A Delicate Arrangement: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By Bianca St James

 When all of Elizabeth Bennet's hopes lie in ruins at her feet, all she can hope for is a new beginning.

 

Charlotte Lucas, still unmarried, has brought Elizabeth with her to London. Lady Lucas had hoped that an invitation to the presentation of a new orangery at the London home of her great friend, Lady Aston, might lead to a proposal for her eldest daughter. Elizabeth is content to play chaperone and offer Charlotte her support, but when they arrive at Lady Aston's grand house, Elizabeth will come face to face with an old adversary—and old wounds that should have healed are opened once again. 

 

A new beginning may not be in Elizabeth's future—but can she step past the hurt and anger caused by one disagreeable gentleman and see her way forward? Or will she be trapped by these feelings forever?

 

A Delicate Arrangement is a sweet, clean Pride and Prejudice variation that is suitable for all lovers of Jane Austen's classic.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Flowers Press
• Release date: Aug 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393575917

Book preview

Chapter 1

I t is not to say that I am not interested in Mr. Collins’ proposal… But my mother would like me to consider another option if it is available before I make my decision.

Elizabeth Bennet stared out the carriage window and hummed a reply. Charlotte Lucas had been talking about Mr. Collins’ proposal for quite some time, and Elizabeth had stopped listening.

I must confess that I am quite perplexed, Charlotte sighed. Perhaps you might help to advise me on what course of action would be best… She paused. Lizzy—are you quite well?

Elizabeth blinked and sat up. She had been thinking about what breed of cattle were in the field they had just passed, and not about Mr. Collins, or Charlotte’s particular situation at all.

I am sorry, she said sheepishly. I was caught up in the scenery. Why would you not accept Mr. Collins’ proposal? It is, indeed, very practical, and in the future you may return to Hertfordshire to reside at Longbourn.

It pained her to speak of her own home as a place where Charlotte and her husband-to-be would live once Mr. Bennet had died. It was a morbid thought that she did not want to give any more thought than was necessary. It did not help matters that Charlotte seemed not to mind speaking of it at length.

It was not her father, nor her family home that was up for discussion.

Elizabeth could only try her best to be polite—but in actuality, she wanted to tell Charlotte to cease speaking of it for the rest of eternity. If she did not marry Mr. Collins, there would be a whole host of other problems to consider. However, if she did accept the clergyman’s proposal she could be assured that Charlotte would speak on behalf of Elizabeth and her sisters and would see that they were taken care of. At least, that was her hope.   

I do not understand mother’s reluctance in my acceptance of Mr. Collins’ suit, Charlotte continued with a sigh.

She only wants what is best for you, Elizabeth said gently. Perhaps you will come away from this excursion with another proposal to consider. One that will not involve becoming the wife of a clergyman.

She had meant for her words to be somewhat of a joke, but Charlotte did not seem to see the humor in them.

Indeed, my life as a clergyman’s wife would be somewhat sedate… Mother says that it will be a hardship to be so severely judged by my new husband’s parishioners and his patroness. Lady Catherine de Bourgh does seem somewhat…

Authoritarian? Elizabeth offered.

Charlotte dared to smile just a little. Yes, that is also my fear. Mr. Collins speaks of her with great reverence, and I have wondered just how much of her advice I would be expected to take to heart.

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "From his descriptions and reverence to her condescension? I would be foolish not to assume that he would expect no less than complete obedience with her Ladyship’s wishes. Could a suggestion be a command?"

She had not meant to mock her cousin’s mannerisms and deference to his patroness, but it was difficult not to. Mr. Collins seemed oblivious to his mannerisms where Lady Catherine was concerned, but it was painfully obvious to anyone listening that he was fixated on her Ladyship’s praise and social station as it pertained to his well-being. Perhaps it was survival, she had thought, but, more likely, it was a strange need to be aligned with power and wealth. An unattractive quality in any man, but especially a parson.

And what sort of gentleman would your mother approve of a proposal from? Elizabeth asked. Anything to turn the conversation away from the loathsome Mr. Collins and the fate of Longbourn.

Charlotte sighed heavily. I am not certain. Lady Aston’s youngest son has been sending letters to my father—

And none to you? Elizabeth asked in surprise.

He has included small notes for me in his letters, but they are most often used to speak of the horses he has purchased, or some warehouse in London that he has acquired…

Elizabeth frowned slightly. And what are Mr. Aston’s ambitions?

To be Lord Aston one day, I suppose, Charlotte replied. It is highly impractical—I would prefer a steady husband who was not given to wild thoughts or acts of unchecked spending… If I were to be managing a household I should not like to think that I might not be able to pay the servants or the upkeep of the house due to my husband’s… proclivities. 

Elizabeth smiled thinly. No doubt that is a worry that would not plague your waking hours as the wife of a clergyman.

No, indeed, Charlotte agreed. But I shall give my mother’s suggestion all of my attention. Perhaps Mr. Aston is more than he seems.

Or, he will be exactly how he seems, Elizabeth said wryly. He is the youngest son… where are the two others? Would they not inherit their father’s title and house before him?

Charlotte shook her head. Mr. Aston is the youngest of Lady Aston’s children… his sisters are all married and sent away, and his elder brother is—unable to take the titles his father holds.

I see. But now Elizabeth was curious. Surely there is not some family scandal to prevent the eldest son from inheriting?

I did not enquire, Charlotte said. But Elizabeth did not believe her friend’s answer for a moment. Lady Lucas was a well known gossip in Hertfordshire—if there were something to be known about any person of note, it was a certainty that she would have heard it. It seemed impossible that she would entertain the suit of a young man from a family that was plagued by scandal… Unless it were an acceptable sort of scandal. But what could that be?

  Intrigued, Elizabeth said nothing more on the subject, and the conversation turned, instead to the weather in London, which would determine the success, or failure, of the orangery presentation. The carriage rolled through the cobbled streets and Elizabeth looked out the window at the high buildings with their stone facades and wondered, perhaps, if she should consider escaping Hertfordshire to seek a new beginning in a bigger city. Perhaps her aunt and uncle would take her in—

Thoughts for another day, she admonished herself. With Mr. Bingley gone from Netherfield Park for the better part of a year, the hope she had held out for his return, and the subsequent return of Jane’s good cheer, had begun to fade.

Mr. Darcy had well and truly done his best to keep his friend away from Hertfordshire, and from Jane, and