Chapter 1
First Meetings
Seventeen-year-old Elizabeth Bennet looked forward to her annual visit to London to her Aunt and Uncle Gardiners.
This year was no exception, although, unlike previous years, Elizabeth would be travelling alone.
Her older sister usually accompanied her, but this year, her mother wanted Jane to remain at home.
“Lizzy,” her aunt cried when she disembarked from the carriage, “we are so glad to have you visit us. I do hate that Jane could not join us, though perhaps it is for the best.”
“Yes, well, Mama was certain the newest resident of Netherfield would be a single man of large fortune who would inevitably fall in love with Jane,” Elizabeth said with a roll of her eyes.
“She felt it was best I was not in residence at Longbourn so I would not scare him away.” Her tone was a little bitter, and her aunt picked up on this, determined to speak of it later.
Elizabeth, the second of five daughters of a gentleman with a modest estate in Hertfordshire, had watched her family’s estate, Longbourn, languish under her father’s lackadaisical management.
With no male heir in sight and dwindling profits due to his lack of care and attention, Mr. Bennet focused more on his books than his family or estate.
In stark contrast, Elizabeth found love and appreciation during her visits to her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners.
They entrusted her with household management skills, engaged her in charitable work, and involved her in business matters.
These experiences starkly contrasted with her father’s indifference and her mother’s scolding.
Elizabeth’s walks to interact with the estate’s tenants became her cherished escape from societal expectations.
Mrs. Bennet would have despised Elizabeth even more if she knew her mother-in-law secretly invested a portion of her jointure in Elizabeth’s future.
The elder Mrs. Bennet, disappointed in her son’s lack of foresight, diligently saved money for Elizabeth since Lydia’s birth, and that fund had grown significantly by Elizabeth’s seventeenth birthday.
None of the Bennets were aware of it, and Mr. Gardiner planned to surprise his niece when a suitable suitor approached for her hand in marriage.
Sent to London, Elizabeth was out of the way in her mother’s pursuit of suitors for Jane.
Her beauty could not compensate for the lack of dowry or accomplishments, limiting her suitors, though Mrs. Bennet could not see it.
Mr. Bennet did appreciate Elizabeth’s company at times but preferred solitude and his books when she wasn’t present.
Her tendency to question and urge changes in estate matters led him to welcome her absence.
In contrast to the indifference at home, Elizabeth felt loved and valued during her stays with the Gardiners.
She contributed to household and business responsibilities, and the familial warmth she received was in stark contrast to her home life.
The only negative to London was her uncle’s concerns curtailed her freedom, and he required her to take a footman with her when she ventured to the park.
On the day she arrived, after greeting everyone, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner took Elizabeth into the parlour and spoke of their plans for this visit.
Elizabeth was to remain six weeks – at least through Easter—although it was possible she would be able to stay longer.
Neither of her parents was anxious for her return, and the Gardiners honestly hoped they could convince her parents to allow her to stay for at least six months.
Mrs. Gardiner was in the early stage of her fourth pregnancy, and they would like it if Elizabeth remained until the child came.
They would keep her as long as possible and care for her as they would their own child.
Mr. Bennet occasionally sent some funds for Elizabeth’s keep, but it was a rare occurrence.
Fortunately, Mr. Gardiner’s business was thriving, so the funds needed to care for Elizabeth were not missed.
Among the plans they shared was an outing the following morning to a modiste to obtain clothing for Elizabeth for her visit.
They would visit the theatre at least twice during their stay, including one planned visit in a fortnight with a young man who had invested in Gardiner’s business.
This gentleman had become friends with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and invited them to share his family’s box for a performance of The Tempest.
Elizabeth was excited about seeing the play, as she thoroughly enjoyed all of Shakespeare’s works, particularly the comedies. She was less enthusiastic about the necessity of visiting the modiste, a chore she generally despised.
“I think you will like meeting our host for the night, Lizzy,” her aunt told her.
“He is an excellent young man, and his father left him a small fortune in his will, which he invested with your uncle. He has dined with us several times, although this is the first time we have attended a public event with him.”
“Does that matter?” Elizabeth asked.
“While Mr. Darcy is a barrister, he is still the second son of a rather prominent family in the ton,” Mrs. Gardiner clarified.
“His brother inherited the family estate, Pemberley, two years ago when their father passed away. His mother, Lady Anne, is a well-known society matron who frequently resides in London, along with her brother, the Earl of Matlock, and his wife. Despite his status as a second son, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is much sought after and will likely remain so until his brother marries and produces an heir. Currently, Mr. Darcy is the heir presumptive to a substantial estate. While he may not be as sought after as Mr. George Darcy, he still attracts a fair amount of attention, and it is somewhat unusual for a man of his social standing to be on friendly terms with a tradesman.”
Elizabeth pondered this for a moment. “I had momentarily forgotten the sharp divide between the aristocracy and the rest of society in London. So, despite his privileged upbringing, he risks his social standing by being seen in public associating with a tradesman and his family?” she remarked wryly.
Her aunt gently countered, “He is not as you might imagine, my dear, and you should be cautious about letting your prejudices show in your words. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is a truly admirable man and a friend of your uncle and me.”
