Jump to new as of December 4, 2001
Prologue
One great love in the life of Elizabeth Anne Bennet was the outdoors. She would often take long walks with her cousins Jane, Mary, and Kitty. However, in the eighth year of her life things were drastically altered. She was to move with her mother and father to large estate in Derbyshire, where her father was to be the head- gardener and her mother was to be employed as a cook. The estate was called Pemberley.
Chapter 1
"Mama, please, do not make me leave my dear cousins," pleaded a sobbing Lizzy Bennet, "I shall not know what to do without them."
"Come now my dear," said her mother, Fanny Bennet, "we cannot stay and live off of your gracious uncle's kindness forever."
Mr. Bennet had been employed as a caretaker on his brother-in-law's estate for the past eight years. Due to many unwise investments, he had lost almost all of his money. When it was made known that his wife was with child, he was forced to seek employment. When nothing could be found his brother-in-law, Edward Gardiner, employed him as a caretaker. After eight years of this he had finally secured a well paying position; so it was time for his family to leave.
"Say good-bye now, little one," Mrs. Bennet told Lizzy as she hugged her brother and sister-in-law.
"Good Bye Jane," cried Lizzy as she clung to her favorite cousin. "You must write me often for I shall miss you much indeed," she pulled away and said, "Goodbye Uncle Edward, Aunt Maddie. Goodbye Robert, Mary, Kitty, I shall miss our walks together. And goodbye baby Lydia.
With that Lizzy was lifted into the carriage with her mother, not knowing when she would return, if ever, or what adventure might lie ahead.
Pemberley Estates, Derbyshire
Mrs. Reynolds, Pemberley's housekeeper, introduced the Bennets to the Darcys.
"Mr. Darcy, Lady Anne," she said with a curtsy, "the new gardener and his family have arrived. May I show them in?"
"Oh, of course, Mrs. Reynolds," Lady Anne responded, "please show them in." A sort pause followed. "And have Nurse bring Georgiana to me as well."
Mrs. Reynolds turned away to carry out the instructions. The nurse entered the parlor, with two-year-old Georgiana, ahead of the Bennets.
Mrs. Reynolds cleared her throat slightly to get the attention of the Darcys that were suddenly enthralled with their little daughter.
"Mr. Darcy, Lady Anne Darcy, may I present Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bennet and their daughter." With that said she turned and quit the room.
The two gentlemen began to immediately talk of the estate and future plans for the grounds. The ladies were caught up in a conversation of small family matters, such as the meals that Mrs. Bennet would be preparing. Everyone had forgotten about Lizzy, that is, everyone except for Miss Georgiana Darcy who was staring at her most intently. She began squirming in her mother's to try and get to Lizzy. Lady Anne looked up to see what her daughter was so amused with. She caught sight of Lizzy playing with the baby by making faces at her. Mrs. Bennet suddenly remembered her daughter and said quickly
"Lizzy, my dear, I had forgotten about you. Forgive me child. Come and meet Lady Anne. This is our only child, Elizabeth Anne."
"Very pleased to meet you," said Lady Anne. She motioned for Lizzy to approach. "How are you Miss Elizabeth, or may I call you Lizzy?"
"Yes madam, Lizzy is fine and I am well," Lizzy responded politely, "And you?"
"Very well child, how old are you?"
"Eight" came the reply.
"Well then you are quite the young lady. My Georgiana is only two; but our eldest son, Fitzwilliam, is away at Eton. You shall have to meet him at another time."
"Yes, my ladyship."
The Bennets soon departed for their new dwelling on the edge of the property, near the small town of Lambton.
One Month Later, Pemberley Rose Garden
Elizabeth was quietly working in the rose garden, cutting Lady Anne's favorite roses that she requested. As she was bending over to pick her favorite, a voice called out to stop her.
"You there," yelled the voice filled with superiority, "what do you think you are doing?"
Elizabeth turned to find a boy, approximately twelve years of age, regarding her with an air of arrogance. Elizabeth responded haughtily.
"What concern do you have with what I do? I do not have to respond to any of your questions, Boy. You have no right to inquire of what I do"
"BOY..." he sputtered, " NO RIGHT... I have every right to inquire why you are stealing...."
