Jump to new as of February 16, 2000
Posted on Wednesday, 8 December 1999, at 6 : 28 p.m.
Elizabeth smiled brightly as she rounded past a nearby bush and caught sight of her home, Pemberley, as it loomed ahead. It made her recall the first time she had ever seen the house, with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. It hadn't changed a bit in the two years since she had steeped through the front doors as Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, save that now summer was in full bloom and everything was green and alive.
Her mind was still pleasantly engaged as she started up the lane towards the house when she noticed a lone rider up at the front door. One of the maids seemed to be talking to him and, after disappearing from sight for a moment, returned and the rider left. Elizabeth watched him leave and then turned her eyes back to the front door, a creeping feeling settling in her stomach. She was sure whatever the rider had came with something important and thus hurried her steps towards the house, doing little more than flat out running.
Once she entered the front door, she undid her bonnet and coat and walked on till she found a maid. "Emily," she called as she recognized the young housemaid. She turned as her name was called and Elizabeth said, "Emily, take my things up to my room. I won't be needing them till later."
"Very good, ma'am," Emily responded, dropping a little curtsey, and began to move away.
"Oh, wait, Emily," Elizabeth said, "Do you happen to know where Mr. Darcy is?"
"In his study, ma'am," the girl responded obediently then made her way up the stairs towards the bedchambers.
Elizabeth walked off towards the study, tidying her hair and smoothing out her dress as she went. Only the concentrated look in those lively brown eyes of hers belayed anything different from her usual bright disposition. She was keenly concentrating on what the rider might have come for. If it was indeed a post, she was very anxious to discover whom it was from.
Softly she knocked at the study door and at once heard Darcy's familiar voice saying, "Come in." She opened the door and stepped within, greeting Darcy's smile with her own.
"Back from your morning walk, I see," he said, shutting the thick leather-clad book before him on the desk.
"Yes, I hope I'm not interrupting your work," she said lightly, coming to stand beside him where he was seated
"If it be an interruption, it is a very welcome one," he said, looking up with his boyish grin at her. He took her hand for a moment and said nothing, then seemed to wake from his temporary reverie and reached into his pocket to hand Elizabeth a letter, "Oh yes, while you were out a post came for you. I assume it's of some importance. It's from your father."
Elizabeth instantly took on a look of concern as she moved over to one of the nearby seats. "I wonder what it could be about," she said lightly, then added in a half-joking tone, "I hope Kitty hasn't ran away." Darcy smiled a touch and watched her attentively, though quietly, and noticed the change in her features as she read. No, it was nothing like another sister running away, he knew instantly. Silent tears trickled from those dark eyes and Darcy almost sprang up, coming to Elizabeth's side.
She looked to him from the letter and began sobbing openly, saying, "Oh I knew it couldn't be anything good, William."
Unable to think of what he should do, Darcy drew Elizabeth into his arms, letting her push her face into his shoulder as she cried. She wrapped her arms around him, letter still in hand, and gently he stroked her hair, saying in a gentle voice, "There now, my love, it will all be right, I assure you. I'm sorry, my heart."
Slowly Elizabeth regained her composure and, though she still retained a sniffle, was somewhat back to her self. She said in a weak voice, tinged with amusement, "William, you can let go of me now. Try not to crack my rib, dearest."
Darcy let go of her but kneeled before her, taking her hand, "I'm sorry, my love. Now what is the matter? Is it the letter?" Obviously, it was but Darcy only wanted to be certain.
Elizabeth nodded slowly, "Yes." She took a deep breath and said softly, "Father writes for us to come immediately to Longbourn. My mother has passed on." She sighed out raggedly and looked down at his hand holding hers.
Darcy blinked, stunned. He regained his thoughts and squeezed Elizabeth's hand, "We shall leave directly and shall be at Longbourn by tomorrow morning at the latest, my love." He paused and tried to think of some way to console her. Softly, in a voice full of emotion, he added, "It is all right, my love. She is gone to a better place, truly."
