From Longbourn to Pemberley - Spring 1811

by M-C Ranger

  M-C Ranger

  From Longbourn

  to Pemberley

  Spring 1811

  Volume 3

  Translated from French (Quebec)

  by Karen Caruana

  From Longbourn to Pemberley

  Volume 1 Autumn 1810

  Volume 2 Winter 1810-1811

  Volume 3 Spring 1811

  Volume 4 Summer 1811

  Volume 5 Autumn 1811

  This is a work of fiction based on the novels by English novelist Jane Austen.

  Most of the characters, several events and a certain number of phrases in this story are from the works of Jane Austen. Some characters, as well as all other plot twists are products of the author’s imagination. Any similarities with real persons or events are therefore unintended.

  Watercolour on the cover: copyright © 2015 JIGER

  From Longbourn to Pemberley: copyright © 2018 M-C Ranger

  Translation copyright © 2019 Karen Caruana

  Chapter I

  Chapter II

  Chapter III

  Chapter IV

  Chapter V

  Chapter VI

  Chapter VII

  Foreword

  In this third season, we once again meet Elizabeth Bennet, Fanny Price, Anne Elliot, Elinor Dashwood, etc. on the numerous paths connecting Longbourn to Pemberley. While we might know the destiny of each of the characters, the fact remains that life’s coincidences can intertwine with the fabric of this narrative in surprising ways.

  It is the spring of 1811, the weather is mild, and nature plays a significant role in the impact this rebirth has on all of us. After all, is spring not a season in which joy, hope and love flourish? If this cliché partially hides the truth, it must be admitted that a dose of realism is required if one wishes to face the less pleasant uncertainties that arise here and there and which must be faced by Fitzwilliam Darcy, Edmund Bertram, James Morland, and a few others. To better understand that which entertains, perturbs or causes certain gentlemen’s hearts to beat, what would be better than to spend time in London or... Kent!

  “...Believe me,” added he, lowering his voice,

  “you are quite safe,

  – the danger is only mine.”

  (Jane Austen, The Watsons)

  Spring 1811

  Chapter I

  In which is it shown that a stop in London

  can renew unexpected ties

  that could have dire consequences... or not

  The paths had recently been adorned with a beautiful shade of light green, making walks through the countryside of Hertfordshire all the more enjoyable. This is why Elizabeth Bennet did not deprive herself of walks. The morning sun promised a beautiful day, and the walk had been especially pleasant. She quickly removed her coat and her hat and then went to the dining room, where the two youngest where attempting to convince their mother to once again allow them to go to Meryton.

  ‘Mother, you must certainly have a message to deliver to Aunt Philips or Mrs. White, or at least to Miss Watson. It must be of utmost importance, and I’m offering to go there with Kitty, if she so desires,’ Lydia cajoled, not doubting the outcome of her request.

  ‘Ah! My dear child, I know you well!’ exclaimed Mrs. Bennet. ‘I am always so moved by your kind-heartedness. People are probably expecting to hear from me, as my nerves have suffered a trying ordeal due to this entail, which returns regularly to haunt us.’

  ‘Mother,’ interrupted Elizabeth, taking a bit of jam to go with her Bath bun, ‘it was not about Longbourn, you know that.’

  ‘Oh Lizzy! Did you not notice that it is the same story...? Your friend Anne had told you that a cousin, Mr. William Elliot, grew fond of Sir Walter, and therefore, of her and her sister. Does that not seem similar to the interest Mr. Collins has in our family? And you are in a good position to know, young lady!’

  On hearing his wife’s bitter comment, Mr. Bennet felt it best to intervene.

  ‘My dear Mrs. Bennet, please allow me to reassure you, and by this very fact, give your nervous system a certain reprieve. It seems almost impossible to me that a Mr. Elliot, whosoever he might be, could reach the heights of stupidity such as those we witnessed this autumn... unless that young man was truly endowed with talent! As for Lizzy’s decision, let us remember every day that she spared us from the conceitedness of such company for the twenty years to come, and for this I remain thankful.’

