Mr. Hurst's Return (Netherfield Returns Book 2) by Jann Rowland

Author:Jann Rowland [Rowland, Jann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence
ISBN: 9781990856921
Goodreads: 243089871
Publisher: One Good Sonnet Publishing
Published: 2025-10-23T04:00:00+00:00

UPROAR AT LONGBOURN was no singular occurrence—Kitty and Lydia often returned with gossip that sent their mother into a flutter, and Mrs. Bennet was not incapable of creating a ruckus herself. Another source of disturbance was Mrs. Philips, Mrs. Bennet’s elder sister, who visited at least once a week, and held a position as one of Meryton’s most determined gossips. On the day in question, the same day that Georgiana Darcy had arrived from London, the tumult was muted, and not only because the news Mrs. Philips brought was not exactly a surprise, though the last tidbit was.

“Oh, we already knew of Mr. Wickham’s worthlessness,” said Mrs. Bennet, waving away her sister’s news. “Even if Mr. Wickham had not proved it by his actions, Mr. Darcy told us all about him.”

“Mr. Darcy?” gasped Mrs. Philips, a note of incredulous surprise in her voice. “Did he not deny Mr. Wickham his due?”

“Not at all,” replied Mrs. Bennet. “Mr. Darcy was blameless in the matter.”

“This is strange, Maggie,” said Mrs. Philips after sitting silent for longer than Elizabeth had ever seen the woman go without speaking. “The last I knew, the Bennets were not friendly with Mr. Darcy.” Mrs. Philips fixed her eyes upon Elizabeth. “Something about Lizzy being not handsome enough, as I recall.”

“Mr. Darcy was wrong to say that,” said Elizabeth, pinking just a little. “But his return has taught us to think better of him. Aunt Gardiner knew him as a child when she lived in Lambton.”

There were matters of which Mrs. Philips did not know, and she did not like it. She prided herself on knowing the intimate details of everything that happened in Meryton—ignorance was an anathema to a gossip, especially one as determined as Mrs. Philips.

“You mentioned that Mr. Wickham proved his worthlessness,” said Mrs. Philips, her eyes narrowing. “Pray, what did he do to make you suspicious of him?”

Even Mrs. Bennet appeared to understand they could not speak of the incident at Lucas Lodge without disguise. There had been only a few witnesses, and word had not spread around the neighborhood. Elizabeth had done nothing wrong, but even the whisper of inappropriate advances by an inebriated officer could damage her reputation if they did not take care.

“When examined, his behavior was not above reproach,” said Mrs. Bennet, “and his tales of misuse at Mr. Darcy’s hands made no sense. It is obvious when one thinks about it.”

Elizabeth turned away to stifle a laugh, and she noted Mr. Bennet doing the same. That answer seemed to mollify Mrs. Philips to a certain extent, though she remained suspicious.

“Then you knew of the debts?” demanded Mrs. Philips. “The tales of Mr. Wickham attempting to seduce several young ladies in the village?”

“Not the specifics, Letitia,” replied Mr. Bennet. “Mr. Darcy told us something of his habits, so the news you bring does not surprise us, though we did not know the specifics.”

“I hope none of the young ladies was ruined,” said Mary.

Mrs. Philips shook her head, appearing preoccupied. “Nothing had proceeded beyond flirting yet.

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