A Month to Love 2 Read online

  A Month To Love, Part Two

  A Sweet Pride & Prejudice Variation

  Abbey North

  Contents

  Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  About the Author

  Blurb

  With Mr. Darcy and his sister at Netherfield, Lizzy soon realizes Georgiana is suspicious of her motives and doesn’t trust her. She has to win over her future sister-in-law if there is to be peace at Pemberley.

  Further complications arrive with Mr. Bingley’s return to Netherfield. Lady de Bourgh and her daughter, Anne, arrive in time for the ball mean to announce LIzzy and Darcy’s engagement. His aunt is clearly determined to stop that from happening.

  Lizzy’s heart is also softening toward Mr. Darcy, but she still questions whether it’s possible to fall in love within a month’s time.

  This is part two of a three-part serial. The other parts will be released quickly. While Abbey normally writes steamier JAFF, this story is strictly SWEET.

  1

  It is strongly advised to read Part One before starting this installment of the serial.

  Darcy had not departed more than five minutes before Fanny’s cry of triumph echoed through the house. Lizzy forced herself to leave the bedroom she shared with Jane and go downstairs. Her mother appeared to be having a fit, practically dancing in one spot as she celebrated the victory of Lizzy having captured a rich husband. “You are so blessed, my darling,” she said with glee as Lizzy appeared. “Everything is falling into place.”

  She frowned at her mother while she straightened her shoulders. “Mama, surely you do not believe I planned this to force Darcy to propose?”

  Fanny looked at her, shaking her head. “Of course I do not suspect such a thing. When have you ever had the guile or forethought to plan so advantageously? No, it is clearly providence of God, and I thank him for the blessing.”

  She hopped in place. “Oh, what a delight. You shall have a wealthy husband, and your sisters might yet follow in your steps. You do understand it is your duty to assist them in such an endeavor, do you not, Elizabeth?” Fanny gave her a stern glance.

  Lizzy didn’t bother to answer. She simply rolled her eyes and moved away from her mother, barely avoiding being trampled by Kitty and Lydia, who must have surely heard the news as well. They rushed into the room in a distinctly unladylike way, going to their mother and jumping up and down in their excitement.

  “Oh, Mama, is it true?” asked Lydia.

  “It must be, for Mama is so happy. She is to marry Mr. Darcy?” Kitty bounced again.

  “It is true, my dears. We have much to do and much to plan. Kitty, with your beauty, you shall surely catch a rich husband at the next season. No doubt, your sister will sponsor you.”

  “What about me?” shrieked Lydia. “I am a whole year older, Mama.”

  “Of course, you must—”

  In her haste to avoid the fuss her mother and sisters were making, she fled to the kitchen. When she entered, Hill shot her sympathetic look. She smiled wanly in her direction.

  “Cup of tea, Miss Elizabeth?” asked Hill. She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Cook made those lemon scones you like so well.”

  Lizzy managed to smile, thinking it odd that she was so depressed to be engaged. It should be a happy time for her, but she had truly never pictured reaching the point of marrying anyone. It would have contended her to be a spinster, had the opportunity presented itself, but it wasn’t her lost independence she was mourning.

  She was marrying Fitzwilliam Darcy, who had such a low opinion of her family. He did not believe her sister loved Bingley, and his promise not to interfere between them hardly meant a thing if he didn’t abide by it. Could he resist meddling if he still doubted Jane’s sincere affection?

  There was the matter of her own inadequacies as well. She knew Darcy considered her not a woman of fine quality and certainly not handsome enough for him. He had proposed once before due to his unwanted love for her, but surely, that had been a moment of madness? He could not really love her. Could he? How could he really when loving her caused him so much pain and clear reluctance, to the point he had fought against it?

  She sighed as Hill set cup of tea before her, along with a warm scone. She broke it open and buttered it before drizzling honey in her tea. Both products came from Longbourn land, and they were of fine quality, but she couldn’t help wondering what she would find at Pemberley.