  Elizabeth had to disguise a smile by quickly taking a sip of tea, whereby she seriously risked choking.

  On this note, Mr. Bennet returned to his lair, leaving Mrs. Bennet with the opportunity to express her astonishment, her disapproval and her frustration regarding the lack of support she received from her husband. Between two motherly laments, Lydia repeated her request, which was then granted on the sole condition that a good soul hurry to fetch her flask of smelling salts, as she might otherwise soon fall ill. This being done, the two youngest stole away, relieved at having escaped so easily. And the message? Ah, well, they would deliver one the next day.... Or the day after... Or even the day after that. And thus the fate of the entail was momentarily resolved, as was the youngest daughters’ escapade to Meryton.

  *****

  While the rather unpleasant topic of the entail was being avoided in Hertfordshire, in Kent, the beneficiary of this entail was presenting to his benefactress a young, timid woman, who appeared to not wish to inconvenience her host in any way. In fact, Fanny Price, a young, distant cousin to Lady Lucas, seemed very reserved. Although she was polite, she remained silent, only speaking when addressed directly. Lady Catherine immediately acknowledged in this relative of Mrs. Collins’s the humility that was appropriate to a young woman who knew her place in society. As the mistress of the estate immediately showed her approval, Mr. Collins puffed up in pride; what a good idea of his it had been to ask Miss Price to stay at the parish! All the more so since Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret had left about a week ago to return to Bath, leaving a void which, given their rank in noble society, would be difficult to fill.

  ‘Miss Price, I was told that you are originally from Portsmouth, but that you lived primarily in Northamptonshire, with Sir Thomas Bertram, a baronet. How strange that seems!’

  ‘I am from a large and modest family, your ladyship. It seems it was deemed necessary to provide my parents with some reprieve, and I thus spent several years in Mansfield Park. During these years, I was a lady companion of sorts to Lady Bertram, who is my aunt.’

  ‘However, Mrs. Collins told me that you were arriving from Portsmouth. How could that be?’

  ‘You are correct, Lady Catherine. I was spending some time with my parents when I received the invitation from Charlotte, pardon me, from Mrs. Collins. I was truly overjoyed to accept.’

  Turning quickly, Lady de Bourgh addressed Mr. Collins. ‘Did you not tell me that this was your initiative?’

  ‘In fact, your ladyship, the idea was Mrs. Collins’s, and, as a good wife, she conveyed her request to me, which I naturally immediately granted,’ explained William Collins, who, trapped between his half-truths, had to face the acerbic gaze of his benefactress as well as that of his wife, which was laden with reproach.

  ‘It is the first time for me to stay in this region. Your Rosings estate, Lady Catherine, is magnificent! I hope that you will allow me to visit the gardens, if it is not too much to ask.’

  ‘Indeed, Miss Price, these are the most beautiful gardens in all of Kent. They were the pride of my late husband, Sir Lewis, and he spent much time there. My daughter,’ continued Lady Catherine, amiably, ‘takes after him. She loves taking her little phaeton through there. Is that not so, Anne?
’

  The young woman nodded in agreement.

  ‘You can thus walk through the park as much as you please, Miss Price.’

  ‘Allow me to extend my thanks,’ began Fanny Price, whereupon she was interrupted by a Mr. Collins aspiring to have his faux pas forgotten.

  ‘Such condescension! You see, Mrs. Collins, how her ladyship grants privileges to members of your family. Rest assured, my dear Lady Catherine, that we shall be eternally grateful.’

  On this simple and frank expression of gratitude, which allowed Mr. Collins to regain the good graces of his benefactress, the carriage was requested. And though the trip was very short, the reverend was still spirited in his praise of the numerous qualities of the noble ladies of Rosings, and he continued thus all the way to the threshold of the parsonage.

