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

later, covered happily in tobacco dust and holding two precious treasures of novels by American authoress Susanna Rowson her aunt came to collect her with a most displeased look. Ordering Elizabeth to make use of the basin in Edward's office, Elizabeth complied with thoughts about which novel she planned to read first. As she washed up, she decided on Charlotte Temple.
    Once she was done, Elizabeth joined her aunt in the cloth area of the warehouse and found herself smiling at the prettiest apricot muslin. Images of the gown with the rosettes on the shoulder immediately came to mind and she begged her aunt and uncle for a few yards of the fabric. With laughter, the two readily agreed and Mary, Elizabeth, and Madeline Gardiner carried out yards of fabric to the carriage.
    Her slippers had barely brushed the cobblestones in front her aunt's modiste when a voice called out her name.
    “Miss Elizabeth! Miss Elizabeth!”
    Cringing, Elizabeth regretted turning around as soon as she recognized the voice belonged to no other than Mr. Wickham.
    Ever the perfectly performing gentleman, Wickham graciously condescended to carry all of the fabric from the carriage for the ladies after introductions were made. Before he could leave, Mr. Wickham generously complimented both her aunt and sister, though only the older woman seemed pleased by the attention.
    “It is a wonder to see you here in London, Mr. Wickham. Were you not anticipating Mr. Bingley's ball tonight?” Elizabeth asked, with a raised eyebrow.
    “Regrettably, I was most inclined to attend the ball but a lowly soldier like myself must make his way in the world and the good impression of his superiors is the surest way. Colonel Forster had a most pressing message to headquarters and the good Captain Carter allowed me the pleasure of delivering it.”
    “How happy for you that missing the ball will come with its own benefits.”
    “Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth, but you too appear to be forgoing the ball. I hope there was no painful reason for your absence?”
    Elizabeth gasped that Mr. Wickham would bring up the gossip of Meryton, but calmed herself expertly. Today was determined to be a happy day even if she had to force every moment to be so.
    She laughed to cover her true emotions. “Fear not, Mr. Wickham. My sister Mary and I were planning to visit my aunt and uncle for ages.”
    Mary took a deep breath through her nose and sensed that her sister was struggling to keep up the charade. Steeling herself for conversation she rarely deigned to engage in, she felt it was her Christian duty to be helpful.
    “We are planning to visit the Royal Exhibition in a few days, and the theatre this evening. It's unfortunate that you must hurry back to Hertfordshire, Mr. Wickham, and are unable to enjoy London.”
    “Indeed, with the streets so nearly deserted, it feels like we have the whole city to ourselves!” Elizabeth again chuckled and looked at Mary, beaming at the sister she had never given enough notice. She breathed easier knowing that Mary was on her side to help stymie the vicious words and lies being swapped like extra vegetables from the garden.
    “How fortunate then that I am able to inform you I have a week of leave to enjoy the sights and diversions of London myself! Mrs. Gardiner, with your permission, I would be delighted to escort you and your nieces to the Royal Exhibit perhaps on Monday?”
    Wearily, Mrs. Gardiner thanked Mr. Wickham and gave him the direction of the home so that he may call.
    Wickham bowed and smiled as he exited the shop. He couldn't believe his luck, both to stumble across Miss Elizabeth and to hear of their plans. So perhaps he had watched the Gardiner carriage from his own horse once he learned where Darcy's little mistress had scurried away to, but he wasn't surprised to see the woman shopping for finer things. It would take more charm than usual, but he was determined to weasel his way in and take away the first woman he had seen Darcy pay