A Rare Ability~A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Variation by Harriet Knowles

Author:Harriet Knowles [Knowles, Harriet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-14T12:00:00+00:00

Chapter 35

Elizabeth lay quietly on her bed that afternoon. She was tired, but lunch had refreshed her, and telling Papa what she had seen had eased her mind.

She was sorry she’d been unwell, though. It seemed her illness had been a cause of much concern. However she was better now the fever had broken, and she would do her best to make amends to Mama and everyone else.

She wondered what her father thought of Lydia’s behaviour. She’d been unable to express her worry about her sister’s possible condition, and the very thought made her shiver.

At least Jane was married, and safe from ruin. Elizabeth’s lips tightened. If the worst happened, and the family was tainted, Mr. Bingley would undoubtedly give up Netherfield and take Jane away to keep her name untarnished.

Elizabeth would be pleased for Jane’s sake if that happened, but desperately sorry to lose the closeness she had to her elder sister. She didn’t see how she’d be able to go and stay with them in those circumstances. She wouldn’t wish to risk Jane’s reputation.

There was a hasty knock on the door and Lydia bounced in. “Lizzy! I’m glad you’re better!”

Elizabeth winced at the noise, but forced a smile. “Come in, Lydia, although please keep your voice lower and then I will be able to listen without acquiring a headache.”

“Sorry.” Lydia didn’t sound sorry at all, and dropped onto the side of the bed. “But I have to talk to you about what happened, I have to. And Mama says you have been down to talk to Papa already. Why did you do that, Lizzy? What did you say to him?”

Elizabeth grimaced and covered her eyes with her hand. “What do you think I said, Lydia? What do you think I saw?”

“Well, I don’t know,” Lydia said petulantly. She picked at a loose thread in the counterpane. “I only slipped on the edge of the bank.” She looked up, an expression of defiance overlying an anxious look. “Why were you following me, anyway?”

“Well, if you only slipped, then there’s nothing to worry about, is there?” Elizabeth was tired of it already. “And if you are angry that I was following you, it means you wish I hadn’t been there, and nobody would have known about you falling in, and you’d have died.”

“Of course I wouldn’t!” Lydia’s voice rose. “Dear Wickham was there. He’d have saved me!”

Elizabeth rolled over. “You’re too loud, Lydia. You must go now, and you can believe what you like.”

The door opened again and Mama came in. “What’s the noise all about?” Mama’s loud tones were almost too much, and Elizabeth covered her ears.

“Mama, I have such a headache. Might I come downstairs later?” She wished Jane was here, although she supposed her sister was still occupied with Mr. Darcy’s relations. Perhaps she wouldn’t go downstairs after all.

She sighed. Papa would miss her.

“Come down with me, Lydia. We can change the ribbons on that bonnet of yours.” Mama swept Lydia out of the room with her, and even through the closed door, Elizabeth could hear their voices as they went down the stairs.

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