“You are about to witness an encore to the events that last occurred between these two when left entirely alone at the Hunsford Parsonage.”
Whatever Jane had imagined she was about to be told, it most certainly was not this. Her shock left her temporarily speechless, and her steps ceased. When she regained her composure, she turned to Bingley with grave concern. “We must stop him immediately. She was so very harsh and unkind last time. I have no reason to believe her feelings altered. We cannot allow her to crush his heart. It has taken months for them to be able to sit once again in the same room and our wedding in next month.” Bingley’s smile and soft chuckle infuriated Jane. “This is no laughing matter. Do something!”
“Jane, darling, I do not know the details, but I know my friend well. He is confident her answer will be different this time, and he is not one to boast without reason.”
“Was he not also confident at Hunsford?”
“Yes, but your sister’s response ensures he would not try again without more concrete evidence that Miss Elizabeth will accept him.” Bingley could see his beloved doubted him. “Let us watch from a distance and if either appears distressed, we may intervene.”
Jane agreed, and after half an hour of observation, Jane grew satisfied that had Mr. Darcy indeed proposed, he had not offended her sister nor had Lizzy offended him. The two seemed very comfortable together, and Jane eventually felt continuing to observe the pair would be invasive. “If you are correct, perhaps we should leave them,” she suggested. So she and Bingley went back to Longbourn, giving Lizzy and Mr. Darcy ample time alone.
That evening when Lizzy delivered news to her sister that she too was now engaged, Jane delivered a performance to rival Mary Darby Robinson. Elizabeth had no reason to question the sincerity of Jane’s shock and puzzlement. In fact, Lizzy felt guilty for keeping Jane so entirely in the dark regarding her altered feelings toward Mr. Darcy, causing her current news to now generate so much incredulity.
While Jane’s surprise was feigned, the same could not be said for Mr. Bennet. For perhaps the only time in his life, Mr. Bennet felt grateful to Mr. Collins for sending him a letter. When Mr. Collins’ letter of congratulations on Elizabeth’s engagement to Mr. Darcy had arrived, Mr. Bennet found the missive delightfully funny and entertaining. But now that the stuff of fantasy had become reality, Mr. Bennet could not be more thankful for being forced to consider such a bizarre circumstance. That letter had provided enough warning that Mr. Bennet was spared from the embarrassing act of spitting a mouthful of brandy all over his future son-in-law. I wish I could thank the fool in person, Mr. Bennet thought. This wish would be fulfilled before the week’s end when Mr. and Mrs. Collins decided to make an impromptu visit to Lucas Lodge. This visit would prove that even a fool knew the best course of action when presented with an irate Lady Catherine.
Mrs. Bennet was the only person who was fully aware of the extent of Lizzy’s prior opinions on the gentleman who had no warning to soften the blow. Her reaction could not be categorized as anything other than dumbstruck. But to Lizzy’s disappointment, her mother’s ability to speak was of a temporary nature and corrected itself with a vengeance in a week’s time.
Chapter 35
The news of the Bennets’ good fortune traveled at a speed that would be possible only in a town such as Meryton where there resided not one but two former Miss Gardiners. In a rare twist on human nature, the happy news seemed to erase the scandalous news involving Mrs. Wickham. In fact, it even overshadowed the horrifying tale of Mrs. Carter’s adventures. Should some silly soul attempt to redirect idle discussions to topics of a darker nature, Mrs. Phillips saw to it that she personally steered the conversations back toward one of her nieces’ advantageous betrothals.
Katherine could not be more relieved by this turn of events. Her joy for Elizabeth was great, but it was no match for the comfort she gained when the attention previously focused on her shifted onto Lizzy. Katherine moments of notoriety had pained her greatly. Now, enjoying the freedom she felt walking down the main street of town without drawing unwanted attention was causing her to reconsider her plans to quit the area.
Katherine had nearly reached the butcher’s shop when she heard her name being called. Her heart sank, and she thought it had been too good to be true. She turned to the voice addressing her, and upon finding Thomas Penn, she once again relaxed. He had never looked at her as if she were a victim to be pitied or a woman who should would burn in the depths of hell. For this, she would always be grateful.
“Mrs. Carter, I was wondering if you would allow me to carry your basket,” Thomas said, his hat in hand. His hopeful eyes caught Katherine attention.
“It really is not very heavy,” Katherine responded.
Immediately Mr. Penn’s face fell, his eyes dropped to the ground, and his shoulders sagged.
“But,” she continued, “I could use someone to accompany me back to Netherfield after I complete my business with the butcher.”
The man’s expression turned to one of utter joy. Mr. Penn was a good man and despite her efforts to dissuade him, Katherine discovered that he was more determined and stubborn than even the Bennet sisters. She was not sure where this relationship would go, but enough time had passed and healing had occurred, that she was willing to offer him her company.
On the path back to Netherfield, she learned that after hearing of her own love of books, Mr. Penn asked a friend to teach him to read. It also became clear the Mr. Penn had a humor and warmth about him that reminded Katherine of her dearest grandfather. “I go to the market every Thursday at two in the afternoon, Mr. Penn. If you would like my assistance learning to read, I can spare the walk there to work with you.”
