A Fortuitous Wager: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Kimbelle Pease

Author:Kimbelle Pease [Pease, Kimbelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Alternate Universe, V_0, KU, Not in Amazon Library, To Transfer
Goodreads: 213699299
Published: 2024-05-31T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Longbourn

Later that afternoon, Bennet entered the sitting room, greeting his family before he looked directly at his second daughter.

“I wonder if I might speak with you, Jane, and Mary. Would the three of you please come into my study?”

With a look at one another, they complied with his unprecedented request.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam has asked me to tell him what service he may perform for our family in recompense for our assistance in ridding his family of a menace. He clarified that we might ask of him any service in his power to grant. Colonel Forster is detaining the offender while the colonel prepares for whatever he intends. I wish for the truth of the man to be shared with Lydia and Kitty while the wastrel lives. They must understand that one’s outward appearance does not indicate one’s character. Perhaps we can encourage them to behave more like you three, for you are each poised and do not act foolish in company.”

“Yes, Father, I think that will help them understand,” Mary quickly replied. “And I wish to join them when his character and some of his vindictiveness is explained.”

Elizabeth frowned and looked at Jane. Having discussed that their younger sisters were not as they seemed, most certainly not uncaring nor foolish, she was confused by Mary’s response.

“Are you certain this is the best course, Mary? Elizabeth confided she is quite shaken by what Mr. Darcy shared with her and all else she learned,” Jane said.

“As should our mother. Maybe then she’ll stop pushing us toward any and every single man as a prospective husband. I believe it will immediately affect their behaviors,” Mary said.

“Ah,” Elizabeth whispered to herself, turning to face the window. She reckoned Mary, Kitty, and Lydia would use this so no one would question their change in behavior.

Such an opportunity, so soon after Elizabeth and Jane were made aware that all was not as they believed of their younger sisters, seemed fortuitous or, in more romantic terms, fated. Still, the depth of the man’s depravity had been too much for her. It would certainly be too much for her sisters. None of them could have imagined such a villain.

“I, too, will listen,” Jane announced, surprising everyone in the room.

“It would greatly upset you,” Elizabeth said.

“You say I have a very narrow view of the world and choose to be blind to some truths, Lizzy. I now have a chance to understand what kind of evil my own daughters may encounter,” Jane argued.

“I doubt there are many men such,” Bennet intervened on behalf of his eldest. “But I’m pleased you wish to learn the truth rather than wish him free or seek to make less of his crimes. Everyone has the potential to do great good, Jane, but not all live their lives doing so.”

“When? I will have my younger sisters in the sitting room for whatever you wish to speak of it,” Mary asked as she stood.

“Is half an hour enough time, Mary?” Bennet penned a note to

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