The Greatest Risk- Chapter 2

“I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on until I am.”

~Jane Austen

So here we are again, readers. Another day, another chapter. Once again, here is 2nd chapter of my work in progress, The Greatest Risk. I’ve thought about your comments and they’ve really helped me identify some weaknesses in the writing. Granted, the story is still unedited, but I’ve just surpassed a huge ‘speed bump’ in chapter 5!

I will say, my goal of August 1st might have been a little aggressive, but I’m still working hard to get as close to the end as possible! But, until that happens…here’s chapter 2! let me know what you think: the good, the bad and the ugly. 🙂 (Well, not too ugly.)

~Anngela

 

TGR-Chapter 2

 

~ November 1811~

 

“And he is coming today?” Elizabeth asked, rolling her eyes. “I do not imagine Papa would have deigned to tell us any sooner to ensure Mama’s histrionics could be checked.”

“No, I imagine not,” was her sister Jane’s reply. Biting her lip, she thoughtfully said, “Papa has been so concerned as of late with the…with the crop, and the…tenants. I am certain he would have informed Mama if it had not slipped his mind.”

Lizzy looked at her elder sister with admiration. Jane’s beauty not only radiated from her appearance, but also from her soul. She had not a cynical feeling within her towards another.

“And Mr. Bingley is well?” Elizabeth asked, changing the topic to a more neutral one and watching the blush rise to her sister’s cheeks.

“I am certain he is, Lizzy,” Jane said. She demurred for another moment, attempting to cool her color. “You know as well as I, since we both left his estate yesterday.”

“Yes. I am so glad you are better and your fever has abated.” Elizabeth punched the pillows with vigor before fluffing them to calm her nerves. “That Mama would have you ride in the rain to take tea with his sisters?” Elizabeth still fumed over her mother’s scheming and attempted to hide her censure. “But, all turned out well. He was a most attentive gentleman, and his sisters were not entirely without merit.” Although they were more pleased with themselves than what they saw in the village during their time here.

“They are lovely, are they not?” Jane asked expectantly. “Save your friendship, I have never felt such companionship before.”

Lizzy stifled a remark and continued preparing for the arrival of her cousin. “Mr. Bingley made mention of a friend who was supposed to come and stay at Netherfield.”

“A Mr. Darcy, if I remember, correctly,” Jane replied.

“Yes. I wonder what has become of him? Miss Bingley could not stop singing his praises. I presume she has her cap set?”

“He would be lucky to have her. She is a most loyal friend.”

Elizabeth hid a smirk. “It will just be nice to have more diversion in the neighborhood, as your time will continue to be absorbed by Mr. Bingley.” She loved watching her sister blush under the new found feeling of adoration for the gentleman now residing at Netherfield Park, only three miles away. She imagined what it was like to have felt the fluttering of affection which Jane exuded upon seeing or talking about Mr. Bingley. Will I ever know the feeling of love?

And yet, her mind immediately jumped to a pair of brown eyes, wavy hair and dimples in the moonlight of Canterbury five months previous. Directly from the pages of a romance novel. Her mind had often wondered on the gentleman, his sister and their consequences. Had they arrived home safely? Was she recovering from her disappointment? Did the rake who attempted to ruin her receive the fate he deserved? But Elizabeth knew these questions would never be answered. I only wish them happy, and that he might think of me fondly from time to time, if at all.

“Lizzy? Lizzy, of what are you thinking? You seem to be…blushing.”

Elizabeth laughed to hide her embarrassment, and began to fan herself. “I believe this room is just too warm. With us furiously attempting to prepare for the arrival of our cousin, I have not rested since we broke our fast.” The shrill sound of her mother’s voice interrupted their conversation. “Mama sounds more put out than usual. What can she be about?”

At that moment Mrs. Bennet threw open the door and plopped down on the couch and began to vigorously fan herself. “Girls, we are saved! We are saved!”

“Mama, of what are you speaking?” Lizzy, asked.

“Calm yourself, Mama. Shall I get you some tea?”

