Clwyd Castle (Pride & Prejudice Variation)
Chapter One
The Welsh border
Elizabeth Bennet turned the final page in her book, smiling softly at the happy ending to a preposterous romance, and then peered out the window of the carriage.
The sun was low in the sky, and there was little point in starting to read anything new.
Her father had laughed when she brought four books along with her for the journey, but she had finished two of them already on the three days she had been traveling with her uncle, Sir Edward Gardiner.
There has been little else to do, beyond occasionally pausing between chapters to take in the increasingly breathtaking views as she travelled further from home than she had ever been.
Her uncle was, to her surprise, not the sort of traveling companion she might have hoped for.
Though he was a congenial man, even mischievous at times, and generally gregarious with the niece he made no secret was his favorite, he had been sullen since they left Hertfordshire.
There was scarcely enough light for her to make out the titles, much less read them as she examined her books, affecting an air of innocence before addressing her uncle.
“Hmm,” she tutted. “I do not suppose the proximity of our destination shall make you any more forthcoming on the nature of our visit to Wales? It must be something interesting, for both Mamma and Papa to agree without the slightest complaint.”
Sir Edward Gardiner was tall and handsome, and seldom looked his two-and-forty years. Today, he did. Indeed, he had looked several years older with each day’s travel that brought them closer to Clwyd Castle. “I have told you that I was invited by an old friend, General Tilney.”
“You have not told me why none of my other sisters were included, or even your own children, nor what to expect. I have never been to a castle before, and I must say your manner of speaking so secretly with my father was rather underhanded.”
Sir Edward gave an uncomfortable grimace. “I wished to assure him of your safety.”
“And why should he doubt it?” Elizabeth gave a nervous laugh as she gazed out at the dusky countryside; it was just the sort of place where one might expect a band of brigands at every turn of the hilly country road.
Elizabeth tried another tack. “I have never met a general before. I am left to imagine your dear friend must be like Colonel Forster, who came to Meryton last year with the regiment.”
Sir Edward shook his head. “Quite the reverse. And when I said he is an old friend, I ought to have said he was a former friend; he is a companion of my youth.”
“A former friend, to whom we are traveling abroad to visit? I hope you mean to reconcile, then, though I am hardly one to help – you know I hold a grudge forever,” Elizabeth teased him, desperate to either comprehend his sullenness or dispel it entirely.
“He resides at Northanger Abbey in Gloucestershire. I was summoned to Clwyd Castle by a relation of his, a Mr. Butler.”
“Another companion of your misspent youth?” Elizabeth arched an eyebrow at him.
She had heard her mother allude to her brother’s reputation in his younger days.
He had been quite the ladies’ man, and rather a dandy.
Even now he was as fond of finery as his sister, as the children of wealthy merchants had some excuse to be.
Though Mrs. Bennet had forfeited most of her fortune in marrying Mr. Bennet against her father’s wishes, she approached every trip to the dressmakers and haberdashers as if she were still nouveau riche.
When he said nothing, Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at her uncle. “This is all very mysterious. I must ask… is there some reason why you were obliged to assure Papa of my safety?”
After a long pause, Sir Edward turned his gaze to the window as he answered her.
“We have traveled one hundred and fifty miles, my dear.” He let out a long sigh, stared down into his lap for a moment, and then finally looked up at Elizabeth.
“There is something I must tell you, which I fear may cause you some distress. I have not found the words to say what I must, though I have thought of little else these three days, and for some time before.”
Elizabeth stiffened, hardly knowing what to think.
Her uncle seemed to be struggling to break some sort of bad news to her, and her mind was awhirl with dreadful imaginings.
She need not fear being shipped off to marry against her will, whatever her mother had begun to aspire to since Jane had wed Mr. Bingley, for September had marked Elizabeth’s twenty-first birthday.
Was her uncle perhaps pursuing a lady in Wales?
She could not fault him for wishing a mother for his children, though he had only just ceased to wear his black armband for the late Madeline Gardiner.
“What is it, Uncle?”
The carriage jostled as they took a sharp curve in the road, which brought them down a steep hillside.
When Sir Edward again turned to the window, Elizabeth followed his gaze.
