From Pemberley With Love

by Claire J Russell

  She accepted his request with a nod and placed her gloved hand in his. They joined the dance, intermittently switching partners during the routine motions but always returning to each other.

  “I must apologize I never got a chance to thank you for that morning at the lake, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said in a formal voice.

  “Yes, it was quite unfortunate, wasn’t it?” Darcy said, as they switched partners.

  Elizabeth shot a quizzical look in his direction. Quite unfortunate? She wondered. Then she thought What an odd thing to say? Did he think she did not appreciate his saving her? Or could it just be that Darcy didn’t care about anyone else but himself? She didn’t want to attend the ball in the first place, and now she was forced to listen to what she presumed to be Darcy’s cold words.

  All these expenses should have gone to other pressing matters rather than spending it on this frivolous ball. She couldn’t believe her father had gone into further debt; all in hopes of seeing his daughters wed men who earned at least 5000 pounds. Now that dream seemed futile—futile for every sister except Jane, who was beaming as she waltzed with the delighted Mr. Bingley.

  Her mind began to wander. If only she were as handsome as her sister, then maybe love will be hers and she would not have to marry out of duty to save Longbourn.

  When she returned to her dance partner, she glanced up at him with a smile and countered, “‘Quite unfortunate?’ Not at all, Mr. Darcy. One would think that meeting you was all a damsel in distress needed to survive.”

  Her quick-witted response should have bothered him, but instead, he found it curious. It was the first time in his entire life he found a woman intriguing. Most women fawned over him but not Elizabeth. She was different.

  Darcy continued dancing with her in silence, and once the dance ended, they thanked each other before parting ways. Elizabeth made her way to the other end of the room.

  Just then a string of militiamen under Colonel Foster walked into the ballroom. Lydia and Catherine beamed. Meanwhile, Mrs. Bennet voiced her displeasure of their lateness to her sister, “Have they no manners arriving so late?”

  Her sister whispered in Mrs. Bennet’s ears, “Most likely they just got a reprieve. They have come a long way. Besides, their presence greatly increases the chance of finding suitable husbands for your dear girls. I hear the militiamen salaries have increased as of late.”

  “Nonsense,” quipped Mrs. Bennet. “They earn less than 450 pounds a year, and you know even the newest mistress of the house requires at least 500 pounds allowance for clothing alone.” She shook her head, “No, they just will not do. None of my daughters will end up in overcrowded living quarters. I forbid it.”

  “Well then, dear sister, I am afraid to say that one just walked up to the girls. The girls have already taken a liking to him. Besides, it’s not like any one of them can get married to the girls without permission from Colonel Foster. If you ask me, they’re rather harmless,” her sister said, looking in the direction of a militiaman who seemed quite charming. He had the daughters fawning over him, but who was he?

  “Well, I suppose you are right,” Mrs. Bennet said, turning her attention as the same young militia man stepped forward.

  “Ah, you must be the beautiful mistress of the house. Charmed,” he cooed, holding Mrs. Bennet’s gloved hand and kissing it. “May I introduce myself? I am Mr. George Wickham.”

  Mrs. Bennet blushed at the charming young man, “Yes, Mr. Wickham. Did you grow up in London?”

  “Oh, no, no. I grew up in Pemberley. The most beautiful estate known to man."

  Mrs. Bennet thought for a moment before asking, “Pemberley? The same estate as Mr. Darcy?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Wickham responded, holding his hat to his chest.

  In a matter of seconds, Lydia and Catherine appeared with smiles plastered on their faces.

  “Oh, Mother. Isn’t he wonderful?” Lydia asked, giggling.

  Mrs. Bennet agreed with the nod of her head. She then considered the possibility: if it is indeed true that Wickham grew up in the same household as Darcy, then he must have inherited a tidy sum? The possibility that Wickham wasn’t a regular militiaman in the regimen appeased Mrs. Bennet, for he was a man giving back to his country out of a sense of duty.

  Wickham then caught a glance at Elizabeth. When their eyes met, he smiled at her, and she smiled back. He excused himself then walked up to her and began a conversation, “Dear, Ms. Elizabeth, I must say I am enamored to be standing next to such a beauty.”