Elizabeth interrupted, "stealing...."
"...my mother's roses," he finished.
"I cannot believe you would think I was...your MOTHER'S roses."
"Yes," he repeated calmly, "my mother's roses."
Elizabeth paled drastically, "that would make you..." she paused.
"Fitzwilliam Darcy" he finished.
Her eyes grew wide. "Oh, I'm sorry sir. We were not, I mean, you were not expected until later this evening."
"Since you seem to already know who I am," he said dryly, "would you tell me who you are."
"Excuse me, sir. Elizabeth Bennet, my parents are newly employed by your parents as grounds-man and cook." Se reached out to shake his hand and then, realizing her etiquette mistake, dropped it quickly.
He chuckled softly at her mistake. Elizabeth looked up at him warily.
She sighed, "Do you mock me sir, or merely laugh at my misfortunate error of manners?"
"Oh, no, " he said still trying to compose himself under her look of aggravation. "I am still trying to figure out what you are doing cutting the roses."
"THE ROSES! I had completely forgotten about them. Sir, I must go, your mother will be angry with me. I must take them to her.
With that she gathered the roses into her arms and began to run towards the house, leaving Fitzwilliam standing, laughing in her wake.
Later that day, Sitting Room at Pemberley
"William, you're home," Lady Anne cried joyously. I wasn't sure whether to believe Lizzy when she said she had met you."
"Lizzy?" he inquired.
"Yes, William. Elizabeth Bennet. She said she met you in the rose garden."
"Oh, yes, the gardener's daughter. Since when did you begin calling the hired help by frivolous nicknames, mother?"
"William" Lady Anne said sternly. "I will not have you talking of her in such a manner. I enjoy her company and Georgi adores her. So be kind.
"I shall endeavor to be a complete gentleman to her mother."
"Very well than, go wash up for dinner."
When William finally gave Lizzy a chance, he discovered that he liked her. They became fast friends and could always be found in the rose garden where they first met. One could hear shouts and bursts of laughter from those two when together. They were together whenever William was home from Eton, and later Cambridge. The only person unhappy with these new arrangements was a young boy, George Wickham. He was the son of Mr. Darcy's steward and one of William's close friends.
"Leave her here, Will," George called out, not wanting to take Lizzy into Lambton with them.
"Don't you dare, Will Darcy," Lizzy yelled. "George, I will go whether you like it or not. Plus, I have a few errands to run."
"Leave her alone George, she's going," stated Will firmly.
George muttered under his breath, "stupid girl. Always has to tag along."
"I heard that George," Lizzy yelled. She added sweetly with a large smirk on her face, "there's no need to be jealous. It's not my fault that Will wants me to go"
"Alright you two break it up. Otherwise we will just stay here."
The two quickly stopped their arguing, but the anger George felt was still there and he planned to get Lizzy back for taking his best friend. After Lizzy had completed her errands, the small group turned back for the estate. As they were walking by the pond, a voice called out to Will. He stopped to talk to a new under-gardener. George took this opportunity to get Lizzy. He crept up behind her and placed his hand over her mouth.
"Don't you say a word, do you hear me. This is what you get for stealing Will."
With that he picked her up and threw her in the pond. Lizzy began flailing around, yelling for help. Although she knew how to swim, her heavy skirts were dragging her down. Will turned immediately and began to run toward the lake. He jumped in and pulled her out, she was gasping for breath as Will lay her on the grass.
"Lizzy, Lizzy," he said repeatedly, "are you all right?"
She sat up slowly; Will was shocked by the look of hatred in her eyes. But he soon discovered that the look was not directed towards him, it was directed towards George.
"What is going on here?" he asked.
"Your friend..." she sputtered, "your friend tried to kill me."
Will's expression turned black, "he did what?!!!!!!!"
She responded slowly, "George...threw...me...in...the...pond!"
Will turned immediately and picked up George around the neck. He turned and dropped him in the pond.
"See how you like it."
He turned and picked Lizzy up and began to carry her back to the house. From that day forward things were never the same between George Wickham and Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Chapter 2
"Will, you're home," shrieked 21-year-old Elizabeth as she ran towards him. "I thought you would never arrive."