“Tea? Oh, Jane, who has time for tea when such wonderful news is afoot? My dear girls, I have just read your father’s letter from Mr. Collins, and was quite wrong about him. He is a very generous man who has our best interest in mind.” She took a deep breath and fluttered her handkerchief to calm herself before continuing. “For years, the thought of the entail has always sent me into spasms as I did not know the gentleman who was to inherit. With no sons and only daughters, we could end up as other families before us…thrown to the hedgerows.

“But now, I see I have nothing to fear. My lack of sons will not ruin us! We are saved!” she screeched, clucking like a hen. “Oh, this is wonderful, wonderful! We must start planning immediately. There will be new gowns for all the girls, but especially you, my dearest girl! I must go to Lady Lucas at once. And then to my sister Phillips…” Their mother continued to mumble quietly to herself, and Elizabeth and Jane looked at each other in question.

“Mama,” Lizzy said. “I am uncertain of your meaning. Although we will all be grateful to receive a new gown, what is the occasion?”

“Why the wedding with Mr. Collins, girl! Oh, what a grand event this will be. Two girls married! I am a blessed woman!”

“Who is getting married, Mama?” Jane asked, mixed emotions spread across her features.

“Why you are!”

“What?” the sisters asked in union.

“Mama,” Elizabeth said, gripping her mother’s arm. “Has Mr. Bingley come to speak with Father?” She turned to Jane hopefully, and was met by the same look.

“No, but we all know he will. Even Mrs. Long and I were discussing it at the milner’s yesterday with Mrs. Sloan. It is common knowledge that he is in love with you. We all believe it.”

“Oh,” Jane said, coloring again, but this time for a different reason entirely. “Although I am…grateful for your affectionate discussion about my circumstances, I wish you would not do it in…public.”

“What if Mr. Bingley or one of his sisters were to hear?” Elizabeth asked. “They might believe Jane is mercenary. We do not wish to start rumors as we do not know his feelings on the matter.”

“Oh, posh!” Mrs. Bennet said, standing and straightening her skirt. “He looks at you the same way your father looked at me all those years ago. Yes,” Mrs. Bennet said with satisfaction. “You will be as happy as I!” Mrs. Bennet smiled, and Jane reached for Lizzy’s hand with dismay.

“Mama,” Elizabeth said, trying to distract her mother. “You boasted of two weddings. Which of my other sisters do you propose will be caught in the parson’s trap?”

Mrs. Bennet chuckled as she swished towards the door. “Oh, my clever girl. It is you, Elizabeth. With your cousin. Mr. Collins.”

XXXXX

 

“Georgiana continues to improve?”  Richard Fitzwilliam reached over and rested his glass on the side table in Darcy’s study of his London home. “She has done well with her new companion, Mrs. Annesley?”

Darcy pushed his correspondence away and leaned back in his chair looking at his cousin. Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, along with Darcy, were the sole guardians of Georgiana Darcy. Their love for her knew no bounds. “Yes. And making exceptional progress…considering.” He cleared his throat. “She said I needed to leave and come to London. That I had ignored Mr. Bingley and my obligation to my friend long enough.”

“Do you believe she has fully recovered?”

Darcy tapped his fingers on his desk, concentrating on the sound of the rhythm before replying. “I believe she is much better than I could have hoped. Without the help of you and Cassandra––”

“And the mysterious ‘No body’…”

Darcy smirked. “Yes. And the mysterious ‘No body.’”  He traced the rim of his glass and feeling his cousin’s eyes upon him, stifled a smile.

“But you have no idea who this mysterious woman was? Where she was from?”

“None. Nor does it matter. If it was known who I was she would probably sell her tale to all the London Tattlers unless I produced a small fortune. No, it is better this way.”

Richard glanced at him askew. “Better this way? Is that regret in your voice, cousin? You are sounding maudlin to me.”

Darcy attempted to silence his cousin’s barbs with a reproachful gaze before continuing. “I am staying in town only long enough to complete the last of my business and then off to Hertfordshire. Just in time, it appears,” he said picking up a splotchy and illegible letter, “for a ball that Bingley is hosting. In truth, a masquerade.”