Elizabeth looked up and caught his eyes with her own for a moment, then nodded, "I know, my heart, I know." Her voice was full or sorrow and guilt. Guilt over what, Darcy did not know.
Part 2
The next morning the Darcys, including Georgiana, arrived at Longbourn. They had traveled since early that previous evening and were exhausted, to say the least. Darcy had noticed Elizabeth was more silent, more thoughtful, but he completely understood this, having lost two parents himself. But the guilt was still in her eyes and voice and he was determined, before they left Longbourn, he would know what it was over.
As the carriage rolled to a stop, Elizabeth noticed Kitty running out to greet the carriage.
"Lizzy! Lizzy, that is you, isn't it?" she questioned, peering at the carriage a few feet from it.
"Oh course it is, Kitty," Elizabeth answered and as soon as she and Georgiana were helped out of the carriage, Kitty bounded up to her and suddenly engulfed her in a hug.
"Oh Lizzy, what a thing to happen!" she said, the sound of tears distinct in her voice.
Elizabeth patted her gently on the back and replied, "There now, Kitty, it will all be alright." Hoping to take her mind off the situation for a moment, she said, "Who all is here, Kitty?"
Kitty sniffled and slowly backed out of Elizabeth's arms, looking as if she just realized that she had been crying, "Oh yes...The Phillips are here, the Gardiners wrote that they would be coming soon, so did the Collinses. We are expecting Jane at any moment. Oh, and the Lucases dropped by earlier and promised to call again the make sure if we needed their help for anything."
Elizabeth tried not to belay a surprised look with the mention of the Collinses. She looked back towards Georgiana, shared a knowing look with Mr. Darcy, and then said to Kitty, "Well let's go inside, Kitty. I want to talk to Papa."
"Oh, you can't right now, Lizzy," she said automatically, then continued upon seeing Elizabeth's questioning glance. "He's talking to Mr. Phillips right now."
Elizabeth nodded gently, "Then let's go inside, shall we?"
Kitty nodded and the four walked back into Longbourn, through the foyer and into one of the sitting rooms just passed Mr. Bennet's library. Kitty opened the door and led them in.
Only Mary and Mrs. Phillips occupied the room, the latter looking more bereaved than the former. She continually dabbed at her eyes with a lacy handkerchief and talked in hushed tones to Mary, who looked neither sad nor happy.
They all took seats and Mrs. Phillips smiled sadly at Elizabeth. "Oh Elizabeth, what a sad event to see us all gathered here again," she said and broke into a fresh bought of weeping.
Elizabeth sighed out a breath and took up Mrs. Phillips' hand, "Now Aunt, there is no reason to cry. She is gone to a better place and crying will serve none of us any better."
Mrs. Phillips sniffled and nodded, squeezing Elizabeth's hand, "I know, Lizzy."
Elizabeth gave a comforting smile and looked to Mary. "Mary, are you feeling quite alright?" she asked gently. Elizabeth knew all her sisters well, Jane most of all, but she also had come to learn Mary's character better in these past few years. She had a tendency to bury her feelings within and try to overcome them with logic. She had gained a bit more civility and a bit more good sense with Elizabeth and Jane's help and, now and then, talked more freely of such things and left her idealistic musings out of it.
Mary looked over, surprised, then to Darcy and Georgiana and said, "Oh Lizzy, I had not noticed you had come in." She looked back to Lizzy and sighed, nodding, "Yes I am quite alright, Lizzy. Merely lost in thought."
Elizabeth nodded and sighed herself, sitting back in her seat. Darcy took up her hand from where he was sitting beside her and, when she glanced over, gave her a quiet smile that Elizabeth couldn't help but returning. All six of them sat in silence till, at length, the door opened and in stepped Mr. Phillips. Mrs. Phillips looked over, as did everyone, and burst into a fresh wave of tears.
Elizabeth stood and Darcy released her hand, knowing that she would want to speak privately with her father. She left the room and soon came to Mr. Bennet's library, knocking on the door before entering.
