Mr. Darcy's Perfect Match: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Kelly Miller

Author:Kelly Miller
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Publisher: Meryton Press
Published: 2020-01-25T05:00:00+00:00

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Bingley Town House

Caroline Bingley leaned forward as she played the final, sombre, andante tones of the familiar Mozart concerto. Rather than relieve her distress, the activity had compounded it; her unsteady hands made careless mistakes throughout the piece. It was unlike her—a testament to her anxiety.

She glanced at the clock. Where was Louisa? She ought to have arrived by now; her sister knew how important tonight was to her! Caroline let out a heavy sigh. The past few days had brought her a whirlwind of stress and raw emotions—ever since Charles’s dreadful announcement that he had become engaged to Jane Bennet.

As she closed the pianoforte, she busied her mind in the review of Mr. Talbot’s call of the other day. Louisa acted as chaperone, necessary since Caroline had been unable to secure the services of a good, reliable companion. The last five she had hired had all been unsuitable for one reason or another.

Mr. Talbot had arrived at the expected hour and was no less attentive than he had been at the ball where they met. Towards the end of the allotted time for a social call, Mr. Talbot suggested they take a walk in their small, enclosed garden. Louisa elected to remain in the house. Caroline was caught unawares when he proposed marriage.

She had been unable to form an answer at first. Her fingers brushed the fur trim of her pelisse as she gave the gentleman a fixed stare. Mr. Talbot explained that his mother suffered from a heart condition and she was not expected to live more than a few months longer. Mrs. Talbot was distressed at the idea of passing without seeing her son married. With no living siblings, it was vital that Mr. Talbot marry and produce an heir to ensure the future of the family’s estate.

Caroline had accepted Mr. Talbot’s proposal with alacrity. Under the current circumstances, it was the ideal situation to suit her purpose. She would marry without delay and waste no time in distancing herself from her brother, his future wife, and the Bennets. While Caroline was not in love with Mr. Talbot, she liked him well enough, and she was uncomfortably close to being “on the shelf.”

Mr. Talbot, of course, had wished to speak with her brother, and she agreed to arrange a meeting. Louisa expressed both her happiness and relief at the news and offered her congratulations.

Her thoughts returned to the present as Louisa swept into the room.

“Caroline, there you are. I left Edwin in the drawing room. I expect he will take a nap.”

She rose from the pianoforte. “Thank goodness you are here. I must find the perfect ensemble to impress Mr. Talbot.”

“Do not fret. You are already engaged after all. What could go wrong?”

Her voice was loud and shrill. “Who knows? Charles might speak of our father’s business or of the dreadful family into which he is to marry.”

Louisa took her hands in hers. “Your hands are shaking! You really are nervous. You need not be. Mr. Talbot is not new to town nor is he unintelligent.

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