Ever After End: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Caroline Cartier

Author:Caroline Cartier [Cartier, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cartier Classic Tales
Published: 2025-04-02T00:00:00+00:00

1 19th century American slang for ‘superior.’

CHAPTER 20

The following morning, Elizabeth and Mary descended the stairs to find Mr Cartwright and Captain Lytton waiting for them along with Elizabeth’s footman. “May we escort you ladies on your constitutional?” asked Captain Lytton chivalrously. “I find I cannot lie abed after all of my years in the navy, and would be glad to explore the lovely gardens.”

“I intend to walk a great deal farther than the gardens, Captain, but we have no objection to your company,” Elizabeth answered with a smile.

Mary took the captain’s arm when it was offered, giving Elizabeth a silent look of excitement at having been singled out in any way so soon. Elizabeth took the arm of Mr Cartwright, and set off outdoors, the small group followed by Elizabeth’s footman.

As they passed the lake there was a great squawking about by the water, and they looked over to see one of the chaperones, Mrs Higglebottom, running as fast as she was able in her skirts while being chased by an enormous hissing swan.

The lady was giggling and exclaiming, “Barnaby, you rogue!”

“That bird will break your arm one day!” shouted another of the chaperones, Mr Ignatius Wifflethorpe, shaking his head in disapproval as he made his way to the gardens.

“What do you suppose that is about?” Mr Cartwright asked their group.

“One of the chaperones last night, oh dear I forgot her name, told me that Mrs Higglebottom believes that the widowed swan is the reincarnation of her husband, Barnaby.” Mary watched as the lady sped by them, giggling, as the swan returned to the water.

“You cannot be serious.” Mr Cartwright looked after the swan as it departed their vicinity. “That does not make any sense.”

“Perhaps it brings her comfort,” Elizabeth suggested.

“Let us hope that it does not, as the other chaperone suggested, bring her a broken arm.” Captain Lytton turned with Mary away from the water. “Swans are impressively strong. I would hate to see the lady harmed.”

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.