Renewed Hope: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (When Love Blooms Book 2) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Author's Note

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Rose Fairbanks

  Renewed Hope

  A Pride and Prejudice Variation

  Rose Fairbanks

  Renewed Hope

  Published by Rose Fairbanks

  ©2016 Rose Fairbanks

  All Rights Reserved. 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 permission in writing from its publisher and author.

  Several passages in this novel are paraphrased from the works of Jane Austen.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to characters, whether living or dead, is not the intention of this author.

  Dedication

  To those who have experienced Cupid’s arrow strike, but it did not quite land right. Love deserves a second chance!

  Dear Reader,

  This series began because despite being my longest book to date, Sufficient Encouragement could not contain the stories of all the people important in the lives of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. I began this tale to fill in the stories of Viscount Arlington, Richard Fitzwilliam, Lady Belinda Crenshaw, Anne de Bourgh, Caroline Bingley and Jacob Truman. Each played a role in Darcy and Elizabeth’s romance in Book One. Renewed Hope was never intended to be a sequel of Sufficient Encouragement, and indeed it does end before the close of events in the epilogue of Sufficient Encouragement. You will find that the characters achieve “happy for now” and their “happily ever after” is still in progress. Never fear! Their stories will continue, along with peeks at the married life of Darcy and Elizabeth, and the antics of their sisters during a London Season in subsequent books. Due to the nature of the timeline, following real historical events, this book ends where it does so the next book can weave in additional layers and characters.

  The protagonists of Renewed Hope achieve their happily ever afters in the next installment. For now, I cannot say for sure how many books this series will be. I am enraptured with these characters and believe I will record their stories as long as they allow me.

  Book Three in the When Love Blooms series, Extraordinary Devotion, has a planned release for Autumn 2016.

  Happy reading!

  ♥ Rose ♥

  Chapter One

  James Fitzwilliam, Viscount Arlington and eldest son of the fourth Earl of Matlock, almost leaped out of his seat when the crowd at the King’s Theatre applauded. His eyes flew open, and the undeniable truth descended. He had fallen asleep!

  “Are you ill, Arlie?” The blonde beauty next to him asked. “You fell asleep again.”

  “Perfectly well,” he said. Only his companion was no longer listening as a tall, handsome man entered his box. Arlington recognized the gentleman, Lucas Hopewell, an acquaintance of his who had recently inherited a vast fortune. Sophia had eyes only for the younger—and seemingly more virile—man. Blast it if he was going to lose another mistress.

  “Come, Miss Smith, you had claimed to not feel well,” Arlington said as Hopewell approached.

  “If you are feeling unwell, then I will not delay you. It would be a crime to deny the stage your talent and beauty.” Arlington waited for the normal rage to emerge, but it did not come. He simply was not that interested in Sophia...or the last several mistresses he had.

  “Oh, you are too kind,” she said with fluttering eyes. “I am in perfect health. It was his lordship,” she attempted to whisper, “that is fighting a cold, I believe.”

  Not a cold, utter exhaustion at life. Boredom. And fatigue...it was as though his four and thirty years finally caught up with him after a decade of raucous living.

  “Then I will bid you good night. Unless that is...Arlington would allow me the honour of escorting Miss Smith home.”

  Arlington considered the situation for a moment. He had no exclusivity rights with Sophia. If Hopewell wanted a bite of the unimaginative, ignorant aspiring actress he discovered in a milliner’s shop, then he was welcome to her. On Sophia’s side, he could little blame her.

  Hopewell had no title but was an independent man of means. Arlington had learned ten years ago there seemed to be only one lady who could be interested in him despite wealth and titles. He had thought himself unable to give up his allowance and marry her as he wished. How did he repay her love and devotion? By having Claire banished to a damp cottage on the coast of Kent and dying of a fever. Now, he lived off investments of his own—refusing Matlock money—and it certainly was insufficient to buy women like Sophia the jewels they craved.

  “As you please,” Arlington replied at last and said his goodbyes.

  As he left the opera house, he noted the expression of interest of many of the ladies of Quality looking for lovers. They might condemn Sophia, but they traded their virtue for pleasure and money just as much as Sophia and her kind did. Then, there was the sort his brother had briefly been engaged to. They threw themselves at him for his name. Faithless creatures, the lot of them! No amount of begging from his mother to meet Lady Belinda Crenshaw—much accomplished, divinely beautiful and with twenty thousand pounds—could convince him to make a marry any more than he would consent to marry his cousin Anne. Their arranged marriage was the beginnings of all his problems.

  *****

  The next day, Arlington met with his solicitor.

  “How attached are you to these investments in the North?” the greying man said as he patted a stack of papers.

  Arlington’s lips twitched. “I didn’t know one could be sentimentally attached to factories. Are they in trouble?”

  “There’s quite a bit of unrest in Nottinghamshire. Out of work farmers upset over the technology in the factories.”

