Mr Darcy and the Fortune Hunter: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Beatrice Langford

Author:Beatrice Langford [Langford, Beatrice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Alternate Universe
Goodreads: 220654735
Publisher: Song Sparrow Press
Published: 2024-10-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The morning dawned bright and clear. Elizabeth sat up in bed with Jane already gone from her side of the mattress. She thought about laying back down and feigning illness but knew it would only bring a string of worried family members into her room. Her father might even stir himself from his library long enough to see how she was doing. And her mother —

Elizabeth’s head ached thinking of how her mother would react to her being sick. “And she might die without ever having experienced the joy of having a proposal!” The several logical fallacies contained within the statement would not occur to Mrs Bennet.

No. It would never do. Sighing, she got out of bed and padded to the window. She wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and watched the sun peek over the hills. Mr Darcy and Georgiana would leave soon if they had not already departed. Perhaps it would be good for her to leave for a few days. At least Elizabeth would not have to explain why the acquaintance had been so suddenly and irrevocably severed.

Craving a few more moments of peace, she curled up at the window seat and looked out over the newly-washed landscape. It had rained throughout the night, stopping just before sunrise. She knew, for she had lain awake most of the night listening to it beat against the roof. Elizabeth pried open the ancient window and breathed deeply. She loved the smell of the land after a good soaking. It was like everything had a new beginning.

“Why should I not have one, too?” she whispered aloud. She would move on from the travesty that had been the day prior and try to have a good outlook. She wished Miss Darcy well, wherever she might be.

At half past seven, Elizabeth dressed and went downstairs. Her parents and Jane were already seated at the table making their tea. Mary could be heard but not seen at the pianoforte in the next room, stealing a few moments at the keys as they waited for the rest of the meal to be served.

“There you are, Lizzy. Are you feeling better this morning?” her mother asked.

Elizabeth managed a smile. “Yes, Mama, thank you. I was only tired after the long walk home in the rain.”

She was far from rested, and as she sat down next to Jane, she could tell her father had seen that she had not been entirely open. Thankfully, he did not question her. Mr Bennet only offered his usual distracted greetings and went back to reading his newspaper. If he was worried over her welfare, likely he would call her into his study later and ask her confidentially.

Jane took her hand and squeezed it gently, offering encouragement. Her older sister knew that not everything was as it should be, but she remained blessedly quiet.

Soon, her mother called Mary away from the piano and asked her to retrieve Lydia and Kitty so they could begin the meal. Her younger sisters stumbled into the dining room a few minutes later, complaining, as was their usual.

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