  *****

  On the evening before her departure, Elizabeth had the opportunity to see George Wickham again, at a small reception. She hastened to congratulate him on his future projects, and he had the congeniality to acknowledge her many charms and subtly made her understand that if it had been otherwise, if Mr. Darcy had been the son worthy of his honourable father... Before he became mired down by his justifications, the young woman tactfully changed the subject. Did he know Lady Catherine de Bourgh? Had he travelled to Kent and seen Rosings Park? In summary, the exchange was a pleasant one, as the one wished to continue to please and the other wished to be the recipient of this charming attention.

  The next morning, Sir Lucas and Maria presented themselves early, as it had been agreed that they would arrive at the Gardiner’s at the end of the morning, so that they could take advantage of the rest of the day and spend it in the city. After hundreds of recommendations made by her mother, which were interrupted by a few ironic comments by her father, Elizabeth hugged her sisters and parents and then left the little world of Longbourn for a few weeks. Thanks to the presence of Charlotte’s young sister, who was not used to travelling, the trip did not seem long at all. Maria marvelled at everything and nothing; in fact, as she was familiar with almost nothing, she exclaimed over almost everything. Elizabeth, who found this rather amusing, provided answers now and then, whenever the girl stopped long enough to catch her breath. The first London neighbourhoods soon loomed in the distance, and then the carriage headed towards St. Paul’s Cathedral, passing near Newgate prison. The large Cheapside warehouses appeared and, in the time it took Maria to express her surprise at all the comings and goings, the visitors reached Gracechurch Street where, it should come as no surprise, they were welcomed with much excitement. The little cousins jumped into the arms of Elizabeth, who embraced them passionately. The reunion was pleasant, as the Lucas family had known the Gardiners for several years. Sir William was enthralled by his host’s invitation to visit one of the warehouses, where a cargo of tea had just arrived. The two men left, promising to return by late afternoon. After receiving the latest news from Hertfordshire, Mrs. Gardiner ordered the carriage, so that her nieces and Maria could make a few purchases. When she found herself alone with Elizabeth, Madeline Gardiner could not help but come back to what she had learned about Mr. Wickham and his engagement with Miss King, heiress to ten thousand pounds.

  ‘I find it distressing to harshly judge an ordinary man from Derbyshire...’

  ‘Oh! As for that, I have a fairly poor opinion of young people from Derbyshire, and their friends from Hertfordshire do not amount to much more! In all sincerity, I am infuriated by all of them. Thank goodness! Tomorrow I shall see one of these men totally lacking in sense, intelligence and education... And I will end up believing that it is only pleasant to spend time with these people.’

  ‘Careful, my dear Lizzy, your remarks reveal a certain disappointment. Fortunately, your uncle and I have something we would like to propose to you that will provide you with the opportunity to otherwise occupy your thoughts and distance yourself, for a certain time, from the objects of your disappointment.’

  ‘My dear aunt!’ exclaimed Elizabeth, her good humour returning, what is this “something”?’ You have piqued my curiosity.’

  And thus her aunt offered that the young woman accompany her and her uncle on their next voyage, which would take place in early summer; they were thinking of going to the Lake District.

  The Lake District! This would be something to look forward to! A very grateful Elizabeth quickly embraced Madeline Gardiner, who began to laugh in response to the enthusiasm that this invitation had given rise to in her niece. The young men of Hertfordshire, or even worse, of Derbyshire, could very well wait!

  ‘Jane, imagine everything that I will have to tell when I return home. This will be the first time for me to leave Lucas Lodge for such a long time.’

  ‘I am so happy for you, Maria. Not including the fact that Charlotte will be very pleased, as she has not seen you in three months.’

  ‘The carriage has arrived,’ announced Elizabeth, coming into the room. ‘Come, if you wish to have enough time to make a few purchases before our evening at the theatre.’

  ‘A real theatre!’ exclaimed Maria. ‘I have never been to one before! My goodness! I am truly excited!’

