Darcy's Secret: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Andreea Catana

Author:Andreea Catana [Catana, Andreea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Not in Amazon Library, To Transfer
Amazon: B08YS2N79H
Goodreads: 57475284
Published: 2021-05-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

During the ride back home, reflections on the shocking revelation — as well as her mortification for her inappropriate reaction and her shameful interest in the matter — troubled Elizabeth too much to even speak to her sister. Jane asked a few questions, then abandoned any further attempts.

In Meryton, Lydia and Kitty joined them and their joyful, loud chatter intensified Elizabeth’s headache. She was grateful when they arrived back home, but there Mrs. Bennet waited for them anxiously and she was forced to bear all her mother’s inquisitive questions.

“So? Have they found out yet?”

Lydia rolled her eyes in vexation. “Mama, nobody talks about Papa and his horses! Who would care about such a thing? There is an entire regiment of militia soon coming to Meryton, everybody speaks about it. Oh, and nobody believes us that a black lady has leased the great house at Stoke. Maria Lucas suggested I had fabricated the whole story! I cannot wait to prove her wrong!”

“Well, Maria Lucas has become as annoying as her sister lately,” Mrs. Bennet declared. “The Lucases believe themselves so important, but indeed they are not! You will show them you were right, Lydia. And you, Lizzy, why are you so silent all of a sudden? You bear a great resemblance to your father, who has barely said a single word lately!”

“Forgive me, Mama, I have a terrible headache. I need to rest for a while,” Elizabeth said, hurrying to her chamber with her solitary reflections and with feelings that she did not dare to acknowledge. She heard her mother and sisters calling for her but she locked the door and threw herself on the bed, with a pain in her chest that she could not understand.

Two days after the shocking discovery of Darcy’s connection with Mrs. Guillen, Elizabeth still could find no peace, no rest, no sleep. Despite struggling to be reasonable and scolding herself for her silliness, and despite her appearance of calmness and composure in front of her family, she could not deceive herself.

She had the strength to realise that neither of the two people involved could be condemned for such a situation — they were both single, of age and responsible for their own lives — but the storm of feelings inside her could not be easily soothed and every mention of Mrs. Guillen was like a sharp claw in her chest. And there were plenty of repeated mentions of Mrs. Guillen’s name.

The news spread all over Meryton and beyond as quickly as it would in any small town. Despite Maria Lucas’s distrust, more than one person had seen Mrs. Guillen in the carriage with Elizabeth and Jane, so her presence could not be denied. Then, the blacksmith was fetched to repair the broken wheel and he assisted Mrs. Guillen’s servants to return the phaeton to its mistress. As it happens on such occasions, more details about the mysterious lady were shared among the working men, then again with the curious people of Meryton. It was also noticed, and much discussed, that Mr.

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