A Spring Sentiment: A Pride and Prejudice Novella Variation (Seasons of Serendipity Book 2) by Elizabeth Ann West Page B
Authors: Elizabeth Ann West
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hastens to pay you off.”
Wickham yawned. “She did not leave her mother. Only the older four are in town.” He smiled slightly as he thought to himself that if he were Lydia, he would have avoided the work as well. The older Bennet girls all left at sunup to hurry to their Uncle’s warehouse and rarely returned until nearly sunset. He couldn’t see Lydia Bennet being much help in such circumstances unless they desired an orchestra of complaints each day.
“You said this would work. You said if the uncle was injured they would all rush to London.”
Wickham shrugged and tried to walk past her, but Sally Younge slammed her hand to the wood door frame and blocked his way. “These dalliances of yours, they’re pennies compared to the pay off we both deserve. Find a way to fix this, or find another place to stay.” She glared at him menacingly, and the tall, dumb footman she kept near her side seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
With a flash of charm, George smiled and ducked under her arm. “Careful now, there will be none of that. Threats aside, you need me, Sally girl, or you have nothing on old Darcy.” Whistling a bar tune, Wickham also sleazed by the footman back towards the kitchens. He knew it wouldn’t be much longer that he could keep her happy, but as long as she needed him, he would be safe. Once she tired of this scheme, he had better be long on his way. Sally Younge did not keep many witnesses to her dealings, and he knew too much with too little of her heart attached to him.
The bell above the door rang in the large warehouse on Cordwainer Street. Elizabeth Bennet wiped her sweaty brow, inadvertently swiping a black line of dust across her forehead. With another heave, she moved the crate in front of her to a stack next to her and used a crowbar to pry the lip of the top lid. The tall visitor made his way to her and in the dust-fairy filled grayish sunlight, she knew right away that profile was none other than her intended.
“William!” she shouted and grinned as she sashayed around the maze of crates, but stopped just before him as she self-consciously realized she was quite filthy.
“This is where I find you? Aunt Maggie has been beside herself that she has had to make regrets for you at numerous teas and parties you promised to attend.”
Elizabeth lifted the corner of her apron to wipe her hands. “I’ve sent notes to Lady Matlock to send my regrets in advance! I couldn’t possibly sit in a parlor, sipping tea, while my Uncle recovers and there is so much work to be done.”
“Work! You are a gentlewoman! Does not your Uncle hire enough staff to manage his affairs?” Darcy scoffed at the room around him as he finally looked at the tasks where her other sisters were employed. Mrs. Gardiner, very round in her midsection, walked with a board and made notations over each crate the ladies opened, various shop boys ran around opening crates for the ladies and moving them. Only his fiance was taking it upon herself to work alone. He shook his head. “Forgive me, madam, for taking up so much of your time. My presence here is unwanted and unnecessary.” He bowed and began to walk away.
“William!” Elizabeth cried out, feeling very frustrated that she had protected her family and, in the process, offended her fiance. She started to walk after him, but his longer gait was too long when he wished it so. By the time she caught up, he was already out the door and stepping back into his carriage. She watched the equipage roll away, slowly feeling her embarrassment turn to anger. If he couldn’t see the good in what she was doing, then perhaps it was best he leave and play the dandy. She had no time for such frivolous men in her life.
The Darcy carriage rolled to a halt in Mayfair and no sooner had Fitzwilliam entered his domicile than the tinkling piano music stopped and his younger sister Georgiana rushed to the foyer. “William, you are back so soon!
Wickham yawned. “She did not leave her mother. Only the older four are in town.” He smiled slightly as he thought to himself that if he were Lydia, he would have avoided the work as well. The older Bennet girls all left at sunup to hurry to their Uncle’s warehouse and rarely returned until nearly sunset. He couldn’t see Lydia Bennet being much help in such circumstances unless they desired an orchestra of complaints each day.
“You said this would work. You said if the uncle was injured they would all rush to London.”
Wickham shrugged and tried to walk past her, but Sally Younge slammed her hand to the wood door frame and blocked his way. “These dalliances of yours, they’re pennies compared to the pay off we both deserve. Find a way to fix this, or find another place to stay.” She glared at him menacingly, and the tall, dumb footman she kept near her side seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
With a flash of charm, George smiled and ducked under her arm. “Careful now, there will be none of that. Threats aside, you need me, Sally girl, or you have nothing on old Darcy.” Whistling a bar tune, Wickham also sleazed by the footman back towards the kitchens. He knew it wouldn’t be much longer that he could keep her happy, but as long as she needed him, he would be safe. Once she tired of this scheme, he had better be long on his way. Sally Younge did not keep many witnesses to her dealings, and he knew too much with too little of her heart attached to him.
The bell above the door rang in the large warehouse on Cordwainer Street. Elizabeth Bennet wiped her sweaty brow, inadvertently swiping a black line of dust across her forehead. With another heave, she moved the crate in front of her to a stack next to her and used a crowbar to pry the lip of the top lid. The tall visitor made his way to her and in the dust-fairy filled grayish sunlight, she knew right away that profile was none other than her intended.
“William!” she shouted and grinned as she sashayed around the maze of crates, but stopped just before him as she self-consciously realized she was quite filthy.
“This is where I find you? Aunt Maggie has been beside herself that she has had to make regrets for you at numerous teas and parties you promised to attend.”
Elizabeth lifted the corner of her apron to wipe her hands. “I’ve sent notes to Lady Matlock to send my regrets in advance! I couldn’t possibly sit in a parlor, sipping tea, while my Uncle recovers and there is so much work to be done.”
“Work! You are a gentlewoman! Does not your Uncle hire enough staff to manage his affairs?” Darcy scoffed at the room around him as he finally looked at the tasks where her other sisters were employed. Mrs. Gardiner, very round in her midsection, walked with a board and made notations over each crate the ladies opened, various shop boys ran around opening crates for the ladies and moving them. Only his fiance was taking it upon herself to work alone. He shook his head. “Forgive me, madam, for taking up so much of your time. My presence here is unwanted and unnecessary.” He bowed and began to walk away.
“William!” Elizabeth cried out, feeling very frustrated that she had protected her family and, in the process, offended her fiance. She started to walk after him, but his longer gait was too long when he wished it so. By the time she caught up, he was already out the door and stepping back into his carriage. She watched the equipage roll away, slowly feeling her embarrassment turn to anger. If he couldn’t see the good in what she was doing, then perhaps it was best he leave and play the dandy. She had no time for such frivolous men in her life.
The Darcy carriage rolled to a halt in Mayfair and no sooner had Fitzwilliam entered his domicile than the tinkling piano music stopped and his younger sister Georgiana rushed to the foyer. “William, you are back so soon!
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