A Month to Love 1 Read online

  A Month To Love, Part One

  A Sweet Pride & Prejudice Variation

  Abbey North

  Contents

  Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  About the Author

  Blurb

  While visiting Charlotte at Hunsford, Lizzy rejects Mr. Darcy’s proposal. Fate conspires to throw them together the next day as they rush to stop Charlotte and Richard from making a huge mistake. Their mission proves futile, but they reach a new understanding. Both believe their flight to follow their friends remains a secret, but secrets have a way of leaking…

  Scandal dictates Darcy must propose, and Lizzy must accept. She refuses to rush into a hasty marriage and negotiates for nuptials four weeks from the proposal. That gives her a month to fall in love with her betrothed. Can she see past her objections to Darcy to fall in love with the man who will be her husband?

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

  Chapter 1

  Lizzy looked at the note, barely comprehending the words written in Charlotte’s fine handwriting. The page appeared jumbled for a moment, as though Charlotte had written to her in cuneiform instead of English. She blinked, making herself read it slowly.

  Dearest Lizzy,

  Please do not think ill of me, but I can bear Mr. Collins no more. He is not the one who holds my heart, nor is he the one whom I intimated upon your arrival is so wonderful. That gentleman is of finer quality than Mr. Collins could ever hope to be. We have tried to deny our passions, but we fell together. It is crazy and foolish, but we are running away. I fear you shall not see me or Richard again.

  Your good opinion matters to me, and I am loath to tarnish it, but I cannot live with a man who makes me so unhappy after finding true love. I am a most practical woman about such matters, as well you know, so I hope that convinces you of the earnestness of my devotion, and the seriousness of thought I have put into choosing this path.

  With Love,

  Charlotte

  Lizzy closed her eyes, recalling the conversation she’d had with Charlotte shortly after arriving at Hunsford. They had been in Charlotte’s personal parlor, and she had asked, “Are you happy?”

  Charlotte had given her a big smile, and there had been no cause to doubt her sincerity when she said, “Oh, much happier than I have ever been. I enjoy running my own household.”

  To Lizzy’s eyes, it had seemed she was much more enthusiastic about other things than household management. “Forgive me for being indelicate, but is your marriage what you expected?”

  Charlotte’s eyes had dimmed slightly. “Oh, very much as I expected.”

  “And how do you find him?”

  “Love is an amazing thing, Lizzy. I never thought I would find it, but then it was thrust upon me. It was an explosive meeting, with passion flying, and our hearts entwined as one. I could not resist destiny, much as I tried.”

  Lizzy had blinked. “I am surprised to find Mr. Collins is a man of such passions.”

  Charlotte had given her a strange smile. “It does defy belief, does it not?”

  The subject had faded then, and Lizzy had naturally assumed Charlotte meant her husband was the one who had shown her that love. Now, it seemed that it must’ve surely been Col. Fitzwilliam instead. There was only one Richard in the vicinity, at least one to Lizzy’s knowledge.

  Her dear friend had abandoned convention and run off with the second son of an Earl, who had once mentioned he must marry for wealth rather than love. They must have truly been taken with each other to take these risks.

  Lizzy felt a pang in her chest as she sat on the bed for a moment. Charlotte clearly was not thinking straight. She had to stop her before she made a mistake that couldn’t be rectified.

  She got to her feet, rushing from the rectory within moments after retrieving her bonnet and pelisse, and stuffing the note into her reticule. It was only as she stepped outside the parsonage that she realized she would need help to track down Charlotte. She was not much of a horsewoman, and Mr. Collins certainly had no horses. She could not simply borrow one from Rosings Park, and she had no chance of catching up with Charlotte if she went on foot.

  After biting her lip for a moment, the obvious solution presented itself. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

  Her lip curled at the thought. Just yesterday, she had rejected his proposal in a most brutal fashion. True, he had been insulting with his reluctant love for her, but she had hoped never to see him again after the unpleasant situation. But who else could she turn to? Darcy would surely want to save his cousin from making this fatal mistake as well, so it must be done.

  With that in mind, she squared her shoulders and marched toward Rosings Park. It was a short walk, though the grounds were vast, and she entered the house moments later after a staff member opened the door. “I should like to see Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy,” she said crisply.

  The maid curtsied to her. “Yes, ma’am. Please wait in the parlor.”

  Lizzy did as directed, standing tensely as she waited for Darcy to join her. Her fondest hope was that neither of the de Bourgh women would get word of her being here and join her instead. She had no time to deal with Lady Catherine’s nonsense, and she hadn’t exchanged more than two words with Lady Anne. She would find no support or friendship there.

  She turned as she heard heels clicking on the wood floor, finding Darcy standing there a moment later. He lingered in the doorway for a second, clearly taking in the sight of her in her mint-green day dress.

  After a moment, he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him, probably expecting her to be discussing yesterday’s fiasco. “I did not expect to see you again, especially so soon, Miss Bennet.” He sounded stiff and formal.

  Though she had a low opinion of him, it pained her for reasons she couldn’t express to see him so reluctant to greet her. She pushed aside personal considerations as she faced him. “I have come for your help, Mr. Darcy.”

