Read Online A Father's Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by J Dawn King - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: J Dawn King
Ads: Link
that Jane must have heard at least part of the argument and
decided to distance herself from Elizabeth. She had thought that her older
sister had gone immediately upstairs after entering Longbourn.
Moving
down the hall, she went to her old room. Standing before the door she took in
several deep breaths before turning the knob. It turned easily. Stepping
inside, Elizabeth was shocked to her bones. Standing in the middle of the floor
were her valise and apothecary case. Gone was her old bed, the pictures on the
wall, her bureau and the many treasures she had collected from her youth. Gone
was any evidence that it had ever been her room. With the exception of her
valise and case, it was completely and totally empty – as if she had never
existed. Taking her valise in one hand and her apothecary case in the other,
she gently closed the door, walked down the stairs and out the front door.
CHAPTER FIVE
Meryton, Hertfordshire
The
mile long walk into Meryton allowed Elizabeth’s temper to cool. It was a bit
chilly and dampness filled the air. Why Mrs. Bennet insisted on Jane riding
horseback to Netherfield Park, for Elizabeth was certain it had been at Mrs.
Bennet’s manipulation, was not a mystery to one who had long been concerned
with marrying her daughters to anyone deemed acceptable by that woman. It was
apparent that she had set her sights on Mr. Bingley as Jane’s intended. It
would truly be a good match. Notwithstanding, Mr. Collins was another matter
entirely. His only recommendation was that he was heir to Longbourn. Elizabeth
vowed to herself to look forward from that moment on and not dwell on what
might have been. All hopes of reestablishing a relationship with her immediate
family were gone. However, it was not in her nature to be angry for long.
A
pleasant greeting took her out of her dull mood. Looking up, she spotted her
good friend Charlotte Lucas and her maid walking toward her. Charlotte, at
seven and twenty years, was the eldest child of Sir William Lucas and Lady
Lucas of Lucas Lodge. Though considered plain in appearance by Mrs. Bennet, she
was a delightfully pleasant woman who was loyal in her friendship and gifted at
putting others at ease. Greeting her friend with a wide smile and outstretched
hands, they embraced, holding tightly to each other.
“Charlotte
Lucas,” Elizabeth hugged her again. “I could not have come upon another person
in the world that I wanted to see more than you today. How are you and your
family?”
Charlotte
well knew the challenges that Elizabeth would face coming back to Longbourn.
Elizabeth’s parents seemed blind to the disrepair to their home and family name
that now existed in the neighborhood because of neglect and unconcern. They also
seemed unaware of the desperation they displayed at securing their home for the
future. Charlotte’s brother, Robert, always held Elizabeth in affection, having
been constant playmates as children. Yet, he balked at coming to see her when
he considered that Mrs. Bennet might take extreme measures to secure a son.
“We
are well, Lizzy.” Charlotte noted her friend’s luggage and realized that the
meeting had gone as she expected. “May I walk with you into Meryton? I am going
to see the seamstress for a fitting of a new gown.”
“I
would be well pleased in your doing so, Charlotte.” She sighed heavily. “You
have a quick, intelligent mind so must have already concluded that I am in need
of transport back to Uncle Gardiner’s house in London. I shall not be
marrying my father’s cousin, Mr. Collins.” Turning to chuckle with Charlotte,
“Now, there is a single man in want of a wife. I do not know what his
circumstances are, however, should you still have your unromantic inclinations
toward finding a husband and having your own home, please feel free, dear
Charlotte. I have no claim on him and he certainly has no claim on me.”
It
was said in jest; yet in spite of that, Charlotte
decided to distance herself from Elizabeth. She had thought that her older
sister had gone immediately upstairs after entering Longbourn.
Moving
down the hall, she went to her old room. Standing before the door she took in
several deep breaths before turning the knob. It turned easily. Stepping
inside, Elizabeth was shocked to her bones. Standing in the middle of the floor
were her valise and apothecary case. Gone was her old bed, the pictures on the
wall, her bureau and the many treasures she had collected from her youth. Gone
was any evidence that it had ever been her room. With the exception of her
valise and case, it was completely and totally empty – as if she had never
existed. Taking her valise in one hand and her apothecary case in the other,
she gently closed the door, walked down the stairs and out the front door.
CHAPTER FIVE
Meryton, Hertfordshire
The
mile long walk into Meryton allowed Elizabeth’s temper to cool. It was a bit
chilly and dampness filled the air. Why Mrs. Bennet insisted on Jane riding
horseback to Netherfield Park, for Elizabeth was certain it had been at Mrs.
Bennet’s manipulation, was not a mystery to one who had long been concerned
with marrying her daughters to anyone deemed acceptable by that woman. It was
apparent that she had set her sights on Mr. Bingley as Jane’s intended. It
would truly be a good match. Notwithstanding, Mr. Collins was another matter
entirely. His only recommendation was that he was heir to Longbourn. Elizabeth
vowed to herself to look forward from that moment on and not dwell on what
might have been. All hopes of reestablishing a relationship with her immediate
family were gone. However, it was not in her nature to be angry for long.
A
pleasant greeting took her out of her dull mood. Looking up, she spotted her
good friend Charlotte Lucas and her maid walking toward her. Charlotte, at
seven and twenty years, was the eldest child of Sir William Lucas and Lady
Lucas of Lucas Lodge. Though considered plain in appearance by Mrs. Bennet, she
was a delightfully pleasant woman who was loyal in her friendship and gifted at
putting others at ease. Greeting her friend with a wide smile and outstretched
hands, they embraced, holding tightly to each other.
“Charlotte
Lucas,” Elizabeth hugged her again. “I could not have come upon another person
in the world that I wanted to see more than you today. How are you and your
family?”
Charlotte
well knew the challenges that Elizabeth would face coming back to Longbourn.
Elizabeth’s parents seemed blind to the disrepair to their home and family name
that now existed in the neighborhood because of neglect and unconcern. They also
seemed unaware of the desperation they displayed at securing their home for the
future. Charlotte’s brother, Robert, always held Elizabeth in affection, having
been constant playmates as children. Yet, he balked at coming to see her when
he considered that Mrs. Bennet might take extreme measures to secure a son.
“We
are well, Lizzy.” Charlotte noted her friend’s luggage and realized that the
meeting had gone as she expected. “May I walk with you into Meryton? I am going
to see the seamstress for a fitting of a new gown.”
“I
would be well pleased in your doing so, Charlotte.” She sighed heavily. “You
have a quick, intelligent mind so must have already concluded that I am in need
of transport back to Uncle Gardiner’s house in London. I shall not be
marrying my father’s cousin, Mr. Collins.” Turning to chuckle with Charlotte,
“Now, there is a single man in want of a wife. I do not know what his
circumstances are, however, should you still have your unromantic inclinations
toward finding a husband and having your own home, please feel free, dear
Charlotte. I have no claim on him and he certainly has no claim on me.”
It
was said in jest; yet in spite of that, Charlotte
Similar Books
