A New Bride for Pemberley Read online

  A New Bride for Pemberley

  Published by Anna Harlow, 2019

  © 2019 Anna Harlow

  All Rights Reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are all productions of the author’s imagination.

  Please note that this work is intended only for adults over the age of 18 and all characters represented as 18 or over.

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Epilogue

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  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Even over the loss of a wife he did not love, powerful grief gripped Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Walking alone in his gardens and through Pemberley’s forest provided comfort and solace. An odd mixture of sadness and relief plagued him over the months of mourning for a cousin whom his father had forced him to marry five years ago.

  “You know quite well that you must produce an heir, Will, a male child,” the man had insisted from his death bed. “Only then may Pemberley pass on, rather than returning to one of the earl’s sons.”

  His wife had finally birthed a female child, Francesca, last year. Seeing the effects on her health and the way she wasted away for six months before her death, Darcy had never felt any urge to touch her in that way again. Now that Anne was gone and four months had passed, he felt the words of his father in every one of his bones.

  Though his sister, Georgiana, had insisted on coming home from boarding school to care for Francesca, Darcy knew deep down that, although Georgiana was an excellent caregiver, it was not enough. His little girl needed a true mother, and he required a wife to produce his heir. The situation could not remain as such. He was impatient for stability and for his destiny once again to become clear.

  Returning to the parlor to speak to his sister, he was not surprised to discover that his best friend, Bingley, was also there. The pair looked up at him with concern. His eyes sought out only one person. The crawling ten month old girl who had just spied her father.

  “Hello, lovely, were you looking for me?”

  “Pa!” she squealed and made her way toward his direction.

  Darcy laughed as he closed the distance to pick her up. “Imp, shall you never learn the nature of steadiness? Waddling about is hardly ladylike!”

  “Give her time, Mr. Darcy,” the wet nurse, Mrs. Avery, said. “Once she is mobile, she will be a terror to behold. You should be glad your daughter has yet to acquire the skills of my little John. Only see what he’s gotten up to now.”

  Darcy glanced toward the servant’s child, who had toddled over to the bookshelf and was ready to do a disservice to yet another expensive tome. “Perhaps in the future, ladies, the children ought to be kept away from valuables for which they are not yet matured. May I suggest the parlor during the day?”

  “You are quite right, brother,” agreed Georgiana, grinning broadly as she procured Little John, since she was the closest party. “But you know that the blue salon is never comfortable at the end of winter. The sunlight does not enter the room until after noon, and it is but ten in the morning now.”

  “Then I shall have to remedy the situation somehow,” Darcy said, shrugging. “Surely, no object will be heard for a new addition to the eastern wing of the manor. For, I have long desired a better room for the morning myself, and the little garden in that placement would be no great loss. And above it, we could also use a better nursery, which would receive the light as well. Is it not convenient that the area under discussion adjoins my wife’s old rooms?”

  “And, there is no one in those rooms right now who would object to it,” added Bingley, then winced as he remembered why that was so. “Sorry, sir, but it is quite true. And if you are to find another bride for Pemberley, she will be pleased by the notion of a larger room than the one which stood there before.”

  “As always, Bingley, I see that you have easily anticipated me,” Darcy said, his face retaining a placid appearance despite the fact he was feeling somewhat emotional now that he would announce the decision he had finally come to. “I cannot long remain single if I am to fulfill my duty to Pemberley. There must be a male heir. The young gentleman is, I believe, long overdue, and now has no means to make his arrival. I had thought to bring my little family to town this year for the Season, and see if I might meet someone willing to help.”

  “Brother, never tell me you would marry another time simply to get an heir,” Georgiana protested. “I have long wished you could have had more happiness in your life, than to be saddled with a sickly, shrewish wife. No, sir, you will not marry some random debutante in a rush to refill the position. You must give yourself a chance to find true love this time.”

  “What romantic nonsense is this?” he complained. “How should I find love, when the very notion of entering a room filled with strangers leaves me cold? No, no, I shall simply ask Lady Catherine to provide a list of suitable young women, and then choose someone appropriate. It seems the wisest course.”

  “How very dull, Darcy!” Bingley complained. “It will not do! But I have come here today to tell you my own plan, which may actually serve yours quite well. You know that this year I have reached my majority, and I grow tired of being a burden on the household of my stepfather. I have taken it into mind to hunt for my own house. And, once it is procured, it will be my business to provide a mistress for it. Perhaps you ought to come along with me to Meryton, for I have recently heard of a wonderful old mansion from my solicitor. It is called Netherfield, and it has been empty for quite a while. A house in Hertfordshire, quite near to London, but in the country as well, would do perfectly as a place to move to when London is hot or dull. Pemberley and Lancaster House are both too far away to be of service at such times, do not you agree?”

