Of Inheritance and Intrigue: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Jae George

Author:Jae George [George, Jae]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

When the three cousins arrived the following day to instigate another walk, they were greeted by a ponderous Mr. Collins. “Yet another walk? I am surprised that Lady Catherine does not regret the loss of your company. You do not need to entertain my Cousin Elizabeth, sirs.”

Richard spoke up first, “Not at all, Mr. Collins. It is more likely that Miss Elizabeth will entertain us. She is a delightful companion and a vigorous walker. Would you care to join us, Mr. Collins? We have always included your wife and sister in our invitations to join us on our walks, you know.”

The parson began to sputter, “No, no, I have much to accomplish today and, therefore, must decline your kind invitation.” He turned to the interior of the house and called, “Charlotte, my dear, wouldn’t you like to join these fine relations of our noble patroness for a walk?”

“Mr. Collins, you must have forgotten that today is the day that I will be attending the Lady’s Guild meeting at Mrs. Hampton’s home. Maria does not join the party as she is not a strong walker and would tire long before the rest of the party is ready to quit the activity. Come, let us not keep them from their enjoyment.”

She returned to her parlor while her husband stood in the doorway and watched the group walking away. Thinking that Mr. Collins suspected a connection between Elizabeth and her ladyship’s younger nephew, Anne de Bourgh immediately took Elizabeth’s arm and began their trek away from the parsonage.

Once he had returned to the house, Collins retrieved his hat and hastened to visit Lady Catherine. I will assure her that her nephew showed no particular attention to my cousin.

When the group reached the grove, they changed walking companions. Elizabeth began the conversation with laughter. “Not only did Anne assuage my Cousin Collins’ concerns about my poaching a nephew of her family, but she also assured me that you have indeed been interested in me for some time. After our walk, you may tell them, ‘job well done.’” She stopped and looked up at him. “Mr. Darcy, I believe I have made a decision about your request of yesterday.” His heart missed a beat at the prospect of her refusing him and sending him away forever. “I think that I would like to know you better, so with the condition that we do not make an announcement, I will accept a courtship with you. Will this arrangement be satisfactory?”

“Yes, yes, it will be perfectly satisfactory. In fact, I was going to ask you if there would be any way that you could prolong your stay in London. If we could court there, I could take you to museums and the theatre. And we would have the advantage of not courting in the vicinity of our supposed compromise.”

“That does seem like sound reasoning, Mr. Darcy.” Again, her smile and her sparkling green eyes were laying waste to his composure. He stood staring until she gave him a questioning look.

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