“I did not intend to be disrespectful, Aunt, but rather to jest about the absurdities of so-called ‘polite’ society,” Elizabeth explained apologetically.
Her aunt responded, “Yes, your father’s influence, I am certain. I am well aware of your father’s tendencies, Elizabeth, always ready to chuckle at the ‘follies’ of others. Yet, your father takes little seriously, including his responsibilities toward his family and estate.”
Elizabeth regarded her aunt thoughtfully for a moment. “So, you believe I am following my father’s lead? Assuming I am more intelligent than everyone else, looking for their flaws and mocking them for it?”
Mr. Gardiner nodded. “It is a dangerous habit, Lizzy,” her uncle said.
“You are smarter than the rest of your sisters, and your father has encouraged you to follow his lead. He belittles your mother, sisters, and even, on occasion, yourself, the daughter he says ‘has something more of quickness than her sisters’—which is a backhanded compliment at best—and it is likely only you are aware of his insults.” She watched as her niece dropped her head in discomfort.
“Lizzy, your tendency to look at others to find fault and mock is not a good trait. It makes you cynical and dismissive and could hinder your ability to see the good in both people and situations. Instead of fostering understanding and empathy, it could distance you from forming genuine connections with others and prevent you from appreciating the positive aspects of life. Be mindful of this, my dear, and your aunt and I will attempt to guide you while you are with us. If your parents allow it, we would like you to stay with us through your aunt’s confinement and remain after the baby is born. ”
“I would love to stay as long as you and my parents allow me,” Elizabeth replied. “I have much to learn that I do not believe I will learn at Longbourn. I will miss the country, though, and a summer in London might be a bit of a trial.”
“We have already considered that and had planned a trip to the seaside for late July or August, right in time for your birthday,” Uncle Gardiner said, a broad grin covering his face.
Elizabeth smiled back. “The seashore would be lovely, Uncle; thank you so much for the opportunity to travel.”
“I will inform your father we need your assistance longer than originally planned,” he replied. “I doubt he will object too strongly.”
The conversation shifted to more general things as the Gardiners spoke about additional plans they had made for the first weeks of her visit. In addition to the theatre, there would be trips to museums, lectures, and dinners with friends.
Elizabeth and her aunt visited the modiste the following morning and ordered several dresses for Elizabeth’s stay.
Elizabeth protested the amount her aunt ordered, but Mrs. Gardiner ignored the protests and ordered Elizabeth five evening gowns, two ball gowns, and then several morning dresses, day dresses, and walking dresses, along with everything else required for her stay in London.
Elizabeth had never purchased so many gowns at once and was delighted with the beautiful fabrics selected for her from her uncle’s stock.
While she usually dreaded visiting the dressmaker in Meryton, it was made somewhat better in the company of her aunt, who did not try to press her to add unnecessary frills to her dresses.
Elizabeth preferred comfort over fashion, and every trip to the dressmaker with her mother was a battle, leaving both parties dissatisfied.
The process of being measured and pinned was the part she despised, and fittings were an additional trial she dreaded.
Though she still despised the process, she was pleased with the dress they planned for the theatre and relished the idea of wearing it.
It was a lovely rose-coloured silk, and they had selected just a few ribbons and touches of lace to embellish it, but not so much that it was dripping with them.
They would have to return within three days for a fitting to have it done within the week.
“Thank you, Aunt Maddie,” Elizabeth said as they left the modiste. “You know how much I hate visiting the dressmaker, but I look forward to wearing these dresses.”
“You will be lovely in them all, my dear, but the dress for the theatre should be very flattering,” her aunt replied, leading her charge toward additional stores to obtain gloves, slippers, and other accoutrements she would need during the next few months.
Their shopping trip lasted several more hours, although they did take a break for some tea and pastries.
The next few days included additional shopping trips where they obtained a few more items for Elizabeth’s wardrobe, including ordering a pair of walking boots.
Elizabeth also insisted on a trip to a bookstore, where she searched for newer books to read while she was in London.
Her uncle had a decent library, but she had read much of what it contained, and she enjoyed searching second-hand booksellers for rare treasures.
She did find a few old favourites, but nothing special.
It was not a wasted trip, as she did make a few purchases for her cousins and even found a book to send back to Mary.
Finally, nearly a fortnight after she arrived in town, the day of the trip to the theatre arrived.
After bathing in scented water, her aunt’s maid helped Elizabeth arrange her hair in a becoming way before helping her into the new gown explicitly purchased for that night.
Her aunt knocked on her door. “Lizzy, you are beautiful, and that dress is charming on you,” she cried.
“Now, come downstairs and meet our host for the evening. Your gloves and cape are already by the door.”
“Yes, Aunt,” Elizabeth replied as she exited the room and went downstairs behind her aunt.
As his wife’s footsteps were heard on the stairs, Mr. Gardiner exited his study, his guest following behind. Mrs. Gardiner greeted the gentleman before stepping out of the way to don her cape, allowing Elizabeth to see the gentleman.
For a moment, Elizabeth could not speak. Standing before her was the most handsome man she had ever seen, staring intently at her. Mr. Gardiner cleared his throat, startling them both and causing both to blush.