Irresistibly Alone: A novella length variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Julie Cooper

Author:Julie Cooper [Cooper, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing
Published: 2023-04-23T18:30:00+00:00

The following day, Elizabeth was about to make her escape to the folly. She was nearly breathless with the twin emotions of excitement and despair, expecting there would be a new gift or simple comfort, something from Mr Darcy demonstrating that he cared for her, that he wanted to cheer her. His sole purpose might be because he felt sorry for her, but that did not keep her from looking forward to his thoughtfulness, his…yes, sweetness, to say it another way.

But as she passed the parlour containing the pianoforte, there sat Mary at the instrument, quite alone, not touching it. There was something a bit discontented or annoyed in her pose. She was staring at the keys as if they had just bitten her, and she was considering biting them back. With a sigh, Elizabeth turned away from her escape to temporary freedom and entered the room.

“Is something the matter, Mary?”

Her sister turned slowly towards her, as though recalling herself from a great distance.

“The matter? No, nothing is wrong.” A frown remained on her lips.

Elizabeth sat in a nearby chair. “Are you debating whether you should accept Mr Collins? I hope you do not consider it only to prevent us from losing Longbourn.” Remembering Charlotte’s passion for a home and not a man, she added, “However, there is nothing wrong with marrying to ensure your future security, if that is what you want most. Just be very certain you would be content with your choice.”

Mary looked up and nodded slowly. “It is a very sensible reason for marriage. There is a solidity in his reflections which has often impressed me. He might be a very agreeable companion. Or, he might grow ever more ridiculous as he ages. It is difficult to say which.”

“Very true,” Elizabeth agreed, wondering how he could possibly become more ridiculous.

“Perhaps he would listen only to Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He certainly admires her greatly. If she is a sensible woman, I will admire her as well. But who can tell? I would not enjoy having another female instruct and direct me should I not respect her.”

“That would be difficult,” Elizabeth murmured.

“On the other hand, I feel well-suited to the life of a vicarage and to arranging my works for the benefit of a parish.”

“You would make an excellent manager of any home, Sister.”

“If it were only the parsonage, I would accept his offer. But there is Longbourn to consider.”

Elizabeth did not know how to respond. Was not eventually obtaining Longbourn, retaining Longbourn, the entire point?

“I cannot envision Mr Collins in Papa’s role, can you?” Mary asked.

“Well, no. That is to say, not at this time.”

“I cannot see it ever.” Mary gazed up at the ceiling and sighed. “I believe I could help him in his calling as vicar. If I encouraged him to read and improve himself by such an example as mine, I might make something of him. However, acting as landlord and farming his acreage is another matter. I have no interest in agriculture or repairing roofs or raising barns and sheep.

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