A Quest for Mr Darcy

by Cassandra Grafton

  His cousin stopped, assuming a look of pretend horror as he glanced down at his person, then looked over his right, then left shoulder. ‘I thought I had mislaid something!’ He grinned at Darcy. ‘Young Robert became fretful, and Miss Mary Bennet offered to take him inside for a moment.’

  They began to walk again. ‘When do you leave for Surrey?

  Fitzwilliam shrugged his shoulders. ‘We are not in any haste. My mother-in-law is hoping to make some stay with us in Derbyshire first.’ He shook his head. ‘A sad business, though she does not seem too despondent. She even expressed her dissatisfaction with having to be in mourning!’

  ‘What happened precisely?’ Darcy looked over to where Eleanor Fitzwilliam was encouraging her two small daughters to follow Thomas into the house. ‘Eleanor does not appear to be in mourning either!’

  ‘She was not attached to her father, as you know; she wore black for a week, then declared it sufficient.’ Fitzwilliam laughed. ‘Eleanor is not one for convention! As for Latimer—well, he always had a line out to seek a catch, and this time he got caught himself.’

  Darcy frowned. ‘But his only child has been settled nigh on four years!’

  Fitzwilliam laughed again. ‘Indeed, and grateful am I for her choice!’ He sobered. But I speak literally, not metaphorically. Latimer went fishing a few weeks ago. It seems his own line ensnared him; he toppled into the water from his boat and, his heavy boots soon filling with water, he sank from sight. They fished him out a few days later further downstream.’

  ‘It must have been an unpleasant time for the family.’

  Fitzwilliam snorted. ‘More unpleasant for the fish, I suspect.’

  ~o0o~

  Pausing by the steps at the edge of the terrace as she returned from her errand, Elizabeth smiled at Fitzwilliam as he bounded up the steps past her.

  ‘A splendid occasion, Elizabeth!’ Bingley beamed at her as he came to stand beside her. ‘And a charming gathering of company. I shall have my work cut out persuading the girls to return to Yorkshire.’

  Elizabeth laughed. ‘I think you will have far less difficulty now, Charles.’ She inclined her head towards her sister, now cradling a baby in each arm and listening to her stepmother, who had come to sit beside her.

  Bingley grinned. ‘My services may be required; if you will excuse me.’ He walked across the terrace and addressed Mrs Bennet before lifting one of the tiny babies from Jane’s arms and, holding him close, dropped a kiss upon his head. Elizabeth smiled as she turned away.

  To see her sister’s happiness meant so much to her, though Jane had made them all wait for it! Staying true to his word, once Elizabeth and Darcy were married, Bingley had turned his attention to finding an estate to purchase, soon settling upon a handsome property in Yorkshire, mid-way between Harrogate and Pemberley.

  Almost reclusive, he had lived a quiet life, as though he were waiting for something, devoting his time to his younger sisters and, in their absence, their growing puppies. Once a month, on the 26th, he would ride down to Derbyshire to stay overnight with the Darcys. Each time, he would call at The Grange to pay his respects to Mr Bennet and his daughters, producing a single rose for Jane, but never staying beyond the requisite hour.

  The months had passed and as the year had waned, November came around, and on the 26th, three years to the day since they had danced at the Netherfield Ball, Jane had awaited the gentleman’s call. Yet this time, he did not come.

  Smiling at the memory, Elizabeth stepped down onto the lawn. She had suspected her sister would be surprised by the intensity of her disappointment. Duly, Jane had slipped out of the house and walked the two miles to call upon her sister and young nephew, where she was shown not into Elizabeth’s private sitting room but instead, the orangery.

  It was awash with roses from the hot houses and standing amongst them was Bingley. His proposal came as a surprise to no one but the lady herself and, having made him wait so long to secure her, she consented to a short engagement, and they were wed on twelfth night.

  Elizabeth laughed softly as her gaze fell upon her husband, who had turned about and was making his way back across the lawn. He had been so relieved by the happy conclusion to his earlier interference and finally seemed able to forego his own guilt.

  Stopping to exchange a few words with Sir Charles and Lady Araminta, who were admiring the rose beds, Elizabeth walked on, catching sight of her father with his small son as they made their way slowly towards the ponds.

  She released a contented sigh. Mr Bennet had succumbed to a period of ill health after the events of the year thirteen, the strain of the previous twelve months finally taking its toll on him. Rest was the only cure, and it was Sarah who had taken it upon herself to spend the most time with him as he made a slow recovery.

