Darcy's Heart by Carrie Mollenkopf

Author:Carrie Mollenkopf [Mollenkopf, Carrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-02-17T05:00:00+00:00

~ Seventeen~

As Darcy headed towards London, Elizabeth Bennet, now recovered from her initial shock, made her own journey back to Longbourn. She felt terrible for having misjudged Mr. Darcy. Why could she not have seen that his demeanor was shyness, a trait possessed by two of her own sisters. Thinking of Jane, who had spent hours crying when she believed no one could hear, Elizabeth contemplated how to share the letter. In it, Darcy had promised to do his best to reconcile Jane and Bingley, but perhaps Bingley’s own feelings had changed? Jane deserved a man who would act upon his own feelings and not be persuaded by another. However, Elizabeth did understand the problem of fortune hunters. Money was a necessary evil, and if one was without, it could result in terrible actions. Reflecting upon her previous encounters with Lieutenant Wickham, Elizabeth could now see how easy it was for him to manipulate with charm. But, if Darcy’s words were true, then why would the man give any of the Bennets the slightest attention? They had nothing to offer but themselves. Why couldn’t marriage be for love alone? Unfortunately, she knew the answer for that. One must eat, be clothed and housed. Her own mother’s sense of self preservation had pushed her towards a man who would have made her miserable, yet Charlotte had eagerly accepted him despite the consequence. Was she selfish in wanting happiness? Now, as the carriage rolled into the final mile, a quiver of fear mixed with despair threatened to overtake her thoughts. At nearly one and twenty years of age, time would run out for any offer of marriage and then what would become of her? Of her sisters? None of the Bennet girls had been prepared for any occupation aside from wife and mother. Prospects were dim for older unmarried women in their situation. A paid companion to wealthy widows, or governess to another’s children was all that existed, and still, she had turned down a man in possession of ten thousand a year. Shaking her head, Elizabeth forced the melancholy thoughts away and strengthened her resolve. She would marry for love or not at all, and she did not love Mr. Darcy. Repeating this vow aloud, it somehow seemed false. Unable to apologize for her misguided prejudice, Elizabeth’s own heart hurt. What must he think of her now?

As the carriage reached its destination, Elizabeth’s examination of her thoughts ceased as she was met by the bouncing forms of her younger sisters. Of Jane and her mother, there was no sign. It was clear that life at Longbourn had not changed with her absence. Stepping down, Elizabeth was assaulted by demands for her opinion.

“Lizzie! It isn’t fair! Mama lets Lydia do everything. Tell her I must be allowed to go too,” Kitty Bennet cried.

A smug Lydia, preening the fit of a new dress, put her nose in the air as a sullen Mary rolled her eyes in contempt.

“Yes, Lizzie, convince Mama that they must both go to Brighton.

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