A Matter of Prudence: A Variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (Family Matters Series) by Lucy Marin

Author:Lucy Marin [Marin, Lucy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing
Published: 2023-08-06T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Caroline was nearly frantic when she finally found her brother shortly before the supper set began. Hosting a ball had been a terrible idea. It is just the latest of our mistakes. We ought not to be here at all. Coming to Hertfordshire has been nothing but a disaster!

“Slow down. Whatever is the matter?” Bingley said, as she all but dragged him out of the ballroom and towards the study, which had been closed to guests. There, she gave vent to her frustrations.

“I wish we had never come to this wretched neighbourhood! I hate the people, I hate how we have had to act, I hate that Mr Darcy has not yet proposed to me!”

Her brother stopped her pacing and held her by her shoulders. Fixing his eyes on her, he said, “Has something particular happened to excuse your present fury, or is this more of the same?”

“There is one good piece of information. When I was dancing the opening set, I stood next to the deplorable Miss Eliza, which I was very unhappy about, until I heard her and her cousin speaking. She said something about him leading his own flock and being a husband by the end of the year, and they were so friendly, so easy with each other. Mr Darcy must finally acknowledge that she is not the girl for him. He has not asked me to dance yet, which vexes me more than I can say, but when he does, I will be sure to remind him that he must stop brooding over her and start brooding over me!” She knew she babbled, but could not stop herself.

Bingley sighed and let his hands fall away from her arms. “Is that why you are in such a state? I am supposed to be dancing with Miss Bennet.”

Her eyes round with alarm, she shook her head vigorously. “That is the last thing you should do! Charles, I overheard Mrs Bennet and Mrs Philips, and later Mrs Bennet and Sir William. It is evident—painfully so—that everyone expects you to marry her. Have I not warned you to be cautious? You did not listen to me, and now, I do not know what we shall do.”

“You are not serious. I have not heard anyone…”

When his voice trailed off and his complexion paled, Caroline assumed he remembered people hinting about it to him.

“It was just a little flirtation. Tell me exactly what you heard, all of it.” His voice shook, and she was relieved he evidently understood the gravity of the situation.

“They spoke about it as a certainty. It was not only the gossiping Mrs Bennet and Mrs Philips, not that Sir William Lucas, with all his pretensions, is any better. Truly, it was very improper of them to speak so freely, but have I not always said countryfolk have no discretion or understanding of what is acceptable behaviour amongst people like us, who are used to better society? They are censorious and—oh, what does it matter? After those

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