The Darcy Secret: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE DARCY SECRET Copyright © 2023 by Kelly Miller All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. ISBN: 979-8-9879813-0-6 This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously Cover design by Janet B. Taylor Edited by Jo Abbott Book layout by S.G. Minae Published in the United States of America Contents Prologue A Dire Diagnosis Chapter 1 “If she chooses to prolong this disunity, we may consider it a blessing.” Chapter 2 “I had no idea you had taken an interest in a particular lady.” Chapter 3 “There would be no dishonour in changing your mind now.” Chapter 4 “I do not want anyone in your family to mistrust me.” Chapter 5 “I hope you will never leave me alone with them.” Chapter 6 “An easy distance then, and too close for my liking.” Chapter 7 “I hope that we shall become close friends.” Chapter 8 “Well, shall we confront this formidable woman?” Chapter 9 “I am a jealous fool.” Chapter 10 “I may have…fallen in love with her.” Chapter 11 “Please, you must tell them the truth.” Chapter 12 “How could she do it?” Chapter 13 “I could not ask for a better husband.” Chapter 14 “You remember me, I trust.” Chapter 15 “I will not risk your safety.” Chapter 16 “I wish I had thought of it.” Epilogue A Fine Autumn Day About Author Kelly Miller Where to find Kelly Acknowledgments To my family, for their constant support. A Note On the spelling and language in The Darcy Secret In order to bring authenticity to the time frame and setting of this story, the Regency era in England, an effort was made to avoid including any phrases, words, or word usages that would not have existed in 1812/1813 England. Also, British English spellings and word usages were utilized even though the author’s own familiarity is with American English. For instance, “turn round” is used rather than “turn around.” In addition, the author followed traditional British usage for should/would and shall/will. Prologue A DIRE DIAGNOSIS Wednesday, 19 March 1806 Darcy House, London George Darcy My hand covered my afflicted heart as the significance of Dr. Bolton’s words settled upon me, reinforcing my darkest supposition. Beyond the nearby sash windows, a circulating patch of clouds obscured the sunlight. The shadowy gloom in the study created a fitting ambience for the physician’s dismal prognosis. Seated across from me, Dr. Bolton shifted his wayward clumps of wiry, grey eyebrows lower and closed his notebook. “Have you any other questions?” Having reserved the weightiest query for last, I steeled myself. “How much time Chapter One “IF SHE CHOOSES TO PROLONG THIS DISUNITY, WE MAY CONSIDER IT A BLESSING.” Tuesday, 6 October 1812 Hertfordshire Fitzwilliam Darcy I stole another glance at Miss Elizabeth Bennet, but nothing had changed—she plodded beside me in a cheerless reverie. If only she would smile, look at me, tease me, berate me even—anything but this. Minutes earlier, Miss Catherine Bennet had departed to call at Lucas Lodge, leaving me with her in relative privacy. Up ahead, my friend Charles Bingley and Miss Jane Bennet maintained a moderate pace; still, the pair’s figures grew ever more distant to