Elizabeth, Overwhelmed: Books 1 - 3: A Pride and Prejudice Sensual Intimate Collection by Alice Everley & A Lady

Author:Alice Everley & A Lady [Everley, Alice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dear Dahlia Publishing
Published: 2018-04-05T16:00:00+00:00

3

Elizabeth, Overwhelmed

“Lydia?” Elizabeth opened the letter, ignoring the broken seal and reading Jane’s graceful handwriting quickly.

“She is gone from Brighton!”

“Gone? I am confused… how did this happen?”

“Even worse, Lizzie, she is gone with Mr. Wickham!” Mrs. Gardiner wrung her handkerchief between her hands, twisting it in her fingers as the horror of the situation sank in.

Elizabeth paled as she read Jane’s words and her eyes widened as the realization dawned on her as well.

Lydia had doomed them all with her selfishness, and now Elizabeth’s own shame seemed small in comparison. But how would her father cope with not one ruined daughter… but two…

Elizabeth held her sister’s letter in an unsteady hand as she listened to her aunt make her apologies to Mr. Darcy.

“I am afraid we cannot stay, we must leave at once for Lambton, and thence to London to see to our affairs. It is a personal matter, and I do apologize…” Mrs. Gardiner, usually so calm, was very clearly flustered and Elizabeth tasted the bitter sting of fear on her tongue as she tried to make sense of what had happened.

“Of course, I understand completely,” Mr. Darcy said, his face a mask of seriousness. “I will call for the carriage to take you back to Lambton.”

Elizabeth opened her mouth to say something, but before she could thank him for his hospitality, or say one word, Mr. Darcy turned and strode down the hallway. Elizabeth felt shame welling up inside her suddenly as she watched him walk away.

Mrs. Gardiner grabbed her hand tightly, jerking her out of her brief misery. “Lizzie, whatever shall we do? Your papa has requested that Mr. Gardiner attend him in London at once. He has already left for Lambton. We shall depart in the morning… although I do not know if I will be able to sleep…”

“Nor I,” Elizabeth murmured, squeezing her aunt’s hand. “Let us try not to dwell on things we cannot change, dear Aunt. Mr. Gardiner and Papa will know what to do, and I have every confidence that they will be able to find Lydia and bring her home.”

Mrs. Gardiner nodded, but Elizabeth could see that her aunt wanted to say more. Perhaps in the carriage she would unburden herself. Something that she, herself, could never do. Not now. Especially not now.

Georgiana Darcy appeared in the doorway of the parlor, her arms wrapped around herself as she watched Elizabeth and her aunt in the hallway. Her expression was one of complete sorrow, and Elizabeth wondered how much she had overheard.

“Miss Elizabeth…” Georgiana began. “I do not know what to say… only that…” But she closed her mouth as her brother reappeared. He gave his younger sister a hard look and she disappeared back into the parlor. “The carriage is waiting. Mr. Gardiner has already departed, I will come for his horse in the morning.”

“You have been too kind to us, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Gardiner said, her smile wavering just a little as she pulled Elizabeth towards the foyer and the courtyard where the carriage waited.

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