Amity (Darcy's Courtesan, Part Three): Darcy's Courtesan, #3

By Abbey North

More than a courtesan…

With Mr. Bennet dead and Lydia having fled, leaving the Bennet sisters in disgrace, the widowed Mr. Collins believes he will easily persuade Lizzy to be his new bride. When she refuses, they are forced to flee the small home they've lived in at Longbourn for the last two years. Lizzy and her sisters come to unwelcoming London, unable to seek refuge with the Gardiners because of their reputations, ruined by Lydia's actions. With dwindling prospects, Lizzy accepts an offer of assistance from an unlikely source.

Lizzy has recognized love still exists between them, allowing her to soften her stance. She's on the cusp of obtaining everything in the world that could make her happy, but an old enemy isn't content to allow her and Fitzwilliam such a chance. Can he keep them from the HEA for which they've fought so hard?

This is part three of a completed three-part serial.

While Abbey sometimes writes sweet JAFF, this is extra SENSUAL. It includes love scenes that are scorching. This is only for adult readers who don't object to explicit intimacies between ODC.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abbey North JAFF Books
• Release date: Aug 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201841171

Book preview

Blurb

More than a courtesan...

WITH MR. BENNET DEAD and Lydia having fled, leaving the Bennet sisters in disgrace, the widowed Mr. Collins believes he will easily persuade Lizzy to be his new bride. When she refuses, they are forced to flee the small home they've lived in at Longbourn for the last two years. Lizzy and her sisters come to unwelcoming London, unable to seek refuge with the Gardiners because of their reputations, ruined by Lydia's actions. With dwindling prospects, Lizzy accepts an offer of assistance from an unlikely source.

Lizzy has recognized love still exists between them, allowing her to soften her stance. She’s on the cusp of obtaining everything in the world that could make her happy, but an old enemy isn’t content to allow her and Fitzwilliam such a chance. Can he keep them from the HEA for which they’ve fought so hard?

This is part three of a completed three-part serial.

While Abbey sometimes writes sweet JAFF, this is extra SENSUAL. It includes love scenes that are scorching. This is only for adult readers who don't object to explicit intimacies between ODC.

Chapter One

It is necessary to read, "Adversity and Avidity before reading Amity."

LIZZY WAS STUNNED SPEECHLESS for a moment, unable to remember how to think, let alone form words. As she stared up at him, she couldn’t doubt his sincerity, and for a moment, she was tempted to throw caution to the wind and immediately agree. Instead, she forced herself to think rationally.

Fitzwilliam, I cannot allow you to ruin yourself this way. If anyone finds out what I have done, it will destroy your reputation. It would be bad enough what Lydia has done to our sisters and myself. That is an old scandal, and perhaps it would not carry the same sting, since the disapproval comes from her actions. I remain foolishly optimistic about that, though I am certain you will hear a great deal of gossip and have ill will directed toward you even because of Lydia, should I allow you to tie yourself to me. I love you too much to do that.

His eyes widened, and he let out a shaky sigh. A moment later, he pressed another kiss to her palm, cradling her hand against his cheek. You do love me then?

Perhaps she should not admit it, but he needed to hear the truth in her heart as well, for she was going to have to break both of theirs by refusing his offer. I do, and as I said, I love you far too much to allow you to bear this burden.

He scowled I know precisely what kind of burden I can bear, my love. If it will make you feel better, I will happily announce to every drawing room we enter you were my courtesan before I married you. If that is what is required to prove my love and devotion to you, to let you know I remain steadfast beside you regardless, I shall do so.

Lizzy’s eyes widened with horror as she imagined such a scene. Following Mr. Darcy into Rosings Park to meet with Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Anne de Bourgh, where he calmly and coolly announced Lizzy had spent weeks warming his bed before consenting to be his wife. She wasn’t certain whether she wanted to choke on shock or die laughing. A strangled gasp/chortle escaped her, but she quickly shook her head. No, I would not have you do such a thing. We must agree to never speak of it again.

Under what context? If you are negotiating for silence in exchange for agreeing to be my bride, I will happily agree to that. If you are telling me I must never again speak of my love for you or reiterate my proposal yet again, I will reluctantly try to abide. However, if you expect me to remain quiet or not defend you and face those who would tear you down, particularly if they discovered this shocking arrangement between us, then I cannot agree to that. If you are my wife, I will sacrifice everything required to protect you from even the faintest whisper of gossip. If you leave me, I shall still feel compelled to defend you whenever possible, should your name ever arise with ugly stigma attached.

Lizzy blinked at his words, her gaze locked on his soft brown eyes. They blazed with passionate intensity, and there was another emotion she couldn’t pretend didn’t exist. Unadulterated devotion. It was obvious he believed everything he was saying. That made it so much harder to continue to resist. Do you not understand the implications for yourself? That would be bad enough, but what about Miss Georgiana?

My sister is now Mrs. Wilford, a married woman, and while it might partially  taint her reputation, she has already made a good match. He had spoken firmly and decisively, but now his voice softened, turning coaxing. Do you not understand the depth of my devotion? I will endure whatever is required and fight whomever I must to assure your place to stand rightfully beside me. I understand the challenges, and I embrace them. For you are the sweetest reward I could imagine, and the idea of conflict to achieve it does not frighten me at all.

Tears sprang to Lizzy’s eyes, and she pressed her lips to his palm, kissing several times. She was searching for words to express her gratitude, but her heart was still insisting she must tell him no. "I love you as well, Fitzwilliam, and that is why it pains me to even imagine the damage I could do to you and your reputation. I would not see you regarded as a fool, or someone to be pitied by the Ton."

"The Ton can hang itself, said Fitzwilliam with remarkable lack of care. You know I have no great affection for socializing, and it would give me nothing but happiness for you and me to lock ourselves away at Pemberley for the rest of our lives. I will endure the London seasons for you if you wish, but I am just as happy to turn hermit with my dearly loved wife if that would be your preference as well."

Lizzy’s breath caught at the offer, and it intrigued her. She wouldn’t want to completely give up London, but she certainly saw the appeal of burying themselves away in the country. She cleared her throat as she said, That does not guarantee happiness at Pemberley either though. People will talk there, and if word of my family’s shame leaks to the people of Lambton, it will make your life difficult.

He snorted. To be blunt, Lizzy, I own a great deal of Lambton, plus all of Pemberley. Many of the people who live in the area rely on my estate for employment and support. Of course, there will be gossip, but I do not believe any will be so bold as to speak it to our face. I am not one to wield my influence in an authoritative manner, but I would not hesitate to do so in the circumstances you described. Should anyone attempt to harm you with even a careless whisper, I shall utterly destroy them.

She shivered at the genuine resolve in his tone. There was something almost awe-inspiring about Fitzwilliam right then. Try as she might, she didn’t think she’d be able to sway him from his point-of-view. His steadfastness was having an unexpected result by changing her perception. Recalling his preference for Miss Jones, who looked so much like herself, had her asking, "You have truly loved me all this time? Is that why your preferred companion at Tigerlily looks somewhat