Miss Gardiner: A Variation on Pride and Prejudice by Hunnicutt Martin

Author:Hunnicutt , Martin [Hunnicutt , Martin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-09-06T00:00:00+00:00

++**++

When shared, the letter and its news so affected Jane, that she took to her bed and refused to rise for a day. When Aunt Madeline and Elizabeth pressed her, Jane confessed confusion at the details of the letter.

“It was my sister Lydia who chased Mr. Wickham about Meryton. The night of the ball at Netherfield, Lydia continually slipped from the ballroom with Wickham and was gone for many minutes each time. Our father acted unaware and our mother brushed away Mary and Kitty’s concerns.”

Jane blushed when she added, “I could not chastise Lydia for I was doing the same or more with Charles whenever we could slip from the room.”

“But Maria Lucas…” Aunt Madeline began saying, confused by the narrative of events.

“Our father may have locked our sisters in the house since Jane and I left in December. Lydia’s absence from Meryton meant that Wickham turned his attentions to another young woman and the victim this time was Maria Lucas,” Elizabeth said. “But there is no one I can write to for confirmation.”

++**++

On Monday following the arrival of the letter from Mrs. Collins, Elizabeth shared the letter with Mr. Darcy when he called. Mrs. Gardiner watched the man’s face turn thunderously dark when he read the letter.

“I must speak with Mr. Gardiner,” Darcy announced, tightening his hold on the paper. “My aunt’s interference…I have a cousin who is a colonel in the regulars; he can take custody of Wickham and get to the bottom of the matter.”

“Mr. Gardiner is at the warehouses this afternoon,” Mrs. Gardiner said.

“Miss Bennet, forgive me for not staying longer,” Mr. Darcy said. “My visits with you are the highlight of my week but I must take steps.”

“I look forward to your visits as well, Mr. Darcy. But the letter from Mrs. Collins left me full of questions. If you can find any answers, I shall anticipate your forthcoming visits.”

“May I keep the letter for now? I shall return it if at all possible.”

Mr. Darcy left for the warehouses and later Mr. Gardiner sent a message that he would be late returning home that evening.

++**++

That evening, in their rooms on the third floor, Jane and Elizabeth were quiet after discussing Mr. Darcy’s reaction to the news from Hertfordshire. In typical Jane fashion, she stated that Mr. Darcy would resolve the matter with the help of his cousin. Then she asked, “Lizzy, do you think Mr. Darcy is in love with you?”

“I…I hold him in high regard,” Elizabeth replied and Jane snickered.

“Really? High regard? Is that all, Miss Elizabeth Bennet!” the older sister asked from her chair in a teasing manner.

Rather than joining in her sister’s teasing, Elizabeth took Jane’s hands in her own and asked, “Jane…if I am…if he does love me…will you forgive me?”

Now Jane’s face grew white with surprize but then she smiled; the wonderful, graceful smile that caused smiles on the faces of everyone who saw such.

“Lizzy, oh my dear Lizzy,” Jane said with a single tear falling down her cheek. “If he loves you and you love him, nothing will make me happier.

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