Free The Trouble With Horses: A Pride & Prejudice Novella Variation by Elizabeth Ann West

home before dark and the two cousins similarly entered their own carriage to seek their destination. After a few minutes, Georgiana finally broke the quiet.
    "It is too bad the Miss Bennets are to London, I should have dearly liked to enjoy their company again."
    His mind reeling, the colonel was quickly connecting the pieces of information in his possession from Darcy's letters about Miss Elizabeth and witnessing the woman's spirit first hand. He couldn't help the mischievous grin from softening his battle-scarred face.
    "I have a feeling we will find ourselves in the company of Miss Bennet and Miss Mary before we know it. Yes," he said as he winked at his younger cousin, "before we know it."
    ~~~♥~~~

CHAPTER 7
    No more sadness, no more moping . That was the creed she whispered once more under her breath. Another morning of gray sky in London greeted her from the window and Elizabeth Bennet listened to her sister Mary snoring softly beside her. Gently rising, Elizabeth wore her nicest frock and promised herself that today would be exciting. Back home, her other sisters would be readying for the ball, and her aunt and uncle had wisely planned an outing to the theatre despite Mary's complaints that she was still too fatigued from traveling to possibly attend.
    Greeting her uncle at the breakfast table, Elizabeth enjoyed a cup of tea while he drank the stronger coffee that was available.
    “Do you have any new shipments coming in?” Elizabeth asked while buttering her toast. Her uncle didn't lower the newspaper as he answered that he might. Miffed, Elizabeth looked back at her plate and didn't see him lower a corner to wink at her.
    Shuffling the paper closed, Uncle Gardiner realized his brother Bennet had not been overdramatic when he described Lizzie as despondent. He took a sip of his coffee and caught his niece’s eye when she finally looked up at him.
    “We received a ship earlier this week, that is why I was so pressed to meet you and Mary at the inn. I am going down to my warehouses this morning if you'd like to tag along?”
    Elizabeth eyes sparkled, and she happily nodded as her aunt entered the room. “We'll raid the silks you have Edward when I come this afternoon to collect Lizzie and take her and Mary to the modiste.”
    Elizabeth began to protest that she and Mary had brought plenty of dresses with them when her Aunt Gardiner gave her a quick hug around her shoulders.
    “Darling, of course you did, but you're here to have a bit of fun and nothing is better than a new dress or two to wear to the exhibition and perhaps few other surprises along the way!”
    Delighted, Elizabeth's eyes widened at the mention of the Royal Exhibition of antiquities from ancient Greece and Rome. She had dearly wished to see the vases and statues, but feared without a planned visit to London she would miss them before they were put away for the holiday season.
    Elizabeth finished her breakfast and announced she fancied a walk in the park next door before attending to the warehouses with her uncle. The two Gardiners exchanged a look and silently agreed that was a poor idea given the circumstances. Instead, Uncle Gardiner downed the rest of his coffee, kissed his wife, and announced he was ready to depart.
    In the carriage, Elizabeth watched as the London streets readied for a day of wandering wares and children quick to run any errand for a coin or two. The ride was of a short duration as her uncle purposely resided close to his warehouses though he could easily afford a more stylish neighborhood. As he opened the door and allowed Elizabeth to step in to see dozens and dozens of wooden crates before her, her Uncle had another secret to share.
    “In the far corner over there, you'll find a number of new books recently from American shores courtesy of my tobacco dealer.”
    Squealing, Elizabeth wasted no time in shedding her pelisse and gloves in her Uncle's office and donning the apron usually reserved for her aunt's use.
    Hours