“Bingley is hosting masquerade?” Richard asked with a guffaw. “For what reason?

“For what other reason would he host a ball?”

“Ah…he has found a new angel.”

“So, it appears. But, this one is, and I quote, ‘…far superior to any woman of my acquaintance.’ We will see if that holds true for another month.”

“When is the ball?”

“In three days’ time.”

Richard slapped his hands on his legs. “Then that settles it. I will go with you. I do not have to report for duty for a fortnight, and would love to bask in the beauty of Bingley’s country lass. And if she is not what Bingley believes her to be, at least I can ogle Miss Bingley. She would not refuse the second son of the Earl of Matlock.”

“Richard!” But the menacing tone did not have the effect Darcy was hoping for, and instead was met with a peal of laughter. “Oh, this will be singular! I am all anticipation.”

XXXXX

 

“And poor Lizzy,” Lydia said, throwing her head back and laughing with Kitty. “I would be miserable if I was betrothed to Mr. Collins. Such a rolly-polly little man.”

“Could you imagine kissing him?”

“Kitty! Lydia! Hold your tongues! I am not betrothed to Mr. Collins, and will not have you bandying the idea out in public for others to hear!” Elizabeth said, tugging at the sleeves of her spencer as the Bennet sisters, save the middle daughter Mary, walked up to the outskirts of Meryton. It was only a short ‘stretch of the legs’ to the market town located a mile from their father’s estate of Longbourn, and the roads had frequent indentions from the footpaths from that house to the milliner’s. But today, the walk had not been one of leisure for Elizabeth. She was running for her sanity.

“He is an ugly man, Lizzy. How will you look across the dinner table at him every evening?”

“Especially when he gags on the mutton as he did last night?” Both younger girls roared with laughter, while Jane offered reproaches.

“Sisters! Remember that we must guard our reputations. You must cease from mixing Lizzy’s name with our cousin’s before it is considered a declaration by our family.”

“Oh, posh!” Lydia said, snorting. “It’s just good fun. No one would believe it.”

Elizabeth grabbed her sister by the arm, and pulled her back. “Yes, they would, Lydie. And unless you check your exuberance of Mama’s plans for me, I will tell Papa how you wasted all your pin money on fashion magazines last week, and still owe me two pounds.”

“You would not!” Lydia’s statement was met by a steely gaze from her elder sister. “Fine. Suit yourself. Now I will most certainly not pay you back. But, I will hold my tongue. It is not as if anyone else cannot see your betrothed and laugh silently with me. Father’s favorite will be the laughingstock of Meryton.”

Lydia and Kitty erupted into giggles and ran off towards the store, while Jane and Elizabeth headed towards the book sellers.

“Fear not, Lizzy. Papa will not make you marry Mr. Collins.”

Elizabeth attempted to stifle her agitation and kept her voice low as they passed their acquaintances. “I know that Papa would not wish me to marry Mr. Collins. But, if my younger sisters and mother profess ‘our engagement’ as fact, there is nothing that could be done to save my reputation other than to marry one of the least desirable men in England.”

Her color had risen and she swallowed her breath while pushing open the door to the bookseller’s. The jangle of the bell was a familiar and comforting sound. My life is a fortress of books–– each protecting or strengthening me from the unforgiving world of my unmet maternal expectations.

She walked towards a shelf and thumbed through a copy of Don Quixote, waiting for Mr. Reid to finish with his customer.

“Miss Bennet. Miss Elizabeth,” the man said. “I know why you are here, and it just came in yesterday. I apologize for not having delivered it to Longbourn.”

Jane looked questioningly at her sister, who could not meet her gaze. “Thank you, sir. There is no rush. I can come back later if it is too much trouble.”

“No, trouble Miss Elizabeth,” the man replied, handing the customer her change, then directing his attention to the Bennet sisters. “I know you must have been awaiting this book as you have been asking for it for the past few months. I apologize that it took so long to get a copy. I do, however, believe you will feel the wait was worth the prize.” The little man’s cheeks crinkled at his eyes as he disappeared behind the curtain towards the storage room.

