Such Novel Notions: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Eselle Teays

Author:Eselle Teays [Teays, Eselle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Eselle Teays Publisher
Published: 2021-12-07T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Once inside, Anne ordered trays to be brought up to her room so that they could talk in private.

While enjoying a lavish spread of meat pies, fruit and cheeses, Anne recounted her misadventure with Wickham on the phaeton. When she told Lizzy about Wickham’s brazen attempt to compromise her in broad daylight and in public, Lizzy gasped and almost dropped her teacup. She asked anxiously, “Anne, do you think there is any danger of your reputation having been ruined?”

Anne said, “Wickham meant to force me to marry him. However, since I do not plan to marry anybody, what could be the consequence? Do you think my uncle’s reputation, or Darcy’s, would be tarnished because a servant behaved dastardly toward his betters? It is far more likely that he will be flogged. Besides, who could have recognized me? I do not know anyone in town.”

Elizabeth could not help admiring the courage and the clear thinking of her friend. When Anne told her that Wickham had unceremoniously dropped her off in the middle of a busy road after she told him that he would have nothing to gain if they married, Elizabeth assumed Wickham realized his game was up and he wanted to make sure Mr. Darcy could find nothing against him since his cousin had not been harmed.

Anne continued, “Lizzy, about what you asked earlier of my fortune, that was why I had asked you to come here today because I have some news. However, before I break the news to you…”

Just then someone knocked on the door, and Anne went to answer. A footman was there with a message from the doctors.

Anne returned to Elizabeth and said apologetically, “Lizzy, I must go to my mother. She is awake. I left the house so early this morning that I did not have the chance to see her. Please excuse me for a few minutes. It should not take long.”

After Anne left, Lizzy thought over the eventful two hours she had had that day. The most distinct impression that invaded her mind was how Mr. Darcy took charge of the situation with his commanding presence. She felt foolish to have rushed to him without thinking through whether there had been real danger to her friend. She remonstrated with herself: I must stop doing this before he is forever convinced that I am a silly, witless girl.

Just then, there was another knock at the door. Elizabeth thought that perhaps Anne had sent a message about her mother. When she opened the door, she was unprepared to see Mr. Darcy standing there. All the awkwardness that had existed between them since the proposal returned in full force now that the crisis was over, and they were alone.

Mr. Darcy recovered a moment later, put on his usual austere mask, and asked hesitantly, “Good afternoon, Miss Bennet. I thought Miss de Bourgh was with you. Is she within? How does she fare?”

“Oh!” Elizabeth muttered, as if she had not been expected to be asked these simple questions.

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