Back in Time for Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Time Travel Romance (Pride & Prejudice Variations) by Clara Winfield

Author:Clara Winfield [Winfield, Clara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heartiman
Published: 2022-01-28T05:00:00+00:00

10

LIZZY ~ 1812

It had been almost two weeks since Lizzy had been catapulted back to 1812. Lady Henrietta’s diary had been packed with social events throughout, and she had taken great pleasure in bringing Lizzy to all of them.

They had attended formal dinner after formal dinner. They went visiting on some mornings, and received visitors on other mornings. Twice, they had hosted dinners at Featherstone Hall, too.

Several changes of clothes were required every day. Lizzy wondered how on earth Mary could keep on top of it all, but she invariably did.

“Does Lady Henrietta ever take a night off?” she asked Mary one morning, as the maid laid out her first set of clothes for the day.

“A night off what?”

“Socialising. Going out. You know. Does she ever stay in and read a book?”

Mary chortled. “Good heavens, no. I don’t know if she has ever spent an evening alone. Ever since Lord Featherstone died, she has made sure she always has company.” Mary looked close to tears. “I know she can be a bit of a handful for you at times, Miss Summers, but she really has a good heart. She just wants you to be happy. And to have a good future.”

“I know.” Lizzy nodded solemnly. “I’m just not feeling the whole Lord Draysfield thing.”

Mary didn’t understand her modern turn of phrase, so she repeated it in more formal language.

“Well, a lady does not have to be in love to settle on a husband. You may find love follows after marriage.”

Lizzy tried to imagine seeing the flushed face of Lord Draysfield gobbling up breakfast every morning, and shuddered.

“But what if you are actively horrified by the idea?”

“A lady must do what she must do.” Mary shrugged. “I don’t suppose many ladies find themselves betrothed to the man of their dreams, Miss Summers. Practical matters must be attended to.”

“How depressing.” Lizzy sat back in her chair. “It all sounds hopeless.”

“It’s not hopeless. Would you not rather marry an imperfect gentleman in preference to finding yourself without a home, an income, or a protector?”

Put like that, Lizzy could see Mary’s point.

“I really don’t believe Lady Henrietta would throw me out of her house, though. Not even if I shamed her as an eternal spinster. Do you think she would?”

“Not while she was alive. But the estate will pass to your cousin Mr. Featherstone once she passes. He may not feel as benevolent as she does where his cousins are concerned.”

Lizzy had already known how precarious the position of women was in the early nineteenth century, but living it was something else.

“All right. I’ll do my best to put on a smile. The show must go on.”

“That’s the spirit.” Mary closed the dark oak wardrobe door. “Now, then. Let’s get you all neat and tidy for the morning visitors.”

Lizzy acquiesced without another word of protest. She just had to hope she and Lady Henrietta received an invitation to Netherfield again soon. It was her only chance of seeing her home again.

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