Another Proposal by Jann Rowland

Author:Jann Rowland [Rowland, Jann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781989212127
Publisher: One Good Sonnet Publishing
Published: 2019-10-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter VI

Mrs. Phillips was nothing if not predictable. It was fortunate she did not require much of a response, for neither of her nieces felt equal to the task. Jane was likely thinking about the situation and what she could do to help Elizabeth accustom herself to it. She might have been surprised as to the contents of Elizabeth’s thoughts.

While Elizabeth herself might have thought she would frantically try to discover a way out of the predicament in which she found herself, or considering ways to make Mr. Darcy pay for putting her into it, in actuality her thoughts were more pleasant. Yes, there was some lingering self-reproach for taking Mr. Wickham’s lies at face value and some annoyance for finding herself in such straits. However, most of her thought was concentrated on Mr. Darcy. The man had spoken to her with such affection, such gentle concern for her, that Elizabeth was beginning to believe it was possible a deeper meeting of minds could be achieved between them. The worry that he would regret her was still present, but at least she knew he loved her, and that would go a long way toward ensuring a happy future.

Self-reflection cannot continue forever, however, and soon Elizabeth’s composure was to be tested yet again. The first sign of anything out of the ordinary was the sound of loud voices approaching the house, though Elizabeth quickly recognized the voices of Kitty and Lydia and reflected such behavior was not out of the ordinary at all. When they burst into the room, Mrs. Phillips fell silent, surprised at their sudden entrance—it seemed she had been so engrossed in what she was saying she had not heard their approach.

“Lizzy!” exclaimed Lydia as soon as she entered the room, Kitty close on her heels. “I declare, I have never been so well amused in my life! Who would have thought stuffy Mr. Darcy would offer for you, and, moreover, do so on the same morning that horrid Mr. Collins proposed?”

“Certainly not I,” replied Elizabeth, reflecting it had been too much to ask that her sisters remain ignorant of the matter.

“It is even more curious that you have accepted him!” cried Kitty a moment later. “We all thought you hated the man?”

“Surely not!” exclaimed a horrified Mrs. Phillips. “You could not be so foolish as to reject a second proposal, Lizzy.”

“Hate is a strong word, Lydia,” replied Elizabeth, though she thought to herself she was very well capable of refusing another offer. She would have done it without pause had her mother not interrupted them at the wrong moment.

“I am sure he must have charmed her,” said Lydia to Kitty, giggling as she spoke.

“I had no notion Mr. Darcy possessed any charm!” rejoined Kitty, and the two girls leaned against each other, laughing.

“The gentleman is perfectly amiable,” said Jane, her tone with her sisters stern. “There is nothing the matter with him.”

“He is also a man of high society, in a position to assist your family.” Mrs. Phillips gazed at the youngest girls, her stern glare daring them to disagree.

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