Lives Begun in Obscurity: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Shana Granderson A Lady

Author:Shana Granderson A Lady [Granderson A Lady, Shana]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2022-09-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Two very upset sisters arrived at the Gardiners’ house on Gracechurch Street a little after eleven in the morning on Monday. The house, a well-maintained three-story red brick building, was not small but it was not as large as those in Mayfair or the other areas the Ton considered fashionable.

The street where Gardiner House was located had a good number of similar townhouses in various sizes where wealthy tradesmen lived with their families.

There was a park opposite Gardiner House where Elizabeth and Jane often took their cousins to feed the ducks and get some exercise. It was a good-sized park with well-kept gardens and a nice lengthy circular walk. It was popular with the residents of the area, especially those who did not want to spend a half hour travelling to Hyde Park.

Elizabeth’s and Jane’s sadness had turned to anger, all directed at their father, the man they had always thought held their happiness at a premium. As far as they were concerned, he had acted in a most capricious and inexplicable manner. After they accepted their respective men, they did not even consider the possibility that their father might reject their suitors.

As soon as Madeline Gardiner saw her nieces step from the Bennet carriage, she knew something was not right. In the past, Elizabeth and Jane were overjoyed to spend time with their family, but joy was not the emotion she saw playing over the twins’ faces. If she did not know better she would have said it was sadness tinged with anger.

Madeline did not question her nieces in front of the servants. She led them into a parlour and closed the door firmly. “In the years I have known you two, I have never seen looks on your faces like those I see today. What is the cause of your vexation?” Madeline asked firmly.

“This will explain it,” Elizabeth stated as she handed her aunt a letter that had been crumpled inside the pocket of her travel dress.

“Please be seated while I read this,” Madeline requested. She noted the missive was addressed to both herself and Edward. Knowing her husband, who was at the office in the warehouse, would not object, she broke the seal and tried to flatten the paper out before commencing to read it.

3 November 1810

Longbourn

Gardiner and Maddie,

As I am sure you have noted, my eldest daughters are most displeased. Their ire is aimed at myself, rightfully so.

They were being unofficially courted, Elizabeth by Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Jane by Mr. Charles Bingley. As I am sure they wrote to you, there was a ball at Netherfield Park yesterday.

At the ball, Mr. Bingley proposed to Jane, who accepted him, while Mr. Darcy requested, and was granted, an official courtship by Lizzy. Before I continue, I DO NOT object to either man.

Their righteous anger directed at me is due to my refusal to bestow my consent to either application. I cannot explain my reasoning yet, but please know I have not forbidden the men or my daughters to be in company with each other.

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