An Unguarded Moment: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Cassandra B. Leigh

Author:Cassandra B. Leigh [Leigh, Cassandra B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Monday, 9 December

Wearing Darcy’s brooch pinned to her bodice, Elizabeth broke her fast with her family. After a restful night, she enjoyed a hearty breakfast of eggs, sausages, and toast.

Her mother, however, was still cross about the fraudulent wedding ceremony. “I pity poor Charlotte, who is about to marry an unscrupulous man.”

“Let us hope that there has been some mistake and that he did not mean to defraud Mr Darcy,” Jane said in her usual optimism.

Mrs Bennet frowned and shook her head. “You were always far too forgiving, my dear.”

Elizabeth fully agreed with her mother. “You may forgive him, Jane, if that is your desire, but never forget that he participated in a scheme to conduct a wedding of a man confined to his sickbed.”

“No, indeed, my dear girl,” Mr Bennet said in a stern tone. “My heir shall soon learn of my opinion on his conduct.”

Mrs Bennet folded her serviette. “Jane, my love, I have been consulting my lists and think it is time to travel to town and shop for your trousseau. We shall be off as soon as the coach is ready,” she said, then left the breakfast parlour.

After exchanging astonished glances with Elizabeth, Jane rushed away. Upon seeing her mother and sister off, Elizabeth wondered if Mama had left the house to avoid unwanted questions from the neighbours.

Having no other recourse, she settled into the drawing-room with her sisters. While Elizabeth studied their collection of sheet music, Mary practiced pianoforte. Kitty and Lydia perused their fashion magazines and planned their gowns for Jane’s wedding.

After the post had arrived, Mr Bennet entered the room holding a letter from Mr Gardiner. “Well, Lizzy, your uncle relays recent events just as you and Jane have described. He expressed his deepest concerns, as I expected. Once your mother arrives at Gracechurch Street, he will learn that I have consented to Jane’s betrothal,” he said, folding the letter and tossing it into the fire. “I will send my reply to him, and nothing more needs to be said.”

“Thank you, Papa,” she said, agreeing that this was the best approach.

Not long afterwards, the doorbell rang, and Charlotte entered unannounced, as usual. Knowing she owed her friend an explanation, Elizabeth suggested that they withdraw to her chamber.

“Why did you not tell me you had an understanding with Mr Darcy?” Charlotte inquired.

“I’m terribly sorry, Charlotte. When I saw you on Saturday, I fully believed Fitzwilliam had married Miss de Bourgh. I learned later that night this was false.”

“Why would you think he married his cousin? What’s more, why would you care? I thought you hated the man.”

She relayed the story of Lady Catherine’s visit to Gracechurch Street with her daughter, and her claims that Mr Collins had married them by special license. “They deliberately deceived me.”

Charlotte stared aghast. “Mr Collins was there?”

Pressing her lips together, Elizabeth sadly nodded. “He officiated the attempt to hold a ceremony at Darcy House, but Fitzwilliam sent his servant to deliver a letter, refuting his aunt’s claims, and he included this,” she said, touching the cameo.

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