A Secret Suitor: Regency Pride and Prejudice Variation by Allison Smith

Author:Allison Smith [Smith, Allison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Longbourn Lady
Published: 2019-11-19T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“This is the first such correspondence you have had from him?” Mr Darcy asked, the letter in his hand.

When he raised his gaze, the seafaring blue of his eyes pinned Lydia in place. Her younger sister ceased all fidgeting, though her chin lifted a millimetre. Elizabeth spared a moment of sympathy for Miss Darcy, and for the first time was glad she did not have an older brother. What would life have been like if her mother had birthed a strong willed son certain of his right of rule over his younger sisters? For no matter how much Darcy loved Georgiana, at some point his indulgence would end. And Georgiana’s imprisonment would begin. Elizabeth doubted he would continue to struggle with the scruples of forcefully handling a defiant younger sister bent on her own ruin.

Lydia waited a moment too long before answering. “Yes,” she said hurriedly when his eyes narrowed. “Of this nature.”

Elizabeth felt her lips thin. Vexation and. . .damnation. She did not care for that man at all.

“And you thought you were being a good friend by allowing my sister to throw herself headlong into ruin?”

“She loves him!”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Perhaps. But this is the same man who flirted with you only. . .days ago, was it? Can you truly believe he loves her in return?”

Lydia scoffed. “Not everyone is concerned with fortune. Some men are good, and honourable.”

“I agree.” He smiled grimly. “Do you know this is not the first time he has attempted to elope with my sister?”

Lydia’s eyes widened.

“When she was thirteen, I caught them in what they insisted was a silly game—sending letters via Georgiana’s companion at the time. Very innocent letters, as they are now. Wickham was hurt just enough, outraged just enough that I questioned my own judgment. I let it go, especially when I looked into my sister’s giggling face and realised she thought it was play.” He paused. “I sent Wickham away, ostensibly after a quarrel regarding his. . .inheritance. But later I was informed of travel arrangements, abandoned, that had been made in Lambton.”

“Thirteen,” Elizabeth said. She shook her head. “I have no words.”

His grim smile flashed to something closer to wry when he glanced at her. “I had plenty enough for the both of us.” His face hardened again when he stared back at Lydia. “I do not believe you malicious in your intent. You are a silly girl, and your sister suffers from much the same dilemma as I. Neither of us particularly enjoys forcing intelligent beings to behave as they ought. It is exhausting, when people should simply be trusted to do what is right.”

Elizabeth grimaced. “I agree, more’s the pity.”

“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth, for bringing this to my attention.” His expression was flinty, though she knew his anger was not directed at her. “I would ask that you do nothing while I attempt to resolve this matter. I do not want him to know we are aware of his plans.” He glanced at Lydia.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.