I Dream of Darcy, Book 2: A Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation: I Dream of Darcy, #2

By Andrea David

In London for the season, can penniless Lizzy beguile the arrogant Mr. Darcy?

Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is wintering in London with her aunt and sister. Now that Jane and Bingley are reunited, Lizzy begins to think about her own future. She may never get a chance like this again to find the husband of her hopes.

Socializing with the best noble families, she attracts a number of suitors. Yet she cannot stop thinking about the handsome but enigmatic Mr. Darcy. Despite their old animosity, he soon captures her heart. His sister Georgiana's matchmaking helps Lizzy's cause. But she cannot read the man himself. Sometimes he seeks her out in company and flatters her with kind words. Sometimes he holds himself aloof.

When a charming young earl begins courting her, how will Darcy react? Will he declare his love at last, or will Lizzy be forced to give up her dreams of Darcy?

This Pride and Prejudice variation is a sweet Regency romance. It's the second book of a novel in three parts. This serial includes flirty banter, wicked rakes, and breathless kisses, but no on-page intimacy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daring Hearts Press
• Release date: Sep 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393117988

Andrea David

Andrea David is a women's fiction author in Raleigh, North Carolina who writes stories of romantic love and family dynamics. She enjoys gardening, scuba diving, and hiking active volcanoes with her husband. Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.j.wenger.author/ Never miss a release! Sign up for Andrea's fan list to be notified of new books, special offers, and exclusive content.  http://eepurl.com/b2UhvD

Book preview

Chapter 1

This is Book 2 in the I Dream of Darcy serial. Be sure to start with Book 1.

The next day, after their customary morning walk, Lizzy and Jane joined their aunt in the drawing room. It was their at-home day, though they did not expect many visitors. They had few acquaintances in Mayfair.

Lizzy did not mind the prospect of a quiet day at home. Tomorrow they had theatre tickets, and their uncle would come to take them out for the evening. A break between social events offered a chance to contemplate what was next for her.

Jane’s courtship was progressing nicely. What about Lizzy and her future?

She hated the idea of entering the marriage mart. Yet another opportunity like this might never present itself. She must take advantage of it while she could. She wanted to fall in love in her own time, when she met a respectable man who could make her happy. Yet her circle of acquaintance in Meryton was small, and it might be years before someone new came her way.

Her wisest choice was to enter the fray.

With a sigh, she walked over to pick up her embroidery. Then, she noticed the tall stack of mail on the escritoire, where her aunt had sat down. Lizzy was about to ask about it when a footman stepped into the doorway. He announced the Countess of Greymore and her daughter, Lady Cressida Marlowe.

Lizzy turned and pressed a hand to her chest. She and Jane had of course chanced upon Lady Cressida in Berkeley Square a few days earlier. But for the countess herself to call was a compliment indeed.

Cressida greeted Lizzy and Jane by clasping their hands warmly. She wore a gown of hyacinth-blue silk that glimmered with a lovely sheen in the firelight. Though breathtaking, it seemed impractical as a winter walking dress. Lizzy imagined the ensemble must also include a matching pelisse lined with ermine.

With boredom in her tone but an imp in her eyes, Lady Cressida introduced her mother. A woman of about fifty, the countess was just shy of plumpness. Greying blonde curls peeked out artfully from her turban. Dressed in champagne-coloured silk, she expressed her raptures at meeting them. Her high-pitched voice and excitable demeanour contrasted with her daughter’s unflappability.

I understand you are a dear friend of Lady Purcell, the countess said to Mrs. Gardiner as they all sat.

Yes, we went to school together in Derbyshire.

Indeed! the countess cried, fluttering her handkerchief. Our country estate is in Derbyshire. In which town was the school located?

Lambton.

Oh yes, I know it well. It is not far from Pemberley. The countess sipped her tea. Did you know the Darcys while you were there?

I was not so fortunate, ma’am. Mrs. Gardiner offered a plate of biscuits. Mr. and Miss Darcy have been most kind to my nieces, however, since they arrived in London.

Lady Greymore accepted a square of shortbread. Yes, I understood Mr. Darcy met them in Hertfordshire last autumn. The countess turned her smiling gaze to Lizzy and Jane.