  Elizabeth had been unsure whether this was because she wished to atone or to impress Mr Wentworth with her ministrations, but in the circumstances, she was willing to forego her sister’s motive.

  Mr Bennet was a gentleman of but four and forty at the time, and the strong constitution that had seen him reach adulthood with barely an encounter with illness, stood him in good stead. So much so, he was well enough within a twelvemonth to walk down the aisle with Mrs Annesley, to whom he had become seriously attached, and begin a union as happy and rewarding as any where like minds and hearts are joined.

  Elizabeth watched as her father lifted Samuel up and set him on his shoulders. He was a delightful little boy, with his father’s quick intelligence but his mother’s charming smile and sweet disposition, and all his sisters adored him.

  This reminder of her other sister, Georgiana, drew Elizabeth’s attention back to the terrace, and she smiled as she saw the happy couple standing a little apart from everyone now, engrossed solely in each other. Turning away, Elizabeth resumed her walk and soon was within a few paces of her elusive husband.

  ~o0o~

  Darcy looked up to see Elizabeth walking towards him. His heart full of his love for her, he reached out to take her hands in his as she joined him.

  ‘I recall you once circling a drawing room in much the same manner, sir—though your air and countenance are considerably improved since Hertfordshire.’

  ‘I am pleased to hear it.’ Darcy studied her face for a moment, then touched the back of his hand to her soft cheek. ‘How are you, my love? Not too tired? I would not have you overdo things.’

  Elizabeth took his hand and pressed a kiss upon it. ‘I am but a few months with child, Fitz, and it is not my first time.’ Her eyes were twinkling. ‘It is too early to be sharing such intelligence with our family, though I have barely had to lift a finger with you fussing around me!’

  ‘That is precisely as it should be.’ He led her over to a stone bench against some well-established hedging. ‘Sit with me a while?’

  ‘We have guests, Fitz! We should be mingling!’

  ‘Let them mingle with each other, Elizabeth. I have barely seen you.’ She cast him an amused glance as they sat, but he did not smile. ‘There are too many demands on your attention when the house is so full.’

  ‘We shall soon be restored to ourselves, my love.’

  He smiled ruefully. ‘It reminds me of when we became engaged. At least we know Aunt Catherine will not arrive unannounced on this occasion!’

  Elizabeth laughed, and he placed an arm about her as she leaned her head upon his shoulder.

  ‘It is a shame she is too unwell to travel; since you have reconciled with her, you have barely seen her.’

  Darcy shrugged. ‘I find I can bear it perfectly well. Besides,’ he gestured towards their company. ‘Do we not have all we desire? We are fortunate in our families, are we not?’

  ‘Indeed; we have been truly blessed.’

  ‘I never dreamed of such happiness as this.’ He sighed. ‘I grow cold whenever I consider what might have been, had I not returned to Pemberley when I did that summer.’

  Sitting up, Elizabeth took his hand in hers. ‘Hush, my
love. We have spoken of this; you must not dwell upon such things, but recall only the good that has come out of it.’ She laughed. ‘For myself, if I look back to that year, I prefer to think of your shocked visage when I showered you with cold water!’

  Darcy smiled ruefully. ‘I could not have imagined a worse meeting. I hardly looked the gentleman once you were done with me.’

  Elizabeth laughed again, and raised a hand to touch his face. ‘I liked seeing you thus. It made you more approachable.’

  Raising a brow, Darcy captured the hand and pressed a kiss into her palm. ‘And this is why you have made a habit of visiting me when I bathe, Mrs Darcy?’

  How he loved the way the easy colour still dusted her cheeks!

  ‘I think it best you speak of other things, sir. It would not do for me to become overheated.’

  Darcy laughed quietly. ‘No, indeed it would not.’ He held onto her hand, his gaze once more roaming across the lawns to the house. Kitty Bennet was in conversation with the twins now, an occasional burst of laughter drifting towards them, but as he watched a young man approached and, excusing herself, Kitty took his arm and they began to walk towards the walled garden.

  ‘Trust Kitty to be guided by Lydia’s influence!’ Elizabeth’s gaze followed the young couple. ‘Goodness, I have not thought of Sarah as Lydia for so long now! I wonder where that came from?’

  ‘Yet your sisters gained a great deal from their time being tutored in Ripon, did they not?’

  ‘Yes, indeed.’ She smiled up at Darcy. ‘I am teasing, because she has turned her attention to the new curate of Kympton parish.’

  ‘Ah, I see.’

