Miss Darcy's Companion: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Read Online Free Page A

lecture, as though they were still two wayward boys.
    “Richard tells me that the pair of you have laid your plans,” she began without preamble as soon as refreshments were brought in and the tea poured.
    “And you disapprove,” Darcy observed matter-of-factly.
    “I would not go that far. The scheme has some degree of merit, but I was wondering if you have considered all the implications.”
    “Such as?”
    “Lady Stretton, to begin with. She will have a thing or two to say.”
    “She always has a great deal to say about matters that do not concern her,” Darcy scoffed.
    “One would argue that at least on this occasion she is an interested party. The girl is after all employed to mind her daughters.”
    “Not for long, if last Wednesday’s shameful display is any indication.”
    Lady Malvern sighed.
    “I might have done the poor girl a disservice when I suggested she be employed to ease Miss Harding’s burden, seeing as she was so dreadfully unwell– ”
    “Oh? I did not know it was at your suggestion.”
    “I wonder how you missed it, Darcy,” Fitzwilliam spoke up from his seat. “Lady Stretton lost no opportunity to slyly point out that my mother might have acted with the best intentions, but a milliner is not a good recommendation.”
    Darcy raised a brow.
    “Milliner?”
    “Aye,” Lady Malvern elaborated. “My milliner is acquainted with Miss Bennet’s aunt, a Mrs Gardiner. She told me that she knew of a young lady who was seeking a position and we needed someone to assist Miss Harding and… well, it seemed a suitable arrangement for the girls.”
    “And so it is. Margaret and Hetty are delighted with her and Lady Stretton should have the good sense to recognise it,” Fitzwilliam volunteered, then fell silent under Darcy’s quelling stare.
    “Yes, well,” Lady Malvern resumed. “The least said of that, the better.”
    “I would beg to differ, Mother,” Fitzwilliam was goaded into intervening yet again, and this time Darcy could not fault him for it. “I do wish you would not allow her quite so much licence. You are not the dowager countess yet.”
    “For which I give daily praise,” Lady Malvern smiled placatingly. “But never mind that now. We were discussing a wholly different matter.”
    With a frown, Fitzwilliam allowed himself to be silenced, for a while at least, and Darcy saw fit to have his own say.
    “Lady Stretton need not be concerned. With Georgiana still at school, we could easily wait until Miss Harding is recovered, should I decide to engage Miss Bennet’s services.”
    “That is very thoughtful. But I fear she would take offence nevertheless at your decision to employ someone she disapproves of and would see fit to dismiss.”
    Darcy waved the matter off in some vexation.
    “If I were to let Lady Stretton influence my actions… She can take offence if she chooses. It would be the least of my concerns.”
    “She would also be quick to voice something that might be on the minds of many.”
    “Namely?”
    “That it is unseemly for a girl her age to become part of a bachelor’s household.”
    “Heavens, Mother!” Fitzwilliam exclaimed again, before his cousin had a chance to speak. “No one who knows Darcy in the slightest would give a second thought to such scurrilous– ”
    “Perhaps not,” Lady Malvern cut him short, then glanced up at her nephew. “Still, one cannot dispute that everything would be a great deal easier if you were married.”
    “I dearly hope you have not crossed over to Lord Malvern’s camp,” Darcy retorted, choosing to tease her rather than instinctively rebel at the vexing topic being brought up time and again.
    Lady Malvern smiled.
    “Foolish boy, of course not. Anne is not the only match you could aspire to.”
    “I would much rather choose a lady’s companion for now, Ma’am,” Darcy replied smoothly. “At least she could be dismissed if she proves herself a disappointment.”
    “Hear-hear,” Fitzwilliam chortled, and