As they met, Will picked her up around the waist and began to spin her around as he had for the past thirteen years. This time, however, Lizzy's reaction was different. She began to get lightheaded and flushed bright red. She was confused at why she was responding this way. Will merely laughed at her lack of composure.
"Did you miss me, Lizzy?" he asked teasingly as he put her down.
"Oh course I did you pompous graduate. You would think you'd know that being a graduate now."
"Pompous, that is it Miss Bennet."
Will began to tickle her unmercifully. Lizzy yelled for him to stop between each gasping breath, but of course, Will refused.
"Fitzwilliam Darcy" Lady Anne called in an authoritative voice as she stepped outside. "Let go of Lizzy, your behavior is completely improper.'
"Yes mother."
Lizzy was turning a deeper shade of red at being caught.
"Come inside now, Georgiana and your father have been anticipating your arrival and are waiting to see you."
At his glance toward Lizzy she added, "do not worry she is staying to dinner."
Will bent over to help Lizzy off of the lawn. Lizzy started at his touch. She dropped his hand immediately and began brushing herself off as if it was to save her life. When he offered his arm, Lizzy knew it would be rude to refuse. So she casually took it and he led her inside.
Dinner, Dining Room
All during dinner, Will could not help but stare at Lizzy. She was so changed since he had last seen her. She was vibrant and her eyes were full of excitement. Will thought that they could be described as fine. To society she would she would be perceived as ordinary, but to Will, she was the most beautiful women of his acquaintance, beside his mother and sister, of course.
Lizzy was not the only one who noticed Will's constant attentions. Lady Anne had also been attentively watching her son. Lizzy attempted to turn Will's attention from her by asking: how it felt to be done with school, fellowships and everything else.
"It feels good to be at home with those I truly care about," he responded while still watching her.
For the fourth time that day, Lizzy blushed red and hoped no one would notice. Unfortunately, Lady Anne did and she wondered what was going on right under her own nose. Immediately after dinner, Lizzy announced she must be leaving for she had walked over and wished to be home before dark.
"Lizzy" Will said, "it will be darker sooner than you think. So please allow me to see you home."
"I will be fine, but thank you anyway. I really see no reason to inconvenience you."
"Please, it would be no inconvenience to me. I insist on at least accompanying you to the edge of the estate."
The reply that came was very direct. "Thank you, all right, let me get my wrap.
Chapter 2, Part 2
The walk began is silence, but soon progressed to more meaningful conversation.
"How have you been Lizzy?"
"Why Will? Do I look that bad?" Lizzy asked coyly.
"No, of course not," said Will quickly. He added quietly to himself, "Quite the opposite, I have never seen you look more beautiful," but Lizzy heard.
"Will..." Lizzy admonished him, "do not ever say that every again. What would people say if they were to overhear you?"
"Lizzy, I have been saying that for years and you will never take it the way I mean it. Why?"
"You know what I think Will. That is the problem. I am trying very hard to ignore your attentions, and you being so kind is not making it easy for me."
"But Lizzy, I think I'm in love with you."
Lizzy gasped and raised her hand to her mouth. "Don't you ever say that again, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Do you understand me, do you??" she screamed. "It may be fine for you to say such things, which it is not, but I will not see you ruined by saying it to me."
"Are you completely indifferent to me Lizzy?" Will asked with a slight hesitation in his voice.
"Will are you blind? I care for you more than I believed was capable for a person. But because of those feelings, I will not normally voice them to anyone so you will be ruined," Lizzy said with tears of sadness in her eyes.
She continued in saying, "Your mother and father may see me as a good friend for Georgiana, and maybe you, but, Will, they will not consent to anything more than that. Especially a match."
How do you know that?" Will asked with a look of unbelief.
"Because, Will, I can see it every time they look at us together. Did you not see your mother's glances all during dinner?"
"But Lizzy, they love you!" he said. She could her the sounds of anguish in his voice.
"Will, they may love me, but they do not love the idea of us. Yes, they want you to marry for love, but not the gardener's daughter. A Darcy does not marry a servant, no matter how much love there is between the two people."
