Pemberley Strife: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Lane Cossett

Author:Lane Cossett [Cossett, Lane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Not in Amazon Library, To Transfer, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Amazon: B0883YFXHD
Goodreads: 53345081
Published: 2020-05-04T04:00:00+00:00

26

"Goodbye, Mrs. Fenton," said Elizabeth to the tired woman who was standing on her doorstep.

"Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. Tell Mrs. Kendrick we're grateful for the cake and meat."

"We will do."

Elizabeth patted the knee of the little girl who was sat on her mother's hip and then hurried down the path after Jane.

"Lizzy, I don't think I have seen you so content," said Jane. "Are you in love?"

Elizabeth nearly dropped her empty basket. "Jane! Why would you ask such a thing?"

"Because you seem so different."

"In what way?" asked Elizabeth.

"Do not look so worried. You seem happy. That is a good thing. I wondered if it had something to do with Mr. Henry Darcy."

Elizabeth's cheeks had grown suddenly warm. "Mr. Henry is a nice man, but my happiness has nothing to do with him. The vicarage does not feel the same without him, but I doubt we will meet again. Mrs. Kendrick does not move in the same circle as the Darcys."

Jane looked thoughtful. "I am glad, Lizzy."

"Glad? Why is that?"

Jane’s cheeks were pink. “I know it is selfish, but ever since Mr... Mr... that man returned to London, I have been concerned that you would get married and leave me."

Elizabeth stopped walking. She wondered if Jane was teasing her, but she saw the worried look on Jane's face and saw that she was not.

"Jane, I am not going anywhere, but one day you will find a man that deserves you, and I hope that you will not give me a second thought."

"I don't think so, Lizzy, but if I do find a man, I shall be like Charlotte and hope that he can offer me a house and a place in society."

Elizabeth was disturbed. Charlotte had been pragmatic when accepting Mr. Collins’s proposal. She had been quite content to put up with her husband's silly ways for a comfortable home. Elizabeth could not have tolerated such a situation for herself.

"But, Jane, Charlotte's feelings are not engaged with Mr. Collins even though he is her husband. Surely you would want more."

Jane's eyes had darkened, and there was a bitterness to her voice.

"I did want more, Lizzy, but I now realise I was wrong. There is no need to marry for love if such a thing is even real. Mama has always told us that we should look for a man with a fortune, and I believe she is right."

Elizabeth was horrified. It was as if she was speaking to a stranger. She had never heard Jane talk in such a manner. The hurt Jane felt from Mr. Bingley must be even more painful than Elizabeth thought.

She was glad that their conversation came to an end when they reached the general stores. Mrs. Fullerton was behind the counter and greeted her warmly. Elizabeth introduced Jane, and Mrs. Fullerton was happy to meet Miss Elizabeth's sister. The bitterness that Elizabeth had heard in her sister's voice had disappeared, and Jane was soon speaking shyly to the shopkeeper. Elizabeth was glad to see it. She had been uncomfortable hearing Jane sounding so unlike herself.

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