Darcy in Want of a Wife: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Laraba Kendig

Author:Laraba Kendig [Kendig, Laraba]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Goodreads: 220603444
Published: 2024-11-02T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

Hired House

Brook Street

London

The Next Day

“Miss Linden is home, Miss Bingley,” the butler said, welcoming her into the house. Caroline shed her pelisse and handed it to a nearby footman as the door was closed behind her, shutting out the chill of the spring. She had come to visit a friend of hers from finishing school, a girl by the name of Julia Linden. Julia was a year younger than her and was the daughter of a respectable gentleman with an estate in Sussex.

While the Bingley family was considerably wealthier than the Linden family, Julia Linden had excellent connections, and thus Caroline had chosen to visit her to learn the latest happenings in Society. The Lindens, while not wealthy enough to own a home in Town, had hired this house for the duration of the Season.

The Linden residence was Caroline’s first stop since arriving here in London. She had considered going to visit her brother and his wife, but had decided against it for now. Charles had been married for several months now, but Caroline suspected that both her brother and his wife were probably still displeased over her attempt to separate them the previous winter. Perhaps it would be better to encounter them in public before calling on them. That depended somewhat on the state of her own finances; she knew that she had been overspending for some time, and might need to cajole Charles into assistance sooner rather than later. But at the very least, she needed to learn what Society thought of her brother’s foolish marriage to a country gentleman’s daughter. If Jane Bingley was a pariah due to her unfortunate connections, Caroline would stay far away from her new sister-in-law!

The butler guided her to the drawing room, where Julia and Mrs. Linden were absorbed in their needlework. Julia’s chestnut tresses were arranged in a simple style – she was pretty, but not extraordinarily so – and she looked up as the door opened.

“Miss Bingley,” the butler announced.

“Caroline!” Miss Linden said, rising to her feet and taking a few steps toward her friend. “How lovely to see you! I did not realize that you were back in Town!”

“I arrived yesterday,” Caroline replied with a genuine smile. Of all her former schoolmates, she liked Miss Linden the most. Along with that, Mrs. Linden, Julia’s mother, was a great gossip and would know all the latest news. “Good morning, Mrs. Linden.”

“Miss Bingley, it is delightful to see you,” the woman replied and gestured to a nearby chair. “Sit down, please, and tell us what you have been doing these last weeks.”

Caroline sighed and said, “I was in Scarborough for two months, as my brother-in-law Hurst was required to spend time with his ailing father. It was incredibly tedious, and I am thankful to be back in London for at least part of the Season.”

“We are glad to have you here,” Julia replied, her blue eyes sparkling. “Mamma’s brother, my uncle Holmes, is having a party in a week, and I am certain we can arrange for you and the Hursts to be invited.

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