Mr. Darcy Comes to Town (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

Prologue

Aunty shuffled across the wood plank floor of her cabin bedchamber.

Her feet met the blue and gray braided rug, and she paused to stare down at her slipper-clad feet, wondering why she had stopped moving.

Sighing, she lifted her right foot up an inch and slid it onto the rug.

Her left foot followed. More shuffling. At the edge of her bed, with the wooden head and footboards carved in curlicue motifs, Aunty placed her mug of hot medicinal tea onto her bedside table.

The white mug held a black and white image of a paddle boat called the SS Sicamous.

Resting next to the alarm clock were her spare set of spectacles, her pile of handkerchiefs, and the green-leather bound journal she kept there to write her dreams upon.

“Wheek?”

“Aye, I’m goin’ back to my bed even though it’s only ten in the mornin’,” Aunty told Jeffry, her guinea pig. A shiver ran through her. “Can’t y’see I’m sick as a dog? You’d best get off my pillow before y’get whatever I’ve got.”

Jeffry scurried out of the way. Aunty grunted in response to his obedience, turning around as she did so. Scooting back onto the bed, she let her slippers fall to the floor, then she put her legs under the down duvet. Heaving another miserable sigh, she tugged the covers up over her shoulders.

Jeffry squeaked.

“Aye, it’s that time again. But, y’know, boyo, I’m not doin’ nuthin’ fer anyone until I feel better. Those two can fall in love without my help this time.” Aunty rolled onto her side, lifted the mug and drank a good sip of the honey-laced ginger, peppermint, and chamomile tea. “Ahhh. Very nice.”

Jeffry made a sympathetic sound.

“Don’t ye feel sorry fer them two,” she directed him, closing her eyes and snuggling down.

“Feel sorry fer me, instead.” Aunty sighed.

Her eyes popped open. “I can hear what you’re thinking, and I’ll have none o’that, thank you very much!

” Closing her eyes once more, she said on a sigh, “I’ll check on them when I’m all better. ”

Jeffry chattered his teeth.

“Drat you, Jeffry. Yer right about the cat. You go along and keep an eye on ‘em until I gets better.”

Jeffry watched sleep overcome his companion. She does so much for them. I can do this! I will keep that cat from making mischief until Aunty is better.