Lizzy was not sure what to make of this. How did the Countess of Greymore know so much about her and her sister? Seeking answers, she asked benignly, Are you close friends with the Darcys, ma’am?

Oh yes, Lady Anne was one of my dearest friends. Such a terrible loss, and Georgiana was but six years old when she passed. A distant sadness clouded her eyes. Young Darcy and my eldest son have been friends since before they left for Eton together. A steady young man, he is. I keep telling Cressida she could do worse.

Lizzy tensed against the wave of jealousy that rushed over her. The mix of anger and dread tightening her chest and pooling in her stomach could be called by no other name. It was preposterous, of course. She did not like Darcy, nor he her.

Lady Cressida tittered. Mama, I have told you. I admire Mr. Darcy, but he is not the one for me. Gazing sideways at Jane, Cressida gave a little sigh and said dreamily, Mr. Bingley is the sort of man I prefer. But I understand he has eyes for no one but Miss Bennet.

Jane’s lips parted, and a blush rose in her cheeks. She turned her face away.

Goodness! Lizzy exclaimed. Is that rumour circulating? I had no idea anyone knew of us.

You are entirely unknown, Lady Cressida said, which makes you a great mystery. Everyone is talking of Miss Bennet’s beauty, even though no one has seen her. She sipped her tea. "It is the way of the ton. But I daresay they will not be disappointed—except for those who are rivals for Mr. Bingley’s affections."

That is kind of you to say, Jane interjected. But I cannot see how my sister and I could have excited such notice. We have lived all our lives in the country, and we come to town but rarely.

Hertfordshire is such a rural outback, Cressida teased. You may as well be in Australia.

I did not mean it was as bad as that, Jane added with a smile. Meryton was, after all, just a few hours’ ride from London. It was not as if they lived in York or Cornwall.

Do not underestimate yourselves, Cressida chided. Miss Bennet, you are kind and attentive. Anyone speaking to you feels like the only person in the room.

You are right about that, Lizzy said, warmth filling her heart as she turned to her sister.

As for you, Miss Elizabeth, Cressida said, fluttering her ivory fan, "you are lively and clever. Your wit makes you a true original. The ton loves an original."

Lizzy smiled slyly. I have never considered my impudence a virtue before.

Lady Cressida looked at her askance. I predict you will be a great success.

At least until the novelty wears off, Lizzy countered, knowing all too well that Jane was right. The manners of the ton were too rarefied for the Bennet sisters to emulate. The best they could hope for was refined but unsophisticated.

And in truth, Lizzy did not care about London’s elite. Once Jane was safely engaged, Lizzy would go back to the country. Until then, she would relentlessly seek invitations to the best ton events. She and Jane would pursue Bingley at every ball, rout, and Venetian breakfast.

WHEN THE GUESTS HAD gone, the butler entered. He handed Mrs. Gardiner a silver salver bearing an assortment of calling cards. The cards had been sent by their neighbours that morning, welcoming the family to the square.

This is a surprise! aunt Gardiner said to her nieces. Jane was working on a watercolour while Lizzy sat in the window seat with a book in hand. Suddenly the Berkeley Square families are taking notice of us. And look at all the invitations that arrived in the post this morning! What could have prompted it?

Lizzy pondered that but was interrupted before she could answer. The butler returned to announce Lady Arabella and Lady Nerissa Fitzwilliam.

Arabelle looked pretty and vivacious in rose-coloured satin. Her glossy dark hair was styled in an elaborate knot high on her head. Nerissa, who appeared to be about Lizzy’s age, wore sage-green velvet. She was fairer than her sister, brown-haired with hazel eyes that sparkled impishly. Her demeanour was more placid and in fact reminded Lizzy of Darcy.

When Nerissa heard I had met you, Lady Arabella said, she insisted we call at once. How wonderful to have friends of Georgiana’s as our neighbours.

Neighbours for now, Lizzy said, serving the pound cake while Jane poured the tea. Mrs. Gardiner sat at the escritoire, leaving the young ladies to their conversation. Lizzy continued, A friend of our aunt’s is letting us use her house until Easter.

How splendid! Arabella cried. Mr. Bingley must come to the point by then.

Lizzy was startled by her bluntness. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Jane blushing deeply.

Mr. Bingley is darling, Nerissa said jovially. But he is unlikely to make a decision of any consequence unless someone tells him to do it.