The tension of the moment was broken as she let out a giggle at the spectacle they beheld.
Half a mile distant sat a sprawling castle, dilapidated but nonetheless magnificent, like something from a fairy story, complete with turrets, battlements, and a moat so wide it was as if the castle rose up like an island in the center of a lake.
It sat like a sparkling jewel in the hilly autumnal landscape, glowing pink in the setting sun.
She knew her mouth was hanging open, but she could not correct it amidst her awe. “I believe I may suspend every apprehension at visiting such a place,” she murmured.
Her uncle smiled tersely. “It is quite a prospect, I shall grant you.” He looked as if he would say more, but fell silent for a few minutes before saying with a sigh, “You are a good girl not to press me more than you have done. I believe I shall speak with you after supper. Once we are made comfortable, I shall tell you what I must.”
Elizabeth nodded somberly, anxiety mingling with the excitement of their arrival at such a splendid destination.
It was not long until they were travelling across a long stone kemp that extended high above the water, connecting to the drawbridge, just as the sun sank beyond the distant hills.
The carriage slowed to a stop in the inner courtyard of the castle, and when the door opened, a very handsome gentleman approached to help Elizabeth down from the barouche.
Her uncle followed, looking about with skeptical appreciation.
The handsome young man bowed. “Henry Tilney, at your service. Welcome to my home.”
Sir Edward warily eyed the gentleman, who stared expectantly at them.
He reached into his coat and retrieved a folded card, which he handed to Mr. Tilney, who surveyed it with a shift in his expression.
Mr. Tilney grinned at Elizabeth, and nodded cordially to her uncle.
“Sir Edward Gardiner, and his niece, excellent. I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Are you often making new acquaintance in your own home?” Elizabeth bit down on her lip; she had not meant to give voice to her thoughts so boldly.
“It is rather the order of the day,” Mr. Tilney replied with a dramatic air.
Sir Edward did not appear amused. “And Mr. Butler?”
“An alias of mine – a lark, really. I shall tell you all about it at dinner, which is rather soon. I think you must wish to see your rooms and refresh yourselves. You have servants to attend you? Excellent. Mrs. Clay will show you the way to your apartments, and then you may make your way to the parlor with the other guests. Wonderful that you have come, truly.”
Mr. Tilney gave them a jovial wave as another carriage crossed the drawbridge, and the woman he indicated began to lead them into a dim stone corridor at the back of the courtyard, their maid and valet following at some distance.
“I am Mrs. Clay, an old friend of the family,” she said with a thin smile.
“I am acting as housekeeper for Henry, as he’s only just inherited the place, and the staff isn’t yet up to snuff. ”
“I hope he has at least got a fine cook,” Elizabeth said.
“Mrs. Younge, another friend of the family, found a girl in Wrexham yesterday, and a kitchen boy who’s rather dim, but he’ll do.” Mrs. Clay ushered them up a flight of stairs, and down another stone corridor, this one lit by torches mounted on the walls, casting a rather eerie aspect.
Mrs. Clay smiled apologetically as Elizabeth stumbled over a rough stone in the floor.
“The rooms are all quite comfortable, I assure you. The old King had started to modernize it back in the eighties, but then his son lost the place in a high stakes card game. The man he lost it to, Lord Cameron, never had much interest in the place, being Scottish himself.”
Elizabeth nodded with interest. “I take it you have visited before?”
“No, but it was in the papers last month when Henry inherited the place. It was once quite a favorite place of the royal family, before Prinny lost it. They say Princess Elizabeth is of a mind to buy it back and make it all her own.”
“I can well imagine a princess being quite content in such a place,” Elizabeth agreed.
“You will see for yourself, tomorrow. Pardon me, but did you not know they were coming?” Mrs. Clay shook her head and laughed. “That’s the second time I’ve blurted it out! Henry will be cross with me for spoiling the big reveal.”
Sir Edward coughed. “Am I to understand that Princess Elizabeth is coming here?”
“Aye, and Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent.”
Elizabeth pursed her lips as she considered this new information. “Mr Tilney must be eager to give a party in his new home, inviting royals before he even has a full staff.”