  He frowned. “It is most presumptuous of you, Miss Bennet, to assume that I might be of assistance.”

  “I assure you I would not come for assistance for myself, Mr. Darcy.” She said that primly as she reached into her reticule. “I come on behalf of Charlotte and your cousin.” With a deep breath, she held out the note to Darcy as he stepped forward to take it.

  He scanned it for a moment, and then his eyes widened. It was obvious he went back to reread it again, and perhaps even a third time before he handed it back to her. He remained silent.

  “Well?” she prompted.

  He blinked. “I scarcely know what to think or do, Miss Bennet. How can they indulge in such folly?”

  “I agree, and I think it is up to us to make them see reason before it is too late.”

  Darcy frowned for a moment, and then he nodded. “Perhaps we can still catch up with them.”

  Lizzy exhaled in relief. “That was my thinking exactly, sir. I do not have the resources to go after them alone, so I immediately came to you. I have said nothing of this to anyone else.”

  Darcy looked relieved. “It is a good thing Mr. Collins is visiting his parishioners today. Perhaps we can nip this in the bud and return everyone to their rightful place within the next few hours.”

  “That is my hope as well.” She looked around. “Shall we?”

  He nodded. “Wait here, and I shall order a phaeton.”

  She paced after Darcy disappeared, worry for Charlotte consuming her. She wasn’t completely selfless though. Some of that worry was for herself as she imagined being trapped alone in a carriage with Mr. Darcy. What would they discuss?

  Even wo
rse, what if someone realized she had gone with him unaccompanied? A chaperone would be for the best, but the only one she could think of was Maria, and she wasn’t certain Charlotte would respond well to her little sister being along when they tried to talk reason into her.

  That might humiliate Charlotte to the point where she continued on her rash path. No, she had to take the risk of tarnishing her reputation by going off alone with Darcy. With any luck, they could be discreet, and the whole fiasco would be sorted before dinnertime.

  When Darcy returned a few minutes later, he carried a heavy cloak. He held it out to her, seeming reluctant. “I am loath to request or direct you in any of your fashions, but I fear you could be recognized. I do not wish to ruin you, yet it seems unwise to involve anyone else as a chaperone.”

  With a nod, Lizzy took the cloak. “You wish me to disguise myself as much as possible,” she said pragmatically, having no issue with it. As she slipped on the cloak, raising the hood over her head, a strong waft of Mr. Darcy’s unique scent came to her. It made her mouth water, and her lungs seized for a moment. When she could inhale again, she did so deeply, savoring his unique aroma.

  After that, they slipped out of Rosings Park as discreetly as possible. He led her straight to a phaeton that was waiting near the stables, and they were off a short time later.

  At first, Lizzy remained huddled in the cloak, not speaking. Her thoughts had shifted now, moving away from Charlotte’s plight to her own. What a strange turn of circumstances, to find herself in a potentially compromising position with the man who had just proposed to her yesterday. That he was a curmudgeon, despite being a gentleman, only made the situation more uncomfortable. Truly, what did he see in her?

  The question had taunted her the evening before. She was not one of the accomplished ladies he favored. She couldn’t draw at all, she was only mildly competent with the pianoforte, and her voice wasn’t unpleasant, but it certainly wasn’t the most beautiful among her acquaintances, let alone the accomplished women Darcy professed to know.

  It was true she spoke passably good French and could read some Latin, but she wasn’t accomplished in all the modern languages. It truly made no sense why he would be drawn to her, especially enough that it would pain him to fall in love with her and make him feel tortured enough to request her hand in marriage.

  She almost asked him, but her courage fled. It was not appropriate to confront the topic so boldly, and he seemed content with the uncomfortable silence between them, so she maintained it as the horses led them farther down the road.

  Chapter 2

  Mr. Darcy had assumed they would make for a port city, so he had chosen the closest one. As they entered, Lizzy thought it would be hopeless to find them in the milieu of people. It was a busy place, and it seemed dirty. She could feel her skin crawling at the thought of interacting with the people lining the wharf.

  Mr. Darcy had brought them straight here, and now he tied up their carriage horses to a hitching post, along with their carriage. He caught the eye of a few young men, gesturing them forward. He pulled a guinea from his pocket. “If you assure my carriage will stay in the same pristine shape it is at the moment, there shall be two more for you when I return.”

  The oldest of the youths hastily took the coin. “Of course, guvnor. You can trust us.”

  Lizzy was entirely uncertain that was true, but there was little alternative. Perhaps with the incentive of money, they would guard it as agreed other than likely be the ones to steal it.

  Darcy kept her close, and she kept the hood over her face as much as possible. She noticed Darcy was moving with an air of deliberation. “Do you have some idea where they are, Mr. Darcy?”

  He nodded just once. “I saw a note written in Richard’s hand when I dropped by his suite after arranging for the horses and phaeton. I saw nothing obvious, but there were three words written on a parchment: The Dancing Gull.”

  “That sounds like the name of a ship,” said Lizzy.

  “Precisely. It is my belief that he was writing down the name of the ship they were meeting to launch their escape. I only hope it is at this wharf.”

