Well that secret didn’t last long….
XOXOXO Elizabeth Ann West
Chapter 12 - A Spring Sentiment, a Pride and Prejudice Variation
Elizabeth returned from her unfashionable morning walk in Hyde Park to see her older sister exiting the Matlock study with Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“Jane!” Elizabeth rushed forward to hug her sister. “Is anything the matter? Aunt? I knew I should have called the doctor last time!”
Bewildered, Jane looked at the colonel, then back to her sister. “No, no, everything is fine. What is this about Aunt?”
Frowning, Elizabeth still flushed from her exercise, and her hunger increased a notch. “She said it was a normal pain, her body adjusting. . . but I thought . . .” Elizabeth looked at the colonel who was admiring a perfectly shined suit of armor and realized this discussion was not appropriate. Lady Matlock descended the stairs to find both Bennet sisters and her son.
“Lovely, Miss Bennet, you have come. See, I knew she would be willing to shop; all women are.” Lady Matlock took her son’s arm to be escorted into the dining room to break her fast.
“Lizzie…,” Jane whispered. “What is Lady Matlock talking about?”
“Ssshh, I was going to give your regrets, but now it is too late. Smile, you’re going to the modiste.”
“But it’s so expensive!” Jane frowned as she did not wish to spend more money on gowns when she might very well need her savings, and Lydia’s, to keep the family safe, once, that is, either Mr. Wickham was found, or a living arrangement could be found from the colonel.
“Why ever did you come this morning?” Elizabeth asked, but they were interrupted by the colonel returning to fetch them.
“Ladies, I believe your presence is required.” He smiled and gave Miss Bennet a wink behind Elizabeth’s back. Jane nodded to the gentleman, thankful for his interference, but not sure how long she was going to be able to keep hiding secrets from her favorite sister. Her original plan was to avoid Lizzie’s presence as much as possible, and on the very first day, she had failed miserably.
After another pin-pricking, dress-shopping expedition, the ladies of Matlock House and guests found a pretty little pastry shop on the Promenade for refreshment. They had just made their order when Mr. Darcy arrived, much to the happiness of Elizabeth.
“And were we successful in new silks and satins to wear?” Darcy looked to Miss Mary for an answer, and the young woman smiled.
“Indeed, and Lizzie and Jane even talked me into short sleeves!” The table shared a laugh, and Lady Matlock began a conversation with Jane and Mary to give the couple a small amount of privacy in public.
“Did you meet with Mr. Adams? Was he able to draft all of the paperwork?” Elizabeth asked Mr. Darcy in earnest. He nodded.
“It was a smooth transaction.”
Jane’s ear pricked up at the talk of money transfers. “What paperwork? I thought your marriage settlement was signed weeks ago.”
“Of course, of course, Miss Bennet. This was a new scheme devised by the lovely future Mrs. Darcy. I was only happy to be a party.”
Elizabeth sighed and shook her head. “He’s much too modest. I simply asked Mr. Darcy to arrange to send my dowry back to the Gardiners to help tide them over. Uncle will be out of work for nearly six months, and this is a safety net.”
“Though I, and my best men, will stay on top of the business to ensure inventory is handled properly,” Mr. Darcy clarified.
Lady Matlock cleared her throat, looking around at the members of London society beginning to pay attention to their very inappropriate subject of money and trade. “Have you heard that Hamlet opens next week? The delay has been most dreadful, but when your Ophelia falls ill, you cannot very well allow the show to go on. Darcy, you should take Elizabeth and the Miss Bennets! Opening night will be the perfect time for that golden gown, my dear. You’ll make all of the other debutantes green with envy.”
“I had planned to take Miss Elizabeth as a surprise, Aunt Maggie.”
Elizabeth looked down at her lap, saddened that poor William’s plans were spoiled. Her insides twisted at the care that he would have to surprise her thus, and she only looked up when she realized Jane was speaking.
“Mr. Bingley mentioned the theater, but I had yet to give him an answer.”
“Oh, not the odious Bingleys. Such upstarts,” Lady Matlock frowned, “I’m terribly sorry, but that sister of his with her strong perfumes and unconscionable fashion choices. I will not attend if they are to join the party.”
“Bingley is my oldest friend. They can sit in the Darcy box.”
“That is certainly fine, but you and Miss Elizabeth and the Bennet sisters will sit in the Matlock box. It is time to begin Elizabeth’s acceptance into society after the ruckus Catherine caused.”
“Kitty? What has my sister done?” Jane asked, sweetly with concern.
“No, dear, not the younger, my sister-in-law. Lady Catherine was most vexing at a few events at the Carrigans’, not that I ever accept her invitations. Her father was in trade, and she made a marriage of convenience for a title. And from what I’ve heard, Miss Bingley was not singing any of your praises, either. I would be very careful around that one.”
