Mr. Darcy's Promise Read Online Free Page B

this one other time— Ramsgate! “Please tell me, dear Georgie; it pains me to see you like this again.” Suddenly she was in worse hysterics and mumbling something incoherently. She stumbled out of the carriage in such a hurry that her pelisse caught on the handle and was pulled from her shoulders. She stripped her arms free of the confining garment and ran inside blindly.
    Mr. Darcy exited the carriage and turned infuriated, to Miss Bingley. “What happened?” His voice was low and full of suppressed fury. “I have not seen her like this since . . . well, for several months. And that . . .” pointing after Georgiana, “is not how she left here this morning!”
    Feeling the full baritone wrath of Mr. Darcy upon her, Miss Bingley was quick to come to her own defense. “Mr. Darcy, I can have no idea. We were having tea when the younger Bennets came in with some officers who had escorted them home. No sooner had Georgiana been introduced that she exited the room! I confess she was very nearly rude! I am sure I do not know what to think!”
    “Do you mean to tell me that she is like that because of Miss Bennet’s sisters? How dare they! Bring me back my horse! I will get to the bottom of this.”
    Mr. Bingley had never seen his friend quite so irate. He reached for Darcy’s arm and tried to calm him. He reminded Darcy that Georgiana needed him now and it was not right to head to Longbourn so angry. “You do not even know what happened. You could say things that could leave lasting damage . . .”
    Mr. Darcy looked angrily at Bingley and said, “I do not care about you and Miss Bennet right now, Bingley. Can you not see their family is beneath you? Look what they have done to Georgiana in the space of half an hour!” Bingley continued to calm him and remind him of the necessity of caring for Georgiana. Slowly, ever so slowly, Darcy conceded. He then ran the few steps into the house to check on Georgiana.
    Darcy didn’t linger to see the smile on Miss Bingley’s face or hear her say, “Thank goodness we will never have to call on them again!”
    Mr. Bingley shot a quick look at his sister. “Caroline!” he said sharply, who returned his gaze with a puzzled look.
    She had never seen her brother look so stern, and certainly not with the flash of anger that she now saw. Was his attachment to Miss Bennet more than she had realized? “What? What did I say?”
    *****
    Mr. Wickham bowed over Elizabeth’s hand but his eyes never left hers. “It is a pleasure, Miss Elizabeth.”
    Elizabeth could feel his gaze burrow deep into her and suddenly she felt embarrassed and flattered at the same time. She peered into his gorgeous blue eyes until Jane’s cough reminded her to look elsewhere. Fresh tea was ordered and the guests were seated. Lydia was all giggles and laughter, but Wickham seemed to handle the attentions well. Elizabeth caught him looking at her numerous times with the most charming smile, his eyes bright and cheerful. Much different from when Mr. Darcy regarded her with disdain! 
    “Mr. Wickham, how long will the militia be in Meryton?” Jane asked.
    “I am not certain, madam. We came just a few weeks ago and we usually stay encamped in one area for three to four months. Or so I am told. I have just joined myself.”
    “And how to do you find the people and town?” Elizabeth asked.
    “I find the town grand, but not so grand that one would miss the beauties it holds,” he said, looking directly at Elizabeth.
    Lydia took his arm then and giggled, “Oh Mr. Wickham, you are too charming! Lizzy, did you know Mr. Denny is a favorite with Colonel Forster?”
    Elizabeth turned her attention to the other officer, “Is that so, Mr. Denny?”
    Mr. Wickham spoke up and said, “Yes, his charms have even affected Forster’s wife! I for one, see no need to flirt with married ladies when there are so many pleasant unmarried ladies to be acquainted with.” He gave Elizabeth a dazzling smile.
    Elizabeth blushed to