Erin Butler - Accidental Affection: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

Accidental Affection

By

Erin Butler

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright 2017 by Erin Butler. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact Erin Butler.

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition August 2017

Books by Erin Butler

Fates Entwined

Prides Remedy

Courting Mr. Darcy

To Live and Love

A Fine Line

Chaos & Courtship: An Elizabeth Bennet Cozy Mystery

Mayhem & Muslin: An Elizabeth Bennet Cozy Mystery

Chapter One

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the mind has no place in matters of the heart.

It had been above six months since Miss Elizabeth Bennet had set foot inside Netherfield. Not only had the Bingleys not returned since they left the day after the ball, but Miss Bingley had also shunned her sister Jane while in London. If it were not for the fact that they were again having a ball and the season had been so scarce of parties, she would venture even poor manners so as not to give the visitors any degree of interest. As it was, however, Mr. Bingley did visit Longbourn as soon as he entered the neighborhood to deliver their invitation personally.

Now, as she stared at Janes reflection in the mirror, she would find it hard to not agree to go there. Though her older sister promised she was in no danger of falling in love with Mr. Bingley again, Elizabeth knew Jane was already there and then some. It was written all over her face and therefore, she could only conclude, that her sister must be lying to herself if she had not guessed it herself already.

For her sisters sake, she hoped they would be received well at Netherfield. In Mr. Bingleys case, Elizabeth did not see how they could be received any other way, but they had yet to see the sisters. As Mr. Bingleys family and friends had already proved, however, he could be easily persuaded against Jane once more. They had done so easily before and they might just do it again.

At least Mr. Darcy was not to be there. That was of great comfort to Elizabeth. She could not help but ask Bingley of his friend while he visited here earlier in the week. Though Darcy was an abhorrent man, he was at least handsome. It was too bad his pride always got in hi way. At the ball last year, she may have even guessed he thought highly of her. That is what her dear friend Charlotte had noticed anyway. Did he not choose her to dance with? Did he not smile at her and look at her a great deal? If it were not that they always seemed to vex one another, she may even be able to look at him the same way. As it was, she knew him to be a proud, disagreeable man and though he was so very handsome, looks never meant as much to her as character. If Mr. Wickham was to believed, that was an area in which Darcy was sorely lacking.

She was not so sure she could trust Mr. Wickham anymore either though. His actions as of late had opened her mind to a character she believed him to be hiding from her. Her mind and feelings for him could not even explain it away. No, it was possible Mr. Wickham was a man not to be trusted.

Elizabeth shook her head as she pinned the last curl of hair into place behind her sister. None of that mattered tonight since neither of the men who filled her thoughts were to be at the ball. She should just go to enjoy it, and to help her sister along if she could.

A soft knock came on the door and Hill entered. Your father says the carriage is ready.

Elizabeth smiled as Hill curtsied. We shall be down directly. Thank you.

Elizabeth returned her stare into the mirror and glanced at Jane. Her cheeks and neck were a rosy tint, not quite so unbecoming except that Elizabeth knew what it meant. She put a hand on Janes shoulder and squeezed. Do not worry yourself over tonight. Everything will be just as it was. You shall see.

Jane swallowed and instead of seeking out her sisters eyes in the mirror, stared into her own. I will be well. I just dread the first meeting with his sisters again. That is all.

Elizabeth understood completely. She felt for Jane when Bingley was first announced at Longbourn. What would it be like to see his sisters again when they had all but abandoned her. Surely, Jane would be won over again with a smile and a polite apology, but Elizabeth feared she would never again like the company of Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst, not that she ever enjoyed them at all very much.

The sisters shared a smile and then walked from the room and down the staircase. The front door was open and the rest of their family was herded toward the carriage. Mr. Bennet was always one too arrive early and leave early, if he could talk his wife into it. It was no mind today. Elizabeth would probably like to leave the place early since there would be no one there to occupy her time.

She strode to the carriage and took her fathers hand to help her up. You look lovely, Elizabeth.

She smiled and a warm glow emanated from her chest. It was always that way with her father. She loved him dearly. Thank you.

He winked and she sat herself between her sisters on the bench. It was only a short ride to Netherfield. She would barely have time to think about how bored she would be there. If only Charlotte were still in Hertfordshire, she would better endure it. Maria at least was there. And she always had her sisters for comfort.

Though she had no idea why, as the carriage rolled forward, Mr. Darcys severe smirk entered her head. She whisked that memory away and replaced it with the one time he smiled at her. His face was much more handsome with the smile instead of the appraising smirk. Not that it mattered for she would probably never see him again.

Chapter Two

A warm light emanated from each of the windows at Netherfield, giving the house such a charming look. Beside her, Jane grabbed her hand and squeezed. Elizabeth looked up into her sisters face to find a hint of apprehension. They made their way up the stone steps as Elizabeth patted the taut skin around Janes knuckles. She gave her a helpful smile and stared back at the large house. No wonder Jane had chosen just this moment to become scared. Netherfield looked just the same as it did the day of the previous ball all those months ago. Jane had never spoken about it, but Elizabeth believed her sister had left that ball with the utmost assurance of Bingleys affections. To find out the very next day that they were all off to London came as quite a shock.

As content as Elizabeth would be to linger outside the house, she drove Jane forward. She had much better get over the initial awkward meeting of seeing Bingley with his sisters as soon as may be so she could enjoy the rest of the evening if she could. She was hopeful Jane may be able to remind Bingley of his feelings for her, no matter what his sisters had made him realize after they escaped with him to London. To have their romance rekindled, what a wonderful thing.

The servants took their cloaks and within half a minute, they were forced upon the owners of the house. The smiles never wavered from Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hursts faces. It was as if they had been speaking to them all along. Miss Bingley at once embraced Jane with a firm grip and the grin on Mrs. Hursts face stayed permanent as if it was chiseled there by a sculptor. They did not exchange glances or look away, even when their parents greeted them as well. Mr. Bingley, his eyes full of admiration, held his elbow out to Jane who wrapped her hand around it, pleased. If it were not for another commotion at the door, Jane would have been safely in Mr. Bingleys grasp all evening.