  “I think I shall most decidedly accompany you down for a look at the place, if nothing else,” Darcy replied. “For you have no sense when it comes to shopping. You’d buy a three-legged dog from a vegetable merchant if you deemed the fellow nice enough. This Netherfield place must be examined thoroughly before you are tempted to sign on the dotted line.”

  “Sir, you have a knack for wounding me to the quick and boosting my spirits all with the same sentence,” Bingley told him. “For, how can I refute your words, which one might perceive to be cruel, when you have the right of it in them? I had hoped that you, a veteran land owner and sensible young man, would show me the ropes. I th
ank you for your continued solicitude for my well-being, since I have no notion of protecting it myself.”

  “It is not wise, Master, to bring an infant out for such a casual excuse as the viewing of a property,” Mrs. Avery pointed out. “We ought not to uproot anyone but yourself until it is settled where you shall wish to spend the next few months, if you ask me. And my husband would be better employed to help with all the plantings than to follow us into town.”

  “Surely John can spare you for the summer, Mrs. Avery, while Francesca is weaned. It isn’t as if your particular services will be required every year.”

  “Sir, I know that is so,” she agreed, smiling. “Well, unless this talk of finding another wife—one you are able to love—were to come about. For, you must know, children come along with far greater regularity when you have found a partner worthy of your regard.”

  Georgiana gasped, but the others in the room all chuckled.

  “Madam, behave yourself. My sister’s virginal ears do not know what you are about,” Darcy admonished her, though there was a teasing light in his eyes which had not been there for a long time. Perhaps his life with Anne had been harder than he knew, if a smile was so alien upon his lips now. “Bingley, we shall go down tomorrow to have a look at Netherfield and the village of Meryton as well. If you decide upon the place, there will be very little you must do other than sign papers and determine which servants shall occupy it right away.”

  “I have very few of my own servants, sir,” Bingley reminded him. “I imagine I shall need to hire them locally. It is quite certain Mr. Michaels will know where to find the most reputable domestics near the place, or that he can easily find someone who does.”

  “Quite right, quite right,” Darcy agreed, nodding. “Well then, I suppose you intend to stay and eat with us again? The hour of supper is fast approaching, and if I know you, you would far rather be here than at Lancaster House any day.”

  “And, as always, sir, you have anticipated me!”

  Chapter Two

  Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters often came into Meryton to visit with their Aunt Phillips and catch up on local news. Today, of course, Mrs. Phillips was in rare form, for she had it from Mrs. Norris herself that she had just been hired to keep house at Netherfield Park.

  “It is quite certain, girls, that the gentleman who wishes to take it will do so, as far as she can tell,” said Mrs. Phillips with some authority. “For the solicitor, Mr. Michaels, had a small team of servants brought out especially to serve Mr. Bingley and his particular friend for the duration of their visit, though at this time it is likely to be short. She has told me that if the gentleman decides upon the place, servants will be selected to ready it immediately. He might move in as soon as next week. What a fine thing for you girls!”

  “For us?” Elizabeth asked, frowning. “How should such a thing affect us, Aunt? A gentleman like him is unlikely to look in our direction. Surely someone interested in Netherfield would be much too fancy.”

  “But that is not so, love,” she insisted. “Mr. Bingley is young and wealthy. He will likely choose a house in the country, so that he might marry. Such a man is the rightful property of the young ladies of the neighborhood. I see no reason he might not choose one of you five over any other party.”

  “It is a small matter of dowries, madam,” said Jane Bennet, grimacing. “And the fact that none of us have any.”

  “Indeed, yes,” Elizabeth agreed. “For, if we did, I dare say that Jane or I might already be married. Certainly, Jane would, for she is by far the most beautiful young woman in the country.”

  “You go too far, Lizzy!” Jane complained.

  “Nay, it is so,” she insisted. “I am your sister, and I have eyes. I ought to know.”

  “We must away, now, Aunt, before the sky grows dark,” Jane said. “You know how much our Mama will carry on if we are late once more.”

  “Punctuality is a good habit to cultivate, considering the area will soon be crawling with soldiers,” Aunt Phillips pointed out. “Though they are meant to be gentlemanly and be kind to young ladies, they are not always so. Once they have come, you must be certain to take every care.”