Mr. Bennet looks up as Lizzy entered and gave her a tired smile, asking, "Well well, Lizzy, how are your sisters faring in there with Mrs. Phillips?"
"Very well, Papa. Mrs. Phillips is not taking this too well, I fear," she replied and took a seat nearby her father.
Mr. Bennet nodded his head, "I knew as much. She has all the reason to not."
Each fell into a brooding silence before Elizabeth tentatively questioned, "Papa, if I may ask, how did she...I mean, was it...peaceful?"
Mr. Bennet's countenance fell some, his gaze settling on his desk and he rubbed his chin, as he usually did when he was in thought, and nodded. "Yes, Lizzy, she did. In her sleep, in fact." He sighed roughly and added, "Lizzy, I am heartily ashamed of myself."
Lizzy tried to discern her father's look at the moment, "You have no reason to be, Papa."
Mr. Bennet said, "Lizzy..." then faltered and stopped. He turned his eyes over to his second eldest and smiled sadly, "I always felt like I could talk to you, my child. I have not been a good husband, I know that, nor a good father to you girls when you were young." He paused and turned more fully to Elizabeth, "Lizzy, will you indulge an old man and listen to me for awhile? I feel I must talk to someone and you are now a grown woman so I feel I may be frank with you."
Elizabeth nodded, "Of course I will, Papa." She sat forward in her seat some.
Mr. Bennet nodded and smiled, "You were always a good girl, Lizzy." Then he started, "When I first met your mother, it was at a ball in London..."
Part Three
(We see Mr. Bennet, many years younger, walking about a room filled to the brim with people. His hair is dark, his eyes a shade of grey and it is easy to see how Elizabeth favors him. We hear Mr. Bennet's voice over the scene as we watch the action unfold.)
Mr. Bennet: I confess that I did not like balls much as a youth. Oh I did enjoy seeing some of the local beauties when I did go but part of me never liked to socialize.
(We now see Mr. Bennet coming upon a gathering of young men, near his own age...and then as he shies away from them and purposefully walks away.)
Mr. Bennet: I was then but 26. My father had brought up the subject of marriage many times and my mother had often introduced me to young ladies of good income and their mothers. While we were not poor we never had the wealthy of your Darcy, Lizzy. Nay, not even the wealth of Mr. Bingley. But we were still a respectable family and I was a good match for any gentleman's daughter.
(We now fade into a scene of Mr. Bennet talking to his father, Mr. Andrew Bennet. He is grey haired and his looks are slightly like Mr. Bennet's, but not quite the same. They seem to be in the family library, both sitting in leather chairs before a fireplace.)
Mr. Bennet: My father had not married until he was in his 40's and I, his first child, was not born until 6 years later. His health was beginning to fade and we were afraid that, in a few years' time, he would not longer be with us.
(We fade back to the ball and see Mr. Bennet now talking to a young dark haired and dark eyed girl who also resembles Elizabeth a great deal, though she is prettier and, in that respect, much like Jane.) Mr. Bennet: I had but one other sibling, a sister, Elizabeth. You were named after her, you know. She was at that time engaged to a Mr. Witherspoon, a very well off gentleman in terms of money. And that is when I met your mother...
(We are now shown that Mr. Bennet's sister, Elizabeth, has him by the arm and is leading him across the momentarily empty dance floor to a group of young ladies over to the side.)
Elizabeth smiled at her brother, "Oh now come on, Jacob. Meeting a few pretty girls never killed any man." Jacob gave his sister a sour look, "Perhaps not but then I am no normal man, Lizzy." Elizabeth smiled pertly, "And well I know. But I insist you meet this girl." He sighed, "Alright, Lizzy, alright." He knew he would regret this sooner or later. Elizabeth smiled and let go of his arm a moment to make her way into a group of girls, then returned. Behind her emerged a younger girl with blonde hair and blue-grey eyes, quite pretty. She seemed to fairly glow with youthful energy and it gave Jacob a moment of pause. Elizabeth spoke finally to him, "Jacob, I would like you to meet my friend, Miss Fanny Gardiner."