  They searched a bit until they reached the line of ships anchored, each having a varied docking position. It was difficult to read most of the ships’ names, especially in the fading twilight. With a sigh of impatience, Darcy put out a hand to stop a boy who could be no more than nine. “Do not reach for my purse strings, boy.”

  The kid struggled, clearly wanting to escape. “I di’na’ do nothing, guvnor.”

  Darcy chuckled dryly. “Only because I felt your light fingers. Listen, I have a task for you. Find me the harbormaster, and I shall give you five guineas.”

  The boy stopped struggling. He seemed shocked at the offer. “Truly? You shall not report me to the soldiers?”

  “I shan’t as long as you are quick in your return with the harbormaster.”

  The boy gave him a look of distrust. “How do I know ye will actually pay me, sir?”

  Lizzy giggled, pleased to find someone else distrusted Darcy. And the boy was so serious about it.

  Darcy stiffened, either at the challenge to his honor, or at her giggling about it. “Here is one guinea as a deposit on trust, young man. Now hurry to your task.” He handed over the guinea as the boy snatched it out of his hand and ran away.

  Lizzy leaned a little closer, keeping her voice low. “Do you suppose we shall see him again?”

  “I imagine we shall. Fetching the harbormaster is a much easier task than trying to pilfer gentlemen’s money bags. I offer enough for the boy to eat and rest comfortably for a short time. I would not be at all surprised to see him return shortly.”

  They didn’t remain idle as they waited though. Darcy and Lizzy continued walking down the wharf, trying to read the names of the ships. They’d had little luck when the boy returned with a corpulent man moments later. The harbormaster looked old and ill, though he couldn’t have been much past forty. Perhaps the extra weight he carried, barely confined by his tight clothing, contributed to his ill health.

  He was wheezing as he stopped walking behind the boy, standing in front of Darcy. “This boy says ye have wish to see me. He had best be tellin’ the truth.” He gave that with a warning tone as he glared at the child.

  “I am, Mr. Creavy.” The child held out his hand in an obvious fashion. “I have delivered upon our agreement, guvnor.” He wiggled his fingers in a suggestive way.

  Darcy paid little attention to the boy as he slipped five more guineas into his palm. Lizzy didn’t know if he was in a rush and had miscounted, or if he was deliberately giving the child a little extra because he felt sorry for him.

  She preferred to think it was the former, because she didn’t like the idea of him doing such kindness. The world needed more kindness, but it was confusing to come from a man like Darcy, who clearly had issue with those of lower rank.

  “You are the harbormaster?” asked Darcy.

  Creavy nodded. “I am. What do ye need, sir?”

  “We are looking for a ship called The Dancing Gull. Is it moored here?”

  The harbormaster nodded. “Aye, it is. Follow me, and I shall lead ye to it.”

  Fortunately for the harbormaster’s constitution, the ship was only four slips away. He stood at the edge and called out, “Captain Aguillot.” Then he turned to Darcy. “The captain should be here in a moment.” He held out his hand discreetly, clearly fishing for a tip. Darcy placed two guineas on his palm, and the harbormaster frowned as he moved away. Clearly, he had hoped for more.

  Within moments, a Hispanic man with long black hair and a neatly trimmed beard strode down the plankway toward them. “Did the harbormaster call my name?” He seemed to be eyeing Darcy and Lizzy uncertainly. “Or was it you, senor?”

  “He called for us,” said Darcy. “Tell me, do you have passengers aboard this ship by the name of Richard and Charlotte Darcy?”

  Captain Aguillot’s eyes looked away, and his expression t
urned cagey. “I do not recognize those names, good sir. Perhaps something to help jar my memory…?”

  “Yes, perhaps. And perhaps they are using different names, but do you have a man and a woman traveling aboard your ship?” As he asked again, Darcy slipped the man a few guineas.

  “I believe the information you seek is worth at least another guinea, good sir.”

  Darcy seemed exasperated, but he parted with another coin. “Now answer the question.”

  “Yes, they have booked the only guest cabin. They look like the fine quality sort, so I question why they would travel aboard our ship. It is almost as if they do not wish to be detected.”

  “It is certainly a good thing they can count on your discretion,” said Lizzy with a hint of anger. On one hand, she was glad the captain was willing to reveal they were on the ship, but on the other, she was outraged on her friends’ behalf that the man could so casually sell their information.

  Darcy took her arm, squeezing gently in a warning to be quiet. She knew it was the best idea to let him speak for her. Doubtless, people could identify her form as female even with the oversized cloak, but if she kept it over her face and did not speak, her identity was less likely to be revealed.

  “Come aboard,” said the captain, gesturing for them to follow. Darcy took Lizzy’s hand, basically helping her to traverse the gangplank, which was slightly slippery in places. Once they were fully aboard the ship, he immediately let go.

  Lizzy was surprised to feel bereft at the lack of his touch. Her hand tingled even through the glove where his gloved hand had touched hers. What a peculiar reaction.

  The captain led them below deck, taking them to a cabin. The ship was musty-smelling, and it was clear it wasn’t usually designed to ferry passengers. It had the look of a storage vessel, or perhaps even a pirate ship.