fell utterly speechless for several minutes. The shock and element of shared guilt in that moment of collective awareness to marital affairs of a nocturnal nature, thank the Lord your mother rallied in goodly spirit as though the Almighty had lent providence of a quick mind. She ordered the girls from the room, thus each sent away with a task to fulfil. Therefore, to cut to the short of our present good fortune, which I can no longer delay, bears the marked pleasure of I. Mr. Bennet, who shall enjoy every suspenseful word in declaration to Mr. Collins, that we at Longbourn have an heir to the estate. Well Lizzy, what do you make of that? By the by, mother and son are hale and hearty, and God willing will remain so. I trust this news will receive your blessing, and that of Jane’s. I had best not forget your mother and sisters, all of whom send every good wish for your birthday, and now I shall say adieu until next we meet.

  Fondest regards,

  Old Mr.Bennet.

  ~

  How was she to convey the glad tidings to all at Pemberley?

  Epilogue.

  ~

  Elizabeth settled to write in her journal:

  November 16th 1812.

  This day I write within the very gift bestowed by Bel
le Sanders on my birthday two weeks past. Such is my joy in the knowledge I am without any shadow of doubt, assuredly with child. Whilst hope springs eternal it will be a boy, as Jane says, we must not fret if granted a girl, or two, or three; for we must always remember our little brother albeit he was somewhat late in coming to Longbourn. He’s now mother’s little miracle, and father’s bundle of joy barring when he hollers, and he is much loved by Kitty and Mary. Though as Mary said in a letter, father could tolerate the names Horatio, Robert, and Francis, all three if mother so wished to name the boy after three esteemed admirals, but he would never countenance George in honour of the royal household, unless she chose a Plantagenet king’s name. And so, Richard Henry Edward Bennet he is.

  I feel I am a little behind with news to date, and must now keep account of events as they unfold, thus I must go back to my birthday; the day Wickham arrived with a carriage at around the given time of four after noon. All his and Lydia’s belongings collected from Lieutenant Neale’s quarters were strapped atop and behind, and whilst Darcy was of mind to ignore Wickham’s presence, he changed his mind and ventured below. The exchange between the two men appeared amicable, though such was the fuss in getting Lydia aboard the two men strolled a short distance their discourse thus passing unheard.

  Seeming not to care in the least that Wickham was there, Georgiana embraced Lydia and stayed in company with all, even when he advanced back toward the carriage. With his usual devil-may-care bearing he duly clicked his heels together, bowed, and said: “Good day Ladies, Bingley.”

  And with that said, Wickham leapt aboard, Porter closed the carriage door, and as everyone waved, so Lydia was driven away, a new life before her.

  Darcy later revealed his brief moment alone with Wickham had proved enlightening. To my greatest joy, Lydia’s life was to be better than first anticipated, for Wickham had confessed the house bequeathed to him was liveable though sorely in need of a woman’s touch. The land was in reasonable order and with good management would provide sufficient income to afford a comfortable living within a year. The godsend in the interim amounted to a little over four hundred pounds to invest in the house and the farm, and apparently, Wickham had dirtied his fingers in tilling soil with working horses. In Darcy’s estimation Wickham had at last found his way in life, and would endeavour to do his best for Lydia and their unborn child. Darcy had even suspected Wickham was passionately jealous and covetous of his young wife, to the detriment of the regiment, for he had every intention of selling his commission and taking up residence as a working gentleman farmer within the year –if not called to defend King and Country in the meanwhile.

  Life at Pemberley after Lydia’s departure fell subdued until the supper held on the Saturday next, which passed with great satisfaction. Darcy’s closest friends rallied to his presumed call, and none disapproved of his choice for a wife, not as could be determined. And of course, the presence of Belle and the Earl, and the realisation they had wed that very morn, caused quite a stir.

  Whereas, the supper ball held a day past caused last minute panic and mayhem when news reached us, the young Duke of Devonshire would be in attendance, his RSVP having arrived by private courier. The evening itself turned out far better than expected, even though the mistress of Pemberley was fully aware the guests had come merely to wish Georgiana a happy birthday. Then Georgiana announced she was betrothed, and duly danced almost every dance with the viscount. Gradually throughout the evening the mistress of Pemberley acquired little gatherings of potential lady friends, as did Jane.

  Whilst mid-dance with Bingley, he let slip to Jane his purchase of Farthingly and announced he would bring them to Derbyshire for Christmas, and come early spring they would move lock stock and proverbial barrel to Farthingly. Suddenly Derbyshire had seemed less bleak, less unfriendly, and later whilst dancing with Darcy, he whispered, “I’ve ordered the carriage made ready to travel to Longbourn on the Monday in tandem with Jane and Bingley. I presume that meets with your approval?”

  It did, oh how it did. And on the morrow they would all four be en route to Hertfordshire to meet with Master Bennet.

  A Happy Conclusion—

  I hope, dear reader, you think so, too!

