A Dash of Darcy Companions Duo 2 Read online

  A Dash of Darcy Companions Duo 2

  Two Pride and Prejudice Novellas

  Leenie Brown

  Leenie B Books

  Halifax

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews, without written permission from its publisher and author.

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, events, and places are a product of this author’s imagination. If any name, event and/or place did exist, it is purely by coincidence that it appears in this book.

  Cover design by Leenie B Books. Image sourced from DepositPhotos and Period Images.

  A Dash of Darcy Companion Duo 2 © 2018 Leenie Brown. All Rights Reserved, except where otherwise noted. Novellas published in this bundle have been previously published as individual titles.

  Contents

  Dear Reader,

  Becoming Entangled

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Enticing Miss Darcy

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Reclaiming Her Heart

  Listen to Your Heart Excerpt

  Before You Go

  More Dash of Darcy and Companion Stories

  Other Leenie B Books

  About the Author

  Connect with Leenie Brown

  Dear Reader,

  This duo is part of my Dash of Darcy and Companions Collection. These Pride and Prejudice inspired stories are quick, sweet reads designed to fit perfectly into a busy life.

  Both of the novellas in this duo are Companion Stories. All Companion Stories are quick, sweet reads, which focus on characters from Pride and Prejudice other than Darcy and Elizabeth. The characters featured in the two stories contained in this duo are Anne deBourgh and Georgiana Darcy.

  Each Companion Story is a sequel to a Dash of Darcy story. The two stories in this duo happen to both be sequels to Unravelling Mr. Darcy. While references will be made to events which happened in the previous story, each sequel contains a complete happily ever after for the hero and heroine.

  In this duo you will find the following titles:

  Becoming Entangled (which is a sequel to Unravelling Mr. Darcy)

  Enticing Miss Darcy (which is a sequel to Unravelling Mr. Darcy and Becoming Entangled)

  Happy Reading!

  Leenie B.

  Becoming Entangled

  Can Anne scheme her way out of one betrothal and into another?

  Chapter 1

  Anne de Bourgh turned her phaeton from the well-travelled road on which she was travelling onto a less used avenue. Five large trees down the path was a small open area that was just the right size for a small carriage like hers. After drawing to a stop, Anne climbed down, secured her horses and, with a glance back at the avenue, scurried into the seclusion of the trees.

  “You’re late,” a low voice rumbled, causing Anne to smile.

  “It could not be helped,” Anne replied, stepping closer to the source of the voice and enjoying the flutter his presence created in her chest. “I finally found Miss Bennet alone.”

  The gentleman pushed off from the tree against which he had been leaning and pulled Anne into his embrace as she continued, “She seems willing to take on my cousin.”

  “So you are free?” he asked hopefully.

  Anne shook her head. “No, it is only a possibility, and there is still my mother. She will not give up her dreams so easily. If or, more likely when, she finds out that Darcy is courting Elizabeth, she will drag me to town and insist that he take me instead.” She blew out a great breath. “I do not know why she insists on my marrying him.”

  “Because Darcy is wealthy, is her dearly-loved sister’s son, and seems willing to please her, and I would venture a guess that the last item is doubtless her most compelling reason. Your mother does like to have her way.” Alistair Pratt, Anne’s long-time friend, placed a finger under her chin and, lifting it, brushed her lips with his. “She is almost as intolerable as my mother. It is no wonder they are such good friends,” he said with a small laugh before turning serious. “Did you know that my mother has promised my attendance at a house party in Warwickshire?”

  “She has not!” Anne had heard tell of house parties. They were nothing more than places to arrange matches in whatever way might be most effective. Why, just last year, her mother had told her of three young ladies who had been required to marry after attending such a function. It was the reason her mother assured her that she would never be required to attend such a dangerous event. A lady’s reputation, after all, must be preserved. Besides, what purpose would there be in attending, her mother had asked, if Darcy was not there? It was not as if Anne needed to find a husband. No, she only needed to wait patiently until her cousin did his duty and claimed her. Duty! The word grated. What lady sincerely wished to be a duty that must be done?

  “She has indeed.” Alistair kissed Anne once more before pressing her head against his heart. “She has informed me that there are two candidates for Mrs. Pratt in attendance. Both are ladies of good standing and of whom she approves.”

  “And will you marry one of them?” Anne asked. There was absolutely no reason for her to ask such a thing except for a small jealous flutter in her chest. Alistair had assured her that his taste in ladies and that of his mother were two very different things. His mother, Lady Metcalfe, wished for a society darling to parade about the ton, but Alistair preferred a lady who was happy at home. Of course, he did not want a dowdy homebody since he longed for a bit of adventure and fun, but he also preferred staying at home and reading near the hearth to gadding about town.

  “Not unless they are you,” he replied, squeezing her tightly. “I am delaying my departure for as long as I can, though it is driving my mother to distraction. She thinks I need to be the first to arrive.” He sighed. “I leave the day after tomorrow.”

