Pride & Precipitance: A Victorian Pride and Prejudice Vagary (The Victorian Vagaries Book 1) by Caroline Cartier

Author:Caroline Cartier [Cartier, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cartier Classic Tales
Published: 2024-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Elizabeth and Mary rested at Lilac Cottage for one night before the ladies went with Diane to London. Elizabeth gifted Kitty and Lydia each a new morning dress, afternoon dress, and evening gown from her stock of old gowns before they went away to ensure the girls had something productive and engaging to work on besides their studies while she was away, and to keep them dedicated. Mary was nervous to be in London for the Season, even though she was not officially out. They would attend no private night time events or balls until Mary was presented at court the following year, although there would be a few evening engagements Elizabeth must attend alone.

A note from Colonel Fitzwilliam was waiting for her when they arrived in London, informing her that to increase her security, for Lieutenant Wickham had escaped. Elizabeth replied that she would be vigilant, just in case the man attempted to avenge himself again, and wrote to Lydia and Kitty to be on their guard.

The day after they arrived in London, Mr Darcy called and requested a private audience with Lady Astley. Elizabeth wondered at the request for a private audience. Mr Darcy was a fine gentleman, and she admired him, but they were a long way off from a proposal and Elizabeth hoped he was not about to ruin a friendship precipitously.

As she sat waiting patiently in her drawing room, Mr Darcy paced in front of the fireplace, clearly at war with himself. He was clearly about to propose, but at least his agitation indicated that his affections must be engaged, she thought.

Mr Darcy sat near her on the settee and said: “In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you,” Elizabeth was astonished at the passion in his words, which was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent.

This he considered sufficient encouragement; it might have all been rather perfect if he had not opened his mouth again, but the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed; and he was just as eloquent regarding the damage to his pride and his connections as he was on the subject of the tenderness of his heart. His sense of her family's inferiority—of its being a degradation—of the family obstacles which had always opposed the inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.

Elizabeth could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man's regard, and though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he was to receive; until finally she was roused to bitter resentment by his subsequent language. When he suggested that marriage to him would be her best chance of safety with Wickham on the loose, she lost all compassion in anger.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.