Alias Thomas Bennet by Lauder Suzan

Author:Lauder, Suzan [Lauder, Suzan]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Meryton Press
Published: 2013-12-03T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15:

During which the reader is subjected to a totally saccharine non-canon version of the Hunsford proposal.

9 April 1812

Rosings Park, Kent

Darcy awaited Elizabeth’s arrival for dinner with both happy anticipation and dread. He was not certain how she would react to his addresses if she thought they were only due to the newly disclosed knowledge of her fortune and connections. When she arrived, she looked at him with sparkling eyes, and at the first opportunity, he moved to stand near her.

“Mr. Darcy, I am looking forward to seeing Jane and Mr. Bingley now that they have sent such good news to us.”

“Yes, I am as well. I was delighted to hear of their engagement.”

“They are well-suited.”

“Indeed they are. Bingley could not have chosen anyone more compatible to his character.”

Lady Catherine chose this moment to interject, “Pray, Darcy, what are you talking about with Miss Bennet?”

“We were discussing the recent betrothal of Miss Elizabeth’s elder sister to my friend Mr. Bingley.”

“Who is this Mr. Bingley? What are his connections?”

“He is from the north, has a fortune of £100,000 derived from business interests and has lately let a property in Hertfordshire near Miss Elizabeth’s home with intent to purchase the land and become gently situated.”

“In trade, is he? I hope her parents are not displeased with the connection since Mr. Bennet is a gentleman. I should advise this Mr. Bingley to purchase before his wedding to make the match seem more appropriate.

“Miss Bennet, who are your connections? Have you relatives in Town?”

“My uncle in Town is in the import business, and my other uncle is a solicitor in Meryton.”

“But you have relations near Matlock, do you not?” Lady Catherine was relentless in her questioning, hoping to have her suspicions realized about Elizabeth’s relationship to her old friends, Lord and Lady Shelton. She was certain Elizabeth looked a great deal like Lady Shelton.

“Not to my knowledge, madam.”

“You should ask your parents. Perhaps on your mother’s side. You must have better connections there.”

Elizabeth was saved by the call for dinner and fortunate to be seated at the far end of the table from Lady Catherine. The colonel was the beneficiary of Lady Catherine’s dissertations for the duration of the meal while Elizabeth conversed primarily with Mr. and Mrs. Collins. When the former saw fit to once again enlighten his cousin regarding his fortunate ability to interest Lady Catherine in providing him the position of rector of Hunsford, the latter carefully suggested that Elizabeth had already acknowledged this fact and gently admonished his overly verbose manner and need to dominate the conversation.

After dinner, Elizabeth was once again applied to play the pianoforte, and Darcy quickly offered to turn her pages before Fitzwilliam was able to do so. He took delight in the opportunity to sit very close to her and enjoyed her playing and singing of a Mozart aria from The Marriage of Figaro.

Darcy’s presence affected her so much that she forgot her carefully practised fingering and struggled her way through much of it, feeling relieved that she was eventually successful at minimizing the discordant notes.

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