A Gentleman Scorned by Carrie Mollenkopf

Author:Carrie Mollenkopf [Mollenkopf, Carrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-22T05:00:00+00:00

~Fifteen~

Several hours later…

As Elizabeth prepared for dinner, she reflected upon the party of guests now assembled at Kendall Tor. Of the nearly dozen families, almost all of them had children near in age to Margaret and presently unmarried. There were more gentleman than ladies, making for the best of opportunities to seek a potential mate. For that was exactly the intention of this year’s gathering. Jenny Kendall had recently reached the great age of seventeen, that fact, when added to her substantial dowry, made for an excellent catch. This same state could also be claimed by not only Margaret Follows, but also Miss Georgiana Darcy. It seemed that Elizabeth herself was the sole unmarried lady without a fortune to entice a potential husband. Laughing at the irony of it, she could not but help thinking about Miss Darcy’s brooding brother. It was strange enough for an engaged man to attend such a function when his bride was miles away. One would have thought he was trying to hide. If so, he was doing a poor job of it. The Kendall’s were known to have newspapers write about their social events. Surely, those in attendance would be listed, causing more than one whisper. Darcy aside, Elizabeth did find his sister immediately to her liking. On first impression, Georgiana Darcy reminded her much of Jane. Perhaps it was just a bit of homesickness that had made her maudlin and she did her best to put aside the feeling, but Kendall Tor had all the comforts that were similar to that of Longbourn. Eleanor and Alistair Kendall had greeted her like extended family, immediately insisting upon the familiarity of Christian names.

“We are not so formal out here in the wilds of Derbyshire, please call me Eleanor. I want you to feel as if our home is yours. It has been far too long since Herbert has blessed us with his presence, but it seems that you have worked wonders upon father as well as daughter.”

Elizabeth had blushed deeply, believing the comment to insinuate some sort of romantic attachment, but was instantly reassured that was not the intention.

“Oh! I do run my mouth without thinking. Alastair chastises me for playing the matchmaker. Ever since Jenny came of age, I find that I cannot help it. My apologies, if that came across wrong. I only meant that he looks well…but, there will be plenty of gentlemen anxious for the company of a pretty young lady.”

Elizabeth had smiled, dismissing the comment. Marriage to a relation, however distant, was not to her tastes. Besides, Herbert Follows was definitely not in the market for a wife. He was simply here to do his parental duty to Margaret… with her assistance. It seemed that all mothers of unmarried daughters were of a similar mindset. Elizabeth only hoped that if she were to be so fortunate to have daughters, her intervention would be limited.

“I would just want their happiness,” she said aloud to her reflection as the connecting door between her chamber and Margaret’s opened with a slam.

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