“And you were in the room, were you not?”
Half the room rolled in laughter. Bingley cried out, “Darcy! She was the one I wanted you to dance with!”
“No! No, you pointed to some other lady. Elizabeth sat next to her but she looked much older and different than Elizabeth.”
“You did not think you were mistaken in your understanding after we dined at Longbourn and you met all the girls? I told you I wanted to introduce you to Jane’s sister!”
“I believed you were mistaken!”
The whole room joined in the laughter at that pronouncement. Patting his arm, Elizabeth breathlessly declared, “That, as you can see, none of us have a problem believing.”
Darcy coloured a little. “Perhaps I was not so haughty as you presumed, Dearest, but I had my conceit. I thought highly of my own sense and worth; apparently I could not even acknowledge the possibility that I was mistaken, even then, and to my friend.”
Caroline muttered something.
“What was that, Miss Bingley? I could not hear you.” Alice asked.
“Oh, it was nothing.”
“It sounded like you said my cousin had once declared of Miss Elizabeth, ‘She a beauty! I would as soon call her mother a wit.’ Is that not what it sounded like to you Milly?”
“Alice!”
“What? Should not Darcy have a chance to defend himself to that statement?”
The room was suddenly very quiet, and Caroline was quite red. “I…I…I am certain I have misremembered,” she stammered out.
Darcy waved her off. “There is a perfectly rational explanation, and it will answer your query from several minutes ago, Alice. I was already quite falling in love with Elizabeth—and before she disliked me so much to be as she calls herself ‘impertinent’—and so it is as Richard says, I was horribly uncivil.”
He raised Elizabeth’s hands to his lips. “Will you forgive me for being so arrogant? I felt I must disguise my attraction.”
“It is as I said. I realize now that you were masking your real feelings.”
He walked over to Mrs. Bennet and took her hand in both of his. “Will you forgive me for insulting you?”
“We all know I have no wit. Lizzy gets that all from her father. Heaven help you, son.”
The Earl staggered from the sideboard, sloshing his glass and then raising it in a toast. “To the future Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, Heaven help you both! Damned fine port you have, Bennet!” The room erupted in laughter.
Epilogue
December 9, 1812
Pemberley
Darcy searched for his wife of nearly one year, letters in hand, and found her in the mistress’s study.
“Dearest, I just received the mail and there are letters for you.” Before handing them into her open hand, he continued with mock scowl while looking at one. “This is written in a masculine hand, but is not from your father. Tell me, is it your custom to engage in illicit correspondence with gentlemen? Or is there something special about this date?”
She broke into a wide smile at his tease, but simply replied, “Tend to your own letters as I tend to mine, William.”
She snatched the letters from his hand and settled on the settee as comfortably as her body, growing heavy with child, would allow. He settled in the chair next to her. She flipped through her stack before setting them aside.
Mrs. Jane Bingley wrote tales of little Charles from their new estate, not thirty miles from Pemberley. Lydia wrote from Rosings. After meeting the year before, she and Anne de Bourgh became fast friends and corresponded for months. At long last Mr. Bennet agreed to allow his youngest daughter, who was greatly improved in temperament, to visit the estate. Elizabeth looked forward to reading her sister’s thoughts on Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Lady Catherine had finally reconciled to the marriage of Darcy and Elizabeth some six months ago. Elizabeth laughed to herself as it was just the time when they announced to the family their suspicions that Elizabeth was with child. How amusing that Lady Catherine and Mrs. Bennet would share the same feelings at the news! Mrs. Bennet was still on the silly side but assured of the love of her husband, the respect of her children, and no longer fearful of the future, she was much calmer and nearing sensible.
Elizabeth knew the letters from Mrs. Gardiner and Lady Fitzwilliam were corroborating dates for spending the Christmas holidays together, once again. This year it was to be at Pemberley. She was so pleased the Earl’s family got on well with her family from trade, and that Darcy loved them almost as dearly as he loved her.
The letter from Anne held news of an engagement, or so Elizabeth strongly suspected. Perhaps it was not quite a love match, but Lady Catherine was shrewd. Due to the breach with Darcy, Viscount Arlington was invited to Rosings more frequently. The two were well suited to each other and, more importantly, the relationship was Anne’s choice and was not forced on her by others.
Elizabeth smiled at the letter from Mrs. Caroline Fitzwilliam. Caroline and Richard got over their bickering shortly after Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged vows. Released of her bitterness and jealousy, and inspired by the love matches around her, she realized she would rather have affection than consequence and yielded to her admiration of the good colonel. Surprisingly, she proved quite an amiable friend, even when Elizabeth teased her for being smitten with a gentleman in a red coat.
While hearing the faint sounds of Georgiana, Mary and Kitty in the music room, Elizabeth watched surreptitiously as her husband made a great show of leafing through his own letters. She saw a small smile appear on his face as he tenderly traced the direction on one envelope before tearing open the seal.
“And who has written you, to inspire such a look?” She asked in pretend jealousy, and leant towards his chair to espy the handwriting.