The sour taste of bile rose up Darcy’s esophagus. He had warned Charles about his sister, but apparently, it had fallen on deaf ears. “I shall not extend the invitation to Charles.”
Saddened further, Elizabeth reached under the table and squeezed Darcy’s hand, causing him to look at her with such loneliness in his eyes, a loneliness he only showed her. As Jane sat next to Elizabeth, she caught the brief exchange between the couple and doubled her resolve to keep Lydia’s situation from the rest of the family.
“Mr. Darcy, with all of the engagements you and Elizabeth will need to attend, might not Georgiana appreciate an extended visit from Kitty? I hate to impose . . .”
“It’s no imposition What a wonderful idea, Miss Bennet! Why had I not thought to put the two young ladies together? After all, I will be sponsoring them both next Season.” Darcy could already see the wheels turning in his aunt’s mind.
“As my aunt says, it is no imposition, and I will ask Georgiana’s tutors to begin an evaluation of Miss Catherine. Perhaps this summer she can reside with Georgiana here in London and improve her mind.”
“Oh, Mr. Darcy, I’m not so sure about that. Kitty has never been too keen to learn. . .”
“That was before, Lizzie, but she’s changed. She has greatly improved her mind with writing, and I’m certain she would relish the opportunity to learn more.” Mary spoke up.
“Then it’s settled. I shall send a note this afternoon to have her packed and sent to Darcy House.” Lady Matlock beamed at her growing little family at the table.
“There’s no need, milady. I will share the invitation when I return.” Jane smiled and received a glowing smile in return.
After the refreshments were enjoyed, the parties separated with Mr. Darcy offering Jane a ride home in his carriage, which she readily accepted. It was the one time Elizabeth found herself to be slightly jealous of her sister.
Chapter 12 (cont'd) - A Spring Sentiment, a Pride and Prejudice Variation
While most of the household rested for a night out at the ball held by the Cornish family, Elizabeth had escaped to the library to find a prayer book. She was not very far when she was joined in the library by the Earl.
“My lord,” she curtsied as she saw him enter.
“Can we dispense with all this curtsying? I am to be your uncle, my dear. How about Uncle Reginald when it’s just family, eh? We don’t use the Fitzwilliam name for obvious reasons,” he said with a smirk. Reginald Fitzwilliam walked to his future niece and took her by both hands and squeezed them. “I must give you thanks for all of the time and energy you have bestowed upon my wife. Did she ever tell you that we had three daughters?”
Elizabeth looked perplexed. She had only heard of the Viscount, who was away until the engagement ball to oversee planting at Matlock, and the colonel. “I don’t understand my lo- Uncle Reginald.”
“All perished in 1798, much like your papa more recently. It was a sudden fever, all of the children had it. We prayed and prayed, but only our eldest boys survived.” Lord Matlock looked to a painting on the far wall that showed three young girls playing on a swing. “My oldest, Anne Marie, would have been twenty-two this year.”
“I’m so very sorry you lost your daughters.”
Inhaling through his nose, the earl seemed to get his emotions under better regulation and took a look at the book in Elizabeth’s hands. “And here I am interrupting your prayers. Forgive me.” He nodded and turned to walk away, but Elizabeth stopped him.
“Please don’t leave. I confess I was not praying.”
“Oh?” the Earl was intrigued. “Is that not what most persons do with a prayer book?”
Elizabeth giggled, reminded of how her father would have questioned her silliness. “Yes, sir, but I am here for a much more selfish reason.” The earl motioned for her to continue. “I have never been to an actual wedding, and I wished to read the ceremony so that I might be familiar with the proceedings. I would hate to embarrass William or Lady Matlock by stumbling through my own.”
The earl laughed, a deep belly ordeal and Elizabeth found the sentiment contagious.
“My dear, my dear, I have sat through enough stuffy, high society weddings to last a lifetime! Why, in the months of July and August, there seem to be two or three a week! I shall be happy to walk you through the ceremony.”
And so the earl explained to Elizabeth all of the finer, salient points of the ceremony and played the vicar’s role in asking her to recite her vows. Once they were finished, Elizabeth thanked him for all of his assistance and was ready to retire to her room when the earl asked her one last question.
“Miss Elizabeth, I know you might not have thought about this, but with your uncle bedridden, had you considered who would walk you down the aisle?”
An intense wave of melancholy washed over Elizabeth’s heart, and the temporary jubilation she felt from laughing and learning with the earl disappeared. She had thought to simply walk herself to William when the time came, without her father, what else was to be done, and she told the earl such. He held up his hand. “I respect your wishes, and certainly understand if that is what you still choose, but after all that I have heard and witnessed of your spirit and candor, I would be truly honored to walk you down the aisle to marry my nephew.”
