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  MR. DARCY’S SUMMER LOVE

  (A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE NOVELLA)

  ANNE LOUISE

  MR. DARCY’S SUMMER LOVE ~ (A Pride and Prejudice Novella) Copyright © 2017 by Anne Louise

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, in whole or in part, in any form whatsoever.

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters depicted in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  INTRODUCTION

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  EPILOGUE

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  DEDICATION

  INTRODUCTION

  Fitzwilliam Darcy had no way of knowing that his life would be changed forever after the events of this day. He was a private man of twenty-six, who lived with his younger sister, staying at Darcy House when he was in town and in Derbyshire, at Pemberley, his great estate.

  He was by most respects a lonely man. This contrasted to his depiction in the London papers as one of the most sought after bachelors in all the country. True enough, he was the scion of one of the great families in England, but he rarely attended events during The Season, including dances and soirees.

  His main problem was he had not yet met a woman he was attracted to and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, had once told him he would not recognize such a woman even if they bumped into one another.

  His cousin was wrong and Darcy soon was carrying a young woman back to her relative’s house in Cheapside to tend to an injury. Elizabeth Bennet was not like the young women who the suffering mamas in town would push his way, but she was intelligent, clever, witty and pretty and he soon was bewitched. Darcy was not experienced in love, but neither was the young woman he met that day, but he was bewitched from the beginning and was in love.

  There would be problems ahead as Darcy learned more about the young woman but most problems were on his side, be they problems with his aunt or worse than that, problems with a former friend who brought misery to most people with whom he associated.

  Soon his life and that of his family and friends were on the line because of a diabolical plot by others and Darcy had to learn to navigate carefully to secure a future with this young woman, but there was still danger ahead if he could hope for a future with this woman.

  CHAPTER 1

  It is late Summer 1809 in London and Fitzwilliam Darcy is about to enter a men’s store when he sees a man grab an older woman’s package and push her down and next he shoved a young woman who was trying to help. Darcy watched the man laugh as the young woman fell outside on the stairs but he acted instinctively and chased down the man and proceeded to fight him. The man was soon knocked out as others came to restrain him until the authorities arrived. Darcy immediately went back to check on the two women.

  “Madam, are you hurt? Here is the package the man took from you.”

  “No, thank you but I am well. Sir, I am Madeline Gardiner.”

  “I am pleased to meet you. I am Fitzwilliam Darcy, and I am glad to be of service to you.”

  “Would you please check on my niece, Miss Bennet?”

  “Yes, of course I will.”

  Darcy next went and spoke with the young woman. She had some scrapes and held her arm and was clearly in pain.

  “Miss Bennet, the man who did this to you and your aunt is being tied up and soon will be taken away.”

  “I saw some of your fighting with the man. You knocked him out. You also have torn your clothes and will have to get into something clean because you have mud on your clothes and blood too.”

  Darcy noticed she struggled to talk and saw her holding her arm. She tried to smile but cried instead, her tears running down her rosy cheeks as he gave her his handkerchief.

  “Please be brave, Miss Bennet, as I will get my doctor. I believe you have broken your arm. Will you promise to stay here until I return?”

  “Yes, sir, but please hurry.”

  Darcy had taken his horse that afternoon and his doctor lived less than a mile away. His only concern was that the man might be on a house call, but luckily he was home. Darcy next stopped at Darcy House and returned to pick up the doctor and the two men returned to the store in Darcy’s carriage. They soon discovered that the young woman had been taken to a private area in the store and it was there that the doctor examined her arm and set it. She tried not to cry out but soon tears again ran down her cheeks as Darcy gave her another handkerchief and tried to console her.

  “There, Miss Bennet, I have rarely had a patient as brave as you,” said Doctor Jarvis. “Miss Bennet, it is not that bad of a break so I am optimistic that you will be better in a few weeks, but you will not be able to climb any trees.”

  “Lizzy, we must leave now and get you home to rest.”

  “Mrs. Gardiner, I have brought my carriage to take you both home. The doctor will travel with us.”

  “Thank you again, sir, for you are both very kind.”

  Darcy watched as the carriage approached the woman’s house and accompanied the others inside. After the doctor finished providing instructions for her care, he said he would return on the morrow and next he gave Miss Bennet something to drink to help with the pain and let her sleep.

  “Mrs. Gardiner, your niece needs to go to her bed and will need help. She is a bit unsteady on her feet. Mr. Darcy can carry her to her room if you wish?”

  Oh, my! This is Mr. Darcy of Pemberley and Derbyshire. He is as handsome a man as I have ever seen and seems to take to Lizzy. I must not let on that I know of him. Now I wonder what Lizzy thinks of the man.

  “Yes, Mr. Darcy, can you help carry our Lizzy to her room? You can follow me.”

  Darcy agreed and spoke softly to the young woman. Miss Bennet, I will be gentle with you and you need not worry. Next he held her in his arms, keeping her broken arm on the outside. She could feel his strong arms and sensed his manly scent of spice and leather and felt the heat from his chest. Already she was getting sleepy when Darcy placed her on her bed.