Part Four
The young blonde beamed a large smile and curtseyed to Jacob, saying, "At last we meet, Mr. Bennet! Your sister has told me much about you."
Jacob found his tongue again, "Is that right? All good, I hope."
"Of course, of course! How could they be anything but good!" she gushed. Jacob had the feeling she often did that and decided it to be one flaw in her he had already discovered.
Just at that moment, the strains of music could be heard to start. Jacob felt a nudge against his side and then noticed Elizabeth giving a sly glance from him to Miss Gardiner. Jacob raised his eyebrow, and then looked to Miss Gardiner. She, though, had her eyes set to a group of militiamen in the nearby corner. Jacob promptly looked back to Elizabeth, gave her a look, and Elizabeth returned with a flustered roll of the eyes.
Jacob finally said, "Miss Gardiner, would you do me the honor of a dance?"
With that and a few giggles from Miss Gardiner, he was fairly dragged onto the floor.
During the course of the dance, Jacob devoted his attentions to figuring out Fanny Gardiner's character. The occupation, of course, took all of ten minutes or less. Fanny had a bright, bold smile and sparkling eyes and a naturally easy disposition, as all could see. She was a beauty and had surely stolen many hearts...but Jacob saw something underneath all the beauty too. While she was no entirely stupid, she was very fanciful and very loose-tongued. Indeed, during the dance, she related many good pieces of gossip to Jacob, smiling pleasantly all the while.
As Jacob led her off the floor, he questioned, "Tell me, Miss Gardiner, are you fond of books?"
His answer was a laugh with a short snort at the end. Afterwards, she replied, "Oh no, I am not much for books, Mr. Bennet. I much prefer needlepoint and the like. I like the outdoors a great deal too."
Jacob was surprised with the last statement, "Oh you do, do you? I am a nature lover myself." Surely a woman who had some love of nature could be entirely feeble minded, he thought.
"Indeed? Well then, we have more in common than I thought, sir!" she said with a grin.
He relinquished her arm to the host of women where she had been before and said, "I am pleased to have met you, Miss Gardiner. I hope to repeat the pleasure at some later date."
Fanny smiled and nodded, saying, "As do I. Now, pray excuse me, I see my sister beckoning me." She left, making her way towards a young brunette.
Jacob walked on for a moment before being confronted by his sister who had managed to break away from the ladies group. "There you are, Jacob. How did you like Miss Gardiner?" she questioned, taking his arm and looking up to his face curiously.
Jacob replied, "Oh she is a very pretty girl, I grant you that, but I fear there is not much beyond that."
Elizabeth chuckled lightly then said, "I admit, Jacob, she is not a terribly witty girl but still, she is very sweet, do you not think?"
Jacob smiled, "Alright, Lizzy, I shall grant you that. She is a very sweet and good natured girl, if not somewhat loose-tongued."
Elizabeth beamed proudly, "Oh I knew you would like her, Jacob!" She paused and looked away, realizing she had made a mistake in saying that. She added, "I mean, I hoped you would like her..."
Jacob was silent a moment then burst into laughter, stopping and turning to face his sister, "You mean you were trying to play matchmaker, little Lizzy Bennet???"
Elizabeth furrowed her brow "Now Jacob, I am not 'little' Lizzy Bennet anymore. I am soon to be Mrs. Elizabeth Witherspoon. And I was NOT playing matchmaker."
Jacob continued to laugh but walked on, Elizabeth silently fuming beside him. "Oh now Lizzy, admit it, you were! Don't tell me you're going to become another Old Miss Stone, sitting around and making matches well up into your 70's?"
Elizabeth replied, with a toss of her head, "I just might do that, Jacob. See if I try to find you a suitable wife again."
Jacob rolled his eyes, "I should hope you don't, Lizzy."
The night went on thus, Jacob soliciting Fanny for another dance, then the rest with several other young ladies, and continuing to tease his sister about becoming a little old matchmaking woman. They all returned home in good spirits and, once in the silence of his bedchamber, Jacob took to contemplating the night's events as he prepared for bed.