  She almost wept as she realized she would have to leave her home. Surely, Darcy would not object to her bringing her most beloved books, but how could Pemberley, a place she had never even visited, be home in comparison to Longbourn? If she were more certain of her groom, perhaps she would have less fear taking up the role of mistress at an entirely new estate. As it were, she had no idea if Darcy would support her should she have issues with his staff.

  “Is it to be a wedding or a funeral?” quipped Jane as she entered the kitchen and sat beside Lizzy. She patted her hand in a consoling fashion as she accepted a cup of tea from Hill a moment later.

  Lizzy managed a small smile. “I daresay I can hardly tell the difference, dear sister.”

  Jane shook her head. “I know this is not what you wished, but I have faith that you will be happy with him.”

  Lizzy barely held back an unladylike snort. “You always see the best in everyone, Jane, and sometimes to your detriment. I do not see how I can be happy with the man who…” She trailed off abruptly, recalling her main issue with Darcy still revolved around Jane being kept from Bingley. She shrugged a shoulder instead. “I just do not see us being compatible in any way.”

  Jane seemed unconcerned. “He has already offered for your hand once before, and it was not because he was forced to.”

  Lizzy did snort then. “To have heard his dismal proposal, one would be forgiven for being certain he had been coerced into it. After all, it pained him to love me.”

  Jane patted her hand again. “Are you determined to be unhappy with this union because of bitterness from his clumsy proposal? Or do you genuinely dislike Darcy to that extent?”

  Lizzy squirmed, feeling a small amount of shame. Perhaps she was soured on the whole situation due to his bumbling and reluctant proposal. Would she risk sabotaging her future happiness by holding on to that grudge? Lizzy squirmed again. She was in possession of an obstinate streak, and even she was aware of that.

  “Perhaps I shall try to be easier on Darcy the next time we meet.” It was all the concession she could manage.

  Jane smiled. “I hear he is to stay at Netherfield. Perhaps Mr. Bingley will return as well.”

  “Perhaps,” said Lizzy, doing her best not to stoke her sister’s hopes. With any luck, Mr. Bingley would return, and Mr. Darcy would honor his promise not to interfere between them. She knew his failure to do so would also influence her ability to find any happiness with her future husband.

  2

  Lizzy did not see Darcy again for four days, but that morning, she woke to her mother stirring the household into a frenzy once more. Lizzy dressed with haste and hurried downstairs to investigate the commotion. “Whatever is going on, Mama?”

  Fanny turned to her, rushing forward. “Oh, you must change into your best dress. It won’t do to look as you do now.”

  Glancing around, Lizzy took in a couple of the maids cleaning, while Mrs. Hill was in the kitchen sorting through the silver. It was clearly about to be cleaned as well. “What is all this? Is the regent coming to call?”

  She’d spoken in jest, but her mother reacted as though it were true. “Even better. Your Mr. Darcy is bringing his little sister for tea this afternoon. We must make a good impression.”
>
  Lizzy barely refrained from telling her mother that opportunity had passed long ago. In truth, they had not yet managed to alienate Miss Darcy, but she assumed it would only be a matter of time if she were of the same disposition as Darcy.

  Lizzy ignored a strange fluttering her stomach at the thought of seeing Darcy again. She refused to label it even tentatively as excitement. No, it must be purely nerves, since it was her first and only opportunity to make a good initial impression on Georgiana. Knowing how important the young woman was to Darcy made it crucial to win her over if they were to have peace at Pemberley.

  Leaving her mother to fuss with the household details, Lizzy returned upstairs to have a bath and prepare for the afternoon tea. Even taking great care with her appearance and utilizing one of the maids for most of the morning, to complaints from Lydia and Kitty, she was still ready in ample time.

  Lizzy sat downstairs in the parlor, reading a book without absorbing the words. It was an old favorite, but she couldn’t have divined the plot if someone had asked her. She kept fidgeting, and once, she even lifted a hand to her mouth to bite her nails.

