Read Online Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice by Linda Wells - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Linda Wells
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Denny, Lydia?” Elizabeth asked and looked at Jane. “When did you get the opportunity?”
“Oh Lizzy, there is nothing wrong with speaking to the members of the Militia, they are visitors in our neighbourhood! Mama said we are to pay them particular attention.” Lydia spoke proudly, “We met them last week, when you and Jane were away at Netherfield.”
“Yes, Mama was with us, she said she once admired a man in a red coat! She wants to invite them to visit at home.” Kitty and Lydia giggled.
Elizabeth sighed. “Well that explains how that introduction occurred.”
“No harm is done in speaking to the officers, Lizzy. Not with Mama along.” Jane said softly.
“I just wonder who approached whom.” Elizabeth watched them skipping ahead. “And what information was exchanged.”
Mr. Collins cleared his throat. “I am pleased to see that the eldest of my cousins display manners befitting ladies. My younger cousins’ frivolity is perhaps pleasing to the eye, but their youth and unsuitability to yet take on the role of a wife are quite obvious. I pray that they will mature as you, Cousin Elizabeth and you, Cousin Jane, have and will, of course, allow the natural delicacy of womanhood to settle over them and leave their childishness behind.”
The sisters exchanged looks, and Elizabeth bowed her head towards him. “Yes, one can only hope that with age comes reason.”
“Ah, yes!” He smiled widely. “You see exactly what I mean!”
“However I do agree that they are not quite ready for marriage, I am sure that their admiration of the soldiers is simply two girls enjoying the distraction of new people in town.”
“Or the awakening of their womanly desires.” Mr. Collins mused as he watched the two girls laughing ahead of them.
“Mr. Collins!” Elizabeth cried.
“Oh, oh, forgive me Cousin! I did not mean desires of a woman for a . . .!” He blushed crimson and spoke very quickly. “No, no, I meant, desires for a husband . . . I mean, a home, children! Is that not what all women desire?”
“Of course, Mr. Collins.” Jane jumped in before Elizabeth, who did not believe a word of his explanation, spoke. “We all hope for a home one day with a good man. Do we not, Lizzy?”
“Of course.” She looked at him with distaste.
“Ah, yes! A good man! One who can provide a good home! And income! And has the ability to promise much, much more!” He grinned and bobbed between them, and looking wistfully at Jane, turned to Elizabeth and placed her hand on his arm. “Tell me, dear Cousin, what of that could you possibly reject?”
“Nothing . . .” She said slowly and while trying to remove her hand, tried not to cough as the scent of his cologne failed to overcome the odour of his breath and body.
“Ah, the air in Hertfordshire is lovely, is it not?” He beamed and smiled as she turned her head and took a deep breath. “I am glad to know that this will be my home county one day.” Seeing the girls’ reaction he added hurriedly, “Of course I do not wish your father ill.”
“Naturally.” Elizabeth pulled her hand away and stepped up her pace.
“We are sure that Papa will live a very long time.” Jane moved to join Elizabeth and linked her arm with hers. They looked at each other.
“Oh yes, yes, I am sure that he will, as well.” Mr. Collins hurried to catch up to them. “But . . . it is true that I am to inherit, and I will require a wife by my side . . .”
“I wish you great luck in finding her, sir.” Elizabeth nodded and walked faster. Ahead of them a man on a horse appeared and slowed as he approached the group.
“Miss Elizabeth!” He reined in and began digging in a bag slung over his shoulders. “Finding you here saves me a trip to Longbourn. Ah!” He smiled triumphantly. “The only letter for your house today; and it is for you. Or do you prefer that I
“Oh Lizzy, there is nothing wrong with speaking to the members of the Militia, they are visitors in our neighbourhood! Mama said we are to pay them particular attention.” Lydia spoke proudly, “We met them last week, when you and Jane were away at Netherfield.”
“Yes, Mama was with us, she said she once admired a man in a red coat! She wants to invite them to visit at home.” Kitty and Lydia giggled.
Elizabeth sighed. “Well that explains how that introduction occurred.”
“No harm is done in speaking to the officers, Lizzy. Not with Mama along.” Jane said softly.
“I just wonder who approached whom.” Elizabeth watched them skipping ahead. “And what information was exchanged.”
Mr. Collins cleared his throat. “I am pleased to see that the eldest of my cousins display manners befitting ladies. My younger cousins’ frivolity is perhaps pleasing to the eye, but their youth and unsuitability to yet take on the role of a wife are quite obvious. I pray that they will mature as you, Cousin Elizabeth and you, Cousin Jane, have and will, of course, allow the natural delicacy of womanhood to settle over them and leave their childishness behind.”
The sisters exchanged looks, and Elizabeth bowed her head towards him. “Yes, one can only hope that with age comes reason.”
“Ah, yes!” He smiled widely. “You see exactly what I mean!”
“However I do agree that they are not quite ready for marriage, I am sure that their admiration of the soldiers is simply two girls enjoying the distraction of new people in town.”
“Or the awakening of their womanly desires.” Mr. Collins mused as he watched the two girls laughing ahead of them.
“Mr. Collins!” Elizabeth cried.
“Oh, oh, forgive me Cousin! I did not mean desires of a woman for a . . .!” He blushed crimson and spoke very quickly. “No, no, I meant, desires for a husband . . . I mean, a home, children! Is that not what all women desire?”
“Of course, Mr. Collins.” Jane jumped in before Elizabeth, who did not believe a word of his explanation, spoke. “We all hope for a home one day with a good man. Do we not, Lizzy?”
“Of course.” She looked at him with distaste.
“Ah, yes! A good man! One who can provide a good home! And income! And has the ability to promise much, much more!” He grinned and bobbed between them, and looking wistfully at Jane, turned to Elizabeth and placed her hand on his arm. “Tell me, dear Cousin, what of that could you possibly reject?”
“Nothing . . .” She said slowly and while trying to remove her hand, tried not to cough as the scent of his cologne failed to overcome the odour of his breath and body.
“Ah, the air in Hertfordshire is lovely, is it not?” He beamed and smiled as she turned her head and took a deep breath. “I am glad to know that this will be my home county one day.” Seeing the girls’ reaction he added hurriedly, “Of course I do not wish your father ill.”
“Naturally.” Elizabeth pulled her hand away and stepped up her pace.
“We are sure that Papa will live a very long time.” Jane moved to join Elizabeth and linked her arm with hers. They looked at each other.
“Oh yes, yes, I am sure that he will, as well.” Mr. Collins hurried to catch up to them. “But . . . it is true that I am to inherit, and I will require a wife by my side . . .”
“I wish you great luck in finding her, sir.” Elizabeth nodded and walked faster. Ahead of them a man on a horse appeared and slowed as he approached the group.
“Miss Elizabeth!” He reined in and began digging in a bag slung over his shoulders. “Finding you here saves me a trip to Longbourn. Ah!” He smiled triumphantly. “The only letter for your house today; and it is for you. Or do you prefer that I
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