When Love is True: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Melissa Anne

Author:Melissa Anne [Anne, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: RBC Wordpress
Published: 2024-10-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

As Darcy waited for his wife to prepare herself for bed and join him in their chamber, he thought over what he had learned that day.

The confrontation with the Bennets had been unpleasant, but not unexpected. He knew from the letter his wife’s uncle had shown him that the family expected Elizabeth to essentially sacrifice herself on the family’s behalf, and they had guessed marriage was intended to be the method. Elizabeth was likewise unaware of a second letter sent to Gardiner emphasising the importance of Elizabeth’s returning home. Darcy had wanted to share both letters with his wife, but Gardiner had been insistent he not do so.

Gardiner also told the younger man of the letters he had received through the years from Fanny Bennet. There were only a few, perhaps one or two a year, always making demands and speaking ill of the daughter she had cast aside. Neither his niece nor his wife was aware of these, and he doubted the lady’s husband was aware of them either, but he had kept them as proof of her hatred for her daughter.

“I cannot say why I have kept these over the years, and have, on occasion, thought to confront Thomas and Fanny with them, but saw no reason to do so. However, I will turn these over to your safe keeping, in case it becomes necessary to remind my sister of what she has said. Once she discovers Elizabeth is married to such a wealthy man, she will likely begin demanding the world.”

“Elizabeth hopes for a restoration, but if it is as you say, she will want nothing to do with them. She looks forward to seeing her sisters and hopes she can forge a relationship at least with them,” Darcy replied.

The Darcys remained at their cottage the day after this meeting but went into the village the following day to take tea with Mrs. Phillips. They arrived in town early and decided to peruse the shops for a short time before they needed to arrive at Elizabeth’s aunt.

As they were leaving the milliner’s, they encountered Elizabeth’s sisters. Accustomed to London, they were surprised to see all four Bennet daughters in town without any sort of servant. The two younger girls barely acknowledged their sister, while Jane and Mary stopped to speak with the couple. Mary seemed genuinely pleased to see them, whereas Jane subtly moved closer to Darcy in an attempt to flirt with him.

“Mr. Darcy,” she cooed, before turning toward her sister, “and Lizzy. How pleasant it is to encounter you two in town today. Might we join you in your shopping this morning?”

“We are nearly done with our shopping,” Darcy said, stepping away from the cloying lady and bringing his wife’s arm more firmly to his side.

Elizabeth murmured her agreement. “Yes, we are due at our aunt’s very soon. I think we have completed our shopping this morning since we were mostly engaged in looking in windows to see what the shops have to offer. We also enjoyed our chance to walk through town and speak to those we have encountered.

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