Chance Encounters by Anne-Marie Grace

Author:Anne-Marie Grace [Grace, Anne-Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Anne-Marie Grace

Elizabeth was surprised at how pleasant the trip into Meryton proved to be; while Mrs. Bennet, Kitty and Lydia rode in the carriage, Elizabeth, Jane, Mary and Mr. Bingley decided to take advantage of the glorious weather and walk to the village.

Elizabeth had kept Mary occupied with conversation several paces ahead of Jane and Mr. Bingley, and was delighted to hear the constant hum of conversation and laughter behind her. It seemed as though matters between Mr. Bingley and Jane were turning out quite nicely.

“Elizabeth,” Mary said, glancing back towards Jane and Mr. Bingley. “Are you quite certain it is appropriate to give them such privacy?”

“Privacy?” Elizabeth laughed quietly. “Mary, they are not more than ten feet behind us!”

“Yes,” Mary said with a sniff. “But as Fordyce’s Sermons reminds us, reputation is quite frail. Are we good sisters if we do not protect dear Jane to the extreme?” Elizabeth bit back a sigh. She often forgot how conservative Mary could be in thought and deed.

“I promise,” Elizabeth said diplomatically. “If we hear even the whisper of impropriety, we shall stop and separate them immediately. For we are quite close enough to hear their conversation.”

“I suppose,” Mary said. “But this whole excursion reeks of impropriety. Imagine allowing a man to buy Lydia a gift! They are not engaged! We should pray that no one pays too close attention to the act, or we shall spend the whole day defending such behaviour.”

Elizabeth sighed at this as well. Mr. Bingley’s birthday gift was nothing more than a show of generosity. It was not even, Elizabeth suspected, for Lydia’s benefit but for Jane’s! Mary was an odd girl: just as silly as Kitty and Lydia but in the absolute opposite manner. Elizabeth was grateful when they entered the village and saw the carriage waiting for them outside Lydia’s favourite shop.

“Mr. Bingley!” Lydia cried, pushing a blanket from her lap and jumping down from the carriage. “It is about time you arrived! I have seen the most wonderful things in the window.”

“Well then,” Mr. Bingley replied with a genuine laugh. “We best not keep you waiting much longer! Please.” He bowed towards the door to the shop and Lydia eagerly entered.

Kitty and Mrs. Bennet followed her happily inside, however, Elizabeth, Jane and Mary made no move to enter. Mr. Bingley held up a quizzical eyebrow, as if asking if they would come inside as well.

“Mr. Camden’s shop is so small,” Jane explained. “If we all came, there would hardly be room to breathe!”

“Then I guess I shall have to brave it without you,” Mr. Bingley replied with a dramatic sigh. Jane and Elizabeth laughed in response, while Mary gave him a disapproving look. He swung into the shop, and the door closed heavily behind him.

“How are things?” Elizabeth asked Jane eagerly. “You seemed to enjoy the walk well enough.”

“Lizzy,” Jane said, blushing. “You mustn’t say such things. We enjoy talking, but that is all. He has made no mention of affection, and I have not asked.

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