  “Elizabeth Bennet, do not even think of doing such a vulgar action,” castigated her mother.

  Lizzy froze and immediately dropped her hand back to her lap. In her younger years, she had gnawed at her nails until her mother had finally broken her of the habit, and she hadn’t felt the compulsion since. To have the urge now was a true manifestation of the depths of her anxiety.

  It seemed an eternity, yet all too soon, when they heard a carriage pulling up the drive. Lizzy joined the exodus of Bennets from the house to line the drive and wait for the carriage to stop in front of them. It arrived seconds later.

  A moment after that, the footman opened the door to the formal carriage, and Mr. Darcy stepped out, donning a top hat as he did so. He turned immediately to offer a hand to the other occupant in the carriage, and a gloved hand wrapped around his. As Darcy stepped back, Georgiana emerged, giving Lizzy her first glance of her new sister-in-law-to-be.

  Georgiana was petite, and her skin was pale, but not in an unhealthy way. A smattering of freckles danced across her cheeks, and her features were fine and feminine. The curls showing under her bonnet indicated she was black-haired like Darcy, and she had his brown eye color as well, but those appeared to be the main shared features between them. Darcy clearly favored either his mother or father, and Georgiana must take after the other.

  Darcy brought Georgiana directly to her first. “Miss Bennet, allow me to present my dear sister, Georgiana. Georgiana, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

  Lizzy nodded. “It is lovely to meet you, Miss Darcy.”

  “You as well,” said Georgiana, though her tone revealed no enthusiasm for the moment.

  Lizzy’s stomach tightened with dread when she read the clear reluctance to be there in Georgiana’s expression.

  After all introductions were exchanged, they returned to the parlor again, with everyone settling into a comfortable position. Lizzy found herself seated between Georgiana and Jane, and across from Darcy.

  As Hill distributed tea and biscuits, Lizzy tried not to be anxious. For the second time that day, she was compelled to bite her nails, so she folded her hand into a fist on her lap instead. When she looked up, Mr. Darcy was looking at her, but his expression was difficult to read. It didn’t seem intimidating or resigned. Rather, it drew her to him, making her anxious to determine what he was thinking, but not successful in doing so.

  “Thank you for having us, Mrs. Bennet.” Darcy addressed those words to Fanny, since Mr. Bennet had fled to his study upon returning to the home.

  Lizzy was hardly surprised by that, since her father preferred to avoid social engagements whenever possible. She would have appreciated his presence though. It would be nice to have one ally in the room who understood she was thrust into a position where she did not want to be.

  Doubtlessly, Darcy understood that as well, though she wasn’t sure he could be considered an ally. Perhaps his awareness of her feelings accounted for a hint of stiffness in his shoulders and tone. For the first time since the incident occurred, she was forced to view this from his perspective.

  He was now betrothed to a woman who had forcefully rejected his first offer of marriage. It must be uncomfortable for him as well, preparing to marry a woman who had made it so blatantly obvious she had no desire to be wed to him.

  If only things had changed enough that she could assure him was no longer true. The situation with Wickham had certainly been settled to her satisfaction, but it remained to be seen if he would truly support Jane and Mr. Bingley, or at least not stand in the way.

  Even with that resolved, could she love a man like Darcy? He was overbearing, inflexible, socially awkward, and hypercritical of her and her family. Once again, she marveled that he’d managed to convince himself he loved her in any fashion, since she was so insufficient compared to other women of his acquaintance.

  Caroline Bingley popped into her mind, and she barely hid a grimace by sipping her tea. She wondered if the other woman had yet heard the news Mr. Darcy would not be offering for her and would instead be marrying Elizabeth Bennet. That was enough to make her smile, and she caught Darcy’s eye in the process. He smiled in return, which brought about the return of the strange flutters in her stomach.

  As tea progressed, it became obvious that Georgiana was there only by great reluctance. She did not speak unless spoken to, and she appeared to make no effort to engage. Lizzy wagered she was shy, but this behavior seemed to be more than that.

