Pride and Prejudice (JenLisa)

Chapter 3

JENNIE

It had begun, as many things did, with a letter.

Jisoo had received it two mornings prior, sealed with Chaeyoung Park's unmistakably dramatic wax stamp-pressed askew, of course, and accompanied by handwriting far too elegant for the chaos it usually contained.

My dearest Jisoo,

You and your darling sister must come. I insist.

My cousin's estate is only a half-day's journey and quite the change of scenery-gardens, horses, and a promised shipment of books straight from London (including the ones with all the dreadful affairs and swooning).

There's to be a small gathering-something mildly dancy, nothing scandalous-and frankly, if I must endure it without your commentary, I might expire on the spot.

Bring Jennie. She needs distraction. And I know you'll never refuse the potential of gossip with good pastries.

Yours in mischief,
Chaeng

Jisoo had grinned the entire time reading it, already plotting. Jennie, for her part, had sighed-but not said no. And that, in Jisoo's world, was a yes.

The morning of departure was busy with the polite chaos of travel preparations. Trunks were loaded, tea was downed too quickly, and instructions were given in duplicate.

Two carriages had been arranged for the younger ladies.

Lisa arrived first, cloaked in her usual composure, fully expecting to ride with Chaeyoung.

Then came Jisoo.

"Oh no," Jisoo said brightly to the footman. "Jennie and I don't usually travel together. I get motion sick otherwise."

Chaeyoung raised a brow. "Since when?"

"Since right now," Jisoo said sweetly, already climbing into the first carriage like it had always been hers.

Lisa blinked. "Wait. Then who-"

"You and Miss Kim," Chaeyoung replied, smoothing her gloves and ignoring Lisa's horror. "It's a short ride. Try not to insult her this time."

Lisa's face pinched. "You set this up."

"I'm giving fate a little nudge," Chaeyoung said, boarding after Jisoo with zero remorse.

Just then, Jennie stepped outside, hair pinned flawlessly despite the early hour, and met Lisa's gaze with cool poise.

Lisa managed a short bow. "Miss Kim."

"Miss Manoban."

She took Lisa's hand briefly as she stepped into the remaining carriage.

Inside, they settled-rigid and wordless-on opposite sides.

The door shut behind them with a soft click.

And just like that, they were off. Alone. With half a day of countryside roads, rattling wheels, and unspoken regrets between them.

A sharp bump in the road jolted the carriage slightly. Jennie instinctively reached for the leather strap above her window but missed-her balance slipping just enough that her gloved hand landed over Lisa's.

A pause.

Lisa didn't move. Neither did Jennie.

The touch was nothing-barely a second. But the warmth of it, the weight, the quiet hush that followed-it echoed louder than any spoken word.

Jennie pulled back, eyes flicking to the window as if the countryside outside might help her forget what had just happened.

Lisa stared at her own hand. Her fingers curled slightly, almost against her will.