Encounters with Elizabeth by Kendig Laraba

Author:Kendig, Laraba
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-08T00:00:00+00:00

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Netherfield

“Instead of being quite the most charming, handsome, delightful man on earth, Mr. Wickham is a spendthrift, a gambler, a debtor, and a debaucher!” Elizabeth declared, marching angrily up and down the drawing room at Netherfield Hall.

“I fear that is quite true,” Jane agreed in a distressed tone. “Sir William visited us as well, you know. Apparently he is assisting Wickham’s creditors in seeking remuneration for the man’s debts. He wished Charles to be aware of what has come to pass, as there is a good deal of indignation among the militia officers over the matter. Many are inclined to blame Mr. Darcy instead of Lieutenant Wickham, and as Darcy’s good friend, Charles might be exposed to some misplaced outrage.”

“Oh Jane, I am so sorry!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “And during your honeymoon, no less!”

“Now do not worry about us, Lizzy,” her sister replied, her blue eyes glowing. “Charles and I are very happy together, and in any case, we both wish to begin our marriage firmly rooted in reality. As master of Netherfield, Charles is responsible for dealing with a variety of individuals, and some of them will be irritable. As for me – well, my dear sister, I do hope and pray that some day you will be so fortunate as to find a compatible husband of your own. If I could but see you as happy! If there were but such another man for you!”

Elizabeth’s rage subsided at these words, and she gazed at her favorite sister with amused affection. “If you were to give me forty such men I never could be so happy as you. Till I have your disposition, your goodness, I never can have your happiness. No, no, let me shift for myself, and perhaps, if I have very good luck, I may garner the attentions of another Mr. Collins in time.”

Jane laughed and shook her head at these words. Their cousin, Mr. Collins, heir to the estate of Longbourn, was a foolish, conceited individual whom the Bennets, one and all, found irritating. Mr. Collins had proposed to Elizabeth some months previously, been rejected, and then turned his attention on Charlotte, the eldest daughter of Sir William and Lady Lucas. Charlotte, desirous of a home and family of her own, had accepted the man, to Elizabeth’s shock and horror.

“Speaking of the Collinses,” Jane said, “are you still planning to visit them soon?”

“Yes, I am,” Elizabeth replied, lowering herself onto the couch next to her sister. “Indeed, I will be departing the week after next with Maria Lucas. I miss Charlotte and hope that her enjoyable company will mitigate the irritation of being in close proximity to Mr. Collins.”

Jane sighed and said, “Mr. Collins may be foolish, but he is not, at least, a libertine and a scoundrel.”

“That is true enough,” her sister said glumly. “It is horrific that Wickham, whom I truly thought the very best of men, makes our absurd cousin look virtuous and respectable.”

Jane hesitated and then laid a gentle hand on her sister’s arm.

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