  Elizabeth blushed, charmed by Wickham. She thanked him, and he proceeded to tell her about how Darcy’s father had promised him a home behind the mansion at Pemberley. But once Darcy inherited the estate, he changed his mind. Elizabeth couldn’t help but think how rude it was of Darcy to do such a thing. She was beginning to view him in a different light. Perhaps, he wasn’t as nice as she imagined. Wickham, on other hand, was charming and kind, which she found herself drawn to his magnetism as the night progressed. He asked her to dance and she agreed.

  The Longbourn ball was a roaring success.

  Everyone had a good time, and the Bennets were pleased by their successful event. Everyone left filled with wine and in good spirits. The guests who were too drunk to return home retired to the Inn.

  The sisters spoke at length later that night about all the dashing men at the ball. Jane mentioned she had hit it off with Bingley, and Elizabeth kept her feelings to herself. Although she blushed at the mention of Wickham’s name to which Lydia frowned each time—Wickham was Lydia’s, not Elizabeth’s.

  “Well, time to rest. We shall see what will happen in the upcoming weeks,” Jane said, blowing out the candle.

  Days later, still at Netherfield with the Bingleys, Mr. Darcy decided to visit an old business friend of his staying at a nearby inn. The inn was particularly notorious for keeping women of easy virtue who set their eyes and fangs on wealthy men.

  Most people avoided the place but for some reason Darcy’s friend preferred to board there. He did not mind the women, he relished their company. Once Darcy was done with the meeting, he made his way back to the main lobby.

  “Hello, Mr. Darcy fancy meeting you here,” Mr. Darcy heard a familiar female voice call out. He turned around and noticed Lizzy’s sister Lydia smiling mischievously at him. Shocked to see her at the infamous inn all alone without a chaperone got him concerned.

  He swallowed and asked, “Lydia what are you doing here?"

  Lydia laughed and thought, oh well I'm here to meet someone special and that someone is you, Mr. Darcy.

  But instead, she replied:

  "I should be asking you the same question, Mr. Darcy."

  Mr. Darcy grimaced and asked, "Where is your chaperone?"

  Lydia scoffed.

  She shrugged her shoulders and said: " oh I can assure you, Mr. Darcy, my chaperone must be somewhere around here."

  She then leaned forward and touched Mr. Darcy's hand. Mr. Darcy slid his hand away from her and said "Don't. it is not right for a lady to be here."

  Lydia found Mr. Darcy's words amusing. She retorted:

  "So tell me Mr. Darcy why are you here? Surely it can't be about some pressing business dealings? Did you come here for a woman of less virtue's company or were you just trying to take in the sights?"

  Mr. Darcy was not amused.

  He paused for a moment, then he held hand as though she were a child. He said in a firm voice, "Miss Bennet, I will take you back to Longbourn right now."

  Lydia snatched her hand away from his grasp and said, "You will do no such thing, Mr. Darcy. Just so you know, my mother ensured I had free reign from an early age. In fact, at the age of nine, I was allowed to attend the most beautiful balls in the vicinity."

  Irritated by her behavior and also wanting to get her home safely. Mr. Darcy growled

  "But she has no idea that you were here in a place of ill repute!" Lydia laughed and wrapped her delicate hands around Mr. Darcy's neck.

&n
bsp; Mr. Darcy looked around hoping no one was watching. Then he slid her hands off his neck and said: "Ms, Bennet, did you drink wine here?"

  She laughed and said, "Why should that concern you, hmm Mr. Darcy?"

  Unbeknownst to Mr. Darcy, Mr. Wickham had just left the Inn without anyone noticing. Mr. Darcy said "I think I've seen enough. I'll be kind enough not to mention this to your sister. It will not be good for you or your family's reputation."

  Lydia laughed and said, "Oh please Mr. Darcy, my reputation what about yours? a reasonable man would not be here unless he is thinking and desires the pleasures of the flesh?"

  She pursed her lips and let out a giggle. Lydia could be quite erratic, and right now she had a plan in mind.

  A plan to frame him. Lydia decided she would tell a tale. She would claim she spent time with Mr. Darcy when in actuality she had been in bed with Mr. Wickham at the inn.

  Mr. Darcy had seen enough. He turned and walked out of the inn, leaving Lydia behind. However, Darcy did not realize he dropped his ascot on the floor.