  Mrs. Gardiner next saw the men to their carriage and watched as they rode away and then returned to sit with her niece.

  “Darcy, you have done your good deed for the day,” his doctor said.

  “It felt good to help, though I regret that I did not react soon enough. By now the authorities are dealing with the man.”

  “Miss Bennet was not that heavy to carry, was she?”

  “No, she has a lithe figure. How old do you think she is?”

  “I would guess she is eighteen. She has an intelligent look about her and those eyes are beautiful.”

  Darcy did not need the doctor to tell him these things. Carrying this young woman in his arms was the closest contact he ever had with a young woman. Already he made plans to check on her on the morrow and told the doctor he would return for him in the same carriage and they would ride together. The doctor nodded his agreement but he knew it was likely that Darcy wanted to spend more time with the young woman.

  Meanwhile, Madeline Gardiner kept a watchful eye on her niece and had a maid watch her when she was out of the room or with the children.

  Her niece awoke in time for dinner but was not very hungry. Though she ate a small amount in her room, mostly she wanted to talk about the events earlier.

  “Was I in much pain, Aunt?”

  “Yes, Lizzy, but you kept your countenance. Did you like the man?”

  “I am happy he chased down the man who is responsible, but he cannot be happy that he ruined his clothe
s.”

  “But that is not the question that I asked you, Lizzy.”

  “Yes, I like that the man came to help us, but you should not have asked him to carry me upstairs?”

  “Did that make you uncomfortable, Lizzy?”

  “I do not know if uncomfortable is the word, but I felt so vulnerable in his strong arms, though he is a very handsome man.”

  This is all very interesting. I have never had a man worry over me. I would like him to pick me up in his arms again.

  “I believe Mr. Darcy and the doctor were very helpful. Will the doctor visit on the morrow?”

  “Yes, he said he would come.”

  Mrs. Gardiner saw hesitation in her niece’s eyes, as though she wanted to speak of the other man.

  “Lizzy, I believe the other man may return as well. Do you wish him to do so?”

  “Yes, Aunt, I suppose visiting with such a handsome man might be enjoyable, but we probably do not have much in common.”

  “Time will tell, Lizzy.”

  ****

  Back at Darcy House, Darcy could not stop thinking of the young woman with the chocolate curls and beautiful eyes. She had a scent of lavender and all he wanted was to hold her in his arms again. He let his mind wander and hoped his visit on the morrow would not be construed as anything more that an act of kindness, but he knew that he wished for more and thought his inexperience with women would scare away the first woman he had ever been attracted to.

  Fitzwilliam Darcy was depicted in the local papers as one of the most sought after bachelors in the country. He had a great fortune, an excellent education, was handsome with manly features and stood over six feet. What he lacked was experience with women, but he had never allowed time for socializing. For the last three years he had immersed himself into learning to manage the many properties and businesses he inherited after his father died. He felt that now he could look for a wife, but he had never been interested in any of the young ladies he had met during The Season or at other dances or soirees. He particularly disliked the suffering mamas trying to promote their daughters.

  He looked at his study and the drapes had been drawn to keep the summer sun from warming the room. All of sudden he felt bereft of her company. What is the matter with me? Is this true that I am suddenly infatuated with a younger woman without title or money? I do find her interesting, but she is not from my sphere. Still, I will visit with her in the morning. Now, I best not think of her.

  Later that night he tried to sleep but kept replaying his meeting the young woman. He figured he only had five hours of sleep before he awoke. Later that morning he went to pick up Doctor Jarvis and the two men set off to visit Miss Bennet at the house on Gracechurch Street.

  The doctor first visited with her and told her she was well on her way to recovery. When she told him that she would leave to return home in a little over a fortnight, the man said that should not be a problem and that she should consult with her doctor when she arrived at her home.

  Darcy next went to visit with the young woman and asked her if she felt better.

  She laughed and told him that she had a good sleep but had to be careful about her arm. Just as he started to get more comfortable the Gardiner children came into the room. The oldest boy then asked Darcy if he had beat up the man who broke cousin Lizzy’s arm and he said he had stopped the man. The youngest daughter said that he was very handsome and asked him if he liked Lizzy.

  Darcy looked at Miss Bennet and laughed. Of course I like her, Miss Gardiner. Your cousin is a fine young woman and was brave to try and stop the man.”

  Mrs. Gardiner then came into the room and took the children out of the room but left the door open.

  After a few minutes, Doctor Jarvis wanted to leave and Darcy told Mrs. Gardiner that he wished to return after he took the man back and the woman told him that he was welcome to return.

  Less than an hour later he did return and he and the young woman talked about many things.

  “I find it easy to converse with you, Miss Bennet. For a young woman without a formal education you are knowledgable about many things, and I have not found anyone with such a knowledge of English History. You are also knowledgable about military history as well as current events and you speak four languages, enjoy the arts and the great writers and play the pianoforte. Is there anything you are not an expert on?”

