A Slap for Lydia: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Harriet Knowles

Author:Harriet Knowles [Knowles, Harriet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Goodreads: 219438309
Publisher: Tall, Dark and Darcy Publishing
Published: 2024-09-21T04:00:00+00:00

7

Elizabeth sat next to Jane, quite enjoying the relative peacefulness. Relative, only because Mama was bewailing how she missed her youngest daughter, Elizabeth tightened her lips. Mama would soon forget — at least, she hoped so. Her mother had ever been a character of the moment, unable to think much beyond the present, and Lydia might soon be … not forgot, but out of the immediate day-to-day life at Longbourn.

Jane, beside her, sighed, and Elizabeth glanced up. “What ails you, sister?” she murmured. “Is it Mama?”

“I feel bad about resenting it, Lizzy. After all, she is missing Lydia, being the first day. But Mr. Bingley is calling this morning. He wants to get Papa’s consent to court me! I think Mama will be quite distracted.”

Elizabeth nodded. “A courtship! I should think she would be.” I will not say that Mr. Darcy is going to see Papa too. She raised her head and looked at her mother.

“Mama, do you not want to call upon Aunt Philips? You can tell her that Mr. and Mrs. Wickham had a private chaise all the way to Newcastle, at such expense!”

It did not take too much persuasion to get Mama and Kitty into the coach and she waved them off along the drive with some relief.

She was just in time. No sooner had they turned to re-enter the house than she saw Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley turning in from the lane. She smiled, it was a great relief that Mama was going the other way and would not have passed them, or she might have turned back.

“Good morning, gentlemen.” She waited while Jane, as the eldest, spoke for both of them. “Please join us within.”

Elizabeth could feel Mr. Darcy’s searing gaze upon her, but he seemed more serious now with that frown on his face than he had been earlier, up on Oakham Mount. Had he had second thoughts?

She steeled herself. It was only since this morning that she had allowed herself to hope. She must distance herself from her feelings. She could not allow herself to be embarrassed by anyone noting that such feelings were not requited.

In the sitting room, it was just she, Jane and Mary with Mr. Darcy, who looked stern. Mr. Bingley must have asked to see Papa at once.

Did he really not approve of Mr. Bingley and Jane? But then, why would he have brought Mr. Bingley back with him, and why would he be pursuing her if her family was so unsuitable for even Mr. Bingley?

She shivered and glanced at Mr. Darcy out of the corner of her eye, then dropped her eyes in a hurry; he was staring at her! There must be something wrong. He had changed his mind, she thought despairingly.

But then, why had he come? It would have been easier for him to leave Hertfordshire, and return to London — or rejoin his sister at Pemberley.

She drew a deep breath. “How is Miss Darcy, sir? I hope she is well and still enjoying the new pianoforte.

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