Renewed Hope: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (When Love Blooms Book 2) by Rose Fairbanks & a Lady

Author:Rose Fairbanks & a Lady [Fairbanks, Rose]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Rose Fairbanks
Published: 2016-07-18T22:00:00+00:00

*****

In a handsome, modern building situated on rising ground, sat a small, pale lady. She looked but a mouse, and not a healthy one at that, to all who knew her while her mother was a mighty lioness. On the inside, however, Anne de Bourgh chafed at her sheltered life and existence.

“Tell me about your betrothed, Mr. Collins,” Lady Catherine said to her rector.

When Anne had learned her mother selected a young man of only five and twenty as parson to replace the deceased incumbent, she scarcely managed to keep her excitement to herself. If he could not be a suitor, he might have a wife or sister to keep his house and befriend Anne. Young people might visit. In short, she might have a modicum of the life others lived.

Then she met Mr. Collins, and all hope vanished. Now, he was regaling her mother about the bride he had selected upon his recent visit to Hertfordshire. Anne noted that the unfortunate lady was not one of his five cousins with whom he stayed. It did not bode well for his future wife at all if the women who could benefit the most from marriage to him were uninterested after having experienced living with him mere days.

“A knight, you say? Well, that is more than I expected.” Lady Catherine seemed displeased by the information.

“She and her family are all that is affable and humble, madam. They would never think themselves anything near equal to you or Miss de Bourgh,” Mr. Collins hastened to say.

“Good, good. I cannot abide upstarts.”

Outwardly, Anne looked utterly indifferent but inside she rolled her eyes. This Miss Lucas must certainly be far superior to her if she had managed to gain a husband. Anne had not and instead been passed over twice. Not even her nearest male relations would take pity on her. She had no hope for the lady who married Mr. Collins to be sensible, however. And so, Anne’s imprisonment would continue. At last, Mr. Collins left.

“Anne, has Darcy written?”

“He remains in Hertfordshire.” Darcy had not written. Nor had he since her mother began hinting that he should marry Anne since their cousin James was neglecting his duty. Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, remained a correspondent, however.

“Hertfordshire! Did he not just leave there?”

“It seems he has returned.”

“What can he be doing there?”

“He visits his friend, Mr. Bingley. You recall him, do you not?”

Lady Catherine frowned. “The manufacturer.” Her ladyship tisked and stabbed a needle through her embroidery. “I do not know what the young men are thinking these days. Arlington and Darcy both dabble in these factories.”

Anne’s eyes mentally rolled again. She did not forget that the de Bourgh wealth came from trade as easily as her mother did, it seemed.

“But then, someone has to own them. I will not deny that I enjoy the products they make. It may as well be contributing to the wealth of the finest families.”

Anne concealed a huff. Yes, how dare anyone else hope to make an income.

“And have you heard from Fitzwilliam?”

“Yes…I had a letter.

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