  “My investments are in Lancashire. Surely they are safe.” Truthfully, Arlington would rather do anything but give up those factories. The one near Bolton, Lancashire was the first investment he made, shortly before Claire died. It marked the beginning of his independence from his family. “What are a few unhappy farmers?”

  “You would do well to recall your history lessons. Small rabbles always find a king, and it’s said this group has one. You’re too young to remember the problems after forty-five.”

  “So are you,” Arlington smirked. His father had been a child when the Jacobites were defeated at the Battle of Culloden. “A group of poor farmers is not the same as having the support of Scottish lords and chieftains.”

  “We were lax with the Americans but France changed everything, even your father agreed there. You know how fast we put down the rebellion in Ireland.”

  “Still, they’re Englishmen through and through.”

  “Aye, but there are Jacobins among them. They were all Englishmen in the Civil War, but that didn’t stop the slaughter.”

  Arlington stood. He had no time for history lessons. “I think we’re done today, Bridges. I’ll be ‘round after Christmas to go over the quarterly statements again.” He was halfway out the door when he recalled an important change he needed to make. “Oh, and send no more gifts to
Miss Smith.”

  Mr. Bridges took up a pen and made the note. “And who shall they be sent to instead?”

  “No one,” Arlington said and left the room.

  He had chosen to not take a new mistress after Sophia left him for Hopewell. There were plenty of willing ladies, but none of them attracted him. Mere beauty bored him and even reputations of inventiveness in the bed chamber no longer thrilled him. He never meant to marry and the ladies his mother thrust in front of him still held no appeal. He would take his time and discover some gem, unnoticed by other men. He did not expect constancy from a female, but some companionship of shared interests and enjoyable conversation would not be remiss for a change.

  Inside a hackney coach, Arlington ran his fingers through his greying curls. There was no denying he was getting older. The responsibilities he always ran from, were now unavoidable. His father was approaching seventy, and far too soon, Arlington would become Lord Fitzwilliam. Already the Earl was less active in Parliament, when he once stood as a true statesman, like a beacon before other men. Arlington had disagreements with his father and mother over their personal understanding of classes in society but had always admired his father’s politics. He might not have the stuff in him to be an earl, a steward to the estate and title while begetting heirs, but he did revel in his political prowess. His father had groomed him well in all aspects, but the cunningness and shrewdness required for politics appealed to him in a way the straightforward and plain talk of a master to a tenant never did.

  Put simply, Arlington had always enjoyed the game. As a youth, he was a talented athlete and skilled in chess and debate. After drifting for three years after Claire’s death, his lordship suggested that Arlington run as MP for West Riding and with his father’s staunch support gained an easy victory. Immediately, he showed great skill in matters of diplomacy and thought. He loved nothing more than to intellectually best an opponent and out argue him. With women, he had always enjoyed the chase and the conquest more than the fruits of his labour. So, why now that he was free of Sophia could he not consider a new lady to seduce? And why did he feel entirely dead inside at the notion of taking as mistress one of the women he already passed over several times before?

  *****

  While sitting at his table eating a late breakfast, Lord Arlington received a letter from his cousin, Darcy. He had met Darcy’s friend, Mr. Bingley, a time or two but the man seemed too astonished to speak in his presence. Darcy’s distaste for Arlington was well-known to him. If Darcy came alone, Arlington was sure the errand would be to complain about being left to go to the Crenshaws’ in his place the other evening. Arriving with a friend was unusual and left Arlington intrigued. Bingley had factories in Yorkshire, perhaps a business venture was the purpose of their visit.

  Darcy and Bingley arrived promptly at the requested time. Accustomed to Darcy’s look of displeasure, he had not expected to see his cousin’s anxious looks or haggard appearance. Bingley looked even more nervous than usual in his presence.

  “Gentlemen, be seated,” Arlington said. “How have you been?”

  “Tolerably well,” Darcy said succinctly and obviously lying. His right eye always twitched when he lied. Bingley remained silent. If Arlington was less affable, he would be offended at this odd pair that did not extend the usual civility back to him. Silence consumed them, making Arlington want to leap on his chair and shout.

  “I have no complaints, other than the aria last night seemed slightly off.” Baiting his cousin’s displeasure would be better than this infernal silence.

  Darcy raised an eyebrow. “You have been enjoying much of the opera, I hear.”

  It seemed his bait would go untaken if that’s all Darcy had to say. Sighing, Arlington crossed his legs. Darcy would have it his way and get on with the straight talk. “Darcy, you requested this meeting, and I can see you have no interest in empty chat. Say your piece.”

  “As you may know, I have been in Hertfordshire with Bingley for several weeks. We have left for only a few days and when I return I mean to take Georgiana with me.”

  Arlington mutely nodded his head, his mind wandering. What on earth could attract Darcy in Hertfordshire enough to return? Just as Arlington was envisioning a buxom farm girl that would certainly draw his notice, if not Darcy’s, his reverie was interrupted.