  The two sisters burst into laughter on seeing the girl exhibit so much enthusiasm. Not so long ago, Elizabeth and her older sister had discovered the joys of life in the city and, even if they loved the peacefulness of life in their part of the country, they could not resist the draw of a stay in the capital. The three of them strode along Bond Street. Maria found two small, embroidered handkerchiefs that she intended to give to Charlotte to thank her for inviting her, whereas Jane was unable to resist a pretty pair of gloves. They then turned onto Piccadilly, where Elizabeth discovered a book at Hatchard’s which she purchased, despite the somewhat suspicious gaze of the storekeeper. While they were leisurely strolling along Dean Street, Jane inquired as to her sister’s purchase; she was surprised to learn that it was Some Reflections on Marriage, by Mrs. Mary Astell.

  ‘My, Lizzy, I was not aware that this subject... was of interest to you. Or shall I say that this is a change from Mr. Wordsworth and Mr. Coleridge....’

  ‘What is it that you wish to say, Jane?’ asked Maria Lucas, whose curiosity had been piqued by the hesitation in the young lady’s voice.

  ‘She is merely pointing out to me that this book probably contains very little poetry,’ Elizabeth replied, the hint of a smile on her lips.

  ‘Because usually, you read mostly...’

  The young lady was unable to finish her sentence, because someone had briskly come out of a store and had collided with her. Elizabeth reacted quickly, preventing Maria from falling. The stranger quickly turned.

  ‘Please accept my apologies, Miss, it was my fault, I was distracted. I hope you were not hurt?’

  Having recovered from her shock, Maria Lucas shook her head, while rearranging the folds of her gown. The young man bowed courteously, apologising once again.

  ‘But it’s Mr. Churchill! Mr. Frank Churchill. What a surprise to find you here!’

  ‘Miss Bennet! Miss Elizabeth! How thrilled I am to see you again. And this charming young person whom I almost threw to the ground...’

  ‘Allow me,’ continued Jane Bennet, ‘to present to you Miss Lucas. Maria, this is Mr. Churchill, whose acquaintance we made last autumn.’

  Maria Lucas blushed slightly and gave him a small curtsey while the young man once again apologised for his carelessness. He then asked what had brought them to London; Maria took it upon herself to tell him, with much enthusiasm, about their stop in the city as well as their departure for Kent the next day.

  ‘And you, Mr. Churchill, are you doing well? Is your aunt doing better than she was in November?’

  ‘Ah! You remembered, Miss Elizabeth. At present, my aunt seems to have recovered somewhat, which made it possible for me to leave Enscombe without being too worried. So much so that I was able to see my father and his new wife,’ replied Frank Churchill, thrilled that he had been remembered, despite his br
ief stay in Netherfield Park.

  Jane, for whom the presence of the young man brought back painful memories, steered the conversation towards a different subject.

  ‘And what brings you to London, Mr. Churchill?’

  ‘I absolutely need a hair-cut! Incidentally, that is exactly where I was headed when I inadvertently collided into this charming young lady,’ he explained, once again causing Maria to blush.

  ‘You have come to London just to have your hair cut?! This barber must be exceptional,’ Elizabeth stated, an amused look on her face.

  ‘I would rather have thought that you had come here due to an interest in music!’ commented Maria Lucas, who, wishing to contribute to the conversation, pointed at the number 88 across from her.

  ‘Oh! Yes, indeed, Miss Lucas, you are not wrong, I...’

  At that moment, Frank Churchill was interrupted by a shopkeeper who had come out of the establishment in question and had quickly approached him.

  ‘Mr. Churchill, please excuse me for interrupting your discussion, but you forgot your receipt. Here it is, and on it you will also note the delivery date for the instrument.’

  ‘Thank you kindly,’ replied Frank Churchill, looking somewhat embarrassed in response to the surprised look of his three companions.

  The shopkeeper left and the young man felt the need to explain that when he passed by the store, he had suddenly thought that it would be a good time to purchase a pianoforte. He had then gone in, and voilà!

  Jane and Elizabeth had the good taste to lower their gaze and concur with the gentleman’s more or less convincing explanation, whereas Maria, unable to hide her surprise, exclaimed, naively, ‘Good heavens! Mr. Churchill, the person for whom this is intended must be very dear to you if you impulsively decided to make a purchase such at this!’