Courtships & Corruption Read online

  Courtships & Corruption

  A Pride and Prejudice Variation

  By

  Cinnamon Worth

  Copyright © 2018 Cinnamon Worth

  All Rights Reserved

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental

  Other Books by Cinnamon Worth:

  Assumptions & Absurdities

  Deception & Debauchery

  The Taming of Elizabeth

  Dedication

  I want to dedicate this book to my mom. One of my favorite childhood memories is snuggling up next to her and listening to her read me bed time stories. She was the woman who introduced me to Jane Austen and invited me to sit with her through the 1995 BBC mini-series Pride and Prejudice. My mother is an avid reader, and I don’t think I can count how many times she has read Pride and Prejudice. Thank you, Mom, for everything.

  Acknowledgements

  I want to acknowledge a few really wonderful beta readers. After reading an early draft of this story, these bright individuals gave me insights, feedback, encouragement, and suggestions: Anna Cabrera, Deborah Brown, Abhinav Pandey, Gianna Thomas, and Loretta Livingstone. It’s really humbling to know so many people have taken hours of their time to help a complete stranger. This book is definitely better because of your input.

  Next, I must acknowledge my editor, Kay Springsteen. In addition to helping improve this novel, she works with her authors to help them become better writers. I appreciate all the knowledge she has imparted to me and look forward to learning more.

  And finally, no acknowledgment of this genre of fiction would really be complete without mentioning the incredible writer, Jane Austen, without whom there would be no tributes of this nature to write.

  Preface

  I was uncertain if a preface was necessary for this book, but I decided to include one because this book holds more meaning to me than the other books I have published thus far. Before starting Assumptions & Absurdities, I had started a story I was posting online in serial form. That story was truly my first attempt at writing a tribute to Jane Austen. Before starting it, I read many other Pride and Prejudice variations so I could find a plot idea that had not yet been covered. I also wanted to write something that would conform to cannon, contain the same number of chapters and words as Ms. Austen’s work, and would cover the same time frame — but at the same time be entirely original. I had given myself a technical challenge, but I soon discovered the story did not grab the attention of readers. Further, it was hard to write something interesting while following so many arbitrary rules. So I took a break and wrote the light, silly story Assumptions & Absurdities.

  I was trying to decide what to write for a third novel when I went back to the unfinished work. There were so many parts of it I really liked, and the readers who had given it a chance all had favorable things to say. I knew hiding inside this incomplete draft there was a good story. At the same time, I was thinking about all that was happening during in England during the Regency Era. I felt it would be nice to see some aspects of the Industrial Revolution or the Napoleonic Wars in a novel using Jane Austen’s characters. In the midst of contemplating these things, I started writing a prequel to Pride and Prejudice. I wanted it to end where Pride and Prejudice begins, but that would mean our favorite characters would not get their happily ever after moments. It is true this was typical for many who lived during that era, but I just could not do that to Darcy and Elizabeth. It didn’t take me long to decide the prequel wasn’t the right story for me, but there were again many elements of it I liked. And so I decided to combine these two unfinished stories to form the basis for my third novel.

  This story is important to me, because it contains excerpts from my first attempt at a novel, and it is more serious than the first two novels I have published. I would also describe the story as more complex. A great deal more time is spent describing original characters, and it has elements of realism that are missing from my earlier works. I still feel it contains a lot of humor, but the humor is less physical comedy and more subtle. I am very anxious to see how it will be received. I hope you enjoy it as much as I.

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Preface

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Other Books by Cinnamon Worth

  Thank You

  About the Author

  Prologue

  O Lord that lends me life,

  Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!

  William Shakespeare

  The small town of Meryton was located in the bucolic, English countryside. It was a quiet, sleepy place known more for its quaint shops, tree-lined trails, and rolling green hills than for its high fashion and society. Cottages dotted green fields, and brooks and streams traversed through the abundant woods. No less than four and twenty families occupied impressive estates within its borders, adding greatly to the community’s pride. These features suited most of the residents, but a few longed for something more.

  “I am so weary of this mundane existence!” Lydia Bennet complained to her older sister, Mary. “Absolutely nothing ever happens here. I have exhausted all of the pleasures Meryton has to offer.”

  Mary had heard this speech before. Lydia was right of course, but Mary could see no point in voicing such thoughts. From Mary’s perspective, life in this town had remained unchanged for centuries. Generations had grown up here working the same types of jobs, enjoying the same types of pastimes. If they had enjoyed the peace which comes with repetition and certainty, why could Lydia not find the same satisfaction? But rather than attempt to convince her sister to accept her life gracefully, Mary decided to try a different tactic.