  If you would like to learn more about me, the author, please feel free to visit my blog. There you can read articles on historical events, people of note in their time who are featured within my novels, added to which there are personal introductions from the characters themselves. I will add one caveat on next page where you can peruse back cover blurbs from my list of historical novels— and if you missed my introduction letter to you, the reader, it is at the front of this e-book. Thank you; and God bless.

  Other books by Francine Howarth

  Caveat: Although *Mr. Darcy’s Mistress* is a traditional sweet tale with no love scenes, the majority of my books do have explicit sensual or steamy love scenes appropriate to character development and their choices in life. One or two of the books have risqué content in which abductions occur and can be frightening for some readers, whilst others expect such from a swashbuckling tales of distressed heroines and heroic rescues. Near rape, (and Rape in general) is such an emotive subject in today’s world, and yet in times past it was a dreadful reality, not least within the imagined safety of the marital home, or in situations of war and retribution. So to set the record straight there are two unbidden molestation/near rape scenes in two novels –Her Favoured Captain and The Earls Captive Bride. However, within my English Civil War Series, book 2 *Toast of Clifton* there is a rape scene, which is motivated by envy and sense of revenge.

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  Many more of my Georgian & Regency novels are linked in some way by family connections, or sub/supporting characters who deserved a book all their own. A full list of pre-published novels and premise’ of new books in my Indie listing can be found on the next page, or perhaps you would prefer to catch up with my latest listing at Amazon – I am easily found at Amazon web sites worldwide:

  Amazon com

  Amazon UK

  email

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  A Sinful Countess: (Sensual)

  ...rekindling flames from smouldering embers of lustful dreams is a risqué venture...

  Whilst tales of Gothic horror deter visitors to Titchley House, the publication of Byron’s Vampyre added to the rumour the Countess of Villach has returned to her childhood home, stirs untold curiosity at neighbouring Upton Park. Alas, fear in one girl’s nightmare stirs her uncle and father to action, but neither man is truly prepared when the past and present collide in a whirlwind of suppressed love and desire. Whilst Bryony Stafford, novelist extraordinaire wars with the Earl of Wittlesea, his brother Captain Carleton is hell-bent on seducing the countess. He’s no saint and well aware scandal can taint the innocent, but can he win the woman he’s coveted for ten years or is she truly a Sinful Countess?

  In Love with a Portrait – (sensual)

  ... “No one, absolutely no one will dare disturb us, unless the house catches fire”...

  Cassandra never envisaged a week in the countryside with her cousin would lead to childish mischief. The prospect of the village stocks looms when they are caught trespassing within a grand country house. However, the law is the law, and the price of freedom in Cassandra’s case proves more costly than imagined, for she loses her heart to the very man whose portrait Sarah had fallen in love with, the man Sarah insists she will tempt and seduce at will. Cassandra’s release from custody by the man himself fuels jealousy and rivalry between her and Sarah. But when shocking revelations of a scandalous affair and illicit passions set precedence for a hasty elopement, stunned by it all, Cassandra discovers passionate asides can lead to true love and romance in the strangest of circumstance.

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  The Reluctant Duchess is a Regency tale of romance, abduction, mystery and murder. (Steamy content). The setting is Exmoor in Somerset, a place made famous by the novel Lorna Doone, of which the local inhabitants refer to as Doone Country. />
  Devon Howard, the Duke of Malchester, acquires a bride by dubious means. Well aware Liliana is a reluctant duchess, and although his new wife submits to his ardent advances on the wedding night, he cannot be sure, that even if given time, she will ever surrender her heart to him. While his past continues to damn him, he sets out to win Liliana by inciting jealousy and rivalry ‘twixt her and Serenity: a would-be mistress?

  Likewise Liliana has a dilemma, for although she despises her circumstances and feigns disinterest in Devon, she cannot deny his desirability. Twice married, rumours abound. Devon has twice bedded and broken a wife. Liliana believes otherwise. Nonetheless, evil does exist within the walls of Calder Hall, and Liliana fears for her life when she’s brutally abducted from her coach whilst en route from Dorset to Exmoor. But it is Devon’s blood that is sought, and while revenge for one person proves bittersweet, for another it proves fatal.

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  Amazon UK ~ Amazon Com

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  The Bath Series

  Infamous Rival – Regency Romance and Murder Mystery – Book 1 – Sensual/Steamy

  She was once the darling of the beau monde, but Georgette Lady Beaumont’s reputation lies in tatters after the apparent suicide of Lord Brockenbury’s heir. Shunned by society, Georgette embraces a secretive lifestyle in which she endeavours to evade Adam Brockenbury, whom she loathes as much as he desires her. Believing him capable of murder to gain his heart’s desire, she is not alone in thinking his elder brother’s death as somewhat suspicious, and whilst on a clandestine visit to her dearest friends she encounters a stranger of note.

  .

  As love, jealousy and hate take precedence, three murders are committed and Georgette quite believes she will be the murderer’s next victim, but who is the real murderer?