He grinned and answered, “An impertinent acquaintance I once thought I would have to give up, but keeping it was the best thing I ever did.” His eyes returned to the parchment in his hand as heat began to creep up his face. The letter was decidedly more affectionate than the one he had received a year prior.
Glancing towards Elizabeth he was pleased to see she had opened his letter, and was just as affected by his own loving words.
“William,” said the voice that could still set his heart beating too quickly. “How did you ever love me? I never spoke to you without wishing to give pain. I could bring nothing of worth to the marriage. Had you been perfectly reasonable you never would have cared for me.”
“I could ask the same of you, Elizabeth. You knew no actual good of me.”
“Now, be serious,” she said, even as she leaned closer from her seat.
He answered with a teasing smile she could never resist. “I will if you will.” He took her nearest hand, drawing circles on it as he leaned even closer to her.
“Perhaps we might answer at the same time?” She smiled at the game they had often played in the last year. She closed the gap between them, touching their foreheads together.
“I knew you by heart,” they replied in unison. Their lips met and it was some time before either could speak again as they were much more agreeably engaged.
The End
Jane Austen Re-Imaginings
You have just read Letters from the Heart, Book 1 in the Jane Austen Re-Imaginings Series. Each book in this series is a stand-alone and can be read in any order. Other books in this series are:
Undone Business
No Cause to Repine
Love Lasts Longest
Mr. Darcy’s Kindness
Mr. Darcy’s Compassion
Courtship at Rosings
Mr. Darcy’s Grieving Wife
III
Pledged
Loving Elizabeth Book 1
A Pride and Prejudice Novella Variation
Rose Fairbanks
Copyright
Pledged
Published by Rose Fairbanks
©2018 Rose Fairbanks
Early drafts of this work were posted online.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews, without permission in writing from its publisher and author.
Several passages in this novel are paraphrased from the works of Jane Austen.
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to characters, whether living or dead, is not the intention of this author.
Chapter One
June 20, 1806
“I would prefer to stay home this evening,” Will Darcy grumbled.
“Are you such an old man now that an evening at the theatre is too much?” Will’s older cousin, Captain Richard Fitzwilliam teased.
“Hardly,” Will said dryly. He had just turned two and twenty. “Do not forget that you are older than me, Richard.”
“All shall be well,” Richard replied. “It is one evening out before a summer in Ireland with your friends.” He motioned to their friends, Samuel Bennet and Charles Bingley. “You will be appearing with us, our sisters, and our fathers, not insipid debutantes and their matchmaking mamas. It is nothing compared to what the future will hold for you as the heir of Pemberley.”
The young men had all met years ago at Eton and continued the friendship to their time at Cambridge. Along the way, they learned their fathers had been acquaintances during their youth. Inspired by their sons, the older generation soon took up a correspondence. The men had all met a few times over the years, but this was the first time that any of the ladies would be present.
Will, Sam, and Charles, all snorted and rolled their eyes simultaneously.
“You forget Louisa and Caroline will be there,” Charles interjected.
“And though my mother is not present, rest assured she is scheming from afar,” Sam concurred.
Will leaned back in his chair and groaned. “Richard, your mother gives me more pressure than anyone but Aunt Catherine!”
“Mother acts out of love, but let us be thankful she will not be present. Besides, your father has made it clear to Aunt that you are not to bend to her will.”
“That is not the same thing as him believing I should choose my own bride.” Will’s shoulders slumped.
“Enough on Will’s marital prospects. Sam, tell us about your sisters.” Charles eagerly asked with his eyebrows raised in anticipation.
Sam grinned, “Now, Charles—and you, too, Richard—I know you cannot resist a pretty face but need I remind you, no idle flirtations with my sisters?”
“Now, come on man!” Richard gesticulated wildly. “Charles is too young, and I am too poor to take a wife. We would never trifle with a gentleman’s daughter—especially a friend’s sister. And Will here has never ‘trifled’ with anyone. We would only like to find ourselves in the company of beautiful women tonight.”
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Sam continued, “Very well. Jane is quite beautiful. Blonde, blue-eyed, and willowy. She is charming and reserved in her expressions. She only sees the good in everyone, a veritable angel. Lizzy, though….she takes you by surprise. She is as dark as Jane is fair, and shorter too. She is outspoken and can even best my father in a debate. She might even be able to beat you, Will.”
“A regular bluestocking, then?” Richard’s eyebrows slanted down in disappointment.
“No, not at all. It is true she is well-read, but she is also witty and charming. She plays pianoforte very well, and her singing captivates audiences. Lizzy loves walking and enjoys nature. If it were not for the theatre and opera, or the museums and bookshops, she would never even come to town.”
Charles’ eyes grew wide, “She does not care to shop? Does not enjoy the balls and soirees? That is all Louisa and Caroline live for!”
“I doubt she is out yet. Is not she thirteen?” Will complained to hide his growing interest in the young lady. “Why are we speaking so much about a little girl? I am not going on and on about Georgie!”
