Pride, Prejudice & Secrets by C.P. Odom

Author:C.P. Odom [Odom, C.P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781936009381
Publisher: Meryton Press
Published: 2015-01-13T13:00:00+00:00

Mr. Bennet was standing at the window of his library when the door opened, and he turned as Jane and Elizabeth entered.

“I wished to speak with Jane privately, Lizzy,” he said, a touch of disapproval in his voice. But Elizabeth had changed from the girl who left to visit Charlotte. That girl had clearly been his daughter, not yet of age, and still under his protection as well as his command. Now she was a young lady on the verge of marrying and leaving his home to manage the home of another man.

“I thought I should also come, Papa, considering the subject.” She sat in her favourite chair and assumed her usual position with her legs tucked under her. Jane was more constrained, and she demurely took the other chair and waited, looking at him patiently with her feet on the floor, head erect, and her hands in her lap. She did not fidget or appear uncomfortable; she just appeared her usual, composed self.

Mr. Bennet looked at Elizabeth for a few moments, then shrugged and sat down.

“Then you know why this Captain Fitzwilliam came to call, Lizzy?” he asked, and she nodded.

“At first, I thought he was just coming to call on Jane, and that was a little surprising, in and of itself, considering they only met a single time. But then he wanted Mr. Darcy to introduce him to you, and I was bewildered. It is hard to believe he would be so precipitate as to already ask for her hand, but that must be true. What other reason would he have for wishing to speak with you at this time?”

“It was not quite that precipitate.” Mr. Bennet shook his head slowly. “He came to ask permission to court her. Now, since you appear not as ignorant as I was before today, pray tell what you know before I hear from Jane.”

“I do not know much for certain, Papa; it really might be better to ask Jane.”

“But you have invited yourself into the conversation, so I want to know your observations first.”

“Very well,” she said thoughtfully. “When we dined at William’s house on Wednesday, he drew my attention to the conversation between Captain Fitzwilliam and Jane, who were seated together at the table. The conversation was very animated on both sides, and William confided that his cousin is not especially gregarious. He said he had not seen such interest before on Captain Fitzwilliam’s part, and I ventured the same opinion for Jane. I cautioned patience since time would tell…but I had no idea events might move this rapidly.”

“I see,” Mr. Bennet said and then looked over to Jane. “What do you have to add, Jane? The fellow seems particularly — ”

He broke off suddenly, astonished to see Jane’s eyes determinedly on her lap and her cheeks bright red.

“What is so affecting you, child?” he asked in concern. “Did you expect this fellow’s arrival today? Or do you find his visit objectionable?”

“No, sir, I do not find his interest disagreeable though I had no firm expectations.

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