Miss Darcy Decides: A Pride and Prejudice Novella: Love at Pemberley, #2

By Reina M. Williams

While visiting a young woman—who was not so fortunate as Miss Georgiana Darcy in escaping the persuasions of a rogue—Georgiana meets Sir Camden Sutton, whose reputation causes Georgiana to wonder as to his motives. Her wondering soon turns to a different feeling when Sir Camden comes to stay at Pemberley, showing himself to be a very different man than was rumored. While Sir Camden struggles with his past and his commitment to his future, as well as the ill intentions of haughty Caroline Bingley, Miss Darcy must decide whether to listen to others, or the words written on her heart.

Length: 77 pages
Heat level: sweet

• Language: English
• Publisher: Reina M. Williams
• Release date: Oct 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386637387

Book preview

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to places, establishments, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental and the work of the author’s imagination.

Copyright © Reina M. Williams 2014

Rickrack Books/rickrackbooks.com

Cover design by Christy C. of Gilded Heart Design

Photo via Fotolia ©ctvvelve

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any format without permission from the author.

First Edition/January 2014

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While visiting a young woman—who was not so fortunate as Miss Georgiana Darcy in escaping the persuasions of a rogue—Georgiana meets Sir Camden Sutton, whose reputation causes Georgiana to wonder as to his motives. Her wondering soon turns to a different feeling when Sir Camden comes to stay at Pemberley, showing himself to be a very different man than was rumored. While Sir Camden struggles with his past and his commitment to his future, as well as the ill intentions of haughty Caroline Bingley, Miss Darcy must decide whether to listen to others, or the words written on her heart.

Chapter One

Georgiana lit the paper on fire and dropped it into the hearth. The flames met, consuming each other in a blue-yellow crinkle. Warmth, a partner, someone other than paper and flames to share her troubles with, someone special, like her brother had Lizzy, like James had Kitty. But Georgiana had friends, loved ones, and for that she was grateful.

Georgiana? If you wish to be alone... Kitty stood by the door, looking still the glowing new bride. Her cheeks, plumped from her smile, blushed pink like her gown.

Georgiana shook her head and motioned for her friend to join her on the settee in front of the fire. The small room was Georgiana’s favorite—the light blues and mauves of the fabrics, the few trinkets that were Georgiana’s mother’s, including her delicate writing desk, comforted Georgiana.

James and my brother have gone on their business? Georgiana eased into the cushions. She fluffed the skirt of her sky blue day dress.

Yes, they are also riding to the new house, to check on the progress of the renovations. Kitty placed her hand on Georgiana’s. I am glad we are to have this time together before James and I move to our new home.

As am I. Georgiana’s neck ached, tight from feeling. She was truly happy for Kitty and her cousin James, and for her cousins Anne and Alfred, all newly wed, but there was a lingering longing—Georgiana wished for a love of her own. But the thought of change, on the crest of these other changes, made her retreat into herself. Kitty studied her. Her friend’s concerned frown made Georgiana muster a smile.

It is not as if it will be the last we shall see each other. Georgiana’s shoulders tightened. She had been alone so long, and then surrounded by love. Now it was all changing again. You and James are to be very near. Even at thirty miles, the Bingleys are at an easy distance, and your new home is not above five.

And you shall tire of us, for we must be here often to see our new niece or nephew.

Georgiana tilted her neck, trying to loosen the knots. It was a happiness, that her brother and dear Lizzy expected their first child, yet fear constricted Georgiana. Her mother had died in childbirth. Georgiana could not bear it should such a thing occur to Lizzy, to her dear brother, to their family. Their mother’s death had all but destroyed their father. She could not see such happen to her dear, her only, brother.

Was not baby Charles dear? Kitty’s expression turned tender, her smile sweet and her eyes gazing into the distance, as if seeing the small bundled infant they had visited a week since.

Georgiana smiled. She too had been captivated by the little person they had met, her first nephew, Charles Bingley Junior. His tiny fingers and benevolent smile charmed them all.

And Jane had an easy birth. Lizzy will as well, I am sure. Kitty knew of Georgiana’s uneasiness. She is resting now, to be ready for the guests later. Our brother takes excellent care of her, and she of herself.

Georgiana squeezed Kitty’s hand and rose, walking to the fire again. Her worries were lessened, both by watching them go up in flames and smoke, and by the more practical talk with her dear friend. Thank you.

I have done nothing. Kitty’s tone was laced with good-natured laughter.

You have been my friend. And I have been writing down my worries and burning them, as you had suggested. It is helpful. She and Kitty had shared confidences this year past about their troubles with men, and other concerns of becoming a woman.

Oddly, I found it to be as well. Perhaps we should make some visits of our own today?

Yes, let us bring a basket to Mrs. Wilton and her niece. Her baby is due soon. Georgiana gripped the mantel. The wickedness of some men, to leave a woman in such a state... Had Georgiana not had the protection of her brother, and had he not brought his force to bear on that rogue Wickham a second time, forcing him to marry Kitty’s younger sister, both Georgiana and Lydia Wickham might be in such a circumstance as Miss Wilton. Though at least Miss Wilton—known as Mrs. Hammond to most in the neighborhood—had escaped scandal, due to the protection and forethought of her able aunt, Mrs. Wilton, who was a support and comfort to her niece. Some were not so fortunate as even that, like the hundreds of women who passed through the house in London Georgiana helped to support.

It is a cowardly thing. But we have learned to stay away from such men. And we are fortunate in our family’s protection and care. Kitty stood next to Georgiana.

We are fortunate, indeed. Georgiana smiled and led her friend out.

***

Sutton, hallo! James Fitzwilliam, his oldest, perhaps his only friend, called from across the road. He was the only one who called him Sutton—most addressed him as Sir Camden, or something not resembling his name. But those kind of acquaintances he was done with.