Conspiring With Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Nora Kipling & Clara Bell

Author:Nora Kipling & Clara Bell [Kipling, Nora & Bell, Clara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Amazon: B081BVHDWN
Goodreads: 48774444
Published: 2019-11-16T05:00:00+00:00

15

The invitation to dine at Rosings which Mr. Collins had so hoped for came barely a week after Elizabeth’s arrival. She was quite amused by his excitement as he instructed her. “You will never meet a more stately or generous patron. I know that you likely did not travel expecting to be in such a presence, so merely dress yourself in the best clothes that you have brought. For surely, this evening will live on in your memory forever, dear cousin.”

Even as their party walked to Rosings for the evening meal, Mr. Collins waxed poetic about Lady Catherine and her daughter Anne. He spoke of their virtue and their kindness and sensibility. Additionally, he spoke of Rosings itself and relayed in detail the monetary might it had taken to create such a beautiful and grand home.

Elizabeth listened, but she also paid attention to the park around her. It was beautiful, and she resolved herself to ask if walking in the park would be permitted to her. The spacious lawn and gardens called to her in the same way that the park at Netherfield did. Only the truly wealthy had claim to such extravagant space. She knew deep in her heart that she could live in the smallest house there was, but as long as she had fields to wander, she would be happy.

They were received at Rosings by a jolly housekeeper who showed them into one of the most decadent parlors Elizabeth had ever seen. Truly, every furnishing was finely made and spoke of wealth. Even the wealthiest of homes that she had visited in London would not have held a candle in their sumptuous decoration.

Elizabeth joined Mr. and Mrs. Collins in bowing to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and her daughter who was sitting near her. Anne de Bourgh was not remotely what Elizabeth had expected. From the repeated exultations of Mr. Collins, the young woman in her imagination was a fabled beauty whose grace was that of legend.

In reality, Anne was small, and clearly not in the best of health. Though she was pretty, and her delicate smile welcoming, the difference between reality and expectation was jarring. It was as she was looking at Miss de Bourgh, she noticed a gentleman facing away from her towards the windows overlooking the park, he was speaking to another man she had not met before.

Elizabeth felt herself go still as he turned towards her, for it was none other than Mr. Darcy himself. She had not known that encountering him here was even a possibility. For the first time she doubted her decision to come here, for she had endeavored to escape Hertfordshire to get away from constant reminders of him.

She feared the worst, that he might storm out of the room or demand that she leave Rosings entirely. But he did nothing of the sort. He simply bowed, and though she searched for any sign, Elizabeth could not discern any sign of anger in his face.

Lady Catherine had greeted them while Elizabeth was distracted, and now directed her speech to Elizabeth.

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.