Letters From Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Sybil Morton & A Lady

Author:Sybil Morton & A Lady
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Alternate Universe, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Publisher: Clouded Tower Press
Published: 2018-04-30T04:00:00+00:00

13

With the rest of the family engaged in their various pastimes, Elizabeth at last found time to call Jane to her side so they could speak of the gathering at their aunt and uncle’s house the evening before. She related to Jane the entire story that Mr. Wickham had told her, adding few flourishes here and there, as the story needed little dressing.

Jane was astonished; she could hardly believe that Mr. Bingley would have such a gentleman as a friend. Yet, it was not in Jane’s nature to distrust the veracity of anyone until she came to know them for herself, and she knew little of either man as of yet.

Still, it seemed that Mr. Wickham had endured a great slight and she felt an instinct to soften toward him.

“Elizabeth,” Jane said, “it seems as if each side has their own story to tell. We do not know who is telling the truth of it and it would be disadvantageous to all involved to place blame without all of the details.”

“My dear Jane, it is so very like you to refuse to pass judgement unfairly. But it is impossible for us to know all of the details of the situation as we were not present at the incident in question. We must take in all of the information we are offered and decide who we believe to be the most trustworthy. Do you in earnest believe Mr. Darcy to be more upstanding than Mr. Wickham?”

“My opinion is my opinion, Lizzie. There is no question that the behavior you have described is abominable. No decent gentleman could treat another in such a way. But do you believe that Mr. Darcy’s closest friends could be deceived so excessively? It seems unlikely that Mr. Bingley should fall for such a scheme.”

“It seems far more likely that Mr. Bingley’s good nature could be deceived than Mr. Wickham should invent such a fantastic story. If it isn’t true, let Mr. Darcy say so for himself. Or let Mr. Wickham’s story be refuted.” Elizabeth was not backing down in her assessment of the gentleman, though it clearly made her sister uncomfortable.

“It is distressing indeed. What way is there to prove either man’s behavior?”

All at once, Elizabeth realise that there was a way that she could determine if Mr. Darcy truly was the villain that Mr. Wickham claimed.

“I beg your pardon, Jane, but I believe I know exactly how to do so.”

She had yet to sit down and draft a response to Darcy’s last letter, though in truth it likely did not warrant one. But if he were so willing to correspond with her father…

“Do forgive me,” Elizabeth said quickly, and stood up from the bench she had been sharing with her sister. Elizabeth left Jane in the courtyard without an explanation and hurried up to her chamber where she could be left in solitude and draft a new letter to Mr. Darcy.

Longbourn, Nov 21st 1811

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