The Ashes of Longbourn Read Online Free Page A

Bennet.”
                  “No one will hear the news from me, Cousin.  I do not wish to be in your shoes, in love and given permission to court the woman but have to be apart from her for weeks.  I would not wish to be you or, in fact, be near you. I can imagine how frustrated you will become not being able to see your Miss Elizabeth.”
                  “I am already suffering from the thought, I do not know how I will be able to tolerate even a day apart.”  Darcy grumbled.  “I wish we could go to Scotland and marry immediately and then she could come to Pemberley with me.”
                  Richard shook his head as he chuckled.  “My dear cousin, you have truly been struck by love.  I never thought I would see the day that you would be smitten.”
                  With a love struck look on his face, Darcy nodded his head.  “And I tell you, Richard, it is the most wonderful feeling in the world. 
                                                            ~~ ** ~~
                  Darcy made his way to Pemberley.  The entire journey found him thinking of all the changes that he would have made to the house, especially to the Mistress’s chambers.  He knew that his mother had decorated the rooms after she had married his father, but Darcy felt that it was time to decorate more in fashion with Elizabeth’s taste.  An idea struck him and he decided to decorate the rooms to look as if she were living in a spring meadow.  With her love of the outdoors, what better way of bringing her beloved trails from Hertfordshire with her to Derbyshire?  He planned to hire an artist to spend some time in Hertfordshire, exploring the area surrounding Longbourn, and have the artist then transform the Mistress’s bedchamber and the sitting room that was shared by both the Master and Mistress chambers.
                  Upon his arrival, Darcy found a mound of paperwork and correspondence on his desk.  He knew that the sooner he made himself busy, the sooner he would have time to explore the rooms in which he wished to have changes made.  Darcy took his meals in his study for two days, working tirelessly to complete his tasks. His steward came and went, bringing new information, as well as performing tasks that were assigned to him.
                  Darcy also spoke with Mrs Reynolds, the housekeeper of Pemberley, of the changes he wished made while he was away.  Mrs Reynolds was also to order furnishings for the suite of rooms to match the work of the local artist who had been hired.
                  It was not long into the third week at Pemberley that Darcy received an express from Scotland.  He saw his aunt’s handwriting and became alarmed.
    Dearest William,
                  Our dear Georgiana took a trifling cold a little over a week ago and was put in her bed by the physician.  Yesterday evening, the physician informed me that he believes that she has now developed a very dangerous fever. He is not certain that she will survive if the fever is not brought down soon. 
                  I am fearful for our beloved Georgiana.  I pray that you can come immediately to be with her.  Perhaps it will give her the strength to pull through.  Please, William, come immediately.
    Your loving aunt,
    Rebecca Winthrop
     
                  Immediately, Darcy began sending for staff to make preparations for his departure to Scotland.  He prayed that his sister would still be alive and would survive this illness.  Darcy did not wish to lose the only family that he had left.  Before leaving, he wrote a letter to Bingley informing him that he would not be arriving at Netherfield as planned due to the emergency with Georgiana.  If only he could speak of the situation to Elizabeth, so that she was aware of his dire situation.  How he wished that she