“Lizzy? What book does Mr. Reid refer to that you have been waiting months for?”

She shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot before replying. “Jane, why do you not go order the leg of lamb from the butcher’s Mama wanted for dinner with Mr. Bingley after the ball?”

A low chuckle came forth from Jane’s lips. “Oh no, sister. I am intrigued about this book, and cannot wait to see what interests you have.”

“Here it is,” Mr. Reid said, pushing through the curtain and stretching forth a book wrapped in muslin and tied with string. “It has already been paid for, as you recall, so now, you can just scamper off and enjoy your daily read.”

“Thank you, Mr. Reid. Good day!” Elizabeth hurried from the building with Jane close on her heels.

“Pray, let me see what book it is, Lizzy,” Jane called after her, a tease in her voice. “Is it so bad you wish to hide it? Another gothic novel of which Mama would not approve?”

Elizabeth stopped defeated, and turned to face her closest friend, embarrassment on her features.

“No,” she sighed. “It is a classic.”

“A classic?” Jane asked taking the offered package. She untied the string and slid off the muslin wrapping before trying to hold back a soft chuckle. “Oh, Lizzy. He still haunts you?”

“Yes,” Elizabeth replied, reaching out to grasp her new copy of the Odyssey. “More than anyone ever has before.”

 

 

XXXX

 

“Oh look, it’s Captain Denny,” Kitty said, preparing to bound across the street. “But, who is that man with him? He is quite handsome, but would improve with regimentals, to be sure.”

Lydia sniffed with an air of superiority. “Everyone improves with regimentals. He is certainly handsome though. Come! Let us go and meet him.”

“Lydie,” Jane called after her. “It is not proper to run through the streets to meet men.”

“Or for any other reason, for that matter,” Elizabeth said, clucking her tongue. “I fear, Sister, that Lydia will be the ruin of us.” Her tone was meant to be lighter than it sounded, but she felt a heaviness that she could not place as she and Jane crossed the street towards the officers.

“Good morning, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,” Captain Denney said, bowing.

“Good morning, Captain.”

“Might I present to you my friend, Mr. Wickham of Derbyshire?”

Elizabeth and Jane curtseyed to the second handsomest man Lizzy had ever seen before. He was a tall striking figure in his well-tailored coat and polished hessians. His manners were pleasing and his voice and conversation elevated above the rank of a common militia officer.

“Good day, Mr. Wickham. Welcome to Hertfordshire.”

“I thank you. It is a charming village, and I am pleased to be here.”

“What brings you to Meryton?”

“I have just enlisted, and am awaiting orders from Colonel Forester before following my friends to the barracks.”

Squeals erupted from Kitty and Lydia which evidently pleased, more so than embarrassed their new acquaintance.

If he is a man who enjoys the squeals of my sisters, he is not as charming as I believed. Lizzy shook the peevish thoughts from her mind and brought her attention back to the conversation.

“…And so you must come to my Aunt Phillip’s tonight for cards and supper,” Lydia said. She had the look about her which made Elizabeth shudder––the one she had been using on the farm hands since she was ten to get them to do her bidding.

“But I have not been invited,” Mr. Wickham replied, turning from Lydia to Elizabeth.

“Oh, no one cares for that sort of thing anymore. My Aunt will be so grateful for your attendance, and has given us leave to invite who we wish.”

Mr. Wickham looked back from Lydia to Elizabeth, seeming to read Lizzy’s expression. “If that is the case, then I would love to attend. I look forward to seeing all of you ladies this evening.”

“Right. Well, we must be off, Wickham. The Colonel is expecting us within the hour.”

The men bowed, and the women curtseyed, and a more boisterous party had never walked towards Longbourn before. Well…that is, at least since their last trip to town the previous day.

 

So there it is! What do you think, dear readers? Please let me know. Constructive criticism is hard to handle, but sure is necessary for growth and improvement. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!