Darcy's Deal by Zoe Burton

Author:Zoe Burton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JAFF
Publisher: Zoe Burton
Published: 2016-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Mrs. Bennet lay awake in her bed for hours after the rest of the household had fallen asleep. She could not bear the thought of her dearest Jane being second to Elizabeth in anything. She must be stopped! But how? I cannot even get a carriage to take to Meryton to visit my sister, because the horses are always needed on the farm.

Though she was of mean understanding, the mistress of Longbourn was wily. She knew how to get what she wanted, and to get where she wanted to be, when the situation called for it. After some contemplation, she decided on a plan. It would require her to rise earlier than was her wont, but she was certain that would not be a problem. Her mind now at ease, she fell easily into sleep.

~~~***~~~

A few hours later, Mrs. Bennet awoke. Looking to the window, she could see that the sun was higher in the sky than she wanted it to be, for her scheme required that she be up and out the door before the servants were at their duties. I am late! She fussed to herself. I must hurry. She rose and dressed herself as quickly as she could without a maid to assist, and then crept down the back stairs to the kitchen.

As she passed the table, she noticed a covered bowl that she knew usually contained muffins. Mrs. Hill always made them late the night before, put them into the bowl after they cooled, and covered the bowl with a small towel. She was reliable as the rising sun, the housekeeper was, and Mrs. Bennet knew it.

Her stomach growling at the sight of the dish, Longbourn’s mistress stopped for a moment to enjoy a few muffins. She longed for a cup of tea to go with them, but as she did not want to wake anyone to boil the water for her and prepare the tray, decided to go without, instead taking a few sips of water. She lingered over the delicious food, and before she knew it, the clock in the entry hall could be heard ringing the half hour. Startled, Mrs. Bennet stuffed the remainder of the muffin she was holding into her mouth and darted out the door.

She made her way quickly to the stables. She would need to saddle one of the horses. She had seen it done often enough and thought it appeared to be easily done. However, she did not know where the saddles were kept. After searching for a few minutes, she found a small room at the back of the building that contained all manner of ropes and metal things, and, there along the wall, a row of saddles. She attempted to pick one up, thinking she would take it into the stall with her and saddle the horse there. However, it was far heavier than she realized, and she was forced to drag it along the floor.

Once she and the saddle reached the stalls, she needed to decide which of the horses to take.

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