  “The world is changing, Lydia. Papa says our economy is growing and our lives will be better than our forefathers because of new mechanics.”

  “What?” Lydia was so tired of these big words Mary used to try to sound smart. Mary was just saying this because Papa had said it. She probably did not even know what it meant.

  Lydia was nearly right. Mary was grasping for straws at this point, but she remembered one more comment their sister Lizzy had made while discussing the topic with their father, “It means someone has invented machines that can do work much better and faster than people can.”

  “Well, whatever Papa was talking about, it hasn’t changed Meryton one little bit. And until he buys a mechanics that pins my hair into the latest styles better and faster than Kitty, I cannot see how it makes my life any more in
teresting.”

  Lydia was wrong, of course. The changes happening in London and Manchester had far reaching impacts. Had she been more observant, even Lydia Bennet would have seen this. But Mary would not defend her point. Mary too failed to look beyond the walls of her home in order to observe the changes occurring in their little community.

  Mary considered bringing up the wars she had so frequently heard her father discuss with Lizzy. Her father certainly seemed to find these things very exciting. Or at least, they made him excitable. But while such things obviously entertained some, Mary would never be able to explain why they should entertain her sister. Mary would leave it to Lizzy to educate Lydia about the fascinating times in which they lived.

  “If only there were more parties, or interesting young people,” Lydia lamented.

  “You have the assembly to look forward to,” Mary offered.

  “Yes. The assembly. Which will have the exact same people and the same songs as every other assembly we have attended.”

  The girls fell into a comfortable silence; Lydia hoped for a future filled with adventures while Mary looked at the displays inside the store windows. They would never know for certain, but it did cross the mind of each girl that a higher power might have been listening to their conversation that day, for as soon as they reached the town’s main street they noticed their Aunt Phillips. She was waving frantically for the two girls to approach. When they were within earshot, she called out, “I have heard the most exciting news! A wealthy, young bachelor has let Netherfield!”

  “At last,” Lydia said, “someone is finally going to bring some excitement to Meryton.”

  Little did Lydia know how true her words would be. Meryton was about to experience a very exciting year indeed but not strictly because of the development Aunt Phillips had so kindly shared. If it was Fate responding to the girls’ conversation, it would soon become clear that he enjoyed fulfilling wishes in unexpected ways. Excitement can come in many forms, and in Meryton it would be delivered wrapped in scandal, death, and marriage.

  Chapter 1

  It was common knowledge to anyone the least bit acquainted with Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy that he was completely and entirely in love with Miss Caroline Bingley. Being a bachelor, he lacked a wife who could guide and coach him on what he felt and to whom these feelings were directed. Unfortunately, the result was Mr. Darcy was unaware of his love and attachment toward Miss Bingley. In fact, the poor misguided man believed he considered Caroline Bingley a grating but necessary consequence of his friendship with the amicable and pleasant Charles Bingley. So it was the arduous task of helping the poor gentleman discover and profess his ardent and unwavering love in this matter fell to Miss Bingley herself.

  Miss Bingley believed she had mastered the art of helping the emotionally inept males of her acquaintance feel as they were meant to. She had spent her youth practicing on her brother and could now quite easily convince him to see things the way he ought, or at least in the way she hoped. Mr. Darcy, however, had proved to be a much more difficult man to help. He seemed to feel he knew his own mind better than anyone else. But Caroline was nothing if not tenacious, especially when it came to pursuing something she wanted.

  “Charles,” Miss Bingley trilled as she hurried to the street to meet his chaise and four, “Have you signed the papers to let the country estate in Hertfordshire? What was that one called again?”

  Charles face lit up with a grin. “Netherfield Park, and I have indeed.” Mr. Charles Bingley was a naturally good-spirited and happy fellow, but the prospect of spending some time in the country had lifted his spirits to new heights. The grounds were lovely, the neighbors seemed friendly, and it had been one of Mr. Bingley’s long-held dreams to be the master of such an estate. His family had come to prominence and wealth through trade, but Mr. Bingley was the sort of man who was born to be a member of the landed gentry. His charm and good-natured demeanor allowed him to be accepted and well received in nearly all circles, and his interests and pursuits were in activities which taxed the body rather than the mind. He would be first to agree to arrange a ball or organize a hunt, but if asked to balance businesses accounts, the gentleman would be quite beside himself.