Why exactly had his sister thought Miss Fanny Gardiner would be a good choice of wife for him? Did she have some quality he possibly could not see?
Jacob was still thinking through it all when he got into bed and drew the covers over him. He thought he knew exactly what type of woman Miss Gardiner was...a pretty, good natured and friendly young lady but still empty headed. Was he right?
Part 5
A week later, Jacob took refuge in his father's library whilst Mr. Bennet was gone on business. It was a rare occasion when his father would quit the room and Jacob was always ready to seize the opportunity of when he did.
Jacob sat down upon one of the chairs nearest the fireplace, opening the first book he had selected. As he began the first line, a slight knock sounded from the door. He sighed, "Yes, who is it?"
"It's me, Jacob," came Elizabeth's familiar voice.
Jacob sat the book aside, "Come in, Lizzy."
Elizabeth opened the door and slipped in, grinning at Jacob, "I knew you would be hiding away in here. Taking advantage of Papa's absence?" She took a seat in the other chair beside Jacob, still grinning.
Jacob smiled, "You know me well enough to know that to be the truth. What brings you in search of me?"
Elizabeth leaned over the arm of the chair, as if telling a great secret that she didn't even want the books to hear. "I'm going off to make some calls on a few of my friends," she stated, then paused and added, "Well, one friend in particular. I thought you might like to join me."
Jacob raised a brow, "You've never asked me to join you on social calls before, Lizzy. Why now?" He suddenly realized and asked slyly, "Does this have to do with the famous Miss Gardiner?"
Elizabeth blinked as if astonished but Jacob could read her face all too well, "Of course not, Jacob. I just thought you might like to meet her other sisters as well."
"How many of them are there?" he questioned, still holding his eyes on Elizabeth's face.
"Two. Marianne is the eldest, then there's Betsy, the second. Fanny is the youngest of the three," she answered smoothly, unflinching beneath her brother's stare.
Jacob sighed resolutely. "Alright, if it will make you happy, Lizzy, I will accompany you. Though one man amongst so many woman will be like a sore thumb."
Elizabeth laughed, "Oh Jacob, you're not going to be the only one there. Betsy's gentleman is coming."
"Well then, Lizzy, I suppose we should be off," Jacob said and stood, offering his arm to his sister as she rose likewise.
She took it with a wide smile, nudging him in the side with her elbow, "And wipe that sullen expression from your face, Jacob Bennet. You'll enjoy yourself, for heaven's sake."
Jacob rolled his eyes, "Oh yes, I am sure I will. All the while you, dear sister, shall play matchmaker, eh?"
Elizabeth only smiled.
Part 6
They arrived at the Gardiner household to find the ladies and gentleman gathered in the parlor. Fanny instantly greeted Elizabeth with a hug and then turned her gaze to Jacob, all smiles as she said, "Oh I'm so glad you've joined us, Mr. Bennet. Now perhaps George will not feel so lonesome amongst all us girls."
Mr. Bennet smiled kindly, "No, I'm sure he won't, Miss Gardiner." Taking note of the four others, Mr. Bennet added, "Would you do me the honor of introducing me to your friends?"
"Of course," Miss Gardiner answered and led Jacob over to the group. "Jacob, these are my sisters Marianne and Betsy," she said, motioning to the three girls on the sofa nearby. Jacob looked over all three, instantly interested in the eldest, Marianne.
All the sisters resembled each other, in some respects, with fairly the same face. Betsy had medium auburn hair and hazel eyes, a thin oval face and a slim, long nose set together with thin lips. Not totally unattractive nor a remarkable beauty. She was near the same height as Fanny Gardiner was but very thin.
Marianne, however, stuck out from her two sisters. She was thin, too, but in a pleasing way, with blue-gray eyes and hair a shade or so darker than Fanny's, more of a honey blonde color. She seemed to have more wits about her, perhaps, than her two sisters did.
