Rank and Circumstance: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Kate Speck

Author:Kate Speck
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Not in Amazon Library, Extreme canon twisting (aka FWC), Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
ISBN: 9781795649193
Publisher: Independently published
Published: 2019-04-12T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Darcy sat atop his horse to overlook the valleys and fields on the peak of Elizabeth’s favourite hilltop and studied his surroundings. He could see the fences that marked the property lines and saw Longbourn’s lands, and from where he sat, he could make out the manor on one side and the other, he could see the smoke from Netherfield’s chimneys, located about three miles away. Hertfordshire was quite flat and wide, in contrast to Derbyshire’s peaks and valleys throughout his large property, and it was impossible to traverse through Pemberley except by horse on certain parts of the land. He enjoyed being at Longbourn, to learn more of where Elizabeth had grown up and to understand her family better. Although coarse, Mrs. Bennet was, in general, a cheerful and jovial woman, and had a streak of impertinence, from whom he knew Elizabeth had inherited hers, even if she vehemently denied it. The other Bennet daughters were good sort of girls and he was very happy for Bingley to have won Jane’s affections. The Bennets were respectable and although the highest-ranking gentleman here was a knight by the name of Sir William Lucas, the people of this hamlet were good citizens and it was very peaceful here.

Bingley had been one of the wealthiest gentlemen to have arrived in this county and everyone had been impressed with Miss Bingley’s ostentatious tastes and flaunting table designs, and when Jane Bennet, who was considered the gem of the county, had been quickly swept up as the future Mrs. Bingley, the town fully accepted the Bingleys as one of their own.

The townsfolk here did not know what to make of the Darcys, though, as they had been told that Lizzy Bennet had gone to town to holiday with the Gardiners, only to return with the Darcys in order to reside with them in Derbyshire in a large mansion because the young girl loved her so much that she simply could not do without. Gossip had begun to spread that perhaps the extremely wealthy Mr. Darcy might have made the second Bennet daughter his mistress, but then it was quickly squelched, especially after Mr. Bingley began his residency at Netherfield and had spoken of his friend’s integrity, and everyone had understood that a man of Mr. Darcy’s station would not dally with a gentleman’s daughter nor would he take such a poor lady as a wife, even if she were a wonderful girl, who was a favourite of everyone here.

Darcy was relieved that his investigator, whom he hired to ensure Elizabeth’s reputation was safe, had reported back of the rumours from Meryton, and Mr. Bennet had also ensured that he made it very clear that his daughter was loved and respected by the Darcys. He sighed, hoping for the same result in London as well, as her staying at Darcy House would cause more tongues to wag but he wished to have her with him always. It had been nearly six months since making her acquaintance and Darcy had not spent a single day away from her company.

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