Through the years of his friendship with Sam, Will had yet to meet Elizabeth but was impressed with what he knew of her. However, he had always thought of her as Sam’s very young sister. Nothing could exist between them; even if he found her attractive and she was of courting age, she was his best friend’s sister. If any of his friends ever fell in love with his sister, there would be pistols at dawn.
Sam shook his head. “Mary is thirteen. Lizzy is sixteen.”
Will rolled his eyes, at sixteen she would still be a silly girl with little shape. He resisted the older, experienced widows that approached him at balls and did not partake of paid affairs but his celibacy did not blind him to the beauty of a grown woman’s figure.
“She is out,” Sam continued, “thanks to my stepmother. However, now that the entail is broken, I hope Mama can feel some relief.” Sam shook his head and glared at Will. “We are speaking of her because she is a remarkable young lady and I was asked to share about her to three men who I trust. I think she could be a friend to you. Did I mention she can beat my father at chess?”
“Really?” Charles let out a low whistle. “Well, I daresay she is too much for me. I need a woman that is sweet, quiet, and level.”
Winking at Charles and Richard, Sam baited Will. “Perhaps for you then, Richard?”
“She indeed sounds like a most extraordinary young lady. Will, you would have more time to bask in the attention of Bingley’s sisters. What does she look like, Sam?” Richard leant forward as though eager to hear more.
“Yes,” Will let out a derisive snort. “Since she has developed such a personality, she is probably merely tolerable and not handsome enough to tempt me at all.”
“Tempt you!” Sam cried. “First of all, this is my sister! I would like her not to tempt anyone. What beauty holds you? You have criticised every beautiful woman of your acquaintance. Lizzy’s personality could challenge and interest you. Her beauty will speak for itself.” He paused and looked at his watch. “Enough teasing. I am thankful I can trust each of you with my sisters and need not fear you as potential suitors. Chaperoning them will turn me prematurely grey. Now, it is time to prepare for dinner; we had better get to it.”
Will exited the library blushing at the description of himself, but he could not be sorry for it. Is it too much to ask not to be bored by the woman I spend my life with? To enjoy her company at the end of the day instead of living separate lives? And be attracted to her as well? However, he was only two and twenty and certainly had time to continue to look.
****
Let the horrible men find out about dinner some other way! Elizabeth thought as she returned to her bedchamber at Darcy House. She had been sent to remind her brother and his friends of the dinner hour. Instead, she overheard them talking about her and Will Darcy declaring her personality compensated for a lack of beauty. Her first reaction was to show the ungentlemanly young man his place and come down for dinner in a way that would make her mother proud. However, upon reflection she realised that she was not so vain as to care to show off like that, nor did she have such a gown with her at present. No, the gown she had planned to wear would service just nicely and what did she care if it earned his admiration.
Aside from the fact that he is the most handsome young man I have ever seen and has the most pleasing voice. Such thoughts brought back memories of what he said with such a voice. Spending too long in her musings, Elizabeth came down the stairs to overhear another conversation.
“I had sent Elizabeth to remind you all of the time, but you say that you did not see her? And she has yet to come down?” Mr. Bennet asked his son.
“Aye. I hope she is not ill,” Sam replied.
“I doubt that. You know your sister’s constitution. All the walking keeps her quite healthy.”
“Oh, yes. We must not forget what a great walker Miss Eliza is,” Caroline Bingley’s sickly-sweet voice broke in.
She only met me this afternoon, and she acts as though she knows every intimate detail of my life!
Not caring for more abuse of herself,
Elizabeth cheerfully called out from the open drawing room door. “Oh, I am here and quite well. I am afraid I merely lost track of time.”
Ignoring the gentlemen, Elizabeth focused on her sister, Jane, in conversation with an amiable young man.
“Lizzy,” Mr. Bennet called her attention away, “Sam told me that you never met him in the library. I know you cannot have forgotten where it is located. What happened?”
“Oh! Perhaps I am such a little girl that I could not be trusted with such a task?” She raised an eyebrow and resisted the urge to look at Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Mr. Bennet gave Elizabeth a puzzled look but shrugged. Muttering about not understanding the moods of ladies, he left the young people to their devices.
Richard inched closer to Elizabeth. “Sam, introduce us to your sister.”
“My pleasure,” Sam laughed, then performed the introductions of the two young men next to him.
He continued to identify the occupants of the room. “Lizzy, you already met Miss Bingley and Miss Caroline. The gentleman mooning over Jane there is Mr. Charles Bingley. And the one talking with Father and Mr. Darcy is Charles’s father, Mr. Joseph Bingley. Richard’s father, Lord Fitzwilliam, and a few other relatives will meet us at the theatre.”
Elizabeth gave them a dazzling smile that made her eyes sparkle. “Delighted to meet you.”
Richard grinned in return. Elizabeth’s words seemed to jolt Will to action, and he belatedly bowed. She turned her eyes on him, ready to tease him for his past words, but before she could say anything dinner was called. Richard offered her an arm to escort her to the table. Caroline and Louisa Bingley immediately seized Will’s arms, claiming them for their own. Elizabeth inwardly laughed and wondered if the two sisters would fight over the pompous young man.
Seven Days With Mr Darcy Page 20