  When tea had completed, Lydia said, “We must walk. It would be good to get fresh air, do you not agree, Mr. Darcy?”

  After a slight hesitation, Darcy inclined his head. “A walk would be most refreshing, Miss Bennet.”

  Lizzy nodded her enthusiasm. “It would be good to get out of this stifling room.” She hoped it would also afford her a moment to talk with Georgiana.

  The Bennet women and Georgiana, accompanied by Mr. Darcy, were soon walking across Longbourn’s park. The day was slightly blustery, bringing sharp wind that whipped up forcefully upon occasion. At one point, it snatched Georgiana’s bonnet straight from her head, and when she went to retrieve it, Lizzy followed her.

  It gave them the privacy she had sought as they fell slightly behind the group. She stood as Georgiana righted her bonnet, tying the ribbon again. “You do not need to wait with me, Miss Bennet.”

  Lizzy could maintain formality and ease into the thoughts on her mind, but since they had only a few minutes to settle their differences and allow her to assess exactly what Georgiana felt, she dropped the pretense. “I wish to speak with you, Miss Darcy.”

  Georgiana’s brow furrowed. “What is there to discuss? You are to marry my brother, which is most advantageous for you. There is little to be changed about the matter, is there?”

  Lizzy’s lips pursed as she intuited what Georgiana found objectionable about the union. “Do you believe that I engineered the situation so that Darcy would be forced to propose, Miss Darcy?”

  Georgiana hesitated for a moment before inclining her head. “The thought occurred to all of us at Pemberley.”

  Lizzy swallowed the lump that formed in her throat. It was daunting to consider the possibility of facing a house full of hostile people. “I assure you nothing of the kind occurred. You can ask your brother, and he will verify what I tell you. After we tried to stop our friends from their folly, Mr. Darcy expressed concern about this very possibility.

  “We both concluded there was little risk of being discovered, and we were both wrong. I am just as reluctant about this union as your brother is, but he and I are both trying to make the best of it. Truly, I did not seek to trap your brother, Miss Darcy. I would prefer he be allowed to marry a woman who loves him and makes him happy, and I would have desired the same for myself.”

  Georgiana’s expression slowly thawed, and she managed a small smile, though it seemed shaky. “I a
m relieved to hear that. I suppose it sounds strange to be relieved to know you are as reluctant as Will to enter this union, but it is reassuring to know you are both working toward making the best of it, rather than you viewing it with smug happiness while he is forced to adapt.”

  Lizzy smiled, both at Georgiana’s words and the thought of Mr. Darcy being called Will. It was far too casual a name for such an imposing man. “I understand exactly what you mean, Miss Darcy.”

  They fell into step together, resuming their walk while increasing their pace to catch up with the others. As they rounded the corner, Mrs. Bennet, the other girls, and Mr. Darcy came into sight again. Darcy was lingering toward the rear, and he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when they joined them, though that was surely due to knowing his sister was safe and had nothing to do with her.

  “Miss Darcy?” asked Kitty with a hint of admiration.

  Georgiana looked at her, properly engaging with anyone besides Lizzy or Darcy for the first time that day. “Yes, Miss Bennet?”

  “Where did you get your delightful bonnet? It has beautiful craftsmanship. The fabric is also lovely.”

  Georgiana moved ahead, falling into discussion with Kitty about her bonnet. Lizzy didn’t miss that Darcy slowed his step, and she found herself matching it so that they fell behind the group as well. When he offered his arm, she wound hers through it. “How are you today, Mr. Darcy?”

  “It would please me to hear my name on your lips, Miss Bennet.”

  She frowned. “Did I not just call you Mr. Darcy?”

  He sent her a look full of gentle chastisement. “I believe you know I mean my Christian name. Perhaps even my preferred name among friends and family. It would please me to hear you call me Will, at least when it is just the two of us.”