  “I want you to come with me.”

  Just like Darcy! He did not ask, he simply stated his preference. “And I would like to visit Spain but we cannot always have our desires, Cousin,” Arlington said and winked at Bingley’s smile.

  “There is the matter of Georgiana’s safety. Wickham is quartered in the neighbourhood of Bingley’s house, and I would appreciate an additional chaperone for her.”

  “Why take her there at all? What can draw you to a country town that London does not have?” When Darcy did not answer, Arlington looked at Bingley for a clue, but the young man remained silent. “Did you not hire a new companion?”

  “She cannot leave with us as her only daughter is entering confinement soon.”

  “With your dislike of company and Georgie’s fear of you, I hardly understand why you would need additional company for her. Bingley has a sister doesn’t he?”

  The man in question only nodded his head.

  “Miss Bingley cannot offer the supervision and companionship that a girl of Georgiana’s disposition needs.”

  “Then ask her other guardian,” Arlington said. Why should he be inconvenienced?

  “Richard has only just returned and will be busy with matters for some time. In any case, she has always been fond of you. As little as I can understand it.”

  Curse Darcy for bringing up Georgiana’s affection. Arlington had disappointed so many people in his life, it touched his heart that she still revered him with awe-like fascination. If he could, he would keep her an innocent young girl forever. But again, that would all be for a selfish motivation.

  “I will think about it, but you wrote Bingley had a request of me?”

  Bingley turned red but finally met Arlington’s eyes. “Forgive the impertinence, but I believe you have expertise in these matters.”

  “I would not think that I could have more experience than yourself.”

  Bingley blushed again. “I—I cannot say I am an innocent, but your reputation exceeds my own…” he trailed off as at last he noticed the surprise on Arlington’s face. His eyes darted to Darcy’s who wore a small smile at his friend’s embarrassment.

  “I had thought you were speaking of a business venture, but it seems you come on a personal request?”

  “Bingley needs assistance in ascertaining the desires of a lady,” Darcy translated.

  Arlington looked his guest over. “You are handsome and rich enough. She desires you.” He stood to refill his port.

  “Her mother certainly desires him for a husband, but the lady is very discreet in her opinions.”

  “A husband! Why would you talk to me about courtship? I had thought you meant advice on arranging a mistress or liaison.”

  Bingley stood to his feet. “I would never disrespect Miss Bennet so!”

  Arlington returned to his seat and shook his head. “Ah, so you think you love her?”

  “I—I care for her.”

  The look on his face belied his true feelings. He loved her but either was too anxious to admit the feeling to a man nearly a stranger and a peer or did not wish to declare his feelings before knowing hers. The latter was likely the reason he was in Arlington’s room. “You wish to save yourself the embarrassment of requesting her hand before knowing her sentiments?”

  Bingley nodded his head, and Darcy’s attention was also focused on Arlington. “Each lady is different, but if her mother is such a promoter of the match, then it is more difficult to decipher. Has she taken notice of Darcy?”

  Darcy quickly answered, “Certainly not.”

  “Well, I can hardly comment without meeting her.” He took a sip of his port. “It seems you get your
wish, after all, cousin. I will come to Hertfordshire with you although I do not believe that what draws you back is the concern for your friend attaching himself to a fortune hunter.” Seeing Bingley’s look of anger, he added, “I mean no offense. I am sure she is as good as any of them.” His words did little to change the expression on Bingley’s face, but then Arlington had not cared to be charming. “How was dinner with my parents, Darcy? And the latest debutante being thrown at you?”

  “It was a dinner. We ate. There was conversation.” Clearly annoyed, Darcy stood. “Thank you, for your assistance. I should return to Georgiana and begin preparations for our travels.”

  “Yes, thank you,” Bingley followed suit.

  After the men had left, Arlington studied his wine glass. He had no reason to stay in London and no real reason to leave either. Again, he felt adrift in life. What use was there in the endless seas of balls, dinners, engagements, and ladies? Once, he had planned on really living life and being of use. He wondered when it was that after turning his back on the Matlock fortune, he had become the typically dissipated heir in waiting. Had Claire lived, he would have had purpose and meaning. He would have been a husband and father. There would have been a reason to wake each morning and go about his business. A legacy to leave, children to instruct. As it was, no one relied on him or expected better of him, save one. Having committed to leaving with his cousin out of little more than curiosity, he would do his duty by Georgiana. Especially if Darcy was foolish enough to bring her within one hundred miles of Wickham.

  *****

  Plans were made for Arlington to accompany the Bingleys and Darcys. As such, he was surprised to receive a message from Darcy two days before the intended departure date.

  Arlington,

  Bingley has determined he must go to Hertfordshire early as there will now be additional guests. He has requested I join him when he leaves on the morrow. You know I am going for his sake. I entrust Georgiana to your care.