“I would like that,” he said with a grin that was contagious. “I would like it very much.”
∞∞∞
Lady Catherine had heard the saying “one man’s pleasure is another’s pain,” but it was not until she received news of her nephew’s betrayal that she considered it was possible that she could be the one on the side of the equation containing the pain.
Miss Bingley was another who did not view the news with excitement. She, however, believed if she could not change a situation, there was still no reason to burn a bridge. So, congratulations were dispatched to both of the Bennet sisters. Jane smiled at the effort Caroline had put forth to be civil, while Lizzy laughed at the attempt.
Much like Jane, Elizabeth found stolen moments to spend with her betrothed. In the first few days after his proposal, she took great pleasure in teasing her fiancé into telling her every detail of his journey to discover his feelings for her. Once the topics of how and why he fell in love with her were well and thoroughly covered, she asked, “Can you pinpoint the moment when you knew you were in love with me?”
The pair sat on a hill overlooking the town. Darcy smiled at the question. “I do not think you would believe me if I told you.”
She reached down a plucked a blade of grass, “You must know that after such a response, I will not rest until my curiosity is quenched.”
“Indeed. I am counting on it,” he said with an impertinent smile. “What have you to offer me for an answer?” Elizabeth reached inside her pocket and withdrew her change purse. Before it could be opened, Darcy shook his head. “While I do acknowledge the amount of my annual income has aided me in winning over your mother, I do not think I require the addition of your coin purse to fully absolve myself in her eyes.”
Elizabeth leaned toward him intending to swat his arm, but before she could, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her body close to his. Elizabeth looked into his eyes as their lips touched in a tender kiss.
“Payment has been made,” Darcy declared. “I had the beginnings of love almost from the start, but I struggled against my own heart…”
“Humm,” Elizabeth said indignantly. She looked away from him and continued, “Yes. I believe you have mentioned that!”
“Do not be cross, my love. I was a foolish
to struggle for it was a futile battle, and this became evident when you punched me.” Elizabeth looked back at him confusion on her face. “Yes, when you punched me. To come across a maiden so innocent and pure sleeping in a library… I was taken. Then, to attempt to ‘save’ her by wakening her only to discover she is a fierce, independent warrior. Well, how could I not be lost for good? I think that must have been the moment where I could not hope to turn back. But I do not know if I was clever enough to recognize it then.”
A light laugh let him know his answer had satisfied her. They both had been composing letters and their attention now returned to their tasks. Elizabeth, being unaware that ten minutes after hearing the news of her engagement her mother had sent a servant to the post office with instructions to send an express to the Gardiners, was composing her own letter to her aunt. This letter would later become a treasured memento for Mrs. Gardiner.
“Darcy?” Elizabeth asked as she poured sand on the page, “Have you written your sister and cousin?”
“I have written Georgiana but have not yet told Richard of our engagement. I will be sure he is informed forthwith.” Not to forgo a golden opportunity, and recalling Colonel Fitzwilliam had abandoned him just before the Meryton assembly, Darcy sent his cousin a missive. Richard’s letter simply stated that their aunt was in distress and required attention. Darcy explained he could not come to her aid because he was busy with other important matters, so he would expect Richard to see to her needs.
A week later, Darcy received a letter from Richard. He did not share the contents with Elizabeth, but she noticed a devilish grin would grace his face whenever he thought of that letter. Darcy felt no guilt regarding his actions for he thought how tedious Anne found her mother’s tantrums. If nothing could be done to calm their aunt, Richard’s jovial nature would surely sooth Anne’s nerves.
Darcy did share his sister’s letter with his fiancée. Georgiana’s letter filled four sides of paper but when they next saw each other, Elizabeth discovered twenty sides would be insufficient to express Georgiana’s joy.
Chapter 36
Within hours of watching Mr. and Mrs. Darcy ride away in a coach, Mr. Bennet found himself sitting at his desk in his study writing a letter to his favorite daughter. The sorrow he felt at seeing her leave was equal to the joy her mother felt at seeing her rich. That was not to say Mrs. Bennet was indifferent to her departure. As everyone knows, one’s good opinion of relatives grows exponentially in relationship to the number of miles required to reach their home. This truth, coupled with Lizzy’s newfound wealth, and the excellent judgement she displayed when rejecting Mr. Collins, had made Elizabeth a favorite of her mother. It was a testament to Darcy’s luck that the Bennets did not possess the means to relocate to Derbyshire.
Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, however, did possess the means. After twelve months’ time, even the patience of Job would be tested should he possess a mother-in-law like Mrs. Bennet, so the Bingleys decided to quit Netherfield and found an estate thirty miles from Pemberley. Most of the staff accompanied the Bingleys to their new estate, but Mrs. Carter took a certain amount of convincing. It seemed she was to remain Mrs. Carter for only a short while longer and would assume a new name prior to the move. When the Bingleys offered to hire Mr. Penn as well, Katherine agreed to relocate, and Mr. Bingley rejoiced.
After Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Penn had left Meryton, Mrs. White found she was lonely. When she received word that the Darcys were looking to hire a cook, she jumped at the chance to work at an estate so near her friends. It was not until she arrived at Derbyshire that she discovered, practically speaking, a thirty-mile distance might as well be a hundred miles. The Bingleys’ frequent visits to Pemberley helped to mitigate her disappointment. Mr. Bingley’s valet, David, would spend these visits sitting in the kitchen filling her in on all of the trials and adventures occurring on his master’s estate. A year after Mrs. White had begun her employment at Pemberley, Cedrick, Darcy’s valet, was found to have consumption. He was sent off to a sanatorium, and David applied for his position. It was clear to the Darcys and the Bingleys that Mrs. White was responsible for his sudden interest in working at Pemberley, but it took Angela two more years to figure it out.
Colonel Fitzwilliam waited several years for the perfect opportunity to repay Darcy for sending him to console their Aunt Catherine after Darcy’s engagement was announced. Eventually, a retirement led to an opening at the Lambton rectory. Unfortunately, Darcy was embroiled in assisting several of his tenants in starting up new businesses, so Richard generously offered to oversee the hiring of an appropriate replacement. He found a wonderful reverend to fulfill the duties. The colonel then asked if he might delay his move for a month since the Parsonage would be undergoing some renovations. Glad for the time to relax, the reverend agreed. Richard then contacted Lady Catherine and explained a friend was in dire need of a parson but only for a temporary period of a month. Being assured the parish was desperately in need of saving and seeing it as her Christian duty, Lady Catherine agreed to allow the Collinses to spend a month assisting her nephew’s friend.
The expression that graced Darcy’s face when he went to meet the new parson Richard had hired and came face to face with Mr. Collins, was priceless. It was three weeks before he discovered that he had been played by Fitzwilliam and that the Collins’ stay was only temporary. While Elizabeth enjoyed Charlotte’s visit immensely, the Darcys did not mourn when the Collins’ stay came to an end.
Upon the Collins’ return home, Lady Catherine learned the identity of Richard’s friend. At first, she was angry, but hearing tales about their interaction with the Darcys, Lady Catherine came to realize just how much she missed her favorite nephew. Eventually, she sought a reconciliation, and much to Lizzy’s chagrin this resulted in the resumption of the annual visits to Rosings Park.
Kitty had accompanied the Collinses on their journey to Pemberley. She had come to visit Lizzy but then discovered a best friend in Georgiana. When the Collinses left, she remained. Lizzy soon observed that having Georgiana as a best friend led to a far more refined Kitty than when Lydia had fulfilled the role.
With all of her sisters gone from Longbourn, Mary finally received the attention she had craved for so long. The improvements this made to her personality rendered her almost unrecognizable to Lizzy during one visit.
Lizzy was also amazed to discover Meryton had undergone a complete metamorphosis.. The sleepy little town on the edge of ruin had turned into a prosperous community. The Ashbury’s success had led to other families’ interest in trying their hand in a new trade. Richard, who had assumed Darcy’s role in the Ashbury’s business, took it upon himself to work with these other families. To his delight, these endeavors generated a fair amount of income. He was careful to keep this information secret from his family due to their irrational prejudice against trade, but his family did notice that, despite their sound advice, he had stopped making any pretense of locating a woman of means to court.
It was only Lydia whose character remained little improved over the years. In her mind, this made absolute sense, for how could one ever expect to improve perfection?
Other Books by Cinnamon Worth
Sweet Pride and Prejudice Variations Series:
Assumptions & Absurdities
Deception & Debauchery
The Taming of Elizabeth
Thank You
Thank you for reading Courtships & Corruption. I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be kept informed of my future writings, please consider signing up for my e-mail list: Cinnamon Worth’s mailing list. Please consider leaving a review. Not only do reviews help other readers decide how to spend their time and money, they help authors grow and improve. I promise I will read all reviews.
About the Author
Cinnamon Worth is a San Diego native who is also the youngest of ten children. Growing up, she would listen to her siblings’ tales of shenanigans and escapades. Although she did not share her older siblings daring ques
t for adventure, she did find her imagination offered her all the excitement she craved from the safety of her room.
She discovered a love of reading at a young age and firmly believed that a good book should strive to make the reader feel uplifted. She was later shocked to find that nearly every English teacher she would study under disagreed with this philosophy. After countless hours reading assigned novels that included tragedies, melodramas, and modernism, Cinnamon was eventually convinced to admit that a good book does not require a happy ending. She does, however, strongly advocate for one.
In college, Cinnamon met her Prince Charming and then promptly left him to pursue an opportunity to study abroad in the beautiful English countryside. Fortunately, her Prince was a patient man who waited for her return, and he has since spent nearly 25 years teaching her the meaning of love, showing her the World, helping her to raise two wonderful children, and encouraging her to pursue her dreams.
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