Tears sprung to Elizabeth’s eyes, and without a second thought she bounded up and tackled poor Lord Matlock with a hug.
“Dear, dear, careful with these old bones.”
Wiping her eyes, she beamed at the man. “I would love to have your escort, sir.” And she curtsied low.
“Now, now, we dispensed with that.”
“I know, but you deserved it.” Elizabeth gave him a minxish smile before leaving the study, prayer book in tow so she could study her lines some more. As the door closed, Reginald Fitzwilliam took one more look at his girls on the wall and thanked God in heaven for bringing his family young ladies who needed them.
WHAT A DEAL!
A kiss at the Netherfield Ball . . .
Three Dates with Mr. Darcy is a bundle of: An exclusive story, Much to Conceal, a novella that imagines what if Elizabeth confessed to Jane in London that Mr. Darcy proposed in Kent?
A Winter Wrong, the first novella in the Seasons of Serendipity series that imagines what if Mr. Bennet died at the very beginning of Pride and Prejudice?
By Consequence of Marriage, the first novel in the Moralities of Marriage series that wonders what if Mr. Darcy never saved his sister Georgiana from Wickham’s clutches?
Elizabeth Ann West’s Pride and Prejudice variations have enthralled more than 100,000 readers in over 90 countries! A proud member of the Jane Austen Fan Fiction community since the mid-2000s, she hopes you will join her in being happily Darcy addicted!
Chapter 12(cont'd) - A Spring Sentiment, a Pride and Prejudice Variation
By the night of the opening for Hamlet, poor Jane was weary and wrecked. Her mother had not tarried long behind Lydia. All of the Gardiner household was in an uproar. Despite her best intentions, she was at a loss to control both her mother and Lydia and their demands on the household staff while Mrs. Gardiner was increasing and Mr. Gardiner still recuperated. That the engagement ball was only two nights away, and the wedding the following morning, tonight’s event was the one of the last she would have to endure, then she would find a safe place to keep Lydia.
As the Darcy carriage arrived, Jane tried to leave right away, but Elizabeth rushed into the household against Jane’s wishes. “I want Aunt to see my dress! I promised her. . .” but Elizabeth’s jaw dropped as soon as she reached the foyer to see a very plump Lydia in the drawing room with her mother.
“Oh, Lizzie, what jewels! Did Mr. Darcy give them to you? Oh, I just knew he would be so kind. Ever so kind!” Mrs. Bennet rushed from her chair and approached Elizabeth to touch the large canary diamond hanging around her neck. Behind her, Mr. Darcy entered the home and stepped back as it appeared Mrs. Bennet was rushing right at them, and then he too spied the horror.
“Wickham” he croaked, causing Elizabeth to turn her head, almost yanking her necklace out of her mother’s hands.
“Come now; we must not be late. The show begins soon. Mother, I will be sure to tell you all when I return.” Jane rushed them out the door.
“It’s not fair! Kitty gets to go! Mama, make them take me with.”
“Sssshhh, Lyddie, darling. Mama needs you to stay and play some cards. Yes, I would love a good game of gin.” Mrs. Bennet turned to tend to her youngest daughter while the older daughters and Mr. Darcy made their escape.
“How could you? This is what you have been hiding! I knew you had a secret.” Elizabeth’s anger pierced Jane’s heart as she began to cry. “Don’t give me your tears; I know how to work a good cry, too. This is vile, Jane!”
“I know! I know! But you and Mr. Darcy were so happy. . . and I couldn’t . . .”
“Ladies, perchance we could discuss this in the carriage?” Darcy’s voice was flat, and a stab of fear gripped Elizabeth’s heart. What if he canceled their wedding now that Lydia was carrying Wickham’s bastard child? Seeming to interpret Elizabeth’s thoughts, Mr. Darcy squeezed her hand as he saw her into the carriage. “I will never abandon you,” was all he said, but it was enough.
Once settled in the carriage and thankful that Mary had ridden with the Matlocks, Elizabeth began her inquisition again. “How long have you known? Since Uncle was injured?”
“No, no, but well, now I know there were signs even back when you and Mr. Darcy were still in the neighborhood. It wasn’t until the babe moved that Lydia took the post to London, the same day you left for the Matlocks.”
Darcy groaned at the intelligence of how far along the development was as his plan to marry Lydia off flew out the window. “Who else is aware of your sister’s condition?”
Jane bit her lip. “The Gardiners and Mama. And also your cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
“Richard knows of this?”
Jane nodded. “He was looking for Mr. Wickham, and after you were married, he was going to help me find a country home where Lydia and I can raise the baby.”
“And you didn’t tell William and me because you feared he would call off the wedding,” Elizabeth finished.
“Not exactly,” Jane looked to an affronted Mr. Darcy. “I never thought Mr. Darcy would give you up, but I was afraid the wedding might be postponed on account of Lydia, and you both were so happy. I am the oldest. It was my responsibility to handle it.”
