Cindereliza: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Sophie Lynbrook

Author:Sophie Lynbrook [Lynbrook, Sophie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Alternate Universe, Not in Amazon Library, To Transfer
Amazon: B09YKLD3PG
Goodreads: 60862902
Published: 2022-04-21T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

After seeing Mr. Bingley disappear into the woods at the end of the lawn, Mr. Darcy had turned to go back inside, but then he had been taken by an impulse. Without any thought for gloves or a change of footwear or a warmer coat, he had sprung into action. Across the lawn, through the trees, over a ditch. A fleeting glimpse of Mr. Bingley sent him racing across a field. He climbed stiles, wove his way through more trees, and hurried across other fields, with his quarry popping in and out of sight.

He soon realised that they were heading in the direction of Longbourn, and as the village came into sight, he wondered if the Bennets had taken a house near their old residence. But why had Mr. Bingley chosen to walk such a distance? It was not the most gentlemanly way for a caller to arrive.

Past the village, Mr. Darcy navigated a small wood and emerged to find himself at the top of a rise looking down upon the garden at the back of Longbourn House. There was nobody in sight. He paused, wondering where Mr. Bingley had gone. Then he saw him creep out from behind the stables.

Mr. Bingley glanced at the kitchen garden and startled at the sight of a gardener with a wheelbarrow. A few words were exchanged, at which he appeared to relax, and then he proceeded to the kitchen door. His knock was answered in a moment, and after a brief conversation with a shadowy figure, he disappeared inside, leaving Mr. Darcy staring in astonishment.

Was Bingley calling upon the Longbourn servants? Perhaps looking for information? Which he might have intended to share all along. Mr. Darcy felt ashamed of himself for having followed instead of waiting patiently.

He thought of scurrying away. But that was not in his nature. He would wait for Bingley, admit to his pursuit, and hope for forgiveness. And some useful information at last.

Leaning against a tree, he waited. And waited. Surely it should not take so long to question a few servants. Had Mr. Bingley slipped out without him noticing? Or could he have left by another door?

Mr. Darcy looked thoughtfully at the one behind which his friend had vanished. If he wanted to know what was happening, he could knock upon it himself. Entering a house by the kitchen door was something Mr. Darcy had never done, nor ever expected to do. But he was not high and mighty with servants like Miss Bingley was. Although a lot of strangers at an assembly made him feel uncomfortable, he thought himself quite capable of dealing with an unknown cook or a kitchen maid. And he very much wanted to know if there was anything to learn from these servants.

After a quick look around, he ventured down the slope, and headed around the stables, startling at the sudden appearance of the coachman.

“Mornin’, sir,” this burly man said, looking not a whit perturbed that a gentleman was creeping about his domain.

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