Darcy and Elizabeth What If? Collection 2 by Jennifer Lang

Author:Jennifer Lang [Lang, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2015-10-09T04:00:00+00:00

Mr Darcy’s attentions to Elizabeth had not gone unnoticed. Most of the guests assumed he was being polite to Miss Redbridge’s guest, but Lady Lucinda Featherstone could see it was more than that. She was a beautiful woman with striking auburn hair, arranged in an elaborate hairstyle which was held in place by pearl combs. Her white dress was ornamented with a gold band at the high waist and a gold ribbon round the hem. She had been expecting Mr Darcy to propose to her for the last month, and when the snow had kept him from her house she had been frustrated. But the thought of the ball had mollified her, because she was sure he would take the opportunity to propose there. But he had danced with her only once and had not asked her for a second dance, His meaning was clear. He did not intend to propose. The reason was not hard to find, for he was clearly fascinated by the newcomer to the neighbourhood.

Lucinda retreated to the ladies’ withdrawing room to hide her anger and disappointment, and her mother followed her.

‘You look remarkably calm,’ said her mother accusingly, as the door closed behind them. ‘If a young man treated me in such a careless manner I would not stand for it.’

‘What would you have me do?’ demanded Lucinda. ‘There has never been any formal understanding between us, and if Mr Darcy has decided not to ask for my hand in marriage then there is nothing I can do about it.’

‘You can reproach him for his neglect. You can make him feel that he has not behaved like a gentleman.’

‘But he has behaved like a gentleman.’

‘Well, then, you can flirt with other men and make him jealous. Show him that other men adore you and he will come running, you’ll see.’

‘You really don’t know Mr Darcy at all, do you, Mama?’ said Lady Lucinda, as she pinched her cheeks to put a little colour into them. ‘He is not a callow youth and cannot be so easily manipulated. Indeed, I would not like him if he could. He has made up his mind, that much is clear, and he does not intend to marry me.’

‘It is all the fault of Mrs Wickham. She has bewitched him. If he had any sense he would take her as his mistress and not let it interfere with his marriage plans.’

‘Mamma!’

‘There is no need to sound so shocked, such things are common enough, as you will discover. You would then have your house and your position in society, Mr Darcy would have his fun and both of you would be happy.’

‘There is no use talking about it,’ said Lady Lucinda. ‘There is nothing we can do.’

She pinched her cheeks again, then she left the room, but her mother remained.

A plan was forming in Lady Featherstone’s mind. She did not intend to give up so easily. She wanted to see her daughter married to Mr Darcy.

I wonder what Mr Wickham would do if he knew that Mr Darcy was laying claim to his wife? she thought.

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