  Naughty Lydia picked it up and smirked. She looked around the room and tucked the fabric into her bosom. Then Lydia placed her hair up in a bun and scrambled out of the inn.

  Pleased with her quest and the fact that no one recognized her, she hurried back home. Luckily, no one noticed she was not in her favorite hiding spot at Longbourn.

  Chapter Five

  Time passed since the ball, yet the memories lingered. Jane often found herself pacing around her room fueled by her crush on Bingley. She was always smiling at everyone, including the servants.

  Her sisters noticed her pleasant disposition, and they teased her mercilessly about it. She always brushed it off by saying, “Oh, I am just happy to be alive. The way I feel has nothing to do with Mr. Bingley. I can assure you.”

  “Have you heard from him?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Not a word. He is more than likely busy with pressing matters. I am confident when the time is right, he would send an invitation.”

  “I hope so,” Elizabeth said.

  As if spoken into fate, a messenger arrived with a letter invitation meant for Jane. The letter was received by the footman, who then handed the document to the master of the house, Mr. Bennet.

  “Mr. Bingley and his sisters request Jane’s presence over in Netherfield,” Mr. Bennet reported to his family after reading the letter.

  Mrs. Bennet clapped at the fantastic news, “Oh, that is marvelous. I knew that Mr. Bingley had his eyes set on Jane, my handsome daughter. Did you all see the way he looked at her? I am surprised it took this long for this letter to come forth.” She grabbed the letter from Mr. Bennet’s hands.

  Mr. Bennet frowned at her behavior, “My dear, we must not get ahead of ourselves. He is only inviting her to visit; this is not a proposal!”

  Mrs. Bennet quipped, “But, dear, it is the first step. I dare say if this invitation does not turn into a proposal, then we will need another ball.”

  Clenching his fist, he quipped back, “Another ball? Are you unwell, my dear wife?” He paused, trying to remain calm. He continued, “Well with our debts to Lady Catherine and others, I am certain another ball will send us spiraling to an early grave!”

  “Nonsense! Oh, dear God. Which is worse, hmm? What is worse, my dear husband, than our daughters not having husbands? My girls all becoming old maids, living a life of servitude under Mr. Collins? What would become of us? Oh, I dare not think of the thought!” Mrs. Bennet huffed, tears streaming from her eyes.

  “Mother,” Elizabeth said. “Please... Such talk serves no good but hurt in the end.”

  “Well then let me perish, for my daughters will be without husbands. Don’t you all see? Jane must go to him at once,” Mrs. Bennet pleaded.

  Mr. Bennet looked toward his daughter in question, “Jane? What do you say?”

  “Oh, Father, nothing would please me more than to go. Mr. Bingley made quite an impression, and if I may, Father...” Jane said, looking at her sisters for reassurance.

  “You may,” Mr. Bennet said, waiting to hear more of what she had to say.

  “Would Lizzy join me on this journey?” Jane’s eyes met Elizabeth’s as she looked up and smiled at her sister.

  “Nonsense. Jane, my dear, you will go alone, or you will take Lydia,” Mrs. Bennet interjected. “Lizzy has a lot to do here. Mr. Collins is on his way to Longbourn with an important announcement, which might mean an engagement for our dear daughter.”

  Both Elizabeth and Jane shot their mother a look that spoke volumes, but they stayed silent.

  Lydia smiled and happily stated, “I have always wanted to visit London.”

  “And you shall, my dear Lydia, still not yet twenty,” Mrs. Bennet said, rising to her feet and hugging her golden daughter.

  “No. Lydia will not go with Jane,” Mr. Bennet retorted. “She will stay here to welcome Mr. Collins.”

  Though surprised at his objection, Mrs. Bennet knew better than going against her husband’s wishes.

  “Jane, you will leave for London in the morning. The coachman and the guard will see to your safety. You will write as soon as you arrive,” Mr. Bennet said, looking directly at her. Jane smiled, pleased her father saw a reason for her to go alone. Besides, she would not be alone on the journey; she would be accompanied by one of her father’s trusted friends in a shared coach.

  Mrs. Bennet protested, “Oh, my dear husband, is there nothing you can do? Can you not find it your heart to hire a fine coach to take your precious daughter? What if she gets robbed on the way? The last thing we would want is evil on our hands.”