"Please..." Will pleaded, "do not do this to us. We can go to Gretna Green, tonight even, please Lizzy."
"No Will," she stated firmly, "you know as well as I do that your parents would disown you and I do not want to be the cause of that. What would happen to Pemberley..."
At that instant their eyes met and all thoughts were forgotten. Will leaned down and lightly kissed Lizzy. For one long moment all of time stopped, the world stood still and they were the only two people on it. As they parted, they stared at each other, as if already knowing that things were going to be very different from that point on. The silence was broken by a still, small voice.
"I love you, Elizabeth Bennet."
In that moment Lizzy gave into her emotions,
"I love you, Fitzwilliam Darcy."
With that said Lizzy turned and fled to the comforts of her home and the solace of the confines of her bedroom. Thus, leaving Darcy alone to deal with his grief.
Later that evening, Pemberley
As Will silently tried to enter the house, to retire to his room, he was caught and was told by Mr. Reynolds that he was wanted in the small sitting room by his parents. The interrogation began immediately.
"William," began his father, "your mother and I have noticed you attentiveness to Miss Bennet as of late and we feel it our duty to put a stop to it. We believe, son, that she does not see you as anything more than a friend. We do not wish to see you hurt."
At Will's startled expression Lady Anne added, "Will, we are doing this so that you will be happy. We want to see you marry for only the deepest love. And, my dear boy, do not forget our family circles."
At that last comment, Will began to state exactly what he was feeling.
"Mother, Father, I completely understand what you mean. But let me repeat it just to be clear. I am to marry for the deepest love, but she is to be apart of our family circles, and not the daughter of the head-gardener. Oh, yes, I understand completely."
He turned, disgustedly, to walk away. But then turned back.
"Just to place your minds at ease. Elizabeth... Miss Bennet has refused me." At his parent's shocked looks he continued. "You see, you did you job well; she noted your look of disapproval and because of her vast love would not have anything to do with me. She refused to marry me so not to hurt your family connections. So, mother, father, congratulate yourselves, you have won. Life can cease to exist from this day forward and I will not care. Lizzy was wrong about one thing, I would rather be disowned, have the title of heir of Pemberley stripped from me than live without Lizzy. For what is life without the on you love beside you. And now I can truly say I have made the worse mistake of my life... I let her go."
With that said, Will Darcy quit the room. Everything changed from that point forward, never to be the same again. The next day, Fitzwilliam Darcy departed for London, not knowing that at the same time Lizzy was departing as well.
London
"Come now Darcy, tell you old friend what is wrong," said Charles Bingley, an old friend from Cambridge. "You can not abandon you troubles in that wine glass."
"You would not understand, Bingley" Will muttered.
"Well then just talk, I do not have to understand."
"Alright than" he said, now quite tipsy, "I have fallen in love. The problem is she's a servant's daughter and cares too much to see me disowned. Which leads me to my next point, my parents strongly abject to the match. And all I want to do is go and find her, I don't know where she is but I cannot live without her."
At Charles's questioning look he added, "she left the estate to stay with family."
Bingley asked her name. "Elizabeth Bennet."
"Darcy, with that said, I believe you need to remove yourself from the ton of society. I have let that small estate in Hertfordshire that I told you of." Ignoring Darcy's look of question, he went on. "We will hunt, meet new people and you will get away from Caroline." Caroline being Charles's sister and another woman after Will and his money. "It will be good for you. What do you say, are you game?"
With a dejected look on his face, Darcy agreed. But only if he was not forced to stay for a long period of time.
Chapter 3
Dear Lizzy,
I have finally secured you place of address, as you can of course tell by this letter. You are much missed here at Pemberley, not only by your parents, my parents and myself, but also by the rest of the staff. I believe my brother misses your companionship, however, her departed for London the same day you left. Truthfully, he did not look well when he left...
Oh Will, thought Lizzy, you must not do this to your self. I cannot stand to think of you in pain.
...I tried to get him to stay and tried to enlist my parents help, but they said it was his decision to make. I do not know what to do. I miss my brother so much. The only good thing is that I am at Ramsgate with my companion Mrs. Younge. Also, I have seen George Wickham here...