Looking at the two sisters, Darcy had to admit he was impressed. Most ladies of the ton would be crying hysterically, but here were two ladies using cool and calm logic to handle their problems. He took a deep breath as he noticed they were nearing the theater. “Ladies, it’s time we put on a brave face, or the vultures out there will sniff something is amiss. Jane, I must say you did an admirable job in trying to protect your family.”
Jane smiled and sat up a little straighter on the bench she shared with Elizabeth. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. Please, call me Jane.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, Mr. Darcy gave his future sister-in-law a rare show of his dimpled smile. It was short lived though as he donned his mask of indifference the second the carriage door opened. As he handed Elizabeth out of the carriage after assisting Jane, he made sure to scrunch his nose, causing his beloved to laugh. It was just the kind of arrival that the mavens of London society expected to see of a love match, and only the truly vicious members with an ax to grind against Lady Matlock continued their scrutiny for cracks in the veneer.
By the time the couple of the evening made it to the Matlock box, Elizabeth’s hand ached from so many introductions. If she had to say “How do you do?” or answer that her father had owned a small estate in Hertfordshire but had passed last fall one more time, she was going to start yanking headpieces and stomping on slippers. Taking a calming breath, she steadied her nerves as Kitty and Georgiana began pointing and whispering next to her.
“Girls, what is it? You do realize all in the theater can see us?” The two young girls suddenly froze, becoming extremely self-conscious as the truth of Elizabeth’s words sunk in.
“Mr. Bingley sits over there with two women and not by his sister. She is sitting with that charming fellow, laughing, and touching his arm all over.” Kitty handed Elizabeth her theater glasses so she could see. Stunned, Elizabeth indeed saw Mr. Bingley openly entertaining two women she had yet to meet, but recalled seeing at the Matlocks’ Twelfth Night Ball. Frantic, she turned her head to look at Jane sitting one seat over, only to get a close up of her older sister already looking at the box across from them with her own spectacles.
“Jane . . .” Elizabeth started, but Mr. Darcy returned with the refreshments, and the lights darkened in the house.
“What is the matter?” Darcy whispered. Elizabeth exchanged the refreshments for the opera glasses and told him to look at Bingley in the box across the way. A small curse could be heard under his breath.
“Jane,” he whispered, “this is my fault, and I feel beastly. I never told Charles we were attending the theater tonight.”
“Mr. Darcy, Charles invited me to this performance the day Lydia arrived. I never answered. That he has found other friends to enjoy the performance, I am happy. Please, make nothing of this.”
As Elizabeth could hear the words coming out of Jane’s mouth, she also could hear the intense sorrow behind each syllable. If she had the strength to lob something hard across the playhouse and hit Mr. Bingley in the head, he’d be enjoying an intense headache at the moment. But she wasn’t eight years old anymore when she could throw rocks at the boys being mean to Jane. Between Lydia and now Bingley, the night was completely ruined, and she had so wished to enjoy this play. The only relief she had was watching Georgiana and Kitty, giddy with excitement, oblivious to the very real threats to their family’s good standing.
You’ve been reading A Spring Sentiment
A Spring Sentiment, Book 2 of the Seasons of Serendipity
a Pride and Prejudice novella variation series
Release Date: September 24, 2014
33,000 words, ~162 pages in print.
After losing her father in autumn and falling in love with Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet quickly feels the frustrations of settling her newly widowed mother and making her debut in London society. Tackling adventures in three counties, the Bennet sisters find new paths opening up before them. A mistake by one sister places the whole family at risk and it takes the full Bennet family strength and friends they can rely on to help Darcy and Elizabeth march down that wedding aisle!
A Spring Sentiment is the second book in a series planned to chronicle 4 years of the Darcy-Bennet-Fitzwilliam families. Death, marriage, changing fortunes, and politics test Jane Austen’s wonderful characters in an alternate universe where the girls have not the protection of their father.
“Elizabeth Ann West keeps writing winners. She has a gift, She can transport you to another time” – Debbie Oelke, Amazon.com 5-star review on A Spring Sentiment
+ 23 additional Pride & Prejudice variations are available at these fine retailers . . .
A Jane-of-all-trades, mistress to none! Elizabeth Ann West is the author of 8 novels and 11 novellas, 18 of which are story variations of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.
Oooh the Twists and and Turns amazing. Mrs. Bennett and Lydia showing up at the Gardiners. before they leave the house
Jane faced with Bingley’s betrayal at the Theatre. after inviting her to the show
Luckily Lady Matlock had saved the day by inviting them to her Box to present them to the Ton and Elizabeth having the reassurance that Darcy won’t abandon her and the Earl of Matlock would give her away at the wedding
And so exciting!