Read Online Elizabeth Bennet's Excellent Adventure: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Regina Jeffers - Free Book Online Page A

Sloane a gaming debt. Either way, Darcy would claim his justice upon another day; for now, Elizabeth’s disappointment was of a greater concern.
    Surely his betrothed would understand this situation was beyond his control. The license was valid for three months, and as quickly as Darcy could recover he would have her before Mr. Williamson and her family.
    Elizabeth is a reasonable woman , he told his Reason. She would recognize the irony of this attack coming at Mr. Wickham’s hands.
    Thinking so, Darcy closed his eyes to bring forth his favorite image of his intended. Survive for Elizabeth , he repeated with each click of the wagon’s wheels.
    After what felt of hours, the wagon rolled to a halt. Once again his attackers carried Darcy to the destination they chose for him. More than once a branch slapped him in the face, but Darcy did not cry out. He counted the steps as best he could. He could feel the cool shadows as opposed to the warm sunlight upon his skin, and Darcy realized his attackers maneuvered him into some sort of woods. He concentrated upon only one thing: Being released so he could discover assistance to return to London and then onto Hertfordshire. Nothing else mattered.
    * * *
    “Where is the dastard?” Elizabeth heard her father demand of Colonel Fitzwilliam.
    The colonel and Miss Darcy arrived at the church with the news that Mr. Darcy did not arrive at Netherfield last evening as they all expected.
    Ironic, but Elizabeth knew he did not come. Even without being told, her heart said she would know disappointment. Nevertheless, Elizabeth permitted her mother and the others to offer a hundred reasons for Mr. Darcy’s absence. How could she tell them she destroyed her happiness with a quarrelsome tongue?
    “Perhaps Mr. Darcy took ill.”
    “Mayhap there was a carriage accident.”
    “More likely, the gentleman changed his mind, just as I predicted,” Mrs. Connor declared in triumph.
    Miss Darcy caught Elizabeth’s hand, offering her support.
    “You must know how dearly William cares for you,” the girl pleaded.
    Elizabeth did not wish to be cruel to Mr. Darcy’s sister, but her pride smacked of the betrayal.
    “Mr. Darcy cared more for his railroad than his intended,” she snapped.
    Fighting back tears, Elizabeth spoke privately to her father.
    “Please, Sir, may we not return to Longbourn? I believe two hours is long enough to wait for Mr. Darcy.”
    Thankfully, her father recognized Elizabeth’s fragile composure. As they made their exit to his waiting coach, Mr. Bennet discreetly requested that Mr. Bingley see the remainder of the Bennet family home. Inside the carriage, her father gathered Elizabeth in his arms to rock her to and fro.
    “My dearest girl,” Mr. Bennet whispered as Elizabeth permitted her tears free rein. “I will not tolerate this insult, not to my darling Lizzy.”
    “No!” Elizabeth sobbed. “Mr. Darcy is not worth our notice. Please say you will do nothing foolish. I could not bear it.”
    “I am but a country squire,” her father declared, “but I am not without connections.”
    “Please, Papa. I simply wish to forget this slight. Do not exacerbate it.”
    Elizabeth buried her face in her father’s cravat.
    “It was my fault for aspiring to a match above my sphere. Lady Catherine said as much. Mr. Darcy likely realized the censure he would claim with our joining.”
    Mr. Bennet took umbrage with Elizabeth’s remarks.
    “I will not have you speak so, Lizzy. Any man would earn a brilliant match by claiming you.”
    Elizabeth attempted to control her tears. She wiped hard at her cheeks.
    “Permit me my misery this day,” she said through a choking sob. “I promise to know a wiser choice on the morrow.”
    “As you wish, Lizzy.”
    Her father gathered her closer to caress Elizabeth’s back. It was comforting to know his love.
    “I will forbid all from entering your room until you are prepared to face them. Take as long as you like. One day or a whole