Elizabeth Bennet’s Inheritance : A Pride and Prejudice Variation Christian Regency Romance by Laraba Kendig

Author:Laraba Kendig [Kendig, Laraba]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-06T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

The House at Half Moon Street

London

Two Mornings Later

Elizabeth was reading Castle Rackrent in the drawing room, and Jane was working on a piece of needlework, when the door opened and Mr. Bingley was announced. The sisters both rose to their feet and regarded the guest curiously. Mr. Bingley was dressed in traveling attire, and his usually genial face was dark with worry.

“Mr. Bingley, please do sit down,” Elizabeth said. “Is anything the matter?”

“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth, though I can only stay a minute,” he replied, taking a seat near Jane as both ladies sat down again. “As for anything being the matter; well, I must apologize most profusely for my sister Caroline’s rude behavior at the Damaral ball. It was very poorly done of her.”

Elizabeth and Jane glanced at one another, and Jane said, “Thank you, sir, though it is not for you to apologize, but her.”

“I fear that is not true,” Bingley said glumly. “I am her elder brother and responsible for her behavior as my father has passed. I have consulted with my elder sister, and spoken to Caroline, who refuses to … well, in any case, I wished to inform you that today I am escorting Caroline to Scarborough to settle her with an aunt who lives there. It seems that ... well, she is not … what I mean is that I feel it is my responsibility to ensure that she is safe, but she cannot stay here in London.”

“Oh!” Jane said, “Will you be returning to London afterwards?”

“Most definitely,” Bingley said promptly. “I intend to take her there and settle her with my Aunt Susanna and return to London as soon as I possibly can.”

“I do wish you an excellent journey, then,” Jane said.

“Thank you, Miss Bennet,” the gentleman replied. “I will be counting the hours until I can return.”

He bowed to both, turned on his heel, and hurried out of the drawing room.

Elizabeth attempted to return to her book but had difficulty concentrating. When she looked up a few minutes later, she discovered that Jane was staring into the fire, a pensive look on her lovely face.

“Jane?”

“Yes?”

“Is something the matter?”

Jane blew out a breath and said, “I find myself rather uneasy about Mr. Bingley’s journey to Scarborough.”

“Why? He is, I believe, correct that Miss Bingley ought not to be staying here in London given that she is behaved in an outrageous manner at Damaral House.”

“Yes, but does he need to escort her to Scarborough, Lizzy? Could he not relegate that task to Mr. Hurst or to a trusted servant?”

Elizabeth frowned. “I suppose he could, but it seems he feels responsible to ensure that Miss Bingley is delivered to their aunt. Surely that is reasonable enough?”

“Is it, Lizzy? Given that Caroline Bingley has already kept Mr. Bingley and me apart for many months, ought she be permitted to take him away from London at this point in our recently resumed courtship? As I said, I am uneasy.”

“He said he would be back as soon as he can be?” Elizabeth said, rather helplessly.

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