The Seven Sins of Fitzwilliam Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Julie Cooper

Author:Julie Cooper
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing
Published: 2023-09-17T16:00:00+00:00

The house was a very sturdy, tidy affair, agreeably sized, suiting Charlotte very well. It quickly became apparent that other than meals, Mr and Mrs Collins spent little time together. If Charlotte had a love at all, it was for this home, for her favourite parlour, for her henhouse and her needlework. The doings of church and village were her helpmeets, keeping her busy and contented. One or two agreeable parish matrons called within a day, and with the exception of certain vexatious interruptions from her husband, Charlotte seemed well on her way to a satisfying life.

“I am glad to see you so happy,” Elizabeth said sincerely to her friend two days after her arrival, as she penned a letter to Jane and Charlotte to her mother, in the cosy parlour on a windy afternoon. “We have not seen her ladyship. But I suppose you are not too often obliged to endure her.”

Charlotte turned a rather disapproving look upon her friend. “I assure you, Eliza, Lady Catherine is a very respectable, sensible woman indeed, and a most attentive neighbour. Many weeks, in fact, we dine at least twice at Rosings.”

“I do not think I would want much, if any, attention of hers.”

“You naturally did not see her ladyship at her best,” Charlotte replied, the note of reproval still in her tone.

“What think you of this proposed match between Mr Darcy and Miss de Bourgh?” Elizabeth could not resist asking. “Your husband seems to think it all but a certainty.”

“I believe Mr Darcy has a decided preference for you,” Charlotte openly disagreed, much to Elizabeth’s surprise. “However, Lady Catherine must not be blamed for taking up Miss de Bourgh’s part. Mr Darcy would make an excellent husband.”

“I suppose. However, wishing is one thing, but she was intrusive and rude. You did not hear her in the garden.”

Charlotte set down her pen. “From what I understand of the situation, Mr Darcy made his lack of intentions towards Miss de Bourgh clear to Lady Catherine and her daughter a number of years ago, before he was of an age to consider marriage to anyone. Thereafter, little was ever mentioned upon the subject, and Mr Darcy did not fix his interests elsewhere. Meanwhile, he has always been an attentive relation, and it would appear Lady Catherine’s hopes grew with every passing year he remained unwed. It must have come as quite a shock to her, learning that her hopes were forlorn ones, after all.”

There is only one way she could have learnt it—from your husband—probably via your father! Elizabeth wished to point it out, but she refrained.

“Still, when you think of it, neither Miss de Bourgh’s marital prospects—nor even Mr Darcy’s— has anything to do with me. If I were to die tomorrow, they are no more likely to wed than if I live to be ninety. And no less likely, either.”

“A great deal more likely, I should think,” Charlotte countered. “Tell me—is there an official betrothal yet?”

Elizabeth was instantly wary; she had no

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