  “Don’t be so dramatic, dear,” Mr. Bennet said, knowing full well they could not afford one, so a shared coach would have to do. “Do not speak of evil lest they become a reality. Jane will be fine. Now, I have business matters to attend to. Elizabeth, come with me.”

  “Yes, Father,” Elizabeth said, following behind him and stealing a happy glance at Jane.

  Jane smiled back while Mrs. Bennet cried with Lydia by her side. “Oh, dear Lydia. Oh, my poor, Jane," she began.

  "When I married your father, we owned not just Longbourn but vast land. Now we are debtors to some vultures in human clothing. Jane, you must ensure that Mr. Bingley is enamored by your beauty. Make him desire you. For any woman he marries will be given the utmost respect and honor.”

  “Yes, Mother,” Jane nodded her head. “May I be excused? I must prepare for the journey ahead.”

  “You can go, Jane. Lydia, you stay here and comfort your dear mother.” Lydia obliged and sat next to Mrs. Bennet with a smile. Mrs. Bennet then turned her attention to Catherine and Mary, “Now, the two of you go and help Jane prepare for her journey.”

  Elizabeth followed her father into the study. Her father mentioned a letter arrived for her earlier. He said the message was from a late relative. Elizabeth was set to inherit a tidy sum. The amount was not revealed, and she would receive the government security only when she got married.

  Elizabeth remarked, "Papa, that is incredible. Who would do such a thing?"

  Her father remarked, "A distant cousin; he left Meryton when you were little. You do not remember him, but he was fond of you. He also believed in a woman having some security regardless of whether or not her husband can provide for her needs."

  "Father that is good news. But if I do not get married soon?" Elizabeth asked. Mr. Bennet remarked, “Then, unfortunately, the gift will go to his Nephew. He did not have any direct heirs."

  Elizabeth nodded.

  He sighed and said," That is all, not a word of this to anyone, especially your mother Lizzy. You may go now."

  "Yes father," Elizabeth responded. Elizabeth left the study to her speak with Jane as she prepared for her trip. She helped her prepare for the journey. Elizabeth did not mention the inheritance. The following morning the Bennets bid farewell to Jane as she embarked on her journey.

  Days went by before a letter arrived with word that Jane arrived safely
in London. At the sight of a good sign, Mrs. Bennet figured a proposal would follow soon.

  But that changed a week later. Mr. Bennet called out from his study, worriedly,

  “Lizzy, Lizzy! Are you there? Come quick!”

  Elizabeth came rushing to her father’s side and lay a hand on his shoulder, “Papa! Is everything alright?”

  Mr. Bennet looked up at his daughter and said, “No, it is your sister, Jane. She fell down some stairs at Bingley’s estate. You must go to her at once! Make sure you see to it that she’s okay. Once she’s well enough to travel again, you both must return home.”

  With adrenaline pumping through her veins at the shocking news, Elizabeth answered, “Yes, Papa, I will. I pray Jane is okay.”

  Mrs. Bennet, hearing Mr. Bennet’s voice, hurried into the study with their daughters, Lydia, Catherine, and Mary, in tow. “Is everything okay? What is it?” Mrs. Bennet cried out.

  Mr. Bennet waved a hand at her, attempting to reassure her everything was fine, but he knew this would not convince Mrs. Bennet. And he also knew he couldn’t lie to her, either, no matter the circumstances. So, he caved in and told her the truth, “Jane fell down the stairs. I’m sending Elizabeth to head out to London to care for her.”

  Mrs. Bennet clutched her chest, “Dear Heavens! I hope she’s okay! What would the Bingleys think of all of this?”

  Displeased with his wife’s unfavorable reaction to the news, Mr. Bennet snapped back,

  “My dear, your daughter fell down the stairs, and all you are worried about is what the Bingleys will think of her?”

  Evidently still not listening to Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet continued, “I sure hope Mr. Bingley still wants to marry her, because the last thing we need for our dear Jane is to return home an invalid. Who would marry her then?”

  Infuriated, Mr. Bennet exclaimed, “Good Heavens, woman. I will not have you talk of such foolishness.” He then shifted his focus to Elizabeth, “Now, Lizzy, I will arrange a carriage to take you. Mr. Butler, my favorite coachman, will accompany you. He will ensure your safety.”