Why Wed?: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Renata McMann

Author:Renata McMann [McMann, Renata]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Not in Amazon Library, Truly ghastly Mrs Bennet
Amazon: B09HMD979P
Goodreads: 59125804
Published: 2021-09-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10, Longbourn, Elizabeth

Elizabeth loved apricots, but she was tired of eating them. Nevertheless, she resolutely bit into one without displaying her recently acquired distaste. Apricots were available for the picking and other food was not. Her mother had missed three hens. Today there were two eggs to add to the household stores, and they had only one borrowed pot to cook them in. Most of the firewood was gone, but Elizabeth managed to gather enough twigs to boil the eggs. She wanted tea, but there was none.

It did not surprise her that the de Bourgh carriage arrived almost as soon as possible. Elizabeth ran out to greet them. Anne offered a hug, which Elizabeth gratefully accepted. Anne looked blooming. She was even healthier than she had been when she was married. Thomas and Anne quickly took charge. They'd brought a cooked ham and some blackberries and carrots, which was to become an odd dinner for everyone, including the remaining two servants, who knew they weren't going to be paid, but were content to work for room and board.

With Elizabeth's help, Anne went into the kitchen and helped make a cold meal for everyone. Charlotte returned to her family.

At dinner, Thomas asked, "Do you know how much of the furniture is mine under the entail and how much belongs to Mrs. Bennet?"

Elizabeth and Jane exchanged a glance. "She sold everything that wasn't entailed," Elizabeth said.

Later, Elizabeth wondered what she would do if Thomas offered her a home but didn't do anything about her sisters. If she joined her sisters, in a way, that would make it worse. It was one more mouth to feed. Yet she didn't want to abandon them.

It was unlikely they could all stay together. The Phillips would take one or two of them without strain. The Gardiners might take another two. If Elizabeth weren't in the picture, it would be easier. Yet was she being selfish to think so? If she lived with Thomas and he gave her money, could she give some to her sisters? Would he disapprove? What would happen if wherever they lived, Mrs. Bennet joined them?

Mrs. Bennet had sold most of the linen, but they made do. Elizabeth and Jane slept in the same bed by using their extra clothing as blankets. Somehow, Mrs. Bennet had not thought to sell the mattresses.

The problem of finding homes for all five of them dropped considerably the following day. Before noon, Mr. Bingley came, asked Jane to walk with him. When they returned, they were engaged.

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