A Far Better Prospect: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary

A Far Better Prospect MJ Stratton A Far Better Prospect A Pride and Prejudice Variation Copyright 2023 by MJ Stratton Cover design by MJ Stratton and Summer Hanford Cover artwork by John Hayter Back cover artwork by Unknown Painter, 17th century *** Amazon Edition *** This book is a work of fiction. Any person or place appearing herein is fictitious or is used fictitiously. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. Please do not reproduce or transmit this book, in whole or in part, by any means without permission in writing from the author. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. For my Aunt Laurie, who first introduced me to Pride and Prejudice. I promise, there’s nothing to apologize for. Contents 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 Epilogue Thank you for reading! Acknowledgements Chapter 1 February 1807 Louisa Bingley waited with barely concealed impatience for the footman to hand her out of the carriage. She smoothed the front of her gown in anticipation. Two years had passed since the beginning of her first Season; due to the death of her father, she was just now beginning her second. Louisa was a handsome girl of average height with a figure many women would envy. Her honey-colored hair had strands of red woven through it, giving her coiffure a luminescent glow in a certain light. Beyond her outward appearance, Louisa was also well-educated, having attended one of the finest seminaries in London, and was very accomplished in all the womanly pursuits; her embroidery was exemplary, she painted tables, net purses and screens, and played the pianoforte exceedingly well. She was poised, calm, refined, and genteel, and also had a generous dowry. Her one flaw was something that no amount of schooling or practice could alleviate: Louisa’s father, before he had died, had been a tradesman. Mr. James Bingley had made his fortune in shipping, amassing enough money to leave his only son in a position to purchase an estate, and had also equipped his two daughters with twenty-thousand pounds each for their dowries. His death had been sudden and unexpected, and had left a hole in Louisa’s heart. Her father had left behind his wife and three children. Louisa was the oldest at twenty years of age. Charles came next and at eighteen was attending university. Caroline was the youngest at seventeen and had yet to make her come out. Louisa’s mama felt the loss of her spouse keenly and her health had failed as a result. Mrs. Bingley was bedridden much of the time and was not expected to live another year complete. And so, Louisa was under the chaperonage of her mother’s closest friend, Mrs. Mariah Granger. Mrs. Granger’s father had been in trade, but Mrs. Granger had married rather well; her husband was a country squire with around three thousand a year, and they spent much of their time at their house in town. Mrs. Bingley had arranged for Louisa to attend the Season in the lady’s company. Mrs. Granger was only too happy to aid her longtime friend. At long last, Louisa was handed down from the carriage, followed quickly by Mrs. Granger. The young miss and her chaperone entered the house and joined the receiving line. The ball was in the home of another of Mrs. Granger’s friends. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were of a similar status to the Grangers and the two couples had been friends for years. The Taylors were much more liberal in their friendships and had the acquaintance of tradesmen and gentry alike. Their events were always well attended and they were well known for their generosity. The ball proved to be quite a crush. Louisa was pleased when Mrs. Granger’s nephew, Phillip Granger, solicited her hand for the first set. Phillip had his own estate valued at four thousand a year, and Mrs. Granger was actively encouraging her nephew to take notice of her handsome young charge. As Louisa enjoyed the first dance, smiling and talking with her partner, she noticed a young man standing near where she danced. She might have completely missed him had he not been staring at her. The man was tall; she estimated he was close to six feet in height. He had dark brown hair that lay flat against his head. His features were not ugly, nor was he exceptionally handsome. Rather, he had average looks that one might call attractive, though not out of the common way. Louisa blushed through the rest of the set, as the man continued to watch her movements. When the dance concluded, Mr. Granger returned Louisa to her chaperone and departed to find his next partner. It did not surprise Louisa when the man who had watched her as she danced approached them, accompanied by Mrs. Taylor. “My dear Mrs. Granger!” Mrs. Taylor enthused. “I have received a request for an introduction. Might I be permitted to introduce my friend to you?” Mrs. Granger smiled broadly. “We should be pleased with the introduction,” she said. “May I present Mr. Henry Tillman, then?” Mrs. Taylor said. “Mr. Tillman’s father is a great friend of ours. Sadly, he could not accompany his son tonight. Mr. Tillman, may I present my good friend Mrs. Mariah