Courting Elizabeth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Renata McMann & Summer Hanford

Author:Renata McMann & Summer Hanford [McMann, Renata]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2016-09-12T04:00:00+00:00

HERTFORDSHIRE

“She is a sweet girl, and if weren’t for her awful family, she should make a good marriage, to someone of her own class.”

Chapter Fourteen

Elizabeth sat beside Jane in Mr. Darcy’s carriage. He was across from her, with Miss de Bourgh. In a perfect position to watch him during the journey to Longbourn, Elizabeth couldn’t help spend much of the trip admiring how well turned out he was. Of course, he always cut a dashing figure. His tailor was obviously very expensive.

She smiled as she contemplated the reactions her most recent letters home must have invoked. Making it out as a perfectly normal occurrence, she’d explained that she had left Kent in the company of Miss de Bourgh, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy, adding that Miss de Bourgh was staying at the Gardiners with her and Jane. She’d written again after the party at Lady Agatha’s, describing the event in great detail, while leaving out almost everything of relevance. Shortly thereafter, once the arrangements for the trip had been finalized, she’d been obliged to send a third letter from London. That one had informed her family Mr. Bingley had left London for Netherfield and she and Jane would be returning to Longbourn, brought thither by Mr. Darcy and in the company of Miss de Bourgh.

“There is something I wish to discuss before we reach your home,” Miss de Bourgh said, breaking into the lull in conversation that had held the interior of the carriage in silence for the past several miles. “I realize it will be more difficult for you in Hertfordshire, Miss Elizabeth, but we must adhere to the plan of you permitting Mr. Darcy to court you. No place is safe from my mother’s spies.”

“It will not be difficult for me,” Mr. Darcy said.

“Nor for me.” Elizabeth considered bringing up the money, but she felt it was crass. She also hadn’t spoken about it to Jane, and didn’t care to.

“Then we are agreed.” Miss de Bourgh looked pleased.

“I do worry we still haven’t found a good solution, though,” Elizabeth said. “I know you will have control of Rosings soon, and that we’ve bought time with our subterfuge, but Lady Catherine still holds her card. She can still ruin Miss Darcy.”

“How could anyone think to ruin that sweet child?” Jane said, shaking her head.

Elizabeth glanced at her. When Jane and Georgiana had met, late in the day at Lady Agatha’s party, her sister had seemed too distraught to take any real note. “You have not had the pleasure of making Lady Catherine’s acquaintance. She is formidable.”

Jane shook her head again, her expression full of sorrow for the inexplicable unfairness in the world.

“As I said, once I possess Rosings, I will threaten my mother with expulsion if she attempts to defame Georgiana.”

Elizabeth nodded, deciding to let the matter drop, but she wasn’t sure in their plan. Miss Darcy’s reputation wouldn’t be safe until either Miss de Bourgh or Mr. Darcy married, forever ending the possibility of their union. That cause wouldn’t be furthered by them journeying to Hertfordshire, she realized.

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