The Curse: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Kate Speck

Author:Kate Speck [Speck, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Alternate Universe, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Not in Amazon Library
ISBN: 9798671264760
Amazon: B08F39XJTW
Goodreads: 55077173
Publisher: Independently published
Published: 2020-08-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

After speaking with Mrs. Jenkinson and finding her story consistent with that of the stableboy’s, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam rode on horseback to Hunsford in order to talk to Mr. Collins and made some plans for changes to the estate once Richard’s ownership was finalised. Lady Catherine would be relocated to the dower house with several trustworthy servants next month and their first priority was to remove Collins from the rectorship but as it was a lifelong appointment, there was no way to dismiss him unless he chose to leave the parsonage himself. Recalling that he was offered the position of an archdeacon already, Darcy was determined to also investigate how Collins was able to be promised that position but to expose him after they removed him from Rosings first and foremost.

Knocking on the door of the cottage, the gentlemen prepared their line of questions in their minds until the door opened and Mrs. Collins answered. “Mr. Darcy! How do you do? I did not expect to see you here, of all places.” Charlotte Collins excitedly proclaimed. “Have you come to call on Eliza? How did you know she was visiting?”

Darcy froze as he saw Elizabeth behind Mrs. Collins, also standing stock-still, neither able to say a word to answer the parson’s wife who became very confused. Richard intervened swiftly, “I am very pleased to meet you, Mrs. Collins. I have heard much about you from Darcy and I am already acquainted with Miss Bennet. I am Colonel Fitzwilliam. At your service, madam,” he bowed deeply to distract the woman from noticing what was happening around her.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Colonel! Please do come in, sirs. Mr. Collins is not here, as he makes his rounds to the parishioners after calling on Lady Catherine first, but should return home by four o’clock if you wish to see him.” She led the group to the parlour and took a seat, with Elizabeth following her in silence. “How is her ladyship? I am so sorry to hear about Miss Anne. She was such a kind soul and I was only just getting to know her.”

“Thank you,” Richard answered for Darcy, “our aunt is faring better than expected and I will be taking over the estate in the next few weeks and we have come for the funeral which will be held the day after tomorrow. Once I am retired, I will begin my residence in the beginning of March.” He turned to Elizabeth and commented, “I only now recalled that your sister was returning to Hertfordshire to prepare for her wedding and that you were to visit your friend, Miss Bennet. I did not realise that you would be coming to stay so near Rosings Park. Are you well?” he asked carefully, seeing that Elizabeth was avoiding Darcy completely and knew she was beyond angry to see his cousin here.

“I am as well as I could be, Colonel. I arrived this morning to stay with Charlotte since I was so close to Kent and will be here for a week until I am expected home for my sister’s wedding.

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