Enchanting Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation by Constance Spark & a Lady

Author:Constance Spark & a Lady [Spark, Constance]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2017-04-30T16:00:00+00:00

Breakfast was a strained affair. There was none of the casual chatter of the previous day, if casual were even the proper way to describe it after so many fire accidents disturbing the peace in the house.

Mr Darcy was in a foul mood. He hadn’t slept well. In fact he hadn’t slept at all, his mind plagued by budding feelings he had no room for in his preoccupied heart. Mr and Mrs Hurst seemed exceptionally civil to each other, the way couples behave after a significant argument.

Elizabeth was staring at her plate, piled with rolls and toast, unable to take a bite. She felt the tension in the room, though she still had no explanation to what particularly was going on in the house. She was even further disturbed after her visit to Jane, who despite appearing in much improved spirits, told her she hadn’t received Mr Jones in the morning.

Now Elizabeth pondered the possibility of the apothecary visiting Miss Bingley instead. After what she’d overheard yesterday, it wasn’t unlikely that she’d want to act hastily to amend her situation. Still, it seemed a bit too rash to have the apothecary visit so soon. Elizabeth wished she was more knowledgeable about the nature of the mysterious state of being with child, but from where she stood right now, anything could be probable.

Elizabeth could always ask about Mr Jones’ visit, mentioning that she’d seen him leave earlier, but she was afraid to bring Caroline’s vindictiveness on herself. This had evidently been a covert visit. Even after Caroline’s favorable disposition in the library last night, Lizzy wasn’t entirely trustful of her good intentions.

The only two people oblivious to the stiffness of the others were Miss Bingley and her brother who were merrily planning the day ahead.

“I say, we take the carriage to Meryton!” Caroline said with the enthusiasm of a child. “After being cooped up in here for so long, even that prospect seems rather entertaining.”

Elizabeth was stunned that with such a heavy matter weighing on Caroline’s consciousness, she could be so nonchalant and jovial.

“What a lovely idea,” Bingley said, clapping his hands together as if it had been the most ingenious suggestion he’d heard. “We can scout out a tavern or some such establishment and have luncheon out in the open.”

“Oh, thoroughly,” Caroline said. “Though my initial scrutiny of the local stores has only confirmed my expectation that there would be nothing worth buying in a town of such size and unpretentious populace, it could still be amusing to explore. I’m sure with a seasoned guide such as our own Miss Elizabeth we’d be able to see the charming aspects of Meryton that have eluded us thus far.”

Elizabeth felt caught on the spot. The last thing she wanted to do was roam the streets of Meryton. Being familiar with her family’s sentiments, no doubt the good weather had brought her mother and sisters out to the shops. She was desperate to avoid the awkwardness of such an encounter. Additionally, she felt

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