  “So soon?” Anne’s heart ached at the thought of being separated from him. It always did. She enjoyed spending a few stolen moments with him when it could be arranged, and his presence made a call from Lady Metcalfe so much more bearable when he could accompany his mother, for he would sit with Anne and over a cup of tea or a book of verses, share a limited but intimate conversation. Alistair did not treat her as some delicate flower about to wilt and be tossed out, nor did he think she was incapable of intelligent discussion. He treated her as she longed to be treated — as a friend, a very dear friend, and a bit more, a good bit more. This was not the first conversation the two had had about marriage. They had spoken of it often — nearly every visit — for the last six months.

  “I am afraid it truly cannot be put off any longer than that.” He released her and drew a small parcel of cloth out of his pocket. “I had hoped,” he said, folding back the red material, “that you might accept this and me.”

  Anne gasped at the beautiful cross pendant composed of four rose cut diamonds set in silver with rubies interspersed that lay in his open palm. He was finally going to offer for her! She ran a finger over the shiny bauble as her heart beat a rhythm of delighted anticipation in her chest. “It is so beautiful. It must be of great value.”

  He lifted it from his hand and allowed it to dangle
in front of her on its gold chain. “It is. It was left to me by my father’s mother. I have always intended for my wife to wear it on the day of our marriage.” He caught the twirling cross in his hand. “I wish for you to be my bride. I cannot abide sitting cautiously on the edge of a precipice waiting to know whether I will be hurled from it or pulled to safety any longer, and, therefore, I do not want to wait a moment more to settle things between us. I know we are not yet free to even make our courtship known, but surely, it will not be long before we can, will it? If your cousin truly loves Miss Elizabeth, as you suspect he does, he will not allow your mother to force him into marrying you, will he?”

  Anne pulled a letter from her reticule. “I have written to Darcy, encouraging him to find a wife with all due haste, and I have made it abundantly clear that I do not wish to be that wife. If you will send this for me, then I shall consider myself free enough to accept your gift and bind myself to you with a promise.” She smiled, both at the thought of being truly betrothed to a gentleman such as Alistair Pratt, who caused her heart to flutter, and at the way in which she had made her acceptance sound very much like a damsel in a fairy-tale.

  “I will gladly deliver your missive,” he replied with a beautiful smile that caused his eyes to sparkle. “Might I?” He unclasped the chain and held it out in an offer of placing it on her neck.

  Anne nodded eagerly and turned so that he could fasten it at the back of her neck.

  He lifted the necklace over her head and then made short work of securing it in place. He smoothed the chain against her neck and gave the place where the clasp lay a kiss. Then, turning her towards him, he continued smoothing the chain down toward the neckline of her gown, stopping short of reaching the edge of her garment. There he lifted the chain and allowed the cross to drop into hiding. A smile spread across his face as he watched the pendent slip from view. “The chain is the right length. I will replace it with a shorter chain once you are able to wear it for all to see.” He lifted his eyes to hers as he grasped her hands and pulled her a step closer. “For now, only we will know what secret lies next to your heart.”

  “You must take a lock of my hair,” Anne said. “I have nothing else to give you.” She pulled her hands from his grasp and worked a tendril loose from behind her ear.

  Alistair fished his knife out of his pocket and, unfolding it, cut the lock she held.

  “Wait,” she said before he could take the hair from her and tuck it into his pocket. “You must let me wrap it in my handkerchief. I embroidered the flowers on the corner along with my initials. It shall be something that will help you remember me while you are gone.”

  The precious item was quickly wrapped and tucked away with Alistair’s knife.

  “We have an understanding then?” Alistair asked. “You will be mine as soon as you are free?”

  An impish smile played at her lips. “Before.” She knew her mother would not give up Darcy easily, even if he were to engage himself to a lady within the month’s time she had given him to do so in her letter — the one that was now safely in Alistair’s care. She would make her escape well before the time was up.

  “Before?” he repeated, a slight note of skepticism in his voice.

  Anne nodded.

  “How? You are not of age.”

  “One does not have to be of age in Scotland,” Anne replied. Her heart swelled at the thought of the adventure that lay in stealing away from Rosings and flying to Scotland. Just the idea was enough to send her head spinning far more than dancing with her instructor had ever done.

  Alistair shook his head. “An elopement is scandalous. My father would not approve.”

  “Neither would my mother,” Anne replied cheerfully. “However, your father and mother wish for you to marry, do they not?”

  “Of course. That is why I am being sent off to this party. But an elopement?”

