Blessing or Burden: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Elaine Burkett

Author:Elaine Burkett [Burkett, Elaine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Alternate Universe, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, V_0
Goodreads: 214412873
Published: 2024-06-07T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

A few days later, Elizabeth was surprised when the doorbell rang. She and Charlotte were settled in the parlor for the morning, Charlotte working on some needlework and Elizabeth writing letters. A few moments later, Mrs. Hampton bustled in with a card on a tray.

Elizabeth looked at the card. It read Mrs. Grey. She looked up at Mrs. Hampton and asked, “Do you know who this Mrs. Grey is?”

“She is the wife of a gentleman whose estate is about halfway between here and Lambton. She is generally known to be a very sociable creature. I am not surprised that she is your first caller, Ma’am.”

Elizabeth assumed that the term “sociable creature” was a euphemism for a gossip, but she was determined not to pre-judge the lady in question. “Please send her in, then fetch Mr. Brooks,” she said.

Mrs. Grey appeared to be in her mid-thirties. She had an unremarkable face with that slight plumpness that indicated she likely had multiple children. Whether she was a gossip or not, she greeted Elizabeth with a genuine smile. Elizabeth returned the kindness and introduced herself and Charlotte, then the ladies all sat down.

“Well, Mrs. Bennet, you seem to have settled in nicely here,” said Mrs. Grey. “I hope you like our little neighborhood.”

“It is a lovely area, Mrs. Grey. I fell in love with the beauty of this place when I visited Lambton with my aunt this past summer. Though I haven’t met any of my neighbors yet, I am quite happy with my new home.”

At this point Mr. Brooks came into the room. Mrs. Grey looked up at his entrance and said, “Little Billy Brooks. Is that you?”

Mr. Brooks’ expression was a mixture of a mild grimace and a smile. “Not quite so little anymore, Mrs. Grey, and I go by William. It is good to see you, though.” He gave her a bow.

“How did you come to be here? The last I heard, you had gone to Oxford to study law.” Mrs. Grey asked, looking back and forth between Elizabeth and her secretary.

Elizabeth gestured for Mr. Brooks to explain. “I did study law, and I graduated five years ago. After working for a law firm in Oxford, then another in London, I was hired as Mrs. Bennet’s secretary this past summer. My sister, Madeleine, is married to Mrs. Bennet’s uncle, Mr. Gardiner. So, when Madeleine realized her niece needed a man of business, she recommended me.”

Elizabeth added, “He has his own home in one of the cottages on the estate, but he comes to work in the study here in the main house every morning.”

Mrs. Grey’s eyes were wide with surprise. Elizabeth could only imagine this news would travel quickly among her new neighbors. Mrs. Grey said, “So the aunt you mentioned earlier is Madeleine Brooks?”

“Yes, though her name is now Madeleine Gardiner. I joined her and my uncle on a trip through the area a few months ago. She spoke with such affection about Lambton, and I could see for myself how beautiful and wild the area was.

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