Prologue to Love: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Gold Florence

Author:Gold, Florence
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Bingley entered the sitting-room with a broad smile. He had just concluded his inspection of the estate, relieved to find no lasting damage.

“Colonel Forster has brought his soldiers to aid in repairing the bank—a most benevolent gesture. And we are blessed with our resourceful vicar,” he began, eager to recount his morning’s events by the banks of the River Lea. “When I arrived on the bank this morning, he was already there with his parish committee that—”

He abruptly stopped, as the room’s occupants seemed strangely disinterested in his story, their eyes fixed upon him in silence. Only his brother-in-law was missing, which was also strange as he usually was present, though often unconscious.

“What has happened? Is someone hurt?” Bingley exclaimed, anxiety creeping into his voice, his thoughts still occupied by the events of the ball.

“Please, be seated,” Louisa urged. “This matter does not concern the river or the ball.”

“Then what?” Bingley asked, his perplexity deepening in the face of the room’s frosty atmosphere.

“Well, after all, it is about the ball,” Mr Darcy interjected, receiving nods of agreement from the Bingley sisters, eager to allow him to address a subject they had discussed in their brother’s absence.

“It is not an easy task, but I have undertaken it before,” Mr Darcy continued. His demeanour was composed, his intention not to appear severe, for he wished more than anything for Bingley to see that what had transpired in Hertfordshire had occurred on two occasions before when he had fallen in love with unworthy ladies.

“What task?” Bingley murmured, lost in the darkest presentiments.

“It concerns Miss Bennet,” Darcy replied, and they saw the poor man become crimson. In his agitation, Bingley leapt from his chair and began pacing the room, but none present sought to restrain him for a while.

Eventually, Mr Darcy rose and, with gentle gestures, guided him back to his seat. “My dear friend,” he began with regret, “I am sorry to impart this news, but Miss Bennet is a fortune hunter. Together with her mother, they have concocted a scheme to ensnare you into marriage.”

“No!” Bingley cried, his eyes wide with disbelief. “You must be mistaken!”

“Unfortunately, dear brother, we are not mistaken. Last night, Mr Darcy overheard Sir William congratulating Miss Elizabeth on her sister’s imminent nuptials,” Miss Bingley interjected.

“Did you propose last night?” Darcy asked.

“No, but…but…Perhaps you misunderstood,” Bingley stammered, his words a desperate plea to Darcy.

“The words were unequivocal, I fear,” Darcy replied. “The Bennet family is preparing a wedding you did not intend.”

“But I do intend…I mean, I have a deep affection for Miss Bennet, and I fully intend to court her properly.”

“You have not done so thus far?” Miss Bingley asked, her concern evident as she feared declarations had been exchanged.

“No, we are just at the beginning,” Bingley replied, casting a beseeching glance at Darcy, who maintained a tone of kindness and consideration despite the news he conveyed.

“It has been two months since our arrival, dear friend, and from the very outset, your affection for her was apparent yet—” Darcy said gently.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.