Wild Goose Chase by Sophie Lynbrook

Author:Sophie Lynbrook [Lynbrook, Sophie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-07-29T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

The gardener’s boy had been quite happy to follow his instructions. On one of her previous visits to Pemberley, Miss Bingley had been very critical of the new flower beds which he had helped to lay out. Today it gave him great pleasure to saunter along to Lambton, even turning down the offer of a ride in a passing wagon. Requesting the worst of the horses available gave him further satisfaction. The ostler was both confused and insulted, but an explanation quickly soothed ruffled feathers.

“Oh, that Miss Bingley,” he said, having his own reasons to share their dislike for the lady. “Well, I don’t say as I have any bad horses, but there’s a pair that’s been a bit off lately. You’d best be having those. I’ll just get one of the boys to give them a good brushing first. Nice and slow like.”

This was done and then the horses were led back at a snail’s pace. Meanwhile Miss Bingley was pacing back and forth, her cheeks growing redder as her impatience increased. Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley made small talk to pass the time, but it was an uncomfortable task. Mr. Hurst was in a bad mood because his fishing had been spoiled, and Mrs. Hurst was in a bad mood because he was.

The arrival of the horses at last was just as welcome to those who had desired the delay as to those who were in a great hurry to leave.

“I do not think I could have tolerated another minute of their company,” Georgiana said as she stood waving goodbye. “I was quite relieved when the horses did arrive. Anyway, Mr. Bingley has a good lead now, and it will soon grow wider if Mr. Hurst dawdles at the inns like he did on the journey here.”

“I hope it will grow very wide,” Mrs. Annesley said. “I had a quick word with the postilions about increasing the delay. Scheming is not something I usually do, but in the current circumstances, I felt that it was justified.”

“I think it is quite forgivable in this instance,” Georgiana said.

Their horses arrived quite expeditiously, and the ladies departed not long afterwards, stopping briefly in Lambton to arrange for the letter to be sent express to Miss Bennet. They were comfortably accommodated in Mr. Darcy’s post-chaise with two footmen at the back and two outriders travelling alongside. Lady Catherine herself would have approved of such propriety if she had any idea of their journey.

“I suppose my aunt will be well ahead of us by now,” Georgiana said as they made their way on to the first turnpike. “We are not likely to reach Gretna Green before her unfortunately. I would have liked to give my brother an advance warning, but that cannot be done. He will be astonished when she shows up accusing him of eloping.”

They made up the rear of a parade of vehicles all travelling toward Gretna Green. Between them and Lady Catherine, there was Colonel Fitzwilliam, who was steadily gaining upon his aunt.

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