Georgi, stay away for him. He is pure evil.
I hope you are enjoying your visit to your family. I will write again
Yrs. Affectionately,
Georgiana Darcy
A small tear slid down Lizzy's cheek, followed by a loud sob. A voice broke into her emotional moment. The voice belonged to her cousin, Jane.
"Lizzy, whatever is the matter? I hope your letter does not bring ill news."
"No" came the answer, accompanied by another sob.
"Lizzy, please tell me what is wrong." Jane said while taking a seat beside her cousin.
Lizzy, glad to have someone to confide in, took a deep breath and began to tell Jane everything
Part II
"So you see Jane, I cannot stand to hear of him hurting and not be able to comfort him."
"Lizzy" Jane said optimistically, "I think that if the two of you are so much in love, you can overcome this problem and be together again."
"Oh Jane, you do not understand. That is the reason I left. For I knew if I stayed longer my heart would take over my sense of logic, then I would do something." Lizzy went on to say, "I could not stand being so close, and yet so far away from him. My dear cousin that is why your invitation came at a perfect time. But I wish I was a home."
Jane tried to comfort her cousin, but to no avail. Lizzy would not be comforted. She sat there as silent tears streamed down her face.
"Maybe Lizzy, he will find someone else to place upon his affections. Then you could return home in peace."
"But Jane, that is the problem, I am so confused. I do not want him to feel pain, but I do not want him to transfer his feelings elsewhere. He should be as miserable as I am."
As she said this, a loud shriek erupted from the lane just beyond the two Ladies. A neighbor, Mrs. Long, ran in.
"Jane, where is your mother? I must tell her something of great importance. But let me tell you, Netherfield has been let by a man with 5000 a year. Think of how good that will be for you and your cousin."
Elizabeth jumped up at that last remark and said, "Jane, I believe I shall go on my walk. Good day Mrs. Long," and she turned and left.
"Right this way Mrs. Long," Jane said after glancing after her cousin. "I shall take you to my mother."
Mrs. Long continued as they went into the house, "and I here he has been in the neighborhood for one week and no one knew. Also..."
Part III
As Lizzy was walking, she came upon a group of wild roses at the edge of an estate. She found a rough wooden bench to sit upon. She took out Georgiana's letter and glanced at in once again.
Oh Will, the thought ran through her mind as she held back a sob, for me you must be strong.
The faint smell of roses reached her nose. Memories of their first meeting and all the time they spent together assaulted her mind and emotions.
"Will," she said allowed, but to herself. "I wish we could go back to when we were children, playing amongst the roses."
A voice interrupted her emotional reverie, a low- masculine voice. The blossom of a deep red rose was dropped into her lap.
"I agree," said the voice, "returning to one's childhood would be wonderful to anyone."
A shocked look crossed Lizzy's face. She glanced up slowly to behold the bearer of the voice that she knew so well. Their eyes met and a soft airy sound left Lizzy's lips.
"Will"
It was followed by rapid questions.
"What are you doing here? Are you following me? Did I not say I didn't want to be near you?"
He did not respond.
"Are you going to answer me?" Lizzy yelled exasperated.
"Which question do you want me to answer?"
"The last... no, the first," sputtered Lizzy.
Will began to chuckle at her sense of confusion. "Well I have some questions of my own. Such as, why are you one my property?"
"Your property!" Lizzy yelled.
"Well actually, Charles Bingley's property. You remember Charles, from Cambridge."
"Uh, yes I do."
"He has let this estate. Truly Lizzy, I did not know you were here; if I did I would not have come. I will, however, leave for London directly."
Lizzy turned away slowly from his steady gaze. Oh Will, why could you have not said that you love me? But then I'm sure those thoughts have been far from you mind. Is society so important to your family? But then why the rose?" Her thoughts were greatly confused.
Will took her silence as wanting him to leave. He slowly turned to go.
"Wait Will, I mean Mr. Darcy, there is no need for you to leave.
"Really! Are you sure Lizzy?"
"Stay, I have no problem with it. Although is you do feel free to leave, I'm not keeping you here." She rose and departed saying, "Thank you for the rose."