"And this," Fanny continued, breaking Jacob's attention from Marianne, "is Richard Phillips. He is my sister Betsy's fiancé." Jacob looked at the man, an equally thin person. Truly, in look and manner he complimented his wife-to-be very well.
"Now that we've all met, what shall we do?" Fanny questioned as she took her seat. Jacob was obliged to sit across from Marianne. Not that he minded much.
"How about a picnic?" Betsy piped up almost immediately.
Marianne spoke, "Perhaps we should let one of the guests decide, Betsy." She looked over at Elizabeth and then to Jacob, "What do you two say to a picnic?"
Elizabeth replied, "I think it is a very good idea. It is such lovely weather after all." He looked to Jacob, noticing the strange look on his face. "Do you not think it is a good idea?"
Abruptly Jacob looked over to Elizabeth, blinking away the momentary daze. "What? Oh yes, the picnic. I think it's a very fine idea," he replied quickly. What was the matter with him?
Soon enough the picnic baskets were packed and the group was ready to go. It was decided that the gentleman would ride their horses while the ladies road in an open carriage to the picnic spot they had all decided on.
Jacob and Richard talked while they rode and soon Jacob developed a healthy respect for the man. He did not have much in the way of money, true, but neither did the Gardiners. In all senses, it was a very good match between him and Betsy Gardiner.
At the picnic ground, blankets were laid out, as was the food. Everyone began to help him or herself to the food and soon everyone was settled onto a blanket with a plate of food on his lap. By fortune, luck or fate, Jacob happened to be seated by Marianne. He endeavored to enter a conversation with the girl, to figure out if she did have more wits that her sisters.
"So, Miss Gardiner, do you enjoy reading?" he casually questioned, watching her from the corner of his eye before looking directly at her.
He sparked her interest, so it seemed, for she immediately smiled and nodded, "Oh yes, quite. Mother does not like the fact much but I do enjoy a good book."
"Any favored writers?" he asked. Now came the chance to put her to the test. Many could say they loved writing but he had always tripped many with this question.
Marianne paused for a moment and Jacob watched as her expression changed with her thinking then she replied, "I must say it would be the poems of Lord Alfred Tennyson."
Jacob was rather astonished...for a moment. Then he asked, "Do you have a particular poem you enjoy?"
Marianne smiled, "Of course." She recited the poem, saying, "Flower in the crannied wall, I pluck you out of the crannies. I hold you there, root and all, in my hand. Little flower -- but if I could understand what you are, root and all, and all in all, I should know what God and man is."
Jacob smiled, "Flower In The Crannied Wall. A very good choice."
The afternoon wore on, as afternoons do, and the more Jacob talked to Marianne, the more he grew to respect her. She was a very intelligent and witty girl and had a lively love of books. She also had a profound respect and admiration for nature, another trait Jacob found highly commendable.
When he came time to leave, Jacob did so most unwillingly. "Goodnight to you, Miss Gardiner," he said, addressing Marianne.
She merely smiled. Fanny Gardiner began to but in, as she had most of the afternoon, and called, "Will you not come back with your sister tomorrow, Mr. Bennet?"
Jacob turned his attention to Fanny for a moment, and then smiled back to Marianne, "I believe I shall, if my good sister will allow me."
With that the pair got into their carriage and made the journey home. On the way, Elizabeth took the opportunity to tease me.
"It seems you've grown fond of the eldest Miss Gardiner, Jacob," she said, with a smile.
Jacob chuckled, "I admit, she's a very intelligent creature."
"Then my matchmaking trial between you and Fanny are all for naught?" she questioned.
"I don't think I and Miss Fanny Gardiner were meant for each other, my dear," he simply said, making no hint as to who might be.
"True. I suppose I should have seen that. Then are you saying Miss Marianne is more your type?" she asked, leaning forward in her seat a little, as if they were gossiping.
"I'm not saying anything of the sort, Elizabeth. For the good of your brother, get those romantic notions out of your head," he said gruffly, in mock-anger.
Elizabeth merely gave a broad smile and said nothing more.