  Anne took his hand. He seemed to be slipping into an anxious temper as he was sometimes wont to do when his plans were upset. “I have heard your mother describe the sort of gentleman she wishes your sister to marry and the sort of lady she wishes for you to marry. I meet nearly all her qualifications. I have a fortune. My father was a baronet, and my uncle is an earl. My lineage and wealth are without fault for one who wishes to marry a lady of good social standing. I will allow that my standing within the ton is somewhat lacking, but that is only because I have never been to London for a season. I am certain that if I were to go, I would do well. My uncle, after all, is the Earl of Matlock, and with you as my husband — the next Lord Metcalfe — many would welcome me.”

  His brows furrowed. “The ton can be fickle.”

  “So I have heard,” Anne assured him. “But that would be something with which we could deal after we are married. I do not even have to go to town for a full season. I would only wish to experience a few weeks of it — to dance, to visit the museum, and to drive in the park and to do it all with you. Oh, it would be delightful! I know it would be!”

  “I have yet to find any of it truly delightful,” Alistair muttered.

  “But,” Anne persisted, “that is because you must do it with the purpose of finding a bride. That will no longer be an issue, for you will have me, making you free of your mother’s demands to visit this or that lady, and you would never again have to attend a house party.” She lifted his hands and kissed his knuckles. “Please. We could both be free.”

  “But an elopement?” he said softly.

  “Please,” she pleaded again, this time with a small pout and flutter of lashes.

  The right corner of his mouth tipped up. “I suppose you have a plan?”

  A smile split Anne’s face, and, lifting onto her toes, she gave his lips a quick kiss. “I had thought we would slip away together one night, but now, I shall have to reconsider how we might meet since you will not be here.”

  He wrapped her in his arms once again. “Do you desire so much to be my bride, or do you just desire to be free of your mother?”

  “I do not wish to be free of my mother enough to marry my cousin,” Anne replied. “He is not whom my heart desires. You are.”

  “Very well then. I shall send for you as soon as I have determined the best way to meet. Will that suffice?”

  Anne’s brows furrowed and her lips puckered as she considered it. Alistair was not a gentleman to go back on his word — at least, he had never done so with her. However, a small worry that he would attempt to avoid the scandal a clandestine meeting and elopement was sure to create would not be brushed away. “I will wait two weeks. If I have not heard from you in that time, I will find you on my own.”

  “You have never been further than London,” he said, pulling back to look down at her.

  “No, I have not, but I will not be put off. I will find you if you do not send for me. “

  “There is no need to glare at me, my love,” he said with a chuckle. “I am not going to leave you standing. I will claim you.”

  “I will be twenty in a month’s time, and my mother will begin her campaign to see me married with fresh vigour. I know she will, for she wishes to see me married before I am one and twenty.”

  “I will not leave you standing,” Alistair repeated. “Nor will I see you in the arms of another.”

  “You promise?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he answered. “You, Miss Anne de Bourgh, are mine.” And then he spent several minutes proving his claim true with kisses and caresses before seeing her on her way back to Rosings.

  Chapter 2

  Alistair extended his hands out in front of him, lacing his fingers together and pushing his palms toward the opposite side of the carriage. He lifted one leg, twirled his foot, and then lowered it before doing the same with his other leg. His limbs were stiff, and his journey had barely begun. Travelling was not something he enjoyed doing. Travelling from Kent to London was the extent of his tolerance for sitting idly in one spot while being jostled about over rutted roads.

  He swung his hands o
ut to each side before bringing them together behind his head and leaning back against the squabs for the last few minutes of his trip.

  He would spend tonight in London with his good friend Jack Ralston before the two of them continued on to Stanton’s house party in Warwickshire.

  Alistair expelled a deep sigh. Warwickshire was such a long distance from Kent. If it were not for the fact that his mother had likely requested for Mrs. Stanton to write to her upon his arrival, Alistair would have been sorely tempted to remain in town for the month he was expected to be gone. As it was, even knowing how displeased his mother would be and the lecturing that would ensue, he was considering finding a place in town to while away his time. Undoubtedly, London was large enough that a lone gentleman might find somewhere to hide from family and responsibility.

  The carriage drew to a stop in front of Albany where Ralston leased an apartment, and Alistair prepared to alight.

  Responsibility was not something from which Alistair shrank as some gentlemen of his age and means did. He did not spend his money on copious quantities of coats and cravats. He did not cast away his inheritance at gaming tables or on other mindless pursuits. He found pleasure in studying and improving his mind — not that he allowed that fact to be widely known. He had endured enough teasing for such tendencies when young that he knew better than to broadcast them now. Once he had secured his wife and family, then, he might feel more at ease with being himself in front of one and all. He smiled. That time was soon. He patted the pocket where he carried Anne’s lock of hair. He would tuck it into his trunk when he arrived in Warwickshire, but until that time, the precious packet would, for safety sake and his own comfort, travel on his person.

  He stepped down from his carriage and made his way to Ralston’s apartment. The door opened before Alistair could lift the knocker.

  “Come in. Come in,” Ralston greeted his friend.