Happier in her Friends than Relations: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Friends & Relations Book 1) by Jayne Bamber

Author:Jayne Bamber [Bamber, Jayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-05T05:00:00+00:00

23

Georgiana Darcy was not remiss in her duties as hostess. The day after Elizabeth’s arrival, Georgiana and her brother led an excursion to the site of some nearby ruins for a day of exploration. A picnic lunch had been packed, and they made the short journey to Maythorn Abbey, a notoriously haunted location that many of the party felt a great curiosity to discover.

Rebecca did not give a fig about some old heap of stones and ghosts. More than the particular destination, Rebecca was rather concerned with the journey thither. The Fitzwilliam carriage pulled up behind the Darcys’ open barouche as their party began to mill about, deciding who would go in which conveyance. Richard assured Miss Bingley that she must ride in the open carriage, which would afford a spectacular view, and she was happy to be the first one handed into Mr. Darcy’s impressive equipage. Richard waved Mr. Bingley in after her, even as Rebecca made a great show of describing to Elizabeth the wonderful view the barouche provided of the landscape. Mr. Bingley turned his eyes expectantly on Elizabeth, just as Rebecca rounded on the Gardiners and ushered them into the two remaining seats. She would have to apologize to them later for inflicting Caroline Bingley’s ill humors upon them, but it was for the greater good. She declared her intention to go on horseback with Richard, and suggested that if Georgiana and Elizabeth did the same, the second carriage might be spared entirely.

Rebecca smiled as Elizabeth predictably insisted that she had forsworn all equestrian pursuits for the second time in her life, and was quite firm on the matter. Darcy was smoother than Rebecca had expected him to be, and she breathed a sigh of relief as he turned to Elizabeth and said, “Why not ride up on the box with me, while I drive? Seven miles is an easy enough distance, but I should be glad to have some conversation.”

Rebecca savored the look on Caroline Bingley’s face as she realized she been out-maneuvered and folded her arms with a huff of exasperation. Elizabeth accepted Darcy’s offered hand of assistance after he leapt up onto the driver seat, and took her place beside him, as Rebecca smiled with satisfaction before turning and mounting the horse that had been led around for her. A moment later they were on their way, and Georgiana drew her horse alongside Rebecca and Richard, and they were off.

***

Elizabeth quickly overcame the bewilderment she felt at her good fortune in the traveling arrangements, as she was relieved to be spared Mr. Bingley’s company for the journey, though it was it to be a short-lived reprieve, for he would, no doubt, be quick to attach himself to her as soon as they arrived; she decided to count her blessings and enjoy a few minutes of sensible conversation.

“I must thank you again,” said she, “for inviting my aunt and uncle and I to stay with you at Pemberley. I hope that having the additional guests is no burden to your sister.

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