The Heiress

by Ldibo

Mr. Bennet had been married twice in his lifetime. His first marriage was not of his choosing, and it was an unhappy one. His second marriage brought him happiness, and he was deeply devoted to his wife. When Mr. Bennet passed away, to Jane's surprise, he chose Elizabeth as the heiress of Longbourn. This is a story about deception,betrayal and love. Unedited. Available until 1 Sept

41. Chapter 41

Notes: Half-chapter.

PPP

On a sunny day in the first week of June, Mrs. Bennet and her daughters, their hearts brimming with anticipation, arrived at the picturesque seaside town of Ramsgate. Just a week earlier, Mrs. Bennet had received a heartfelt and affectionate letter from Jane expressing gratitude for her love and support. However, to Mrs. Bennet's and her daughters' disappointment, Jane gently declined the invitation to stay with them in Ramsgate. Through her correspondence with Mrs. Gardiner and Jane's own letters, Mrs. Bennet had discerned that Jane was gradually regaining her shattered self-esteem, yet her emotional state remained delicate and vulnerable. Consequently, Jane was not yet ready to confront the prospect of living with them again.

The house that Mrs. Bennet had leased encompassed four bedchambers and was situated a mere 200 feet from the main beach. Much to Mary's delight, the house boasted a charming music room with an exquisite piano and a diverse collection of sheet music.

Until that moment, the three sisters, who had never before been on the seashore, found themselves utterly entranced by the beach. The rhythmic crash of the waves against the shore, the raucous cries of the seagulls soaring overhead, the tactile sensation of the grainy sand beneath their feet, and the invigorating scent of the salty sea air combined to create an immersive experience that left them spellbound.

At that time of the year, throngs of tourists leisurely ambled along the beach. Amidst this captivating scene, bath machines were available for rental.

Every morning before breakfast since their arrival, the four ladies embarked on a coastal walk, an invigorating ritual that had become an intrinsic part of their seaside stay. Given that Kitty's endurance lagged behind her sisters, she and her mother would rest and gather seashells less than a mile away from the house, while Elizabeth and Mary extended their stroll for a few more minutes.

A whole week had elapsed since they had arrived in Ramsgate. Elizabeth and Mary were ambling back from a stroll when they noticed that their mother and Kitty were engaged in a conversation with a young, fair-haired woman and two gentlemen whose backs were turned towards them. One of the gentlemen was also fair-haired and was attired in the resplendent uniform of a Colonel, complete with an elegant cane in his hand. The other gentleman had dark hair and was in an expensive suit.

Upon seeing them, their mother smiled at them, causing both gentlemen to turn around. To Elizabeth and Mary's surprise, they discerned that the distinguished gentleman was none other than Mr. Darcy.