  “Surely you exaggerate, Aunt Phillips,” Elizabeth scoffed. “Their fear of discipline should keep them well in line. In any case, it is a discussion we must save for another time. We shall, of course, tell our mother all that we now know.”

  “Oh yes, please do, my dear,” she agreed. “And let her know that I shall be by tomorrow, to discuss it with her in full.”

  The five young ladies were soon on their way out of the village, following the road southward along the familiar path they tread almost daily during the warmer months. At this time, in the early spring, however, there was still a bit of frost and dew covering the grass that morning. Now that the day had run its course, that residue was gone, and the sun was shining down on them as they headed back to Longbourn.

  “Lizzy, do you really think the soldiers will be a pack of rutting wolves, like our aunt says?” Lydia asked, her tone more intrigued than frightened.

  “It is not for me to say,” Elizabeth shrugged. “I have yet to meet a soldier, you know. I have no basis on which to compare. Yet I should think they are no better or worse than any other man in the world.”

  “But does that mean they will be gentlemanly, or that all men are rutting wolves?” Lydia teased. “I should like it quite well if it was a bit of both.”

  “Hush, Lydia, do you not see we aren’t alone?” Jane scolded her, indicating a pair of horsemen riding toward Meryton.

  Even though they could not have heard the topic of which the girls spoke, several blushes arose amongst the ladies at the notion that they came upon these men while they were alone. Neither of the gentlemen were known to them.

  “Do you suppose these men might be Mr. Bingley and his particular friend?” asked Lydia. “I wish they might come closer, so I could get a look at them.”

  “Do not look too closely, dearest,” Elizabeth cautioned her. “I should not wish you to frighten off our potential neighbor.”

  “Hello! Greetings, young ladies,” called out one man, though the other man did no more than tilt his hat to them. The first added, “I should very much like to meet some locals. Mr. Bingley, at your service. I am considering the purchase of a home in the area, and I wondered what sort of neighbors I might be in for if I happened to settle here. Can you offer any news, my dears?”

  “Sir, we ought not to speak with you at all,” said Jane, curtsying slightly. “Our mother would deem it most improper.”

  “You need have no fear of us, you know,” he added with a most ingratiating smile. “The worst you might get is a growl—and that would come from him, not I. I am a truly gentle soul.”

  “Your friend does look formidable, sir,” said Elizabeth as she looked the man over.

  “Never mind him. What can you tell me of the neighborhood? I simply must know.”

  Jane took pity on him. “Then if you must know, sir, we dine with four and twenty families of all shapes and sizes. And, as it is a merchant town, Meryton is often visited by folks from all parts of Hertfordshire. They sell their vegetables and such in the market square. Oh yes, and every other Thursday, there is held at the assembly hall a sort of country ball where the young people gather together for dancing and a supper. It is quite enjoyable.”

  Bingley, who had dismounted, though the other gentleman did not, was now smiling at Jane as they spoke, nodding genially at her every word. He seemed warmer toward her now that such a subject had arose.

  “A country dance?” he asked, smiling with excitement. “How excellent that sounds. I do love the country, with all of its open spaces and friendly occupants. It is excellent country here as well. Mr. Darcy and I have come down from the north for a look, and he has already said the house has been kept well. I have come looking at Netherfield Park. Do you know it?”

  “Oh yes, we do, sir, though none of us has ever set foot inside i
t,” Jane said. “It is ten years now since its former owner passed on without any heirs, and the place passed to Meryton itself. It will be wonderful to have a family to live in it again, sir. And will your wife and children be joining you there?”

  Elizabeth applauded Jane, who knew quite well that Mr. Bingley was single. For, having been well trained by her mother in what manner she might flirt with someone, she appeared to have taken the instructions to heart.

  “I am not married, Miss—pray, what is your name? Who is your family?”

  “We are the Bennet sisters, sir,” she explained. “My given name is Jane, and here you see Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine, and Lydia. Our estate, Longbourn, is but a few miles from here, and we are now intent on reaching it while the sun yet shines. I pray you will forgive us, but we cannot linger here much longer.”

  “Do forgive me, Miss Bennet. I should not wish to detain you,” he said, smiling at her. “Though we may have no time today for conversation, perhaps I might speak to you at the assembly dance, if you will instruct me further.”

  “Your surest way to learn of it must be through Sir William Lucas, the mayor of the village. If you take the manor, he is most certain to come out and visit you in due course, for he is obliged to meet every new citizen who comes to live nearby.”