  “You must be feeling overwhelmed and anxious at the prospect of running such an estate with absolutely no prior experience,” his sister said sympathetically.

  The young man’s face contorted in confusion. He had been concentrating on the gaiety associated with the social events one might enjoy as an owner of an estate. He had not considered an estate was also a business of sorts. Running it might require him to perform unfamiliar or challenging tasks. It was at Caroline’s urging he had sought such a property for lease. Had she concerns of this nature previously, he was vexed she had held her thoughts until after the signatures had been added to the contract. As a servant approached the vehicle, Charles climbed out of the chaise and walked toward his sister.

  “It may allay your fears, dear brother, to invite someone familiar with the management of a country estate to stay with us until you become accustomed to the duties and responsibilities of such an endeavor,” Miss Bingley suggested.

  Mr. Bingley’s smile returned. “Why Caroline, you are truly a genius. I should very much appreciate the guidance of my dear friend, Mr. Darcy, and I have been longing to visit with him again. Would you mind terribly if I invited him to stay with us for a few months?”

  Miss Bingley took her brother’s arm and began walking toward their residence, “If it should bring you confidence and comfort, how could I refuse?”

  Until his sister had informed him of his anxiety, Mr. Bingley had been completely unaware of the sensation. Yet now that she had helped direct him to a solution, which would allow him to once again spend time with one of his dearest friends, his joy was twice what it had been. “I must quickly send a post,” he said dashing into the house. Almost as an afterthought, he called out behind him, “We shall be taking possession before Michaelmas, and I will be sending Mrs. Butler and two servants of your choosing to prepare for our arrival at the end of next week. Do you wish for her to begin hiring a full staff prior to your arrival?”

  Caroline Bingley nodded. She could not be expected to focus on such mundane tasks if it did not serve the purpose of impressing Mr. Darcy. She had much more important matters to consider. Right now, for instance, she mentally compiled a list of gowns and accessories she would be taking with her. She decided she needed to go to the haberdashery to purchase some additional items to demonstrate her station and set her apart from the inhabitants of a small, provincial town. She was pleased, for in addition to displaying her many other accomplishments, she would soon be able to demonstrate to a certain handsome gentleman her competency as mistress of a large country estate.

  Caroline decided she too should send a message to her sister and brother-in-law asking them to join the party settling in at Netherfield. While Caroline felt her sister, Louisa Hurst, had married a rather dull man, she had to concede a married woman may be in a position to offer valuable insights into what attributes and traits men find most alluring in a prospective wife. Further, a slightly larger party, as well as the addition of another female, would reduce the tedium accompanying a stay in the country. Perhaps Mr. Darcy might bring his younger sister, Georgiana, for the duration of his stay, but in the recesses of Caroline’s mind, she did recall news the young lady had been rather melancholy as of late. This, coupled with the young girl’s natural shyness, led Caroline to expect she would be denied the pleasure of her future sister-in-law’s company. More specifically, she would be denied an opportunity to ingratiate herself with an important member of her beloved’s inner circle.

  Not to waste time on the idle endeavor of pondering one’s thoughts, Caroline set to the task of preparing for her foray into town.

  Chapter 2

  Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived at Netherfield Park the day prior to the arrival of his cousin. The following morning, the colonel was acutely aware of his co
usin’s arrival and waited to pounce on him like a cat on a mouse. After Mr. Darcy had an opportunity to rest and freshen up from his long journey, Colonel Fitzwilliam approached. “Darcy,” he said with the charm and congeniality which can only be acquired through proper breeding and practice, “You must take a turn on the grounds with me. I have seen the most fascinating creek and know it would bring back to memory many delightful misadventures from our youth.”

  Darcy was uncertain if he should smirk or frown. A creek ran in the woods behind Pemberley, and the site was involved in a great many pranks and shenanigans between the cousins during their youth. It was the source of the frog infestation which had mysteriously engulfed Master Darcy’s bedroom a mere two days after his cousin had come for the summer. It was the site where Master Fitzwilliam had broken his leg while attempting to swing across the creek on a rope swing which had been affixed by Master Darcy to an overhead tree branch by way of a slip knot. It was the site where Master Darcy narrowly managed to escape a clandestine rendezvous with their cousin, Anne, after he had been asked to meet Fitzwilliam there to discuss the finer points of jumping horses. Having studied his cousin’s words, Mr. Darcy was fairly certain he understood why his cousin had asked for his company. The colonel had known he had been the victim of a prank and wanted to remind Darcy of their tit-for-tat arrangement.