  “Sir, you flatter me too easily. I do love to read but do not practice as much at the pianoforte as I should and the same with playing the harp. My faults are many and my mama says that I often act impertinent and that I scare off possible suitors because I act as though I know everything.”

  Darcy laughed and the young woman saw the merriment in his eyes. “I am certain that the men in town would be quite interested in you.”

  “No, I am too naive. My father is always cautioning me to not trust rich men, saying they use their charms to seduce the innocent. I certainly am that. Just recently I turned eighteen and still I have not been kissed by a man.”

  “Well, I am certain you will not have long to wait. Would you tell me more of your life in Hertfordshire and your family?”

  “Yes, but please tell me when I start to ramble on.”

  For the next two hours they both spoke of many things and Darcy found himself telling more about his private life than he had ever told before.

  “Miss Bennet, is Lizzy the name your family and friends call you?”

  “Yes, sir, but my Christian name is Elizabeth Anne Bennet.”

  “That is a beautiful name. You look like an Elizabeth Anne.”

  “How is that so?”

  “Well, the name sounds very distinguished and is proud. Also, it is a strong biblical name. It is a name of substance and stands out from others. The name describes someone who is colorful and lively and is determined. Am I correct?”

  “You sir, have the benefit of having listened to me tell you such things, so it is likely you have defined me.”

  “Yes, you are correct. Miss Bennet, the doctor told me that you should test your reactions to touches on your hands to see if you can distinguish the difference in feeling in the hands. Here, I will show you.”

  Darcy looked at her warmly and gently grabbed hold of her hand on her good arm and slowly massaged her fingers and her nails and the interior of her wrist. She noticed his eyes were on his massage and she saw how gentle his hands were in massaging her little hand. The pleasure she felt was in the touch and studying the man who created stirrings she had not felt before and his manly deep baritone voice was soothing. He then repeated the process on the other hand and asked her if it felt different and she said it was about the same, but such sensations were new to her and when he looked into her eyes after completing his massage she felt he could read her mind and she blushed crimson.

  Before he left he said he would be out of town a few days and asked if he could see her again when he returned and she said yes.

  His determined eyes and the kiss on his fingers that he pressed on her cheeks before he left the room gave her many things to think about.

  ****

  Before returning to Pemberley, his grand estate in Derbyshire, Darcy met with his uncle.

  “So you have foiled a sinister plot but now you have feelings for this young woman,” his uncle said.

  “No, Uncle, I only wished to tell you that I will leave for Pemberley and will return in a few days with Georgiana. I do wish for her to meet the young woman.”

  Darcy’s uncle laughed heartily. “My boy, I am not laughing at you. It is indeed a small world. Have you met Mr. Gardiner?”

  “No, why do you ask?”

  “Edward Gardiner is a friend and it happens that he owns Gardiner’s Import and Export on the Thames. He takes great pride in describing his sister’s family who live in Hertfordshire. One niece, I believe her name is Lizzy, he describes as very intelligent and a wonderful young woman who will make some man a good wife if he is not jealous of her exceptional mind.”

&nb
sp; The Earl of Matlock watched his nephew carefully as he said these things.

  “Could it be you have met this Lizzy?”

  “Yes, Uncle, but her name is Elizabeth Anne Bennet and I cannot wait for her and Georgie to meet.”

  “Your aunt is visiting with a friend, so do you wish me to tell of your visit? She will want to hear of how you met the young woman.”

  “Yes, you can tell her, we are just becoming friends but I would like to introduce her to both of you in the future.”

  “Before you leave I suggest you visit Mr. Gardiner at his warehouse and introduce yourself and tell him of your plans. Things will go well for you if you do that. Also, please tell him that I have found others that wish to invest with him.”

  Darcy next visited the warehouse and spoke with the man.

  “My wife told me of your quick action to thwart the assailant and I had hoped to meet you and thank you. You have certainly turned Lizzy’s head.”

  “I did not know you and my uncle are friends. He said that you have told him of Miss Bennet.”

  “It is Lizzy who I usually speak of. I assume you agree that she is a remarkable young woman?”

  Darcy agreed and soon had Mr. Gardiner’s approval to visit along with his sister. Darcy next spoke of Elizabeth’s accident and her broken arm and he apologized for not preventing her fall.

  “From what they tell me, you could not have stopped her from falling as she went after the man as soon as he took Madeline’s package. But that is over and done. What I worry about now is Lizzy riding the public coach home with her broken arm.”

  “That is also my worry as the public coaches are packed and run on a tight schedule and jostle the passengers as the drivers try to make good time on bad roads. Mr. Gardiner, I propose that Georgiana and I accompany Miss Bennet to her home riding in my coach. It will be the safest conveyance and certainly the most comfortable and my driver is the best.”

  “But you have already done so much for her.” When he next looked Darcy in the eyes he saw the pleading look of a man who had feelings for his niece.