  ‘Though not as handsome as Mr Wentworth, he does draw at least as big a congregation with his commanding air and ability to speak well.’

  ‘Are you making a match, Elizabeth?’ Darcy smiled. ‘You had best not turn your mind to Mary next. She has become invaluable to your father and his wife since Samuel arrived last year.’

  ‘It is quite unexpected; I never envisaged Mary as having such an affinity for children. Look.’

  Eleanor Fitzwilliam had emerged from the house, Mary Bennet in her wake, the latter carrying Robert, and little Lucy Wentworth holding onto her spare hand.

  ‘Cousin Eleanor has taken special care of Mary, has she not? She has brought her talents along significantly.’

  ‘She has been a good friend to the family.’ Darcy watched as they joined his cousin, who took the baby back from Mary with a smile.

  ‘She has.’ Elizabeth smiled ruefully and looked up at him. ‘I did not expect to like her; I did not want to like her.’

  Darcy frowned. ‘Why?’

  ‘Because she was destined for you, Fitz!’

  Getting to his feet, Darcy pulled Elizabeth up to join him and drew her close. He studied her features for a moment, held her fine eyes with his own gaze, then leaned down to place a gentle kiss upon her lips.

  ‘You are mistaken, Elizabeth. No one was ever my destiny but you.’

  THE END

  About the Author

  A fan of Jane Austen since her long-distant school days, Cassandra Grafton has been indulging her appetite for all things Austen for many years. Having long wanted to be a writer, she began publishing her endeavours in 2013. A Fair Prospect, a Pride & Prejudice-inspired Regency romance, was released in three volumes.

  She then went on to be part of the co-writing team on The Darcy Brothers, another Austen-inspired historical novel, before settling down to co-write with one of her best friends.

  The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen, a contemporary mystery/romance, was released in July 2016 under the names of Ada Bright and Cass Grafton.

  A former college lecturer and PA, Cassandra has lived in three countries, and loves travelling, reading, cats and dry wine (and she combines most of these as often as she can!)

  She has two grown up children and splits her time between Switzerland, where she lives with her husband, and England, where she lives with her characters.

  She is a member of the Romance Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors, the Jane Austen Society UK and is a founding member of the Jane Austen Society of Switzerland.

  ~o0o~

  Blog—cassandragrafton.com

  Email—cassandra.grafton@gmail.com

  Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/cassie.grafton

  Twitter—@CassGrafton

  Also by Cassandra Grafton

  The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen

  (co-written with Ada Bright)

  'This is an often touching, frequently very funny, story of friendship and fandom, which asks some searching questions about the role of literature in our lives.'

  Joceline Bury for Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine

  ‘A tale of dear friends coming together, a mystery turned adventure, and more than one budding romance – Ada Bright and Cass Grafton seamlessly blended and perfectly balanced every ingredient of this novel. Each component was well-crafted and it is impossible to tell where one author’s writing ends and one begins. Hats off to such a stellar writing team!’

  Meredith Esparza at Austenesque Reviews

  ‘Wow– just wow! What a story. The unrequited love was touching and the longing felt believable. I was captivated by the women’s friendships–rang very true to me. This is a great story that I’m glad I took the time to read. Now just to make time to get to Bath!’

  Christina Boyd, Amazon Vine Voice Reviewer

  A Fair Prospect—a story in three Volumes

  A Fair Prospect is an introspective book with a slow paced story but with an intensity that will keep readers glued to it. It is overly romantic, all scenes between Darcy and Elizabeth are electrifying, their dialogues are breathtaking and the sequence of events beautifully formulated. It remains one of my favourite books of all times and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Darcy and Elizabeth!

  Rita Deodato at From Pemberley to Milton

  Volume I—Disappointed Hopes

  ‘Through witty dialog and beautiful Regency language, this book is in the style of Jane Austen herself. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It ranks among the best of the Austenesque novels that I have read. I look forward, with much anticipation, to the continuation of this story in Volume II.’

  Janet Taylor at More Agreeably Engaged

  Volume II—Darcy’s Dilemma

  ‘Be prepared for a major cliff-hanger at the end of Volume II. You might want to have a copy of Desperate Measures on hand, because you won’t want to stop reading! It’s so good!’

  Candy Morton at So Little Time

  Volume III—Desperate Measures

  ‘The stunning conclusion to Grafton’s trilogy delivers on all of the promises from the first two volumes, and was well worth the wait! I have loved reading this series and can’t recommend it enough to anyone who wonders ‘what if’?

  Jenn Johnson at Inspired by Austen