I daresay that is true. Arabella looked at Jane sideways, wearing a grin. If Darcy told him to propose, Miss Bennet would be an engaged lady by this evening.

The Fitzwilliam sisters tittered. Lizzy smiled consciously, not wishing to offend their guests. But she felt embarrassed for Jane’s sake. In a light-hearted voice, Lizzy said, "Mr. Darcy is the key."

Jane, however, showed no hint of mirth. In a firm but gentle voice, she said, "I do believe Mr. Bingley capable of making his own decisions."

Oh, of course! Arabelle said, patting Jane’s arm. Forgive us. We have known Mr. Bingley since we were girls, and we love to tease him. Truly, from the looks of him at my cousin’s house yesterday, he has already made the decision.

Jane’s expression softened, and she appeared gratified.

Nerissa looked at Jane pointedly. "If he does not act on that decision soon, he will have rivals aplenty once you are known. I predict that within a month, Miss Bennet will be hailed amongst the ton as a diamond of the first water."

Lizzy thought that a tired, meaningless phrase, one that brought colour to Jane’s cheeks again. Why would anyone notice the Bennet sisters of Hertfordshire? They had neither title nor fortune to recommend them.

Arabella, however, nodded vigorously, showing her agreement with her sister’s statement. You will be a great success, now that you are established in Mayfair. Georgiana is most pleased. She had been fretting about the distance to your uncle’s home.

I am fond of Miss Darcy, Lizzy said, and gratified by the friendship she has shown us.

She appreciates women of intelligence and wit. Arabella’s eyes twinkled. "Especially when they can put Darcy in his place. Most young women are either terrified of him, or act like sycophants. The way you stand up to him, Miss Elizabeth, is rather terrifying. I hope you never have cause to turn you wit on me."

Oh! Lizzy’s cheeks burned. She had not thought her treatment of Darcy to be so obvious. I never meant...that is to say...

"Darcy is particularly bad. Nerissa brushed back a curl that had fallen over her forehead. With family he is fine, but in company—sometimes, he positively glowers. He has long been in need of a good set-down."

That assessment alarmed Lizzy. I would not suggest that Mr. Darcy is anything other than a gentleman of high principles.

Of course, Nerissa said. His principles are not in question. You will admit that he could be more sociable.

Lizzy’s anxiety eased. I admit, I have sometimes thought so.

Nerissa smiled. Then we are of one mind on the subject.

Arabelle sank her fork into a slice of pound cake, then turned to Jane. Miss Bennet, I hope you will not stand on ceremony with Miss Darcy. You and your sister may call on her freely. Even though she is not yet out, Darcy approves of her socializing with the right sort of young ladies.

‘Tis a pity, Nerissa said. We had expected she would make her come-out at the same time as Arabelle, or right after. But now she prefers to wait. She is such a shy thing.

Arabella’s expression turned stormy. Her shyness could be got over, if it were not for that rogue— She broke off, colouring deeply, her eyes darting to her sister’s.

In a low tone, Lizzy finished for her. George Wickham.

The Fitzwilliam sisters stared at her, mouths gaping. You know about that? Nerissa asked.

Lizzy spoke carefully. My sister and I had the misfortune to meet Mr. Wickham in Meryton, where his regiment is stationed for the winter. Mr. Darcy was loath to expose him for the blackguard he is, for obvious reasons, but events made it necessary.

Jane added, Lizzy and I have kept the information confidential, of course. For Miss Darcy’s protection.

Nerissa’s eyes flitted from Lizzy to Jane and back again. Arabelle smiled sadly and pressed a hand to Jane’s forearm. It is a terrible business when a man one trusted from childhood turns out to be a villain. I would hate to be in Georgiana’s shoes.

Nerissa turned to her sister wearing a grim expression. Take care, then, Arabelle. You have danced with Rolf Peabody at more than one assembly. Even though my brother Richard has warned us against him.

Oh, pish, Arabelle said with a wave of her hand. Mr. Peabody is a rogue, but he is not a villain. He has never been anything but kind to me.

Just as Mr. Wickham had never been anything but kind to Georgiana.

Arabella rolled her eyes. You need not worry about that, sister. I shall not run off to Greta Green with Mr. Peabody.

I take it Mr. Peabody is a family friend? Lizzy asked